Chapter 5: Deals in the dark

Margaret's pov:

I sat across from Malcolm, my heart pounding against my chest. I had been dreading this conversation all day. The moment his voice grew calm too calm I knew he was about to name his conditions.

Trying to stop him, I forced a smile and leaned forward slightly. “My love,” I said gently, “conditions? I thought… I thought this was love.”

Malcolm looked at me for a long moment, his gaze unreadable. Then, slowly, he leaned back in his chair and sighed. “I do love you, mi amor he said rubbing my tits, I love everything about you. But nothing in this world comes free. Not even love.”

My smile faltered. The air between us thickened with unease.

His tone hardened. “First,” he said, “I want your daughter Caroline to marry my son, Ethan Blackwood. The Business Tycoon of the Year award is coming up, and image is everything. Ethan needs stability, and that includes a presentable fiancee. Caroline will help with that.”

I blinked in disbelief. “You want me to… arrange a marriage for my daughter? She’s just a girl, Malcolm. She doesn’t even like Ethan.”

Malcolm didn’t flinch. “She’ll learn to play her role. That’s what families do.”

My hands trembled slightly, but I didn’t speak.

“There’s more,” he continued. “When I help your husband’s company rise again, you’ll make him sign over the ownership to you. Then… you’ll need to get rid of him.”

My blood ran cold. “Get rid of… what are you saying?”

“Kill him,” Malcolm said flatly. “He’s already a burden to you. You said it yourself no love, no future. Once he’s gone, the company is yours. I’ll even hire a CEO to run it if business isn’t your strength.”

I felt dizzy, my breath catching in my throat. “No. No, I can’t do that. He’s still my husband. He’s Caroline’s father. What would she think of me?”

“You’ll say he died of a heart attack. Or stress. Say the business collapse broke him. You brought it back from the ashes with your savings. People will believe it,” Malcolm said, his voice colder than ever.

“Why would you want me to do something so cruel?” I whispered.

His eyes darkened. “Because I want all of you. I don’t want to share you or your body with anyone, not even a husband you no longer care for. If you can’t do this, then forget about me helping you. Forget the company. Forget everything.”

He stood, straightened his coat, and walked away leaving me in stunned silence, my world spinning and my conscience burning.

I sat in the dimly lit rooftop restaurant, my drink untouched, my thoughts spiraling endlessly. My fingers traced the rim of the glass as his words echoed in my mind like a curse I couldn’t escape.

What was I supposed to do now? How could I choose between protecting my daughter, saving my husband, and preserving the life we had fought so hard for? The weight of it pressed down on my chest, making it hard to breathe.

I didn’t even realize how much time had passed until a gentle voice startled me.

“Ma’am, I’m sorry to disturb you,” the waitress said softly. “But it’s closing hour. We’ll need to shut down now.”

I blinked, disoriented, checking the time on my phone 7:30 PM. I had been sitting there for over two hours.

“Oh,” I murmured. “I’m sorry.” I gathered my things and stood, forcing a polite smile. “Thank you.”

The drive home was a blur. My hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, my knuckles pale. My heart wrestled with a decision I didn’t feel equipped to make. Should I tell Richard? Or keep it to myself and bear the burden alone?

I knew one thing for certain: Richard loved our daughter deeply. If he heard about Malcolm’s plan to marry Caroline off like a pawn, he would lose it. And the second condition… it was too dangerous to even say aloud.

When I finally walked into the house, my silence said more than words. Richard looked up from the couch, noticing my tense expression immediately.

“Babe?” he said, standing. “Since you got back, you haven’t smiled… you haven’t even said much. Did something go wrong?”

I hesitated, removing my shoes slowly. I couldn’t meet his eyes.

“Talk to me,” he pressed, walking toward me. “You’re scaring me.”

I sat down slowly, my hands clasped tightly in my lap. I took a deep breath. “Malcolm… agreed to help us.”

His face lit up. “Wait, seriously? He’s going to help us get back on our feet?”

“Yes,” I said quietly. “But…”

His smile froze. “But?”

“There are conditions.”

The joy drained from his face. “What kind of conditions?”

I didn’t speak right away. Richard stepped closer, firmer this time. “Margaret. I’m asking you. What are the conditions?”

I looked up at him, my voice trembling. “The first… is that we allow Caroline to marry his son, Ethan.”

He frowned. “Ethan? That rich kid?” He paused, trying to process. “Well… I don’t like it, but if that’s what it takes, maybe Caroline could grow to like him”

“There’s more,” I cut in, my voice barely a whisper.

His eyes narrowed. “What more?”

I swallowed hard. The words felt like knives. “He wants… he wants me to get rid of you.”

The silence that followed was deafening.

Richard stared at me in disbelief. “What?”

“Malcolm wants me to get you to sign over the company… and then… you’d have to disappear,” I whispered, tears stinging my eyes.

His face went pale. “Disappear? As in he wants you to kill me?”

I nodded slowly, guilt washing over me like a wave.

He staggered back, his voice hoarse. “He wants you to murder your husband… for a company?”

“I didn’t agree!” I cried. “I didn’t say yes! I couldn’t… I wouldn’t…”

But even I could hear how weak my voice sounded.

That night, neither of us slept. Richard tossed and turned beside me, lost in thought. I lay there staring at the ceiling, the weight of Malcolm’s words pressing down on my chest.

In the days that followed, I avoided Malcolm completely: no calls, no texts, nothing. Silence filled our home like a storm cloud. Even Caroline could sense it.

One afternoon, she approached me. “Mum,” she said gently, “what’s going on? This house feels… cold.”

I forced a smile. “Everything’s perfectly fine, darling. You don’t need to worry.”

But everything was far from fine.

After nights of restless silence, Richard finally spoke. As we sat on opposite sides of the bed, he looked over at me. “I’ve thought about it,” he said quietly. “Maybe it’s best if Caroline marries Ethan.”

I turned to him, startled. “You’re serious?”

“She’ll be secure,” he said. “She’ll want for nothing. And… we’ll get what we need. We just have to make sure she doesn’t get hurt.”

I stared at him in disbelief but slowly nodded. I liked the idea, but one concern lingered. “And the second condition?”

His expression hardened. “Tell Malcolm you accept the first condition. But make it clear he must fulfill his part of the deal before the second one even comes up. That way, we’re not cheated.”

I considered it. “Alright. That’s smart.”

For the first time in weeks, we both managed to rest. Or so we thought.

The next morning, I dressed carefully. I picked out one of my signature short dresses the kind Malcolm liked. It hugged my body perfectly, revealing just enough to leave an impression.

As I prepared to leave, Caroline caught sight of me. “Mum?” she asked, puzzled. “Where are you going dressed like that?”

I blinked, caught off guard, then smiled quickly. “Oh, I’m just meeting a friend.”

Before she could ask more, I was already out the door.

When I arrived at Malcolm’s office, he looked genuinely surprised. “Wow,” he said with a smirk. “I thought that was the last time I’d ever see you.”

I gave a polite laugh and took a seat. “Can I sit?”

“Of course,” he said, gesturing to the chair opposite him.

I didn’t waste time. “I’ve thought it over,” I said. “And I’ve decided to accept your condition on one term. The first condition must be fulfilled, and you must uphold your end of the deal before we move on to the second.”

Malcolm leaned back, amused. “You don’t trust me?”

“I believe in safety,” I replied. “This way, no one gets cheated.”

He chuckled. “I’m a man of my word, mi princesa. But… as you wish.”

I smiled. “Then this calls for a celebration. Get some wine.”

His smile widened. “We’ll celebrate,” he said, voice low, “but not with wine.”