Valerie gazed at her reflection in the mirror, questioning the wisdom of marrying Alexander Hamilton. A sense of unease had replaced the excitement she'd felt on the night of his proposal.
Lost in her thoughts, she noticed her mother approaching from where she sat.
“You look absolutely beautiful, my dear,” her mother said, placing her hands gently on Valerie's shoulders.
“Thank you, Mom,” Valerie replied.
She was wearing the wedding gown she had chosen, a garment that now symbolized the day her doubts about Alexander's feelings began.
“Are you ready?” her mother asked after a moment of shared silence.
“Yes, Mom,” Valerie managed, unable to voice her true feelings, especially seeing the joy in her mother's eyes.
Her father awaited them at the foot of the staircase, his face beaming w
