Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 33

Chapter 33: Chapter 33

ASHTON

It feels eerie being here without my brothers, especially Ashal. Today however, I have no intention of playing anybody but myself. I am here on personal business and I really don’t care if word spreads to Ashal. I notice the new security detail at the penthouse. They barely let me through the gate without proper identification. After satisfying their curiosity, I am allowed to drive into the premises.

I shouldn’t be surprised. A lot has happened behind these thick walls recently that even caused the loss of a life. Ashal is on edge right now. He has made massive staff cuts. I agree with his decision. I’d probably do worse if I was in his shoes.

"Welcome sir." The new chief of security greets me.

"Thank you. It’s Ashton."

"I know. I saw your ID."

"I know my way inside. I don’t need an escort."

"It’s protocol, sir. We can’t leave Mrs. Olivia alone with any guest. Please cooperate with us."

Sighing, I follow his brisk steps into the house while he mutters instructions through his two-way radio. My own phone buzzes in my side pocket. I pull it out and give a half smile.

"That was fast. Your new team is a delight to watch."

"Why are you at my penthouse?" Ashal fires at me.

"Woah. Calm down, hulk. When did I ever need your permission to visit my sister-in-law?"

"I’m serious, Ash. Things have changed around there. The least you could have done was inform me you were visiting. I don’t think Olivia is ready to see my face just yet."

"Well, I understand your anxiety but I need to speak with her. It’s about her contacting Demi. That’s the reason you got so mad and hit her, right? I need to know what else she has done and who else she has told. Then, I plan on giving her some advice to avoid triggering your anger. You know you’re not in a position to order her around right now. Let me do this for you."

Ashal heaves a breath over the phone. "Go easy on her. She’s been through a lot."

"Got it."

"And Ash?"

"Yes?"

"If she mistakes you for Asher, please correct her. I don’t know why but she keeps mistaking me for him ever since he came in to help her when I hit her weeks back. I think she believes he’s the only one who actually cares about her."

"Alright. I’ll see you soon." I hang up and continue following the officer.

I don’t know what to make of Olivia’s confusion. I know she has history with Asher. They met first and had a one night stand that didn’t end so well. Typically, Asher couldn’t handle the dent on his reputation so he easily dumped the blame on his sick brother. I overhead Asher and Olivia talking about that night once. I got mad for my poor brother, Ashal. Asher didn’t deny it when I confronted him but he assured me that Olivia will always be Ashal’s.

Now, I don’t get why Olivia is mistaking everyone for Asher. Have they been in contact? Is he helping her or did he ask her to reach out to Demi? I wouldn’t put it past him. He has been trying to find a smoking gun to kick Demi out. Why not create the evidence if you can’t find any?

"Mrs. Olivia, Mr. Ashton Rollins is here to see you." The security officer announces.

Olivia sits by the piano, running her fingers smoothly over the keys but doesn’t play anything. When she rises to face me, she is thinner than I remember. Her eyes are weak but there’s still some fight left in them. She stares hard at me as though somehow, she would decipher the truth of my identity.

a while." She

will only take five minutes." The security officer trades

is this

of her face as she staggers backward, bumping into the piano and accidentally

you that? About my

it clicks. Fuck. It can’t be. To the best of my knowledge, I am the only one privy to Olivia’s miscarriage. If Asher knows, then Ashal didn’t tell him. It only means he has been in contact with Olivia all this time. Was that his baby

I might have just made. "Yes, he confided

facial muscles relax as she straightens up. "He didn’t tell Ashal,

state he put you in due to his condition.

scoffs and looks away. "Did Asher send you then? To check

here on my own accord." I take two steps forward. I really can’t believe it. Asher has been cheating with Ashal’s wife? The baby Ashal has been mourning all this time wasn’t even his? How low can Asher stoop? Anger bubbles hot within me but I remind myself to keep calm and

gives me her full attention with a

"You signed an NDA."

to be friends. I wasn’t going to introduce myself as related to your

believe that?" I can’t believe she is still lying through her teeth, "YOU TOLD HER TO COME TO THE PENTHOUSE! What were

security officer appears by the door when Olivia cowers in fright.

know the gravity

haven’t broken my

with some Mr. Fantasy guy because you’re in an abusive relationship? Why would she say that if you didn’t tell

at a loss

Ashal found your text to Demi and lost it. How could you do that knowing the risks? What do you think will happen if Demi learns about you? She’s family now and the best she can do is speak to my mother on your behalf. If

be known as Ashal’s

accepted you and your lover’s first baby despite knowing the truth. He has been working hard to get better so he can be deserving of your love. If you had any sense in that head of yours, you’d go for the man that can lay down

looks down somberly. "I’m sorry about Demi. It happened at a time when I was fearful for my life here. I still am. Please, don’t tell your parents. Your father will actually kill me this time. I promise not to do anything rash ever again. I’ll keep a low profile as long as you find a way to keep your crazy brother away from me. When he isn’t trying to kill me, he drives me absolutely crazy. Please Ashton, keep him away until he actually gets better." She begs with folded

a part to play in all this. Don’t try to act smart and reach out to people you shouldn’t be contacting or telling people things you shouldn’t be talking about. I have eyes and ears everywhere.

to the door and pause just

She looks up with wary eyes. Her hands are burrowed between her thighs. "End your illicit relationship with Asher. I won’t let you two disrespect Ashal like that. He has suffered enough because of your lies. If you defy me and continue

in my office. If I could, I’d punch Asher repeatedly in the face till he becomes unrecognizable. The bastard. How could he still continue to hurt Ashal so? Who the hell does he think he is? He already has enough women vying for his attention. Even Mila’s dad has given his stamp of approval for the prick. Why does it have to be Olivia when he knows how hard Ashal is working to salvage his relationship? I

is a conversation best had in person so that if Asher says something cocky, my fist can fly. Ashal’s call comes in just then. I inhale sharply

"How did it go?"

grieving the loss of her baby but

"And the Demi thing?"

It was out of panic for her life and safety when she made the poor decision to reach Demi.

now along with every other pain he’s already feeling? If

way to predict that Ashal won’t lose his mind and bray for Asher’s and Olivia’s blood. There could be a literal bloodbath and I can’t live with that. I decide against telling

you." Ashal mentions. "For not ratting

hope she listens to my advice. I don’t know what I’ll do

in there. After I continuously ignored the rest given the way my

no idea why this message feels strange. Could this be Mila playing pranks to get me to go on a date with her as Will? It must be. I call her by my other contact just to verify.

She asks. Her voice

a stranger once, weren’t

thought you were

being Will. And Will still needs

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