Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 22

Chapter 22: Chapter 22

DEMI

The harsh slivers of sunlight wash into my room, half-blinding my eyes. Stirring, I block the rays with an arm over my face and groggily sit up on my bed. The room spins slightly with every move I make. Cussing, I pull my knees up and cradle my aching head in my hands. Just then, the blinds on the window come down, blocking off the heat of the sunrays.

I blink severally to adjust my vision. My heart leaps at the sight of one of the quads sitting in my room. How long has he been there watching me. His clothes are very casual and very black. I can't make anything from his bland eyes. Trying to figure out which brother is facing me makes my head want to split in two so I just give up.

"What do you want? I am not in the mood for this."

"Beside you." He jerks his chin towards my bedside drawer. "That should help with the hangover." I hastily drain the contents of the cup and toss my head back on the headboard. A film of sweat coats my forehead, dibbles down my side.

"I hate this feeling."

"And yet you still drink." His tone makes me look up at him. "For someone who claims her life turned on its head after one drunken night, you sure haven't learnt your lesson." A small smile tugs his lips.

"Which brother do I have the privilege of being lectured by this fine morning?"

"Hmm. I thought you were somewhat of an expert by now. Are the clothes too abstract for you?" Before I can frown, he makes a familiar hand signal and relief swells inside me.

"Oh, Ashal, just who I wanted to see." I dab my brows. "I'm sorry about last night. I was so foolish. I thought I wasn't furious about Nicola's visit. I wanted to come find you so we can drink and I can air out my feelings but then I recalled you already had plans. I guzzled a can of beer in here. I must have wandered." My head spins again and I close a hand over my forehead. "I hope I didn't do something crazy."

Ashal chuckles. "Isn't it amazing that you seem to never lose your bearings especially when drunk?" He rises to his feet. "If you're going to have a secret hand signal with Ashal, maybe try not to make it so fucking obvious in public, Branson."

I shut my eyes. It just had to be him. I am not nearly ready for this back and forth, especially since our last encounter is still vivid in my imagination. I feel a crimson blush seep into my cheeks. "Of course, you saw that."

My stomach muscles tighten as Ashton approaches with his hands jammed in the pockets of his pants as usual. "You must know that my brothers and I have concrete reasons to be wary of you. Let's say I believe that the Blue Cove was an accident. You came to my family the very next morning to assert your claim to a place here. Pressured by public sentiments and my mom's rare liking to you, you were accepted into our home. You got a husband and a wealthy family. Now, my question to you is why this isn't enough? Why are you hell bent on finding the man who wedded you while intoxicated? What is it to you?"

"Keep it down. My head is aching." I hope I can stall his rapid-fire questions with a show of dizziness but true to form, he persists stubbornly.

"Are you in love with him?"

eyebrows slash up at him. The grim set of his eyes has been tempered by curiosity. When he

"You spoke with mother?"

intense blue eyes again and my throat

My eyes frantically search his deep ones. He tears his away, and shifts

isn't willing to show himself to you because he is afraid of hurting the people that

him for a lifelong commitment. I just want closure from that night and the morning after. I have a few things to say

a hurried kiss. Ashton cups my face with both hands and leans in deeper into our kiss. Our tongues discover each other. Our heartbeat drum in rhythm. Then, I pull away to his surprise. I can't allow

talk about that night, I'll be here. I just want to talk and that'll be it. I am not breaking my contract with Ashley. I value promises and keeping my word." I try to slide off the bed when his words

to me about that night? Tell me." My heart thumps wildly

"You..."

sorry." Ashton runs a hand over his face. "I-I had a bad day. I wanted some privacy, away from everyone to drink away my pain." Tears wells up in my eyes when he plants a kiss in my palm. "It was stupid what we did. I didn't think you'd care or show up the very next morning at my house with our marriage certificate

for me. Yes, I did feel a connection between us in Blue Cove but everything wilted when you showed up with your family. Heck, couldn't you have

inside me. While I am glad to be rid of this confusion of trying to decipher the one quad that may have a connection to my parents' death, I am devastated to know it's Ashton. I didn't realize how desperately I wanted it to be anyone

am grateful for his reflexes, I am too angry to thank him. I

I opened up, okay?

threatens to explode if he lingers in my room. Gritting my teeth, I turn to face him. "You know what, I thought I needed closure. I felt a connection that night and every day since then, I have wondered if things would have been different if you stepped up as you should and we were given a chance to explore life together. After all this time, and learning that it's been you all this while, I

for all the inconveniences caused. Let's expunge that

exhale deeply and

knew it was going to be one of them. You were prepared for this." I blot away my tears with the hem of my nightdress and stare at my disheveled face. Maybe this is a good thing. With all that

***

reckless? Anything could have happened to you. There's no telling what those

the back of the shelves. Just before I had to move in with my new family, I had pitched the idea to Mr. Rahl about adding some reading tables and sofas to the shop, as well as displaying treats and coffee to draw in more customers. Thankfully, with Liam's support,

Liam and I to hang out at the back to avoid being photographed by desperate journalists. Save for the new employee at the counter with headphones

be real. Asher was there. I knew he wouldn't buy it so I had to actually get drunk. I know it was risky but I was counting on the fact that they would respect their parents and their home enough to not entertain any dark thoughts

shakes his head. "Well? Did you

Ashal held me by the door as his brothers bickered, I managed to stick one of the devices under the wooden table closest to the door. I was very scared. Asher was onto me but Ashley and Ashton protected me." I stare wistfully into my mug as I

like that look on your face. You know you

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