Chapter 6: The Man Who Was Supposed to Be Dead
The wedding doors swung inward.
A man stood beneath the bright daylight.
Black.
Tall.
Wearing a charcoal suit.
His face was thinner than the photograph.
Older.
But unmistakable.
Tiana stopped breathing.
Jordan whispered, “Marcus.””
Malik looked at him.
“You know him?””
Jordan didn't answer.
The man stepped inside.
Every guest turned toward him.
Evelyn rose from her chair.
Her hand flew to her mouth.
“Oh, my God.””
Marcus looked directly at her.
“Hello, Evelyn.””
She nearly collapsed.
Malik caught her.
“Mom?””
Evelyn stared at Marcus as though she were seeing a ghost.
“You can't be here.””
Marcus smiled without warmth.
“I've been here.””
Tiana began backing away.
Marcus watched her.
“You didn't think I'd come?””
Tiana shook her head.
“I thought you were dead.””
“I wanted you to.””
Jordan stepped between Marcus and Tiana.
“Don't come any closer.””
Marcus looked at him.
“You still playing husband?””
Jordan's jaw tightened.
“Leave her alone.””
Marcus laughed.
“You married my wife?””
Malik's head snapped toward Jordan.
“Your wife?””
Marcus looked at Tiana.
“She was mine first.””
Tiana shouted, “That's not true!””
Marcus pulled a folded document from his pocket.
“Then let's show him.””
Malik stepped forward.
“What is that?””
“A divorce order.””
Marcus handed it to him.
Malik unfolded it.
His eyes scanned the page.
Then he looked up.
“This says the marriage between you and Tiana was dissolved.””
Marcus nodded.
“Six months ago.””
Malik frowned.
“Then why did you call her your wife?””
“Because legally, she isn't.””
He looked at Tiana.
“But she knows what she promised me.””
Tiana shook her head.
“I never promised you anything.””
Marcus smiled.
“You promised you'd keep the baby away from me.””
The room exploded with whispers.
Malik went still.
“The baby is yours?””
Tiana covered her face.
Marcus answered.
“Yes.””
Jordan closed his eyes.
Evelyn whispered, “Oh, Tiana.””
Malik looked at Tiana.
“You knew.””
“I knew.””
“You told me you didn't know.””
“I was scared.””
“You married Jordan because of Marcus.””
“No.””
Marcus laughed.
“She married Jordan because she needed him to sign a statement saying I had no rights.””
Malik turned toward Jordan.
“Is that true?””
Jordan nodded slowly.
“Yes.””
“Why?””
“Because Marcus was dangerous.””
Marcus smiled.
“Careful.””
Jordan ignored him.
“He had been arrested before. Tiana believed he would hurt the baby.””
Marcus's expression hardened.
“I never touched her.””
“You threatened her.””
“I told her I'd take my child.””
Tiana stepped forward.
“You said you'd ruin me.””
“You ruined yourself.””
Malik looked at Marcus.
“If the divorce was final six months ago, why is this certificate from three months ago?””
Nobody answered.
Malik looked at the document again.
Then at Tiana.
Then Jordan.
His eyes narrowed.
“This isn't a marriage certificate.””
Tiana froze.
Malik turned the paper over.
The seal was wrong.
The wording was different.
He looked at Evelyn.
“Mom?””
Evelyn's expression changed.
“Malik…”
“What is this?””
Jordan stepped forward.
“It's a copy.””
“Of what?””
“A fraudulent certificate.””
Malik stared at Tiana.
“You forged this?””
“No!””
Marcus shook his head.
“She didn't forge it.””
Everyone looked at him.
Marcus continued.
“Jordan did.””
Jordan's face went pale.
Malik slowly turned.
“Did you?””
Jordan didn't speak.
“Did you forge a marriage certificate?””
“I was trying to protect her.””
“You lied to me too?””
“I didn't know you'd ever see it.””
Malik's voice dropped.
“You created a fake marriage certificate so Tiana could pretend she was still married?””
Jordan nodded.
“Yes.””
Tiana began crying.
“I asked him to help me.””
Malik stared at both of them.
“And my mother found it.””
Evelyn nodded.
“I found the fake certificate.””
Malik looked at Marcus.
“Then why did you come here?””
Marcus reached inside his jacket.
This time, he pulled out a small envelope.
“I didn't come for Tiana.””
He handed it to Malik.
“I came for you.””
Malik took the envelope.
“What is this?””
“Something your mother should have shown you years ago.””
Evelyn's face collapsed.
“Marcus, don't.””
Malik looked at her.
“Years ago?””
Marcus nodded.
“She knows.””
Malik opened the envelope.
Inside was a faded photograph.
A hospital room.
Evelyn standing beside a newborn baby.
Marcus standing beside her.
And a handwritten date.
*Thirty years ago.*
Malik stared at the photograph.
Then his eyes moved to the baby.
He looked at Evelyn.
“Mom…”
Evelyn began shaking her head.
Marcus spoke quietly.
“That baby wasn't you.””
Malik's fingers tightened around the photograph.
“Then who was it?””
Marcus looked at Evelyn.
May you like
She whispered,
“Malik, there is something I should have told you before you ever met Tiana.””
