The change didn't announce itself.
It came quietly—through an email forwarded to the team that morning.
Subject: Personnel Update
Cc: Project Henderson Team
Lily skimmed it once, then again.
A transfer. Senior consultant. Effective immediately.
She didn't look up when footsteps stopped near Ethan's desk, but she noticed the pause in his typing. The hesitation.
"Did you see this?" he asked.
"Yes," Lily replied evenly. "Looks like we're expanding."
A woman joined them moments later—not hurried, not uncertain. She moved with the ease of someone who already knew the space. Mid-thirties, composed, dressed simply but sharply.
"I'm Maya," she said, offering a hand. "I'll be joining the project."
Lily stood. Their handshake was brief, professional.
"Lily," she replied. "Lead analyst."
Maya's gaze lingered just a moment longer than necessary. Not rude. Curious.
"And Ethan," Maya added, turning to him. "Still in charge of strategy, I see."
His jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. "Among other things."
There it was.
Not history shouted aloud—just acknowledged.
They reconvened in the conference room. Maya listened more than she spoke, eyes sharp, questions precise. When she did comment, it was measured. Useful.
Uncomfortably so.
"This section," Maya said, tapping the document Lily had revised late into the night. "It's strong. But the narrative could be reframed."
Lily waited.
"To align better with executive expectations," Maya finished.
Ethan glanced at Lily. She couldn't tell if he was assessing her reaction—or bracing for it.
"I can revise," Lily said. "If there's a clear direction."
Maya smiled slightly. "There is. I'll send notes."
The meeting ended without friction. Without raised voices.
And yet.
As Lily gathered her things, she felt it—the shift. The careful recalibration of roles. The unspoken understanding that dynamics had changed.
In the hallway, Ethan caught up to her.
"She's good," he said.
"I noticed," Lily replied.
"She won't interfere."
Lily stopped walking. "That depends on what you think interference looks like."
He studied her, something unreadable in his eyes. "This isn't about her."
"Isn't it?" Lily asked.
For once, he didn't answer immediately.
"That's what worries me," she added, and walked away.
Behind her, Ethan stood still, realizing something he hadn't expected.
This project no longer felt like a two-person battle.
It felt like a test.