The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights by Brick Moving Ant

Chapter 3

I didn’t have to wait long in the room. Callum soon entered with Mila, their matching features striking–both wearing gentle smiles, eyes full of apparent warmth as they moved to embrace me.

I instinctively stepped back.

Callum’s smile faltered for a moment, but he said nothing. Mila’s eyes filled with tears. “Mommy, don’t you want to hug me?”

Her lips trembled, eyes glistening – the perfect picture of innocence that always melted her father’s

heart.

Callum immediately knelt beside her, pulling her close. “Of course not, sweetheart. Mommy’s dress is stained–she just doesn’t want to ruin your beautiful birthday dress.”

Mila’s tears subsided as she processed this. Then her face lit up with that dazzling smile I once

treasured.

a special surprise for you,” she said sweetly. “Even though it’s my birthday, we never forget what you went through for me.

birthdays, how they’d always had a “special gift” for me, how I’d been moved to

whom I’d have given my life for – I felt hollow. And Callum, who’d sworn never

watching them

the party was winding down. Callum’s friends were leaving, their knowing smirks making it clear – I’d always been their private joke.

our room, I retrieved an old phone from a

ago, when Callum and I first started dating, I’d learned about Sophie Blake. His childhood sweetheart, his “pure first love.” Young and insecure, I’d created a secret social media account to monitor their relationship. Once convinced of Callum’s fidelity, I’d

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was with Mila, surrounded by sparklers, faces pressed together like mother and daughter. In the center photo, all three of them formed a heart against the sunset–the perfect family

little girl’s birthday with the people I love