Nothing is quite as romantic as a summer wedding. The weather's excellent, there are endless opportunities for outdoor entertainment, and the beautiful lighting makes for memorable photos.

So when Hailey got to wait tables at a beautiful wedding that would become the talk of the town, she was more than excited. It was a chance to earn big and rub shoulders—albeit covertly—with the bigwigs in town.

It also meant lots of free champagne once the guests left the venue! After all, the staff had to rewind after the day's stress. Hailey also hoped there'd be enough food left to go home with a goody bag. But what Hailey wasn't expecting was to see her husband at the altar that day.

The Shock of a Lifetime

Hailey froze in shock and disbelief. How else should a woman react when she gets a job at her husband's wedding? She wanted so much to believe that her eyes were deceiving her and he was simply a guest at the event.

But would a guest really stand at the altar next to the officiant? Would a mere guest exchange nervous smiles with the groomsmen at his side? And would they get starry-eyed watching the bride walk down the aisle? He told her he would be away on a business trip in China for a few months. Why would he lie?

A Maelstrom of Emotions

As the realization hit, Hailey couldn't stop tears streaming down her face. There were no words to describe the anguish she felt. All Hailey could do was let out a pain-filled groan. Like all married couples, she and Abel had had their share of ups and downs.

She knew they hadn't been in a good place for the past couple of weeks. But Hailey also thought they had made up before he set off on his trip. Never in her life could she have imagined this sort of betrayal. She wanted to scream out loud and shake Abe until he explained what was happening.

Should She Confront Him?

Hailey's first instinct was to confront him! She wanted to hit him repeatedly with her fists until he confessed to the betrayal. But she was at work. Not only would this be the most embarrassing thing to happen to her, but she could also be let go without pay.

Hailey weighed her options and slowly realized she couldn't stand back and watch this happen. Anything was better than sitting put and letting this farce of a wedding go on! So she stepped forward to say her piece once the officiant asked if anyone objected to her marriage. No one could have anticipated what happened next.

Back to the Beginning

Every story has a beginning, and for Hailey, the onset of the disaster that would eventually become her life was when she joined an agency as a waitress. Formal education had never been her speed, and she knew only some were meant to succeed in the corporate world. She enjoyed waiting tables during high school, so why couldn't she continue on that oath after getting her diploma?

Landing a job at the agency was a dream come true. So Hailey worked at business meetings, golf tournaments, and birthday parties. She had a good relationship with her team, and the work was worthwhile.

Landing a Big Job

Hailey was so good at her job! She showed up to venues ahead of schedule and was often among the last to leave. The hosts always had something good to say about her team, but Hailey got special mentions on many occasions.

A month after joining the agency, she was ready to attend her first wedding! It was such a fantastic opportunity, one she had sought for a long time. It would happen at the most breathtaking venue, and Hailey couldn't wait to see it in full glory. She was so excited about the main event, even though she'd be going to work and not as a guest.

Waking up on the Right Side

On the wedding day, Hailey woke up on the right side of the bed. Usually, she couldn't feel any sort of excitement in the morning before her first cup of coffee. But that day, she woke up with happiness bubbling inside of her.

A perfectly tailored suit, her work outfit had arrived a few days earlier. Hailey had never worn such high-quality clothes to work before she. She had high expectations for the rest of the day. She went through her morning routine with the speed of light and had a light breakfast before grabbing her keys and heading out.

Dealing With Traffic

The drive to the venue gave Hailey enough time to fantasize about the event. She hoped none of the guests would be rude and disrespectful. She hated dealing with that kind of people as they could ruin her day with just a few choice words.

But her perfect morning was soon interrupted by traffic. It's a good thing Hailey had kept to her routine and left the house earlier because that meant she would still arrive at her destination on time, traffic or not. But to be safe, she checked in with her manager to explain the situation. Within a few minutes, the road cleared up, and Hailey continued.

