Chapter 1 — Andrew Confronts the Ruined Cake Scene as Chloe Cries in Despair
The kitchen was dead quiet except for the quiet, heartbreaking sobs of a young girl standing before a completely destroyed frosted cake.
Thick white frosting and bright berry filling smeared across the marble countertop in a sticky, ruined heap.
The cake was meant for an upcoming family dinner scheduled for later that evening.
“What happened here?” an adult voice demanded, pointing an accusing finger directly at the damaged dessert.
Rebecca crossed her arms tightly over her chest and shook her head in visible disappointment.
Rebecca truly believed Chloe had simply given in to temptation while walking past the counter alone.
“I didn’t do it!” Chloe cried out, her face red and tear-stained as she backed away from the mess.
Andrew stepped closer to the edge of the kitchen island, his expression a mix of sternness and concern.
“Show me what happened,” Andrew urged gently, trying to uncover the truth of the sudden kitchen disaster.
Chloe pointed a trembling finger at the ruined pastry and sobbed harder.
“I was in the living room playing with my blocks,” Chloe insisted through her tears.
“Nobody else was in here,” Rebecca countered, her voice sharp with disbelief.
Andrew knelt down to examine the base of the marble counter more closely.
As he looked closer around the edge of the kitchen island, Andrew noticed something unusual on the dark wooden floorboards right beneath the edge of the counter.