Chapter 6 - The Brother Speaks
Before Eleanor could scream another denial, the front door swung open again, and my brother Lucas walked in, dressed in a sharp tuxedo for his pre-wedding fittings, his fiancée Chloe right behind him.
Lucas stopped dead in his tracks, staring at the black sedan outside, the military police insignia on the license plate, and then at Alexander in his three-star general uniform standing in our foyer.
"What... what is going on?" Lucas asked, his eyes darting between our stunned parents and us. "Who is this?"
"Lucas," I said, my voice softening just a fraction for my younger brother, who had always been caught in the crossfire of our parents' expectations. "This is my husband, General Alexander Hale. And I am leaving."
Lucas blinked, looking from Alexander to me, and then noticed my empty duffel bag. "Your husband? Emily, what are you talking about? When did you get married? And why is a three-star general—"
"Because I am her husband, Lucas," Alexander said respectfully, stepping forward and extending a hand. Lucas instinctively shook it, his eyes wide. "And I'm afraid your parents have committed a very serious mistake today. They destroyed your sister's military uniform and her personal belongings out of malice."
Lucas’s jaw dropped. He turned slowly toward our mother, his face flushing with immediate, unadulterated rage. "Mom? You did what?"
"Lucas, don't you start!" Eleanor cried, tears of pure frustration springing to her eyes. "She was going to ruin your wedding! She was going to show up looking like a soldier instead of a proper guest!"
Lucas let out a harsh, disbelieving laugh. He ran a hand through his hair, glaring at our mother. "Mom, are you insane? Emily is a doctor! She saves lives while we sit here arguing about flower arrangements and seating charts! Her uniform is an honor—it's everything I wish I had the courage to do instead of kissing up to Dad's investors!"
"Lucas!" my father barked. "Watch your tone!"
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"No, Dad, you watch yours!" Lucas shouted, stepping between us and our parents. He looked at me, his eyes full of genuine remorse. "Em, I am so sorry. I didn't know. If I had known she was going to pull something like this, I never would have invited you into this toxic house."
I placed a gentle hand on my brother's shoulder. "It's okay, Luke. Congratulations on your wedding tomorrow. I truly wish you and Chloe all the best. But I can't stay here another minute."
