No family members attended my wedding because my sister’s engagement was “more important.” Hours later, her lavish banquet canceled out of loyalty to me. While I was celebrating, my phone exploded with furious voice messages: “Do you have any idea how embarrassed we were?”

I turned it on, and it immediately buzzed with one hundred and forty-seven messages and twenty-three audio files.

The very first audio was from my mother, and it was pure hysteria.

“Holden, answer me right now because the caterer just canceled and Isabelle is crying in the bathroom, so we need you to call Robert Sterling to fix this.”

I felt completely frozen as I listened to her demand.

Robert Sterling owned a very exclusive catering company that I had helped get off the ground years ago when I worked in corporate events.

I had always considered Robert and his family to be like my own brothers.

The second audio from my mother was even worse than the first one.

“I tried calling Robert myself, but he told me they only work through your personal recommendation, so call him and tell him to take care of your sister immediately.”

There was no mention of “congratulations” or “sorry I missed your day” in any of those messages.

There were only demands for me to serve as a tool for Isabelle.

I called Robert immediately, and he answered on the second ring.

“Holden, congratulations, brother, how was the wedding yesterday?” he asked warmly.

“It was beautiful, and thank you for the flowers you sent,” I replied.

“It was the least I could do, and I know exactly why you are calling me right now,” he said.

“My mother says you canceled on Isabelle’s party,” I said.

Robert let out a long, tired sigh.