Chapter 1
Dear Readers,
Welcome to The General's Bride!
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With love and gratitude,
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I stared at my reflection in the mirror as I tied my hair into a ponytail.
Final exams.
Finally.
The thought alone made me grin.
Not that I hated school or anything. Well... maybe a little.
I was simply tired.
Tired of assignments.
Tired of waking up before sunrise.
Tired of being surrounded by classmates who were already talking about graduation and careers.
Most importantly, I couldn't wait to start earning my own money.
Freedom had always sounded beautiful to me.
I grabbed my bag and rushed downstairs, humming softly.
Halfway down the stairs, I stopped.
The silence in the house felt different.
My eyes drifted toward a framed photograph hanging on the wall.
Mom.
I smiled sadly.
"Good morning, Mom."
As always, the picture smiled back.
She had died when I was young, but sometimes it felt like she was still watching over Dad and me.
Speaking of Dad...
"Dad!" I called.
No answer.
A sudden wave of panic washed through me.
His health had been getting worse recently.
Every cough.
Every hospital visit.
Every time he looked exhausted.
It terrified me.
I found him sitting in the living room with a cup of tea in his hands.
Relief flooded through me.
"There you are," I muttered.
He chuckled.
"Looking for me already?"
"Don't scare me like that."
"I'm not going anywhere yet."
The way he said it made my stomach twist.
Lately, Dad talked about death as if it were an appointment he had already scheduled.
I hated it.
Absolutely hated it.
I dropped my school bag and sat beside him.
"What is it?"
The smile on his face immediately told me I wasn't going to like whatever came next.
He cleared his throat.
"Grace Zane."
I groaned.
Whenever my father used my full name, trouble followed.
"Yes, Father?"
He laughed.
"I have a request."
My eyes narrowed.
"What kind of request?"
"A very important one."
That was even worse.
"Okay... I'm listening."
He placed his teacup down carefully.
"You remember my friend I've been talking about for years?"
"The one you met years ago?"
"Yes."
"The retired military officer?"
"That's him."
I nodded.
Dad talked about that man so much that I felt like I knew him personally.
Unfortunately.
Dad smiled.
"Well, his son is back in town."
I blinked.
"Okay?"
"I want you to go on a date with him."
I nearly choked on my own saliva.
"What?!"
Dad looked entirely too pleased with himself.
"A date."
I stared at him.
Then I stared some more.
Then I wondered if I was still dreaming.
"Dad."
"Yes?"
"The son you're talking about..."
"Yes?"
"The one who's always on television?"
"Yes."
"The General?"
"Yes."
I buried my face in my hands.
"Oh my God."
Dad laughed.
"My dear-"
"No!"
I pointed dramatically at him.
"No. Absolutely not."
"Grace."
"The man is terrifying!"
"He isn't."
"He looks like he could arrest people for breathing too loudly."
Dad laughed so hard he almost spilled his tea.
I folded my arms.
"I am serious."
"He's a good man."
"He's a general."
"Exactly."
"That doesn't help your argument."
Dad shook his head.
"You're afraid."
"Of course I'm afraid!"And overwhelmed
Images flashed through my mind.
The stern military officer from the news.
The sharp jawline.
The cold expression.
The intimidating uniforms.
The serious interviews.
Everything about him screamed danger.
And my father wanted me to sit across a table from him?
Alone?
For hours?
Was he trying to kill me?
"I'll faint before dessert arrives," I muttered.He knows how i can get
Dad sighed.
"My daughter."
I softened immediately.
That voice always worked on me.
"I worry about you."
The smile disappeared from my face.
"Dad..."
"I know you don't like talking about it."
"Then don't."
"But I have to."
His eyes looked tired.
Older.
For a second, I noticed just how much he had changed over the years.
The realization hurt.
"I want to know you'll be okay."
"Dad-"
"I want to know someone will protect you."
Tears threatened to gather in my eyes.
"You'll be here."
His smile was gentle.
"I hope so."
"You will."
"I hope so."
The room fell silent.
I hated this conversation.
Hated it.
Because a small part of me feared he might be right.
And that terrified me more than any date ever could.
Dad squeezed my hand.
"Just meet him."
I groaned.
"Dad..."
"One date."
"Dad."
"One conversation."
"Dad."
"Please."
I threw my head back dramatically.
"This is emotional blackmail."
"It is."
"You admit it?"
"Absolutely."
I couldn't help laughing.
Sometimes my father was impossible.
I looked at him.
Really looked at him.
The hopeful expression.
The love in his eyes.
The worry.
The fear.
Everything he wasn't saying.
I sighed.
"Fine."
His face lit up instantly.
"But this is the last date."
"I promise."
"The very last one."
"I promise."
"If he scares me, I'm running away."
Dad laughed.
"Deal."
I grabbed my bag and headed for the door.
"See you later, Dad."
"I'll send you the details."
I waved without looking back.
The moment I stepped outside, the morning breeze hit my face.
I pulled out my phone and stared at the empty screen.
Somewhere in this city, a powerful military general was waiting to meet me.
A man I had never spoken to.
A man I already feared.
A man who might change my life forever.
Or completely ruin it.
Either way...
I had a feeling this date was going to be a disaster.or even Worse