Page 56 of Scaled Daddy's Secret Heir

---

Only she’ll recognize the modulation.

Leah.

The stars mean nothing without you.

I’m not lost if I know where to return.

I stare at it for a long moment.

Then I send it.

I filemy reassignment within the hour.

Not just out of rotation.

Back toSpuel.

Back to her.

The request routes through Black Anchor. No objections. No delays.

Approval comes in eight minutes.

Too fast.

Kuron catches me at the lift.

“Back to your little comms cave, huh?” he asks.

“Something like that.”

He studies me. “You think they let you go because you’re clean?”

I meet his eyes. “No.”

“Then why’d they approve it?”

“Because they know I’ll come back if they need me.”

His smile returns. Just a flicker. “You’re a bastard, Kalev.”

“So are you.”

“Yeah, but at least I sleep at night.”

I don’t answer.

I just step into the lift.

Because the truth is?—

Idon’tsleep.

Not anymore.

But if I can make it back to her?—

Maybe I will.

---