The temptation of my brother-in-law-Chapter 105 - one hundred and five

Chapter One Hundred and Five

Alicia’s POV

Sophie was finally getting better. The trauma from the incident at school was slowly fading. She’d spent the last few days helping me pack for the trip, chattering about the Maldives and what she wanted to see.

"Do you think the water is really that blue?" she asked, folding one of her sundresses carefully. "Like in the pictures?"

"I’m sure it is. Maybe even more beautiful in person."

"I can’t wait. I’ve never been anywhere tropical before." She looked up at me with bright eyes. "Thanks for letting me come."

"Of course. Where I go, you go. Always."

She hugged me quickly before going back to her packing. I watched her organize her suitcase with meticulous care. She seemed happy. Excited. Like a normal teenager should be.

At least one of us was okay.

Travis was surprisingly functional today. I’d found him in his room earlier, also packed and ready. No bottles in sight. No slurred speech. Just sober and quiet.

"We’re leaving in an hour," I’d told him.

"I know. I’ll be ready."

It was strange. Almost unsettling. Travis sober was a rare occurrence. Maybe Pa Wood had threatened him. Maybe the scandal had finally forced him to confront his demons.

Or maybe it was temporary. A brief moment of clarity before he fell apart again.

Either way, I was grateful. At least for the trip, I wouldn’t have to deal with a drunk husband on top of everything else.

I finished packing my last bag and looked around the room. Everything I needed for two weeks in paradise.

But I left the necklace Malachi had given me in the drawer. Couldn’t bring myself to pack it. Couldn’t wear something that reminded me of what I’d lost.

Downstairs, the house was chaos. Staff rushing around with luggage. Family members gathering in the foyer. Pa Wood directing everything like a general commanding troops.

I saw Malachi enter through the front door. And Cecilia was with him. She was pulling a designer suitcase, looking effortlessly put together in travel clothes that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe.

They’d spent the night together. Obviously. She was coming from his place or he’d picked her up early. Either way, they’d been together while I’d cried myself to sleep.

I forced myself to look away. To focus on Sophie who was excitedly pointing out all the luggage being loaded.

But I felt cold. Colder than I’d been in days. Like something inside me had frozen solid to protect itself from more pain.

Isabella approached me with a warm smile. "Alicia, dear. I wanted to tell you, you’re doing wonderfully in your new position. The household has never run more smoothly."

"Thank you, Isabella. That means a lot."

"I mean it. Layla was always so focused on appearances and social climbing. But you actually care about the details. About making things work properly." She touched my arm gently. "The family is lucky to have you."

A scoff came from behind us. Sasha. Of course.

"Lucky," she muttered, just loud enough to hear. "Right."

I ignored her. I’d learned that engaging with Sasha only made things worse. Better to pretend I hadn’t heard.

Isabella shot her daughter a sharp look but said nothing. Just squeezed my arm once more before moving away.

Pa Wood clapped his hands. "Everyone, gather around. The cars are ready."

I looked outside. Three stretch limousines lined the driveway.

"We’ll be traveling in groups to the airport," Pa Wood announced. "Tom, Mario, and Isabella in the first car. Layla and Sasha in the second. Alicia, Travis, and Sophie with me in the third."

People started moving toward their assigned vehicles. I took Sophie’s hand and headed for the third limousine.

But before we could reach it, Malachi spoke up.

"Actually, Cecilia and I will drive separately. In my car."

Everyone paused. Turned to look at him.

Pa Wood frowned. "That’s not necessary. There’s plenty of room—"

"I prefer to drive. And Cecilia and I want some time alone before being surrounded by family for two weeks." His voice was casual. Easy. Like this was completely reasonable.

Pa Wood studied him for a moment. Then nodded. "Very well. But don’t be late. The plane leaves on schedule."

"We won’t be."

Malachi walked to his car. Cecilia followed. He opened the passenger door for her. She smiled up at him. Said something I couldn’t hear. He responded. They looked like any normal couple. Comfortable. Natural. Perfect.

Alone. They were going to drive alone. Just the two of them. No family. No interruptions. Nothing but time together.

