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."

up this time, huh? I know what

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

marriage? He and Anna are all the friends I have 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 affair but because I was being careful so the paparazzi don’t capture us and write some false article about me again." I drop my head in my hands

final performance, 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 the

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

this. Just last night you..." He stops himself from reliving the embarrassment for both of

You’re 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 are

"Demi."

now." I beg him with

make you feel hurt. I was blinded by anger combined with the

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

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 and stares intently at me. "Whatever you want, you tell me and I’ll make

relieved and sad to realize this, sad because his lustful eyes are a good indicator

with a weak smile. "I know I’ve hurt you and I have a long way to go to win back your trust. That’s all

We’ve not had a chance to speak to each other since the night he found the red jacket in my room and stormed

night in my room recently. He did give the former my passcode after all. I can’t even be mad at him right now for sharing my passcode without my consent. I am more focused on the disinterested look on Ashton’s face as he

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

down my cheeks. I take one look down the hallway where he had gone and wonder if he’s putting up an act for my best interest. I need to believe it. Ashley and Asher have both insinuated that Mr. Rollins would give Ashton a tough time if he ever notices our

it. Liam did say Ashton voted to have my phone tapped. I think he’s eager to get over me. The

least this way, you won’t have moral scruples or guilt when you achieve your

room, I set up

***

few days are hard. I am unable to contact Liam or have any real conversation with his alias, Charlie, because I know my phone is being tapped. Even my calls to Anna are robotic and

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

squirming over accepting Ashley’s new contract. I don’t know how I would have handled it knowing fully well that

same room with Ashton is hard because I am constantly forced to avoid his eyes. The few times I

eat my words as he forces me to man her desk. My feet hurt

you use the elevator?" He asks with a small frown. I wait to

run from the parking lot to your office. I had to walk a good distance on these heels even with the elevator." I offer him the paper bag with his preferred sandwich and coffee. "Little wonder Nessa fell sick. I can’t imagine doing this all day." When I glance up at him, Asher’s face is a hard rock. He grabs the coffee and

and this time, your legs better run faster than your mouth so the coffee remains piping hot by the

"But sir..."

your way,

the doorway. Honestly, I have never been happier to see nosy Josh Randall. Today, his

sister-in-law." Josh covers a hand over his mouth. "Oh crap,

kisses Nessa? Are they a thing? Oh shit. Could Asher be Nessa’s baby daddy? The sweat dewing on Asher’s face and his sudden hurry to excuse me from his office affirms my suspicion. When I shut the door behind me, I continue to gasp in shock.

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

out with a satisfied smirk on his face. I am