FORGOTTEN BRIDE

lia'

scorned wife, was seen exchangi

, but I hadn't expected it to happen so soon. My name, my very identity, was now tied to that label: "scorned wife." It felt as though everything I had fought for-ever

was out there for the world to see. And she wasn't stopping at just spreading lies about me; she was doing everything she could to paint herself as the victi

d heartbroken to being painted as a villain in a story I

people looked at me with pity, with judgment. They would turn their heads when I walked by, murmuring under their breath. Some would openly stare, making sure I knew they knew

o stay upright. I wanted to scream, to lash out at all the people who judged me without knowing the full story. But what good would it

minder of how my life had been turned upside down. People I had known for years now looked at me

aces. My father, who had always been the strong one, now looked tired. My mother, usually the calming presence, was quieter than u

is town, in this place that once felt like home. Every time I stepped out of the house, I was met with whispers, stares, a

I knew I had to leave. It was the only way to escape

s all I had known for so long. I had grown up here, played in these streets, formed memories in every corner. The thought of leaving it behind felt like

ories I wasn't ready to face yet. Every time I turned a corner, I saw echoes of

o a suitcase. I needed to go. I needed to get away from all of it,

city pressing down on me. I glanced at the house one last time, the house where

lear, but it was the o

ahead, trying to push all the memories out of my mind. I didn't know where I wa

t I could feel the tension ease ever so slightly. I didn't have a plan. I didn't know what my next step would be, but f

The sun was setting, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. The peacefuln

rmth of the day, and I let out a sigh of relief. The city felt farther

d screeching noise, followed by the bright headlights of a car speeding toward me. My he

t me too fast. There

was as if everything had slowed down-like I was trapped

the road, the car h

around me, and ev