The Whitman estate felt different that night.

The usual luxurious silence was gone, replaced by tension so thick it seemed to press against the walls.

Employees moved carefully through the hallways, avoiding each other’s eyes. Everyone knew what had happened.

Everyone knew that Anna Collins had been dismissed.

And everyone knew that Liam hadn’t stopped crying since then.

In the nursery, Isabella Whitman paced back and forth, nerves taut.

“Why won’t he stop?” she demanded for the tenth time.

One of the staff lowered her head.

“We don’t know, ma’am.”

Liam was flushed.

Tiny fists clenched tight.

Tears streamed down his face, unstoppable.

Isabella tried to pick him up.

The reaction was immediate.

The baby screamed louder than before.

“That’s enough!” she exploded.

The staff member stepped back immediately.

The cries echoed through the room.

Endless.

Worse than ever.

Isabella felt a strange tightening in her chest.

For the first time, she felt real fear.

Because no matter what she tried—nothing worked.

Nothing.

Meanwhile, in the mansion office, Daniel Whitman watched the security cameras.

His face was tight. Jaw clenched.

For days, he had tried to ignore certain signs.

To convince himself it was all coincidence.

But now he couldn’t.

The image of Liam reaching out for Anna played in his mind repeatedly.

Desperation.

Crying.

Fear.

It was all real.

Too real.

And Anna’s absence only made it clearer.

When he heard the screaming from upstairs, Daniel closed his eyes for a moment.

Then he stood.

He entered the nursery.

Isabella was frantic.

Liam was still crying.

Nonstop.

Unable to breathe properly.

Tiny hands flailing in the air.

Reaching. Searching.

Missing someone.

Daniel watched silently.

Then he asked, calm but firm:

“Where is Anna?”

Isabella turned sharply.

“You’re not bringing this up again.”

“I asked where she is.”

“I sent her away.”

“I know.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

Daniel looked at his son.

Then back at Isabella.

“The problem is that Liam needs her.”

Isabella let out a nervous laugh.

“That’s ridiculous.”

“It’s true.”

“She’s just a maid.”

“Not to him.”

The silence that followed was heavy.

Every second of Liam’s crying seemed to confirm Daniel’s words.

Isabella crossed her arms.

“You’re exaggerating.”

“I’m not.”

“You’d put a maid above the child’s own mother?”

Daniel inhaled deeply.

“I’m putting my son first.”

The words hit Isabella like a slap.

She froze.

No reaction.

Meanwhile, Liam continued crying.

Louder.

More desperate.

Daniel made a decision.

Without asking permission.

Without debate.

He grabbed his car keys.

“Daniel?”

“I’m going to get her.”

“You’ve lost your mind?”

“Maybe.”

He walked toward the door.

“But Liam needs her.”

And he left.

Without looking back.

Almost an hour later, the gates of the mansion opened again.

The remaining staff watched from the windows.

A black car rolled slowly up the driveway.

It stopped in front of the main entrance.

The door opened.

And Anna Collins stepped out.

Heart racing.

She hadn’t expected to return so soon.

Much less like this.

Daniel followed closely behind.

They entered the mansion together.

The main hall was silent.

Isabella appeared at the top of the staircase.

Her expression changed immediately.

First: surprise.

Then: disbelief.

Finally: pure rage.

“What is she doing here?”

Daniel didn’t hesitate.

“She’s back.”

“No.”

Isabella descended a few steps.

“I fired her.”

“You can’t fire someone caring for our son.”

“She’s just a maid!”

“She’s the only one Liam trusts.”

Silence fell over the hall.

The staff watched discreetly.

No one dared intervene.

Isabella realized it.

Everyone was watching.

Everyone had heard.

And it made her furious.

Daniel continued:

“From today on, Anna will officially be responsible for Liam’s care.”

Anna’s eyes widened.

The staff’s eyes widened.

Even Isabella couldn’t believe what she’d just heard.

“What?”

“You heard me.”

“You’re humiliating me.”

“I’m protecting my son.”

Isabella had no words.

Because deep down…

She knew Liam really needed Anna.

But admitting it meant accepting defeat.

And Isabella Whitman never accepted defeat.

Anna didn’t waste a moment.

She ran to the nursery.

Inside, Liam was crying desperately.

Her heart broke.

“My love…”

She ran to the crib.

Lifted the baby into her arms.

And something remarkable happened.

Within seconds…

The crying began to subside.

The sobs slowed.

His breathing steadied.

Liam gripped her uniform tightly.

As if afraid she would disappear again.

Tears filled Anna’s eyes.

“It’s okay.”

She kissed his forehead.

“I’m back.”

For the first time that night, Liam closed his eyes.

Calm.

Safe.

Protected.

Downstairs, Isabella watched from the doorway.

It felt like a public humiliation.

Her son.

Her husband.

Her house.

And yet…

Everything revolved around that maid.

Her anger boiled.

Consumed her.

Threatened to overwhelm her.

She stormed into the dining room, eyes catching a crystal goblet on the table.

Without hesitation.

Without thought.

She grabbed it.

And hurled it against the wall.

The shattering crystal echoed through the room.

Fragments scattered across the floor.

Her chest heaved.

Her eyes burned with rage.

“This isn’t over.”

She clenched her fists.

As she stared at the broken glass.

For the first time, Isabella didn’t see Anna as just a maid.

She saw a threat.

A rival.

And at that instant, one certainty crystallized inside her:

If Anna wanted to stay in this mansion…

She would make her life a living hell.