But for the most part, Olivia feels unimportant and ignored. Nine months later, Olivia gives birth to a boy, Malcolm Jr., referred to as 'Mal.' Malcolm is kind to her at times, giving her hope that things might improve between them. Olivia wants to scream but does not, trying to hide her humiliation from the servants. When Malcolm discovers her in the room, they finally consummate their marriage, an act that could be considered more of an attack than an act of love, with Malcolm saying his mother's name the entire time.

It has been kept as a shrine to her and contains a very large, ornate bed carved in the shape of a swan. When exploring the house, she discovers the 'Swan Room' which belonged to Malcolm's mother. Olivia feels betrayed and humiliated but is still optimistic that things will change as they begin their life together. While he is attracted to beauty and seems likely to consider an affair, it is obvious he lacks enough patience and true feeling for such an entanglement. She believes her own plain looks and money attracted him to her, since he mistrusts conventionally beautiful women. She discovers that Malcolm is still tormented by his mother Corinne's abandonment of him at age five. At a party to celebrate their wedding, Malcolm talks to and flirts with other women, neglecting Olivia. Olivia starts to discover dark secrets about Malcolm, which eventually diminish her love for him. Olivia leaves her family home in New London, Connecticut, to move to his family's mansion, Foxworth Hall, in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Malcolm, taken by her forthright manner and impressed with her intelligence, proposes after only two days' acquaintance. She thinks she has found 'the one' since he is the first man to ever show interest in her. Tall, plain Olivia Winfield is rescued from spinsterhood by the smart and handsome Malcolm Foxworth. ( February 2012) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Please help improve it by removing unnecessary details and making it more concise. This section's plot summary may be too long or excessively detailed. It is the fifth novel of the Flowers in the Attic series but considered the prequel, as the story told takes place prior to the events of the first book. The novel explains the origin of Olivia Winfield (the grandmother in Flowers in the Attic), the events that cause her to become the cold, domineering mistress of Foxworth Hall, and Corinne's childhood and eventual betrayal. This is the fifth novel of the Dollanganger series. There is some dispute over whether this particular novel was written in part by Andrews before she died, or whether it was written entirely by Neiderman. Andrews died in 1986, and her estate commissioned ghostwriter Andrew Neiderman to continue writing novels under her name developed from plot outlines originally written by Andrews.

Shadows of foxworth series