Chapter 2 - THE UNRAVELING"Declan," the admiral said, his voice dropping an octave, losing all its social polish. "Who is this?"
My father laughed a nervous, high-pitched corporate laugh, waving a dismissive hand in my direction. "Oh, pay her no mind, Admiral. That’s just Liora. Our... younger daughter. She’s been going through a bit of a rough patch. A domestic phase. You know how young people get when they don't apply themselves."
"A rough patch," the admiral repeated slowly. He didn't take a seat at the head of the table where my father gestured. Instead, he walked slowly around the mahogany dining table, his heavy gaze locked entirely on me.
My mother cleared her throat nervously, adjusting her diamond necklace. "She has a habit of... making things difficult, Admiral. She refuses to dress for the occasion. We only brought her along because family is family, but truly, she lacks the refinement of her sister Maribel."
I kept my eyes fixed on my water glass, feeling the hot, humiliating prickle of tears behind my eyelids. For three years, I had listened to my family treat my sacrifice like a dirty secret—something to be hidden away in a dark room whenever important guests came over, because a disabled veteran didn't look good on a shipping tycoon’s annual report.
The admiral stopped right beside my chair.
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"Refinement," Admiral Vance muttered, the word tasting like poison in his mouth.
He reached down, his large, calloused hand gripping the edge of the linen napkin resting on my lap, and slowly lifted it away.
