Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 3: Chapter 3

DEMI

I don't know what the hell I am doing but I can't stand these accusations and threats anymore. I had wanted to take the blame and end this farce quietly but it seems the Rollins Empire are more ruthless than everyone thinks. They won't let us off easily and aunt will ultimately blame me for everything.

The brothers all stiffen at my utterance. Good, the culprit deserves it for standing here with a straight face and letting me take all the heat for our stupid action last night.

"How so?" The serious looking detective wannabe one leers at me. He's too stuck up. I doubt he has a romantic side. The one I had been with definitely knew how to make a woman laugh and feel. That leaves the other three brothers behind their quiet mother.

"I woke up from a terrible hangover to find the marriage certificate. I couldn't have dreamt it all up. The church exists. As time passes, snippets of last night filter into my memory."

"What the fuck are you saying?" The brash one with thug vibes cuts me off. I rule him out too. He hasn't relaxed his facial muscles ever since he set eyes on me. It's almost like plebeians are a trigger for him. That leaves the flirty one and the quiet one. Neither can be innocent especially given the intimate kiss I now remember sharing with one of them. I recall losing myself in his blue eyes, burying my fingers in his curly hair, and the bite. He definitely bit down possessively on my lips.

"The signature. Why don't we compare it with all yours. Whoever it matches is the man who married me." They all scoff. "That signature is very unique. It can't be pulled off by just any random guy." I am panicking but I hope nobody senses it. When I look up, Mrs. Rollins is smiling warmly at me. For the first time, I take an easy breath. "I still want an annulment but before that, I want to prove to you, Mr. Rollins, that I am not a liar. I have never wanted to be wedded to one of your sons irrespective of your wealth. I admire your family but I don't want your life. I am content with my aunt and our quiet neighborhood. Fame isn't everyone's wish."

"I hate to break it to you but this signature can be replicated by all four of us. It's a popular one we use when signing autographs for people. Pictures of it are splattered over the internet. Some people even print it on their shirts. I am saying anyone could have copied it." The I-have-to-impress-my-daddy brother retorts. "You clearly don't know who your groom is because frankly, you're looking for him at the wrong house."

"That's enough. I've had enough of this." Mr. Rollins says. He orders Duncan to throw us out. Aunt and Kira have surprisingly backed down from the fight as the mission has failed. "Don't you even think of talking to the media or making anymore posts about this issue. I will deal mercilessly with you if you try it."

"Calm down, dear." Mrs. Rollins intervenes for the first time. She waves Duncan away and escorts us to our car where we get our phones back.

"Mrs. Rollins, I am not lying. One of your sons knows I'm not." I plead with her to believe me.

"My sons will never lie to me."

hung over but as time passes, it's all coming back to me. I apologize for the media mess and I assure you

Demi, do you swear to me that you aren't one of those desperate girls

eyes. "I was in pain from the heartbreak and vulnerable. I must have accidentally mixed up the male and female bathrooms upstairs in

"Alone?"

"He listened to me. He didn't touch me except to brush my hair off my face or wipe my tears. He was kind to me. I must have kissed his cheek and that was what prompted him to

watched me intently. "Do

question fazes

you want an annulment, I'll arrange for it to be

My aunt

just might

***

apart especially when they are all dressed alike. However, she knows each one's temperament, their likely response to a given situation, the way

have brought home. They're not exactly ideal. She admits she has taken a liking to me because I represent everything she wishes for in a daughter-in-law; reserved, intelligent,

I hold off on getting the marriage annulled. Whether I choose to annul it or not, it will still make headlines and I can never go back to

deal?" Aunt asks me. Mrs. Rollins generously wired twenty million dollars to my aunt and promised to continue to look out for our family if aunt is kinder towards me.

choose any of her sons as my groom and stick with him for a year in hopes of straightening the attitude of the quads?" I repeat Mrs. Rollins proposition. "I don't want to, aunt. You got the money you wanted, twice over. I just want this to all

being the first daughter-in-law of the Rollins Empire?" Kira scoffs. "Wow,

"Did you see them?"

and they're sexy,

paraphrase to Kira. "They're so mean, proud

the looks,

to you but not every woman wants to be