The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights by Brick Moving Ant

Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Zephyr attempted to find me many more times that semester.

I perfected the art of looking right through him.

Meanwhile, Sid and I grew closer each day.

During Stanford’s chilly winters, he’d wrap his scarf around both our necks, warm my hands between his, and tuck me inside his coat when we walked across the windy quad.

But unlike what I’d experienced before, he treated me with genuine respect and care.

He always asked before even the smallest displays of affection, his cheeks flushing adorably when he’d lean in to kiss my forehead.

We studied together in coffee shops, laughed over inside jokes no one else understood, and built the kind of relationship I hadn’t known was possible–one where I felt both cherished and equal.

Zephyr saw all of this from a distance.

jealousy eventually consumed

watching us leave a campus event

separate us.

thought, calmly providing my statement while

begged me for mercy

left in me that could be moved by

heard through an old high school friend that he’d dropped

fallen back into his old patterns–drinking, fighting, street racing–but worse than before.

would get blackout drunk and cry about

Velvet

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Chapter 21

would listen.

cut him off financially after he wrecked his third luxury car.

golden boy had lost his shine, his future, and

on my apartment

deleted the last few

throwaway accounts he occasionally