Chapter 1

My master's degree in education felt like a joke. Student loans weighed me down, a heavy stone in my gut. So, I tweaked my resume. "High school diploma," it now read. Good enough for domestic work. My first gig: the Davis family. Rich. Very rich.

And on day one, I saw the drama. Chloe, nine years old, stood on the edge of their fancy patio, a small drop to the manicured lawn below. Her little brother, Ethan, maybe six, played nearby. Chloe launched herself off the edge. A yelp. A fall.

Her plan to frame Ethan failed. Security cameras. Everywhere. Mrs. Davis, my new boss, saw the footage. Chloe had snatched a toy, Ethan resisted, she jumped. Mrs. Davis didn't even go to her. She just pointed a perfectly manicured finger at me. "You. Hospital. Now."

The other nannies, they practically ran. Whispers followed me. "She's a terror." "Good luck with that one." So, my first night wasn't in the staff quarters. It was in a private hospital room, listening to a nine-year-old scream.

She cried from dusk till dawn. My head throbbed. I wanted to bolt. But my bank account? Negative. This job paid well. Room and board included. I had to stick it out. At least until the debt was gone.

I tried to get friendly with the other staff. Maria, the head housekeeper, filled me in.

"Worst kid I've ever seen," Maria said, shaking her head. "Ethan went in her room once, she set the curtains on fire. Blamed him."

"Her dad brought cookies from Europe. Ethan ate them all. She nearly choked him."

"Can't stand it if her parents praise Ethan. If they do, she hits him. Guaranteed."

"A kid like that? Back in my country, they'd..." Maria trailed off, but her meaning was clear.

My stomach churned.

Suddenly, a voice behind me, sharp and cold.

"I am that evil. So what?"

I jumped, my phone clattering to the floor. Chloe. Standing there, eyes red and swollen, teeth clenched.

She lunged, aiming a kick. "You're just a servant! Talking about me?"

"I'll have you fired!"

I dodged. She missed, lost her balance, and went down. Hard.

The wails started again, louder this time. I scooped her up, held her. Rocked her.

I expected more screaming. More fighting.

But she went still. Quiet.

I looked down. She was nestled against me, almost... peaceful.

She felt my gaze, looked up. Her eyes met mine.

She quickly looked away. Then, remembering her role, she snapped, "What are you looking at?"

"I'll gouge your eyes out, you know."

All those TV villain lines. From a nine-year-old. I almost laughed.

I carried her back to her bed, pressed the call button for the doctor.

Good news: no serious injuries. Bad news: she claimed her leg hurt. Demanded I rub it. Or she'd tell her parents I'd hurt her.

When Maria brought dinner, she found me massaging Chloe's leg. My arm ached. I switched hands, shaking out the tired one.

Maria set the tray down, gave me a look.

I mumbled something about washing dishes, followed Maria out.

"You held her this time," Maria said, her voice flat, a hint of disdain. "Next time she'll scream if you don't."

Her words felt odd.

But I just smiled. "Kids need hugs, right?"

Maria just gave me a strange, knowing look and walked away.

I didn't get it. I decided to ignore it. Keep up the good-employee act. That's all that mattered.

Back in the room, I fed Chloe.

She was exceptionally fussy.

"Ugh, no onions."

"Where's the chicken? Ethan probably ate it all."

"I'm gonna beat him up when I get home."

I soothed her, coaxed her. "Then you can't be a picky eater."

"You need to be strong to beat your brother."

Her eyes widened. "You're not going to tell me to be nice to Ethan?"

I feigned innocence. "Why should you?"

She frowned. "Everyone says I should. Because I'm the older sister."

Her face twisted with resentment. "Why?"

"Exactly, why?" I prompted. "You're older than him by a few years. You'll always be older."

"Does that mean you have to give in to him forever?"

Her eyes lit up. "Good point. I like you."

"You're on my side now."

I had to smile. Such a child.

I'd found the trick. Hugs. Stories. Agreeing with her.

Maybe this wouldn't be so hard after all.