When we hired a new nanny, everything seemed perfect at first. I was relieved—finally, someone to help with Brady, especially since I was juggling work and motherhood like a circus act. But soon, little things started bothering me. The way she looked at my husband, Sean.
The way Sean changed whenever she was around. It felt strange, like something was wrong. At first, I thought she was after Sean, trying to steal him away from me. But I was wrong. What she really wanted was something even closer to my heart—my son.
No one ever warned me how hard being a mother would be. I thought I knew what hard was. I had built a successful career before Brady came. I worked long hours, climbed the ladder, and never wanted to quit. Even after Sean and I got married, I refused to stop working. I wanted to stay independent, to be equal partners with him in every way. And I had done just that.
But becoming a mother? That was something I couldn’t just plan for or control.
For ten long years, Sean and I tried to have a baby. Ten years of hope, heartbreak, and disappointment. Every test, every treatment, every IVF attempt failed. My eggs were no good—like those of a woman much older than me. We spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on doctors and treatments, but nothing worked.
Sean even suggested surrogacy once. “Regina, maybe we should think about it,” he said gently. But I couldn’t. I wasn’t ready.
Then one day, something changed everything. I was at the hospital visiting a friend, and I saw a tiny baby in the nursery. The nurse told me quietly, “His biological mother gave him up. She couldn’t keep him.” I looked at that baby and something inside me clicked. A feeling I couldn’t explain.
That same evening, I told Sean, “I think… maybe we should try adoption.” And just like that, Brady came into our lives. My beautiful, beloved boy.
I had saved sixteen weeks of vacation from work over the years, and I took them all to care for Brady. The first few months were pure hell. I had no energy left, no time for myself. My life didn’t feel like mine anymore. I didn’t sleep. I didn’t shower. The house was always messy. Brady cried constantly and only stopped when I put him in the car and drove around.
But slowly, we learned each other’s rhythms. I learned to sleep when he slept. I played soft music so he would fall asleep not just in the car but at home, too. I asked Sean to take care of Brady sometimes so I could have a quick shower. Bit by bit, I found my footing.
After those sixteen weeks, I finally hired a nanny to help me while I worked from home. That made a huge difference. Life became easier.
But when Brady was almost three, our nanny Carmen left. Just like that, chaos returned. Brady was in daycare during the day, but I still needed help in the afternoons and evenings when I worked late.
I loved being a mother more than anything in the world, but I also didn’t want to lose my independence or the career I had built. I had always promised myself—and Sean—that Brady would have the best of everything: a safe home, a good education, and a happy childhood.
That’s why Sean and I started searching for a new nanny.
We interviewed so many women I lost count. Some seemed too strict, others too careless. None of them felt right. Sean shot down every single candidate without hesitation. It was exhausting.
I began to feel hopeless, wondering if we’d ever find someone we could trust.
Then Emily showed up.
She was young—barely out of college—but there was something about her that felt different. Warm. Easygoing. And Brady immediately loved her. Honestly, so did I.
That same day, Sean and I hired her.
For a while, everything was perfect. Brady adored Emily, and I saw how gently she cared for him. She treated him like he was her own child. Sean and I finally had space to breathe again, to focus on our work. It felt like life was normal again.
But then the little things started to bother me.
Sean began working from home more often after Emily arrived. He kept telling me, “Why don’t you go to the office for a change of scene? I’ll handle things here.”
I noticed the looks they exchanged—just a little too long, just a little too often. Sean was always on his phone, smiling at texts he never showed me.
At first, I couldn’t figure it out, but slowly the pieces began to fit together.
Sean had been the one to find Emily for the nanny job. The very first nanny he wanted to hire, even though he rejected all the others. Brady had grown very attached to her. He cried whenever she left.
Had Emily decided to replace me? To take my family?
One morning, I was getting ready for work. Emily was already there, playing with Brady. I peeked into the nursery, where they were making shapes out of playdough.
Brady smiled up at Emily. “I want to make a yellow elephant.”
Emily giggled, kneading the yellow dough. “Like the sun, right?”
Brady nodded. Emily handed him the soft playdough.
And then my heart dropped.
“Thanks, Mom,” Brady said—casually, like it was the most normal thing in the world.
He didn’t even try to correct himself.
My own son called another woman “Mom.”
I felt like the ground had vanished beneath me. My knees went weak, my body turned to jelly.
I forced a smile. “Emily, can I talk to you for a moment?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.
“Of course,” Emily said, coming over.
“Why is Brady calling you Mom?” I asked.
“Oh, kids do that sometimes,” Emily said lightly. “It was just an accident.”
“But you didn’t correct him,” I pointed out.
“I guess I wasn’t paying attention,” she shrugged.
I sighed, frustration rising. “Tell me the truth. Is there something going on between you and Sean? Do you want to take my husband? My child? My family?”
