Marilyn never expected a routine daycare pickup to unravel a web of secrets surrounding her “deceased” daughter-in-law. Her discovery sets off a journey of deception, protection, and ultimate family reconciliation.
Walking into Little Stars Daycare always brought a smile to my face. Today was no different. The sound of children laughing and playing was music to my ears. I was there to pick up my granddaughter, Lucy, who was the light of my life.
As soon as Lucy saw me, her face lit up like the sun. “Grandma!” she squealed, running towards me with her arms wide open. I scooped her up in a big hug, feeling her small arms tighten around my neck.
Lucy | Source: Midjourney
“Hello, my little star,” I greeted her warmly. “Did you have fun today?”
“Yes!” Lucy bubbled with excitement. She dug into her backpack and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper. “I made this for you!” It was a painting, a vibrant swirl of greens and blues. Despite the mess of colors, it was a masterpiece to me.
“That’s wonderful!” I exclaimed, admiring her artwork. “Shall we go get some ice cream?”
Lucy nodded eagerly. As we walked to the car, she continued to chatter about her day. But then she said something that stopped me in my tracks.
Marilyn walks Lucy to the car | Source: Midjourney
“Look, Granny, I didn’t even get paint on my new dress! Daddy bought it for me and Mommy. We have matching ones!”
I froze mid-step. My heart sank. “Lucy, sweetie, where is Mommy?” I managed to ask, my voice barely a whisper.
“Mommy lives in the blue house. We visit her sometimes on Saturdays when you go to your knitting club!” Lucy replied cheerfully, oblivious to the shock she had just sent through me.
Marilyn drives Lucy home | Source: Midjourney
As I buckled Lucy into her booster seat, my mind was spinning. The car ride began with Lucy chattering happily, blissfully unaware of the turmoil she had stirred within me. “And Mommy helped me pick the colors for the painting!” she continued, waving the crumpled artwork with pride.
I tried to focus on driving, but my thoughts were elsewhere. “That’s nice, sweetheart,” I murmured automatically. The road stretched ahead, but my heart was stuck at that last exchange. Mommy helped? How?
Lucy’s voice pulled me back. “Mommy says green is the best color because it’s the color of the trees and her favorite dress,” she said. I glanced at her in the rearview mirror, her face bright and animated as she spoke of her ‘mommy.’
Lucy speaks about her mom | Source: Midjourney
The heaviness settled deeper in my chest. David, my son, had been devastated when Jenna, his wife and Lucy’s mother, had passed away. It was a dark time. He told me she had died from complications shortly after giving birth. It was supposed to be a time of joy, not of irreplaceable loss.
“We miss her, don’t we, Grandma?” Lucy’s innocent question broke through my reverie.
“Yes, darling, very much,” I replied, my voice thick with emotions. The memory of David’s tears and the way he had clung to baby Lucy, desperate and shattered, flashed before me. He had never moved on, never dated anyone else. Jenna’s death had left a void in our lives that we never expected to fill again.
Devastated David with Lucy in his arms | Source: Midjourney
But here was Lucy, speaking so casually about her mother as if she were still part of our everyday lives. My grip tightened on the steering wheel. Was Lucy creating a fantasy world to cope, or was there something else, something real, that I was not aware of? The discrepancy between what I knew and what Lucy was saying gnawed at me.
I needed answers, but I was scared of what those answers might reveal. The weight of the unknown pressed heavily on me as I drove, each turn taking us closer to a truth I wasn’t sure I wanted to face.
Marilyn follows the car | Source: Midjourney
Saturday morning arrived with a leaden sky, mirroring the heaviness in my heart. I had made up my mind. After sending Lucy and David off with cheerful waves, I slipped into my car and followed them at a distance. My hands trembled slightly on the wheel as I navigated through familiar streets, now tinted with the hue of secrecy.
Turning down the lane to the blue house, my breath caught. I parked a block away, my heart hammering in my chest. This was it. The moment of truth. I walked towards the house, my steps hesitant yet driven by a desperate need to understand.
The house where Lucy’s mom lived | Source: Midjourney
Peering through the window, I saw them—Lucy and a woman, laughing together as they set up a game on the living room floor. The woman turned, and my world tilted. It was Jenna. Alive. The very sight of her—so vibrant, so real—sent a shockwave through me. Relief flooded in, sharp and fierce, followed quickly by a surge of betrayal. How could they?
Tears blurred my vision as I watched them, a family scene so normal yet so impossible. Jenna looked up suddenly, spotting me at the window. Our eyes met, and the joy on her face faltered.
Jenna is playing with Lucy | Source: Midjourney
I didn’t wait for them to invite me in. Pushing open the door, I entered, my voice thick with emotion. “David, Jenna, what is going on?”
