Isabella and Marco grew uneasy when their son’s teacher called with concerns. Nothing could have prepared them for what they discovered—forcing them to make a life-changing decision to protect their child.
Isabella and Marco met in culinary school, bonded by their love for Italian food and Tuscan roots. Their connection went beyond recipes and kitchen experiments; by graduation, they were in love, building a life together and opening a small restaurant that soon became the heart of their town.
After years of success, their son Leo was born.
When Leo turned three, Isabella and Marco enrolled him in daycare to help him socialize and because their restaurant was busier than ever, thanks to glowing internet reviews and social media buzz.
“We can’t do it all anymore,” Isabella said, sinking into a chair after a long shift. “We need help—with Leo and the house.”
Marco agreed. “What about Clara’s daughter? Mia is home all the time and might want the work.”
They lived next door to Clara, whose daughter Mia had graduated high school but wasn’t going to college. Mia seemed responsible, local, and trustworthy.
Mia accepted the job easily. Her role was to pick up Leo from daycare every afternoon and watch him until Isabella and Marco returned around 9 p.m.
On the first day, Marco told her, “He’s a sweet, quiet kid. Just keep him safe and happy.”
With someone helping, things finally fell into place. Isabella could breathe for the first time in months as their restaurant flourished. Knowing Mia was with Leo gave her peace of mind, even if being apart was hard.
But a week later, Isabella received a stomach-dropping call.
“Hi, Mrs. Russo. This is Ms. Denise, Leo’s daycare instructor,” the woman said softly. “I don’t want to alarm you, but something’s been happening these past few days you should know about.”
Isabella held her breath. “Go on.”
“Leo is usually happy at daycare, playing all day with the other kids. But the last three afternoons, when Mia picks him up, he cries. Real tears, not tantrums. I saw it myself, and thought you should hear it from me.”
Isabella froze.
Little Leo was never fussy. He always waited patiently if his parents were late. This behavior was new and worrying.
That night, she told Marco, who tried to stay calm. “Maybe he just misses us? He only sees us mornings and nights these days.”
“Maybe,” Isabella said, but she suspected something more.
That night, while tucking Leo in, she gently asked, “Did you like daycare today?”
Leo smiled. “Yes! I played with Freddie and Patrick. We built a block castle.”
“And Ms. Denise? Do you like her?”
“She’s nice. She helps me with riddles.”
Isabella smiled—so far, so good.
Then she asked quietly, “What about Mia? Do you like her?”
Leo’s smile faded. He nodded but said nothing. His lips pressed tight, hiding something.
A mother knows.
Isabella held back tears, kissed his forehead, said goodnight, and turned off the light, anxiety weighing on her heart.
The next morning, she called Mia before opening the restaurant.
“Hi, just checking in. Leo’s teacher said he cries when you pick him up. Do you know why?”
“Oh,” Mia said quickly, “He probably misses you guys. He’s sweet and will get used to me.”
Isabella couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling.
She was distracted and anxious all day, double-checking everything. Marco noticed.
“Let’s follow them tomorrow,” she decided. “Just once, see what happens after daycare.”
Marco agreed. “I’ll talk to the floor manager. We’ll leave early.”
The next afternoon, they parked two blocks from the daycare and waited.
Mia arrived around 4 p.m. Leo and the other kids were still playing on the floor.
“Five more minutes?” Leo pleaded on the phone.
“No, now,” Mia said sharply, pulling him up without telling the teachers.
“Is that necessary? It’s not even late,” Marco murmured.
They followed Mia and Leo for a few blocks.
Isabella’s heart sank as they approached their street.
Leo wasn’t walking beside Mia. His bag bounced as he slouched behind her. At home, Mia went inside without looking back, leaving Leo to pause on the porch, then enter the yard alone.
“She left him outside?” Isabella gasped.
They parked a few houses down and watched in disbelief.
Leo sat alone, poking the dirt with a stick. No toys, no food, no company.
Inside, through the window slats, Mia filmed herself applying makeup on her phone, changing clothes, tossing her hair, and posing. She never glanced outside or called for Leo.
“She doesn’t even know he’s out there,” Isabella whispered.
“She doesn’t care,” Marco said firmly. “Let’s go.”
They got out of the car. Seeing them, Leo’s face lit up.
“Mama! Papa!”
They hugged him and went inside.
Startled, Mia turned with lipstick half-applied.
“The Russos! I wasn’t expecting you back so soon…”
Marco didn’t hesitate. “Pack your things. You’re done.”
Without a word, Mia grabbed her suitcase and left.
Isabella held Leo close on the couch. “Are you okay, sweetheart?”
He nodded, sleepy. “Can we read tonight?”
“Of course,” she whispered. “You can read as long as you want.”
After putting Leo to bed, Isabella thanked Ms. Denise.
“You did the right thing calling,” Isabella said. “I wouldn’t have known otherwise.”
“Thank goodness the parents listened. I know several professional nannies around town if you need help.”
That week, Isabella and Marco interviewed two candidates and hired Gabriella, a polite, soft-spoken woman in her 40s with years of early childhood experience.
She cost more than Mia, but Isabella didn’t mind.
Leo’s happiness was priceless.
From day one, Gabriella impressed. She arrived early with books and activities, warmly welcoming Leo. His transformation was immediate.
Isabella visited Ms. Denise weekly.
“Any tears at pickup?” she’d ask.
“No more. Just smiles. He runs to Gabriella when she arrives.”
At home, Isabella asked Leo one night.
“Do you like Gabriella?”
“She’s the best,” he smiled. “We played in the sandbox after school. Like Ms. Denise, but more fun!”
Isabella’s heart swelled.
Gabriella even stopped by the restaurant before closing one evening.
“I was nearby and thought I’d drop in,” she said kindly.
Marco came from the kitchen, wiping his hands.
Leo ran to him.
That night, the four of them shared spaghetti and stories in a booth.
It became a tradition.
Gabriella and Leo visited every Friday after closing. Like family, they ate together.
Isabella still missed the long days with her son, but knowing he was happy, safe, and loved gave her peace. Every night, when she tucked Leo in and asked about his day, his bright eyes told her they’d made the right choice.