EPISODE: 2

• David glanced at her, then away. Yeah, maybe. He left, shutting the door softly behind him. The days blurred together. David spent more and more time away from home. He stopped calling Linda during the day. When he did come home, he was distracted, impatient. Linda tried not to ask questions.
• She worked harder, took on extra shifts, sold some of her old clothes online, even stopped eating lunch to save money. One evening, she found David sitting in the dark, staring at the wall. “Are you okay?” she asked quietly. He didn’t look at her. “I met with Julia and her father again today. Linda waited. “They offered me a job,” he said. “An assistant position.
• It pays well. There’s potential.” Linda’s face lit up. “That’s wonderful. I told you things would change. We can pay off some of our debts. Maybe even move somewhere nicer. I’m so proud of you, David.” But David’s face was unreadable. Yeah, except they think I’m single. Linda blinked. What? He stood up, finally meeting her eyes.
• Julia likes me, Linda. She wants to help me, but she thinks I’m alone, that I’m struggling by myself. Her father only trusts me because of her. They don’t know about you. Linda stepped back, her voice barely a whisper. What are you saying? He hesitated. I’m saying maybe it’s time for us to go our separate ways. The words hung in the air, heavier than anything Linda had ever felt.
• David, no. We can fix this. We always fix things. Don’t throw away everything we’ve built. He shook his head. I’m not throwing it away. I just I need to do this for me. Linda’s legs gave way. She sat on the floor, tears running down her cheeks. Please, David. Please don’t leave me. I’ve given everything to us.
• You’re all I have. David’s voice was flat, almost tired. I’m sorry, Linda, but I can’t do this anymore. I want more. I want a chance. He walked into the bedroom and started packing his things. Linda sobbed quietly, her heart breaking with every step he took. The next morning, Linda woke up to find the apartment empty. David’s clothes were gone, his side of the closet bare.
• on the kitchen table. He’d left his wedding ring and a single sheet of paper. Linda, I’m sorry. I need to move on. Please don’t contact me. That was it. No explanation, no goodbye. Linda drifted through the next few weeks like a ghost. She went to work, did her job, came home to an apartment that felt colder every day.
• Sometimes she thought she saw David’s face in the crowd, but it was always a stranger. She couldn’t bring herself to tell her family what had happened. She let their calls go to voicemail, pretending she was too busy to talk. The only person she spoke to was her friend Sarah, who worked at the bakery. One evening, as they closed up shop, Sarah pulled her aside.
• You look terrible, Linda. You can talk to me, you know. Linda shook her head. There’s nothing to say. Sarah put an arm around her. He’s a fool, you know. Anyone can see that. You deserve better. Linda wanted to believe her, but the ache in her chest wouldn’t go away. Then, 2 weeks after David left, an envelope arrived in the mail. Linda recognized his handwriting instantly.
• Her hands shook as she opened it. Inside was a thick glossy card. At the top in gold script were the words, “You are cordially invited to the wedding of David Adams and Julia Thompson.” Linda stared at it, numb. She scanned the date, barely a month since David had walked out. At the bottom, a note.
• We hope you can join us for this joyful occasion. Sarah found Linda crying in the back room of the bakery. She read the invitation, her face turning red with anger. This is sick, she said. He’s actually inviting you to his wedding after everything. Linda wiped her eyes. Maybe he just wants to show me how happy he is. Or maybe maybe he wants me to see that I was the problem all along.
• Sarah shook her head. Don’t you dare believe that. He’s the one who gave up, not you. Linda tucked the invitation into her purse. I think I have to go, Sarah. I need to see for myself. I need to know why. Sarah hugged her tight. If you’re going, you’re not going alone. I’ll be there with you every step.
• That night, Linda sat by the window again. She looked up at the billboard. Dream big. For the first time in weeks, she didn’t feel hopeless. She felt angry. She felt alive. She would go to the wedding. She would look David in the eye. she would find out the truth no matter how much it hurt.
• What she didn’t know, what she couldn’t imagine was just how much the truth would surprise her and everyone else. If you haven’t subscribed yet, I’d love you to join our community by hitting the subscribe button. Through our stories, we build hope and give future to children and women abused all over the world. Also, let us know in the comments where you are watching us from and how this story hit home for you.
• Linda spent the next week in a fog, going through the motions of her life. Each step waited by dread and curiosity. Every night the wedding invitation sat on her bedside table, its gold letters catching the lamplight, mocking her with promises of joyful occasion.

