Chapter 3
I found Tasha near the champagne table.
She was laughing with two of my bridesmaids as though my wedding hadn't just collapsed.
When she saw me approaching, her smile faded.
"Nia?"
I grabbed her wrist.
"We need to talk."
She pulled away.
"Don't start acting crazy."
I lowered my voice.
"What financing agreement did you arrange?"
Her expression changed.
"What?"
"The wedding planner mentioned a loan."
Tasha looked toward the exit.
I stepped in front of her.
"Answer me."
She sighed.
"Can we not do this here?"
I stared at her.
"You told me you handled the final payments."
"I did."
"Using Evelyn's information?"
Tasha's eyes narrowed.
"Your stepmother offered to pay for the wedding."
"That doesn't mean she authorized a loan!"
Tasha folded her arms.
"You're being dramatic."
I felt sick.
Those were the same words I had used whenever Evelyn asked me to reconsider an expensive purchase.
The realization made my chest tighten.
I took a breath.
"Did Evelyn sign anything?"
Tasha hesitated.
"She signed paperwork."
"What paperwork?"
"Forms."
"What forms?"
She looked away.
My stomach dropped.
"Tasha."
She snapped, "I was trying to help you!"
The words echoed across the ballroom.
Several guests turned.
I stepped closer.
"How much money?"
She didn't answer.
"How much did you borrow?"
Tasha swallowed.
"Thirty thousand."
I felt the room tilt.
"Thirty thousand dollars?"
She grabbed my arm.
"Keep your voice down!"
I pulled away.
"Whose name is on the loan?"
She stared at me.
Then she whispered, "Evelyn's."
I couldn't breathe.
For several seconds, all I could hear was the music playing softly in the empty ceremony area.
Thirty thousand dollars.
My stepmother had already given me fifty-eight thousand from selling her home.
Now there was another thirty-thousand-dollar obligation in her name.
I looked at Tasha.
"Did she agree?"
Tasha opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
My heart stopped.
"You forged her signature."
She shook her head.
"I used the signature she gave us on the vendor forms."
I stared at her.
"You copied it?"
She began crying.
"Nia, listen."
I stepped backward.
"Oh, my God."
Tasha grabbed my hand.
"We can fix it."
"How?"
"The wedding gifts will cover part of it."
I stared at her.
"You planned to pay a loan with wedding gifts?"
She nodded.
"And Marcus has money."
My stomach twisted.
"Marcus didn't know."
"He doesn't need to know every little detail."
I stepped away.
For months, Tasha had encouraged my most expensive decisions.
When I hesitated about the gown, she told me I deserved it.
When the flowers exceeded the budget, she said people would talk if I settled for less.
When Evelyn suggested a smaller reception, Tasha laughed and called her old-fashioned.
Now I understood why.
Tasha wasn't simply helping me plan a wedding.
She was controlling the money.
And I had been too proud to ask questions.
I rushed toward the hallway.
Marcus stood near the entrance speaking with the venue manager.
He looked exhausted.
When he saw me, his expression hardened.
"Nia."
I stopped.
"Please listen."
He sighed.
"I don't know what else there is to say."
"There's a loan."
His expression changed.
"What?"
"A thirty-thousand-dollar loan in Evelyn's name."
Marcus went completely still.
I continued.
"Tasha arranged it. I didn't know."
He stared at me.
"Is Evelyn aware?"
I shook my head.
"I don't think so."
His face tightened.
"Where is Tasha?"
"Inside."
Marcus immediately took out his phone.
"We need to contact the lender and an attorney."
I nodded.
For once, I didn't argue.
We found Evelyn sitting in a quiet lounge.
She had changed into a cardigan someone brought from her coat.
Her eyes were swollen.
When I entered, she tried to stand.
"Nia, honey."
I felt tears rising.
"Please stay seated."
She looked confused.
Marcus sat beside her.
"Evelyn, we need to ask you something."
She nodded.
"Of course."
He took a breath.
"Did you authorize a thirty-thousand-dollar loan for the wedding?"
Her expression went blank.
"What loan?"
My knees weakened.
Marcus looked toward me.
The truth was suddenly undeniable.
Evelyn had never agreed.
I crouched before her.
"I'm so sorry."
She stared at me.
"What happened?"
I explained everything.
The planner.
The declined payment.
Tasha.
The copied signature.
The thirty-thousand-dollar debt.
Evelyn listened without interrupting.
Then she began shaking.
"I didn't sign a loan."
I took her hands.
"I know."
"I don't have that kind of money."
Tears filled my eyes.
"I know."
She looked at Marcus.
"Will they take what little I have left?"
His expression softened.
"We're going to challenge the loan. You aren't responsible for agreeing to something you never authorized."
Evelyn began crying.
I stared at her.
For the first time, I saw how frightened she was.
Not simply hurt.
Frightened.
She was almost seventy.
She had sold her home.
She was renting a tiny room.
And now someone had placed another debt in her name.
All because I wanted a wedding that looked expensive.
I lowered my head.
"Evelyn, I didn't know about the loan."
She touched my cheek.
"I believe you."
I began sobbing.
"But I knew about the house."
She said nothing.
"I knew you gave me too much."
My voice cracked.
"And I took it anyway."
Evelyn's eyes filled.
I continued.
"I let you sacrifice everything, and then I was ashamed to stand beside you."
I covered my face.
"What's wrong with me?"
She reached toward me.
I pulled away gently.
"Please don't comfort me."
She froze.
I looked at her.
"You shouldn't have to make me feel better about what I did to you."
Marcus watched silently.
For the first time that day, he didn't look angry.
He looked sad.
I stood.
"I'm going to help fix this."
Evelyn shook her head.
"Nia, you don't have to—"
"Yes, I do."
I turned toward Marcus.
"Can you help us find someone who handles financial fraud?"
He nodded.
"Yes."
Then the ballroom doors opened.
Tasha appeared with her handbag.
She stopped when she saw us.
Her eyes moved toward Evelyn.
Then Marcus.
Then me.
I stepped forward.
"Don't leave."
Tasha's face tightened.
"Nia, move."
I shook my head.
"We need your cooperation."
She laughed bitterly.
"Over one little loan?"
Marcus stared at her.
"Thirty thousand dollars isn't little."
Tasha's expression changed.
He continued.
"And using someone's signature without permission is serious."
She looked toward the exit again.
Then she said something that made my stomach drop.
"You think that was the only paperwork?"
I froze.
"What?"
Tasha smiled nervously.
May you like
Then she whispered, "You really should have checked the wedding accounts before accusing me."
And I realized there might be more than one financial betrayal hiding beneath the flowers.
