Lady Elect by Nikita Lynnette Nichols

husband who promised to love and cherish her forever. The same husband who vowed to honor and respect her at all times. The same husband who had convinced her that he’d protect her from the lions, tigers, and the two barracudas at Freedom Temple.
    â€œWow. I didn’t see that coming.”
    â€œYou didn’t see what coming?” Lance asked her.
    â€œI never would’ve thought that you wouldn’t back me up. Because of your secretary, I missed out on a huge deal this afternoon, but I guess that means nothing to you, huh?”
    â€œI spoke to Mother Gussie and—”
    â€œOf course you did.”
    Arykah’s interruption told Lance that she was highly upset, but so was he. “I spoke with Mother Gussie, and she assured me that she told you to be at the Cartwrights at eleven.”
    Arykah chuckled. “And that’s what you’re banking on, her assurance?”
    â€œShe’s been my secretary for years, Cheeks. And not one time have I ever missed or been late for an appointment. It’s because of Mother Gussie that I didn’t blow a major deal with Hiroshima Technologies this morning.”
    â€œSo, what are you saying, Lance? You think I’m lying on your faithful church secretary?”
    â€œI’m not saying that anyone is lying.”
    Arykah’s voice raised an octave. “Oh, somebody is definitely lying.”
    â€œLook, maybe with your house-showing appointments, it’s possible that you got your times mixed up. You’re a busy woman. It could happen.”
    Don’t curse, Arykah told herself. Don’t curse. “And it’s not possible that Mother Gussie set me up? That could never happen, right?”
    Lance didn’t respond.
    â€œThink about it, Lance. Just yesterday you fired Mother Pansie and put me in her place. You know that she and Mother Gussie are tight, and they both loathe me. Why is it so difficult for you to comprehend that Mother Gussie gave me the wrong time? She is avenging her friend, and they are in this together. And this whole thing is playing out exactly how they planned. You’re upset with me. Their mission was accomplished.”
    â€œCheeks, that’s ridiculous.” Lance just couldn’t see the logic in Arykah’s accusation.
    It took every ounce of energy she had for Arykah not to call her husband a dumb, stupid fool. She picked up her purse and briefcase from the center island. “Okay, I can clearly see who won this battle. I guess this is the first of many.” She turned and headed out of the kitchen. “Be sure and congratulate Mother Gussie in the morning,” she said over her shoulder.
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    During dinner, Arykah refused to make eye contact with Lance. They sat and ate in silence until Lance couldn’t take it anymore.
    â€œYou’re giving me the silent treatment?” he asked Arykah. He noticed she was not eating but only picking at her meatloaf.
    â€œWhat do you want me to say?” she replied without looking at him.
    â€œTell me about your day.”
    Arykah almost dropped her fork. She looked across the table at Lance. “Are you serious? I mean, really, are you serious, Lance? You know exactly how my day went, but since you want to hear it step-by-step, here it goes.” Arykah laid her fork down on the table next to her plate. “I had an appointment to show a two-million-dollar estate this afternoon at one o’clock. But Mother Gussie called to tell me that Brother Cartwright had lost his son and you needed me to take your place to go and console the family.”
    Arykah made quotation signs with her fingers to quote Lance’s words to her. “So, because I am ‘dedicated and committed to your needs,’ I had no choice but to pass the listing to another agent.
    â€œI arrived at Brother Cartwright’s house at one o’clock, the exact time that Mother Gussie told me to be there, only to find that no one