Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 5: Chapter 5

DEMI

"Demi dear?" I look away from the tall, arched window to stare at Mrs. Rollins. She walks elegantly towards me in a flurry of satin. A sparkling diamond necklace glitters on her neck. Next to me, my aunt, Kira and my best friend Anna huddle close.

Mrs. Rollins places her ring studded hand on my left shoulder. "It's okay. This is your home now." I inhale deeply and force a smile. I still can't believe it. Anna has a big smile on her face as she delivers my suitcase to one of the domestic staff. Aunt thanks Mrs. Rollins profusely for standing by me.

Down the hallway, the quads stand with their hands buried in their pockets, their faces bereft of emotion. Their father must still be stewing in his study. Mr. Rollins isn't entirely happy to suddenly welcome a daughter who isn't at the very least an heir to a fortune. For the last one hour while I was waiting with my family, he has been scolding the quads, referring to me as their 'mess'.

I am supposed to pick one of the sons to play my husband for the next twelve months. This is another reason that has me all tensed up.

"Relax dear." Mrs. Rollins steers me toward her sons. "One of my sons has decided to be your husband." I halt in my track.

"Is he the one who married me? You said you knew."

Mrs. Rollins sighed. "No, he isn't the one I suspected to have married you that night. Honestly, I am not entirely sure my guess is correct and my boys won't open up to me. Don't be disheartened dear. Ashley has offered to stand by your side. Collectively, they have promised to treat you with the respect you deserve." Seeing the worry etched on my face, she takes my hands in hers. "You're still free to choose as we originally planned. I just thought I would let you know that one of them is stepping up."

Aunt pulls me aside. "Does it really matter who it was that night? This isn't some kind of love marriage. Since you can't tell the brothers apart, sticking with Ashley or randomly selecting won't make a difference. Chances are you might still end up picking one of the three who didn't wed you. The most important thing is that you have been accepted as the first daughter-in-law of the Rollins family. Don't forget that."

"She's right, Demi." Anna adds. "You're one lucky girl. So many women have played this fake marriage card with the quads and never even got to the front steps of this mansion yet here you are moving into the mansion and cherry-picking what quad you share a room with." She gives me a dirty wink. "Go for it. If the coward who married you won't step up, good riddance, right? Stick with another bro."

I whip my head to stare at the brothers. They are standing next to their mother now. Drawing a breath, I nod in agreement. "You're right. This will all be over in a year anyway. I shouldn't overthink who gets to play my fake hubby."

the spirit."

disdainfully. "Rather than thinking of turning this sham marriage into the real deal and making a

Mrs. Rollins draws

"Demi, this is Ashley."

Damn it, they all are, with a powerful gaze that can chew up and spit a woman's insecurities if allowed to linger. I extend a hand and when he kisses my knuckles, I freeze up. No, not that one. Not the flirt. He leans close to my ear and

like getting chained

drains from my face as he backs

copy to me for review. Ashley and I sit down and while he hastily signs, I quickly scan the fine print

already." Mr. Rollins

not stated here how I can distinguish or identify Ashley." I reply

in his high chair. "Why do you need to tell him from the others? Do you plan to sleep with him? Have his babies? Are you worried about riding the wrong Ash?" The quads chuckle softly behind

cautions her

only a marriage

Demi." Aunt pleads. "Don't

the document. Mrs. Rollins insists we celebrate with a few drinks. It turns into a mini celebration in one of the grand living rooms on the first floor. Mrs. Rollins

a gorgeous face like that" Anna's eyes wheel to Ashley in a white shirt as he approaches us. She leans close to whisper in my

Ashley charismatically bows to kiss Anna's knuckles and she giggles like a teenager. "Anna, pleased to make your acquaintance. I terribly apologize for disrupting your conversation but I would love to have a word with my new wife. You're welcome to join my mother and the other ladies for a proper lunch. Oliver here will escort you." With a casual wave, a young man hustles forward and

when he turns to me again. My breath hitches in my throat. A year will never be enough to get used to the thrill that radiates up my core whenever I lock eyes with the quads. He smells really nice. His posture is everything. I dip my eyes to the fine trim of his beard,

you really Ashley or just