Chapter 2: Don't Say His Name
Malik’s thumb hovered over the final line.
Nobody spoke.
Tiana stopped struggling.
The only sound was the faint hum of the air conditioner and Evelyn’s uneven breathing.
Malik stared down at the certificate.
“Tell me before I look.””
Tiana swallowed.
“There’s nothing to tell.””
His eyes lifted.
“You just tried to rip a legal document out of my hand in front of my entire family.””
“I panicked.””
“You panicked because?””
“I thought she was going to destroy everything.””
Evelyn’s voice cut through the room.
“She already did.””
Tiana whipped toward her.
“You don't know anything about me.””
“I know enough.””
Malik raised the certificate.
“Mom, where did you find this?””
Evelyn looked at Tiana.
“In her car.””
Tiana shook her head.
“No. You searched my car.””
“I opened the door because I thought you had left your vows inside.””
Malik looked between them.
“So you found it accidentally?””
Evelyn nodded.
“It was underneath the passenger seat.””
Tiana’s lips parted.
“That doesn't mean anything.””
Malik looked down again.
His thumb still covered the spouse’s name.
The officiant finally stepped away from the altar.
“Malik, perhaps we should take a moment.””
“No.””
His answer was immediate.
“I want the truth.””
Tiana’s eyes filled with tears.
“Malik, please.””
“Were you married three months ago?””
Silence.
He asked again.
“Were you?””
Tiana looked toward the guests.
Then back at him.
“Yes.””
A collective gasp rolled through the ceremony.
Malik stared at her.
“You said yes.””
“I was going to tell you.””
“When?””
“After the wedding.””
His face hardened.
“After the wedding?””
“I needed time.””
“You needed time to tell me you had a husband?””
Tiana wiped beneath one eye.
“He isn't part of my life anymore.””
Malik gave a bitter laugh.
“Then why is his name on a marriage certificate?””
“I said he's not part of my life.””
Evelyn stepped closer.
“Then say his name.””
Tiana turned sharply.
“Stop.””
“Say it.””
“Evelyn, stop!””
Malik looked at his mother.
“Why are you so certain this matters?””
Evelyn’s expression changed.
She glanced at the document.
Then at Malik.
“Because I recognized the date.””
Malik frowned.
“What does that mean?””
Tiana suddenly moved toward Evelyn.
“Don't.””
Evelyn stepped backward.
“You should have told him.””
Tiana’s voice cracked.
“You promised me.””
Malik’s eyes narrowed.
“You two made a promise?””
Neither woman answered.
He looked at Tiana.
“What promise?””
Tiana shook her head.
“This is getting twisted.””
“Then untwist it.””
“You're embarrassing me.””
Malik stared at her.
“You shoved my mother at our wedding.””
Tiana flinched.
“You're making me sound like a monster.””
“You haven't explained what happened.””
“I was scared.””
“Of what?””
Tiana looked toward the certificate.
“Of losing you.””
For a second, Malik’s anger softened.
Then he remembered the date.
Three months ago.
His wedding ring suddenly felt too tight.
He looked at the officiant.
“Did you know about this?””
The officiant raised both hands.
“No. I swear I didn't.””
Malik turned toward the guests.
His aunt covered her mouth.
His cousin stood beside the aisle with his phone lowered.
Nobody knew where to look.
Then Tiana whispered, “Malik, give me the certificate.””
“No.””
“Please.””
“No.””
“You don't understand.””
“Then explain it.””
“I can't.””
“Why?””
Tiana looked directly into his eyes.
“Because if you see the name, you're going to hate me.””
Evelyn shook her head.
“No, Tiana.””
Tiana stared at her.
Evelyn continued softly.
“He won't hate you for the name.””
She paused.
“He'll hate you for what you did after you learned who it belonged to.””
Malik froze.
“What did she do?””
Evelyn didn't answer.
Tiana closed her eyes.
“Malik…”
“What did you do?””
Before she could respond, a sharp vibration came from inside Tiana’s clutch.
Everyone heard it.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Tiana grabbed the clutch.
Malik caught her wrist.
“Who's calling?””
“Nobody.””
The phone vibrated again.
Malik looked down.
The screen was visible.
A single name appeared.
*UNKNOWN CALLER.*
Tiana’s face went white.
Evelyn whispered, “He's here.””
Malik slowly turned toward the entrance.
The massive wooden doors were still closed.
Then someone knocked.
Once.
Twice.
May you like
A third time.
And Tiana whispered, “Please don't open that door.””
