The temptation of my brother-in-law-Chapter 98 - ninety eight

Chapter Ninety-Eight

Malachi’s POV

I looked at Cecilia’s desperate face. At the weight of obligation pressing down on both of us. At the debt I owed her father.

"Six months," I said finally. "And we do this properly. With a contract."

Relief flooded her features. "Of course. Whatever you need."

"I mean it, Cecilia. This stays strictly business. No complications. No expectations beyond what’s written down."

"I understand." She reached into her bag and pulled out a folder. "I actually already drafted something. Just in case."

Of course she had. Cecilia was nothing if not prepared.

She slid the papers across the table. I picked them up and started reading. The contract was thorough. Detailed. Exactly what I’d have written myself.

Six months or until inheritance was secured, whichever came first. No physical intimacy required. Public appearances as needed to maintain the illusion. Complete discretion. Clean break at the end with no further obligations.

"You had your lawyer write this?" I asked.

"I wrote it myself. I know how these things work."

I kept reading. The termination clause was fair. The confidentiality agreement was ironclad. She’d thought of everything.

"There’s one thing missing," I said.

"What?"

"A clause about what happens if either of us meets someone else. Someone real."

Cecilia was quiet for a moment. "You already have someone."

It wasn’t a question. She’d always been perceptive.

"That’s none of your concern."

"It is if it affects our arrangement." She leaned forward. "Malachi, I’m not trying to interfere with your life. I just need this to look convincing for six months. That’s all."

"Which is why we need that clause. If either of us needs out early, we can end it without penalty."

"Fine. I’ll add it." She made a note on her copy. "Anything else?"

I read through the rest carefully. Financial arrangements. Living situations. How we’d handle family and social obligations. It was all there.

"This works," I said finally.

She pulled out a pen. We both signed two copies. One for each of us.

"Thank you," she said quietly. "You have no idea what this means to me."

"I’m doing it for your father. Not for you."

"I know. But thank you anyway."

I folded my copy and put it in my jacket pocket. "If we’re doing this, we need to make it convincing. Starting tonight."

"Tonight?"

"Come to dinner at the mansion. Meet the family. We’ll announce it properly."

Cecilia looked nervous for the first time. "Are you sure? That’s moving fast."

"The faster we establish this, the more believable it is. My family knows I don’t do things slowly."

"Okay. What time?"

"Seven. I’ll send a car for you."

"I can drive myself."

"No. We’re a couple now. I pick up my girlfriend." I stood. "And Cecilia? Dress appropriately. My family is particular about appearances."

"I know how to dress for dinner, Malachi."

I left money on the table for the wine and headed out. Called Maurice as soon as I was in my car.

"Sir?"

"I need you to inform the head chef about dinner tonight. We’re having a guest. Make sure they prepare something without shellfish or tree nuts. And nothing with cilantro."

"The guest has allergies?"

"Yes. Cecilia Jones. She’ll be joining us at seven."

"I’ll inform them immediately."

"And Maurice? Make sure everything is perfect. This is important."

"Understood, sir."

I drove back to the mansion, already planning how this would play out. The family would be surprised. Alicia would be shocked. But it was necessary. For Cecilia’s inheritance. For the debt I owed Robert.

And maybe, a small part of me acknowledged, it would be useful for other reasons. Creating distance between Alicia and me publicly would protect her. Make her less of a target if anyone was watching us.

Even if it hurt her in the process.

When I got home, I went straight to my room. Changed into something more appropriate for dinner. A suit. Dark gray. The kind of thing that said this was a formal announcement.

At six-thirty, I headed down. Found the dining room already set. The special meal being prepared in the kitchen.

Family members started arriving. Mario and Isabella. Layla looking diminished without her usual authority. Sasha quiet and avoiding eye contact. Tom. Pa Wood taking his seat at the head of the table.

And Alicia. Already seated. Looking composed but I could see the tension in her shoulders.

At exactly seven, my driver texted that he’d arrived with Cecilia.

I went to meet her at the door. She looked perfect. Red dress. Elegant but not over the top. Hair and makeup flawless.

"Ready?" I asked.

"As I’ll ever be."

I offered my arm. She took it. We walked into the dining room together.

The reaction was immediate. Pa Wood’s face lit up. Layla stood up excitedly. Even Tom looked pleased.

They knew Cecilia. Remembered her from years ago when I’d brought her around during my Dark City phase. Before everything fell apart.

I avoided looking at Alicia. Couldn’t see her reaction yet. Needed to get through the announcement first.

"Everyone," I said, my voice carrying across the room. "I’d like you to meet Cecilia Jones. My girlfriend."

I heard something clatter. Looked over briefly to see Alicia had dropped her fork. But she recovered quickly. No one else seemed to notice.

Pa Wood was beaming. "Cecilia Jones. Robert’s daughter. I’m so glad to see you, my dear. And even happier to hear this news."

"Thank you, Mr. Blackwood. It’s wonderful to be here."

I pulled out the chair next to Alicia for Cecilia. Watched her sit down with that small smile. Playing her part perfectly.

"Malachi’s been too focused on work for too long," Pa Wood continued. "It’s good to see him settling down. Two granddaughter-in-laws now. The family is growing."

The words were calculated to establish Cecilia’s place. To make this seem serious. Permanent.

Dinner was served. The special meal without Cecilia’s allergens. She thanked the staff and started eating.

Conversation flowed. Pa Wood asked about her father. About Dark City. About her plans now that she was back.

Cecilia answered perfectly. Played the role of devoted girlfriend. Touched my arm occasionally. Looked at me with manufactured affection.

And through it all, I was hyperaware of Alicia beside her. Silent. Tense. Picking at her food without eating.

I couldn’t look at her. Couldn’t see the hurt I knew would be there. Had to maintain this performance.

Cecilia was telling some story about Dark City when her hand found mine under the table. A calculated touch. Public enough that others might notice but private enough to seem intimate.

I let her keep it there. Part of the act.

Finally, dinner ended. Pa Wood stood and complimented the meal. People started dispersing.

I saw Alicia stand immediately. Saw her need to escape written in every line of her body.

I caught her wrist before she could leave.

"Excuse us," I said to the room. "Alicia and I need to discuss some business matters."

No one questioned it. I was COO now. She was head of family affairs. Of course we’d have business to discuss.

I pulled her out of the dining room. Down the hallway. Into my room.

Locked the door behind us.

Before she could say anything, before she could pull away, I pinned her against the wall. My body pressed against hers. My hands on either side of her head.

"Are you jealous?" I asked. Couldn’t help myself. Needed to know if she felt even a fraction of what I felt when I watched Travis touch her.

She stared at me with fury in her eyes. "Let me go."

"Answer the question first." I leaned closer. Close enough to feel her breath. "Are you jealous, little bird?"