Hailey Begins Reminiscing

It was pure chaos at the venue! The staff was busily setting up dining tables, arranging flowers, and checking in with the caterers. The couple wanted the wedding and reception all in one location, so the venue needed a lot of setting up to accommodate their needs.

All of it made Hailey remember her own wedding five years before. She didn't come from money, so she and her husband Abel exchanged vows in a small church in their hometown. They'd only invited family and a few close friends, and the affair was warm and cozy. It was so unlike this lavish affair with more than a hundred people.

Time for a Break

Hailey spent most of the morning working, and soon, it was time for a break. No one could expect the staff to jump from setting up the venue to welcoming guests! They always had some time to relax, recharge and change their outfits before the event properly began.

Hailey had a few hours to prepare for the main event, but she had prepared for this. She didn't want to risk the drive home, so she'd packed a lunch. She spent some time walking around the woods behind the venue. It was an excellent way to work off her lunch and clear her head.

After Her Walk

They say spending time in forests helps boost the immune system and improve mood. There must be some truth in that because Hailey returned from her walk feeling energized and ready to take on whatever lay ahead.

She kept thinking about the evening ahead as she changed into the well-tailored suit. Things would get hectic soon, and she'd only get five minutes to rest her feet. And even that was pushing it. But Hailey was still determined, even knowing how demanding the job was bound to be. She was full of anticipation and hoped the evening would end well. How wrong she was.

The Guests Arrive

Soon the guests began trickling in, and Hailey got to work. The couple had planned a welcoming party before the wedding so people could mix and mingle before the main event. Hailey made the rounds, greeting people with a smile and offering glasses of champagne.

It's not easy to walk around with a full tray, but Hailey was nothing if not an expert. Once her tray emptied and everyone had a glass in hand, she returned to the kitchen for another round. At some point, she wondered if people who asked for second glasses were planning to get drunk. But things were about to get weird.

Hailey Sees a Lot of Familiar Faces

Hailey had no idea when she first noticed something strange. First, this wasn't a small town like where she grew up. Everyone knew each other back there; weddings were like big family gatherings. So it was strange that she saw a couple of familiar faces among the guests.

She may have written it off if only two or three people were familiar. But it got worse. It was almost as if her entire friend group and her husband's coworkers had gotten an invite to this wedding. Why did everyone she knew have to show up while she was working? It was so awkward!

Coming Face to Face With Her Husband

If things were weird before, they were about to get more bizarre! Hailey was turning away from the latest batch of guests when she saw someone else walk in! It was Abel in a fancy suit. She was taken aback that he looked so at home with the rest of the guests.

He walked about with a big smile, shaking hands here and there and receiving a couple of back slaps from his peers. Hailey wished she could walk up to him and ask what was happening. She let tell herself it was just a coincidence that he was here and not in China like he said.

Was This a Coincidence?

At first, Hailey tried to wrap it up as a coincidence. After all, she'd already seen several of their friends and acquaintances. It made sense that he would also be at the wedding. But then she stopped to think about the implications.

If Abel was here, didn't that mean he had lied to her about going to China? What was going on? As he tried to make sense of her thoughts, things were progressing. Guests began taking their seats, waiting for the service to begin. Hailey decided she would wait until things settled down to speak with Abel. But wait, why was he walking to the podium?

Making Sense of It All

All the thoughts, explanations, and rationalizations abruptly stopped in Hailey's mind. Her husband, Abel, was standing and laughing with a couple of people, all congratulating him. Why would they offer congratulations if he wasn't the man of the day?

There was no easy way to say it, but she had to accept the truth. Her husband was not away on a business trip in China. He was before her eyes, waiting for his bride to walk down the aisle and promise to be with him forever. His bride? How could he have a bride when he was married to her?

Trying to Stop the Tears

There's no handbook for how to deal with a situation like this. What was supposed to be a regular job was tuning into Hailey's worst nightmare. Yes, they'd been arguing more lately, but she thought they were determined to make things work.

