During college, I met Maya, whose presence lit up any room. Our whirlwind romance led to an engagement and dreams of a future together. However, cracks began to show as Maya became distant. “I failed to see the warning signs, the subtle hints that all was not as it seemed.”

On our wedding day, Maya walked down the aisle, but something felt off. Suddenly, she tossed her bouquet and fled into the arms of her ex. “I stood there, frozen in disbelief, as Maya fled into the arms of her ex-lover, leaving me alone at the altar.”

The betrayal left me grappling with feelings of inadequacy. Eventually, I found solace with Susan, who was kind, loving, and fiercely loyal. Together, we built a life filled with love and laughter. “I’m glad you didn’t marry her,” Susan said when I mentioned Maya.

Seventeen years later, Susan discovered Maya on a reality TV show boasting about leaving me at the altar. “Susan’s outrage mirrored my own…and yet, amidst the anger, I felt a sense of clarity.” Despite the past, I realized the true gift was my life with Susan. “Let her have her moment of fame. We have something much better – a real, loving marriage.”