Chapter 3: Three Months
Malik didn't take the phone.
He looked at Tiana instead.
“Why are you afraid of the name?””
Tiana's mouth trembled.
“I’m not.””
“You just begged me not to look.””
“I begged you because you don't know everything.””
“Then tell me.””
She shook her head.
“I can't.””
Malik laughed once, but there was no humor in it.
“You can't?””
The guest holding the phone stepped closer.
“I got a message,” he said.
Malik held out his hand.
“Let me see.””
The guest hesitated.
Evelyn spoke quietly.
“Give it to him.””
The phone changed hands.
Malik looked at the screen.
One message.
No greeting.
No explanation.
Just four words.
*ASK HER ABOUT THREE MONTHS.*
Malik stared at it.
Then looked at the certificate.
The date printed beneath the signatures suddenly seemed louder than everything else in the room.
Three months ago.
He turned toward Tiana.
“What happened three months ago?””
Tiana's face crumpled.
“Malik…”
“Answer me.””
“I was going through something.””
“What kind of something?””
“Something personal.””
“You've had months to tell me.””
“I was going to.””
“When?””
She said nothing.
Malik walked closer.
“You picked a wedding date.””
“I know.””
“You ordered a dress.””
“I know.””
“You invited my family.””
“I know.””
“You stood in front of everyone I love.””
Her tears spilled.
“I know.””
“And you never told me you had a husband.””
Tiana looked away.
Evelyn stepped forward.
“That isn't the worst part.””
Malik turned.
“What is?””
Evelyn opened her clutch again.
Tiana immediately shook her head.
“No.””
Evelyn pulled out a second item.
Not another certificate.
A small photograph.
Malik stared at it.
“What's that?””
“Something else I found in the car.””
Tiana moved toward her.
“Give it to me.””
Evelyn held it away.
“No.””
“You have no right!””
“Maybe not,” Evelyn said.
“But my son has every right to know.””
Malik took the photograph.
It showed Tiana.
The same face.
The same woman.
But she wasn't wearing a wedding gown.
She stood beside someone whose face had been cut out of the picture.
Malik turned it over.
There was writing on the back.
*THREE MONTHS AGO.*
His fingers tightened.
“Tiana.””
She whispered, “Please.””
“Who took this?””
“I don't know.””
“Who's standing beside you?””
“I said I don't know.””
“You expect me to believe that?””
She shook her head violently.
“I don't expect anything anymore.””
The minister stepped away from the altar.
“Malik, perhaps we should stop the ceremony.””
Malik didn't look at him.
“We already stopped it.””
The minister lowered his eyes.
Tiana walked closer.
“I never wanted this to happen.””
Malik looked at her.
“What didn't you want?””
“This.””
She gestured around the room.
“The wedding falling apart. Everyone finding out. Your mother…”
Her voice broke.
“My mother?”” Malik asked.
Tiana wiped her cheeks.
“I knew she would never let me marry you.””
Evelyn's eyes narrowed.
“You're still making this about me.””
“You knew.””
“Knew what?””
Tiana stared at her.
“You knew who he was.””
The room went silent.
Malik slowly turned toward Evelyn.
“Who?””
Evelyn's face changed.
For the first time that morning, she looked afraid.
Tiana covered her mouth.
Malik stepped closer to his mother.
“Mom.””
Evelyn didn't answer.
“Who are you talking about?””
Still nothing.
Malik looked down at the certificate.
His thumb covered the final portion of the husband's name.
He moved it slightly.
One letter appeared.
Then another.
His eyes widened.
Tiana whispered, “Don't.””
Malik looked at her.
“Why?””
She backed away.
“Because you’re not ready.””
“For what?””
Tiana's shoulders shook.
“For the truth.””
Malik slowly uncovered more of the name.
Evelyn closed her eyes.
A guest near the altar whispered, “No way…”
Malik stared at the paper.
Then at his mother.
Then back at Tiana.
His voice came out almost inaudible.
“Mom…”
Evelyn opened her eyes.
Malik moved his thumb one final inch—
And suddenly the church doors slammed open behind them.
Everyone turned.
A man stood in the doorway.
May you like
Tiana saw him.
Her face went completely white.
