Chapter 3: The Hidden Notebook
Chapter 3: The Hidden Notebook
The following morning, Nathan helped Emma clean her bedroom.
Inside the bottom drawer of her dresser, he found a small notebook decorated with faded stars.
"May I read it?" he asked gently.
Emma nodded.
Every page contained neat handwriting.
Today I cried in the laundry room.
I made a mistake folding towels.
Mrs. Grayson said Daddy loves successful people, not crybabies.
Nathan stopped breathing.
He turned another page.
I miss when Daddy read bedtime stories.
I don't tell him I'm sad because he's working hard for me.
Maybe if I'm perfect, he'll stay home.
A tear landed on the paper.
Nathan closed the notebook and hugged his daughter tightly.
"I'm so sorry."
Emma wrapped her small arms around his neck.
"I didn't want you to worry."
At that moment, Nathan realized the greatest damage had not been the chores.
It had been convincing his daughter that love had to be earned.
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That afternoon, he contacted child psychologists, family counselors, and investigators to review Mrs. Grayson's conduct while she had been employed in the home.
Several former employers later came forward with similar complaints that had never been formally reported.
