The room seemed to hold its breath as Ryan’s words echoed in the silence, each syllable a lifeline thrown to me amidst the sea of mockery. My heartbeat was a war drum in my ears, pounding a rhythm that resonated with the truth now laid bare for all to see.
He continued, his voice unwavering, cutting through the disbelief that hung heavy in the air. “Major General Mercer led a rescue mission that defied every odd, and she did it without hesitation. She is not just a soldier; she is a savior, a leader, and the embodiment of bravery.”
Eyes that once glanced at me with disdain now shifted with uncertainty, as if seeing me for the first time. My mother’s face was a canvas of shock, her silent reprimands of “behave” now nothing but whispers lost to the past. I watched Lauren, my sister, the bride, the one who wore the crown today, and saw her facade crack, her porcelain smile falter.
