The Bride Who Died Twice

“I had died twice. First, terrorized by David's brutal hands. Then, heartbroken and broke, betrayed by Mark. But I woke up, heart pounding, in a dusty community hall, my white wedding dress for Mark hanging on the door. Tomorrow. Panic seized me. "No. Not again." Beside me, my daughter, Chloe, looking twelve and solid, pleaded, "Mom, you *have* to marry Mark. It's the only way to avoid David." My heart sank. Chloe, from a terrifying future, didn't know Mark was poisoned, too. I overheard him plotting, revealing his ex, Jessica, was pregnant with his *second* child. He saw me as a stepping stone. Jessica then publicly exposed his lies, heavily pregnant, to the entire town. The pain of betrayal burned anew, igniting a cold rage. How could I have been so blind, twice? My own future daughter was unknowingly pushing me towards another abyss. My resolve hardened. This time, I'd save us both. No more Davids, no more Marks; this life would be mine. I'd give him a performance he'd never forget. Then, at the peak of his public humiliation, my first abuser, David, appeared, marriage certificate in hand, declaring I was *already* his wife.”