Chapter 7 - Caleb Had Already Been Thinking About Firing Rowan
That was the part he was most ashamed to admit.
Two weeks before the attack, Caleb called an employment agency.
He asked about replacement caregivers.
Not because Rowan had committed any clear violation.
Because months of Sloane’s comments had worn down his confidence.
She told him:
“Rowan undermines me.”
“She acts possessive of Milo.”
“She wants him dependent on her so you’ll never fire her.”
“She makes me look cruel whenever I set boundaries.”
Eventually Caleb began seeing ordinary disagreements through Sloane’s interpretation.
When Rowan said:
“Milo needs sleep,”
Caleb heard:
Rowan refuses to follow Sloane’s routine.
When Rowan said:
“Please don’t force him to go to Sloane when he’s frightened,”
Caleb heard:
Rowan is keeping my son from my fiancée.
He never stopped to consider who benefited if Rowan disappeared.
Sloane did.
She would become the only adult managing Milo during Caleb’s long workdays.
No witness.
No competing account.
No caregiver Milo trusted enough to reach for when something frightened him.
Sloane did not need Rowan to look monstrous.
She only needed her to look unnecessary.
That was why the campaign worked for so long.
It was subtle.
May you like
Until the day subtlety failed.
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