As my brother’s wedding day drew closer, the air was thick with excitement and a touch of anxiety.
We were all on edge, knowing my brother’s reputation for elaborate pranks, and he’d hinted more than once that a “big surprise” was coming.
Liam had always been the life of the party — he thrived on a bit of theatrics, and I assumed this was no different.
Liam and his fiancée, Denise, had been together for years. It was no shock when Denise asked me to be a bridesmaid.
“Please, Daphne,” she had pleaded with a warm smile, handing me a gift box filled with pampering treats. “I want you by my side on the big day. You’re not just Liam’s little sister — you’re like a sister to me too.”
Of course, I agreed. Denise had truly earned a place in my heart over the years.
After all, she was the one who had organized my 21st birthday when my own friends had let me down.
Throughout the wedding planning, Denise often shared her excitement with me more than with Liam.
Meanwhile, Liam seemed to stay out of the details, barely involved in planning. But I knew the truth — he was secretly working on a video montage for the ceremony.
When Denise asked me during a shopping trip if Liam was getting cold feet, I reassured her.
“No way,” I promised. “He’s just busy with something special for you.”
Her eyes sparkled with curiosity. “What? Tell me!”
“I can’t,” I laughed. “It’s a surprise!”
On the morning of the wedding, I arrived at their hotel early, wanting to check on Liam before joining Denise and the other bridesmaids.
He was calm, glass of champagne in hand, and smirked. “You have no idea what’s coming, Daph.”
“Oh boy,” I teased back. “Don’t leave me hanging.”
The ceremony itself unfolded beautifully — everything exactly as Denise had dreamed. The flowers, the soft music, and even the subtle scent of candles filling the venue made the whole place feel magical.
As they prepared for their vows, Liam turned to the priest.
“Wait,” he said. “I have something I’d like to share with everyone first.”
He dramatically pulled out a remote while two groomsmen wheeled a television toward the altar.
“This is our love story,” Liam announced proudly.
He pressed play, and everyone watched a touching montage — their first date, silly moments at home, romantic trips, cozy dinners, and so many sweet memories.
The guests were emotional, sniffling, and dabbing at tears.
But then, the priest resumed the ceremony and asked if anyone objected.
Liam shocked us all by dropping Denise’s hand and stepping back.
“I do,” he said firmly.
Denise looked at him, stunned. “Liam, what are you talking about? This isn’t funny.”
“This isn’t a joke,” Liam replied coolly.
He held up the remote again, pressing another button. Instantly, the video on the screen changed.
This new video showed Denise at home, wearing lingerie, intimately entangled with another man.
The entire room froze, guests’ faces registering shock as they turned toward Denise, who went pale as a sheet.
“This can’t be real,” she whispered to herself, her voice trembling.
In the back row, the same man from the video stood up abruptly, cursing under his breath.
“This is why there will be no wedding today,” Liam announced.
His voice was calm but carried an unmistakable pain. “I couldn’t let us stand here, pretending everything was perfect, without everyone knowing the truth.”
The room fell into a heavy, suffocating silence. The mood of celebration collapsed in an instant, replaced by discomfort and disbelief.
Denise staggered, kicked off her heels, and picked them up in her hands, searching the crowd with desperate eyes.
“It’s not what you think,” she begged. “Liam, please, can we talk privately?”
Part of me wanted to pity Denise — after all, she had been like a sister to me. But the video evidence was undeniable. She had betrayed my brother.
Tears streamed down her face as she tried again to plead with him.
“How long?” Liam asked, his voice low and shaking with anger.
“Not long,” she stammered, barely holding it together. “You weren’t supposed to find out.”
“In our house, Denise?” Liam spat back, heartbreak twisting his tone. “You brought him into our home?”
The guests exchanged uncomfortable glances, some whispering, others frozen in disbelief.
The priest stepped back quietly, no doubt wondering if they would need counseling instead of a ceremony.
Liam turned and walked away from the altar, leaving the stunned crowd and a devastated bride.
Denise ran after him, calling his name, but he ignored her. Denise’s mother hurried after them, trying to salvage the moment.
I found Liam later that day at the hotel bar, downing drinks with a bowl of olives, looking as crushed as I’d ever seen him.
“Did you know?” he asked me, eyes searching mine.
“Of course not,” I answered softly.
Liam explained that while compiling the video for the wedding, he had stumbled on Denise’s video by accident.
“I was looking through her phone to maybe grab more pictures,” he said. “And then I found that folder. She hadn’t even locked it.”
He fell silent, finishing his drink.
“Was I wrong to expose her like that?” he asked.
I took a moment before replying. “No. But maybe you could have done it in private. Now… there’s no telling what she might do.”
Liam nodded, but there was no forgiveness in his expression. Cheating had always been a line he would never cross — or tolerate.
After a moment, he signaled to me. “Let’s go eat some of the wedding cake,” he said, his voice almost playful. “No point letting that go to waste, too.”
I followed him out to the deserted reception hall, determined to stand by him. As much as I felt for Denise, my brother needed me more.
