My daughter’s kindergarten teacher posted on her social media, showing a photo of a large black swan cake.

“Today is Jack Stout’s birthday. Thanks to his mother for sending such an expensive cake. The kids are all so happy to enjoy it.”

Looking at the elegant black swan cake in the photo, I was confused.

Why did it look so similar to the high-end cake worth millions I had custom-made for my daughter?

The little boy standing beside the cake was wearing expensive children’s clothing, which also seemed very familiar—it looked like the ones I’d custom-ordered from abroad for my daughter.

I told my husband about this, and he casually responded, “Maybe it’s just a coincidence.”

Something didn’t sit right with me, so I decided to check the surveillance footage at home.

To my shock, I discovered that our nanny wasn’t as trustworthy as I thought. She had been stealing my jewelry, clothes, and even my daughter’s valuables.

What was worse, the relationship between her and my husband seemed suspicious.

——

Later, at work, I finished my tasks and checked my phone.

When I saw the post by Teacher Nina from the kindergarten, my brow furrowed.

The high-end black swan cake and the children’s clothing worn by Jack looked all too familiar.

I immediately called my husband, Al Durham, to tell him about it.

On the other end of the line, he responded nonchalantly, “The kindergarten Jessie attends is a prestigious one. Most of the kids there come from wealthy families. It’s probably just a coincidence.”

“Don’t stress over little things. I’ll ask the teacher when I pick up Jessie this afternoon.”

I sighed, then asked, “Jessie’s birthday was yesterday, but I wasn’t home to celebrate with her. Did she eat the custom cake?”

My husband sighed heavily. “She only had a few bites, then threw the cake on the floor because she was throwing a tantrum. I was so upset.”

“Don’t buy such expensive cakes for her again. It’s a waste of money.”

“And those expensive clothes and shoes you keep buying won’t last long. Kids grow so fast, and they’re always changing sizes. It’s better to save the money for something more useful.”

“Anyway, I’ve got to go visit some clients. Talk to you later.”

After hanging up, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

I went back to Teacher Nina’s post, hoping to get another look at the black swan cake and the pricey children’s clothes Jack was wearing.

But to my surprise, Teacher Nina had deleted the post.

My suspicion grew. I quickly called Teacher Nina.

She answered politely, “Ms. Miller, how can I help? Jessie did really well in class today. She’s just finished lunch and is taking a nap now.”

I tried to sound casual, “I saw the post you made earlier about Jack. The cake and clothes looked really nice. Can you send me a few photos? I’d like to buy the same style for my daughter.”

There was a brief pause before Teacher Nina replied, sounding uncomfortable, “Ms. Miller, I’m sorry. Just a moment ago, Jack’s mother called and asked me to delete the post. She didn’t want her son to be too high-profile at school.”

This only made me more suspicious.

Why would Jack’s mother be so eager to hide something?

If she didn’t want her son to be in the spotlight, why would she send an expensive, custom-made cake worth millions for all the children to share at school?

I don't understand this operation.

In the evening, I left the company directly and drove home.

Seeing that I left the company early today, many senior executives of the company were surprised.

Recently, the company has developed very fast. I am so busy that I have regarded the office as my home, eating and living here.

Many people in the company have nicknamed me behind my back, calling me the "hardworking iron lady".

In my career, I am very successful. In just a few years, I have multiplied the inheritance left by my parents several times, and many bigwigs in the business world have praised me.

However, I have failed a bit in being a wife and a mother.

I owe a lot to my husband and daughter, and I have little time to accompany them.

I will go home early today. I plan to make a hearty dinner for my husband and daughter, accompany them well, and make up for my debt to them.

When I got home, Jessie had finished school.

She was wolfing down cheap instant noodles, as if she hadn't eaten for a day.

I was stunned at first, and then a little angry when I saw this scene.

I looked at the nanny at home and said in an unhappy tone: "Aunt Elsa, the child is hungry, and you give her this?"

Aunt Elsa's face flashed a trace of panic, and then she smiled and said to me: "Ms. Rosa, Jessie clamored for instant noodles after school, saying that she wanted to try what instant noodles taste like."

"Jessie, tell your mother quickly, is it you who asked for instant noodles?"

Jessie seemed to be a little afraid of Aunt Elsa, and nodded to me timidly.

Aunt Elsa smiled even more and said to me: "Ms. Rosa, you didn't call in advance when you went home today, and I haven't prepared dinner yet. You take a rest first, I'll go cook now!"

