Zoe, a dedicated nurse, often depended on her mother-in-law, Denise, to babysit her son, Leo. Denise, a woman of authority, had always carried herself in a way that made others feel small without even trying. After her husband passed away, she resumed her role as the head librarian of the local library, finding solace in work and her book club meetings.
Despite Denise’s sometimes overbearing nature, Zoe appreciated her help. With Andrew, her husband, having unpredictable hours at his law firm, Denise frequently stepped in to watch Leo when Zoe worked late shifts. Denise assured Zoe that it was a grandmother’s duty to help, and while her moods could be erratic, she was dependable and never complained.
Recently, however, Leo started behaving strangely whenever Denise was around. He would cling to Zoe longer than usual when she tried to leave or hide when he heard Denise’s car arrive. Initially, Zoe thought it might be a phase or separation anxiety, common in young children. But one evening, right before Zoe was about to leave for a night shift, Leo burst into tears, begging her not to leave him with his grandmother.
