The Housemaid's Secret
by Freida McFadden
Contents
Chapter 70
Overview
Wendy discovers Russell Simonds has been murdered in the cabin and immediately suspects Millie has broken in. When the power is cut, Wendy tries to talk Millie down and justify her betrayal, but the silence and violence convince Wendy she must fight to survive. Wendy races to the kitchen for a weapon, only to find blood on the floor and the knives removed as Millie closes in.
Summary
Wendy realizes Russell Simonds is dead in the cabin bathroom, murdered in the short time she stepped away. Remembering the open window she noticed earlier, Wendy concludes someone entered the cabin and killed him.
Terrified, Wendy fixates on Millie as the likely intruder: Millie has a vendetta against Wendy and a reputation for violence, and the police have not been able to find her. Wendy calls out Millie’s name into the darkness, but no one answers.
The lights suddenly go out, and Wendy decides it is not the storm—it feels deliberate, as if someone cut the power. Wendy remembers her phone is in the kitchen and fears Millie has taken it, leaving Wendy unable to call for help.
Trying to survive, Wendy pleads into the dark, apologizing for framing Millie and insisting Wendy told the truth about Douglas abusing her. A sound of shattering glass convinces Wendy Millie is nearby, and a flash of lightning briefly reveals a clear route to the kitchen, where Wendy hopes to find a weapon.
Wendy sprints for the kitchen with footsteps close behind. Wendy slips on blood smeared across the kitchen floor, assumes it is Russell’s, and forces herself up to search for knives or a frying pan, but the knife block is gone. Hearing the footsteps closing in, Wendy realizes Millie is now in the kitchen with her.
Who Appears
- Wendy GarrickFinds Russell murdered; suspects Millie; pleads, then tries to arm herself in the dark.
- Millie CallowayUnseen pursuer Wendy believes killed Russell, cut the power, and removed potential weapons.
- Russell SimondsFound dead in the cabin bathroom with his throat slit.
- Douglas GarrickMentioned as Wendy’s abusive husband; Wendy uses him to justify betraying Millie.
- AudreyReferenced as warning Wendy that Millie is dangerous.