The temptation of my brother-in-law-Chapter 121 - One Hundred and Twenty-one

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-one

Alicia’s POV

I got to the office early. Earlier than usual. Anything to avoid being at the mansion. Avoid seeing Travis at breakfast. Avoid the awkward silence that had settled between us since I’d told him not to touch me.

The Blackwood Company building was impressivel. A monument to success. To power.

I’d been working here for three years now. It had started as a favor. Pa Wood suggesting I needed something to do. Something to occupy my time besides being Travis’s wife.

Now it was the only part of my day I looked forward to. The only place where I felt competent. Useful. Like I mattered.

Even if it meant seeing Malachi every day. Being near him. Pretending we were just boss and assistant. Nothing more.

I set down my bag. Started my computer. Began sorting through emails.

That’s when I heard the voice.

"Well, well, well. Look who made it to the top."

I looked up. A woman was standing in front of my desk. Blonde hair. Designer suit. That smug expression I remembered too well.

Madison Pierce.

My stomach dropped. No. Not her. Anyone but her.

"Madison," I managed.

"Alicia. It’s been what? Ten years? You look different. Less poor."

The comment hit exactly where she intended. Back when I’d lived in Dark City with my father. When we’d had nothing. When I’d worn the same three outfits to school and eaten free lunch because we couldn’t afford anything else.

Madison had been one of the popular girls. The ones who’d made my life hell. Who’d laughed at my clothes. My situation. Everything about me.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I work here now. Just got hired. Marketing department. I start today."

Of course she did. The universe had a twisted sense of humor.

"Congratulations," I said. Trying to sound professional. Detached.

"Thanks. I have to say, I’m surprised to see you here. In this position. Must be nice having connections."

"I earned this position."

"Did you? Or did you just marry well?"

I stood up. My hands were shaking but I kept my voice steady. "I got this job on my own merit. Before I married Travis."

"Sure. Whatever helps you sleep at night." She looked around. "Where’s the boss? I’d love to meet him. Malachi Blackwood. I’ve heard he’s very attractive."

"He’s not in today."

"Shame. I was hoping to make a good impression."

She smiled. That fake sweet smile I remembered. The one that always preceded something cruel.

"You know, Alicia. I always wondered what happened to you after high school. Heard you disappeared. Ran away or something."

"I moved. That’s all."

"Right. Moved. And now here you are. Married to a Blackwood. Working for another Blackwood. You really know how to climb, don’t you?"

"Excuse me?"

"Oh, come on. We both know how this works. Pretty girl. Rich men. You do the math."

The implication was clear. She was suggesting I’d slept my way to the top. That I’d traded my body for position. For security.

Rage burned in my chest. But I kept my expression neutral. "You should get to HR. Complete your onboarding."

"I already did. Thought I’d come say hi to an old friend. Reconnect."

"We weren’t friends."

"No. I guess we weren’t." She leaned on my desk. "But we’re colleagues now. So we’ll be seeing a lot of each other. Won’t that be fun?"

Before I could respond, another voice cut through the tension.

"Ms. Pierce. Is there a problem here?"

James. One of the senior executives. He was standing in the doorway. His expression cold.

"No problem," Madison said sweetly. "Just catching up with Alicia."

"Ms. Blackwood," James corrected. "You’ll address her properly."

Madison’s smile faltered slightly. "Of course. Ms. Blackwood."

James looked at me. "Everything alright?"

"Fine. Thank you."

He turned back to Madison. "You should know that Ms. Blackwood is Mr. Blackwood’s assistant. She has authority in this office. Authority to fire anyone she deems unsuitable. And to make sure they never work in this city again."

Madison’s face went pale. "I wasn’t. I didn’t mean."

"I suggest you get to your department. And remember your place."

Madison nodded quickly. "Yes. Of course. Sorry."

She hurried away. Nearly tripping in her expensive heels.

James looked at me. "Want me to have HR terminate her?"

"No. It’s fine."

"You sure? We don’t tolerate harassment here."

"I’m sure. But thank you."

He nodded. "Let me know if she bothers you again."

He left. I sat back down. My hands were still shaking.

Madison Pierce. Here. Working in the same building. It felt like high school all over again. Like being that scared poor girl who couldn’t fight back.

But I wasn’t that girl anymore. I had power now. Position. The ability to destroy her career with a single word to Malachi.

I wouldn’t. Because I wasn’t cruel like she was. But knowing I could made me feel slightly better.

I tried to focus on work. But my mind kept wandering. To Madison. To the past. To everything I’d tried to leave behind.

And to Malachi. I found myself missing him. Which was stupid. Dangerous.

But I couldn’t help it. Couldn’t help remembering the way he looked at me. The way he touched me. The times he’d bent me over his desk after everyone left. Taken me right there in his office where anyone could have walked in.

The risk had made it more intense. More desperate. Like we couldn’t help ourselves.

I closed my eyes. Tried not to think about it. About him. About the way he made me feel alive.

My phone buzzed. Text from Cassie.

Shopping later? I need new shoes and you need to get out of that house.

I smiled. Typed back.

Yes. Meet you after work.

At least I had that to look forward to.

The rest of the day dragged. I handled calls. Managed schedules. Avoided Madison whenever I saw her in the halls.

Finally, five o’clock came. I packed up my things. Headed out.

I didn’t have to worry about Sophie. The Blackwood drivers would pick her up from school. Take her home. Make sure she was safe.

One less thing to stress about.

I met Cassie at the mall. She was waiting outside her favorite shoe store. Grinning when she saw me.

"There she is. Looking stressed as usual."

"Thanks. That’s exactly what I needed to hear."

She linked her arm through mine. "Come on. Retail therapy. It fixes everything."

We spent two hours shopping. Cassie tried on at least twenty pairs of shoes. Bought three. I found a dress I didn’t need but bought anyway because it made me feel good.

We got coffee. Sat in the food court. Talked about everything and nothing.

"So," Cassie said. "How’s married life?"

"Don’t ask."

"That good, huh?"

"Travis tried to kiss me last night. I told him not to touch me again."

"Damn. What did he do?"

"Looked shocked. Then hurt. Then angry. But he didn’t argue."

"Good. He doesn’t deserve you anyway."

"I know."

"So what are you going to do? Stay married to him forever?"

"I don’t know. Divorce seems complicated. Pa Wood wouldn’t approve."

"Who cares what Pa Wood approves? It’s your life."

"It’s not that simple."

"It never is with you Blackwoods."

She wasn’t wrong.

We finished our coffee. Walked through a few more stores. By the time we were done, I had three shopping bags and slightly better mood.

"Thanks for this," I said. "I needed it."

"Anytime. That’s what best friends are for."

She drove me home. Pulled up to the mansion gates.

"You sure you’re okay going back in there?"

"I’ll be fine."

"Call me if you need anything. Even if it’s just to vent."

"I will."

I got out. Waved as she drove away.

Then I turned toward the mansion. That massive structure that was supposed to be home but felt more like a prison.

I took a deep breath. And walked inside.