Richard was the love of my life—loving, tender, and reliable. After two years of dating, we married at 26, planning a life filled with dreams of children and a home. But suddenly, he vanished without a trace. “Richard disappeared, leaving no trace,” and the police investigation led nowhere. Years passed as I held on to hope that he would return.

Even though other men showed interest, I couldn’t forget him. A close friend, Jake, remained supportive, but I couldn’t move on. Focusing on my engineering career, I avoided relationships. While on a work trip, I went to a church service, and to my shock, I saw Richard. “I recognized that back. I recognized that laugh.” He asked me to meet him at a café.

There, he revealed that his high school sweetheart had returned, confessing her love. His heart still belonged to her, despite our marriage. “I waited for you all these years,” I told him, but his reaction crushed me. Though devastated, I eventually forgave him and chose to move forward with my life—on my own terms.