Chapter 1: The Certificate
Tiana Brooks was supposed to be walking down the aisle toward the man she loved.
Instead, she was standing in front of two hundred wedding guests, both hands pressed against Malik’s mother, shoving her backward.
Evelyn stumbled.
Her lavender dress caught against the edge of a wooden chair, her small clutch slipped from her fingers, and a gasp ripped through the ceremony.
“Mom!””
Malik crossed the polished floor in three strides.
He caught Evelyn around the waist just before she hit the ground.
Her silver-gray bun stayed perfectly in place, but her hands trembled against his tuxedo jacket.
Malik looked at his mother.
Then he looked at Tiana.
His expression changed.
“What are you doing?!””
Nobody moved.
The warm daylight pouring through the tall windows suddenly seemed painfully bright. White flowers framed the altar. The wedding music had stopped. Even the officiant stood frozen with his hands clasped in front of him.
Tiana’s chest rose and fell beneath her beaded gown.
“She was trying to ruin our wedding!”” Tiana snapped.
Malik tightened his arm around Evelyn.
“You shoved my mother.””
“She came at me first!””
Evelyn slowly straightened.
“I did no such thing.””
Tiana pointed at her.
“You knew exactly what you were doing.””
Evelyn looked at Malik.
“Son, ask her why she wanted me gone.””
Malik’s eyes narrowed.
“Why did you want my mother gone?””
Tiana’s confidence disappeared for half a second.
Then she forced a smile.
“Malik, don’t listen to her.””
His jaw flexed.
“Answer me.””
“Not here.””
“Here is exactly where you should answer.””
A murmur moved through the guests.
Someone whispered, “What is happening?””
Another voice answered, “I don't know.””
Evelyn bent down.
Her clutch was lying near the first row.
She picked it up.
Tiana immediately stepped forward.
“Evelyn, don't.””
Malik noticed.
“Don't what?””
Evelyn opened the clutch.
Her fingers disappeared inside.
Tiana’s face drained of color.
“Please,” Tiana whispered.
Evelyn pulled out a folded official document.
She held it between two fingers.
“I found this in her car.””
Malik stared at the paper.
Tiana shook her head.
“You went through my car?””
“I found it in plain sight.””
“Give it to me.””
“No.””
“Tiana,” Malik said quietly, “what is that?””
She looked at him.
For the first time that morning, she looked genuinely afraid.
“It's nothing.””
Evelyn handed it to Malik.
His fingers closed around the document.
The paper felt heavier than it should have.
He unfolded it.
His eyes moved across the page.
Then stopped.
*MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE*
Bride: *Tiana Brooks*
Spouse: *[covered by Malik’s thumb]*
Date: *THREE MONTHS AGO*
Malik stopped breathing.
The room disappeared around him.
“Tiana…”
She took one desperate step forward.
Malik looked up.
“You're already married?””
Tiana lunged for the certificate.
Malik pulled it against his chest.
Evelyn caught Tiana’s wrist.
“Look at the husband’s name.””
May you like
Malik slowly moved his thumb away.
And every person in the room leaned forward.
