Chapter 23

Contains spoilers

Overview

Cecelia departs for a two-week camp, briefly easing household tensions as Nina drives her away. Andrew then admits he failed to refund the show tickets and offers Millie the seats and a night at The Plaza. When Millie hesitates, Andrew proposes going with her; she accepts despite Nina’s jealousy and a foreboding sense of risk.

Summary

On Sunday, Millie celebrates two “good news” items: believing Andrew got a refund for the mistaken show tickets and learning Cecelia will be away at camp for two weeks. She hauls Cecelia’s overpacked luggage to Nina’s Lexus while Nina frets about breaking things. Andrew offers to help, but Nina rebuffs him, citing his back. When Nina asks Andrew to come along, he declines due to work, prompting Nina to accuse him of prioritizing his job. Millie feigns sadness about Cecelia leaving, and Nina pointedly notes Millie can’t stand the girl.

After Nina departs with Cecelia, the tension lifts. Andrew privately confesses he could not refund the tickets and did not want Nina to punish Millie for the mix-up, which he believes Nina caused. He offers Millie the tickets and the use of a room at The Plaza so the evening won’t go to waste.

Millie declines at first, admitting she has no one to go with and is anxious about going alone. Concerned it would be a shame for her never to see Broadway, Andrew proposes accompanying her despite acknowledging Nina’s jealousy. Millie, tempted by the chance for a carefree evening, agrees, and they plan to leave in about an hour.

As Millie heads upstairs, she is struck by a heavy sense of foreboding. She recognizes that spending the night out with Andrew crosses a dangerous line, yet she reassures herself they are adults who can control their actions and that it will simply be a night at the theater.

Who Appears

  • Millie
    Housemaid and narrator; carries Cecelia’s luggage, feigns concern, learns tickets weren’t refunded, agrees to a Broadway outing with Andrew despite unease.
  • Andrew Winchester
    Husband; admits he couldn’t refund tickets, protects Millie from Nina, invites her to the show and proposes going with her.
  • Nina Winchester
    Wife; micromanages Cecelia’s departure, needles Andrew about prioritizing work, implies she knows Millie dislikes Cecelia, drives Cecelia to camp.
  • Cecelia
    Daughter; overpacked for camp, leaves for two weeks, her absence eases tension in the house.
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