THE BOOK
Twice Betrayed
A True Story of Deception, Courage, and the Fight to Reclaim Self-Trust
"The greatest damage caused by deception is not always financial, it is the loss of confidence, trust, identity, and belief in yourself."
When Susan Schleppegrell was swept into what she believed was a genuine relationship, she had no idea she was becoming the target of a sophisticated romance scam. After suffering devastating financial and emotional losses, she thought the nightmare was over. Instead, a second betrayal followed when someone claiming to help recover her stolen funds drew her even deeper into deception.
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Author's Perspective
In Twice Betrayed, Susan shares the raw and deeply personal story of how manipulation, false hope, and shame nearly cost her everything. Through moments of heartbreak, self-discovery, and hard-won resilience, she reveals what it takes to rebuild a life after trust has been shattered.
More than a story about scams, Twice Betrayed is a story about the human spirit, the power of self-forgiveness, and the courage required to reclaim your life. More importantly, how to relinquish shame and regret. It is a reminder that while betrayal may become part of your story, it does not.
I wrote Twice Betrayed because I discovered that the greatest damage caused by deception is not always financial—it is the loss of confidence, trust, identity, and belief in yourself. After experiencing two devastating scams, I found myself carrying shame, regret, anger, and countless questions about how I had arrived in such a difficult place.
The journey that followed became one of healing, ownership, and renewal. I learned that recovery is not simply about what was lost; it is about what can still be created. Through honest reflection, support from family and friends, and a commitment to rebuilding my life one step at a time, I found a path.
I never intended to write a book about scams.
I wrote Twice Betrayed because I discovered that the deepest wounds of deception are often not financial. They are the loss of trust, confidence, identity, and belief in yourself. After experiencing two devastating scams, I found myself carrying shame, regret, anger, and countless questions about how I had arrived in such a difficult place.
The journey that followed became one of healing, ownership, and renewal. Through honest reflection, the support of family and friends, and a commitment to rebuilding my life one step at a time, I discovered that even life's most painful experiences can become opportunities for growth and transformation.
My hope is that readers will see themselves somewhere within these pages, not necessarily in the details of my experience, but in the universal challenges of loss, disappointment, manipulation, betrayal, and resilience. If this book helps even one person release shame, find hope, or take the next step toward healing, then sharing my story will be worthwhile.