Mary did not like the way the house felt anymore. It wasn't loud. It wasn't chaotic. It was worse than that. It felt too controlled, too still, as though the walls themselves were listening. She moved through the hallway with careful steps, her slippers barely brushing the tiled floor. Even the air felt heavy, thick with something she could not name. She had just come from the back veranda when she heard Henry's voice.
"Mary," he called softly. She turned quickly, hand flying to her chest. "Jesus, Henry. You'll put me in an early grave one of these days."
Henry didn't smile. That alone unsettled her.
"Can we talk?" he asked. Mary glanced instinctively toward the garden, where Oliver often sat with his phone. He wasn't there now, but that didn't calm her nerves. "Here?" she whispered. "What if..." "It won't take long," Henry said. "And it shouldn't wait."
Mary studied his face, the worry etched deep, the stiffness in his shoulders. She nodded once. "Alright. Come." They moved into the small pantry beside the kitchen, a space barely large enough for the two of them. Mary shut the door gently, her fingers trembling. Henry lowered his voice. "I overheard something yesterday." Mary's heart skipped. "From who?" "From Oliver."
Her throat went dry. "You shouldn't be listening to private conversations." " I wasn't trying to," Henry replied quickly. "He was on the phone. Loud. Angry. He didn't know I was nearby." Mary swallowed. "What did he say?" Henry hesitated. Then, carefully, "He was talking about the hospital. About Ann."
Mary's breath caught. "What about her?"
"He kept saying the doctors needed to cooperate. That Ann must not speak to anyone from the company. That no reports were to be filed in her name." Mary pressed a hand to her chest. "That's… that's not right."
"There's more," Henry said. "He said if anyone tried to reach her directly, he'd consider it a breach. His words, Mary. A breach." Mary shook her head slowly. "Ann is the owner of that company." "I know," Henry replied. "That's why I'm worried." Silence fell between them, heavy and loaded. "I've never seen him like this," Henry added quietly. "Not even after… after everything." Mary closed her eyes briefly. Ann's broken sobs flashed in her mind. The way she'd clung to her. The way her body had felt fragile, like glass.
"This house used to feel like a home," Mary murmured. "Now it feels like a cage." Henry nodded. "You need to be careful.""So do you," she said. They stood there for a moment longer before Mary opened the pantry door. "Thank you for telling me," she said softly. "Go. Before anyone notices."
Henry hesitated. "Mary… if anything feels wrong..." "I know," she replied. "I know." He left. Mary did not return to her chores.
Instead, she went to her room, shut the door, and sat on the edge of the bed, heart pounding. For several minutes, she simply breathed. Then she reached into her drawer and pulled out her phone. Her hands shook as she dialed. It rang once. Twice. Then..."Mary?" Ann's voice. Soft. Controlled. Mary's eyes filled instantly. "Ann." "Are you alright?" Ann asked gently.
Mary laughed weakly. "That should be my question." There was a pause. "Did something happen?" Mary lowered her voice. "I shouldn't be calling. I know that. But… I couldn't keep this to myself." Ann said nothing, and Mary continued. "Henry spoke to me. He overheard things. About the hospital. About you." Ann inhaled slowly. "Go on." "He said Oliver told someone, doctors, maybe, that you mustn't speak to anyone from the company. That no reports should be filed under your name." Silence.
Mary's heart thudded. "Ann?" "I'm here," Ann said calmly.Mary frowned. "You don't sound surprised." "I'm… processing," Ann replied. "What else?" Mary hesitated. "He's different, Ann. I saw him in the garden yesterday, laughing on the phone. Laughing. As if nothing happened. As if..." "As if we aren't buried in grief?" Ann finished. "Yes," Mary whispered. "It frightened me." Ann exhaled. "Mary… Oliver is under pressure. The company, the investors, the attention. People react differently." "That's what I told myself," Mary said quickly. "That grief shows itself in strange ways." "And that's still true," Ann replied gently. Mary wasn't convinced. "Ann… he questioned me. Twice. About where I go. What I hear. Who I talk to."
Ann's voice softened further. "Did you say anything?" "No," Mary replied. "I was careful." "Good," Ann said. "Very good."
Mary paused. "You're… very calm."
Ann smiled faintly on the other end of the line. "I have to be." "Are you safe?" Mary asked suddenly. "Truly safe?" "Yes," Ann said without hesitation. "I am." Mary let out a shaky breath. "I don't know why, but I needed to hear that." "Mary," Ann said, "listen to me carefully." Mary straightened.
"Do not let fear rule you," Ann continued. "But do be cautious. If you notice anything, anything at all, please tell me but only like this. Only when you're sure no one is around." Mary nodded instinctively, though Ann couldn't see her. "I promise." "And Mary?" Ann added. "Yes, my dear." "Please be careful. I need you." Mary's eyes filled again. "I'm not going anywhere." They ended the call quietly. Mary placed the phone down and sat there, heart racing. Then she heard it. Footsteps. Her head snapped up. Slow. Measured. Just outside her door. "Hello?" Mary called, her voice betraying her fear. "Who's there?" No answer. Her palms went slick. "I said who's there?" The footsteps moved again. Closer. Mary's heart thundered in her ears. Then the door opened. Henry stood there, holding a folder. "Oh!" Mary gasped. "Henry. You scared me." "I'm sorry," he said quickly. "I was just… I needed some documents from Oliver's room." "How long were you standing there?" she asked, forcing calm into her voice. "Just got here," he replied. "I heard you call out." Mary searched his face. Found nothing but confusion. She exhaled slowly. "Alright. Go on then." Henry nodded and left. Mary closed the door, leaning against it, breath shaky. Far away, in her quiet hospital room, Ann stared at her phone as it buzzed softly.
Unknown Number: The company is unsettled. No official report about your absence. Board members are asking questions. Ann's lips curved into the faintest smile. She typed back. Good. Keep watching. Keep listening. She set the phone aside and lay back, eyes closing, not in sleep, but in focus. Looks like the game had begun.