But he looked at me with steady determination. “She shouldn’t treat you like that. Uncle Daniel needs to hear it.”

I knew I couldn’t stop him. His eyes carried the same fire his father once had when he believed in something deeply.

I sighed, then whispered, “Okay.”

The Speech That Stopped the Room

We walked back inside just as the emcee invited guests to give toasts. Noah squeezed my hand, then marched to the stage.

The emcee looked puzzled when Noah tugged on his sleeve. After a pause, he handed him the microphone.

The room grew quiet. My heart raced.