Eat that mess yourself: how my sister embarrassed me in front of everyone over a cake
Elodie had neatly styled her hair, slipped into her fanciest dress and, after a light spritz of perfume, headed to her older sister Camilles birthday. In her hands she carried a carefully wrapped box containing a cake, hoping it would be a pleasant surprise and soften their strained relationship. When she arrived at the fifthfloor apartment, Elodie rang twice. The door opened and Camilleradiant in a fresh robe, her curls perfectcheered:
Is this for me?! Its my birthday, you didnt forget, did you?
Of course its for you,Elodie replied calmly, handing over the box.
Camille took the cake, lifted the lid and peered inside. Awe quickly turned into suspicion on her face.
Did you bake this?
Yes,Elodie answered with a slight hesitation.
Are you sure? Camille furrowed her brows, turning the box over. Whats it made of?
Are we really going to talk about the recipe, or should we join the guests?Elodie tried to dodge.
But it was already too late. Camille sensed something was offand she had reason. Three days earlier she had called her sister in tears:
I broke a nail and argued with Antoine. I have no desire for anything! Cancel the cake, cancel everything!
Elodie had taken the news philosophically and accepted an urgent order from a regular client. Yet that same afternoon Camille called back:
We made up! He gave me a gold bracelet! Ill be waiting at sevenpmwith the cake!
You had cancelled everythingElodie stammered.
Stop looking for excuses! Youre a baker, show me what you can do!
Elodie tried to explain that a cake couldnt be made in six hours, but Camille pressed on. She even phoned their mother, hoping for support:
Is it really that hard to please your own sister?her mother replied.
Realising she was on her own, Elodie improvised: she bought an unsold cake from a littleknown pastry chef also named Elodie (not her). It looked decent from the outside. The intention mattered, right? But Camille spotted the ruse instantly.
Elodie, come here!she shouted toward the kitchen.
A darkhaired woman with long hair appeared, and Elodie recognized her immediately.
Is this your cake?Camille asked icily.
Its mine. She sold it to me. So youre the legendary baker sister?the other Elodie sneered.
Elodie froze. The guests fell silent. Camille, lips pursed, ripped the lid off, shoved her finger into the frostingand flung it straight at her sisters face.
Eat that trash yourself!she spat. You didnt even bother to make anything yourself. Please, get out!
She shoved Elodie out the door before doing the same to the other baker, who, as she left, cursed the whole household and made an obscene gesture.
Outside, Elodie wiped her face with wipes and opened her phone. Dozens of messages from her mother waited:
You disgrace the family! Betraying your own sister! Are you ashamed?
She didnt reply, simply turned the screen off in silence. Yet the drama wasnt over.
The next day, Camille posted on social media: Dont even trust your sistershe brought me a storebought cake pretending it was hers. What a shame.
Elodie cried all morning. Then she pulled herself together. Not for them, but for herself. That day she made a vow: never bake another cake for the family. No more gestures of goodwill toward those who could crush you at any moment.
And for the first time in ages, she felt lighter. From now on, her life would contain only what is truly sweetno fakes, no hypocrisy, and no people who claim to be family.
Face the Mess Yourself: How My Sister Embarrassed Me in Front of Everyone Over a Cake
