Introduction

The air in the bank was cold, a stark contrast to the warm spring day outside. I shifted, the familiar ache in my leg a dull reminder of my past, as the teller tapped at her keyboard.

"I'm sorry, Mr. Hayes," she said, "I can't seem to find a joint account under that name for you."

I frowned, "That's not possible. It's a joint savings, with my wife, Sarah Hayes. We've had it for years."

"I see a Sarah Hayes," the teller replied slowly, "but the account lists her as Sarah Miller. And you are not listed as a signatory."

Miller. The name hit me like a physical blow.

My former commanding officer. The man whose orders had sent my team into an ambush, ending my career and leaving me with a leg full of metal.

My world tilted as I stumbled out of the bank, clutching a phone that shook in my hand. Then, I heard her voice, bright and cheerful.

"Liam! Honey, is everything okay?"

"I heard your voicemail, Sarah." My voice was eerily flat.

Silence. Then, a choked sound. "Liam... I can explain..."

"No," I cut her off. "There\'s nothing to explain. I just called to say... congratulations."

I hung up, the emptiness inside me starting to fill with a purpose I hadn\'t felt since I wore the uniform. They thought I was a broken man, a harmless relic. They were about to find out how wrong they were.