Meanwhile, back at the Harrington house, the necklace “mysteriously” reappeared in a drawer—but it no longer mattered.
“The damage is done,” Mrs. Harrington said coldly. “Those people are all the same.”
A week later, something unexpected happened.
At school, Elliot refused to enter his classroom.
“I won’t,” he said. “Not until my mom listens to me.”
The teacher called Mrs. Harrington.
“Your son says he needs to tell us something important.”
Mrs. Harrington sighed, annoyed.
“Elliot exaggerates.”
But that day, Elliot spoke differently.
“Rosa didn’t steal anything,” he said, his voice shaking. “I know who did.”
The teacher froze.
Hours later, everyone gathered in the living room.
“What are you saying?” Mr. Harrington asked.
Elliot looked up—really looked up—for the first time.
“I saw Jason. He had the necklace. The camera didn’t record because he unplugged it. I watched him do it.”
“That’s a lie!” Aunt Patricia screamed. “My son would never—”
“I saw him,” Elliot said again. “And I don’t want to stay quiet anymore.”
Total silence.
Mr. Harrington ordered Jason’s old backpack—forgotten in the closet—to be searched.