Night had already settled when Mrs Carter finally allowed herself to sit alone.
Daniel was asleep again, guarded, monitored,protected as best as medicine could manage. But Mrs Carter knew medicine would save him from what was coming next.
People were moving.
People were unfolding.
And this time, power alone would not be enough.
She reached into her handbag and pull out a phone she hadn't used in years.
It's smaller. Older
Untraceable
Her thumb hovered over the keypad for long moment.
" this is the only way." She whispered
She dialed a number she knew by heart _ a number that no longer official existed.
Far away in other country, a phone vibrated.
Mary stared a the unfamiliar private number flashing on her screen. She almost ignored it. Almost.
Something told not to.
She answered quietly." Hello?"
For a second, there was only silence
Then_
" Mary " Mrs Carter said softly
Mary's breath caught
No one used that number
No one knew she was there
Expect one person
" you told to never call you," Mary said careful
" I told you never to call me," Mrs Carter replied." This is different."
Mary straightened. Her voice lowered instinctively, " what happened?"
Mrs Carter closed her eyes
" my son had been in accident," she said." It's wasn't an accident. "
Silence felt very heavy between them.
Mary didn't ask questions
She didn't gasp
She didn't panic.
She listened
" they're circling him," Mrs Carter continue
" family. Board members. People who think that remove Daniel will opens door for them."
Mary exhale slowly, " and you believe I can help."
" I know you can," Mrs Carter said.
Mary's fingers tightened around the phone.
That life _ the one she buried_ was not supposed to be touched again. She had accepted obscurity for reason. She had chosen silence. She had chosen to disappear.
She had even chosen become something no one would ever look twice.
A maid.
" you promised, " she said quietly, " that chapter was closed."
" And it would have remained so," Mrs Carter replied, " if they hadn't crossed the line, "
A memory flashed through Mary's mind_ pain, blood, the sharp burn of injury, the moment everything changed.
And the woman who stood over her that day
Mrs Carter
The woman who save her
Protected her
Gave her a new identity when the world wanted her erased.
" I am not asking you to return," Mrs Carter said carefully " not yet."
Mary's jaw tightened. " then what are you asking?"
" information," Mrs Carter answered." Instinct. Your eyes. Your judgment. Tell me _ does this feel like something you've seen before?"
Mary closed her eyes.
" yes" she said after a pause.
" it's does."
That single word made Mrs Carter's chest tightened
" then help me," Mrs Carter said softly." From where you are. Quietly. Not trace. Just like before."
Mary was silent for a long time
" I stay hidden for a reason," she finally said.
" And that reason is exactly why I trust you, "
Mrs Carter replied.
Another pause.
Then Mary spoke her voice calm but different now_ sharper, Older, awakened.
" send me what you have," she said." No names. No official Chanel."
Mrs Carter allowed herself the smallest smile
" I knew you wouldn't refuse,"
" I m not refusing," Mary corrected " I m being careful."
The call ended without goodbyes.
Mrs Carter placed the phone back into her bag, her expression unreadable.
She had just awakened something dangerous.
Something powerful.
Something enemies didn't know existed
And somewhere far away, Mary stared at the darkened screen of her phone, her reflection staring back her.
The past had found her again
And this time...
She might not be able to hide from it.
Mary's fingers tightened