She walked right up to them, voice steady and kind but firm. “A gift,” she said, “is something offered, not demanded. When you ask someone to create from their skill, you respect the work they do. That’s love, too.” The room went quiet. Adam’s expression softened; Chelsea looked away. A few minutes later, he came back and handed me an envelope. “You’re right,” he said quietly. “Thank you—for more than just the cake.”

Driving home that evening, I felt something sweeter than frosting settle in my heart—peace. I realized that valuing your work doesn’t mean loving your family less. It means loving yourself enough to stand by what you’ve built. That cake wasn’t just for their wedding—it was the moment I finally learned the difference between doing something out of love and letting love be taken for granted.