The Ruined Bride of Velvet Nights by Brick Moving Ant

Chapter 9

Even now, they couldn’t comprehend the depth of their betrayal.

“Caspian,” I said quietly, “Mom was literally driven to her death by Camilla Winters. And you chose Victoria over your own sister. Does it ever cross your mind that Mom might be watching all this

from wherever she is?”

Caspian’s face crumpled like wet paper. He stumbled backward as if physically struck.

“Jesus Christ,” he choked out, clawing at his hair. “What have I become? Who the fuck am I

anymore?”

Dad remained desperate, oblivious to his son’s breakdown.

He grabbed my hand with trembling fingers, his designer stubble now patchy and unkempt.

“Sweetheart, come on. This is just–this is just a rough patch. Every family has them.”

“You’re barely nineteen. How are you going to survive out there alone? You need us, Val. You need

me.”

The mighty Maxwell Dagonet–who once made Fortune 500 CEOs quiver–now practically on his

knees.

“Please, baby girl. One more chance. I’ll sell the Hamptons house. I’ll give to whatever charity you want. Just tell me what to do.”

clinical detachment, like watching a mediocre play

row.

his Loro Piana cashmere

his accent more pronounced when irritated. “My granddaughter

froze like they’d been tasered.

97.4%

Chapter 9

the actual

Ukraine! We don’t

up from checking my manicure. “He is, in fact, our

our mother’s biological father–and, incidentally, the controlling shareholder in

of expressions,

you can’t

signal security, the

against me! You have to do something!” Victoria stumbled in, looking like she’d been living

before his expression transformed into

me! Didn’t I make it crystal clear you’re dead

I was your special

reached toward him desperately.

slapped her hand away like it was

whore mother destroyed mine, and you tried to cripple my

her across the face–twice–the sound echoing

he shoved her to her

TO HER! RIGHT FUCKING

Chapter 9

blows, her cashmere sweater torn at

trust fund disaster.