Secret in the Heart ||Descendants|| (♡Ben)

33

"I knew I would find you here," Kara said as she approached Mal, who was looking out over the sea with a pair of binoculars.

"You did?" Mal replied, surprised.

"Yeah, I mean, you're not that hard to read," Kara said, leaning on the railing with her arms crossed.

Mal turned toward her, frowning slightly. "I know the history you share with Uma, and I know you don't trust her."

Kara nodded, understanding. "You're right; I don't trust her."

"Look," Kara said, taking the binoculars from Mal. "If Uma was planning something, she probably would have done it by now. Besides, I don't believe she wants to do any harm."

"How can you be so sure? She spelled Ben into loving her and wanted to use him to take down the barrier," Mal countered, turning to face her.

Kara raised her eyebrows at Mal's words. "I didn't mean it like that," Mal added quickly, a hint of defensiveness in her tone.

Kara smiled knowingly. "You did, and that's okay. Just think about our intentions when we came here eight months ago. We wanted to take down the barrier so your mother could take over Auradon."

Mal sighed but didn't argue. "You're right. Uma tried to use Ben to take down the barrier, but she only wants what's best for the Isle. She wants everyone to get a chance. I agree her method wasn't the best, but it was the only one she knew—just like it was the only one we knew."

"This doesn't mean I trust her, you know," Mal said firmly.

"I know, and Ben's got your back," Kara replied, gesturing toward the men who were also scanning the sea with binoculars. Mal nodded in response.

"Anyways, I didn't come here to argue with you," Kara continued.

"Then why did you come here?" Mal asked, curiosity replacing her earlier tension.

Kara took a breath, her expression turning serious. "I came to talk to you about the other day on the Isle and the person who's still there."

Mal's eyebrows shot up. "Look, I know we haven't talked about him much, but with what's happening right now—"

"What is happening right now, Kara?" Mal interjected, her tone edged with frustration.

Kara felt a flicker of anxiety as she thought about her deal with Hades. The mark on her wrist burned slightly with each passing moment, a reminder that she had about a month left to fulfill her end of the bargain. "Look, I know this is a sensitive subject, but we're going to be taking kids out of the Isle, and at some point, you're probably going to run into your dad. Even if that's not the case, I don't plan on only taking the kids out. I want to get everyone out eventually, which means you will see your father again."

Mal looked down, a shadow crossing her face. "If you don't want to talk about him, it's fine. I just wanted to let you know before I told anyone else. I don't want you to feel uncomfortable," Kara added, trying to suppress her own unease.

"I'll always be uncomfortable around that man. I mean, he never sought me out," Mal replied, her voice heavy with emotion.

Kara nodded, understanding the pain behind Mal's words. It had to be difficult knowing her father was on the Isle yet made no effort to contact her or see her. As Mal spoke about her father, the mark pulsed, reminding Kara of her own struggle with family ties and expectations.

"It's not just that. I don't know if I even want to see him," Mal confessed.

"I get that. You've gone so long without him that you probably don't even need him," Kara said gently.