Learn English through Stories Level 3 ⭐ He Used Me - Improve your English | English Audio Podcast
My name is Victoria. I am twenty-eight years old. I was born in in a small house in Mexico. My family did not have much money. I was the only daughter of my parents. Every night, my mother would pray for me. She asked God to give me a better future. I had a dream for my parents. I worked very hard. I searched for jobs.
00:00My name is Victoria. I am 28 years old. I was born in a small house in Mexico. My family did not have much money.
00:13I was the only daughter of my parents. Every night, my mother would pray for me. She asked God to give me a better future.
00:25I had a dream for my parents. I wanted to give them happiness. I worked very hard. I searched for jobs.
00:35I stayed awake late at night, hoping to find a way to make some money.
00:42One night, while I was scrolling on my phone, a pop-up came on the screen. It said,
00:51Find real love in America. First, I thought it was silly, but then I opened that app and that is how I met Jeremy, a man from New York.
01:04His first message said,
01:06I do not need a perfect girl. I want a real one. From that day, we started talking every day. Slowly, I began to trust him.
01:19After a few weeks, he asked me,
01:21Victoria, will you come to America to live with me? My heart began to beat fast.
01:29I was shocked, but I was also excited. Jeremy promised to marry me. He said he would take care of my visa, my flight, and everything else.
01:42When I told my parents, they became very worried. My father said,
01:48You do not know him well. My mother said,
01:52What if he is lying? What if he hurts you?
01:57I did not want to hurt them, but I also did not want to lose this chance to change my life.
02:04I thought a lot. I was confused. But that night, I made a decision. While my parents were sleeping,
02:14I packed my bag. I went to my parents' room and cried. I said,
02:21Please forgive me. I love you. One day I will make you proud. That night, I went to my best friend's house.
02:31The next day, Jeremy arrived in Mexico. He sent me a message. I am at the airport. Where are you?
02:42My heart was beating fast. I was scared. I went to the airport. I wanted to see if he was real or just another lie. Then I saw him.
02:54He had flowers in his hands. He looked nervous. He really came. He looks real. Jeremy saw me and smiled.
03:05He said,
03:06Victoria, I came for you. Let's start a new life together. I took Jeremy's hand, and our new life began.
03:16The first few weeks were beautiful. I cooked dinner and cleaned the house. I waited for Jeremy every day like a new bride.
03:27Each evening, he came home, kissed my forehead, and said,
03:33I am home, my darling wife. I began to believe in love. I thought maybe I did the right thing. Maybe one day even my parents will understand. I felt happy.
03:48After six months, things began to change. Jeremy stopped talking like before. He came home late, did not smile much, and slept early.
04:00No hugs. No good nights. Just silence. One night, I asked him,
04:08Jeremy, is everything okay? He got angry and said,
04:13You're thinking too much, Victoria. Stop making it a big deal.
04:19Tears filled my eyes. It hurt. The man who once called me his queen now made me feel invisible.
04:29Then one morning, while we were having tea, he said,
04:34I have a business trip to Boston. I will be gone for a few days.
04:39I nodded and smiled. I packed his bag. I knew something was wrong.
04:46Still, I stayed quiet. I wanted to believe everything was fine.
04:53I wanted to trust him. But deep inside, I knew my marriage was falling apart.
05:00One afternoon, I went to Jeremy's office to give him his wallet. But he was not there. I walked by a coffee shop and stopped.
05:12I looked through the window and my heart broke. Jeremy was inside. He was sitting with another woman. She was holding his hand. They were laughing and smiling.
05:27Then he kissed her right there in public. Like he did not have a wife. Like I was never a part of his life. I felt weak.
05:38I could not move. I could not cry. I just stood there, watching my husband act like I never existed.
05:49I understood the truth. I was not his wife. I was not his love. I remembered my parents' words. Maybe they were right. Maybe he was never mine.
06:02I ran home and cried like a child, asking myself what I had done wrong. Hours later, he came back home like nothing had happened.
06:15I asked him, who is she? He looked at me and said, she is the one I love. Not you. You were just part of my immigration plan, Victoria.
06:29You can stay for a few weeks. But after that, leave.
06:34I froze. My world stopped moving. I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry. But I said nothing.
06:44I went to my room, opened a drawer, and found the letter my mother gave me when I left home.
06:52It said, if one day your husband breaks your heart, come home. We will still be waiting.
07:01I held that letter and cried.
07:04My husband left me for another woman so easily. I had no green card, no job, no family, no home.
07:14I was alone in a big country that did not even know my name. I found a small shelter home for women.
07:23Why did I leave my mother? Why did I trust him? Is this all my fault?
07:29I felt broken. I felt lost. My eyes were full of tears. I had no job, no passport, no money, and no one to help me.
07:41I had to become my own hero. So I began to work hard. I began making handbags and dresses. I worked with my hands all day.
07:52I just wanted to survive. I created an Instagram page. I was nervous, but I posted pictures of my work, my bags, my dresses.
08:06At first, no one noticed. But slowly, people began to like, comment, and message me. I named it Victoria Designs.
08:17I worked hard every day. Two years later, I opened my own shop.
08:24One day, I was at my store when suddenly, I saw Jeremy. I froze. We both stared at each other, shocked.
08:33He looked old and tired. He said, Victoria, I was wrong. She left me. I lost my business. I lost everything. Please, I need you. Give me one more chance.
08:48I looked at him. I looked at him. But in my mind, I saw the nights I cried. The pain he gave me. He did not just leave me. He broke me.
09:00I said loudly, this man is following me. He is making me feel scared. People stopped and looked.
09:09Jeremy shouted, she is lying. She is my wife. I love her. He tried to touch my hand.
09:16I said, he touched me without my permission. I want to file a case.
09:24The police came. Jeremy cried. Please, Victoria, don't do this.
09:30I said to him, you hurt the girl who loved you. This is not revenge. This is justice.
09:37Two weeks later, I got my green card. I could finally meet my parents. I missed them very much.
09:47So I took a flight back to Mexico.
09:51As I stood in front of my old home, my hands shook. I knocked on the door.
09:58My mother asked, who is it? I said, it's me, Victoria.
10:05Victoria. She opened the door and froze. Her eyes filled with tears as she said,
10:13Victoria, my daughter. She held my face and we both cried.
10:20My mother said, we thought we lost you, but God brought you back stronger.
10:26I hugged my father. I looked at them and said, I have my own shop in USA.
10:34I made it. My father smiled and said, we are proud of you.
10:41I wanted my parents to live a better life now.
10:45So I brought them with me to the U.S.
10:48I gave them comfort, care, and love, just like they once gave me.
10:55I cooked for them and took care of their health.
10:59Months passed.
11:00Months passed. One day, I got a call from the police.
11:04They had arrested Jeremy.
11:06He had used not just me, but many other women.
11:12He played with their hearts, too.
11:14I went to the station and saw him.
11:18He looked at me and said, Victoria, please help me.
11:22I said, Jeremy, I can destroy you.
11:29I can make sure you stay in jail forever.
11:32But I am not like you.
11:34I don't carry hate.
11:36I forgive you.
11:38And I don't wish to see you ever again.
11:42I walked away without looking back.
11:45I did not feel pain.
11:47Never trust blindly.
11:52Never leave your parents for a stranger.
11:55Your parents are not your enemies.
11:57They are the only people who always want the best for you.
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