PART 9
Donovan’s face was calm.
But his eyes were hurt.
“I asked for verification before tonight.”
Fiona’s voice cracked.
“You investigated me?”
“I planned to marry you,” Donovan said. “I verified the things you built your identity on.”
He opened the document.
“The military liaison we contacted confirmed no record of your sniper qualification. No graduation. No badge authorization.”
Fiona looked at Arthur.
For rescue.
For protection.
For the old system where she cried and I got blamed.
But this time, Arthur looked away.
That broke something in her.
“You all loved it,” she snapped. “Every one of you. The brave Fiona story. The perfect daughter. The war hero bride.”
She pointed at me.
“Nobody cared what was true until she showed up.”
I said nothing.
Fiona’s eyes burned.
“She ruins everything.”
Then Malcolm stood.
“Where did the badge come from?”
Fiona’s face twisted.
May you like
“Shut up.”
That was the first honest thing she had said all night.