The room fell silent, the air thick with tension. David stood, his expression a mix of shock and fear. “Mom, what are you doing here?” His voice trembled, not with surprise, but with dread.
“I think it’s time you both told me what’s really going on,” I said, my voice steady despite the chaos swirling inside me.
David explains everything to Marilyn | Source: Midjourney
David sighed, running his hands through his hair. “Mom, I know this is going to sound unbelievable, but Jenna and I made a difficult decision years ago, one that we thought was best at the time.” He glanced at Jenna, who nodded, her eyes filled with tears.
“After Lucy was born, Jenna, as an environmental lawyer, got involved in a case against a powerful corporation. It turned ugly, with threats made not just against her but against Lucy too. We couldn’t risk it,” David explained, his voice fraught with remembered fear.
David remembers acting like Jenna was dead | Source: Midjourney
“We decided the safest thing was for me to go into hiding, and to let the world think I was dead,” Jenna added, her voice breaking. “It was the only way to protect Lucy and continue my work without endangering anyone.”
My emotions churned—anger, hurt, relief, understanding. They had lived a lie to protect their family. I was left out, yes, but the reason now made a painful kind of sense.
“I wish you had trusted me enough to tell me,” I whispered, the weight of years of unnecessary mourning heavy on my shoulders.
Marilyn hugs David | Source: Midjourney
“We wanted to, Mom. We really did. But the fewer people who knew, the safer Jenna was,” David replied, reaching for my hand. “We were going to tell you, eventually.”
As I absorbed their words, the initial shock gave way to a complex tapestry of forgiveness and sorrow. They had made an impossible choice under unimaginable pressure. Now, we needed to find a way to move forward, together.
As we sat together in Jenna’s living room, the shock slowly began to settle into a quiet resolve. David laid out the plan for Jenna’s return to our lives.
David and Jenna drink tea | Source: Midjourney
“Now that the threats have subsided and the case is closed, Jenna will slowly reintegrate into the public eye,” he explained, his voice filled with cautious optimism.
“We’ll start with small gatherings,” Jenna added, looking towards me with hopeful eyes. “Maybe a family dinner here and there, and then gradually attending larger family events.”
I nodded, understanding the delicacy of their situation. It was a chance to mend the fabric of our family, torn by years of secrets. “I’ll help in any way I can,” I assured them, feeling a new role dawning on me. My support would be crucial in bridging Jenna’s transition from her hidden life back into the full glare of our family and community.
Marilyn explains the details to the relatives | Source: Midjourney
Over the following weeks, I took it upon myself to prepare our relatives for Jenna’s return. I explained the necessity of her disappearance and the safety it had ensured for Lucy. While the news startled everyone, the prevailing sentiment was one of relief and gratitude that Jenna was safe and could be part of our lives again.
One sunny afternoon, I watched as Lucy played in the garden, Jenna by her side. It was a simple moment, yet profound in its normalcy. I joined them, taking Jenna’s hand in mine. “Welcome back,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.
Jenna plays with Lucy | Source: Midjourney
Jenna squeezed my hand, her eyes glistening with tears. “Thank you, Marilyn, for understanding, for supporting us.”
As we watched Lucy chase butterflies, I felt the promise of new beginnings. The secrets that once loomed large were now out in the open, allowing us to heal and grow stronger together. The path ahead would require adjustment and patience, but with love and openness, I was confident we could face whatever came our way.
This work is inspired by real events and people, but it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.
The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
‘That’s for Mommy’s Friend’: Little Girl’s Reveal Almost Cost Me My Job—Story of the Day
I worked as a nanny. My little Thea was my sunshine, making my days fly by. One afternoon, she found a man’s wallet full of cash under her bed. I took it to Thea’s father, but he said it wasn’t his. “It’s for Mommy’s friend!” That phrase nearly cost me my job later on.
I had been working in Max’s household for a few weeks, and the routine had become second nature. I would wake up early each morning to prepare breakfast for 6-year-old Thea.
The kitchen was always filled with the warm aroma of pancakes and freshly squeezed orange juice. We often cooked together.
“Good morning, sunshine!”
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I greeted Thea one morning as the little girl shuffled into the kitchen.
Her eyes were still heavy with sleep.
“Good morning, Anna.”
She climbed onto a stool at the kitchen island. I set a plate of pancakes in front of her.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Do you want blueberries or strawberries today?”
“Blueberries, please.”
As I watched Thea eat, I thought about my huge love for this little girl.
“You’re my little blueberry, you know that?”
Thea giggled. “I know.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
After breakfast, I helped Thea get ready for school.
“Hold still, Thea, I need to get this braid just right.”
“Okay, but can you make it like Elsa’s braid today?”
