Nobody defended me.

Dad leaned back.

“Claire wanted people there who’ve actually been part of her life.”

My throat tightened.

For six years, I had paid Claire’s health insurance while she freelanced.

After her breakup in 2022, I covered three months of her rent.

When Ryan started his construction company, I personally guaranteed his business credit line because Dad refused.

Nobody mentioned any of that.

Dad continued.

“Sometimes people need to understand where they stand.”

That did it.

I looked around the table.

Uncle Mark.

Aunt Susan.

My cousins.

Mom.

Claire.

Ryan.

Every one of them had known about the wedding.

Every one had attended.

Some had even posted photos while ignoring my messages.

Then Ryan whispered something to Claire.

She smiled.

Dad smiled too.

Something inside me went completely calm.

I stood.

Dad raised an eyebrow.

“Leaving already?”

“No.”

I took out my phone.

Ryan suddenly looked nervous.

I opened the banking app connected to Mercer Development Holdings, the company I had built over nine years while my family continued telling people Dad had “helped me get started.”

Then I looked directly at Claire.

“I’m canceling every dollar keeping all of you afloat.”

Dad’s smile disappeared first.

Ryan shot to his feet.

“What does that mean?”

I turned my phone toward him.

“It means your company’s credit guarantee ends Monday.”

Claire went pale.

Then Dad’s expression changed.

Unlike Claire, he immediately understood that Ryan wasn’t the only person at the table whose lifestyle depended on my signature.

“The house,” Mom whispered.