The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights by Brick Moving Ant

Chapter 3

When I got home from the hospital, I dug out a few dusty camera bags from the depths of the

bookshelf.

They held remnants of a life I had deliberately buried.

The touch of the camera’s casing felt unfamiliar, and the batteries had long since drained.

While waiting for the charger to finish, I inserted the memory card into my computer and opened those long–forgotten photos.

The first photo showed me treating a Black woman receiving cholera medication on the street.

The second was of a five–year–old child soldier, so small the rifle towered over him.

The third captured refugees in North Kivu province living under torn, tattered tents…

The smell of smoke and dust seemed to waft through the screen, piercing the present.

My heart clenched as if seized by sharp claws, the ache spreading through me.

Leaning back in my chair, I closed my eyes, trying to calm my racing pulse. A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

If Jackson saw these photos, would he still describe me as “obedient and docile“?

Just as that thought crossed my mind, my phone buzzed twice.

It was a message from Jackson: the restaurant’s location.

That’s when I remembered–tonight was the gathering he’d arranged with his groomsmen and

bridesmaids.

I didn’t have many close friends, so these were all his people.

wasn’t just a casual

today, Sara

09:22

of Velvet Nights

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Chapter 3

the time I arrived at the

Jackson seated at the head,

a seat

Sara noticed me, a faint, amused smile appeared on her lips. She gave me

and sit wherever you like.”

over and sat at the farthest corner from

watched it all unfold with indifference, never uttering

asking, “Sara, we thought you

Even if I had to crawl,

were met with knowing glances exchanged around the table,

sly undertones.

that’s true. You and Jackson do share a

revolved around Sara from that point.

tuna in the Mediterranean, trekking the Camino de

at the table listened with rapt attention, their eyes gleaming

do you even dare to go to such places?”

glanced at me briefly, her tone light but

who only thinks about cooking, husbands,

in the air, sharp

a small glass of white liquor, the burning bitterness numbing

Bride of Velvet

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Chapter 3

of all flavor.

of attention, the life

on, everyone’s