How did a business trip turn into this? How had he managed to hide his affair? How long had this been happening? Hailey tried to stop her heart racing, and a choking lump was in her throat. She hurried to the storage room in the back to avoid being seen by anyone. But she couldn't stop the tears from falling as she slumped.

A Concerned Colleague

Hailey was too caught up in her emotions to notice someone watching her closely. One of the servers had seen her odd reaction to the groom, and he was still watching when she started crying and hurried away.

He didn't know what was happening but couldn't sit back and watch Hailey fall apart. He told himself he was doing his part as a good team member because the Manager would be upset if the staff did something to ruin the wedding. Matt watched Hailey cry for a moment before leaving the corner he'd been hiding. "I think you need this."

Hailey Gets an Offer

Hailey looked up as Matt handed her some tissues. She hadn't even noticed when he approached her, but she was too sad to be embarrassed by her puffy eyes and tear-stained cheeks. "I'm Matt. Do you need more time? I can cover your rounds if you want."

Hailey kept quiet as she wiped her face clean. She needed a few moments to collect herself before responding. She knew the manager would notice her absence, so taking Matt up on his offer would be terrible. "No thanks." She finally replied. "I think I can handle it. Thanks for the tissue, though, and thank you for worrying."

A Listening Ear

Matt didn't budge. Hailey was visibly upset, and the tissues hadn't done much to hide the evidence of her intense crying session. "I promise I'm fine." She insisted after noticing the look of doubt on his face. "I know I look a mess right now, but I'll return to normal once I wash my face."

Matt nodded. "I'm here if you want to talk about it anyway. It seems you know the groom." Hailey hadn't realized anyone had been paying attention. She thought she had hidden her shock at seeing Abel well. But now that Matt knew, denying it didn't make sense. "Yes. He's my husband."

Going Back to Work

"Wait, what? I thought he was like an ex or something. What do you mean, husband?!" Hailey knew he was a stranger, but Matt had tried to help her, so she couldn't help feeling like he was a good person.

Besides, she thought she would combust if she didn't open up to someone. She laughed at the surprise on Matt's face. It was good to see him react so strongly to her confession. At least one person now understood what she was feeling. She thanked him again for the tissues and got up. She couldn't hide there forever, wallowing in sadness. It was time to get back to work.

Strengthened by Rage

Hailey hurried out of the storage area, not glancing back to see if Matt was following; at least he understood her need to be active rather than spend more time crying. More guests had gathered in the main hall, but there was little for the wait staff to do than wait for the ceremony to begin.

Still, Hailey grabbed a tray and squeezed through the crowd. She got a lot of satisfaction seeing the look in Abel's eyes as she offered him the tray. His disbelief made her feel better, but he quickly hid his reaction by nodding thanks and turning away. Hailey felt even more insulted.

Planning Revenge

Everyone else was entranced by the romantic atmosphere of the day. People love weddings because it's always beautiful to watch a couple exchange vows and promise to be with each other forever, through thick and thin and in sickness or health.

But Hailey was too busy planning her revenge. It was one thing for Abel to lie to her and another for him to hide such a huge secret. She couldn't bear going through the day without confronting him. She didn't know how to pull it off, but Hailey knew she had to get some answers and at least make him feel her pain!

Matt Tries to Intervene

But while most of the staff were busy attending to the guests, one was paying close attention to Hailey. Matt hadn't been confused at her attempts to dispel his worries. Of course, she wasn't okay. How could she be?

No one could be comfortable watching their husband wed another person. Matt knew Hailey was planning something by the glint in her eyes. He couldn't tell whether she wanted to interrupt the proceedings or wait until the wedding was over before making her move. So when Matt saw her clenching her fists, he knew he had to make a move. But he was too late.

A Close Call

Hailey had decided to confront her so-called husband right then! She didn't care if she lost her job afterward. She just couldn't take the humiliation anymore. How dare he look her in the face like she was just a server and not his wife?! How dare he lie to her when planning on building a whole new life with someone else?

