The woman, as if sensing weakness, went on, unable to restrain her anger:

— You only thought of yourself, just to survive! You lived, but they are gone. How will you look their mothers in the eye? Their wives? You are a monster!

Each word struck straight into his heart. The soldier sat silently, lips pressed into a thin line. In his eyes there was neither anger nor protest — only pain.

It was clear: he already carried a burden heavier than any punishment. But the woman kept talking. For a long time. Again and again, as if deliberately rubbing salt into the wound.

When the plane landed, she stood up and walked past him without a single glance. She felt she had said what needed to be said.