The temptation of my brother-in-law
⚠️ Trigger / Content Warning ⚠️
This story contains a morally grey male lead whose choices, actions, and desires are not always healthy or "right." Malachi is obsessive, controlling, and dangerously possessive. If you're looking for a gentle love story, this may not be for you.
But if you crave intensity, forbidden passion, and a hero who walks the line between love and ruin—welcome.
Chapter one
Alicia's POV
"Stupid."
"Useless."
"Good for nothing."
Those were the kind of words I grew up hearing. Words that cut like dull knives and leave no medicine behind. Travis didn't make things any better.
All my life I had thought that marriage would bring me happiness…I'd be free and finally loved like the girls in the books I've read. But it was a lie. It was hell.
I wiped the tears that fell down my face with a piece of my ripped shirt before carrying the food tray from the kitchen. I hurried up the stairs,not wanting to anger him any further. Forcing a smile, I held the door knob of the study room.
When I pushed the door open,what I saw broke every single shred of hope in me. Bianca and Travis were tangled up together like a couple.
My eyes widened and my heart pounded heavily.
The tray slipped from my fingers and was sent crashing. They both looked up at me. At my brokenness.
"Travis…you…and Bianca?" I stammered. All the tears I thought I had safely chased away came back pouring as I gasped.
I looked at him, expecting him to at least say something. Give and explain,but there was nothing.
He only raised a brow at me. "You let the food spill."
My eyes widened. All he cared about was the food?
"Don't you know you're cheating on me?" I screamed at him. "Cheating? Look at Bianca. She's way better than you."
I couldn't speak. I guess I was too stunned to. How dare he treat me like trash then compare me to Bianca. That vixen.
"Didn't I tell you to cover those up?" He walked forward, pointing below my bellybutton where a three inch scar was.
I hated that scar. It reminded me a lot of my childhood traumas and what had led to it even existing there.
"I…" I managed.
"Cover that ugly scar Alicia." He demanded.
Suddenly,I felt heat in my chest. I couldn't speak. Couldn't move. I could only stare blankly at him.
"Are you deaf?"
I heard Bianca's voice.
"Leave…you're disturbing us."
Feeling embarrassed,I turned away and ran. I ran as fast as I could through the hallway. Moments of pain and regret flashed before my eyes as the scene replayed in my head. When I was tired of running,I pushed a random door open. The room was quiet,and I was sure no one was in it.
The room was dimly lit by a single candle. My vision was blurred by tears,but I gently found my way to the bed and sat down.
The heat in my chest never left,it was increasingly painful. I couldn't believe what Travis had done. Just two hours ago he complained that my cooking didn't suit his taste and I should make another meal. He even tore my shirt in anger.
I was in the kitchen preparing my husband a warm meal while he was…
It was too painful to complete.
Suddenly,I felt the space beside me dip. Someone was definitely on the bed,but who could it be?
Not wanting any trouble,I made an attempt to leave,but a hand had firmly grabbed me and pinned me to the bed.
I didn't dare to move. My heart pounded,and I didn't dare to breathe. I heard a low growl above me,and I could make out the silhouette of a man.
I heard the bed creak as he moved closer and smelled my skin. My heart raced and I slowly gasped.
Slowly,he let go of my left arm. My instincts kicked in and I was about to make a run for it. But he was smart enough to pin both of my hands with just one of his.
"Stubborn."
I heard him say.
His voice was deep, seductive,he definitely wasn't someone I knew about.
His fingers trailed down my face to my neck. "Smooth skin." He complimented me. I blinked twice. Travis never liked my skin. Heck! He never liked anything about me.
Within seconds,his finger had reached my exposed belly. His touch tickled,but I didn't complain. I found myself wanting more of it.
His fingers trailed my scar line. My eyes widened and I looked away. That scar was my greatest insecurity and I always kept it hidden.
"Beautiful." He whispered before planting a kiss on the spot.
I looked back at him. Did he just call that horrifying scar beautiful? Who was this lunatic?
His fingers trailed up again and found my lips. They were a bit swollen and bruised from Travis' abuse. He frowned a bit,then got off me.
I looked around,but I saw no one. It was like he had disappeared into thin air. Not wanting any more trouble,I quickly ran out of the room.
When I got to the hallway,I met Travis again. The sight of him brought disgust to me.
"Have you made another meal?" He asked angrily,his chest heaving rapidly.
I frowned. Did he really expect me to make dinner for the third time?
My blood boiled.
"Are you insane?!" My anger burst out. For the first time in two years,I had dared to raise my voice at him.
He blinked, obviously surprised by my boldness. "Did you just yell at me?" He asked.
My stance didn't waver.
His eyes darkened,and his fingers rolled into fists. He ran towards me at an alarming speed. I turned back in fear, running away as fast as I could.
I ran into our room,but he was quick enough to enter before I could even turn to close the door. I screamed,even though I knew no one in this fucking family would save me. They'd rather watch me burn.
Travis grabbed me by the leg, sending me crashing into the floor and hitting my elbows in the process.
Without thinking twice,he knelt down, placing me between his legs. His palm made hard contact with my face, making me see stars and a spinning world.
My ear rang.
"How dare you disrespect me like that you fool!" He yelled at me.
My cheeks stung from his slaps,and hot tears fell. But he didn't stop,he kept hitting me like I was a punching bag.
I had always given in to his acts of insanity,but not this time.
My jaw clenched.
"Fuck you Travis!"
I delivered a blow to his belly when he wasn't looking. His eyes rolled in pain as he collapsed on me,his head colliding with mine. My vision blurred and I passed out.