Emily’s eyes widened. “What? No, Regina. Never. Brady just accidentally called me Mom. If it happens again, I’ll fix it.”
I didn’t believe her, but I said, “Alright,” and left for work.
That day, Sean stayed home. I felt like I was losing my mind. Something was going on right under my nose.
So I decided to be smart. I came home early—without telling a soul.
The house was quiet when I arrived. Brady must have been napping. Then I heard noises from Sean’s office upstairs.
Carefully, I climbed the stairs, trying to be as quiet as possible.
I reached the office and swung the door open.
There they were—Sean and Emily. Standing way too close for comfort. They weren’t doing anything physical, but it was too intimate for a nanny and a husband.
“What’s going on here?!” I shouted.
Sean blinked, surprised. “Regina, you’re home early.”
“Is that really what you want to say?” I snapped.
Sean hesitated. “It’s all Emily… she said she wants to be with me.”
Emily didn’t say a word but looked nervous. Her eyebrows lifted at Sean’s words.
“Emily, say something!” I demanded.
She couldn’t meet my eyes.
“Don’t you see what’s happening? Your glances, Sean working from home constantly, those secret texts,” I said, my voice shaking.
“Regina, you’re misunderstanding,” Sean said quickly. “It’s all Emily’s fault. I love only you.”
“Give me your phone,” I ordered.
“Regina…” Sean tried to protest.
“Give me your phone!” I shouted again.
With trembling hands, Sean pulled his phone out and handed it to me.
“Password?” I asked.
“Stop this…” he muttered.
“Password!” I insisted.
“4321,” he whispered.
I unlocked the phone, expecting to find messages between Sean and Emily. Maybe pictures. But instead, I found dating apps and chats with dozens of women.
The chat with Emily had only messages from Sean—inviting her out to dinner or drinks when I wasn’t home.
Emily only replied with messages about Brady, nothing personal.
I handed the phone back.
“Emily, huh?” I said coldly.
Sean pleaded, “Regina, I can explain. I made a mistake.”
“Get out!” I yelled.
“Please,” he begged.
“Get out now!” I screamed.
Sean stared at me for a moment, then left. The front door slammed behind him. I sank into a chair in the office, finally able to breathe.
Emily just stood there, frozen. We sat in silence for a long moment.
Finally, I asked, “Is Brady asleep?”
“Yes,” she said quietly.
After another pause, Emily spoke. “Please, don’t fire me. I really need this job.”
I looked at her. “Who said anything about firing you?”
She gave a small, sad smile. Then Brady whimpered, and Emily went to him.
I sat there, staring at the wall, knowing a messy divorce and custody battle awaited me.
That evening, I prepared for the first court hearing scheduled for the next day. Emily sat beside me, feeding Brady.
Then Brady spoke.
“Mom, I want some water,” he said, looking at Emily.
At first, Emily didn’t react, but when she saw me watching, she quickly said, “Brady, here is your mom. And I’m Emily.”
“No! You’re my mom too!” Brady shouted.
I was stunned. “What is going on?”
Emily stammered, “I… I don’t know.”
“Emily said I was in her tummy!” Brady shouted again.
“What?!” I gasped.
Emily covered her face with her hands. “I… I am Brady’s biological mother. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. I didn’t know how. Please don’t kick me out. I just wanted to spend time with him.”
“You knew Brady was your son when you came to work here?” I asked.
“Yes. That’s why I applied.”
“You gave him up and now you want him back?” I asked, hurt.
“No,” Emily whispered. “I gave him up because I couldn’t give him the life he deserves. You give him everything. I see how much you love him. I just… I wanted to be close.”
“You had no right to do this,” I said firmly.
“I know. I’m sorry,” she whispered.
I told her, “Please leave.”
Emily hesitated but then walked to the door. “Please, let me see him sometimes,” she said quietly before closing the door behind her.
I wanted to cry. Betrayed by my husband, about to face divorce, and now learning my son’s biological mother had been here all along.
I took Brady out of his high chair and held him close, rocking him gently. I wasn’t sure who needed it more—him or me.
That night, I let Brady sleep beside me, but I couldn’t sleep. My mind raced with thoughts I couldn’t stop.
I looked at Brady and felt all the love in the world for him.
I was ready to lose everything—except him.
And Emily had done one thing right: she gave him up to give him a better life.
I was angry at her as a mother, but I also understood her.
Finally, I picked up my phone and opened the chat with Emily.
I stared at the screen for a long time, unable to write.
But then, I typed carefully: You can see Brady whenever you want, but remember that I am his mom too.
Emily’s reply came right away: I am incredibly grateful to you!
I switched off my phone and hugged Brady tightly.
He was my whole world. And I would do anything to protect him.
