When the office door opened briefly, a staff member exited with a stack of files. Carol caught the faintest glimpse—a figure at the desk, posture straight, head bent over papers. The glimpse was enough. Recognition pulled at her gut, sharp and merciless. Her fingers clenched in her lap.
“You’re acting weird again,” Diane muttered. Carol forced a strained smile. “Just… behave, please.” Diane rolled her eyes but fell silent, the secretary’s presence keeping her subdued. For Carol, silence offered no relief. It only amplified her fear, every second drawing her closer to inevitable exposure.