“Of course, Elsa it is,” I replied, carefully braiding Thea’s curly blonde hair. I tied the end of the braid with a ribbon.
“You look beautiful, Thea.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“Thank you, Anna. You always make my hair so pretty,” Thea replied, giving me a big hug.
I had always wanted children of my own but had discovered a few years ago that I couldn’t have any. I loved the girl as if she were my daughter, pouring all my maternal affection into our relationship.
After dropping Thea off at school, I returned home to take care of the household chores.
Veronica, Max’s wife, rarely acknowledged my efforts. She was always busy with her daily pleasures.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Not even a thank you. But it’s okay. I’m here for Thea.
In the evening, I picked Thea up from school, and we would head back home for dinner. I always made sure Thea had her favorite meals.
“Do you want spaghetti or chicken tonight?”
“Spaghetti!”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Max, who was constantly busy with work, would join us whenever he could.
“You’re doing a wonderful job, Anna. Thea seems so happy,” he said that evening.
Despite his demanding schedule, he always tried to spend his free moments with his daughter. Thea was his only child from his first marriage, and Veronica didn’t want to have any children of her own.
So, Max poured all his affection and care into Thea and was deeply grateful to me for my dedication and genuine love for his little girl.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Thank you, Max. Thea is a special girl. She deserves all the love and attention,” I replied, glancing over at Thea, who was engrossed in a puzzle on the floor.
However, despite the happy moments, I couldn’t ignore the tension that Veronica brought into the household. She spent most of her time away and showed little interest in Thea.
That night, as I tucked Thea into bed.
“Why doesn’t Mommy love me, Anna?”
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My heart broke at the question.
“Oh, sweetheart, you are so loved. I love you very much, and so does your daddy. Sometimes, people don’t show their love in the same way, but that doesn’t mean you’re not special.”
Thea hugged me tightly. “I love you too, Anna.”
I knew my love and support could make a real difference, and I was determined to give Thea the best childhood possible.
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***
One sunny afternoon, Thea and I were playing in the nursery. The room was filled with toys, colorful drawings on the walls, and the soft hum of children’s music playing in the background.
Thea was busy pretending her dolls were having a tea party.
“Anna, can you pour the tea for Daisy?”
“Of course, Daisy,” I replied, carefully pretending to pour invisible tea into a tiny cup.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
As we played, Thea crawled under the bed to retrieve a toy she had dropped.
“Anna, look what I found!”
She emerged holding a man’s wallet.
“Hmm, let’s see what’s inside.”
The wallet was filled with cash! No cards no ID. Just cash.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
This must belong to Max. We should return it to him.
I held Thea’s hand, and we walked downstairs to Max’s home office. He was at his desk, surrounded by papers and his laptop.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Max, we found this wallet in Thea’s nursery,” I said, holding it out to him.
“This isn’t mine.”
Just then, Thea, who had been looking around curiously, piped up, “Oh, that’s a toy! That’s for Mommy’s Friend!”
Max and I exchanged a surprised glance.
Before we could say anything, Veronica walked in. She noticed the wallet in Max’s hand and immediately narrowed her eyes.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“What’s going on here?”
“We found this wallet in Thea’s nursery. Thea said it belongs to one of your friends.”
Veronica’s eyes flashed.
“That’s ridiculous! Anna, you must have taken this from one of the workers!”
“I would never…” I began, but Max interrupted.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Veronica, that’s enough. Anna is always with Thea. She wouldn’t do something like that.”
Veronica’s face twisted with anger.
Max continued, “I trust Anna. This is a misunderstanding.”
Veronica huffed, “How can you be so sure? You barely know her!”
Max stood his ground.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“I know enough to trust her. And I trust Thea’s word too. If she says it’s a toy, then it’s a toy.”
Veronica glared at me, but I held my head high. I had nothing to hide.
Veronica shot me one last icy look before storming out of the room.
As she passed by me, she leaned in and whispered, “You’re finished.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Max turned to me. “I’m sorry about that, Anna. Veronica can be… difficult.”
“It’s alright, Max. I understand.”
As Thea and I left the office, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease. Veronica’s reaction was harsh and unfounded.
Why is she so eager to accuse me?
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
***
The following afternoon, Veronica called me into the living room. She was sitting elegantly on the sofa, watching me carefully.
“Anna, I was thinking of taking Thea out for a walk this afternoon. Why don’t you stay here and prepare dinner?”
I hesitated for a moment, but couldn’t find a reason to object.
“Sure, Veronica,” I replied, trying to sound cheerful.
“Great. Thea loves the playground, so we’ll be there if you need us.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
I headed to the kitchen, watching from the window as Veronica and Thea walked down the path to the playground. I busied myself with chopping vegetables.
“It’s just a walk,” I told myself. “Everything will be fine.”
