CHAPTER 2 — THE LIE INSIDE THE SYSTEM

CHAPTER 2 — THE LIE INSIDE THE SYSTEM The officers separated everyone. Victoria was placed on the sofa, still crying softly, now weaker, more “victimized” in tone. Elena sat down, shaking, hands still on her belly. Alejandro stood near the window, speaking into his secured line. “Confirm ghost signature protocol,” he said. A pause. Then his expression hardened. Because the response wasn’t what he expected. A voice came through: “Captain Reyes… your name appears in two active records. One living. One deceased.” Elena heard it from across the room. Her breath stopped. Victoria slowly turned her head. Even the officers looked confused. Alejandro lowered the phone slightly. “That’s impossible,” he said. But the system continued: “Death certificate issued under military emergency channel 7-B. Authorized last month. Signature verified under internal clearance.” Alejandro’s eyes sharpened. Someone inside the system had not only forged his death… They had made it official enough to be real. Victoria slowly sat up straighter. Her tears faded just slightly. A flicker of satisfaction passed her face before she hid it again. Elena noticed it. For the first time, she didn’t look afraid. She looked… awake. Alejandro turned toward his mother. “You didn’t just fake a letter,” he said quietly. “You accessed military infrastructure.” Victoria wiped her eyes. And smiled faintly. “I only protected my family.” Alejandro’s voice dropped. “From me?” Silence. Then— All radios in the officers’ hands suddenly emitted a sharp static burst. Every device in the house flickered. And a final encrypted message appeared on Alejandro’s phone: “PROJECT BLACK VEIL REACTIVATED.”

2 chapters