That night, he asked Sarah directly. “Who’s been giving you money? Who’s been here when I wasn’t?” She stiffened, her eyes glistening. “Please, Mike. Let it go. It’s not what you think.” But she offered no explanation, only retreating into silence that cut deeper than any lie. He couldn’t believe the woman he loved was turning into a stranger before his eyes.
Sleep deserted him. Each sound in the house fed his restless mind. He paced the hallways, staring at shadows, replaying the clerk’s words. He had faced mortar fire, ambushes, but never a ghostly rival who provided for his family while he fought half a world away.