The moment Jane stepped back into her shared office space, she exhaled deeply. Her legs still felt stiff from the meeting with Jace Davis. She clutched the folder like it might disappear if she let go.
She had barely reached her desk when Mrs. Alyssa's clipped voice cut through the room.
"Jane. My office. Now."
Jane steadied herself and walked in.
The senior secretary sat behind her desk like a queen at her throne; files stacked neatly, tabs color-coded and sharp.
Without looking up, she slid a slim folder across the desk.
"From the PR intake stack. Pull the applicant I circled. Walk her through standard orientation."
Jane frowned. "Ma'am, the interview isn't scheduled for another hour."
Mrs. Alyssa finally looked up. Her tone was brisk. "There's been a change. Mr. Davis wants this one started early."
Jane blinked. "Started… as in hired?"
Alyssa's lips tightened. "Exactly. Show her the ropes."
Jane opened the folder. Inside was a résumé and a short cover letter.
A twenty-year-old Columbia graduate. Double major in international relations and biotech policy. Impressive, but not unheard of.
Still, no interview? No clearance?
Jane hesitated. "Respectfully, ma'am… shouldn't she be interviewed first? There are other applicants. Some with..."
Alyssa's hand hit the desk. Not loud, but firm. Her eyes sharpened. "You've had a long day, Miss Hayes, just like everyone else here. But let me remind you, you are not in a position to question my instructions. Do as you're told."
Jane swallowed hard. Her cheeks warmed. "Yes, ma'am."
She left with the file, frustration building in her chest. First a surprise field assignment. Now a mystery hire skipping every protocol. Could this day end already?
In the waiting hall, six candidates sat in their suits, hands clasped tight. Jane scanned the list and called, "Thea Morgan?"
A young woman rose. Calm, composed. Her dark curls were neatly tucked back. Her navy blouse was sharp but modest. She extended a hand.
"Yes, that's me."
Jane shook it briefly. "Follow me."
As they walked, Jane's mind turned. Who are you? And why did it feel like she wasn't here to apply, but to replace someone?
Meanwhile, Thea had her own thoughts.
If I'm going to do this on my own, without my father's name, then no one can know who I am.
The name on her CV, her degree, even her tone; all carefully chosen. She had buried Carrington behind her mother's maiden name, Morgan. Not from shame, but necessity.
She didn't want the Carrington legacy to open doors. She wanted to see if she could push them open herself.
But as Jane led her down the hall, still tight-lipped and watching her from the corner of her eye, Thea wondered how long she could keep the act.
Jane glanced sideways. "You seem… calm. Most people ask a thousand questions by now."
Thea shrugged. "I figured questions can wait until I've proven I belong."
Jane stopped and turned to face her.
Her gaze was cool but not unkind. "Let's be clear. I don't know why you're being brought in early, or why you're skipping protocol. But don't expect me to roll out any red carpets."
Thea met her gaze evenly. "I don't expect anything. Except maybe a fair shot."
Something softened in Jane's eyes, though her tone stayed firm. "Then we'll see what you're made of."
She turned back and started walking again, a fraction slower this time, as if grudgingly allowing Thea to catch up.
Behind them, the elevators swallowed the noise of the floor.
*****
That evening, Jane unlocked the door to the small two-bedroom apartment she shared with her mother. The scent of lavender and onions greeted her. She leaned against the door, breathing in before slipping off her shoes.
From the living room, her mother's voice floated in. "Welcome home, baby. How was work?"
"Long," she said, dropping her bag on the hallway table.
Fallon Hayes sat curled into her favorite armchair, a knitted shawl over her shoulders and a book open on her lap. Her eyes tracked Jane with quiet warmth.
"You look exhausted," Fallon said softly. "Go eat. There's jollof rice and grilled fish in the microwave."
Jane smiled faintly. "You always know exactly what I need." She leaned down to kiss her mother's cheek before heading to the kitchen.
The hum of the microwave filled the small space as she stared at the tiled wall thinking not about work, not about Thea Morgan, but about the folder tucked in her bag. The one marked:
ARKOS BIOTECH — FIELD RESEARCH EXPEDITION.
She carried her plate to the living room, and sat on the couch opposite her mother.
Fallon looked up. "So, when are you leaving?"
Jane blinked. "You already know?"
Her mother smiled. "I got a call. Now, tell me everything."
Jane sighed, setting her plate aside. "A week field research trip. They want me to assist Mr. Davis directly. It's a big deal."
Fallon raised a brow. "And you're saying that like you're not already half-packed."
"I wanted to ask you first." Jane's voice softened. "If you're not okay with it, I'll go in tomorrow and decline. No job is more important than you."
Fallon sat up, voice sharp. "Don't you dare."
Jane frowned. "Mom..."
"No," she interrupted, taking Jane's hands. "You've given up enough. I'm proud of how far you've come. But I don't want your life to be just work, school, and caring for me."
Jane's eyes stung. "You're not just any one to care for. You're my mother!"
Fallon smiled, though her voice trembled. "I've lived my life, baby. I want you to live yours. I'm fading, slowly maybe, but it's happening. What keeps me strong is knowing you'll be okay when I'm gone. But right now, I need you to start living for you. Meet people. Make memories. Fall in love, even."
"Don't talk like that." Jane whispered. "You still have a time."
Fallon chuckled and patted her hand. "Even if I had a hundred more years, I'd still want more for you than this quiet little bubble."
Jane looked away, blinking back tears. "I just didn't expect you to be okay with this."
Her mother's smile turned playful. "Well, it helps that Arkos care home already called. Made arrangements. Meals, meds, even emergency contacts. They texted me a checklist."
Jane's head snapped up. "They did?"
Fallon nodded. "About an hour ago. These people don't waste time."
Jane sat back, surprised. That was fast. Her mind raced. Who approved that setup so quickly? Mr. Davis? HR? Or someone else entirely?
Fallon squeezed her hand again. "I'll miss you, but I'll be fine. Go see the world beyond lab coats and gossip."
Jane smiled faintly, brushing her thumb over her mother's knuckles. "You'll call me if anything feels off?"
"Of course. And you'll send me pictures. Loads of them. And if you meet a handsome research assistant, you'd better not leave without his number."
Jane laughed through her tears. "Yes, ma'am."
Fallon leaned back with a grin while Jane finally picked up her fork. A wider world was waiting, and for the first time, she didn't need permission to step into it.