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."

over but as time passes, it's all coming back to me. I apologize for the media mess and I assure you I don't want any of the attention. The leaking of the certificate was wrong on our end but we couldn't get an audience with your family otherwise so I can get an annulment."

that." Mrs. Rollins tells my aunt. "And you, Demi, do you swear to me that you aren't one of those desperate girls hounding my sons to get their last name? Are you certain one of my

the heartbreak and vulnerable. I must have accidentally mixed up the

"Alone?"

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 kiss my lips. I'm sorry Mrs. Rollins. I don't remember how we got

intently. "Do you still

fazes

I'll arrange for it

My aunt asks,

smiles. "If she doesn't, I just might know which of my sons

***

alike. However, she knows each one's temperament, their likely response to a given situation, the way they talk. Her sons also know she knows so whenever they want to switch on her, each one plays a different brother and their mum is back to not knowing them. The family is used to their pranks. Only their father can

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, prudent, mannered and most importantly, I am not afraid to stand up to

I hold off on getting the marriage annulled. Whether I choose to annul it or not, it will still make headlines and

look out for our family if aunt is kinder towards me. She had seen through my aunt's façade and knew just what kind

quads?" I repeat Mrs. Rollins proposition. "I don't want to,

the first daughter-in-law of

"Did you see them?"

and they're sexy,

paraphrase to Kira.

the looks, name and status to be

you but not every woman wants to be married to