After that, she went to the kitchen to get busy.

I walked to Jessie's side, and seeing that she looked like she was starving, I felt distressed and said softly, "Jessie, didn't you eat enough at the kindergarten at noon?"

Jessie looked at me timidly and said cautiously, "I ate enough. Jessie is hungry quickly. Mom won't think that Jessie ate too much!"

Seeing my daughter's cautious look, I felt even more distressed.

I held Jessie in my arms and comforted her softly.

The company was too busy during this period, which led to my less care for Jessie, and also made Jessie a lot more unfamiliar with me. Her temperament seemed to have become much more timid and sensitive.

In the next period of time, I have to accompany her well.

At Jessie's age, it is the time when her mother needs to accompany her.

If the relationship between us mother and daughter gradually becomes estranged, or even cracks, then what's the use of earning more money?

During dinner, I chatted with Aunt Elsa about Jessie.

Aunt Elsa praised Jessie for being well-behaved and sensible, but Jessie was not happy about the praise. Facing the gentle Aunt Elsa, Jessie always showed a fearful look.

I noticed this, glanced at the busy Aunt Elsa, and held back my anger.

As night fell, when I was bathing Jessie, I saw a few bruises on her body and asked her what happened.

Jessie whispered: "Mom, Jessie accidentally bumped into it. Jessie will pay attention in the future."

Seeing Jessie's sensible and well-behaved appearance, I felt sad.

I don't want my daughter to be so well-behaved and sensible like a little adult. I want her to be as lively and naughty as other children of the same age. I want her to release the nature that children of this age should have.

Jack’s timid and cautious demeanor only deepened my feelings of guilt and distress.

As I lay beside her, reading a fairy tale before bed, my phone suddenly rang. It was Al.

"I drank too much with my clients today and couldn’t pick up our daughter."

"I heard from Aunt Elsa that you came home early from work today? Did you finish everything at the office?"

"I won’t be coming home tonight. Mr. Moore insisted on dragging me to play mahjong, so I’ll probably be staying out all night."

After a brief exchange, I hung up the phone.

Ever since Jack started kindergarten, Al and I had been drifting further apart.

With the company expanding rapidly, I established a new branch, which Al took over. He became too busy to take care of Jack, so he hired our current nanny, Elsa Grant.

From the very beginning, I never liked her. She didn’t seem like a professional nanny. When she first started working for us, she often complained that Jack’s food and clothes were too extravagant. She even made comments like, "Girls don’t need to be raised so well."

If she hadn’t been a distant relative of Al’s, I would have dismissed her right away.

But Al trusted her completely, insisting that she would take good care of Jack.

In the end, I relented.

Over the past year, my career soared to new heights, but at the same time, Jack had lost her former liveliness. She had become overly cautious, as if she were always afraid of being abandoned.

It reminded me too much of my own lonely childhood.

My parents had been preoccupied with their careers, leaving me with everything I needed—except love and attention. My childhood was far from happy.

Some say that people spend their entire lives trying to heal from their childhood, while others use their childhood to heal their entire lives.

I refuse to let Jack go through what I did.

Maybe it was time to slow down and refocus on what truly mattered—my daughter.

Just as these thoughts filled my mind, Elsa suddenly pushed open the bedroom door, walking in with a glass of milk.

Jack, who had been listening intently to my story, suddenly shuddered.

I didn’t know if it was because of the abrupt intrusion—or something else.

My expression darkened as I snapped, "Why did you come in without knocking?"

Elsa blinked in surprise before blurting out, "There’s no outsider in the house. Why do I need to knock?"

Was she really treating my home as her own?

I gave her a cold stare and said in a firm voice, "Learn the rules. This is not your house."

"Without my permission, you are not allowed to enter mine or Jack’s room whenever you please. Do you understand?"

A flicker of displeasure crossed her face, and she muttered, "Fine, I got it."

She then placed the glass of milk on my bedside table and added, "Jack always drinks milk before bed. She won’t be able to sleep without it."

With that, she left, her expression dark.

I watched her retreating figure, my irritation growing.

She had no sense of boundaries, no professionalism. I was seriously considering replacing her.

I reached for the glass of milk, smiling at Jack as I said, "Sweetheart, drink this and get some sleep. Mommy will take you to kindergarten tomorrow morning, okay?"

Jack hesitated, shrinking away from the milk. Her voice was small as she whispered, "Mom… can I not drink it?"

I frowned. "But you used to love drinking milk, didn’t you?"