Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Maya glanced at the clock. It was seven in the morning. "Yes. Please send me the address."

"It's already in your encrypted email. Also, as the lead instructor for 'Operation Dark Raven,' you'll need to get your physical conditioning and tactical skills back up to speed before you start training the new recruits. The regimen will be intense. Are you sure your body is up to it?"

"I'm sure," Maya said, a long-forgotten excitement in her voice. "It's been six years. I'm finally going back to where I belong."

"Good. We'll be waiting for you at the base."

After hanging up, she pulled out a pair of worn-out tactical boots. She carefully cleaned and polished them. For six years, she had kept these boots hidden in the back of her closet, just like she had hidden her true identity. Now, it was time for Maya Thompson to come back.

The training base was hidden in the mountains, looking like an ordinary lumber yard from the outside. But once she drove past the gates, she saw several low-profile buildings and a massive training ground. The field had an obstacle course, a firing range, and a tactical simulation area.

Colonel Anderson was already waiting for her at the entrance. He was a man in his fifties with a military buzz cut, his face etched with the lines of time and battle. When he saw Maya, he snapped a salute. "Thompson, welcome back."

Maya returned a crisp salute. "Thank you, sir."

"Come with me, I'll show you the facilities," Anderson said, leading her onto the training ground. "We have the most advanced equipment here, including a CQC training house, a sniper range, and an underwater combat pool. For the next two weeks, you'll be doing refresher training. After that, you'll take charge of the first batch of recruits."

Maya looked around, her gaze growing sharp. This was her home, not that luxurious mansion in Medina.

"I have an old injury in my wrist," she informed him. "So there are certain exercises requiring wrist strength that I may not be able to complete."

"I know," Anderson nodded. "I've reviewed your medical file. That last mission... you made a great sacrifice for your country, Thompson. So now, your mission isn't to be on the front lines, but to train the best damn soldiers in the world. Do you understand? Every soldier you train is an extension of your strength."

Maya felt her eyes sting. For six years, no one had understood her, no one had valued her for who she was. They saw her as a housewife, judged her by the quality of her cookies. But here, finally, she was recognized for her abilities.

"Thank you, sir," she said, her voice catching.

"Alright, emotional moment's over," Anderson clapped her on the shoulder. "Gear up. Let's get started. Remember, there's no Mrs. Croft here. Only Lieutenant Thompson."

Maya smiled, a genuine smile for the first time in six years. "Yes, sir!"

Because of her wrist injury, Maya couldn't do a lot of the heavy physical training. But even so, the high-intensity tactical simulations, map reading drills, radio communication exercises, and combat medical training were enough to overwhelm an ordinary person. Not to mention the endless case studies, analyzing past operations and studying new threats...

But Maya felt alive. Like a bird that had been caged for years and was finally flying free again. Her eyes regained their sharpness, her movements became precise, and an aura of formidable competence radiated from her.

Six years ago, she had given everything for her country. She was the legend known as "Ghost." Now, that woman was back.

After the training session, Anderson called her into his office.

"Thompson, there's something I need to tell you," he said, his expression serious. "Your identity transition process has been initiated. In two weeks, legally speaking, the identity of Maya Thompson will be sealed. Your social security number will be deactivated, and all your civilian records will be classified. Your family will be informed that you died in an accident."

Maya nodded. "I understand. That's what I want."

"Are you absolutely sure?" Anderson looked at her. "Once you go down this path, there's no turning back. Your husband, your son... they will truly believe you are dead."

"They stopped needing me a long time ago," Maya said calmly. "To them, it makes no difference whether I'm alive or dead. So I might as well truly serve my country. At least that way, my existence will have meaning."

Anderson sighed. "Alright. I respect your decision. But if you change your mind..."

"I won't."

Driving back to the mansion, her phone suddenly buzzed. It was a text from a mom she knew from a parents' group―Sophia, the mother of Leo's classmate, Taylor.

"Maya, have you seen the class group chat? What's going on? Lachlan added a woman we don't know and said she's Leo's mom. What happened? Are you okay?"

Maya took a deep breath and opened WhatsApp.

Sure enough, the group now had fifty-three members―it used to be fifty-two. The new addition had Blaire's picture as the profile photo, and her name was listed as "Blaire Evans."

The group was in the middle of sharing highlights from "Parent Participation Week." Parents were uploading photos and videos: trips to the science museum, baking cookies together, running a community marathon... Every family looked so happy and perfect.

And then there was Lachlan's post. It was a three-minute-long video.

Maya tapped play. The screen filled with the scene from the climbing gym. The video started with Blaire smiling brightly at the camera, dressed in her Arc'teryx gear, looking vibrant and full of energy.

"Hi everyone! I'm Blaire, Leo's mom," her voice was sweet and cheerful. "Today we're at Stone Gardens for the school's parent challenge. I've chosen the 90-foot advanced route. It's a little scary, but to be a good role model for Leo, I'm going to give it a try!"

The camera then panned to Lachlan, standing at the base of the wall. He spoke to the camera, "I'm so proud of Blaire. Even with her foot injury, she insisted on coming here to complete this challenge. This is what real motherhood looks like―willing to push your limits for your child."

What followed was footage of Blaire climbing. Her movements were graceful, and though it was clear she was struggling (the injury was real, after all), she inched her way up the wall. Below, Leo cheered for her, "Go, Blaire! You can do it! You're the best mom!"

Finally, Blaire reached the top. After she was lowered down, Leo ran into her arms and called out sweetly, "Mommy!"

The camera zoomed in for a close-up as Blaire's eyes welled with tears. Lachlan wrapped his arms around both of them, creating a picture-perfect image of a happy family that was painful to watch.

Below the video, the comments from other parents flooded in:

"Wow, Blaire, you're amazing! Such determination!"

"Leo is so lucky to have such a brave mom!"

"Wait, I thought Maya was Leo's mom? What happened?"

"Who's Maya? I only know Blaire. Lachlan, you three look so sweet together!"

A few parents who knew the situation sent private messages to Maya:

"Maya, are you okay? Do you need anything?"

"This is just too much. What is Lachlan thinking?"

"Honey, if you need a recommendation for a lawyer, let me know."

Maya stared at the screen, a complex mix of emotions washing over her. It would be a lie to say it didn't hurt―the child she had carried for ten months was now calling another woman "Mommy." But more than the pain, there was a sense of... relief.

This was the final confirmation. Her decision to leave was the right one. Her husband and son didn't need her anymore. If they liked Blaire so much, then Blaire could be Leo's mother.

Maya didn't reply to any of the messages. She calmly opened the group settings, found the "Leave Group" option, and tapped it without hesitation.

A confirmation box popped up:

"Are you sure you want to leave 'Leo's Class Parents' Group'?"

Yes.

She tapped yes.

Then, she opened Lachlan's Instagram and Facebook profiles and blocked him. She didn't want to see any more of their fake "happy family" photos.

After she was done, Maya turned off her phone, leaned back in the driver's seat, and closed her eyes.

"Goodbye, Lachlan," she said to the night sky. "Goodbye, Leo. I hope you and Blaire will be happy. And I... I can finally be myself again."