Hailey was anxiously clenching her fists and heading toward Abel when the organ started playing. Guests began moving into the main hall to take their seats. The waitstaff hurried to pick up the empty glasses and return to the kitchen. She had missed her chance.

A Different Kind of Torture

Matt was thankful for the close call. He couldn't be happier that the organ chose to play right then. What if Hailey had gone on to execute her plan? He hadn't spoken to nor interacted with her before that day, yet he was somehow invested in her story.

But while Matt was thankful for the interruption, Hailey was furious that she hadn't been able to give Abel a good punch in the face. She walked into the kitchen angrily and met a furious manager waiting. "Please tell me you haven't been walking around scaring guests with that angry look on your face."

Feeling Sick

Hailey tried her best to convince the manager that she was only frowning because she'd missed a step, walking to the kitchen. "I'm just upset because I wouldn't have lived with myself if I had fallen with all these glasses." It was a terrible lie, but thankfully, the manager didn't see through it. Hailey was thankful once again for her excellent reputation.

"Take a minute to sort yourself out before you come out, Hailey. Today must go off without a hitch." Hailey let out a breath of relief once the manager stepped out. Her life was crumbling before her eyes, and she felt sick.

Trying to Figure Things Out

Meanwhile, things were progressing in the main hall. The staff had to stand in the background, making last-minute preparations for the next stage of the ceremony. It was up to them to ensure nothing went wrong.

Hailey felt like she was going to be sick. So many questions raced through her mind as she heard the wedding march begin and saw the guests go quiet as the bride walked down the aisle accompanied by an elderly gentleman. Matt was off to the side, checking on her every few minutes, but Hailey did a good job maintaining a poker face. But she was dying inside.

The Wedding of Her Dreams

Of course, it was awful that she had to watch her husband get married to someone else in real-time. But Hailey felt even worse because Abel was having the kind of wedding she'd always dreamed of.

Her mind went over the last couple of months they'd spent together as a couple. Most of their arguments revolved around the fact that Abel had been working late more often. She couldn't understand why his job had to take up so much of his time. But had he become so fed up with her complaints that he decided to trade in the old for a new wife?

Face to Face

After moving to the city, Abel began climbing up the ladder, and Hailey joined a reputable agency as a waitress. They'd started having talks about planning a day to renew their vows. Hailey's eyes filled with tears as she remembered long conversations about everything from the ideal venue to decorations and wine choices.

This could have been her dream wedding, and Abel knew it too. How could he be so cruel? She felt the anger within her burning up with renewed force when Abel looked her way. He stared for less than a second before turning back to his wife-to-be, but that was enough for Hailey.

Were They in on It Too?

That look said everything Hailey needed to know. Whatever sadness or confusion she saw in Abel's eyes was nothing compared to the pain she felt. Did he really think one glance would save him from what was coming next?

Hailey turned towards the familiar faces among the guests. These were all people she had gotten to know over the years, people she'd hosted many times and who had returned the favor. Someone could have spoken to her! Someone could have tried to save her the humiliation of watching her husband say "I do" to another woman. Why had they kept silent? Were they in on it too?

Waiting for the Perfect Opportunity

Suddenly, Hailey felt someone touch her arm. "Whatever you're planning to do, please don't." It was Matt again. It seemed he was determined to be her guardian angel of some sort. But Haily didn't need that. She knew what to do, and nothing could change her mind.

The wedding was still ongoing; to everyone else, it was an intensely emotional affair. Hailey saw Abel's family and some mutual friends wipe their teary eyes occasionally. She hoped she could make them shed a few more tears once she exposed their treachery. All she needed was the right opportunity to let loose the rage growing inside her chest.

Any Objections?

Hailey found her chance once the officiant looked to the room and asked if anyone present objected to the union. They had a smile on their face as they threw the question out as if no one could want the couple not to wed that day.

