Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 30: Chapter 30

"How is she?"

"She hasn't spoken a word in days. She barely eats or drinks. You should come see her sir. She's depressed." Lily tells me. I press my eyes shut and sigh. I am not ready to face Olivia, not as Ashal or Asher. Either way, I won't be able to contain the pain or the shame. I killed my own baby! It's the most unforgivable sin.

That baby would have been mine and Olivia's. Having a baby together might have helped our relationship progress. I know it's selfish to think this way but I can't help it. Olivia will never forgive me as Ashal now. If she hated me once, she'll be murderous towards me now. For all she knows, she just lost Asher's baby. Even if she happens to find out later that the baby was mine, she'll want to kill me even more for the deception. I can't let her find out, ever.

"I'll come see her soon. Please take care of her." I hang up and toss my head back on the pilliow in anguish.

"How is she?" Ashton asks.

"Not good. I just ran, Ash. The moment she told me she lost our baby, I couldn't think or do anything else. I couldn't face her or myself. I ran away from there." I refrain from adding that I was tempted to walk into an oncoming vehicle and end it all. I don't want anyone's pity. I don't deserve it anymore than Olivia deserves to have a fucked up husband like me.

"Thank you." Ashton says, patting my shoulder. "For coming back home." I get his drift.

"I shouldn't have. I don't deserve to be here while my child..." The pain erupts in my gut. When Ashton tries to sympathize, I push him away. "No, I really don't deserve it. I could have stopped it all. I could have saved my poor child. Prior to the night I hit Olivia, I discovered something that made me mad at her."

I go ahead to recount how I discovered Olivia had messaged Demi.

"I tried to drink my pain away. I even consumed whiskey like you would. I hoped to forget her betrayal. The point is that I knew I was mad at her but I still went ahead to the penthouse knowing the risk. If I had stayed away from her for a week or two, my anger would have subsided and my baby would still be growing in her womb. I destroyed my future with Olivia."

Ashton's arms wrap around me, holding me in a tight embrace as tears wrack through my system. I don't know how long we stay like this but when I open my eyes, it's almost dusk and my phone is blaring in the dimness. I am all by myself. I grope for the phone just as the incoming call disconnects. When I check, it's from Lily. I gape in horror at the nine previous calls she has made to me while I was asleep. How did I sleep through the calls? Did Ashton pop a sleep-inducing pill along with my regular medication?

"Lily?" I call back.

She's out of breath and talking a mile in a minute. "Lily, calm down, what's wrong. I can't understand a word." Then my eyes boggle. "Olivia did what?" I leap out of my bed like it's on fire and bolt through the door. "Keep her sedated. I am on my way."

When the elevator won't open despite how many times I tap the control buttons, I sprint down the stairs, nearly bumping into Duncan.

"Sir, are you alright? You should be resting."

"I'm well rested, Duncan. Thank you." He regards me with suspicious eyes as I brush past him on bare feet to the garage. Thankfully, mom isn't around to stop me. However, I'm certain that everyone would soon come to know I left the house in a haste since Duncan knows. He's too loyal to my parents to cover for any of us.

I narrowly escape meeting with an accident twice on my way to the penthouse. While on my way, I have Lily on loudspeaker, reporting on Olivia's state of health. Olivia had attempted suicide but thankfully, Lily saved her.

When I get into the house and find Olivia looking impoverished, pale and sweaty on her bed, my heart breaks for her. She's has lost some weight.

"I have hidden all the knives and other sharp objects in the kitchen. I will also personally administer her drugs from now so she doesn't attempt to overdose."

"Thank you, Lily. I don't know what I would do without you."

"It's my job, sir. I'm happy to be of service."

My eyes narrow in anger. "What were you all doing?" I yell at the bodyguard by the door. "I PAY YOU TO PROTECT HER AND IF LILIY HADN'T BEEN HERE, MY WIFE WOULD BE DEAD BY NOW."

the sort will ever happen

NEXT EMPLOYER. YOU'RE ALL

He bows and leaves.

duty by tomorrow morning." I assure Lily. She nods. I notice she is restless from the corner of

say it!" I snap impatiently

She is visibly shaking now. "I just don't think it is

it, Lily?" She tilts her head up

for your loss. However, while you brother was here, I did hear your wife tell him that the baby that died belonged to him and not you." Her eyes dip to the floor instanteniously, like she had used up her daily dose of

would. Still, all I do is stare pitifully at Olivia. I

to anyone, ever again." When my darkened eyes meet hers, she trembles in her small shoes. "Is

"Y-Yes sir."

leaving. I sit next to Olivia till the drugs start wearing off an hour and a half later and she stirs

"You're awake."

at me. My fingers freeze midair on their way to her cheeks to clean the tears flowing from her eyes. Ashal. It's Ashal, I want to scream but I know how

leave me like that? You ran away and left me to deal with the pain all alone. How could you? Do I have to be at

knowing fully well that will amount to our separation. While I was still trying to process that, you informed me

doubt I was pregnant for you? Asher, you know I haven't let Ashal touch me for over seven months now. He and I are practically

trust you

mad that I got pregnant for

you or more if you wish. I am deeply saddened that we couldn't welcome our angel together. Please forgive me for not protecting you both." While I grab her hands and kiss

"Is something wrong?"

have a baby with a woman is if your father ordered you to or you needed one to achieve your goals." The color drains from my face. "That's why I didn't tell you. I was hoping to hide the pregnancy

without making a family with you and when he is prepared to give you the family you want, you accuse him of being dishonest." I make a show

actually different. You know I can't

that bubbles hot inside me at the way she

I am sick, I

annoyance. Olivia takes the bait and quickly apologizes. When she tries to get up, the dizziness overtakes her

Ashal yet. I am not ready to become yours fully and I don't know how Ashal will take it when he finds out about us. I am making plans for us to ensure a smooth transition to the next phase of our love life. I'll try harder to make sure

kiss her tenderly. When she snakes her arms around my neck, I feel relieved that I have managed to salvage our relatinonship vicariously through Asher. It is not my brightest idea

"Ashal?"

and stare in shock at the

***

tiny light in my eyes. I don't know

reiterate. My parents and brothers pay me no heed as they patiently wait for the doctor's

emotional stress but aside from that, his health is just fine. I'll advise you avoid anything that could jolt your emotions, Mr. Ashal. Try to stay away from

my speedy recovery while the rest of my family stare at me like

kill Duncan." I mutter under

her eyes. "How could you not even leave me a message knowing how worried I'd be if

to see my wife. She wasn't

could have