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Learn English through Stories Level 3 ⭐ The Lonely Family - Emotional English Story for Listening Practice
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Transcript
00:00My name is Bridget. I am 35 years old. I have a husband. His name is Lawrence. He is 39 years old.
00:11We have been married for 10 years. We have two lovely children. Our son is 8 years old. Our daughter is 3 years old.
00:22I always believed in love. I believed that marriage was about respect, trust, and care. I gave everything to my family.
00:34I loved my husband very much. I gave up my own dreams to support my husband's dreams.
00:42I stayed home and took care of the children. I cooked dinner, cleaned the house, and washed dishes.
00:50I thought my husband saw all this. I thought he valued me. But I was wrong.
00:59One evening, I planned something special. It was our 10th wedding anniversary.
01:0510 years of being together. 10 years of love, struggles, and sacrifices.
01:12I saved money to buy a beautiful cake. I cooked his favorite dinner, chicken and rice. I wore a dress he liked.
01:24I asked my mother to keep the children for one night. I wanted the evening to be just for us.
01:32I waited at home. The table was ready. The candles were lit. But Lawrence didn't come.
01:40I called him, but he didn't answer. I sent a message, but he didn't reply.
01:47At midnight, I blew out the candles alone. The food was cold. I felt hurt.
01:55My eyes were full of tears. At 2 a.m., Lawrence came home. He smelled of alcohol.
02:05He was drunk. He was laughing, talking loudly on the phone with his friends.
02:13I stood there waiting for him. My eyes were red from crying.
02:17Lawrence, I said quietly. Do you know what day it is today?
02:23He looked at me, confused. What? It's Friday.
02:28It's our anniversary, Lawrence, I said. 10 years.
02:32He froze for a second. Then he laughed. Oh, I forgot. Bridget, don't make it a big deal.
02:40I was busy. Work. Friends. You know.
02:43My heart broke. I said, you forgot our anniversary, Lawrence. I prepared everything.
02:52I waited for you. And you didn't even care.
02:57He rolled his eyes and said, stop overreacting, Bridget. It's just a dinner. Why are you making drama?
03:06His words broke my heart. Just a dinner? For me, it was everything.
03:14For me, it was proof that our love still mattered. But for him, it was nothing.
03:22That night, I cried and cried until I had no tears left. I felt invisible. I felt unwanted.
03:31Like he didn't need me anymore. The next day, I packed my bags. I packed my children's clothes.
03:41I called my mother. I said, I can't stay here anymore. I am coming to your house.
03:50When Lawrence came back from work, he saw the bags. He said, what is this, Bridget?
03:57I looked at him with tears in my eyes. I gave you 10 years of my life. I gave you my love.
04:08My care. I left my job to take care of you and our children.
04:14And you couldn't even remember one day. You didn't even feel sorry about it.
04:20I can't do this anymore. I'm leaving.
04:23He laughed and said, what's wrong with you, Bridget? Don't be crazy. You're overreacting.
04:33No, I said. You are the one who does not value me. If I stay with you, I will lose myself.
04:42I can't let that happen. Goodbye, Lawrence.
04:46And I left. I lived with my mother for some time. But life was not easy. I had no job. I had no money of my own.
05:00But I had my children. They gave me strength. I found small jobs. I worked in a gift shop.
05:08In the evenings, I worked at a salon. Lawrence called me many times. He said,
05:17Bridget, come back. Don't break our family. But I did not answer. I was done with empty promises.
05:27Weeks turned into months. My children grew. My son learned to ride a bicycle.
05:33My daughter started school. I was there for every moment. Lawrence wasn't. But he did come sometimes.
05:44He took the children for ice cream. He brought them gifts. He never forgot them.
05:50But he never asked about me. He never said sorry. He never looked me in the eyes.
05:58One night, my son asked me, Why does Daddy not live with us?
06:05I took a deep breath. Sometimes, I said, Adults make mistakes. Sometimes, people forget you.
06:14But we both love you, my dear son. That will never change.
06:20He hugged me and said, I love you too, Mommy. I kissed his head and said, We will be okay.
06:32And I hoped it was true. One year passed. My son had a school play. He was very excited.
06:41He wanted both of his parents to come. I said yes. And I knew Lawrence would be there too.
06:49When I arrived at the school, I saw him standing near the gate. He looked older.
06:57His hair was more gray. His eyes were tired. But when he saw me, his face softened.
07:06Bridget, he said. I didn't answer. We sat apart. The children performed. They looked at us smiling.
07:15For them, we were still Mom and Dad.
07:19After the play, Lawrence came to me.
07:23Bridget, he said. Please, can we talk?
07:27I wanted to walk away. But something in his eyes stopped me.
07:33We stood outside near the school garden. His voice was shaking.
07:38I was a fool. I was a fool, he said.
07:42I forgot our anniversary. But it wasn't just that day. I forgot you. I forgot to value you.
07:51I forgot to see how much you gave me. And I lost you because of it.
07:56I looked into his eyes. He looked tired, but honest. My eyes filled with tears.
08:04I thought you didn't care, I said.
08:08I did care, he said. But I was blind. I was selfish.
08:14Bridget, I want to tell you I am sorry. I have changed. I don't drink anymore.
08:22I don't waste time with friends. I work. I go home.
08:27But my home is empty without you. Please, give me one more chance.
08:33My heart was beating fast. I didn't know what to say.
08:38At that moment, my daughter ran to us. She held my hand and looked at him.
08:44Daddy, can you come home with us today, please?
08:49Lawrence's eyes filled with tears. He looked at me, waiting. I hugged my daughter.
08:56Children need their father, I thought. But can I trust him again?
09:02I looked at Lawrence. He was crying. For the first time, I saw sadness in his eyes.
09:11Bridget, he said, I don't want to lose you again. I will spend the rest of my life proving that you matter to me.
09:20That I will never forget you again. I love you. Please forgive me.
09:28I closed my eyes. My mind was full of memories.
09:33Our wedding day. The night I cried alone. The year I struggled alone. And now this moment.
09:40At last, I said, Lawrence, I forgive you. And I want us to be together again. Not because I am weak.
09:50I forgive you because I am strong. I want our children to grow up in love. Not bitterness.
09:59I am giving us a second chance. Don't waste it.
10:03Lawrence took my hands and cried. Then he hugged me. The children ran to us, smiling, shouting,
10:13Mommy! Daddy! We are together again!
10:18Yes, I said. We are a family again. Not a perfect one, but a real one.
10:26I held them in my arms. My heart was happy. We walked home together.
10:32Sometimes, love dies in small things, being ignored, not talking, or forgetting an anniversary.
10:44But love can return if hearts are ready to change and people are ready to fight for each other.
10:53If you liked this story, please like, comment, share, and subscribe.
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