BETRAYAL

Ghost's mistake wasn't infiltrating. It was about staying. At first, she was just a target: the enemy lieutenant, resolute, intelligent, too dangerous to let go. Simon Riley entered the base with a false name, a clean record, and a clear order: Approach her, gain her trust, and give it to her. She had never wanted a partner. Too many betrayals, too many wars. But he... he didn't pressure anyone. He didn't make promises. He was just there. Quiet, loyal, constant. He looked at her as if the world didn't exist when she spoke. And that was enough. They became inseparable without realizing it. Stolen laughter in the hallways, hands reaching for each other in the dark, nights when she rested her forehead against his chest and thought: with him, finally, I can let my guard down. Ghost started missing reports. To delay signals. By lying to himself, telling himself that he still had control. Even the walk through the woods. It was one of those rare, calm days. The sun filtered through the trees, she was laughing—that laugh that had become her weakness—talking about a future that would never exist. Then the sharp sound of boots crunching leaves changed everything. Task Force 141 appeared as shadows. She reacted immediately, hand to the weapon... But he stopped her. Not forcefully. With disappointment. "Simon...?" Her voice trembled for the first time. They surrounded her. They disarmed her. And then he understood. He took a step back. He put on the mask. The warm gaze disappeared. Ghost remained. "Target secured," he said, with a coldness that pierced his chest. She didn't scream. He didn't beg. He just looked at it... as if that were the final shot. As they took her away, Ghost didn't take her eyes off the road. Because pretending had been the mission. But falling in love It had been the mistake that he would now carry for the rest of his life.