*How am I supposed to calm down?*
My son was a cold corpse lying on a hospital bed. Yet Leon Weiss expected me to return to that place and nurse a child who was already gone.
I collapsed to the floor, wailing until my voice broke.
The next day, dragging a body that felt filled with lead, I went to cancel my son's identity registration. At the entrance of the bureau, I spotted Leon reporting to a superior.
"Director, the mission is complete." His voice was clipped and professional. "Zero casualties on site."
The words struck me like a physical blow. I screamed, rushing forward to confront him.
"That's a lie! My son is dead!"
Leon's eyes narrowed. In one fluid motion, he yanked me behind him, turning to the director with an apologetic, practiced smile.
"My apologies, Director. Rose is... unstable. She tells everyone she meets that our child has passed."
He paused, his tone shifting to one of heavy, performative sorrow. "The doctor and Claire both believe the trauma triggered a delusional disorder."
The director sighed, patting Leon's shoulder. "You've had a hard time too, Leon. Go home. Take care of your family."
The moment the director walked away, the mask dropped.