Page 264 of The Wright Man

That night, Maleek responded. One word. "Thanks."

And that was the beginning.

It took a year of cautious rebuilding. Two to feel like brothers again. But they found their way back — working together on Kareem's appeal, spending time together, forging something that should've never been broken.

Andre had always credited me for being the bridge. Said I gave him Maleek’s number at the graduation party, told him to keep showing up. I barely remembered doing it. But I was glad I did.

And now here he was. The third Wright brother, standing on a courthouse sidewalk in a sharp suit, having just methodically dismantled my ex-husband's last shred of power.

Full circle didn't even cover it.

Andre let us know he'd submitted everything, said Gavin wouldn't be a problem anymore. He was heading to Philly for a client, but he'd be around. Especially once Kareem got home—he was planning to let him crash at his place in Arlington.

"Call me when you're back in town," I told him. "I'll bake you something. Might even put weed in it."

He saluted me with two fingers and turned to leave.

Maleek kissed me quickly. "Mind waiting while I talk to him real quick? Gotta ask him something about Kareem's transition."

I nodded. "Go. I'll enjoy this weather and my freedom."

He kissed me again, whispered "I love you" against my lips, and disappeared with Andre down the sidewalk.

I pulled off my sweater with a grin, digging in my bag for my phone. My fingers flew across the screen as I texted the group chat:

SisterSisterSister Chat

Me: I's free, bitches!!!

Tina's reply came in hot:

Tina : Ding dong the dick is dead

I snorted, covering my mouth, laughing like a girl who'd never been broken. Just as I was about to fire off a reply, I heard it—

"ANGIE!"

His voice.

Unhinged. Spitting venom.

I looked up, and there he was. Gavin storming down the courthouse steps like a man on fire, Jasmine trailing behind him, already flailing uselessly.

"You think this shit is over?!" he snarled, eyes wild. "You think you fucking beat me?!"

My smile evaporated as he got closer, fast and erratic. I took a step back, bumping into the hood of Maleek's truck.

"I should've never married your ungrateful ass," he hissed. "You think you're better than me now? Parading around with the same lame ass nigga who—"

I reached for my bag, fingers searching for the pink can of mace Maleek insisted I keep on me. I was ready to spray this bitch straight into next week.

"You're nothing but a fucking whore," he barked, leaning in too close. "Probably fucking for a place to stay—probably his lawyer friend too. Who the fuck even was that, his brother or something?!"

I swear... I didn't even see Maleek move.

One second, he was across the parking lot with Andre and Gavin was spewing his last pathetic line about me whoring myself out, and the next—

CRACK!