Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 48: Chapter 48

DEMI

This is ridiculous. I can’t understand a thing Ashley is saying right now.

"Don’t make me repeat myself, Demi." He bellows, pointing to his door. With a small sigh, I quickly skim through some of the terms of the altered contract.

"Sex at least thrice a week with protection? Date night once a week? I am to inform you of any plan to deviate from my regular daily schedule of work? All new friends I intend to keep close must be introduced to my husband latest two weeks after meeting them?" Disgusted, I rip the papers in half and dunk them on his bed. His eyes are red hot with anger now.

"What the hell did you do that for?"

"Really, Ashley? You went to such great lengths to alter a contract we both signed without my consent? Did you really think that would hold up in court? We are a married couple! Unilaterally altering our agreement is like trying to divorce me without my knowledge. It doesn’t work that way."

"Don’t try to educate me!" He snaps back. "I know exactly what a valid contract is and with your signature on those papers, our new agreement will stand. There’s nothing irrational about my terms. They’re pretty normal for regular couples but most especially, they’re less ridiculous than your ’no sex’ clause in a fucking marriage contract!"

He’s angry. I can’t pinpoint where all this bitterness is stemming from. Is he still sulking about last night? I thought we were past that.

"Ashley, talk to me." He jerks his chin free when I try to touch him. "Making hasty decisions while one is angry doesn’t allow for the use of good judgment. You’re still pissed at me over what happened last night. I get it. Take it out on me. I deserve it but please don’t bottle your feelings inside." I stab a finger towards the contract documents on his bed. "That isn’t you, Ashley. You’re just reacting to the pain you’re feeling. You’re smarter than that."

He wrenches my hands off his shoulders. "Don’t patronize me, Demi." With a small gasp, he shifts back. "Wow, you’re a good actor, standing here and pretending that you give a damn about me."

"But I do..."

"No, you don’t!"

"Yes, I do, Ash. The fact that I am not willing to share your bed doesn’t negate that. I still care about you but you’re only used to a woman showing you love in the sheets. That’s what this is really about, right?"

"Don’t you dare gaslight me. I am not the liar here." He spits with venom. At my shock at his words, he edges closer and leers down at me. "Don’t act like you don’t know what I am talking about."

My eyes start to sting with tears as he follows up with more caustic remarks. "I know what I am and I have never pretended to be someone else. I sleep with women I find attractive and make sure they have a good time. I don’t force myself on any one of them; I merely give them the kind of sexual experience they’ve probably only fantasized about, with their consent of course. But you? You pretend to be an open book but there are layers to you that no one could ever really get to the end of."

I dab my misty eyes. "Stop speaking in riddles, Ashley. Spell it out. What have I done this time?"

"I thought you only had eyes for my brother and while I am still struggling to forgive you and get over the hump of your betrayal, I realize you also have a secret man outside? Jeez, Demi."

A man? Liam? Nicola must have gotten to Ashley, no doubt. My suspicions are right. This is Nicola’s doing.

"A man?" I repeat.

"You know exactly who I am referring to. Yes, Nicola told me about your little affair. I didn’t believe her at first, not even after she showed me a video her friend made where I could clearly see a strange man holding your hand and tugging you out of the store without a single complaint from your end. Like a fool, I ignored her assumptions and defended you. Then I recalled that the man is no stranger to you after all. I have seen him around you once. It can’t be a coincidence that you two keep having lunch at Anna’s, right?"

"You came by Anna’s today? That phone call earlier, was that your way of trying to confirm my whereabout because you doubted me?" I sink down on the bed. "Why didn’t you just ask me, Ash? If you’re so desperate for us to strive towards being a regular couple, why didn’t you choose to trust me first and then ask me directly what my relationship with the young man is? Instead, you followed me."

could you possibly have cooked up this time, huh? I know what I

here. We reconnected while I was working at Rahl’s. After my parents died, I came to Danvarr to start a new life with my aunt and niece. It was really hard to acclimatize to my new life, especially given that I was still grieving and wouldn’t open up to my aunt or cousin. I spent my days mourning my old life so when Charlie showed up, it helped. I didn’t feel so lonely anymore and instead of thinking back to my past life with pain, Charlie helped me navigate those hard emotions." I peer up at Ashley whose face is set in a hard

made that have doggedly stuck beside me. They’re my constants. I need them. I needed them when I was thrust into this new life with you to help me make sense of everything. I still need them. I only ever see them during my lunch break. That’s the only time I can spare. The secret meetings at the book store and the restaurant wasn’t because I was trying to hide an illicit

