Cover of The Housemaid's Secret

The Housemaid's Secret

by Freida McFadden


Genre
Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Crime
Year
2023
Contents

Chapter 36

Overview

Millie worries that Wendy’s discovery of Douglas’s hidden gun signals a dangerous tipping point, and Millie considers reaching out to Enzo for real help. Late at night, Douglas calls to “let” Millie go, making it clear he wants her out of the house and away from Wendy. When Douglas mentions Mets tickets while Millie is wearing a Mets sleep shirt, Millie suspects she is being watched and urgently asks Brock to come over.

Summary

Millie lies in bed thinking about the gun Wendy found hidden in the dictionary. Millie recognizes Wendy’s desperation and worries Wendy may do something reckless, deciding she needs to contact Enzo soon because he can help more than Millie can.

Millie debates her feelings about Enzo and compares them to her relationship with Brock, noting she has kept the truth about Wendy from Brock because Brock would push her to call the police and disengage. Brock texts Millie that he loves her, and Millie dodges saying it back, sending a flirtatious selfie instead; Brock immediately replies that he wishes he were with her.

Near midnight, Millie receives a call from Douglas. Douglas tells Millie that after the week, the Garricks will no longer need her services because Wendy wants privacy, and Douglas presses Millie to agree and understand the message.

Douglas then offers Millie Mets tickets as a “thank you,” and after the call Millie realizes she is wearing a Mets T-shirt. The timing and Douglas’s phrasing make Millie suspect Douglas can see her inside her apartment. Shaken, Millie texts Brock to come over, and Brock says he is on his way.

Who Appears

  • Millie Calloway
    Narrator; worries about Wendy’s gun, gets fired by Douglas, suspects surveillance, summons Brock.
  • Douglas Garrick
    Millie’s boss; calls at midnight to dismiss her and implies control and monitoring.
  • Brock
    Millie’s boyfriend; texts affectionately and agrees to come over after Millie asks.
  • Wendy Garrick
    Abused wife; off-page but her gun discovery and desire for “privacy” drive Douglas’s move.
  • Enzo
    Millie’s former connection; Millie considers calling him for help with Wendy’s situation.
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