The wealthy businessman comes back to his residence and is stunned to discover his recently hired African-American housekeeper and his sole child in the kitchen area…

What is going on here? Who are you? I’m Nia, Nia Monroe, she said, trying to lower Lucas gently to the floor. The agency sent me last month when Miss Rena quit. We spoke on the phone.

Twice. Grant blinked, processing, yes. Nia.

She had a soft voice on the phone, had sounded professional enough. He approved her without much thought, but he never expected this. Lucas was shaking now, clinging harder.

Please, Daddy, don’t send her away. Please. She didn’t do anything.

Send her away? Grant repeated, stunned. Why would I? I burned the rice, Nia whispered bitterly. That’s why I’m crying, but not because of you.

It’s because Lucas told me he wished I was his mommy. She choked on the last word. Grant stared, unable to speak.

I didn’t ask for that, she continued, her voice trembling but firm. I didn’t try to take anyone’s place. I just, he had nightmares, sir, every night.

He called for someone, anyone, and there was no one but me. I sang to him, held him. He needed someone.

Grant’s stomach turned. He’d left his son in the care of strangers. Cold, professional hands, no warmth, just schedules and silence.

Raina had texted once about Lucas screaming in his sleep. He assumed it was a phase. Now he realized it wasn’t.

Lucas was shaking his head violently, still begging through sobs. She helps me breathe, Daddy. Nia looked away, trying to steady herself.

I’m not asking to stay. I just, I didn’t know how deep I was in until he said that. The silence was loud.

Grant had conquered rooms full of executives, dominated boardrooms, but now in his own home he was speechless. His son, the center of his universe, was clinging to a maid he barely knew. And she, this stranger, looked more broken-hearted than anyone Grant had ever seen.

I thought I was doing the right thing, he said under his breath, working, building something for him. Money doesn’t sing to a child at night, Nia said quietly, or hold their hand after a bad dream. Lucas finally slid down, but stayed pressed to her side…