Trapped With My BRother In Law

chapter 4

Here is the fourth chapter written in English, adhering to high editorial standards and ending with a cliffhanger, as you requested.

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Chapter Four

Changing our lives, or changing ourselves, is not easy or decorated with roses.

It requires effort, pain, and struggle.

Do not retreat at the first sign of pain, disappointment, or wound.

The kind that drains all your wishes, your dreams, and everything you believe in.

Be sure, everything is changeable for the better or for the worse, by our will.

Except for the graves, they only change by the number of those who love you.

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The Baron Palace

He returned in the evening, tired from work, but he had to prepare to receive the lawyer.

He went up to his wing to take a warm bath to refresh his tense muscles.

He went to the bathroom, undressing and sinking into the tub, closing his eyes and relaxing his muscles.

He remembered how he had met his wife, Nadine, 4 years ago?

His fashion company had become famous in record time, and many wanted to deal with it. Nadine's father was a distinguished client, and that's how he met Nadine. He was drawn to her gentleness, her absolute elegance, and her tact in conversation. She came from a prominent family, and because he wanted to be linked to a level befitting him and his work, he saw her as suitable, as he thought, and he married her. The treatment between them was good, and they had their own villa, away from his mother and brother, and this was one of Nadine's conditions—independence in their lives.

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FLASHBACK

He entered his villa at ten o'clock in the evening and called for his wife.

The maid, politely: Madam Nadine went out, sir.

Adham, asking: When did she go out, Ozza?

Ozza answered: Since the afternoon, sir.

Adham, coldly: Okay, you go sleep.

Ozza, questioningly: Won't I prepare dinner for you, sir?

Adham, refusing: No, I'm not in the mood.

Ozza left respectfully.

He puffed out his cheeks at his wife's behavior—how could she be late without his knowledge? He sat on the couch waiting for her.

She entered the house at 11:46 PM.

She was wearing a dress absolutely unsuitable for a married woman. He saw her standing before him, looking at her from the soles of her feet to her hair, with clear disgust in his eyes.

Adham, in a voice like ice: Where were you until this hour, Madam?

She approached, wrapping her arms around his neck: My love, I missed you so much.

He smelled a foul odor from her mouth, realizing she was drunk: You're drunk! I'm asking you, where were you, and what have you done to yourself?

But she wasn't conscious enough to reply. He carried her in his strong arms towards the bathroom, placed her under the shower, and turned the water on over her head.

She gasped sharply from the shock of the water. When he finished, he turned off the water, left her to dry herself, and left the bathroom.

She came out of the bathroom drying her hair with a small towel, wearing her bathrobe.

He called out calmly: Are you awake now and able to answer? Come on, let me hear you.

She replied nonchalantly: I was at a party with my friends, my love.

He shouted, frowning: Whose permission did you take to go out? .. It's a free-for-all? And you come back drunk? Have you lost your mind?

She looked at him coolly: Calm down, baby. I'm used to staying out late.. My father never asked me; he trusted me.

He furrowed his brows sternly: I'm not your father. I'm your husband. You have to respect yourself and forget the staying out late, the drinking, and the crap you were living in before we got married.

She said, uninterested: You're making a big deal out of it, by the way.

He shouted sharply: Did you hear me clearly? I won't repeat it.

He left her and left the room.

Her true nature became clear to him: reckless, selfish, indifferent to anyone but herself. This was just one incident among many that followed. He realized that what he saw in the beginning was a trap he had fallen into, especially when her demands became excessively extravagant. But he didn't divorce her because divorce in his family was beneath them. He decided to make her live in the palace with his mother, especially after his brother's marriage.

BACK TO PRESENT

He got out of the bathroom, headed to the dressing room, and got dressed like this.

He went downstairs to see his mother.

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At Omar El Baron's Villa

Carmen: Mama's polite little one, never tires me.

She kissed her daughter's chubby cheeks lovingly after dressing her in a beautiful pink outfit.

Carmen spoke tenderly to her daughter: Stay here until I get ready and come back to you, my little sweetie.

She gave her some of her toys to play with.

She entered the bathroom to perform ablution, came out, put on her prayer garment, performed her prayers, and prayed for her husband for mercy and forgiveness, and that He give her patience over the pain and decree what is good for her, and that He enable her to care for her little one.

She headed to the wardrobe to take out her black going-out clothes, thinking that she had only gathered with Adham in one place a few times throughout her years of marriage to Omar. This had always been a relief to her, because she always felt anxious in his presence since their very first meeting.

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Carmen finished getting dressed, took her daughter, and quietly descended the stairs.

At that moment, Yasser, Malik, and Yassin arrived. She welcomed them.

Yasser kissed Carmen, saying affectionately: I missed you, my love.

Carmen called out softly: I miss you more, Yasso.

Malik, gently: How are you doing now, Carmen?

Tears welled up in her eyes as she whispered softly: Getting better, thank God for everything. I'm trying to get used to his absence... but it's so, so hard, really.

Yasser hugged her friend, hoping to ease some of this sorrow.

Carmen whispered gratefully: Thank you for your support over the past period... May God never deprive me of you.

Yasser, lovingly: We are all with you, Carmen. We'll never leave you, my dear.

She smiled sadly, and they all moved to the living room to sit.

Yassin came to Carmen, raising his hands, wanting to carry Malak.