I take out my phone, unlock it and chuck it at him. Liam had already informed me that they planned to tap my phone. I can’t act like I’ve got anything to hide, especially not in front of Ashley who has been tasked with

sobs threaten to wrack through my system again but I get a grip on myself. Ashley’s facial muscles are yet to relax even with my tear-stricken face. I never thought he could stick to his guns for this long. He must truly be riled up. I wipe my tears dry and get on my feet, ready

you..." He stops himself from reliving the embarrassment for both of us. "I’m sorry.

still hurting. I understand." I fold my arms across my chest and look away while he silently goes through my phone. My texts with Charlie are very few and friendly. There

"Demi."

not right now." I beg

hurt. I was blinded by anger combined with

this what we’ve become. Ash? Suspicious and distrustful of each other? It’s all my fault.

not entirely your fault. I also played a part. I am also sorry, for the contract and the vile accusations. Please, let me make it up to you." My face all dry now, he tugs at my cheeks

realize this, sad because his lustful eyes are a good indicator of lingering interest. If he somehow loses the desire that keeps him coming back to me,

That’s all that’s important to me right now." My words finally strike a chord with him as his tough demeanor wavers a bit.

barely have time to exhale in relief when I run into Ashton just outside Ashely’s door. We’ve not had a chance to speak to each other since the night he found the red jacket in my room and stormed away. He’s been cold and distant

flush red as I realize how this must look. Ashton must also be aware that Ashley passed the night in my room recently. He did give the former my passcode after all. I can’t even be

I can understand not saying a word to each other given how things ended the last time we spoke. However, I was hoping for some tacit acknowledgment or the briefest flash of emotion on his face. Nothing. He might as well have just passed an uninteresting wall. How

up an act for my best interest. I need to believe it. Ashley and Asher have both insinuated that Mr. Rollins would give Ashton

wink at me as I silently hope so I turn back to my door. I guess this is it. Liam did say Ashton voted to have my phone tapped. I think he’s eager to get over me. The old Ashton is back and there’s

At least this way, you won’t have moral scruples or guilt

into my room, I

***

his alias, Charlie, because I know my phone is being tapped. Even my calls to

I can’t stand being at home. Seeing Ashley is uncomfortable. Though he’s sticking close to me and acting like a gentleman, I know it’s all his tactic for keeping a close eye on me. Luckily, I usually wriggle away from his plans with the excuse of still feeling hurt by his

new contract. I don’t know how I would have handled it knowing fully well that divorce is not an option right now. I can’t let anyone kick me

to avoid his eyes. The few times I get away with staring at him long enough to witness him glance my way, a small

her desk. My feet hurt from running around in heels all day, getting Asher’s favorite coffee or smoothie, following him to every meeting to take the minutes, keeping track of his schedule and everything else he

are you panting? Didn’t you use the elevator?" He asks with a small frown. I

I offer him the paper bag with his preferred sandwich and coffee. "Little wonder Nessa fell sick. I

than your mouth so the coffee remains piping hot by the time

"But sir..."

your way, Demi.

treat your stand-in secretary?" Josh interrupts from the doorway. Honestly, I have never been happier to see

so discourteously? Try to recall that she’s also your sister-in-law." Josh covers a hand over his mouth. "Oh crap,

and his sudden hurry to excuse me from his office affirms my suspicion. When I shut the door behind me, I continue

What could Josh have against Asher and why does he boldly show his resentment without fearing for his job? Asher is Brett Rollins’ son for goodness’ sake and no matter how fond of an employee the boss might be, he will never favor him over his own son. So, why is Josh able to damn the consequences and proudly be a thorn in Asher’s flesh? Does he have something on Asher or even Brett Rollins? It stings that I can’t talk to

befriend Josh. With a little ego stroking, that man will spill his guts in no time. The door to Asher’s office swings open and Josh comes out with a satisfied smirk