Michael and I had waited years for this day—our wedding, the moment we would finally become husband and wife. But his brother, Jordan, had other plans. He had always been a problem—rude, arrogant, and constantly pushing boundaries. Yet on this day, he crossed a line so deep it shattered everything.
When Michael and I first met, nothing was perfect, but it was real. Our first date was a disaster—I arrived late, flustered, and on the verge of tears after a string of unfortunate events. Michael sat there, watching me unravel, unsure of what to say. I thought I had ruined everything, but fate had other plans.
A week later, we ran into each other at a party. I apologized, explaining that I was just an emotional person. To my surprise, he laughed and admitted he was the same. That night changed everything. From then on, we were inseparable. We moved in together after three months and spent six wonderful years side by side.
The only shadow over our happiness was Jordan.
Jordan had a way of making everything about himself. He treated Michael like a lesser version of himself, always reminding him that he was the “older, wiser brother.” But his arrogance wasn’t just about sibling rivalry—it extended to everyone, including me.
The first time I met him, Michael had taken me to his parents’ house. Jordan still lived there, despite being well into adulthood, and he wasted no time making his presence known. When I excused myself to the bathroom, he was waiting for me.
“Bored yet?” he asked, his voice dripping with amusement.
I stiffened. “No, I’m fine.”
He stepped closer, his smirk widening. “Come on, let’s go have some fun.”
A chill ran down my spine. “No, really, I’m good.”
He tilted his head, pretending to look hurt. “Oh, come on. My brother doesn’t deserve someone like you. You’d have a much better time with me.”
Before I could react, his hands were on me, sliding down my waist.
“Get off me!” I shoved him away, my breath shaking.
I rushed back to the dining room, forcing a smile as I whispered to Michael, “I don’t feel great. Can we leave?”
Michael was concerned, but I didn’t tell him the full truth until we were in the car. His hands tightened around the steering wheel when he heard what had happened.
“I’m going to talk to him,” he said through clenched teeth.
And he did. But Jordan laughed it off. “I was just testing her,” he claimed, as if that excused his behavior.
Michael let it go. I didn’t.
Over time, Jordan’s harassment continued. He sent disgusting messages, crossed boundaries, and made it clear he saw me as a challenge rather than his brother’s fiancée. I blocked him. I wanted nothing to do with him.
When Michael proposed, I made one thing clear—I didn’t want Jordan at the wedding. Michael agreed without hesitation.
But his parents didn’t.
“If Jordan isn’t invited, we won’t come either,” they told him.
I was furious. How could they defend him after everything he had done?
“I don’t want him there, Michael,” I said.
“I know,” he whispered. “But I don’t want my parents to miss our wedding.”
I had no choice. Jordan would be there, but I made one final condition—he was to stay away from me.
I should have known better.
On the day of the wedding, I stood in the bridal suite, my heart bursting with anticipation. Everything was perfect—the dress, the decorations, the love that filled the air. Nothing could ruin this moment.
Until the knock came.
Smiling, I turned to open the door. My blood ran cold when I saw Jordan standing there.
“What are you—”
Before I could finish, he lifted a bucket and dumped its contents over me.
A cold, sticky substance soaked into my skin, my dress, my hair. The sharp scent of paint filled my nostrils. I gasped, staring in horror at the bright green liquid dripping from my arms.
“This is for rejecting me, witch,” Jordan sneered.
I stood frozen, unable to comprehend what had just happened. Then the shock gave way to rage.
“Are you insane?!” I screamed.
Jordan only laughed before slamming the door behind him.
I collapsed onto a chair, sobbing as my bridesmaids rushed to my side.
“We need water!” one of them cried.
Another grabbed a towel, desperately trying to save the dress. But it was too late. The fabric was ruined, my carefully styled hair streaked with green.
Then Stacy, one of my bridesmaids, burst into the room.
“Jordan told everyone you ran away!” she blurted. “Michael is freaking out!”
I shot to my feet. “HE DID WHAT?!”
“People are whispering. Michael looks like he’s about to pass out.”
That was it. I had endured Jordan’s cruelty for too long.
I tore off my veil, letting my ruined hair fall loose, and stormed out.
The moment I stepped into the church, whispers spread like wildfire. Gasps filled the air. My dress clung to my skin, the paint dripping as I marched forward.
Michael stood at the altar, his face pale, his hands trembling.
“I didn’t run away!” I shouted, my voice cutting through the noise.
Michael’s eyes met mine, wide with shock. Then he rushed toward me, pulling me into his arms.
“Jordan poured paint on me,” I said, my voice shaking. “Then he lied and told everyone I left!”
Michael stiffened. He turned, his gaze dark and furious.
“Jordan!” he bellowed. “Care to explain?!”
Jordan lounged in his seat, smirking. “Relax, little brother. It was just a joke.”
Michael’s hands curled into fists. “That wasn’t a joke. That was sabotage.”
Jordan rolled his eyes. “Oh, come on. Look at you, always so sensitive.”
Michael took a step forward. “Get out.”
Jordan scoffed. “I was invited. I’m not leaving.”
Michael’s mother stood abruptly. “Michael, he’s your brother.”
“If you support what he did, you can leave too,” Michael said without hesitation.
Silence fell over the room. His parents exchanged glances, then grabbed Jordan’s arm.
They left without another word.
Michael turned back to me, his expression softening. He took my hands in his, his forehead resting against mine.
“I was so scared,” he whispered.
Tears welled in my eyes, but this time, they weren’t from pain. “Thank you for standing up for me.”
“From now on, always,” he promised.
And with that, we got married—not in the dress I had dreamed of, not in the way I had planned, but in the way that truly mattered. With love, with strength, and with the promise that, no matter what, we would always stand together.
