At my sister’s wedding, she insulted me during her toast: «My sister, a single mom, undesired by all.» The crowd chuckled. My mom chimed in, «A worn-out item!» Then the groom, Daniel, rose and seized the mic. The room went silent…

For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel like shrinking under her voice. I turned to Luca. He looked up at me, unsure.

Are we leaving? He asked quietly. Yes, baby, I said, brushing his hair back. We’re going home.

I stood tall as I took his hand and began walking toward the exit. People parted as I passed. Some avoided my eyes.

Others looked like they wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. Halfway to the door, I heard someone call my name. Elara.

I turned. It was my grandfather, Norman. Pale, eyes rimmed red.

He stood slowly and stepped toward me. I’m sorry, he said, his voice soft, shaky. I should have stopped it years ago.

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. I didn’t hate him for not defending me. I understood what silence costs some people.

I’d lived it. I wasn’t angry, but I wasn’t carrying their guilt anymore either. Outside, the air was cool and crisp.

Luca squeezed my hand. Is the wedding over? I looked down at him. Yeah, I said, smiling.

I think it ended exactly how it needed to. We drove home in silence, the radio off, just the hum of the tires and the rhythm of Luca tapping his fingers on the armrest. I tucked him in that night, kissed his forehead, and lingered by his door a little longer than usual.

He didn’t ask any more questions. He didn’t need to. The next morning, I woke up to a dozen missed calls from unknown numbers, distant cousins, even a couple of guests I barely knew.

I ignored them all. My phone buzzed again, a text from a friend who had been at the wedding. Someone recorded Callum’s speech.

It’s on Facebook, over 50,000 views already. You need to see the comments. People are standing up for you.

I opened the video. There it was, Callum’s voice, calm and direct, standing up to an entire room. And there I was, frozen in the frame, holding Luca’s hand.

The comments were full of support. This man is a hero. She deserved better.

I’m crying watching this. Every single mom out there just got a little bit of justice. I didn’t cry.

I didn’t smile either. I just felt still, like something that had been clenching inside me for years had finally let go. That week, Vivian tried to spin the story…