Susan was just 16 when she got pregnant. Her boyfriend, James, left her, but she worked hard to raise their daughter, Ruth, alone. As Ruth grew older, she disliked men, believing they would hurt her mother like her dad had. When Susan met Jeremy and announced their engagement, Ruth didn’t approve.

To stop the wedding, 9-year-old Ruth stole her mother’s wedding dress and tried to sell it, thinking it would prevent Susan’s heartbreak. The salon owner, Mrs. Anderson, called Susan after hearing Ruth’s story. Susan was furious and locked herself in her room, refusing to speak to Ruth.

Later that evening, Ruth found her mother unconscious due to stress. Jeremy rushed Susan to the hospital, and Ruth, feeling guilty, tearfully apologized to her mom. Susan recovered, and with Jeremy’s encouragement, she forgave Ruth.

The next day, Ruth received a surprise: Jeremy had sewn a costume for her school competition, a task Susan had promised but couldn’t complete. Ruth won first prize and, touched by Jeremy’s kindness, called him “Dad.”

From that moment, Ruth grew close to Jeremy, and Susan was relieved to see her daughter trust again. The family eagerly looked forward to the wedding at the end of the month, with Ruth more excited than anyone.