If only they knew. Hailey watched as Bel desperately turned to her with a panicked expression. Even Matt had taken a good hold of her wrists. What was wrong with these men that they thought they could so clearly control her? Did they think she was going to have a mental breakdown or something? She just wanted someone to answer her questions!

Speak Now!

Hailey couldn't help thinking that Taylor Swift's "Speak Now" was the most appropriate soundtrack for that moment. After all, it was a song about ruining a lover's wedding. Abel was her husband, sure. But did he qualify to be the love of her life? With his capacity for betrayal?

No! She didn't care about rekindling their romance or rebuilding their relationship. She wanted to make a big mess, and no one would stop her. The officiant asked the bride and groom to seal their vows with a kiss. But Hailey couldn't let that happen. Her single "No!" was a loud shriek in an otherwise quiet room.

A Guilty Expression

Every single head turned around in shock. Everyone, from the guests to the staff, looked at Hailey with a horrific expression. "What is she doing?" their eyes seemed to ask. She froze in the face of such focused attention. She hadn't known when the words had escaped her mouth, and now everyone was looking at her.

The bride looked surprised, and Abel looked even more guilty. The guests, who were mutual friends, had been stunned to hear her voice and were all wondering what would happen next. Hailey stepped forward. She'd made her bed, and it was time to lie on it or at least try.

What to Say Next?

Speaking up had been the easy part. Now Hailey had to figure out how to explain herself. She felt like the floor had somehow turned into quicksand, and she was slowly sinking into it. But it was all in her head.

The ground was as solid as ever, and the hall was quiet because she bluntly yelled "no" and had taken the sails out of everyone. Even the person playing the organ was too stunned to go on playing. They all looked at her impatiently as she took each step forward. This was harder than she'd thought it would be.

Abel Plays Innocent

"Hello Abel." Hailey said with a smirk as she finally got to the altar. Whatever she was expecting, it wasn't for Abel to stare at her with such utter sadness in his eyes and ask, "Hailey, what are you doing?" What did he think she was doing? Ruining his wedding, of course. Wasn't that obvious?

The bride kept exchanging glances between Hailey and her husband-to-be, wondering what was happening. Abel sighed and took Hailey by the arm. He was trying to get her to a quiet place so they could escape the scrutiny of the people around. Did he think he could play the innocent good guy?

Hailey Stands Her Ground

"Don't touch me!" Hailey screamed indignantly. The words she'd had trouble with now finally flowed out of her. "You're here getting married to some other woman while still married to me, and yet you think this is somehow my fault? Are you kidding me?!"

Hailey wasn't done yet. "You didn't even have the courtesy to tell me this was coming. Or hand me the divorce papers before going on your romantic side quest. Anything, Anything would have been better than this?! You're a monster, Abel. I can't fathom how you could be so heartless!" She couldn't believe he was trying to play the victim here.

Revealing His Secret

"Hailey, please." Abel seemed more resigned than anything, but she wasn't interested in his pathetic pleas. She hadn't expected much from him, considering she had the guts to have a second wedding while still married to her. But she had at least expected him to be more sensible.

Now she was done playing nice. She would reveal all of Abel's worst secrets to this roomful of people, and he couldn't stop her! " You wanna know something?" She turned around, addressing the guests seated in the hall. The quiet was slowly shifting into a stir of outrage. Even the staff had streamed into the hall to watch the drama.

Gaining the Upper Hand

It was clear Hailey had the upper hand. "I'm sorry I had to ruin your big day this way." She said to the bride. "But you had to find out eventually. I don't know what lies this man has told you. But he's not single! He's already married to me."

The bride turned to Abel to confirm everything she'd heard. But Hailey went on. "That's not all. He may look like the perfect gentleman, but there's a lot you don't know about him. And since you two seem so in love already, how about I let you in on every one of his dark, dirty secrets?"

What Are You Doing?

At that moment, Abel realized Hailey couldn't be reasoned with. Yet he still tried. "Hailey, please. Stop this! Whatever you think is happening here, you're wrong. Please believe me." The despair in his voice stung Hailey.

