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.

my birthday, we never forget what you went through for me. The gift isn’t here yet – we need to go pick it

the previous birthdays, how they’d always had a “special gift” for me, how I’d been moved to tears each time. Now I realized those gifts were just excuses to meet Sophie.

life for – I felt hollow. And Callum, who’d sworn never to betray me, had made those vows

them leave hand in hand.

Callum’s friends were leaving, their knowing smirks

in our room, I retrieved an old phone from a locked box. After charging it, I powered it

I’d learned about Sophie Blake. His childhood sweetheart, his “pure first love.” Young and insecure, I’d

Wichte

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of photos at the beach. There she was with Mila, surrounded by sparklers, faces pressed together like mother and

people I