The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights by Brick Moving Ant

Chapter 5

Others also stood up and left.

“Zoey, we’re heading out now.”

Someone muttered under their breath, but their words reached my ears clearly.

“Does she even have the nerve to go against Sara? Doesn’t she know she’s the one who stole someone

else’s man?”

“Jealous, obviously! Sara’s beautiful and accomplished. What does she have?”

“She makes trouble for Sara, and in the end, it’s her husband who goes to comfort Sara. How stupid!”

Their mocking laughter faded into the distance, leaving the large private room eerily quiet.

Alone, I let out a faint, bitter chuckle and poured myself another glass of liquor. I drained it in one gulp.

To be honest, Sara wasn’t entirely wrong–I hadn’t been to those places.

But I knew she was lying.

Because of my mother.

I wasn’t born without parents.

My mother was a doctor with Médecins Sans Frontières, stationed in war zones.

In those days, for a woman to work abroad while her husband stayed behind to raise their child was

unthinkable.

Neighbors would sneer and taunt, saying:

“Your mother doesn’t want you anymore!”

I clenched my fists and fought to defend myself, protecting what little pride I had, only to face even harsher ridicule.

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The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights

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Chapter 5

with exotic postmarks, recounting her work and life in detail,

my father read her letters to me, I would envision the heroic image of a

told me:

small, but the real world is vast. You must see it for

will you know what you truly want.”

in the

at the hospital managed to recover

the patient records she had risked her life to

who knows when.

action” meant, but I did remember the gloating

limelight never

mother, but her words

for yourself. Document and experience

will you know what you truly

when I found that old camera, its weathered body and

relic, and

I let my tears slip through my fingers

I miss you

The next morning.

pounding headache jolted

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Bride of Velvet

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eyes, recognizing the familiar ceiling above–it was

of

to soothe my throat, I noticed Jackson sitting in the living room, his face clouded

is how you behave as

and walked toward

the desk was empty.

my voice hoarse as I asked, “Where’s

Jackson smirked coldly.

gave it to Sara.”

My breath caught.

did you

disdainful

to take more pictures?”

roar filled my

mother’s

my hand and shattered. I lunged at him, grabbing his collar, shouting hysterically:

you touch my camera?!

He stammered,