Chapter 4 - Vanessa Controlled More Than Christmas
The second nanny, Claire Donnelly, told a similar story.
She had been dismissed in September.
Chef Aaron left in October after Vanessa ordered him to prepare separate
low-calorie meals for the girls.
When he refused, she accused him of stealing.
Yet their salaries continued leaving Nathan’s household account.
Where did the money go?
The payments had been redirected after deposit through accounts Nathan
did not recognize.
His financial controller began tracing them.
Meanwhile, the girls were admitted overnight for observation.
Nathan stayed beside their beds.
At 2:00 a.m., Lily woke from a nightmare.
“Don’t tell Mama Vanessa we ate.”
Nathan’s chest broke.
“She can’t punish you for eating.”
Lily stared at him.
“She says you’ll send us away if we get ugly.”
Nathan turned his face so she would not see him cry.
“No.”
He took her hand.
“I should have come home sooner.”
Lily whispered:
May you like
“She said you didn’t want to.”
That sentence followed Nathan long after Lily fell asleep.
