(FULL) THE GARAGE THEY FORCED ME INTO

I didn’t move right away.

I stood in the doorway of the freezing garage, one hand resting on my belly, and looked at Colonel Hayes. The morning wind cut through my thin sweater, but I barely felt it. My eyes moved past him to the porch where my family stood.

My father’s face had gone pale. My mother was still staring at the broken coffee cup at her feet like she couldn’t process what was happening. Rachel had grabbed Mark’s arm, her mouth slightly open.

None of them spoke.

Colonel Hayes lowered his salute but kept his posture straight. The four soldiers behind him stood at attention, their presence making the quiet morning feel heavier.

“Mrs. Carter,” he said again, gentler this time. “We have orders to escort you and your belongings to a secure location. Your new residence has already been prepared.”

I looked down at the folding bed I had slept on for less than two hours. At the single thin blanket. At the suitcase that held almost everything I owned.

Then I looked back at the colonel.

“Thank you,” I said quietly. My voice didn’t shake. “I just need a moment.”

He nodded once and stepped back, giving me space.

I walked slowly into the garage and picked up my laptop first. It was the most important thing I had. Everything else — the few clothes, the ultrasound photos, Daniel’s old dog tags — went into the suitcase.

When I turned around, Rachel had stepped off the porch. She was walking toward me, eyes wide.

“Elena… what is this? Who are these people?”

I met her gaze. For the first time in months, I didn’t look away.

“They’re here because of Daniel,” I said. “Because of the work he started. The work I finished.”

She blinked, confused. “What work?”

I didn’t answer. Instead, I handed my suitcase to one of the soldiers who had stepped forward. He took it without a word and carried it to the nearest SUV.

Colonel Hayes held the black folder out to me again. I took it. The weight of it felt real in my hands.

Inside were documents confirming the sale of Project Sentinel to Stratix Defense Systems. My new title. My new salary. My new life.

I closed the folder and looked at my family one last time.

They were still standing there — frozen, silent, small.

I turned back to Colonel Hayes.