Chapter 1: The Shove
Tiana Brooks was supposed to be walking toward the altar.
Instead, she shoved Malik’s mother hard enough to make an entire wedding congregation gasp.
Evelyn’s lavender dress swayed as her heels slipped against the polished wooden floor. Her silver-gray bun stayed perfectly in place, but the small clutch in her hand flew sideways.
“Mom!””
Malik moved before anyone else could.
He caught Evelyn around the waist just as she lost her balance, pulling her against his chest.
Then he looked at his bride.
“What are you doing?!””
The question cracked through the bright ceremony hall.
White flowers framed the altar behind Tiana. Sunlight poured through tall windows. Rows of Black family members and friends sat frozen in their chairs, some with hands over their mouths, others already standing.
Tiana’s chest rose and fell beneath the white beaded gown.
Her tiara was slightly crooked.
She pointed at Evelyn.
“She was trying to ruin our wedding!””
Malik stared at her.
“You just put your hands on my mother.””
“She came at me!””
“I saw what happened,” Malik said.
Tiana’s eyes flashed.
“No, you saw the last second.””
Evelyn slowly straightened herself.
Malik kept one arm around her.
“Are you hurt?”” he asked.
“I’m all right,” Evelyn whispered.
A woman in the front row stood.
“Evelyn, sit down before you fall.””
“I’m fine,” Evelyn said.
Her voice was quiet.
Too quiet.
Malik looked from his mother to Tiana.
“What happened?””
Tiana shook her head.
“Nothing happened. She’s been trying to sabotage this wedding all morning.””
Evelyn looked at her son.
“Ask her why she wanted me gone.””
The room seemed to shrink.
Malik slowly turned toward Tiana.
“What does that mean?””
Tiana’s lips parted.
“Don’t listen to her.””
“Why not?””
“Because she doesn't want you to marry me.””
Evelyn gave a small, humorless laugh.
“I wanted my son to marry the woman he loves.””
Tiana’s face tightened.
“You never accepted me.””
“I accepted you enough to give you the benefit of the doubt.””
Malik frowned.
“What are you two talking about?””
Neither woman answered.
From somewhere behind Malik, a guest whispered, “This wedding is over.””
Tiana heard it.
Her eyes filled with tears.
“This is exactly what she wanted.””
Malik’s jaw clenched.
“You’re not answering me.””
Evelyn reached for her clutch.
Tiana immediately noticed.
Her expression changed.
It happened so quickly that Malik almost missed it.
Fear.
Real fear.
Evelyn opened the small lavender clutch with trembling fingers.
“Tiana,” Malik said, “what is in there?””
“Nothing,” Tiana answered.
Evelyn pulled out a folded document.
Tiana stepped forward.
“No.””
Malik looked at her.
“No what?””
“Give me that.””
Evelyn held the paper against her chest.
“You need to see this.””
Tiana’s breathing became faster.
“Evelyn, please.””
Malik looked at his mother.
“Mom?””
Evelyn extended the document toward him.
“I found this in her car.””
A murmur rolled through the guests.
Tiana shook her head.
“You went through my car?””
“I was looking for something else.””
“What were you looking for?””
Evelyn didn't answer.
Malik took the folded paper.
Tiana moved closer.
“Malik, don't.””
He looked down.
“Why shouldn't I?””
“Because she's lying.””
Evelyn's voice cut through the room.
“Open it.””
Malik unfolded the document.
His eyes moved across the page.
Then stopped.
The color drained from his face.
At the top were bold letters:
*MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE.*
His fingers tightened around the paper.
Bride: *Tiana Brooks.*
His eyes dropped to the spouse's name.
His thumb covered most of it.
His breathing changed.
Tiana reached for his arm.
“Malik…”
He pulled away.
“You’re already married?””
A collective gasp swept through the ceremony.
Tiana lunged for the document.
Evelyn stepped between them.
“Look at the husband’s name.””
Malik stared at the paper.
May you like
Slowly, he began moving his thumb.
And every person in the room leaned forward.
