On what was supposed to be the happiest day of her life, a bride was left utterly crushed when her fiancé vanished without a trace, leaving her alone at the altar. The shocking disappearance came out of the blue, casting a dark shadow over their seemingly perfect relationship. One day, out of nowhere, she received a message request from him, shrouded in intrigue and unanswered questions.

In July 2023, an anonymous female poster turned to the ‘Relationship Advice’ subreddit to share her bewildering story. Two years ago, the 28-year-old woman’s life took a harrowing turn when her fiancé, Derek, aged 32, vanished without a trace on the very morning of their wedding. “My [ex-fiancé] “Derek” disappeared the morning of our wedding 2 years ago,” she expressed.

Desperate calls and messages went unanswered, leaving her in a state of profound shock and heartbreak. The once-promised day of joy transformed into a surreal nightmare, leading her back to an empty apartment where, in her wedding dress, she found solace on the cold tiles of the bathroom floor, the stark contrast to the dreams of happiness now shattered.

The cruel twist in her story unfolded further when Derek’s mother tearfully revealed the painful truth: he had rekindled an old flame with his ex just days before the wedding, opting to abandon their love and commitment. The revelation was a brutal blow, leaving the bride in a whirlwind of emotions—anger, betrayal, and a devastating sense of abandonment.

Months later, Derek resurfaced, his unexpected return only deepening the wounds he had left behind. “I didn’t hear from him until 3 months after he left. He called me, [apologized] and then revealed that his ex had been hiding his child from him that he just found out about, he wanted to be with them,” shared the woman.

“That’s pretty much all that was said, I didn’t say much, actually I think I only said “hello”. The whole situation left me numb, I just didn’t care anymore,” added the heartbroken poster. However, with time, support from steadfast friends, and therapy, the young woman embarked on a grueling journey of self-discovery and healing.

One year passed, marked by sleepless nights and tear-streaked days, until she found the strength to leave her past behind. Seeking solace in a new beginning, she made a life-altering decision, leaving her homeland in Australia for the distant shores of Wales, UK, hoping for a fresh start far away from the haunting memories of a love lost.

In an unexpected twist, Derek’s presence crept back into her life through a message on social media. The woman revealed, “Last night, I got a message request on [Instagram]; it was Derek. ‘Hey…’” I’ve heard you moved to Wales, that’s so cool, I’m [traveling] to Cardiff towards of the end of July. I’m deeply sorry about everything and I want to discuss what happened leading up to the wedding.”