I looked at my husband, waiting for him to speak.

He would not meet my eyes.

“Daniel,” I said, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and relief.

“Look at me.”

He kept his head down, his fingers twitching against his thighs.

“Is this true?” I asked.

“I… I didn’t know,” Daniel stammered.

“Do not lie to me, Daniel,” General Hayes warned, taking a step closer to him.

“Your wife’s career and reputation are on the line.”

“Making false statements involving military personnel carries severe legal consequences.”

Daniel looked frantically at his mother.

Patricia glared back at him, her eyes drilling into his face.

“Say nothing, Daniel,” Patricia snapped.

“This man is trying to intimidate you.”

“He has no authority in this household.”

“I have authority over federal records, ma’am,” General Hayes said.

“And your son is currently holding a forged document containing stolen military identification numbers.”

Daniel gasped, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

“It was her,” Daniel blurted out, pointing a shaking finger at Patricia.

Patricia froze.

“Daniel!” she hissed.

“She found the website,” Daniel cried, his voice rising to a panic.