The Housemaid Is Watching
by Freida McFadden
Contents
Chapter 24
Overview
Enzo unexpectedly takes the lead in sealing the hidden, soundproof room under the stairs, having gotten matching wallpaper through the realtor. He apologizes to Millie and admits the room frightens him too, easing their recent conflict. Even as they cover the concealed door together, Millie’s paranoia persists, suggesting the danger may not be finished.
Summary
Millie returns home from work to a strong smell of glue and calls for Enzo, half-expecting he might be elsewhere after recent tension. Enzo answers and Millie finds him by the stairwell, brushing glue onto the wall where the hidden door to the insulated room is concealed.
Enzo explains that he contacted the realtor to learn where the previous owners bought the wallpaper and obtained another roll. He tells Millie he is sealing the room because she wants it closed, and he apologizes for arguing the day before, admitting the hidden room makes him nervous too.
Millie’s fear spikes when she realizes they have not checked the room since yesterday, and she worries someone—especially one of the children—could be trapped inside before the door is covered, since it is soundproof. Enzo reassures her that Ada and Nico are upstairs and that he even asked if they wanted to help, but they refused.
Relieved but still unsettled, Millie joins Enzo. Together they wallpaper over the hidden door, and Millie only relaxes once the door is fully covered, though she remains convinced the room may haunt them again.
Who Appears
- MillieReturns home, fears someone could be trapped in the hidden room, helps wallpaper it shut.
- EnzoCalls realtor for matching wallpaper, apologizes, and seals the hidden door with Millie.
- AdaMentioned as upstairs while Enzo and Millie seal the hidden room.
- NicoMentioned as upstairs; declines to help with sealing the hidden door.
- The realtorProvides information and access to another roll of the home’s wallpaper.
- SuzetteMentioned as a source of Millie’s suspicion about Enzo’s whereabouts.