I listened as the representative confirmed that a transfer request had been submitted using paperwork bearing Loretta’s signature. The request was under review, and the bank had flagged it because the destination account did not match the beneficiary information on file.

“Has any money moved?”” I asked.

“Not at this time, sir. The transfer is being held pending verification.””

I exhaled for the first time in several minutes.

“Please freeze any pending transactions and document this call. My mother will visit a branch with identification and independent legal assistance.””

The representative confirmed the instructions.

I ended the call.

Simone stepped toward me.

“See? Nothing happened. The money is still there.””

I stared at her.

“You tried to transfer it.””

“I was going to put it back!””

“From where?””

She had no answer.

I looked at Patricia.

“Did you know about the transfer?””

Her eyes flickered toward Simone.

That was enough to tell me there was more.

“I asked you a question,” I said.

Patricia straightened her shoulders.

“I knew Simone was trying to help the family.””

“Which family?””

She looked at the guests, then at the security monitor.

Finally, she said, “Our family has debts.””

Simone’s eyes widened.

“Mom, shut up.””

Patricia ignored her.

“Your wedding was supposed to solve several problems. Simone told us you had agreed to help us financially after the ceremony.””

I felt as if someone had opened a door beneath my feet.

“I never agreed to that.””

“I know that now.””

“No. You knew that before today.””

Patricia lowered her gaze.

A guest near the windows began recording on her phone.

Simone noticed and pointed at her.

“Put that away!””

The guest didn’t move.

I looked toward the ballroom entrance.

“Marcus, please escort anyone who wants to leave to the lobby. Preserve all recordings. Nobody deletes anything.””

Marcus nodded.

Simone reached for my hand.

“Andre, please. Don’t destroy our lives over a misunderstanding.””

I pulled away.

“You tried to take my mother’s savings, then stole the one thing she wears to remember my father.””

“I said I was sorry!””

“No, Simone. You said you were sorry because I caught you.””

Her mouth opened.

Nothing came out.

I turned toward the wedding planner, who stood near the flower arrangements with a clipboard pressed to her chest.

“Cancel the ceremony.””

Her eyes widened.

“Are you certain?””

I looked at the white aisle, the flowers, and the empty space where I was supposed to stand beside Simone and promise to love her forever.

“Yes.””

Simone made a small, broken sound.

Then Marcus’s phone rang again.

He checked the screen and looked at me with a frown.

“Mr. Brooks, there’s one more thing. The bank has sent a copy of the authorization documents to your mother’s email.””

He hesitated.

“The account transfer isn’t the only request on the paperwork.””

I stepped closer.

“What else did she sign?””

Marcus looked at Loretta.

Then he read the final line on the document.

“An application to change the legal owner of the account.””

My mother covered her mouth.

And Simone whispered, “That wasn’t supposed to be in there.””