The remaining guests were gradually informed of the situation. Some were understanding, others awkwardly tried to navigate the social intricacies of the unexpected turn of events. But regardless of their reactions, one thing was clear: my father’s support anchored me in the storm that had erupted out of nowhere.

In the following days, my family and close friends were a fortress, shielding me from the social media storm that Dylan seemed to embrace. The video did go viral, but not for the reasons he had hoped. Public sympathy largely sided with me, condemning the lack of respect and the underlying issues the act revealed.