Half an hour later, I heard the front door open and close.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
Max’s voice echoed through the house, “I’m home!”
I wiped my hands on a towel and walked out to greet him.
“Hi, Max. How was your day?”
“Busy as always,” he replied, glancing around. “Where’s Thea?”
“Veronica took her to the playground. They should be back soon.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
“The playground? By themselves?”
Without waiting for a response, he grabbed his coat and headed out the door.
I stood there, a sinking feeling in my stomach.
“Please let everything be alright,” I whispered.
It felt like an eternity before Max returned, holding a very upset Thea by the hand. Her clothes were dirty, and she had a scrape on her knee.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Max, what happened?” I asked, rushing over.
Max’s face was a storm of anger.
“I found Thea playing alone at the playground. Veronica was nowhere in sight!”
“I didn’t know, Max. I swear I thought Veronica was with her the whole time.”
Veronica was listening to our conversation at the doorway.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Max, I just went to the store for a minute. I was sure Thea’s playing with Anna.”
Max turned to me, his anger misdirected.
“Anna, you should have been with her. This is unacceptable.”
“But, Max…” I started, but he cut me off.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“No excuses, Anna. Pack your things. You’re fired.”
Tears filled my eyes as I nodded, too shocked to argue. I headed upstairs to pack.
This can’t be happening. How did everything go so wrong?
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
***
As I walked down the stairs with my suitcase, Veronica stood in the hallway, a smug look on her face.
She had orchestrated this whole thing, and I had fallen right into her trap. I kept walking, trying to ignore the satisfaction in her eyes.
I saw Thea running towards me, tears streaming down her face. “Anna, please don’t go! Please!”
I knelt to her level, my own eyes filling with tears.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“I don’t want to leave either, Thea, but I have to.”
Thea turned to her father, who was standing in the doorway.
“Daddy, please let Anna stay! Veronica never plays with me. She’s always with her friend when you’re not here. I want to stay with Anna!”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
Max frowned. “What do you mean, sweetheart?”
Thea wiped her eyes.
“Veronica has a friend who comes over a lot. They play in her room while I watch cartoons. She even has pictures of him on her phone.”
Max’s face darkened. “Is this true, Thea?”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Yes, Daddy. Yesterday at the playground, Veronica left me alone while she went to talk to him.”
Max looked stunned. He turned to Veronica, who had just walked in. “Veronica, is this true?”
Veronica’s face twisted with anger. “This is ridiculous! She’s just a child. What does she know?”
“Thea wouldn’t lie about this. Why didn’t you tell me about this ‘friend’?”
Veronica lost her temper.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
“Because you’re never around, Max! You’re always at work. I have no life, no one to talk to. And you spend all your free time with Thea, ignoring me completely!”
“That doesn’t justify your actions. You put Thea in danger and lied to me.”
Veronica glared at me. “This is all your fault, Anna. You turned them against me.”
I was trying to stay calm. “Veronica, all I’ve ever wanted is to take care of Thea. She needs love and attention.”
Max raised his hand.
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“I’ve heard enough. Your actions are unjustifiable, Veronica. You put Thea in danger, and I can’t forgive that. You should leave.”
Veronica looked shocked.
“You’re kicking me out? For her?”
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She stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her. I held Thea close as she sobbed into my shoulder. Max approached us, his eyes softening.
“Anna, I’m so sorry. I didn’t see what was happening. Please, stay and help us through this.”
“Of course, Max. I’ll always be here for Thea.”
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
***
In the days that followed, I stayed on as Thea’s nanny. Max began to spend more time with his daughter.
We spent our days playing games, having picnics in the garden, and enjoying family dinners. It felt like we were becoming a real family.
Sometimes, as I watched Max and Thea together, I couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like if we truly were one. Those thoughts crept into my mind more often than I’d like to admit.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Midjourney
One evening, as I was tucking Thea into bed, Max knocked on the doorframe.
“Anna, can I talk to you for a moment?”
“Of course, Max,” I said, giving Thea a final kiss on the forehead before stepping out into the hallway.
Max looked a bit nervous, which was unusual for him.
“I was wondering if you’d like to have dinner with me tomorrow. Just the two of us.”
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“Are you asking me out on a date?”
“Yes, I am. We’ve been through a lot, and I’d like to spend some time with you outside of the house.”
I agreed, feeling a flutter of excitement. As I headed to my room to prepare for the next day, I couldn’t help but smile.
For illustration purposes only | Source: Pexels
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If you enjoyed this story, read this one: Prue arrived at my Mom’s wedding and found a note under her plate. “Help me!” The handwriting was the same as on the invitation. It wasn’t Mom’s, so… it must be Colin’s! Prue followed him and saw something that soon turned the family party into a big scandal. Read the full story here.
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