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Summary
Chapter Twenty
After her humiliating experience with Enzo, Millie picks up Cecelia from tap class and bonds with a fellow nanny. When the other nanny hears that Millie works for the Winchesters, she repeats the rumor that Nina is crazy and explains that Nina was committed to a psychiatric institution after trying to murder her daughter. When Cecelia was a baby, Nina drugged her and placed her in a bath, then tried to die by suicide. Despite the bloody scene she witnessed, Millie is shocked that Nina is capable of real violence, and she starts to worry about her own safety. She wants to quit but has to wait until she’s saved enough money, since she can’t find another job due to her criminal record. She decides to wait for a while longer, and make sure to stay on Nina’s good side.
Chapter Twenty-One
Back at the Winchesters’, Andrew finds the package Enzo brought into the house, which is from Andrew’s mother Evelyn. He tells Millie it’s probably a present for Cecelia, since she only has one set of grandparents; Nina’s parents have been dead since she was young. He opens the package and becomes visibly upset when he sees that it’s full of baby clothes and supplies. He says Nina had some issues when they were first married that made him not want to try for a baby, and now it’s too late. He says he “loved” Nina, using the past tense, then quickly corrects himself. While he does seem to love Nina, Millie wonders if Nina is capable of making him happy, especially with her erratic mood swings. Millie lets Andrew know that she’s always available if he wants to talk and touches his hand. He squeezes her hand back, and they have an intimate moment.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Millie spends the next week avoiding Andrew, as she can no longer deny that she has feelings for him. She notices that ever since their fight, Nina and Andrew have been politely distant with one another. Nina also seems mentally off; she expresses excitement at seeing the Broadway show, but gets the day mixed up so it conflicts with taking Cecelia to summer camp. Nina blames Millie for getting the date wrong and says the cost of the tickets and the hotel room at the Plaza are coming out of her paycheck. Millie tears up, as the cost would add up to several weeks of pay. To defuse the situation, Andrew says he’ll talk to the credit card company to get a refund. Millie leaves the room so that Nina won’t see her cry.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The day Cecelia leaves for summer camp, Andrew tells Millie and Nina he was able to get a refund on the Broadway tickets. Millie pretends to be sad that Cecelia is leaving, and Nina is incredulous, as she thought Millie couldn’t stand Cecelia. Millie is surprised, and wonders whether Nina also perceives Millie’s dislike for Nina.
When Nina and Cecelia leave, Andrew confesses to Millie that he couldn’t get the refund on the tickets, but he didn’t want Nina to punish Millie when he knows Nina got the date wrong. He offers Millie the tickets and tells her to take a friend. Millie is grateful but declines, since she doesn’t have anyone to invite. Andrew offers to go with her, and they make plans to spend the night in Manhattan.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Millie realizes she has nothing to wear to the show, so she chooses one of Nina’s old white dresses, which fits her perfectly. She takes her time getting ready, and when Andrew sees her, he openly admires her appearance. She feels uneasy about their mutual attraction and considers canceling the plans, but can’t bring herself to do it. She’s excited to ride in Andrew’s BMW and see a Broadway show for the first time. In the car, Millie catches Andrew looking at her bare legs, but reasons that there’s nothing wrong with looking as long as they don’t act on it.
Analysis: Chapters Twenty—Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty sees a pivotal moment when Millie learns the shocking truth about Nina's past from a fellow nanny. This information unveils the potential for real violence within Nina, significantly heightening Millie's sense of insecurity and fear for her own safety. Millie’s predicament is further compounded by her financial dependence on the job due to her criminal record, making her reluctant to leave despite her growing fears.
Nina’s erratic behavior—evidenced by her mix-up with the Broadway show dates and her subsequent anger toward Millie—reveals her deteriorating mental state. Nina’s demand that Millie cover the cost of the tickets exacerbates Millie’s financial strain, pushing her to the brink of tears. Andrew’s intervention, while offering a temporary solution, underscores the delicate balance Millie must maintain to avoid Nina’s ire. The emotional strain Millie endures highlights her vulnerability and the precarious nature of her position in the Winchester household.
In these chapters, the attraction between Millie and Andrew escalates. Andrew’s use of the past tense when referring to his feelings for Nina reveal the strain in their relationship. This moment of vulnerability between Andrew and Millie leads to an intimate exchange, and the blurred lines between employer and employee become more pronounced as Millie grapples with her burgeoning feelings for Andrew. When Nina berates Millie about the Broadway tickets, Andrew positions himself as Millie’s savior. Millie knows they’re crossing a line when they make plans to spend a night alone together in Manhattan, but despite her fear of Nina, she is starved for intimacy and can’t resist the temptation.
In Chapter Twenty-Four, Millie's fantasy of living Nina's life unexpectedly comes true. She’s wearing one of Nina’s elegant white dresses, riding in a BMW with Nina’s husband, and going on a fancy date in New York City. She’s trying on Nina’s life, just as she tries on the dress, and transforming from an outsider to a person who belongs in these glamorous spaces, if only temporarily.
