Cover of The Housemaid's Secret

The Housemaid's Secret

by Freida McFadden


Genre
Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Crime
Year
2023
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 Garrick
    Finds Russell murdered; suspects Millie; pleads, then tries to arm herself in the dark.
  • Millie Calloway
    Unseen pursuer Wendy believes killed Russell, cut the power, and removed potential weapons.
  • Russell Simonds
    Found dead in the cabin bathroom with his throat slit.
  • Douglas Garrick
    Mentioned as Wendy’s abusive husband; Wendy uses him to justify betraying Millie.
  • Audrey
    Referenced as warning Wendy that Millie is dangerous.
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