Chapter 8 - What the Nanny Heard
"Don't answer them," Clara told Olivia. "Save the messages."
They were staying with Celia's sister, a retired teacher named Beth, until the court decided longer-term arrangements. The address was private. Beth served soup, never asked Olivia for details, and brought Emma a box of clean wooden blocks.
For the first time since the staircase, Emma slept for three uninterrupted hours.
Olivia did not.
"There's someone we should talk to," she told Clara the next morning. "Millie."
Millie Ortiz had cared for Emma twice a week until Vanessa dismissed her for being "too familiar." Olivia found her old number and called with Clara and Celia listening.
"I didn't leave because I wanted to," Millie said. "I refused to say Mrs. Mercer was careless."
"Careless how?" Celia asked.
"Miss Vanessa kept asking me to write down every time Clara cried, every time Emma fussed, every bottle that was late. She said the list was for a doctor. Then she asked me to sign a statement saying Clara left Emma alone by the stairs. I wasn't even working that day."
Millie had kept a photo of the unsigned statement. She sent it over.
The date on the form was a week before the stroller incident.
"Would you be willing to speak with investigators?" Celia asked.
"Yes," Millie said. "I should have come forward sooner."
After the call, Clara looked at Olivia. "Why did you start filming the hallway?"
Olivia hesitated. "Vanessa said you would send me away if you and Dad had another baby. I didn't believe her. Then I heard her talking about getting proof against you."
"Olivia, I have never wanted you gone."
"I know that now."
May you like
That afternoon Millie delivered another photograph. It showed Vanessa leaving Evan's office with a thick blue folder.
Across the folder's spine, handwritten in red, were the words HARBOR HOUSE - FINAL SALE.
