Chapter 6: The Guest on the List
The man holding the phone lowered it slowly.
The wedding guests stared at him.
Marcus stood several feet away, his expression unreadable.
“Brielle invited you?””
The man looked uncomfortable.
“Yes.””
“Why?””
The man glanced at Brielle.
That glance said everything.
She knew him.
Marcus turned toward her.
“Who is he?””
Brielle didn’t answer.
Evelyn watched closely.
“Marcus.””
He raised his hand.
“No.””
His voice was calm.
Almost too calm.
“I need her to answer.””
Brielle swallowed.
The man stepped forward.
“My name is Andre.””
Marcus looked at him.
“Last name?””
Andre hesitated.
“Cole.””
Brielle closed her eyes.
Marcus noticed.
Another reaction.
Another secret.
“Do you know her too?””
Andre nodded.
“Yes.””
“How?””
Andre looked at Daniel.
Then at Brielle.
“I was there when everything happened.””
The guests became restless.
Marcus looked exhausted.
“How many people know about this?””
Nobody answered.
That was the answer.
He laughed quietly.
“My wedding has turned into a courtroom.””
Daniel spoke softly.
“Marcus, I know this is overwhelming.””
“No,” Marcus said.
He looked at Daniel.
“You don’t.””
Then he looked at Brielle.
“You don’t either.””
His eyes moved across the garden.
“All of you knew something about my life that I didn’t.””
Brielle’s face softened.
“Marcus, I never wanted to hurt you.””
He looked at her.
“Intent doesn’t erase damage.””
The words stayed in the air.
Brielle looked down.
For the first time, she had no argument.
Andre held his phone.
“I didn’t come here to embarrass you.””
Marcus looked at him.
“Then why are you here?””
Andre took a breath.
“Because I received a message.””
“From who?””
Andre looked at Brielle.
Her face changed.
Marcus noticed immediately.
“From her?””
Andre nodded.
“She asked me to come.””
The entire garden erupted with whispers.
Marcus stared at Brielle.
“You invited him?””
She shook her head quickly.
“No. Not like that.””
“Then like what?””
She struggled to answer.
Andre looked at Marcus.
“She wanted someone here who could confirm her story.””
Marcus frowned.
“What story?””
Andre looked uncomfortable.
“The story that Daniel was dangerous.””
Daniel immediately looked angry.
“That’s a lie.””
Brielle looked at him.
“You scared me.””
Daniel’s face changed.
“After everything?””
Marcus looked between them.
“What happened?””
Nobody spoke.
Then Andre slowly said:
“Daniel and Brielle’s marriage ended after a fight.””
Marcus looked at Daniel.
“What kind of fight?””
Andre hesitated.
“A fight where the police were called.””
The guests gasped.
Brielle looked relieved.
“There.””
She pointed at Daniel.
“You see?””
But Daniel shook his head.
“No.””
His voice was controlled.
“You don’t get to tell only half of that story.””
Marcus looked at him.
“Then tell the whole thing.””
Daniel looked down.
Then back up.
“I was angry.””
The honesty surprised everyone.
“I said things I regret.””
He paused.
“But I never hurt her.””
Brielle looked away.
Andre spoke quietly.
“That’s true.””
Everyone turned toward him.
Marcus frowned.
“You’re defending him?””
Andre shook his head.
“I’m saying what happened.””
The garden became silent.
Marcus looked at Brielle.
“You brought someone here to prove he was the villain.””
She said nothing.
“But he’s not the only one with something to explain.””
Brielle’s eyes filled with tears.
“Marcus…”
He stepped back.
“I don’t know who you are anymore.””
That sentence hurt her more than anger.
A sudden breeze moved across the lawn.
The legal papers in Marcus’s hand lifted slightly.
One page slipped free.
It landed near the wedding table.
Evelyn walked toward it.
She picked it up.
Then stopped.
Her face changed.
“Marcus.””
Everyone looked at her.
“What?””
Evelyn stared at the page.
“This isn’t the divorce agreement.””
Daniel stepped closer.
“What?””
Evelyn turned the paper around.
The writing was clear.
Official.
Impossible to misunderstand.
Marcus looked down.
And read the title.
His blood ran cold.
Because the document wasn’t about ending Brielle’s old marriage.
It was about something she had done after meeting him.
Something that happened before their wedding day.
Something that meant the secret was much bigger than a hidden husband.
And at the bottom of the page was a signature.
May you like
A signature Marcus recognized.
His own.
