The temptation of my brother-in-law-Chapter 85 - Eighty five

Chapter Eighty-Five

Alicia’s POV

When I woke that morning, I tried to be happy. Or at least pretend to be. Today was the anniversary celebration. Three years of marriage to Travis. Three years of living in this cold mansion.

But all I could think about was Malachi. The way he’d kissed me last night. The way he looked at me like I was his entire world.

I spent the morning getting ready. Let the makeup artist do her work. Let the hairstylist arrange my silver hair into something elegant. Put on the emerald dress Layla had chosen.

By the time I got to the venue and into the dressing room, I was a bundle of nerves. This whole night felt wrong. Celebrating a marriage that was a lie. Playing the devoted wife to a man I’d never love.

I was adjusting my dress when there was a knock on the door.

"Just a minute!" I called.

"It’s me."

Malachi.

My heart jumped. I opened the door quickly and he stepped inside, closing it behind him.

"You’re early," I said.

"Wanted to see you before the circus started."

He looked at me and something in his expression made me feel beautiful. Really beautiful. Not just pretty or presentable, but genuinely stunning.

"You look incredible," he said softly.

"Thank you. I’m dreading this."

"I know. So am I."

Then he pulled out a jewelry box from his pocket. My breath caught.

"What’s this?"

"A gift. For your anniversary."

Tears pricked my eyes. He’d gotten me a gift. For the anniversary of my marriage to his brother. The sweetness of it, the thoughtfulness, made my chest ache.

"Malachi, you didn’t have to—"

"Open it."

My fingers trembled as I unwrapped it. Inside was the most beautiful necklace I’d ever seen. Simple but elegant. A teardrop diamond surrounded by smaller stones that caught the light like stars.

"It’s beautiful," I whispered.

"Turn around."

I did. His fingers were gentle as he fastened the clasp around my neck. The pendant settled against my skin, warm from his touch. His hands lingered on my shoulders, and I leaned back slightly into his warmth.

"Perfect," he murmured against my ear.

I turned to face him, touching the pendant. "This is too much."

"Nothing’s too much for you." He pulled me closer, his hands on my waist. "And I wanted you to have something from me tonight. Something real."

Something real. In a night full of lies and pretense, he’d given me something real.

"Thank you," I said, my voice thick with emotion.

He kissed me then. Slow and deep and full of everything we couldn’t say out loud. I wrapped my arms around his neck, losing myself in him. In this moment where it was just us and nothing else mattered.

When we finally broke apart, I knew my lipstick was ruined. He smiled and wiped his thumb gently across my bottom lip, fixing it.

"You should go," I whispered, even though I wanted him to stay. "Before someone comes looking."

"I don’t care if they find us."

"I do. For now. Please."

His jaw tightened but he nodded. "Fine. But after tonight, things change."

"What do you mean?"

"You’ll see."

He kissed me once more, quick but intense, then left.

I stood there for a moment, touching the necklace. Trying to calm my racing heart. Trying to put my walls back up before facing the world.

I left the dressing room a few minutes later and headed toward the main area. The venue was filling up with guests. Music was starting to play.

That’s when I ran into Sasha.

She was standing in the hallway, looking at me with an expression I couldn’t quite read. Something between pity and satisfaction.

"Alicia," she said.

"Sasha."

"I’m disappointed in you."

The words caught me off guard. "Excuse me?"

"Just... disappointed." She shook her head slightly. "That’s all I wanted to say."

Then she walked past me before I could respond. Leaving me confused and unsettled.

What did that mean? Disappointed in what?

But I didn’t have time to dwell on it. Travis appeared, offering his arm.

"Ready?" he asked.

No. I wasn’t ready. Would never be ready. But I took his arm anyway.

We entered the ballroom together and I put on my smile. My mask. The performance of the happy wife.

Travis introduced me to guests. Talked about how beautiful I was. How lucky he was. Playing his role perfectly.

I smiled and nodded and said all the right things. All while my hand kept drifting to the necklace Malachi had given me. A secret between us.

Then it was time for the opening dance.

Travis led me to the center of the dance floor. Everyone moved back, creating space. All eyes on us.

The music began. That waltz we’d practiced so badly yesterday.

But somehow, Travis managed not to step on my feet. We moved together through the routine. His hand on my waist. Mine on his shoulder. Following the steps we’d rehearsed.

It felt void. Empty. Like two actors playing parts in a play.

I could feel Malachi watching from somewhere in the crowd. I could feel the weight of his gaze even though I couldn’t see him.

When the dance ended, people applauded. Travis kissed my cheek for show. I smiled like I meant it.

Then came the cake cutting. Another photo opportunity. Another performance. Travis and I stood together, hands on the knife, cutting into the elaborate three-tiered cake Layla had ordered.

Cameras flashed. People clapped. We fed each other small bites, smiling for the pictures.

All of it felt surreal. Like I was watching myself from outside my body.

After the cake, Pa Wood stood up to make a speech. He talked about the company. About fifty years of success. About family and legacy and the future.

Then his tone shifted. Became more personal.

"I also want to take a moment to appreciate someone special," he said, looking directly at me. "Alicia has been a blessing to this family. She’s shown grace under pressure. Strength in difficult circumstances. And unwavering dedication to those she loves."

My cheeks flushed. I hadn’t expected this.

"She’s raised her sister while navigating our complicated family. She’s been patient and kind when she had every reason not to be. And she’s made this house feel more like a home." He raised his glass. "To Alicia. Thank you for everything you do."

"To Alicia!" the crowd echoed, raising their glasses.

I stood there, overwhelmed. Tears threatening to spill. Pa Wood’s words had touched something deep inside me. Recognition. Appreciation. Things I’d rarely felt in this family.

Travis squeezed my hand, playing the supportive husband. I squeezed back, trying to hold myself together.

Then Sasha stood up.

"I’d also like to make a speech," she announced.

I frowned. This wasn’t planned. Sasha wasn’t supposed to speak tonight.

"Sasha, this isn’t the time—" Layla started.

"It’ll just take a moment," Sasha said, her smile sharp.

Then my phone buzzed. A notification. Then another. And another.

Around me, I heard other phones buzzing too. Guests pulling out their phones. Confused murmurs spreading through the crowd.

I pulled out my phone with shaking hands.

My screen was flooded with notifications. Messages. Tagged photos. All from an unknown account.

I opened the first image.

My blood turned to ice.

It was a photo of me and Malachi. From that first time we kissed in front of that restaurant. His hand cupping my chin, and our lips sealed.

Another photo. Us at the photo booth. Kissing.

Another. And another. And another.

Dozens of photos. All of Malachi and me. Together. Close. Intimate. Undeniable.

My eyes widened in horror. I looked up and saw the same shock on other faces. People staring at their phones. Then at me. Then at Malachi across the room.

The room started to spin. This couldn’t be happening. This couldn’t be real.

I looked at Sasha. She was smiling. That same satisfied smile from earlier in the hallway.

"I’m disappointed in you."

She’d known. She’d known this was coming.

My hands started shaking. My vision blurred. Everyone was staring at me now. Whispering. Judging.

Travis grabbed my arm. "What the hell is this?"