She pulled a folder from her bag and handed it to him.

Andrew scanned the documents. Three previous families. Positive recommendations. One letter mentioned that she had cared for two young children for nearly two years.

“Why did you leave this job?” Andrew asked. “Two years is a long time.”

“The family moved to Canada,” Grace explained. “They offered to take me with them, but I have responsibilities here.”

“What kind of responsibilities?”

For a brief moment she hesitated. Something flickered in her eyes—something heavy.

“My mother is ill,” she said quietly. “I take care of her.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thank you.”

Silence settled between them for a moment.

Then Andrew continued.

“My son Noah is three years old. He lost his mother eight months ago. He’s… very quiet. Sometimes too quiet.”

Grace nodded gently.

“I understand.”

Andrew handed her a printed sheet.

“These are the rules. Strict schedules. No candy between meals. Maximum one hour of educational television. No tablets. Planned activities throughout the day. And above all, professionalism. You’re not here to be his friend—you’re responsible for him.”

Grace studied the page carefully. Her expression remained calm, though Andrew noticed her fingers tighten slightly on the paper.

Then she asked a question.

“May I hug him?”

Andrew blinked.

“What?”

“Noah. If he falls or gets scared… may I hug him? I didn’t see that on the list.”

Andrew felt his chest tighten unexpectedly.

“I suppose so,” he said. “If it’s necessary.”

“And if it isn’t ‘necessary,’ but he asks for one?”

Andrew frowned.

“Why would he ask if it isn’t necessary?”

Grace looked at him quietly.

“Because sometimes children need affection without a reason,” she said softly. “Just because they’re children.”

The way she said it wasn’t confrontational.

It wasn’t submissive either.

It was simply the truth.

Andrew left for the office soon after, but before going he activated the hidden cameras he had installed throughout the house. He had done it with every nanny. He trusted technology more than people.

Throughout the afternoon, curiosity got the better of him. From his office computer he opened the live feed.

At first, nothing unusual happened.

Grace sat on the floor building blocks with Noah.

Later she read him a story.

Then something unexpected appeared on the screen.

Noah climbed onto the couch and carefully picked up a framed photograph from the table. It was a picture of Olivia.