Tempted by my Brother-In-Law

|| Author's Pov || The clatter of porcelain echoed through the quiet dining hall. Alice froze, her hands trembling as the teacup slipped from her grasp, shattering against the marble floor. Steam curled from the spilled tea, but it was nothing compared to the heat of Nick’s glare. “For God’s sake, Alice!” Nick’s voice cut through the room like a whip. “Why can’t you do anything right?” Her hands shook as she bent to gather the fragments. “I-I’m sorry.” she mumbled with guilt. “It-It slipped. I didn’t mean-” Nick slammed his hand on the table. “Of course, you didn’t! That’s all you ever do. Useless and clumsy!” He yelled. Alice’s chest tightened, tears threatening to spill but she swallowed them. One month. Just one month of marriage and every day had been a struggle to survive his coldness. She had tried. Tried to smile, to please, to love but it had never been enough. The sharp click of boots against the floor made both of them pause. Alice’s head snapped up. She hadn’t heard anyone else enter. A tall broad figure appeared in the doorway. His presence was so strong. Eyes like storm clouds locked on Nick. Nick froze mid-sentence. His face paled slightly then hardened with annoyance seeing his elder brother. Tristian Volcov. A successful CEO of Volcov empire. An infamous mafia lord. He had gone to abroad for family business. Alice had never met him. The man’s presence filled the room with an intensity she didn’t understand. He looked so powerful and intimidating. “Nick, I suggest you lower your voice.” Tristian began, stepping closer. Nick’s jaw tightened but he scoffed. “And you are?” “I’m your brother.” Tristian said evenly. “The one who hasn’t been here to watch you make a fool of yourself.” His eyes bore into Nick with coldness that made Alice’s stomach twist. Nick snorted dismissively and his face flushed with anger. “I don’t need a lecture from you. This doesn’t concern you-” “It concerns me when you’re shouting at a woman you vowed to protect.” Tristian interrupted. “Especially your wife.” Alice shrank back slightly, unsure where to place herself. She had never seen a man command a room like this. There was something dangerous in the way he spoke. A quiet power that left Nick momentarily speechless. “Whatever. I have better things to do than waste time with both of you.” Nick spat out, losing his patience. Without another word he stormed past Tristian, leaving the door swinging in his wake and slammed it behind him. The echoes of his rudeness stayed in the room but the intensity of Tristan’s presence remained. Alice’s hands clutched at her dress. She didn’t know why her heart pounded but it did. Not just from fear. There was something in his gaze that made her feel exposed yet protected in a way she didn’t understand. Tristian exhaled slowly, turning his attention to the room itself as if measuring its weight and its silence. “Are you alright?” he asked with that commanding undertone that made Alice’s nerves hum. “I… I’m fine.” she whispered, unsure whether she should stand or curtsy. Her entire body felt tense. Before she could gather her thoughts, the soft shuffle of footsteps came from the main hall. Another presence entered. A graceful elderly woman. “Tristian,” the woman gasped. “You’re home, my boy. Finally.” “Mother.” Tristian replied respectfully. “I heard shouting.” His mother said and his eyes flicked toward Alice. “Is everything in order here?” she urged. Martha’s gaze softened when it landed on Alice. “It’s nothing. Just… Nick being Nick.” Tristian said with scoff. Martha shook her head with a sigh and turned slightly to Alice. “Alice, this is my elder son, Tristian, your brother-in-law. Tristian, meet your new sister-in-law. Alice.” Alice’s throat tightened. “H-Hello.” she started nervously. Her heart beat so fast she feared he might hear it. Tristian extended a hand with emotionless face. “It’s nice to meet you.” he said. His voice was deep but something in his gaze stayed on her a moment longer than expected. Alice shook his hand lightly, suddenly aware of how close he was. The warmth of his presence and the controlled strength in his grip. She felt both nervous and strangely reassured as if some part of her could trust him without understanding why. “Come along, Tristian.” Martha said while stepping back. “Go to your room. You must be exhausted from the trip.” Tristian nodded once. His dark eyes sweeped the room one last time before he moved toward the grand staircase. His gaze, however, stuck on Alice. Penetrating and thoughtfully as though he were memorizing her every expression and motions. Alice felt a shiver run down her spine. She didn’t know why but the intensity of his stare unsettled her and made her heart race in a way that was both frightening and… thrilling. As Tristian ascended the stairs, his hand brushing the banister but his eyes never left her. Alice could feel them burning into her and for reasons she couldn’t articulate, it left her curious. The house settled into silence again but the air felt different now. She didn’t know who Tristian Volcov truly was or why his presence had shaken her so deeply but she had a sudden unshakable awareness: her life had changed the moment he stepped through that door.