The temptation of my brother-in-law-Chapter 84 - Eighty Four

Chapter Eighty-Four

Malachi’s POV

It was the day of the anniversary. The day I’d been dreading for weeks. The celebration of a marriage that shouldn’t exist. A union that kept Alicia bound to a man who didn’t deserve her.

My phone rang early. Rose.

"Talk to me," I answered.

"There’s no movement from the enemies," she said without preamble. "Nothing from Zhao Wei. Nothing from Mario’s contacts. Complete silence."

I frowned. "That’s not good."

"No. It’s very suspicious. Zhao Wei’s been all over the city for weeks and now suddenly he goes quiet? Right before a major family event?"

"He’s planning something."

"That’s what I’m thinking. But I can’t figure out what. All my sources have gone dark too. It’s like everyone’s holding their breath."

I paced my room, thinking. Complete silence from your enemies was worse than activity. It meant they were preparing. Coordinating. Getting ready to strike.

"Double security at the venue," I said. "I want eyes everywhere. And keep monitoring. The moment anything moves, I want to know."

"Already done. But Malachi? Be careful tonight."

"Always am."

"No, you’re not. Especially not when it comes to Alicia."

She wasn’t wrong. But I wasn’t going to admit that.

"Just keep me updated," I said and ended the call.

I spent the rest of the day dealing with business. Conference calls with investors. Contract reviews. The endless paperwork that came with running an empire.

But my mind kept drifting. To Alicia. To tonight. To having to watch her pretend to be Travis’s devoted wife.

The thought made my jaw clench every time.

Finally, evening came. I got dressed in my suit. Black. Simple. Expensive. The kind of thing expected at these events.

The wrapped jewelry box sat on my dresser. I picked it up and slipped it into my jacket pocket.

The venue was already buzzing with activity when I arrived. Servers rushing around. Musicians setting up. Layla directing everything with military precision.

The woman had outdone herself. Everything was perfect. Elegant. Exactly the kind of event that would make the society pages.

I spotted Pa Wood talking to some board members. Adrian with his mother. Various cousins and extended family members I rarely spoke to.

But no Alicia yet.

I made my way through the crowd, accepting greetings and making small talk. All while searching for silver hair.

One of the staff pointed me toward the changing rooms. Private spaces set up for family members to prepare.

I found the one marked for Alicia and knocked.

"Just a minute!" her voice called.

"It’s me."

A pause. Then the door opened. She stood there in a deep emerald dress that took my breath away. The color made her silver hair look even more striking. The cut was elegant but showed just enough to make my hands itch to touch.

"Malachi. You’re early."

"Wanted to see you before the circus started." I stepped inside and closed the door behind me. "You look incredible."

She smiled, but there was nervousness in it. "Thank you. I’m dreading this."

"I know. So am I."

I reached into my pocket and pulled out the jewelry box. Her eyes widened.

"What’s this?"

"A gift. For your anniversary."

"Malachi, you didn’t have to—"

"Open it."

She took the box with trembling fingers and carefully unwrapped it. When she opened the lid and saw the necklace, her breath caught.

"It’s beautiful."

"Turn around."

She did. I lifted the necklace and fastened it around her neck. The pendant settled perfectly at her throat. My fingers lingered on her skin longer than necessary.

"Perfect," I murmured.

She turned back to face me, touching the pendant. "This is too much."

"Nothing’s too much for you." I pulled her closer. "And I wanted you to have something from me tonight. Something real."

Her eyes met mine. Full of emotion I couldn’t quite name. "Thank you."

I sealed her lips with mine. Slow and deep. Pouring everything I couldn’t say into it. She melted against me, her hands fisting in my jacket.

When we finally broke apart, her lipstick was smudged. I wiped my thumb across her bottom lip, fixing it.

"You should go," she whispered. "Before someone comes looking."

"I don’t care if they find us."

"I do. For now. Please."

For now. Those words again. The promise that someday we wouldn’t have to hide.

"Fine. But after tonight, things change."

"What do you mean?"

"You’ll see."

I kissed her once more, quick and possessive, then left before I could change my mind and lock us in that room for the rest of the night.

The event started shortly after. Guests filled the ballroom. Hundreds of people in expensive clothes, drinking expensive wine, celebrating the Blackwood empire.

I hated it. Hated every minute. The fake smiles. The hollow conversations. The performance of family unity when we were all barely holding it together.

Pa Wood found me near the bar. "Malachi. Good, you’re here. I need you to deliver a speech tonight."

"What? No."

"Yes. You’re family. It’s expected."

"Get Travis to do it."

"Travis’s speech skills are mediocre at best. You’re articulate. Commanding. People listen when you speak." He put his hand on my shoulder. "Please. For the family."

I wanted to refuse. Wanted to tell him to find someone else. But the look in his eyes stopped me.

"Fine. When?"

"After the opening dance. Keep it brief. Talk about legacy. Future. The usual."

He walked away before I could argue further.

At least Travis wasn’t drunk. That was something. He stood near the entrance greeting guests, looking almost presentable for once. Sober. Put together. Playing the role of responsible eldest son.

I watched him with disgust. This was the man who got to call Alicia his wife. Who had legal claim to her. Who slept in the same room as her every night even if they didn’t share a bed.

Then Alicia appeared at the top of the grand staircase.

The room seemed to quiet. Conversations paused. People turned to look.

She descended slowly, one hand on the railing. The emerald dress flowed around her like water. My necklace glittered at her throat.

She was breathtaking.

Travis moved to meet her at the bottom of the stairs. Offered his arm like a gentleman. Like he had any right to touch her.

My hands clenched into fists.

They walked into the ballroom together. The perfect couple. Travis started introducing her to guests, his hand possessive on her waist.

I could hear fragments of conversation as they moved through the crowd.

"My wife, Alicia. Isn’t she stunning?"

"Yes, we’ve been married three years now. Time flies."

"She’s absolutely beautiful. I’m the luckiest man alive."

Every word made me want to break something. Preferably Travis’s face.

He was boasting about her. About her beauty. About having her. Like she was a possession. A trophy to show off.

The jealousy that burned through me was irrational and consuming. I wanted to walk over there and rip her away from him. Announce to the entire room that she was mine. That Travis had no claim to her beyond a piece of paper.

But I couldn’t. Not yet. Not until everything was in place.

So I stood there and watched. Watched Travis play the devoted husband. Watched Alicia smile politely at strangers. Watched her touch the necklace I’d given her like a talisman.

The music started. The opening dance was about to begin.

Travis led Alicia to the center of the dance floor. Everyone moved back, creating space. Creating a stage for them to perform their marriage.

I found a spot near the edge where I could watch. Where I could see her face.

The music began. A waltz. Traditional. Elegant.

They started to dance.