Ch. The Dress Swap That Exposed Her Perfect Lie 48 The Dress Swap That Exposed Her Perfect Lie 48

Chapter 9 

As we grew more familiar, Julian brought two wicker chairs out onto the balcony. 

We sat side by side. The night breeze was gentle as we chatted idly. 

Julian told me many stories about his time at U.S. Southern Command. 

He said he came from a military family, grew up on a base, and never knew much hardship. 

At eighteen, he was admitted to West Point. The first time he participated in a live combat exercise, he led his team to take out the opposing force’s command center, earning the respect of many senior officers. 

At twenty-five, he led a counter-infiltration operation at the border, completed the mission with zero casualties. Even the local civilians remembered their unit’s callsign. 

Listening, I could almost see the image of that brilliant young officer strategizing in the operations room, the stars on his epaulets just beginning to shine. 

Suddenly, Julian stopped and turned to look at me. “What about you? What was your life like before you met 

me?” 

My fingers unconsciously traced the patterns on the wicker chair as I lowered my gaze. 

It was a long moment before I spoke softly. “I was… someone who could be discarded at any time.” 

Julian’s breath hitched. He didn’t speak, just quietly moved his chair a little closer. 

His shoulder gently brushed against mine, transmitting a steady warmth. 

I continued speaking, my voice soft, as if telling someone else’s story. 

By the end, my nose felt a little sore. I was about to raise my hand, but Julian gently caught my wrist. 

The warmth of his palm came through my sleeve, firm and comforting. 

He didn’t say “don’t be sad.” He just said quietly, “It won’t be like that anymore.” 

“With me, you will always come first. No one can replace you.” 

“Eleanor, after we finish things here, come back to Aspen with me. I’ll give you a real wedding.” 

I looked up at him. 

The light in Julian’s eyes was brighter, warmer, than the stars in the night sky. 

The night breeze rustled the leaves. Stars twinkled overhead. 

In that moment, I clearly heard the sound of my own heart falling. 

Chapter 9 

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Chapter 10 

On a weekend morning, I walked into a department store boutique and was just about to touch the lavender gown in the display window. 

A sickly-sweet voice suddenly came from behind me. “Sales associate, I’ll take this one!” 

I didn’t need to turn around to know it was Isabella. 

She hurried forward and reached out to snatch the gown from my hands. “Eleanor, I have an important gala next week. I really need this piece to make an impression!” 

I held onto the gown tightly, not letting go. 

As we struggled, there was a commotion at the boutique entrance, accompanied by the manager’s obsequious greeting, “Major Reed, welcome.” 

I looked up and saw Lucas Reed standing at the doorway, his uniform jacket draped casually over his arm, looking travel-worn, as if he’d just returned from field exercises. 

His gaze swept over Isabella and me, his brow furrowing slightly before he looked at me, his tone carrying its usual note of lecturing. “Eleanor, just let Bella have it. It’s just a dress.” 

I gave a cold laugh. “Why should I?” 

Lucas’s frown deepened, his tone betraying impatience. “Have you forgotten my condition? If you want a place in the Reed family, the first thing you must learn is to be tolerant of Bella.” 

“Making a scene in public over a piece of clothing? What will people think?” 

I was speechless. 

Apparently, no one around had bothered to tell him I was married. 

I was just about to speak when a familiar, clear voice came from behind me, laced with a hint of amused mockery. 

“I wasn’t aware my wife was considering remarrying.” 

Lucas whirled around, his expression changing dramatically. “What did you say!?” 

Julian Shaw, dressed in a perfectly fitted forest-green uniform and carrying a paper bag from the patisserie I’d mentioned offhand yesterday, strolled in. 

Ignoring everyone else, he walked straight to my side, naturally draping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me closer to his side. 

“Major Reed, you must have just returned from maneuvers and haven’t heard the news. Eleanor and I were married several days ago. She is now my rightfully wedded wife.”