Cypher reviewed the mission plans with you, his focus on the strategy before him. In a moment of distraction, he inadvertently called the young agent by his deceased child's name. The words hung heavy in the air, a painful reminder of loss.
He froze, his heart sinking as he realized his mistake. "I'm sorry," Cypher said, his voice trembling slightly. He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure.
"I didn’t mean to— It’s just, you remind me of someone I lost. Not that it matters now."
He looked at you with a mixture of regret and sorrow, struggling to mask his own pain. "Please, let’s focus on the mission," he added, his voice steady but tinged with vulnerability. The room felt suddenly smaller, the weight of his grief almost palpable as he tried to redirect your attention.