The Perfect Nanny (The Perfect Thrillers Collection) by Iris Baxter

Author:Iris Baxter [Baxter, Iris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2025-04-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 54

Sunday morning arrived with a deceptive calm.

We were back home now, the mountain air already replaced by the dense, familiar city air. After yesterday’s chaos up there, I insisted that Elena take the day off—or at least stay in her room and rest. She had argued, of course, but I was firm. “You need a break,” I had said, standing my ground. “Just one day.”

She hesitated, but eventually, she nodded.

So it was just me and Theo today.

***

The drive to the cemetery was quiet, save for Theo’s occasional chatter from the back seat. He swung his legs idly, holding onto a small bag of goldfish crackers—his favorite snack.

“For Daddy,” he had said matter-of-factly as we were leaving.

The simplicity of it had nearly broken me.

The cemetery came into view, stretching over a gentle hill. It was a classic American burial ground—rows of headstones neatly arranged on a bed of manicured grass, a few large oak trees providing shade. Some graves had fresh flowers, others small American flags. A scattering of older markers, worn and moss-covered, stood in contrast to the newer ones with their sharp, unweathered engravings.

Ethan’s was one of the newer ones.

I pulled into the gravel lot, shut off the engine, and exhaled.

I hated coming here.

I hated that this was all that remained of him—his name carved into polished stone. Ethan Michael Calloway. 1985 – 2022.

Theo hopped out eagerly, the bag of crackers clutched tight in his hands. He walked ahead, his little sneakers crunching against the gravel path, and I followed close behind.

Ethan’s grave was beneath a tall oak, shaded from the morning sun. It was a calm spot—isolated enough that it always felt like we were the only ones here.

Theo plopped down right in front of the headstone and slowly placed the bag of crackers at its base.

“For you, Daddy,” he said, patting it gently.

I swallowed, kneeling beside him. “That’s really nice, baby.”

Theo pointed to the embedded photo on the stone—the last good picture we had of Ethan. “Daddy,” he said softly.

I forced a smile. “Yeah, sweetheart. That’s Daddy.”

For a few moments, neither of us spoke. Theo traced his fingers along the edge of the headstone while I focused on keeping my breathing steady.

Finally, I took a deep breath. “I caved,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. “I finally got help.”

The words felt strange—like admitting something I wasn’t sure I was ready to face.

“I know you’d tell me it’s about time,” I continued. “But it still feels… weird.”

I hesitated, glancing at Theo, who was now arranging the goldfish crackers in a neat little row.

“And then there’s Elena.”

My voice dropped lower as if saying her name here was something forbidden.

“She’s perfect. Maybe too perfect. Theo loves her, and she’s amazing with him. But…” I trailed off, shaking my head. “Something doesn’t sit right. Maybe it’s just me. Maybe I’m paranoid. Maybe I don’t know how to trust anymore.”

I breathed out, finding my own behavior almost laughable. “If you’re listening, Ethan, maybe you could send me a sign?”

The words had barely left my mouth when a deep, low crack of thunder rumbled through the sky.

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