When Sandra and her husband Andrew got a surprising phone call from their son’s daycare teacher, they knew something wasn’t right. What they discovered next made them stop everything and make a big decision—for the sake of their little boy.
Sandra and Andrew had a sweet love story. They met while studying at culinary school and fell in love almost instantly. They shared a deep connection—not only through their Italian heritage, but also through their passion for Italian food. From pasta to pastries, they loved cooking together. After graduation, they knew they didn’t want to work for someone else. They wanted to open a restaurant—together.
So they did.
They opened a cozy little Italian restaurant and got married. A few years later, they had a son named Matteo. Life felt perfect.
When Matteo started going to daycare, their restaurant also started getting more attention. Social media reviews were pouring in with praise. People loved the food, the service, and the family vibe. Soon, the restaurant was booked out weeks in advance.
But success came with a price. Sandra and Andrew had to spend more and more time at work. They were often stuck at the restaurant until late at night. At home, things became difficult. “We need help,” Sandra sighed one night. “We can’t keep doing this alone. Matteo and the house—it’s too much.”
Andrew nodded. “Yeah. We need someone we can trust.”
They thought about it and decided to hire Anthea—the teenage daughter of their neighbor. She was usually at home and seemed responsible enough. They asked her to pick up Matteo from daycare and stay with him until they got home.
“He’s a sweet, quiet kid,” Andrew told her. “Just keep an eye on him. Make sure he’s safe and happy.”
Anthea agreed, and things seemed to go smoothly—at first. With her helping out, Sandra and Andrew no longer had to rush from the restaurant to daycare every evening. Sandra felt relieved. She could focus on work without constantly checking the clock.
But just one week later, everything changed.
Sandra’s phone rang while she was wiping down the counter at the restaurant. It was Mrs. Deborah, Matteo’s daycare teacher. Her voice was calm but serious.
“I don’t want to alarm you,” Mrs. Deborah said, “but I’ve noticed something… strange. Matteo is always so happy during the day. But the moment Anthea comes to pick him up, his whole face changes. He starts crying—every single time. Three times this week alone. I just thought you should know.”
Sandra froze. Her stomach twisted. Matteo never cried—not even when they were late. He was usually full of energy and smiles.
When she told Andrew, he looked just as concerned. “Let’s not panic,” he said. “We’ll talk to them. We need to figure this out.”
That night, after dinner, Sandra sat beside Matteo in bed and opened his favorite book. As she read to him, she watched his face carefully. After the story, she tucked him in and asked gently, “Matteo, is everything okay at daycare?”
Matteo smiled and nodded. “Yeah! I love daycare. I have two best friends—Patrick and Freddy. And Mrs. Deborah is super nice.”
Sandra smiled too, but then leaned in and asked, “Do you like Anthea? Is she nice to you?”
Matteo hesitated. His smile faded. He gave a small nod, but his eyes didn’t match it. He looked away.
Sandra’s heart tightened. Something wasn’t right. She could feel it.
The next morning, Sandra called Anthea before opening the restaurant. “Matteo’s teacher is worried,” she said. “She says he cries when you pick him up.”
Anthea laughed a little. “I think he just misses his parents, that’s all. He’ll warm up to me soon.”
But Sandra wasn’t convinced. All day at the restaurant, she couldn’t focus. She kept thinking about Matteo. Finally, she turned to Andrew. “Let’s follow them tomorrow. Just once. To see what really happens.”
Andrew agreed. “I’ll ask the manager to cover the floor. We’re doing this.”
The next day, they waited in the car outside the daycare, trying not to be noticed. As they watched, they saw Matteo laughing with his friends in the sandbox. He was clearly having fun.
Then Anthea arrived.
“Time to go,” she said sharply.
Matteo looked up, surprised. “Can I play for five more minutes?” he asked softly.
“No. We’re leaving,” Anthea snapped and grabbed his backpack.
Sandra gasped. “She didn’t even say hi.”
Andrew frowned. “That’s so unnecessary. It’s not even late.”
They followed them home from a safe distance. When Anthea and Matteo arrived, Sandra and Andrew parked a few houses away and watched.
What they saw next made Sandra’s stomach drop.
Matteo was left alone in the front yard. He kicked at the grass, looking bored and sad.
Anthea was inside, completely ignoring him. Through the window, they saw her taking selfies, putting on makeup, and recording videos of herself laughing and posing.
“She’s not even watching him,” Sandra whispered.
“She hasn’t offered him food or water. He’s just sitting there,” Andrew said angrily.
That was enough.
They jumped out of the car and walked up to Matteo. “Hi sweetheart,” Sandra said, kneeling beside him.
“Mommy! Daddy!” Matteo ran to them, smiling for the first time that day.
They went inside, where Anthea froze in shock. “Oh! You’re home early…”
Andrew didn’t hesitate. “You can go, Anthea. You’re done here.”
Anthea grabbed her things and left without saying another word.
Later, Sandra called Mrs. Deborah to thank her. “I’m so grateful you said something. We had no idea.”
Mrs. Deborah replied warmly, “You know, I wish you had asked me first. I know some wonderful professional nannies. I’d be happy to help you find someone.”
That same week, Sandra and Andrew interviewed a few candidates and finally hired Gabriella, a kind, experienced nanny. She was a bit more expensive, but Sandra didn’t care. Her son’s happiness was worth it.
Every week, Sandra checked in with Mrs. Deborah to make sure things were going well. And she always asked Matteo too.
One evening, she asked, “Do you like Gabriella?”
Matteo’s whole face lit up. “She’s the best! She even played in the sandbox with us after school. She’s just like Mrs. Deborah!”
That made Sandra’s heart full.
One day, Gabriella brought Matteo to the restaurant just before closing time. “It’s on our way home,” she smiled.
From that day on, it became a tradition. Every evening after closing, Sandra, Andrew, Matteo, and Gabriella shared a family meal at the restaurant. Laughter filled the air. Life felt balanced again.
What can we learn from this story?
If you see something, say something. Mrs. Deborah’s honesty helped Sandra and Andrew discover something they wouldn’t have noticed on their own. Thanks to her, they protected Matteo.
And, no matter how busy life gets, there’s always a way to find balance. With a little help and the right people, Sandra and Andrew learned that family and work can go hand in hand—especially when love and care lead the way.
