Chapter 69. Confronting the Past

Mary was haunted by the memory of that tragic night at the pub, and she couldn't ignore the implications of her actions any longer. Nathan's phone call had brought everything back to her, forcing her to confront her past and the reality she had kept hidden for so long. 

Mary found it increasingly difficult to look Sam in the eyes without feeling a flash of remorse as the days passed. She knew she had to tell him, but the dread of losing him, of destroying the life they had built together, kept her from doing so. 

Mary finally resolved to approach Nathan because she couldn't handle the weight of her secret any longer. She required answers, closure, and the courage to confront Sam with the truth. She dialed the number Nathan had called from, shaking, and waited for him to pick up. 

Nathan's voice came through the line slightly hesitantly, "Hello?" 

"It's Mary," she whispered, hardly audible above a whisper. "We really need to talk."