Chapter 2 - The Perfect Harper Wedding
Three hours earlier, Daniel had stood beside Claire outside the mansion and squeezed her hand.
“Tonight will be different.”
Claire had heard that promise before.
Judith had mocked Claire’s age when Daniel first introduced them.
She criticized Claire’s hair, her posture, and the small scar near her jaw.
At private dinners, Judith called her “the soldier” instead of using her name.
But Daniel always explained it away.
“She’s traditional.”
“She needs time.”
“She’s afraid of losing me.”
Claire wanted to believe him.
Daniel could be kind when they were alone.
He sent care packages during Claire’s deployment.
He stayed awake during late calls from overseas.
When he proposed, he said her strength was the reason he loved her.
Yet every time Judith insulted Claire, Daniel became quiet.
The engagement dinner was supposed to be his chance to change that.
Claire had even offered to wear a formal civilian gown.
Daniel insisted on the uniform.
“My family needs to see who you really are.”
Claire did not know Judith had demanded the same thing for a very different reason.
When they entered the dining room, every guest turned toward Claire.
Judith looked at the uniform.
Then at the medals.
May you like
And something colder than jealousy passed across her face.
👉 Judith had not planned an engagement celebration—she had invited an audience for Claire’s humiliation.
