DURING THE CAKE CUTTING, MY GROOM SMASHED MY FACE INTO THE CAKE AS A ‘JOKE’
The laughter that had filled the wedding hall suddenly turned into uneasy silence. All eyes shifted as Ryan stormed toward the table, his gaze locked on Ed with an intensity that sent chills through the room. I could feel my heart pounding — part fear, part anticipation — as my brother’s calm but determined stride cut through the tension like a blade.
Ed’s confident grin faltered. “Hey, man, it was just a joke,” he said quickly, raising his hands as if to defend himself. But Ryan didn’t stop. His movements were deliberate, his composure steady yet full of purpose. When he finally reached Ed, the air seemed to thicken with expectation.
“A joke?” Ryan asked, his tone quiet but commanding. “A joke is supposed to make people laugh — all people. Not just you.” He turned slightly, his expression softening as his eyes met mine. “You okay, Sis?”
I managed a nod, though my throat tightened with emotion. The sting of humiliation was still fresh, but Ryan’s presence steadied me. His voice, full of conviction, cut through the whispers spreading among the guests.
“You know,” Ryan continued, “when you love someone, you don’t tear them down for a laugh. You lift them up. Today’s supposed to be about love — not mockery.”
The guests watched in silence. The music had stopped, and even the clinking of glasses had ceased. Ed’s face paled as the weight of his behavior began to sink in. The moment stretched, raw and tense, everyone waiting to see how it would unfold.
Then Ryan did something no one expected. He reached for a piece of cake — the same cake that had moments earlier been smeared across my face — and lifted it up for everyone to see. His eyes twinkled mischievously. “You want to see a real celebration?” he asked.