The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights by Brick Moving Ant

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Chapter 19

Chapter 19

As I walked out of the cemetery, I saw someone I hadn’t expected–my dad. Jackson must have gone

to see him, which is how he found out about my mom’s camera. He must have also known that I was

back.

With a somewhat tentative tone, he asked, “Have you eaten?”

I didn’t respond immediately and asked, “What do you want from me?”

He hesitated for a moment before speaking, “Could you come home for a while?”

I couldn’t hold back a sarcastic laugh. “You’ve always told me to stay away. I’ve followed your

wishes, so why now, all of a sudden, do you want me to return?”

His voice trembled as he said, “… Your sister is ill. She has cancer.”

I froze for a moment, taken aback.

“I’ve tried everything… we’ve sold everything we can. You’re her sister. Could you help her?”

His face was full of sorrow and regret.

wasn’t what I wanted. It wasn’t my choice to push

pain. “You’re my daughter. How could

my reasons.”

at him quietly, knowing that our past was a tangled mess of misunderstandings. “I know,” I said,

acceptance letter, I’d been so happy, eager to tell him that I was going to follow in my mother’s footsteps and become a doctor. I rushed home, hoping to share the good news,

too. How are

her to adulthood. Isn’t

of Velrot Nights

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Chapter 19

it’s either her or me

ran out, sitting on the street alone for the rest of the afternoon. That entire summer, I lived in a constant state of anxiety, waiting for an

report to college, I thought I had everything figured out. It felt like a new beginning, yet my world shattered.

No matter

I interrupted, “I don’t resent

you’re not a

Over the years, he’d sent money into my account from time to time, and I had saved it all, planning to repay him when the moment was

right.

paid back the money you gave me. The rest… let it be my way of repaying your raising

don’t come looking

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over me. All the burdens that had weighed heavily on my heart seemed to

once bought my mother the bird–of–paradise flowers. The owner recognized me, but the shop was almost empty. She

you

closing down! I