Sadie meticulously arranged her brother’s wedding for the location, cake, and guests, or so she thought. Sadie discovers she wasn’t invited on the big day. With a wounded heart and a nicely frosted cake, she wants to see whether forgiveness is sweeter than retribution.
I always turn the other cheek. Life is too short for grudges.
What did my sister-in-law do? No. I’ll never forget or forgive it.
I was thrilled when Noah, my younger brother, proposed to Vanessa. Vanessa was quite keen. Every chat seemed like a covert exam, as if she were discreetly rating your replies.
Noah was definitely in love. Smitten people are starry-eyed and innocent. Vanessa requested me to assist with their wedding, so I did.
Not for her.
For Noah.
I designed the invitations, booked the suppliers, scheduled, and created their wedding cake because I run a bakery. I even paid for catering when their sponsor bailed last minute. Weeks of money, work, and passion.
I was not invited to the wedding on the day.
It began at my studio the day before the wedding. Sketches of buttercream, chocolate filigree, and exquisite blossoms covered my counter. My goal was to include love, elegance, and nostalgia into every single element.
Flipped through possibilities.
Vanilla? Too safe.
Lemon? Far too sour.
Red velvet? Miss Vanessa disliked it.
Noah crossed my mind as I glanced at a blank sheet. It struck me.
Peanut butter with chocolate.
It was his favorite since childhood—Mom made chocolate peanut butter cupcakes before every soccer game. He stole spoonfuls of icing while no one was watching.
I smiled while writing. Chocolate-Peanut Butter for Noah.
No matter how I felt about his marriage, I wanted this cake to be memorable. Tasted like home.
I piped the cake’s finishing embellishments in the venue’s kitchen the morning of the wedding. The big hall buzzed with people. Music, laughter, clinking glasses. Felt proud. I shaped this moment.
My mother entered.
Breathing, she said, “Sadie.” “You’re not invited.”
I froze mid-pipe. “You talking about what? ”
Vanessa’s mother checks names at the door. She says no entry.”
Really laughed. “That’s ridiculous. Their wedding cake is in my hand. Half of this was planned.”
Mom’s expression remained stern.
“She said the list is final. Your not on it.”
My hands numbed. I held the piping bag slightly looser.
I spent weeks on this wedding. She didn’t tell me?
Mom said something about “finding Noah” and ran. Not following.
I quietly cleaned my hands, loosened my apron, and exited via the side door.
Walked away.
Mom discovered Noah behind the venue adjusting his tie before the wedding as I sat on my sofa in amazement.
She snapped, “Did you know Vanessa didn’t invite your sister? ”
His eyes grew. “What? You talking about what? Sadie organized the wedding.”
“She can’t enter. Vanessa’s mother rejects her.”
Noah was silent. He rounded and charged Vanessa.
Vanessa received comments from bridesmaids in her dressing room. Snowflake-like lace across her shoulders.
Noah did not delay.
Why isn’t Sadie invited? ”
Vanessa moaned. My God, Noah. Is this not possible now? ”
Answer me.”
Rolling her eyes. She helped, so what? Her gift to us. Her job, right? ”
“She paid for catering,” he raged. She baked cake. She accomplished everything.”
Vanessa pouted slightly. “No divorcees at the wedding, okay? Bad luck.”
“What? ”
I excluded numerous acquaintances and cousins for the same reason. I didn’t want that vibe when I got married.”
Noah blinked. “You excluded my sister because her husband cheated? ”
“She failed. My wedding shouldn’t have that atmosphere. Am superstitious! You know.”
His face clouded.
You believe vibes mess up marriages? People like you make them fail. Selfish. Controlling.”
“Don’t be dramatic,” she said. “I did her a favor letting her participate.”
The stillness was lengthy.
Noah whispered, “You’re right.”
Vanessa smiled. “See? I just wanted to—
“No,” he said. “You’re right—my wedding shouldn’t have bad energy.”
He turned and left.
Noah marched into the reception hall and pulled the cake off the table, shocking everybody.
Nobody dared oppose him.
The doorbell rang when I was on the sofa at home.
Noah was still in his suit and carrying the cake when I answered the door.
He said, “I’m sorry,” in a harsh voice. “You wasted time. Your money. Will make sure she pays you back.”
He paused.
“Thank you for more than that. Without you, I wouldn’t know who she is.”
A knot formed in my throat.
He constantly protected me like a brother. I understood now that he valued me equally.
He entered, put the cake on my coffee table, and moaned.
“I haven’t eaten today.”
I took two forks.
“Let fix that.”
We ate cake sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, dressed like wedding magazine extras.
Bite and stilled.
“Chocolate peanut butter,” he whispered.
I nodded.
“You made it for me.”
“I did, Noah.”
His eyes lingered on me.
“You know,” he replied slowly, “if this was the wedding cake, I think I got the best part of the day.”
I blinked back tears.
He exhaled.
“I left a disrespectful person. From an unhappy future.”
Then he grinned.
“I still have you.”
“Always.”
I heard a quiet tap on the office door weeks later while drawing a three-tier dessert at my bakery.
I said, “Come in,” without looking up.
She appeared as the door opened.
Vanessa.
No tiara. No makeup. No entourage. Only weary eyes and shaky fingers.
Not standing.
“Sadie,” she said.
“You lost? ”
She recoiled. “No. I simply wanted to see you.”
Tilted my head. “Why? ”
She regarded the floor. Noah won’t see me. Not talking. I erred. I mistreated you. Yes, I was. And sorry.”
Raised eyebrow. Sorry you did that or it backfired? ”
Her lips parted but she said nothing.
“I thought I could control everything,” she remarked eventually. “But I lost everything. I didn’t intend this.”
I scoffed. You didn’t intend to exclude me from my-built wedding? ”
“I thought I was protecting the day,” she muttered. “But I ruined it. And I wrecked us.”
She regarded me.
Not expecting pardon. Sorry, just wanted to apologize.”
I stood slow.
“You can’t want anything from me, Vanessa.”
Her eyes shone as she nodded.
I pointed to the door.
“Leave my bakery.”
She turned and left.
Holding the doorknob, she stopped.
“I’m sorry.”
I didn’t respond.
She departed.
Noah left his Vanessa-shared apartment. He takes time. Healing. Now and again, we sit on the floor, forking cake and giggling through icing.
I lost trust in people that day.
I acquired something better.
Clarity.
A brother who understands love.