I. A Trust Betrayed: The Beginning of the Unraveling
A. The Comfort of Routine and a Helping Hand
As a nurse working long and unpredictable shifts, I—Zoe—relied on my mother-in-law, Denise, to look after my son, Leo. I had always thought Denise was a reliable, if a bit overbearing, caregiver. After all, she was a proud woman who had spent her life caring for others. Living two roads away, she was only a phone call away, and her willingness to help was a blessing during my hectic work schedule. I often reassured myself, “That’s what family is for,” and even when Denise’s authoritative manner made me raise an eyebrow, I chalked it up to her natural instinct to protect her only grandchild.
For a long time, things went smoothly. Leo was generally happy under her care, and despite the occasional stern word or dismissive glance, Denise always ensured that he was safe, fed, and entertained. I even appreciated her knack for discipline, believing that her methods were simply a reflection of a generation that valued structure above all else.