01/04/2026
When I found out my ex-wife had married a working-class man, I went to the wedding to mock her. As soon as I saw the groom, I came back and burst into tears of grief.
I'm Ryan Collins, 32 years old, and I live in San Francisco, California.
When I was a student at UCLA, I fell in love with Lily Parker, a sweet and gentle girl who always put others first.
She worked part-time in the library, and I, an ambitious economics student, always believed I was born to rise to the top.
After graduating, I was accepted into an international company with a high salary and a luxurious office.
As for Lily, despite my efforts, I could only find a job as a receptionist in a small hotel.
One day, I said to myself,
"I deserve more than that."
I left Lily so coldly that I felt disgusted with myself afterward.
The person I chose to replace her was Amanda Blake, the daughter of the company's director, rich, elegant, and proud. As for Lily... she just stayed silent, crying in the darkness.
I thought my life would take a perfect turn.
But, in fact, that's when everything started to fall apart.
Five years later, I was an assistant sales manager, had my own office, a BMW, but I wasn't happy.
My marriage to Amanda was like a contract in which I always lost.
She looked down on me for my humble origins.
Whenever she wasn't satisfied, she threw a harsh sentence in my face:
"If it weren't for my father, you'd still be a small-time salesman."
I lived like a shadow in my own house.
Until one day, an old friend said to me at a party:
"Hey, Ryan, do you remember Lily? She's getting married soon."
I was startled.
"Husband? Who?"
"A construction worker. He's very poor, but I've heard he's very happy."
I laughed. "Happy with a poor man? You really don't know how to judge people."
I decided to go to that wedding, not to congratulate her, but to laugh at her decision.
I wanted Lily to see how successful I, the man she once loved, was now.
That day, I drove to the small town outside of Sacramento where Lily lived.
The wedding was held in the garden, simple, with a few strings of yellow lights, wooden tables and chairs, and wildflowers.
I got out of the luxury car, adjusted my vest, and put on a cocky face.
A few people turned to look at me. I felt like I'd just stepped out of another world: more elegant, more successful.
But then I saw the groom.
My heart stopped.
He was standing at the podium, wearing a simple vest. A face I knew so well I couldn't believe it was...Read more in Comment or Most relevant -> All comments đ