Why was he so determined to stick with the narrative that she was the villain in this story and he was the sweet innocent prince? How dare she try to turn this around on her? So he was worried about her revealing his secrets to this roomful of people? Good! She loved the idea of him being scared. It was the best payback she could have hoped for.

Abel's Mother Steps In

Soft footsteps behind her made Hailey turn around. Abel's mother was standing before her with tear-filled eyes. She hurt that people she'd thought of as family could rally around to betray her in this way. She had thought she had a special bond with her mother-in-law, but it was a lie.

For someone who had lost her mother at a young age, finding acceptance in the arms of her husband's mother had been such a big deal to her. But clearly, none of these people knew how to treat the ones they claimed to love. She couldn't wait to hear what the woman had to say to her now.

It's All Falling Apart

Abel's mother took Hailey's hands and looked her in the eye, asking, "Hailey, dear, what are you doing here?" Hailey burst into tears. It was too much! Why was everyone acting as if she was the one in the wrong? Her contrarian nature flared up, and she almost wanted t retort, "What do you mean? I'm here for work."

But the tears wouldn't stop falling. Abel, her husband, was getting married to someone else. She was allowed to be an emotional mess. Hailey tried and failed to stop the tears. She didn't even want to imagine what her make-up looked like right now.

A Curious Bride

Suddenly, the bride spoke up. "Uhm, Hailey? I'm Dina. I'm so sorry; this must be a lot for you. But you were going to say something about Abels' secrets? I'm curious now. You're right; I have to know these things if I'm going to walk out of here, his wife. So please tell me." Dina asked for some tissues so that Hailey could dry her eyes.

She didn't know whether to laugh or keep crying. The bride seemed nice, asking her to clean her eyes and continue her revelation. Did she really not know that her husband-to-be had a wife already? Hailey didn't know what to believe anymore.

We're Not Married Anymore!

Was Hailey doing to ruin this sweet woman's relationship? She laughed hysterically, ignoring the growing look of concern around her. It was funny to realize that her life had become one of those poorly written soap operas. She was the jilted wife who didn't even know it was happening.

Well, if Dina wanted secrets, she wouldn't hold back. Things had already gone wrong; it could only go downhill from there. But it seemed Abel was done standing around and watching everything unfold. "Okay," Hailey began. "Hailey, don't!" He whispered, but she didn't care. "He's probably never told you this but-" "Hailey, Stop! We're not even married anymore!"

The Truth Comes Out

It was like someone had set off a bomb! Hailey paused in shock and confusion. She flinched as her mother-in-law laid a hand on her arm again. "Listen to me, dear. Abel is right. You two aren't married anymore." If Hailey thought her world had crashed before, it was nothing compared to how she felt now.

What was happening? Why were the walls closing in around her? Why were so many people standing so close to her? She needed air! She needed to breathe! Hailey slumped to the ground, saved by a pair of strong arms at the last minute.

Feelings of Confusion

Abel had reached out to catch her, but it was less like a romantic scene from a movie and more like an obligation. But Hailey didn't care. She was too caught up in her own emotions. "You and Abel are divorced, dear." Why was her mother-in-law lying? Why were they all lying to her?

Hailey couldn't speak. She looked around, trying to read the expressions of everyone around her, and felt struck by the pity in their gaze. Why were they looking at her that way? She caught Matt's gaze. She couldn't understand what was happening anymore. Her eyes went shut as the memories of the past came rushing in.

A Sad Realization

Hailey tried to make sense of her memories, but everything seemed so scrambled. She remembered Abel being in the house with her a week ago. He had made his signature pasta, and Hailey had laughed a lot after dinner because he wouldn't stop making funny faces as she did the dishes.

She remembered thinking how nice it was that they had stopped fighting. Even though Abel was set to leave for his business trip the next day, she had felt hopeful about their future. And now they were telling her she was mistaken. How could something so awful sound so true?

