Levirate Contract

In the opulent living room, Jonathan, the so called ruthless mafia tycoon, sat regally on a leather armchair. Jonathan raised his eyebrows as Hazel entered, and there was a fleeting glint of annoyance in his eyes at her audacity. “You’re here. Good,” he said coldly, folding the newspaper and setting it aside.

As Hazel entered the living room, Jonathan’s eyes were immediately drawn to her, but he masked any hint of his reaction beneath the cold, Impenetrable exterior he had carefully cultivated over the years. His gaze swept over her in a detached manner, but internally, he couldn’t help but be mesmerized.

The dress she wore draped elegantly over her figure, leaving one shoulder enticingly bare, the other adorned with the delicate fabric. The deep v neckline added a regal touch to the ensemble, and the relaxed fit of the dress made her appear comfortable, yet every bit the elegant and stylish woman. The sleeves, gracefully tapering towards her elbows, offered a subtle contrast to her fair skin, a glimpse of modesty amidst the allure of the dress.

The dress's wide, simple waistband accentuated her slim figure, creating a fluid transition from the top to the bottom. Below the waist, the layers of the dress cascaded diagonally, adding a captivating depth to her appearance. It almost brushed the floor, pooling around her feet in a graceful manner. The side and back of the dress were slightly longer, lending her an air of ethereal grace as she moved.

Her choice of footwear, the phantoms, were a touch of sophistication and the perfect match for the ensemble. The bow in her hair and the large, jeweled earrings added the finishing touches to the picture of elegance she presented.

Jonathan’s stoic exterior concealed the fact that he was not only mesmerized but also beginning to understand why his brother, Michael, had fallen for Hazel. The juxtaposition of her grace and the tragic circumstances surrounding her presence in this mansion created a unique, almost unsettling allure. Jonathan’s emotions remained buried deep within, but the silent acknowledgment of her beauty was a secret he kept to himself. Hazel made her way to the living room, her heart heavy with a strange mix of apprehension and determination. She had resolved to stand her ground in the face of this bizarre and heartless situation.

Jonathan’s voice was cold as he handed Hazel a document. “Hazel, I believe it’s time we discuss the levirate contract. According to our traditions, as my brother’s widow, you are to marry me.”

Hazel’s eyes widened with disbelief and grief, “What?!” Her voice trembled with a mix of sorrow and anger.

Jonathan’s sadistic smirk appeared as he leaned in, his eyes devoid of empathy. “Life is unpredictable, Hazel. You should consider yourself fortunate to be under my protection. Sign the contract, and your future will be secure. I’m sorry for your trouble.”

Hazel’s emotions overtook her, and she flung the contract to the floor. “I won’t do it! This is heartless, even for you!”

Jonathan rose from his chair, his cold demeanor intensifying. “Very well, Hazel. If you refuse, remember, you’re more than welcome to leave,” He gestured towards the door.

Hazel, her heart heavy with grief and despair, realized that she was trapped, not just in the mansion but in a sinister web woven by a man who embodied cruelty and power.

Hazel stood up and teared the envelope and Jonathan just rolled his eyes and looked at the newspaper. She strolled towards the door but she stopped with tears in her eyes and strolled back.

Her heels were clicking on the floor and it annoyed Jonathan so much as he wasn’t used to that sound and more importantly, he was trying to focus on the newspaper.

With a determined resolve, Hazel locked eyes with him. “I will only believe that my husband is dead when I see his lifeless body in the mortuary. Until then, all this talk of a levirate contract and marrying you is ultimate bullshit!” Her voice wavered slightly, but her conviction was unwavering and she was snarling at him.

Jonathan sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose as if he had anticipated her resistance. “Hazel, your stubbornness is as infuriating as it is futile. The fact remains that Michael is no longer among the living. You should consider yourself lucky to have the protection of the Black family.”

Hazel’s brow furrowed, and she replied, “Protection? Protection from what, Jonathan? What’s really going on here?”

A sinister smile tugged at the corner of Jonathan’s lips, but he didn’t reveal the depths of his involvement. “You’re safer here with me, Hazel, that’s all you need to know.”

But Hazel wasn’t about to be swayed by vague assurances. She had more questions. “Why did Michael have to die, and why is there a contract forcing me to marry you? Well… the contract is no more.”

Jonathan’s expression darkened, and he leaned forward in his chair, his voice dripping with icy condescension. “You don’t need to know the details, Hazel. Just understand that things are different now, and you are bound by our traditions.”

Hazel couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something more sinister lurking beneath the surface. Her eyes bore into Jonathan’s, searching for the truth, but she found only cold indifference.

Jonathan, despite his ruthless exterior, couldn’t help but feel a surge of self-loathing for what had transpired. He wished he could reveal the whole truth, but the dangerous world of the mafia was a web of secrets and blood ties. Hazel’s presence was a constant reminder of the price paid, a constant reminder of his own guilt and regrets.

