Tasha went on, looking straight at Kyler now.

“Rhys mentioned he volunteered to stay back. Yet you refused. You stated to him, ‘While we remain buddies, I will not ever drop you back.’”

My chest swelled again.

Tasha’s eyes shone as she said, “Plus after that you pushed forward.”

The office stayed completely silent.

That was when I understood… this was not about a punishment.

This was something else entirely.

Something I still did not fully grasp.

Tasha’s words hung in the room.

Then Hendrix picked up where she left off.

“We were familiar with Brant, Rhys’s dad,” he mentioned.

I looked at him, confused.

“Excuse me?”

Hendrix nodded.

“We worked alongside him. Several years past.”

“He would always bring Rhys all over,” Tasha went on. “Any place he was unable to visit by himself, Brant made sure he never lacked the chance. Once… once he passed away, I attempted my hardest. Yet there existed activities I simply failed to duplicate for Rhys.”

Her voice strained, but she kept going.

“Once I collected my boy previously, he seemed changed. The previous occasion I viewed him feeling that way was six years back, prior to his dad passing during a battle. He refused to quit discussing the woods, the flying animals, the scenery at the peak… items he had never witnessed earlier! He mentioned it seemed like the environment eventually unlocked to him!”

Tasha smiled through it.

Navarro did the same.

Kyler smiled a little.

Tasha looked straight at my son again.

“Plus he mentioned that happened thanks to you.”

Kyler shifted.

“I simply… held him.”

The second soldier shook his head softly.

“Negative. You performed extra beyond that. He explained to Tasha how while your knees were trembling, and you were barely able to stay up, he pleaded with you to drop him back and find assistance. Yet you declined.”

I looked down at Kyler.

He did not deny it.

Kyler’s voice came out softer this time.

“I had no intention to attempt that.”

“I am aware,” Tasha stated.

The next man, who gave his name as Captain Holloway, added, “The important part was not merely how you transported him. It is because while the trip turned tough, extremely tough, you created a decision. You remained.”

He paused, letting that settle.

Tasha wiped her face quickly, and I did the same.

“Once I listened to the entire story,” she spoke, “it brought back powerful memories of Brant. The manner he declined to allow Rhys to feel excluded. The manner he supported his boy, regardless of how difficult the situation became.”

Tasha then explained how she had called Brant’s old colleagues because she knew what my son had done mattered—not only for Rhys, but for her as well.

Holloway stepped forward.

“We discussed the way Kyler assisted Rhys yesterday evening, and we settled upon a plan. We wished to acknowledge the things you achieved regarding our deceased leader’s boy.”

Kyler looked up, cautious now, but no longer afraid.

Hendrix held out a small box.

“We have arranged a tuition account under your title. The money will wait there for you whenever you are prepared. Whatever university you select.”

For a second I thought I had misheard.

“Excuse me?” I spoke, slightly higher than a low breath.

Kyler just stared.

“You are not required to choose a single detail today,” Holloway continued. “Yet we desire for you to understand — the gift exists thanks to your courage.”

Yates’s jaw dropped.

Kyler looked at me, stunned.

“Mother…?”

I shook my head softly, overwhelmed.

“I… I simply lack any proper words to speak.”