Cover of The Housemaid Is Watching

The Housemaid Is Watching

by Freida McFadden


Genre
Thriller, Suspense, Mystery
Year
2024
Contents

Chapter 16

Overview

Millie tries to brush off a scary blood pressure reading from work as stress, but Enzo pushes her to take it seriously. They agree that both of them will see doctors, turning Millie’s denial into a concrete next step. Enzo also insists they get life insurance, revealing Suzette’s influence and leaving Millie feeling pressured and suspicious about the sudden urgency.

Summary

After dinner, Enzo helps Millie clear the table and praises her cooking, but Millie notices Nico barely touched his macaroni and cheese. She and Enzo trade guesses about why Nico did not eat, including a joke about Nico feeding his pet praying mantis, Little Kiwi.

Millie brings up that a nurse at work took her blood pressure during a stressful moment and claimed it was very high. Millie downplays it and changes the subject by insisting they run the dishwasher early because the cleaning woman, Martha, is coming the next day.

Enzo challenges Millie’s habit of cleaning before the cleaner arrives and suggests her stress may be contributing to the blood pressure problem. After starting the dishwasher, Enzo refuses to drop the subject and presses Millie to take her health seriously.

Enzo insists Millie see a doctor; Millie argues back, pointing out Enzo avoids doctors too. Enzo compromises by agreeing they will both go to doctors to get checked.

Enzo then proposes they finally get life insurance policies. Millie is unsettled by the topic and resists, but Enzo frames it as a responsible step to protect the children and their unstable finances. When Enzo says Suzette recommended an insurance agent and he could call tomorrow, Millie realizes Suzette influenced him and agrees reluctantly, feeling pressured and uneasy.

Who Appears

  • Millie
    Worried mother; downplays high blood pressure and feels pressured by Enzo and Suzette’s influence.
  • Enzo
    Millie’s husband; insists she see a doctor, proposes life insurance, and mentions Suzette’s recommended agent.
  • Nico
    Millie’s son; unusually avoids eating dinner, prompting concern.
  • Suzette
    Neighbor; indirectly influences Enzo by recommending an insurance agent.
  • Martha
    Cleaning woman hired by Enzo; her upcoming visit drives Millie’s pre-cleaning anxiety.
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