“I’m so sorry to hear that,” Rachel replied, looking genuinely concerned. “But the kids seem fine to me.”
“They are, most of the time,” Dave said. “But things can get overwhelming. If you feel like this isn’t the right fit, it’s okay to step away now.”
Rachel hesitated, unsure of what to do. “I think I can manage-”
But Dave leaned in, his voice dropping. “I’ve had issues with babysitters in the past. If things don’t work out quietly, it can get… messy.”
Rachel’s face paled, and she quickly gathered her things and left.
I sat frozen in my car, my heart racing. Dave had been driving away every babysitter with lies and veiled threats. And he had let me believe it was my fault.
The next morning, I confronted him in the kitchen. “I know what you’ve been doing,” I said, my voice shaking with anger.
Dave looked up, surprised. “What are you talking about?”
“I saw the footage from the nanny cam,” I replied, my voice firm. “You lied to them. You made them think I’m unfit, that this house isn’t safe. Why, Dave?”
For a moment, guilt flickered in his eyes, but he quickly masked it. “I was trying to protect you,” he said defensively. “You’ve been so stressed. I thought staying home would be better for you and the kids.”
“You decided that for me?” I shot back, my voice rising. “Without even talking to me? You sabotaged my efforts to go back to work and made me doubt myself. That’s not protection, Dave. That’s control.”
Dave’s face hardened. “I was doing what’s best for the family.”
“No,” I said firmly. “You were doing what’s best for you.”
The argument hung heavy in the air, the tension suffocating. Finally, I spoke. “I need some time to think. The kids and I are leaving for a while.”
Dave’s expression turned to panic. “Sarah, please don’t do this. I never meant to hurt you.”
I looked at him, my voice steady despite the tears welling in my eyes. “But you did.”
As I packed bags for myself and the kids, I felt a mix of sadness and determination. For too long, I had doubted myself. But now, I was taking control of my life and my family’s future.