Jealousy burned through me. Hot. Acidic. Consuming.

While I sat in a limousine with my drunk husband and Pa Wood making small talk. While I pretended to be excited about this trip. While I died inside.

They’d be alone. In his car. His space. Probably holding hands. Probably talking about their future. Probably kissing at red lights.

I watched them drive away. His sleek black car disappearing down the driveway. Taking him further from me. Closer to her.

"Alicia?" Sophie tugged my hand. "Are you okay?"

"I’m fine. Let’s get in the car."

We settled into the limousine. The interior was luxurious. Leather seats. Mini bar. More space than necessary.

Travis sat across from me, staring out the window. Pa Wood was on his phone, handling last-minute business. Sophie pressed her face against the glass, watching the mansion disappear behind us.

And I sat there feeling hollow. Empty. Like someone had scooped out everything inside me and left just a shell.

The drive to the private airport was long. Traffic was heavy. We moved slowly through the city while I tried not to think about Malachi and Cecilia in that car. Alone. Together.

"This is so exciting," Sophie said. "I’ve never been on a private plane before."

"It’ll be an experience," I said, trying to match her enthusiasm.

Pa Wood ended his call and looked at me. "You’ve been quiet, Alicia. Everything alright?"

"Just tired. Busy week getting everything ready."

"You’ve done excellent work. The household management. The trip coordination. All of it." He smiled. "I made the right choice giving you that position."

"Thank you."

Travis shifted in his seat. "She’s always been good at pretending everything’s fine when it’s falling apart."

The comment came out of nowhere. Sharp. Bitter.

I looked at him. Really looked at him. He was staring at me now. Something dark in his eyes.

"Travis," Pa Wood said warningly.

"What? It’s true. She’s an expert at putting on a good face. At playing her part. At making everyone think she’s perfect."

"That’s enough."

"Is it? Or is it just inconvenient? Uncomfortable? Too close to the truth?"

Sophie’s hand found mine. Squeezed. She could sense the tension.

I kept my voice level. "I don’t know what you’re implying, Travis. But this isn’t the time or place."

"When is the time? When is it ever the right time to talk about what’s really happening in this family?" He laughed. Hollow. Broken. "Never. That’s when. We all just pretend. Just keep our secrets. Just destroy each other quietly."

"Travis, that’s enough," Pa Wood said firmly. "Whatever issues you have, we’ll discuss them privately. Not here. Not now."

Travis went silent. Turned back to the window. But the damage was done. The atmosphere in the car had shifted. Become heavy. Toxic.

Sophie leaned against me. I put my arm around her. Tried to provide comfort even though I felt none myself.

We finally arrived at the private airport. The plane was waiting. Massive. Luxurious. The kind of aircraft that screamed wealth.

Staff helped with luggage. We boarded and found our seats. The interior was like a flying hotel. Plush seats that reclined fully. A dining area. A bedroom in the back.

I settled Sophie by a window. She immediately pressed her face against it, watching the ground crew work.

The other limousines arrived. Family members boarded. Found their seats. The plane filled with Blackwoods and their luggage and their secrets.

But no Malachi. No Cecilia.

We waited. Ten minutes. Fifteen. Twenty.

Pa Wood checked his watch. Frowned. "Where are they?"

Just as he said it, I saw his car pull up. They got out. Laughing about something. Looking relaxed. Like they hadn’t kept everyone waiting.

They boarded. Malachi’s hand on the small of Cecilia’s back. Guiding her. Possessive.

They found seats together. Near the front. Away from everyone else.

Away from me.

I watched them settle in. Watched her lean into him. Watched him smile at something she said.

And I felt that coldness spread further. Deeper. Until I wondered if I’d ever feel warm again.

The plane engines started. We began to taxi.

Two weeks. Two weeks of this. Two weeks in paradise that would feel like hell.

I closed my eyes and tried to prepare myself.

But I wasn’t ready. Wasn’t sure I’d ever be ready.

For watching him with her. For pretending I was fine. For surviving this without completely falling apart.