As the silence in the room stretched, Hazel’s mind raced with questions, while Jonathan’s heart ached with the burden of the secrets he couldn’t share. The mansion was cloaked in shadows, and the mysteries that surrounded it were far from being unraveled.

“Well… I knew you were going to do that hence I made another copy. Here is the contract. Let me know if you have questions. I’ll be in the next room,” Jonathan said as he stood up and Hazel was impressed but at the same time shocked.

She didn’t say a word and took the other envelope. She opened the envelope.

This Levirate Marriage Contract (the "Contract") is entered into on this 19th day of October, 2023 between the parties herein, hereinafter referred to as the "Husband's Family" and the "Brother-in-Law." This Contract is based on the principles of levirate marriage, wherein the Brother-in-Law agrees to marry his deceased brother's widow, in accordance with the customs and traditions of their community.

The purpose of this Contract is to formalize the agreement between the Husband's Family and the Brother-in-Law regarding the levirate marriage, with the aim of upholding social and familial responsibilities, ensuring the welfare and protection of the widow, and maintaining the lineage and inheritance of the deceased husband.

The Husband's Family agrees to facilitate and support the levirate marriage between the widow and the Brother-in-Law, ensuring a smooth transition and acceptance within the family and community.

“Family? Michael never mentioned his family to me.” Hazel said as a tear flew from her face.

The Brother-in-Law agrees to marry the widow of his deceased brother and assume the role of a husband and provider.

The Brother-in-Law will protect and support the widow, fulfilling her emotional, physical, and financial needs, as per the customs and traditions of their community.

She skipped all the Brother-in-Law duties and went straight to read the termination of the Contract which stated:

a. The Contract may be terminated if both parties mutually agree to dissolve the levirate marriage, provided that the welfare and consent of the widow are duly considered.

b. The Contract may also be terminated if the Brother-in-Law fails to fulfill his obligations or treats the widow unjustly, as determined by the customs and traditions of their community.

She swallowed hard as she saw that Michael’s parents as well as Jonathan already signed the document and she felt like she was robbed the truth.

After Hazel’s unexpected demand to see her deceased husband’s body, Jonathan knew he had to take action. He had to find a way to maintain the illusion while ensuring she never discovered the truth about Michael’s death.

Jonathan’s need for secrecy weighed heavily on his mind, and he knew he had to confide in someone. He summoned Chris, one of his most trusted men, to a discreet corner of the kitchen.

“Chris,” Jonathan said in a hushed, serious tone, “there’s something you need to understand about Hazel. She doesn’t know the truth about Michael’s life.”

Chris, always alert and ready to follow Jonathan’s orders, raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? She doesn’t know what?”

Jonathan sighed, the weight of his words evident in his voice. “Michael was… involved in some… business activities she’s unaware of. He was a mafia tycoon. Hazel doesn’t know anything about it. This could complicate things, Chris. I don’t know if I should tell her or not. I don’t know how she will react, she is so unpredictable and I can’t have her stumbling into our world unprepared.”

Chris absorbed the revelation, his eyes narrowing with concern. “So, what’s the plan?”

Jonathan looked around the dimly lit corridor, ensuring they were alone. “We need to be cautious, Chris. Hazel is a wild card, and we can’t risk her finding out the truth too soon. Keep an eye on her. Make sure she doesn’t uncover anything she shouldn’t. Her ignorance about our world is a vulnerability we can’t afford.”

Chris nodded in agreement, understanding the gravity of the situation. “Consider it done, boss. We’ll keep her in the dark.”

Jonathan couldn’t help but feel the weight of deception and the tangled web of lies growing more complex by the day. The truth about Michael’s life and his own involvement in the criminal underworld remained hidden, a ticking time bomb that threatened to explode at any moment.

With a cold demeanor, he left the kitchen after tapping Chris’ shoulder and headed to a dimly lit corner of the mansion where his most trusted man, Marco, was usually stationed. Marco was aware of the intricacies of the mafia world, and his loyalty was unwavering.

“Marco, we have a situation,” Jonathan began in a low, controlled voice. “Hazel wants to see Michael’s lifeless body before she even considers signing the contract. We can’t let her know the truth.”

Marco nodded in understanding. “I have a contact at a discreet mortuary about an hour’s drive from here. I can arrange to transport the body there under a false identity. She won’t suspect a thing.”

Jonathan’s eyes bore into Marco’s. “Make it happen, but be discreet. We can’t afford any mistakes.” He knew the consequences of a misstep in their world were severe.

Marco replied with a curt nod, his loyalty to Jonathan clear. “Consider it done.”

As they finalized the plan, Jonathan couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of unease. He was keeping Hazel in the dark about the true nature of his family’s business, and the burden of that deception weighed heavily on him. This elaborate charade was a dangerous game, and he couldn’t afford to let any cracks appear in the façade.