The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights by Brick Moving Ant

Chapter 9

A month later, they found me.

I’d sold all my shares, using the money to buy a small house in a city I loved. My days were peaceful – tending to my garden, brewing tea, living at my own pace.

Until Callum burst through my gate, a weary–looking Mila at his side. They rushed toward me as if nothing had changed, arms outstretched for an embrace I easily avoided.

“Aria, I finally found you,” Callum breathed, his practiced sincerity making my stomach turn.

“When you disappeared, the company was in chaos. I know you must have been forced to sell the

We can still be a family

need to paint me as a

no ‘we,“” I cut in sharply. “We never married. At best, we were dating, and now we’re done.

looked down at Mila – the daughter I’d carried for nine months, the child I’d poured all my love into. But her

of course. But what was left except

kept shaking his head, eyes wet, insisting we weren’t finished. I simply showed them

heartless, Mom! You’re nothing like Aunt

you love Sophie so much, let her be your mother then.”

spitting back: “Fine! I