The Story Unfolds

"Someone, please get her a glass of water," Abel's mother said when she noticed Hailey couldn't stop crying. She crouched down beside her and wrapped her arms around her. "It's okay dear. Let it all out. You're okay." After a while, Sarah was able to get back up.

Her mother-in-law walked her toward the kitchen, and she did her best to avoid looking directly at anyone. Someone got hold of a microphone and announced that the events would be halted for now, so guests were invited to enjoy the food laid out. But Abel and his bride followed Hailey into the kitchen. There was a lot of explaining to do.

The Divorce

Connie, Abel's mother, decided to be the spokesman. "I'm going to explain this to you as best as possible, dear, and you have to promise you'll listen. But you have to calm down, okay?" Hailey nodded. She had settled into a chair and felt a sort of calmness sink over her. Something deep within her told her no one was lying about the divorce. Maybe, she was crazy after all.

"This can't keep happening, dear. Abel deserves better, and so do you." Connie went on. "You had a nervous breakdown after you lost the baby. Abel couldn't handle it alone, so he had to send you away."

Trying to Remember

"Your recovery was a slow process, but we were all waiting for you to be okay." Connie continued. Hailey felt like this was a story about someone else, not her. It sounded too made up. But in her mind, a voice whispered that Connie was right, and this had all happened.

If Connie noticed Hailey's conflicted reaction, she didn't draw attention to it as she continued speaking. "While you were away, Abel met Dina. They hit it off,f but he didn't want to betray you, and he tried to hide his feelings. You convinced him to agree to a divorce. That was your idea."

That Was Your Idea

"You wanted him to be happy and couldn't bear the thought of denying his affection for Dina because he wanted to remain loyal to you. You brought up the divorce while you were in the rehabilitation center. We were all against it at first because we didn't want you to make any rash decisions."

Hailey's breathing slowly picked up as she listened to Connie. "You two finally agreed on a compromise. You would sign the papers after you got discharged from the clinic. Once you were out, you didn't change your mind like we thought you would. You and Abel got divorced. It's been three years, Hailey."

Hailey Remembers the Breakdown

Hailey's memories began trickling in, and soon she was dealing with a flood. Connie didn't need to go on. She remembered what happened! The divorce had been her idea; at first, she'd been okay with it. But then, two years went by, and Abel started talking about getting married to Dina.

It was like a switch went off on Hailey's head. She couldn't cope with it, and her brain made it seem like she was still married to Abel, and they were a happy couple. She would get moments of lucidity, and things would be fine, but something would happen, and she would return to believing a lie.

The Journey Back Home

Everyone could see in her eyes that she was back in the present. Hailey felt so worn out and embarrassed. Connie kept talking about how they all tried to help her. Even Abel chipped in, saying she would zone out and shut down whenever they tried to speak to her about it.

"No one knew how to deal with you whenever you had these episodes." He insisted. Hailey sighed in despair. She didn't know what to do. But one thing was sure, she couldn't deal with this at the wedding venue. She needed to go home. Connie agreed to accompany Hailey, and she cried all the way home.

Seeking Help

They say the first step to finding help is admitting to a problem and showing a willingness to improve. Hailey knew her actions that day would haunt her for a long time. People would look at her and remember her as that crazy woman who crashed her ex's wedding because she couldn't handle the divorce.

But Hailey was determined to move past this stage of her life. She began by regularly attending therapy sessions instead of making excuses to skip each week. It was a slow process, learning about the reasons behind her episodes and figuring out how to deal with the triggers.

Learning to Move On

But even slow progress is still progress. Hailey managed to get her life back on track. It was a year before Abel and Dina could finally get married, and they were kind enough to send her an invitation. She didn't attend, though. One embarrassing scene was more than enough for a lifetime.

Hailey had spent so much time picking apart her memories and identifying the lingering trauma that had contributed to her breakdown. She no longer lived in that make-believe world where she was one-half of a happy couple. No, she'd accepted that a loss had driven her and Abel apart, and their divorce was for the better.