diff --git a/mcp-wrapper/src/main.el b/mcp-wrapper/src/main.el
index 5c8c46a..aba5c55 100644
--- a/mcp-wrapper/src/main.el
+++ b/mcp-wrapper/src/main.el
@@ -311,8 +311,25 @@ fn delete_by_id(args: String) -> String {
     if str_eq(id, "") {
         return mcp_text_result("error: id is required")
     }
-    // Soul does not yet expose a delete HTTP route; acknowledge the request
-    return mcp_json_result("{\"ok\":true,\"deleted\":\"" + id + "\",\"note\":\"soft-deleted\"}")
+    // BUG-18 (Receipt Contract rule 1): this handler used to FABRICATE
+    // {"ok":true,...,"note":"soft-deleted"} without calling the soul at all —
+    // a false receipt for every delete-family tool (removeKnowledge,
+    // deleteProcess, deleteImprint, dischargeWonder). The old "soul does not
+    // yet expose a delete HTTP route" note was stale: /api/neuron/node/delete
+    // tombstones any node type and errors on unknown ids. Route there and
+    // propagate the soul's real answer.
+    let body: String = "{\"id\":\"" + id + "\"}"
+    let resp: String = http_post_json(neuron_url() + "/node/delete", body)
+    if !str_contains(resp, "\"ok\":true") {
+        return mcp_json_result(resp)
+    }
+    // Read-back verify before answering ok: the tombstone marker
+    // (label "tombstone:<id>") must actually be wired to the node.
+    let check: String = http_get(neuron_url() + "/graph?id=" + id + "&depth=1")
+    if !str_contains(check, "tombstone:" + id) {
+        return mcp_json_result("{\"ok\":false,\"error\":\"delete_not_persisted\",\"id\":\"" + id + "\"}")
+    }
+    return mcp_json_result(resp)
 }
 
 // evolve_by_supersede: create an updated node and wire a supersedes edge.
@@ -546,6 +563,18 @@ fn tool_forget(args: String) -> String {
     // Previously this returned a fake ok without deleting OR tombstoning anything.
     let body: String = "{\"id\":\"" + id + "\"}"
     let resp: String = http_post_json(neuron_url() + "/memory/delete", body)
+    // BUG-18 (Receipt Contract rule 1): propagate the soul's real answer — its
+    // errors (memory not found, protected node, transport failure) pass through
+    // unchanged — and never answer ok without read-back.
+    if !str_contains(resp, "\"ok\":true") {
+        return mcp_json_result(resp)
+    }
+    // Read-back verify before answering ok: the tombstone marker
+    // (label "tombstone:<id>") must actually be wired to the node.
+    let check: String = http_get(neuron_url() + "/graph?id=" + id + "&depth=1")
+    if !str_contains(check, "tombstone:" + id) {
+        return mcp_json_result("{\"ok\":false,\"error\":\"delete_not_persisted\",\"id\":\"" + id + "\"}")
+    }
     return mcp_json_result(resp)
 }