Chapter 8 - The White Uniform
The morning of the evidentiary hearing, Rebecca dressed slowly.
White jacket.
Gold buttons.
Service ribbons.
Rank stripes.
Small gold earrings.
Her shoulder still hurt when she raised her arm, but she secured her dark hair into a disciplined low bun.
She did not wear the uniform to intimidate anyone.
She wore it because Daniel had asked the court to judge her service.
The spectators noticed her immediately.
So did Daniel.
His smile tightened.
Margaret leaned toward him.
“She’s performing.”
Rebecca heard her.
She kept walking.
Sophie sat near the witness area in a modest navy dress. Her hands were pressed between her knees.
Rebecca did not approach her.
The judge had ordered separation before testimony.
Daniel’s attorney objected to the uniform.
“She is attempting to influence the court through status.”
Allison stood.
“The petitioner has made Major Hale’s military history central to his allegations. She is entitled to appear in the uniform corresponding to that record.”
The judge allowed it.
Daniel stared at Rebecca through the opening arguments.
He expected anger.
She gave him none.
The hearing began with medical evidence.
Rebecca’s doctor confirmed her shoulder injury and lawful medication use.
A military psychiatrist confirmed she had no diagnosis preventing her from parenting.
Sophie’s school counselor reported that the girl’s anxiety increased after visits with Daniel and Margaret.
Daniel’s confidence weakened.
Then Allison introduced the rejected loan application.
Daniel claimed Rebecca had misunderstood a business proposal.
The judge asked why the house had been listed as collateral without her approval.
Daniel looked toward his attorney.
May you like
Margaret’s fingers tightened around her handbag.
👉 The financial lie was collapsing, but Daniel still believed Sophie would repeat the story he had forced her to memorize.
