Chapter summaries The Housemaid Is Watching: An absolutely gripping psychological thriller packed with twists Freida McFadden

Chapter 33 Summary and Analysis: Millie Fears Nico Is a Psychopath

⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.

Summary

The family drives home in tense silence, with Enzo gripping the wheel while Nico stares out the window, seemingly unfazed by being kicked off the baseball team. Once inside, Enzo orders Nico to sit in the living room without TV while he speaks privately with Millie in the kitchen. Enzo admits the situation is bad but insists Nico is a good kid who reacted to an unfair call. Millie counters that punching another boy over an umpire’s decision is unacceptable for a nine-year-old. Enzo defends it as normal boy aggression, even revealing he also fought as a child, believing it builds toughness. Millie presses him, and he eventually concedes that things are different in America.

They confront Nico together. Nico shows no genuine remorse, apologizing casually and accepting his punishment—no devices for a month—without emotion. He runs to his room and slams the door. Millie suggests therapy; Enzo reacts with disbelief, calling it ridiculous and insisting Nico is fine. That night, after the children are in bed, Millie secretly searches online: “Is my child a psychopath?” She finds a list of traits and realizes Nico exhibits several: lack of guilt, lying, cruelty to animals (the praying mantis), and aggression. She worries that Nico may have inherited violent tendencies from both her and Enzo, but she vows to save him.

Key Events

  • Enzo drives the family home; Nico shows no distress about being expelled from Little League.
  • Enzo and Millie argue privately in the kitchen about Nico’s behavior.
  • Enzo admits he fought as a child and sees it as normal; Millie insists it is not acceptable.
  • Nico receives grounding and a device ban but remains indifferent.
  • Millie proposes therapy; Enzo dismisses the idea angrily.
  • Millie waits until after dinner and secretly researches psychopathic traits in children.
  • She recognizes several warning signs in Nico and worries about his future.

Character Development

  • Millie – Her maternal concern deepens into genuine fear. She moves from disciplining Nico to suspecting a serious psychological disorder. Her own past (prison) makes her question whether she passed on violent tendencies. Her determination to save her son grows, even if it means acting behind Enzo’s back.
  • Enzo – He remains stubbornly in denial, clinging to a cultural view that boyhood fighting builds character. His defensiveness prevents him from seeing the severity of Nico’s behavior, creating a rift with Millie.
  • Nico – His emotional coldness becomes stark. He shows no guilt, no sadness over losing baseball, and no desire to repair relationships. The chapter reinforces his detachment.
  • Ada – Present in the car but silent; she is not developed further here but remains a witness to family turmoil.

Themes, Symbols, or Motifs

  • Violence and Normalization – Enzo frames Nico’s punching as typical male aggression, while Millie sees it as a red flag. The clash highlights how cultural norms can mask dangerous behavior.
  • Parental Denial vs. Vigilance – Enzo’s refusal to consider therapy contrasts with Millie’s desperate research. This motif explores how parents can either enable or address troubling conduct.
  • Nature vs. Nurture – Millie suspects that Nico’s violence is inherited from both parents, raising questions about whether psychopathy is genetic or learned.
  • The Internet as a Mirror – Millie’s Google search serves as a modern tool for self-diagnosis, reflecting her isolation and lack of professional support.

Why This Chapter Matters

This chapter is a turning point in Millie’s perception of her son. It shifts the narrative from simple behavioral problems to the possibility of a deeper psychological disorder. Millie’s secret research shows she is willing to defy Enzo to protect Nico, setting up future conflict between the parents. The question of inherited violence ties directly to Millie’s own criminal history, adding layers of guilt and suspense. The chapter also foreshadows that Nico may be more dangerous than anyone realizes.

Study Questions

  1. Why does Enzo resist the idea of therapy for Nico?
    Enzo believes that fighting is normal for boys and that it builds toughness. He perceives therapy as an unnecessary, “uptight American” solution, and he may be afraid of admitting that his own past violence could have influenced Nico.

  2. What specific traits from the online list worry Millie, and how do they connect to earlier events?
    She notes a lack of guilt (Nico didn’t truly apologize), constant lying (he didn’t admit to breaking the vase), cruelty to animals (flushing the praying mantis), and selfish aggression (punching Grayson). These echo incidents from previous chapters.

  3. How does Millie’s own history influence her interpretation of Nico’s behavior?
    Millie went to prison, and she fears that Nico inherited a “propensity for violence” from both her and Enzo. She sees a dark reflection of herself in her son, which fuels her determination to intervene before it is too late.

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