The Visit

THIS TIME I SAY NO;

I pull out of my chair, and walk to the window, overlooking the city. So she's here? that alone is wrong. She probably came to play the caring half-sister. It definitely wil be good to her see her face… The face of a demon disguise as an angel.

There is a knock on the door and quietly the door opens. It's Andrea, my secretary.

“Ms. Carter, your sister is here.” She pause , then continues. “Should I -”

 " Send her in " I said calmly.

It takes a minute before the door opens, without a knock.

Judy enters as if the office rightfully belongs to her. She is dress a blue gown looking elegant and righteous. Her eyes crinkle as she sees me.

"Amanda!" Judy said, spreading her arms slightly. "You didn't even tell me you were back . I had to hear it from someone else "

I stand slowly, studying Judy's face… The eyes that watched me fall .

 " You could have called " I reply.

Judy laugh lightly. " I wanted to see you. Make sure you're okay.”

Concern… Always concern first .

  " I'm fine," I said " what brings you here?"

Judy's smile flatter for a fraction of a second - just long enough. She didn't expect that question.

"Well" she said , walking around the office, fingers brushing the shelves," I was worried you've been through so much. It made me think... maybe you need help."

I fold my arms. " Help with what ?"

"With Carter holdings," Judy replies smoothly." You've always carried too much alone. Family should support family.”

There it is. 

In my my past life, I would have felt grateful now I feel cold clarity. "You're offering to work here ?" I ask.

"Temporarily," Judy said quickly " just until you're fully settled. I could help manage trusts , personal assets - things that don't require board approval "

My gaze sharpens.

Judy continues, voice gentle. " You trust me, don't you?"

The room went silent… I remember the files. The balcony. The push...Trust had killed me once.

"I trust processes " I smile quietly. " Not assumptions "

Judy blinks. "What does that mean?"

"It means " I said, meeting her eyes " That if you want involvement, it will be formal. Transparent .Reviewed.”

Judy force a laugh. "You sound like a lawyer "

"Experience changes people" I reply.

For the first time, Judy looks uneasy. She recovers quickly. " Of course. I only want what's best for you sister. Even though we share the same mother but different fathers. Am still here for you.”

I smile - polite, distant. " I'm sure" I said.

After Judy left , I didn't move, I replayed every words… Personal assets. Temporary involvement. This is too much… too soon .

My phone buzz: A message from Aya.

AYA: she's early.

I type back carefully 

ME : Then she's nervous.

There is a pause.

AYA: Good. Nervous people make mistakes.

I look out at the city. Judy has made her first move and for the first time, I didn't step backward .

**********

Marcus didn't like being summoned which was exactly why he came.

The private lounge is quite, discreet - one of those places design for conversations that weren't meant to exist .

Judy is already there, seated by the window, stirring her drink slowly.

"You're late" she said without looking up.

Marcus smile faintly "You asked for secrecy. Not punctuality "

Judy looks at him then, her eyes sharp " Amanda has changed "

Marcus smile didn't reach, his eyes sharp." So I've noticed."

They sit in silence for moment , both measuring the other.

"You went to her office" Marcus said casually "Bold "

 "She shut me down" Judy reply."Politely. Which is worse "

Marcus leans back. "She used to soften when pressured. Now she doesn't "

Judy fingers tighten around her glass. " She spoke about processes. Review . Transparency "

Marcus exhale slowly. "That's Eleanor - Aya "

Judy look up sharply. " You think the old woman is involved?"

"I know she is, "Marcus said. "Amanda never moves like this in her own "

A pause.

Judy lowers her voice. "Then we're running out of time"

Marcus studies her. "Careful. Desperation leads to mistakes"

"And patience leads to missed opportunities," Judy shot back."She still trust the system. That's when we strike "

Marcus nods slowly. "We don't push her. We surround her " 

Judy lips turns to a calculative smile. " Through advisors?"

"Through pressure " Marcus corrects. " Legal, social, financial. Nothing she can accuse. Nothing she can prove. "

Judy raise her glass. "Temporary alignment then "

Marcus clink the glass against hers. " Temporary" he agrees .

But as they drink, both understand the truth. This isn't partnership, it's necessity and Amanda Carter is the reason.

 ……

I sense the shift before I see it… Email that hesitates. Calls that redirects . Questions that circles instead of landing .

Pressure without fingerprints.

I sit in Aya's study that evening, the room heavy with the quiet history.

"They've aligned" I said calmly.

Aya didn't look surprise. "Of course they have."

"They're careful", I continue. " No direct attacks".

"That means they're afraid," Aya reply.

I hesitate. " Then it's time "

Aya's gaze sharpens ." You understand what that means ?"

"One name," I said " Once "

 Aya nods. "And never loudly "

 Later in the day, I arrive at the underground office. I sit across from a senior legal intermediary - one of the gatekeeper . A man who had seen empires rise and fall without ever appearing headlines.

 He didn't smile. " I was told you wished to consult," he said.

I met his eyes steadily. " I'm facing unnecessary interference"

He waits.

I inhale once. "I am Eleanor Carter successor."

 There is silence .Not disbelief but recogniition.

The man incline his head slightly. " That is... noted"

 "I'm not asking for action," I said "only clarity. "

 He stands. "Clarity will arrive."

That is all.

Judy comes to my house shortly after I return.

She doesn't even bother pretending. She sits across from me in the living room of my mansion, crossing her legs like she owns the house.

“Amanda.” She calls sweetly. “We're family. You know things have been a little tight lately. I just need some support. A few millions will do. And maybe you can transfer some minor shares of your company to me. It's only fair.”

Only fair… I almost laugh 

In my first life, I would have agreed before she finishes the sentence. I would have apologized for not offering more but not this time.

“No,” I said calmly.

The word hangs in the air.

Judy blinks. “No?”

“Am not giving you money. And am definitely not giving you shares from the company.”

Her smile stiffens. “Amand… don't joke.”

“I'm not joking.”

The air shifts. She stands suddenly and walks toward me with open arms. “Come here, silly girl. Why are you acting like this? Did someone say something to you?”

She tries to hug me but I step aside as she loses her balance and falls awkwardly to the floor. For a second, everything freezes and I see it - The anger.

It flashes in my eyes before she can hide it. Cold. Hard. Familiar. The same anger she showed me the night she pushed me into ruining my first life.

She stands slowly. “Amanda,” she says, her voice lower now. Deadly. “ What is wrong with you?”

My fingers tightens at my sides. That tone. It's the same tone she used before everything collapsed… Before the betrayal… Before my death.

She steps closer.

“Why are you acting different?” she asks carefully. Then she tilts her head slightly. “... Or have you been reborn?”

My heart stops for a long second, we just stare at each other. The room feels too small. Too tight. Too aware. I force myself not to react but inside, my thoughts are screaming.

Did she just guess?

Or does she know?

My pulse pounds in my ears, and one terrifying question rises in my mind.

-

Did Judy know about my rebirth?