I could’ve told you, I want to say. I was going to tell you. About the baby. About the decision. About why I stepped in.
But I didn’t. And now I’m alone with the aftermath.
Trozius doesn’t flinch when I barge into his office.
“I want a transfer,” I say.
He looks up slowly from his desk, folds his hands.
“Request denied.”
“I’m not asking.”
“You’re not thinking,” he corrects coolly. “You’re grieving. Differently. But grieving.”
I grit my teeth. “I’m not grieving. I’m angry. I’m stuck in a system that lets people like Kaz disappear while I stand here carrying the consequences.”
His eyes narrow just a touch. “You mean his child.”
I freeze.
He leans back, sighs like he’s already exhausted by the drama.
“You really think I didn’t know?”
“You didn’t report it.”
“Wouldn’t have helped,” he says. “Alliance brass already made their move. His mission’s classified because it’s dangerous. Volatile. And someone upstairs decided your emotions were compromising your judgment. You protected him. They buried him.”
I feel the blood drain from my face.
“So that’s it?” I whisper. “He’s just… lost?”
Trozius nods, slow. “You did what you thought was right. Doesn’t mean it didn’t cost you.”
I want to scream. Instead, I turn on my heel and walk out before I do something stupid.
Back in my quarters, the air still hasn’t moved.
I sit in front of the mirror. Not because I want to look at myself—but because I need to see the person who made this call. The woman who broke every rule, risked every shred of her career, for a man who left her with nothing but silence.
I look tired. Hollow.
But not weak.
My hand drifts to my abdomen. No bump. Not yet. But I feel the ache. The pressure of change.
“I’m not sorry,” I whisper.
I don't know if I’m lying.
I pick up the last note he left me. Still tucked in my locket. I haven’t opened it since that night.
No regrets. Just truth.
My throat tightens.
“Then here’s mine,” I whisper to no one.
