The temptation of my brother-in-law

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Nine

Malachi’s POV

I stopped at the jewelry store on my way home. The one I’d been eyeing for weeks, the one that carried the kind of rings that meant something. Forever. Commitment. Mine.

The ring I chose was simple but perfect. Platinum band with a single diamond that caught the light just right. Not too ostentatious. Alicia wasn’t the type who wanted flash. She wanted meaning.

And this ring meant everything.

I was done hiding. Done pretending. Travis knew. Soon everyone would know. And I was going to make this official. Ask her properly. Give her the life she deserved instead of stolen moments and secret meetings.

The ring sat in a velvet box in my pocket, warm against my chest as I drove to my private mansion. Our mansion now. The place where we could be ourselves without the weight of family expectations crushing us.

I spent two hours cooking. Made her favorite pasta, the one she’d mentioned liking months ago in passing. She probably didn’t even remember telling me, but I remembered everything about her. Every word. Every preference. Every small detail that made her who she was.

The table was set. Candles lit. Wine breathing. Everything perfect.

I checked my phone. Six thirty. She should be here soon. She’d said she’d come after work.

Six forty-five. Still nothing.

Seven. I called her. Straight to voicemail.