Every day my son’s babysitter would discreetly take him to a crumbling building…

My son’s babysitter would stealthily take him to a dilapidated building every day. I chose to follow them because I was curious and concerned.

My son has been acting aloof and detached lately.

He cautiously avoided looking at me when he returned home, tired and with black circles under his eyes. My mother instinct kept telling me that something wasn’t right.

So I began to watch his nanny, Léa. She had been employed by us for a little more than a year. Always courteous, kind, etc. However, something felt strange lately.

With a serene smile, she would reiterate, “We’re staying quietly at home.” However, I discovered that she was taking Hugo out every afternoon—and for a considerable amount of time—when I looked at the footage from our exterior cameras.

I took a day off one morning. I chose to keep an eye on them from a distance. They stopped in front of an ancient, dilapidated structure after taking a short alley.

Léa produced a key and opened a big, corroded door. I felt my heart racing. 

 I followed them in silence, down a flight of cold stone stairs. A huge area at the bottom was filled with sparkling garlands.

Spools of thread and a new sewing machine were arranged among fabrics in a thousand hues. Panicked, Hugo turned around.

 “Mom! It isn’t what you believe!

Evidently uneasy, Léa eventually admitted: 

 “Hugo wanted to take you by surprise. He discovered the old notebook in which you discussed your aspirations to become a fashion designer. He is aware that you sacrificed everything to work in healthcare.

Hugo’s head dropped. “I only wanted you to be content. Léa was invited to assist me in setting up a workshop for you. To purchase the gadget, I set aside money for my birthday.

 Before I could stop them, the tears started. My youngster continued to believe in the dream, which I had assumed had long since faded.

I sobbed as I held him tight. “I’m grateful, my treasure. You gave me more than simply a workshop. I believed I had lost my dream forever, but you gave it back.