Chapter 4: The Other Groom
Marcus stared at the contract until the words blurred.
At the top, beneath the embossed gold seal of the wedding venue, were two names.
*Aaliyah Brooks.*
*Darius Coleman.*
His hand slowly lowered.
“What is this?””
Aaliyah covered her mouth.
Darius stood beside the table, frozen.
Evelyn's eyes filled with tears.
Marcus looked at each of them.
“I asked a simple question.””
No one answered.
He slapped the contract against the table.
“Why does this say Darius is the groom?””
Aaliyah finally whispered, “It isn't what it looks like.””
Marcus stared at her.
“That's the sentence people use when it looks exactly like it looks.””
“Marcus, please.””
“No.””
His voice cracked through the room.
“You don't get to say please anymore.””
Darius stepped forward.
“Marcus, let me explain.””
Marcus turned toward him.
“You've got thirty seconds.””
Darius swallowed.
“The contract was a mistake.””
“A mistake?””
“Yes.””
“You accidentally signed a marriage contract?””
“No. I mean—”
“Then choose your next words carefully.””
Darius looked at Aaliyah.
She nodded faintly.
Darius exhaled.
“The venue required a second signature for some of the financial arrangements.””
Marcus laughed.
“That's your explanation?””
“It wasn't a marriage certificate.””
Marcus grabbed the document.
“Then why does it say ‘Groom’?””
Darius had no answer.
Marcus flipped through the pages.
There were initials.
Dates.
Payment schedules.
A clause about cancellation fees.
And another section that made his blood run cold.
*Primary Financial Sponsor: Darius Coleman.*
Marcus looked up.
“You weren't just helping her.””
Darius said nothing.
“You were part of the wedding.””
Aaliyah began crying harder.
Marcus turned toward her.
“Were you planning to marry him?””
“No!””
“Then why was his name on this?””
“Because I needed his help.””
“For what?””
Aaliyah's eyes flickered toward her mother.
Marcus followed her gaze.
“Evelyn?””
Her mother looked down.
Marcus slowly shook his head.
“Don't tell me this was all for your mother.””
Aaliyah whispered, “It was.””
Marcus stepped backward.
He stared at the three people in front of him.
Then he noticed another line on the contract.
*Post-marriage residence: 814 Willow Creek Drive.*
He knew that address.
His father had owned the house years ago.
Marcus's chest tightened.
“That house…”
Aaliyah wiped her cheeks.
“Marcus—”
“Why is that address here?””
Darius stood.
“I think you should sit down.””
Marcus snapped his eyes toward him.
“Don't tell me what I should do.””
Darius raised both hands.
“Your father left that property in a trust.””
Marcus went completely still.
“What did you just say?””
Darius looked at Evelyn.
She closed her eyes.
Marcus turned toward her.
“My father?””
Evelyn whispered, “He didn't tell you everything.””
Marcus felt a strange pressure behind his ribs.
“My father died eight years ago.””
“I know.””
“What does his house have to do with my wedding?””
Evelyn said nothing.
Marcus stepped toward her.
“Answer me.””
She finally looked up.
“Your father left something for Aaliyah.””
Marcus stared at her.
“Aaliyah?””
“Yes.””
“How?””
Evelyn's voice trembled.
“Because your father promised her mother something.””
Marcus looked at Aaliyah.
“What promise?””
Aaliyah shook her head.
“I didn't know how to tell you.””
“You've had months.””
“I was afraid.””
“Afraid of what?””
She began crying again.
Marcus was almost numb now.
Then his phone buzzed.
A message.
From an unknown number.
*You are asking the wrong question.*
Marcus stared at the screen.
Another message appeared.
*Don't marry Aaliyah.*
His blood ran cold.
A third message arrived.
*Ask Evelyn what happened the night your father died.*
Marcus slowly raised his eyes.
Evelyn had seen the messages.
Her face collapsed.
Marcus's voice became barely audible.
“What happened the night my father died?””
Evelyn stepped backward.
Darius whispered, “Marcus…”
But Marcus didn't look at him.
He looked only at Evelyn.
May you like
She opened her mouth.
And before she could speak, the lights in the house suddenly went out.
