The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights by Brick Moving Ant

Chapter 1

The day before my final audition for the School of American Ballet, I was dragged into a secluded part of Central Park by a group of thugs who tortured me for twenty–four hours.

When they found me, my legs were broken and my face was covered in blood.

Dad missed my frantic calls because he was “stuck in meetings.” When he finally saw me in the hospital, his tears seemed real enough.

Caspian called his friends at Columbia Medical Center, pulling strings for emergency surgery.

Drifting in and out of consciousness in the car ride from the hospital, I caught fragments of a whispered conversation.

“Dad, we went way too far with this Valentina situation,” Caspian muttered. “I get that you want to clear Victoria’s path to SAB, but having Valentina attacked? There had to be another way.”

Dad was cradling me in the backseat, his fingers mechanically brushing hair from my forehead as he replied.

“Victoria deserves that spot at SAB. Your sister has been outshining her for years, making Victoria

feel second–rate. With the limited spots available this year, we needed to make sure Val couldn’t

audition.”

“Still,” he added with chilling pragmatism, “making Valentina the Dagonet heir should make up for it, don’t you think?”

A violent tremor seized my body, my breath catching in raw, painful gasps. The world I thought I knew crumbled around me, replaced by a cold, terrifying reality.

The Dagonet family I thought I belonged to–the father who cheered at my recitals, the brother who threatened my first boyfriend–it was all a calculated lie…

“Patient’s condition is critical. The team is prepped and ready. Should we proceed with emergency surgery?” the doctor asked, looking directly at my father.

“Let’s wait until tomorrow,” Dad replied coolly.

The doctor’s jaw literally dropped. “Mr. Dagonet, both her legs have been severely fractured.

Bride of Velvet Nights

Chapter 1

immediate surgical intervention, the bones won’t align properly. She’ll have a

limp.”

hand on Dad’s shoulder. “Dad, seriously? Val’s only seventeen. We can’t

I need to make absolutely certain Victoria’s audition goes

his Brooks Brothers tie. “Just have the doctor apply medication for

biting my lip until I tasted

throat.

every recital, who’d built me my own practice studio

place. Dad’s sudden devotion after Mom died wasn’t

future to pave the way for

protector, my confidant–cared more about Victoria than his own sister.

with my life were brutally sacrificing me for the

physical blow, and I broke into a painful coughing fit.

to my bedside, all concerned father again, gently dabbing tears from my cheeks. “Nightmare, sweetheart? Don’t worry, Daddy’s right here,” he murmured, his voice honey–sweet.

lines from The Nutcracker like he did when I was

performer–he’d always known exactly how to appear devoted in

audience.

charged back in with the doctor: “Get the premium pain management package! My

seemed so real, so genuine.

90 8

Chapter 1

my downfall

painfully; dark spots swam at

away my leggings with trauma shears

severe,” Dad explained, his voice gentle. “I’m concerned about rushing into surgery. Wouldn’t it be better to wait for Dr.

Daddy promises you’ll dance again!”

tear slid down my temple