Dahlia was planning her brother Liam’s wedding—designing invitations, booking vendors, and even baking the perfect cake. But on the big day, she discovered a shocking betrayal: she wasn’t invited.
When Liam got engaged, Dahlia was happy for him. She didn’t love Claire, his fiancée, but she seemed to make him happy.
So when Claire asked Dahlia to help plan the wedding, she agreed. Not for Claire, but for Liam.
Dahlia handled everything. She designed invitations, booked vendors, reserved the venue, and even paid for the catering and cake.
The wedding cake had to be perfect.
Chocolate-peanut butter—Liam’s favorite. It was the same cake he had for birthdays, soccer games, and even when he won a small trophy in third grade.
“Best flavor in the world,” he always said.
Dahlia’s bakery was her passion, her whole world. She had once thought her marriage was, too. But in the end, her husband only loved what she built—her success, not her. Realizing that had broken her.
Not now, Dahlia. This is about Liam.
On the morning of the wedding, she was in the venue’s kitchen, putting the final touches on the cake. Guests were arriving, laughter filling the hall. Then, her mother walked in, looking serious.
“Sweetheart,” she hesitated. “You’re not on the guest list.”
Dahlia let out a small laugh. “What? That’s ridiculous. I’m literally holding their wedding cake.”
Her mother’s expression didn’t change. “Claire’s mom is checking the guest list. She says you’re not invited. And she won’t let you in.”
A ringing filled Dahlia’s ears. She had spent months planning this wedding. Months.
Her mom found Liam just before the ceremony. He was fixing his tie, smiling, unaware of what was happening.
“Liam,” she snapped. “Did you know Claire didn’t invite your sister?”
Liam froze. His smile vanished. “Wait. What? Why?”
“She won’t say. But she’s making sure Dahlia isn’t allowed inside. How can you let this happen?”
Liam turned to Claire. “Did you seriously not invite my sister?”
Claire sighed, annoyed. “Babe, not now. Can we not do this on our wedding day?”
“Answer me.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “She helped us. So what? That was her gift. And it’s her job, too.”
“She paid for the food, Claire. She spent days baking the cake. And you just… ignored her?”
“Fine. You want to know the reason? I didn’t want divorced people at my wedding. It’s bad energy, especially for the bride! I didn’t invite some of my friends and cousins either.”
“So you left out my sister because she got divorced?”
“Come on. It’s not my fault she couldn’t make it work. Why bring that negativity to our day? I’m just trying to stay happy.”
Liam’s face hardened. “Marriages don’t fail because of ‘bad vibes,’ Claire.”
Claire’s smug expression faded.
“Liam, don’t be dramatic. You’re making a scene. You’re lucky I even let her help. I did her a favor.”
Liam wasn’t listening anymore. He walked straight to the catering table.
Dahlia was already home, sitting on the couch in stunned silence when the doorbell rang.
Liam stood there. “I’m sorry you wasted your time and money on that wedding. I’ll make sure she pays you back. But more than that…”
“Thank you. Because without you, I might never have seen Claire for who she really is.”
“You know, I haven’t eaten all day.”
Dahlia grabbed two forks. “Let’s fix that.”
They sat on the floor, still in their formal clothes, eating straight from the wedding cake like kids.
“Chocolate-peanut butter,” Liam murmured.
“Yeah.” Dahlia swallowed hard.
“You made this for me,” he said.
“Of course I did, Liam.”
After a moment, he smiled. “If this was the wedding cake, I guess I got the best part of today.”
“I walked away from someone who didn’t respect me. From a future that would have been miserable.”
He looked at her, his voice quiet but certain. “But I still have you.”
“Always,” she whispered.
Then, the door opened.
Claire.
She looked… different.
“Hey.”
Dahlia raised an eyebrow. “You lost?”
“No. I… I wanted to see you.”
“I can’t imagine why.”
“Liam won’t talk to me. Won’t see me… He…” Her voice broke, and for a second, she looked genuinely regretful.
“I messed up. I…” She exhaled. “I was awful to you, Dahlia. I was selfish and cruel.”
“I never meant for things to go this way.”
“Really? Because it felt intentional.”
“I thought I could control everything. That if I pushed hard enough, I’d get my perfect day. And instead? I ruined everything.”
Dahlia’s voice was flat. “You don’t get to ask me for anything, Claire.”
“You used me. Lied to me. Now, get out of my bakery.”
Claire’s voice trembled. “I really am sorry.”
Dahlia didn’t answer.
A moment later, Claire was gone.
0 Comments