“Your assets are protected,” he said. “The trust was completed three months ago. Marriage would not grant him access to the business holdings.”

“I know.”

“What about the wedding contracts?”

“They’re all under Mercer Data Systems, except the add-ons my parents requested.” Elias began typing. Months earlier, Dad had insisted his real-estate firm appear as a co-host on the venue agreement — clients would notice the family name on the event materials, he said.

The venue had required him to sign a secondary guarantee covering the upgrades he personally requested. Imported flowers. A premium bar. Extra guest tables.

A private brunch the next morning. I had agreed because I never imagined the guarantee would matter. Now it did.