After my third deployment, my wife filed for divorce. «I’ve met someone better,» she said …

I’ll handle this. Donovan. General Barrett began.

Protocol requires. With all due respect, sir, these are my children. I know how to question them without causing additional trauma.

I’ve been trained in these techniques, and I understand exactly what information we need to assess the breach. After some discussion, a compromise was reached. Roy would have an initial conversation with the children, recorded for security purposes, with a child psychologist present.

Based on those findings, a determination would be made about further investigation. That evening, Roy sat at the kitchen table with Max, now 14, and Lily, 11. He’d picked them up from their after-school activities early, knowing this conversation couldn’t wait.

I need to ask you both some important questions about your visits with Mom, he began carefully. You’re not in trouble, and Mom’s not in trouble. We just need to understand some things.

Max’s expression immediately grew guarded. What kind of things? During your visits, does Mom ask you questions about me? About my work? Or people I know? The siblings exchanged a quick glance that confirmed Roy’s fears before either spoke. Sometimes, Lily admitted, she asks if you’re happy, if you’re dating anyone.

Normal Mom stuff. Does she ask about specific people? Or about my job? Max stared at the table. She asked about Laura a lot.

Wanted to know what she does at the base. I just said she works with computers because that’s all I know anyway. Laura Phillips was a cyber security specialist at the MFSU whom Roy had been dating for approximately six months.

Her work involved classified nuclear defense systems. What else, Max? Roy prompted gently. She asked if I ever see any of your work papers, or hear your phone calls.

Max looked up, guilt written across his face. I told her about the safe in your office. I didn’t think it was a big deal, just Mom being interested.

Roy maintained his composure despite the sinking feeling in his chest. Did she ask you to look for anything specific? Or to tell her about my schedule? Lily spoke up. She always wants to know when you’re traveling.

She says it’s so she doesn’t schedule calls when you’re away, but she writes it down every time. The conversation continued, revealing a methodical pattern of intelligence gathering disguised as maternal interest. Both children had unwittingly provided information that, while seemingly innocent in isolation, could be pieced together to form a troubling picture of Roy’s work, movements, and associations.

When they finished talking, Roy faced the hardest part. I need to tell you something difficult. Mom has been sharing this information with Perry.

What? How? Max demanded, his voice cracking. He’s in prison. They’ve been writing letters.

And it turns out they were hiding secret messages in those letters. Lily’s eyes filled with tears. But why? Mom said she was sorry about all that.

She said Perry tricked her. Roy chose his next words carefully. Sometimes people make choices that are hard for us to understand.

Mom may still be confused about what’s right and wrong when it comes to Perry. So we can’t visit her anymore, Max concluded, his expression hardening into something that reminded Roy painfully of himself. Not right now.

She’s being moved to a different facility. Once that’s settled, we’ll need to make some decisions as a family. Lily began to cry in earnest.

I don’t want to see her anyway. She’s still a liar. Roy gathered his daughter into his arms, holding her while she sobbed.

Over her head, he met Max’s eyes. No longer a child’s eyes, but those of a young man confronting adult betrayals for the second time in his young life. I’m sorry, Roy said simply.

You both deserve better. Later that night, after the children were asleep, Roy sat in his home office reviewing the security footage from their conversation. The recording would be provided to the FBI and military intelligence for assessment of the potential security breach.

His secure phone buzzed with a message from Walsh. Bridget requesting emergency call with you regarding children. Advisable to refuse.

Roy stared at the message for a long moment. She had betrayed not just him, not just her country, but now her own children. Twice.

Using them as unwitting intelligence assets, manipulating their love and trust. He typed his response. Understood.

No contact authorized except through my attorney. As he sat down the phone, he noticed a school assignment on Max’s desk. An essay titled, Heroes in our lives.

He picked it up, reading the first paragraph. My father is a hero, but not just because he serves our country in the military. He’s a hero because he protects people even when it’s hard…