Chapter 2: The Paper
Malik’s thumb stopped halfway across the printed name.
He couldn't move it.
Not yet.
The wedding hall had become so quiet that he could hear Tiana breathing.
A chair creaked somewhere behind him.
Someone whispered, “Oh my God.””
Malik finally looked up.
“Tiana.””
She wiped a tear from beneath one eye.
“Please.””
“Don't say please.””
Her hand fell.
“I can explain.””
“Then explain.””
Evelyn stood beside him, clutching the edge of her lavender dress.
Tiana glanced at her.
“This is because of her.””
Malik's eyes hardened.
“Don't put this on my mother.””
“She has hated me since the day we met.””
“I didn't ask about that.””
“I’m telling you why this is happening.””
“No,” Malik said.
“You're telling me everything except what I asked.””
Tiana swallowed.
The sunlight falling through the windows made the tears on her cheeks shine.
“You don't understand.””
“Then make me understand.””
She took one step toward him.
“Malik, I love you.””
He stared at her.
“You knew about this?””
“I knew about something.””
His voice dropped.
“What does that mean?””
Tiana looked toward the guests.
“This isn't the place.””
Malik gave a bitter laugh.
“You're right. It isn't.””
He lifted the certificate.
“This is supposed to be our wedding day.””
Tiana’s eyes moved to the paper.
“I know.””
“And this says you've already been married.””
“I know what it says.””
“Then tell me why.””
She opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Evelyn stepped closer.
“She knew this day would come.””
Tiana spun around.
“Stop!””
Evelyn didn't flinch.
“You tried to make sure I wasn't here when my son found out.””
“I didn't!””
“You pushed me.””
“You wouldn't leave me alone!””
“I asked you one question.””
“You wouldn't stop!””
Malik looked at both women.
“What question?””
Silence.
“Tiana?””
She stared at the floor.
Evelyn answered.
“I asked her whether she was legally free to marry my son.””
Tiana closed her eyes.
Malik looked at the certificate again.
“You knew I was going to ask that?””
“I knew you deserved the truth.””
Tiana shook her head.
“No. You wanted to humiliate me.””
Evelyn's expression hardened.
“I brought one piece of paper.””
“You brought a weapon.””
“A weapon doesn't have a government seal on it,” Evelyn replied.
Several guests shifted uncomfortably.
Malik turned the certificate over.
Nothing.
He checked the date again.
Three months ago.
His wedding ring suddenly felt heavy.
He looked at Tiana.
“Three months?””
She nodded weakly.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“I was scared.””
“Of what?””
“You.””
Malik stepped back as if she'd slapped him.
“Of me?””
“Of losing you.””
“You were going to marry me while you were still married?””
“I thought I could fix it.””
“Fix what?””
Tiana's eyes filled again.
“I thought the marriage was finished.””
Evelyn immediately said, “Thought?””
Tiana snapped toward her.
“Yes. Thought.””
Malik's voice was barely above a whisper.
“Was it finished?””
Tiana didn't answer.
That was answer enough.
Malik looked toward the officiant.
The older Black minister stood beside the altar, still holding the wedding program in one hand.
“Reverend,” Malik said, “can you marry someone who is already married?””
The minister slowly lowered the program.
“Not legally.””
The guests erupted into whispers.
Tiana covered her face.
“No…”
Malik looked down at the certificate.
His thumb still covered the husband's name.
He started to move it again.
Tiana grabbed his wrist.
“Don't.””
Malik looked at her hand.
Then at her face.
“Why?””
“Because once you see it, everything changes.””
His eyes narrowed.
“That's already happened.””
Tiana released him.
Evelyn reached for Malik's shoulder.
“Son, there's something else you need to know.””
Tiana immediately stepped forward.
“Evelyn, don't.””
Malik looked between them.
“What else?””
Evelyn hesitated.
Then she looked directly into Tiana's eyes.
“The reason I found that certificate wasn't an accident.””
Tiana went pale.
Malik frowned.
“What does that mean?””
Evelyn tightened her grip on her clutch.
“I found it because someone wanted me to.””
Malik stared at her.
“Who?””
Before Evelyn could answer, a phone began ringing in the front row.
Everyone turned.
A guest reached into his jacket and looked at the screen.
Then his face changed.
“Malik…”
Malik turned.
“What?””
The guest stood slowly.
“You need to see who just sent this.””
Malik walked toward him.
But before he could take the phone, Tiana whispered behind him—
“Please don't.””
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And Malik realized she wasn't afraid of the certificate anymore.
She was afraid of the name.