Yassin: Give me Malak, my bride, to play with, Ramez (likely a nickname or a slip).

Carmen laughed softly at the little one's words.

Malik exclaimed in surprise: Who are you going to play with, you boy?

Yassin looked at his father and shouted innocently: Malak, daddy, my beautiful bride.

Carmen said, trying to hide her sadness—she adored children: Are you flirting with my daughter in front of me, you naughty boy?.. Fine, do it behind my back, then I'll have an excuse.

Then they all laughed.

Yasser, in despair: Hopeless, there's no hope for this boy. He won't be quiet.

Mariam entered, carrying a tray with tea and cookies.

Mariam, warmly: Here you are, my loves. Eat something before you leave.

Malik, politely: Thank you, Auntie. You didn't have to tire yourself.

Mariam, kindly: Don't say that, my dear. No one is more precious than you.

Yasser, refusing: Forgive me, Auntie. My diet deprives me of everything.

Mariam smiled, saying: My dear, you can eat everything you like, just be mindful of the quantities. Watch your calories, keep carbs very low, and your weight will never increase.

Yasser whistled admiringly and said: Opa! So you're an expert now, Auntie?

Mariam, laughing: The internet taught me a lot. I'll send you a few recipes to follow... Eat freely, the rest is on... "Carmen doesn't eat at all."

Carmen looked at her reproachfully: I eat, Mama, as much as I want.

Malik: Okay, let's go so we're not late for them.

Malik stood up, carrying Yassin, and they all left in Malik's car.

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We return to the Baron Palace

Adham was sitting with the lawyer in the spacious living room, along with Laila and Nadine. Silence dominated the scene.

They heard a knock at the door, then Yassin came running in towards Adham. Adham scooped him up in his arms, held him, and kissed his cheeks. This was Yassin's habit with Adham, whom he loved very much, and Adham adored him.

Then the rest entered. Laila received them with a warm welcome. She kissed Carmen and Yasser, took Carmen in her arms, hugged her lovingly, and held Malak, kissing her with love and tenderness. Nadine didn't bother to welcome them.

Carmen's eyes met Adham's. She saw him, as usual, looking at her in that enigmatic way she couldn't decipher. No one could predict what was going on in his mind. Then her eyes turned to Nadine, wondering inwardly, what was this icy woman made of?

Carmen was snapped back from her thoughts by the sound of Yassin quarrelling with Adham. He saw him hugging Malak lovingly and kissing her on the mouth. Carmen felt emotions she couldn't explain.

Yassin, screaming: Don't kiss her, Adham! I'm jealous! She's mine, only mine!

Adham laughed heartily at the little imp's words: How old is this boy, exactly?

Yassin shouted, counting on his fingers: Five!

Adham, sarcastically: And you're jealous of her, you rascal? I'm her uncle, I'll kiss her as I please.

Yassin, stubbornly: No! No one kisses her except me, only me!

Adham looked at him out of the corner of his eye and said: No way.

Malik laughed and said cheerfully: Why didn't I live my childhood like this boy? Whatever comes to his mind, he says it. He doesn't care about anyone.

He stood up, carried him, and sat him down, then said warningly: Calm down, don't land us in trouble with Adham, for God's sake, son... Take him, Yasser, and play in the garden. We won't be able to talk with him around.

He spoke to his wife as he gave her Yassin.

Yassin looked innocently at Malak and said: I'll take my bride to play with me.

Carmen smiled silently, standing up after Adham had given Malak to Yasser. She lowered herself to Yassin's level and kissed him deeply on the cheek. Only this little one could easily draw a smile from her, just like her daughter.

Yasser went out with the two children to the garden, and the place returned to its silence.

Malik laughed awkwardly at his son, then cleared his throat seriously, seeing Adham signal to the lawyer to begin.

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Medhat was nervous. In moments, the scales of fate would shift for everyone sitting before him now. He took some papers from his briefcase and opened them.

He began to read aloud:

“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”

I, Omar Mahmoud El Baron, being of sound mind and complete freedom, hereby bequeath the following:

First: In my capacity as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of "El Baron Contracting Companies," I have decided to transfer my position to the Companies' Director, Malik Salah El Baron.

Second: Ownership of my private villa is transferred to my wife, Carmen Mohamed El Shennawy.

Third: My position as Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of "El Baron Design Company" shall be transferred to Carmen Mohamed El Shennawy, who shall oversee the execution of the company's design projects.

Fourth: Guardianship of my daughter shall be transferred to my brother, Adham Mahmoud El Baron, immediately upon his marriage to Carmen Mohamed El Shennawy. Her legal inheritance shall be handed over to Malak upon her completion of 21 years.

If any of them refuses to implement this clause, all of the above is nullified, with the exception of the position designated for Malik Salah El Baron. The guardianship of Malak shall then transfer to my brother, Adham Mahmoud El Baron, and Carmen has no right to object, for my daughter shall be raised only by my brother.

Fifth: As for my share in the remaining real estate, the factory, and the clothing stores, it shall be divided according to Sharia and the law.

This will is to be executed six months from the date of my death.

...

The eyes of everyone in the room widened. Their gazes turned towards Carmen, who couldn't describe what she was feeling at that moment: incomprehension, shock, dismay, anger, sorrow.

Adham's state was no less than hers; in fact, it was more intense. He had never, ever expected such a request from his brother. And no one could believe this could actually happen?

His marriage… to Carmen?