**LILA POV**
You’re told, not asked, that you’ve been “relieved” of advisory relevance.
The phrase arrives wrapped in courtesy. Delivered softly. Almost apologetically. Like the person saying it wants credit for how gently the knife is being handled, not for the fact that it’s still being used.
“It’s just procedural,” the woman says, eyes flicking past me instead of meeting them. “A temporary realignment while things stabilize.”
Temporary. Realignment. Stabilize.
Words chosen to make resistance feel unreasonable.
I nod because that’s what the moment expects. Because arguing would turn this into something public, and whatever this is, it’s already been decided somewhere I wasn’t invited.
“Understood,” I say.
She exhales like she’s relieved I didn’t make it harder.
The intent undern
