When I first started dating Michael, it felt like a fairytale.
Not the perfect, polished kind — more like the ones filled with unexpected twists and emotional turns.
I actually cried on our first date because I was late. I rushed into the restaurant, breathless and embarrassed.
We had dinner, but he didn’t call me for a week. I assumed I had scared him off.Then, fate stepped in. We ran into each other at a party thrown by a mutual friend. I told him I was just a very emotional person — and to my surprise, he said he was the same. That was six years ago. We’ve been inseparable ever since.
Things moved quickly between us, and eight months ago, Michael proposed.
Like any couple, we faced challenges. The biggest? His family.
More specifically… his brother, Jordan.Jordan was difficult — often condescending, cold, and distant. He had a habit of making people feel small, including Michael.At first, he seemed polite. We had a brief conversation at a family dinner. But later that night, something happened that deeply unsettled me. Jordan made an inappropriate comment when we were alone — something I couldn’t just brush off.
I immediately told Michael what happened. He was shocked and incredibly supportive.
Soon after, Jordan started sending unwanted messages, which I blocked right away.When we started planning our wedding, I told Michael I didn’t want Jordan there — and he completely understood.
But a few weeks later, Michael came home with a heavy heart.
— “I talked to my parents,” he said. “They told me if Jordan isn’t invited to the wedding… they won’t come either.”It was a crushing moment. After a long discussion, I reluctantly agreed.
— “Fine,” I said. “We’ll invite him.”
Then came the wedding day. I was in the bridal room, surrounded by my bridesmaids, getting ready. The dress was perfect. Everything was just how I’d dreamed it.
Until there was a knock on the door.
I opened it — and there was Jordan.
Before I could even speak, he poured a bucket of green paint all over me. My dress, my hair, everything — ruined.
— “This is for rejecting me,” he said with a smirk.
He shut the door, leaving me in shock.
I collapsed into a chair, overwhelmed and tearful. My bridesmaids rushed to help. One of them, Stacy, dashed off to find something — anything — to replace my dress.
Minutes later, she came back holding a simple but beautiful white gown.
— “Jordan told everyone you left,” she said breathlessly. “Michael’s worried.”I pulled myself together. I wasn’t about to let Jordan win.
As I stepped into the ceremony, guests turned in confusion. I stood tall and raised my voice.
— “I didn’t leave. Jordan ruined my dress and lied to everyone.”
Jordan sat in the front row, casually brushing it off.
— “It was just a joke,” he said with a shrug.
Michael stepped forward, his voice firm.
— “That’s not funny. We’ve had enough.”
He turned to Jordan.
— “Leave. Now.”
His mother stood up.
— “Michael, he’s your brother.”
But Michael didn’t waver.
— “If you support what he did… you can leave too.”
There was silence. Then, slowly, his parents stood and left with Jordan.
I exhaled deeply. The weight I’d been carrying was finally gone.
— “Thank you for standing up for me,” I said quietly.
Michael took my hand.
— “From now on… always.”