The next week, I went to see Mom on my own.

I didn't tell her anything. I couldn't. I didn't know anything.

I just said, “Mom, three hundred thousand dollars is everything you and Dad have. Your whole retirement. Could you ask Dad to wait? Just a few months? Until after the wedding? Just to be safe?”

Mom frowned. “Is this about Dan? Kelsey says he's jealous.”

“Mom, when has Dan ever been jealous of anything in his life?”

She thought about it.

“He's never even been jealous of the neighbor's lawn,” she admitted.

“Exactly.”

Mom was quiet for a moment. Then she nodded.

“I'll talk to your father,” she said. “He listens to me about money. Mostly.”

She did. Dad grumbled. But he agreed to wait until after the wedding.

When Tristan found out, he was furious. He didn't show it to Mom and Dad. But that night, he posted in the family group chat.

A meme. A picture of a sloth in a cardigan, with the words: Dan when he sees a number bigger than 100.

Kelsey sent five laughing faces.

Dan read it, put his phone face down on the kitchen table, and went to bed.