"If you did something wrong, just apologize properly. And if Shelagh's the one who made a mistake, I'll have her apologize to you. Don't worry."
Denise's dewy eyes shimmered, and she parted her lips to speak.
I cut her off with a cold laugh and turned directly to the commanding officer:
"Sir, I don't know how your medical staff are trained, but apparently they're free to mock people at will and tell them they're sick."
"If this was sanctioned by you or by Ezra, then please cancel our marriage application. I refuse to marry a man who doesn't respect me."
I unpinned the corsage from my chest, the one that marked me as the bride, dropped it on the floor, and turned to leave.
"Shelagh!"
Ezra closed the distance in two strides and grabbed my arm. His eyes were tight with panic:
"I had no idea she'd joke around with you like that. She's just... she's a little too friendly, doesn't know where the line is. I'll apologize on her behalf!"
"But you can't just throw around words like 'calling off the wedding.' Do you understand what that means? Both units sent their leadership here today to celebrate with us. If you throw a fit right now, it'll..."
A bitter laugh echoed inside my chest.