It never was.
Richard clenched his jaw, trying to find something left to stand on.
There wasn’t anything.
The sheriff stepped forward.
“You need to collect your belongings and vacate the property,” he said. “Now, no room for debate. No room for delay.”
Evelyn looked at me one last time, searching for hesitation.
She found none.
I stepped inside and closed the door.
The lock clicked.
Final.
I didn’t watch them leave.
I went into the kitchen and made coffee.
Simple.
Routine.
Normal.
I carried the mug into the living room and sat down.
Sunlight came through the windows, clean and uninterrupted.
For the first time in a long time, there was no pressure behind the quiet.
Only space.
The aftermath came quickly.
Vance’s court-martial proceedings started fast.
Fraud tied to financial misconduct.
Security clearance gone.
Career over.
Discharge followed.
Not honorable.
Not even close.
Richard no longer had a uniform to protect him.
