Page 364 of Kentrell

Before heading to her seat on the front row—right where her daddy, Oshon, was posted on the bride’s side—she paused, threw her little arms around my waist, and hugged me tight.

I laughed, patting her back.

“Aye…”

Wani leaned in close, dropping his voice low.

“Put these eye drops in yo eyes.” He slipped a tiny bottle out his inside pocket, still whispering. “So you can cry… make it look good for the cameras.”

I cut my eyes over at him, smirking like the fool he was.

The folks on the first two rows caught the whole exchange and laughed low enough to keep from drawing too much attention.

“Get back, Jack.” I said under my breath, brushing him off as he straightened up—just in time to watch… with the rest of us…

My homie… lover… friend…

My forever…

Zoe.

Walking down the aisle on her daddy’s arm like she was floating.

Camera flashes picked up heavy, going off like popcorn in the microwave.

And I already knew why.

It wasn’t just because Zoe was stunning—though she was. It was that entire moment… that whole story walking down the aisle.

Because four months ago?

Her father… Darius Anderson… was already headline material.

Influential South Side native turned billionaire…

The same man whose name had been ringing in the media back-to-back for months.

First? Malcolm’s scandal.

That mess still wasn’t over… with trial set for this summer.

Then came Darius’s public announcement that he’d filed for divorce from Vivian Whitfield… Socialite royalty and heiress to one of Chicago’s most powerful families.

Vivian did exactly what Darius said she would.

Aired him out.

Blasted him in every media outlet she could… throwing every stone she had in her arsenal.

Dragging Zora’s name right along with his.

Calling her a “party girl”… rehashing everything from her past like it was breaking news.

But Darius… being Darius… got ahead of it.

Cleaned Zora’s image up so fast it made the tabloids blink.

Quietly bought out footage… silenced rumors… buried old police records deep enough they’d never resurface.

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