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Determined not to burden Thomas’s family or her own mother’s medical needs, Hannah returned to a small, dusty thrift store she had frequented as a child. Hidden among faded prom dresses, she found it: a simple, elegant gown of ivory silk with lace sleeves and a high neckline. Timeless and understated, it resonated with her. In the cramped dressing room under flickering lights, Hannah didn’t see a “second-hand” bride—she saw herself. Forty-eight dollars—and perfection.
Despite a quiet promise with her sister Jessica, news of the thrift-store find spread. In the days leading up to the wedding, Hannah received countless “helpful” messages suggesting GoFundMe campaigns or high-end boutiques. She declined politely. She knew the dress, and she knew why she had chosen it.
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