Part 4/10:
The transition into parenthood acted as a catalyst for deeper introspection. Faced with the impending arrival of their first child, both the agent and their spouse recognized the gravity of their decision to continue with the CIA. They grappled with the realization that they would effectively be sacrificing their opportunities as parents and partners for a career that showed little regard for their personal fulfillment.
In a moment of clarity, their plea for a light assignment to ease into parenthood was met with an unyielding institutional response: no. The CIA, prioritizing the mission over individual wellbeing, made it strikingly clear that they viewed the couple as expendable resources, committed to grinding relentlessly until they became obsolete.