EPISODE: 3

• She turned it over in her hands again and again, as if searching for a hidden message, a clue that would explain everything. The day of the wedding arrived far too quickly. Sarah showed up at Linda’s apartment early that morning. She carried a dress bag and a determined look.
• “You’re not going in your work uniform,” Sarah said, brushing past Linda and hanging the bag on the closet door. Linda stared at her. “I don’t have anything else.” Sarah smiled. “You do now. Try this on. I borrowed it from my cousin. Simple, but elegant. It’s perfect.” Linda reluctantly stepped into the bathroom to change. The dress was navy blue, soft, and unadorned, but it fit her like it was meant for her.
• For the first time in weeks, Linda saw herself in the mirror, not as someone left behind, but as someone who could still hold her head up high. Sarah helped zip her up, then brushed Linda’s hair gently. “You look beautiful,” she whispered. “No matter what happens today, remember that.” Linda tried to smile. Thank you, Sarah. I mean it.
• They arrived at the wedding hall just as the guests were beginning to fill the seats. The venue was enormous. Crystal chandeliers, tall white columns, walls decorated with fresh flowers, and shining gold ribbons. It was nothing like Linda had ever known. She felt small and out of place. As she and Sarah entered, eyes turned.
• Whispers followed her like shadows. Is that her, the ex-wife? Why would she come? She must be desperate for attention. Linda kept her gaze forward, her grip tightening around Sarah’s hand. A sharply dressed usher approached. “Invitation, please,” Linda handed him the card. He glanced at it, then at her, barely hiding his disapproval.
• This way, he said, leading them down the aisle to seats near the back, far from the family. Far from the action, Sarah squeezed Linda’s arm. Ignore them, she whispered. You’re not here for them. The ceremony began. Julia walked down the aisle in a sparkling white dress, her father beaming beside her. David stood at the altar, looking nervous, but proud.
• The guests rose, snapping pictures, murmuring about the couple’s bright future. Linda watched her heart a storm of anger, hurt, and something she couldn’t name. She looked at David, trying to see the man she’d married. All she saw was a stranger. After the ceremony, the reception started. Linda sat at her table picking at her food. She had no appetite.
• Sarah tried to distract her with jokes, but the weight of the moment pressed down on both of them. Suddenly, David’s mother approached their table. “I thought you wouldn’t come,” she said, her voice cold. Linda met her gaze. “He invited me.” His mother sniffed. “Well, let’s hope there’s no scene. Julia’s family is very important in this town. Don’t embarrass yourself or David.
• ” Linda clenched her jaw. “I’m not here to cause trouble. I just wanted to wish him well.” David’s mother nodded stiffly and walked away. Sarah glared after her. What a witch. Linda exhaled. She never liked me. Said I wasn’t good enough for David. Now I guess she gets what she always wanted.
• The crowd buzzed as waiters moved around with trays of champagne. Julia’s father, Mr. Thompson, took the microphone. Ladies and gentlemen, thank you all for coming. He began his voice booming. Today we celebrate not just the union of two young people, but the beginning of a partnership between two families. He raised his glass. The guests cheered. Then it was David’s turn.
• He took the microphone, a cocky smile spreading across his face. “I’d like to say a few words,” David announced. The room grew quiet. Linda’s heart pounded. She wished she could disappear. David looked around, his eyes landing briefly on Linda before darting away. When I met Julia, I was at a crossroads in my life.
• I was struggling, trying to make something of myself, but Julia saw something in me. She believed in me when others only saw failure. Linda felt every word like a knife. David continued, “Sometimes life brings you people who push you forward, who challenge you to become more than what you are.
• I am grateful for the chance to start over, to build something new, something better. Thank you, Julia, for believing in me.” The guests clapped. Julia beamed. Linda looked down at her hands, trying not to cry. After the speech, a group of Julia’s relatives passed by Linda’s table, whispering, “That’s her, right?” the ex-wife. I heard she came from nothing. Can you believe she showed up? Some people have no shame.
• Guess she wants to see what she lost. Sarah’s face reened. Let’s go get some air. They stepped outside onto the balcony. The city lights glittered below. For a moment, Linda breathed deeply, letting the cool air calm her nerves. Sarah spoke gently. “Why do you think he wanted you here?” Linda shook her head. I honestly don’t know.
• Maybe he wanted to prove he made the right choice. Maybe he wanted to hurt me one last time. Sarah put an arm around her. Or maybe he wanted to see if you’d crumble. But you haven’t. You’re stronger than he knows. Linda managed a weak smile. I hope so. Back inside, the music faded. Mr. Thompson took the microphone again, this time with a different energy. he asked everyone for their attention.