Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 65: Chapter 65

ASHTON

I do a couple of laps in the swimming pool to get my mind off things. It’s hardly been a day since I let curiosity get the better part of me and went to see the stranger claiming to have credible information about my biological father.

I don’t know why I am desperate to put a face and name to the truth about my biological parents. I never thought that out of all four of us, I would be the one with a broken, inner child longing for unconditional paternal love. My brothers will find it hard to believe because I always put up a tough front.

While I do breaststrokes, I relive the previous day I had. It started with the stranger texting me again with a different number. I don’t know how they got my number initially but whomever the person is, I thought the stranger must be very persistent. Why are they so keen on revealing this truth to me specifically? What do they stand to gain from it?

We mostly conversed through texts. My questions were ignored as I was merely given an address to visit if I wanted to see my biological parents again. I asked if they’re still alive and got no response as usual so I promptly obeyed and visited the address. Now, I wish I had ignored that tug of curiosity because I feel worse than I did when I didn’t know.

When I finish my laps in the clear blue pool, I emerge from the water with my arms on the deck to find two pairs of feet waiting for me. I climb the steps out of the pool and dry myself with a towel. While Ashal takes a seat on the chaise lounge, Asher continues to stand with his shoulders squared and rigid.

"Don’t you have something to say to us?" Asher asks me. I incline my head and act like I am wracking my brain.

"Not really. How about you guys? Don’t you have something you need to tell me, like why I wasn’t informed that Demi was going to be taken to the penthouse despite our unanimous decision not to? Did you guys seriously make alternate plans behind my back?"

"Your questions will be answered as soon as you tell us where you went off to without telling anyone yesterday." Asher quips. I flick a glance at Ashal.

"Just tell us man. Everyone was super worried when we couldn’t reach you. You know the rules..."

"For the love of God, don’t bring up the stupid quad codes we made as teenagers. We’re twenty-fiver years old, grown-ass men and I don’t need a babysitter!"

"Jeez Ashton," Ashal gets on his feet with annoyance splattered across his face. "Cool it down, okay? What’s got you so riled up? You know very well those so-called childish rules have saved our asses more times than we can count. They’re just as relevant today as they were years back so don’t be so dismissive of them."

I exhale deeply. It’s not a good idea to spike Ashal’s anger. "Fine. The rules might still be relevant but I didn’t exactly break them. I didn’t do anything that could jeopardize you guys."

"We will be the judge of that."

I shoot Asher a searing look which he only smiles off. "I’m not in the mood for this." Before I can leave, Ashal grabs my shoulder, forcing me to stop hesitantly.

"It was my idea to follow through with my original plan of taking Demi to my other penthouse. I made the decision after I learnt from Olivia that Demi had met with Olivia’s best friend, Eliana, the same day Demi asked me for the favor." I turn sharply in utter shock.

"I had the same reaction. Demi and Eliana must have spoken at length. I think they’re working together to find Olivia. When Olivia called, Eliana put the phone on loudspeaker so Demi could listen in on the conversation and even talk to Olivia but Liv hung up before that could happen."

"Why would you keep something like that from me?" How often have they ostracized me from their plans?

"That’s not the part we were worried about telling you." Asher clarifies, then nods at Ashal to continue.

"I was very pissed that Demi was so close to discovering my secret and had deceived me into taking her to the penthouse so I made adjustments to my original plan. I invited William over to the house as well for the game night. Ashley was there too." When I fail to have any reaction, he adds, "William is actually Demi’s ex-boyfriend from High school."

If I felt anything following that shocking revelation, I fail to show it facially. "You set her up with her husband and ex-boyfriend."

"Actually, I set her up with just William." The fact that he is explaining everything so slowly makes me worried. "I...uh, I had Lily lock them up in a room together."

It takes a lot of willpower to keep restraining myself from showing any kind of emotion on the surface as I listen attentively. If I do, I’d only be justifying my exclusion from the plan. Ashal appears astonished at my indifference and hurries to finish his words.

"There was obviously a camera in the room. I just wanted Ashley to know exactly what was going on between them. Someone saw them acting suspiciously secretive at Demi’s party, speaking in hushed tones in a secluded area away from everyone else. Ashley wanted to confirm if there was still something between them and I gave him the chance."

"And?"

"Nothing more than a heartbroken man and an ex who never loved him. William seemed desperate to win Demi back or get back at her for jilting him." He shrugs his shoulder.

"What exactly did you think I was going to do if you told me?"

moral high ground because she’s

hurt her knowing fully well that he couldn’t get away

"Your turn, pretty

plunk on the chaise lounge and dry my face. "I went

away from me to steam quietly. I face Ashal

stranger offering to

you deleted the

was contacted with another number. I have no idea how they got my contact in the first place and why I am the only one being contacted about this but the only way to find out lied with following the bread crumbs left by the stranger. I couldn’t keep

the corner of

any particular names to look out for on a gravestone. All I got from following the text was that our biological parents are dead." I hiss out a breath. "I scoped the area because I suspected whoever must have led me there

blackmailed Ashley. It couldn’t have anyone else. She was wearing an all-black outfit and a nose mask to shield

win yesterday to compensate for deviating from our rules and when I didn’t

wasn’t entirely fruitless. Thanks to you, we now know

been given names on gravestones, I would still have conducted my own research to ensure that I was mourning the right people. The address

right." Ashal concurs. "They

his head. "You are

into the mansion when the sound of Ashley’s car screeches to a halt in front of the

the mansion while holding a gift box. When he spots us by the pool, he makes a sharp detour towards us. I can tell from the distance his long legs gradually eat up that he is unsteady. Demi trails after him

have you got there,

sit down on the chaise lounge. Only then do I realize he is shaking visibly. While Ashal questions him and Asher gently pries the box open, my

"What happened?"

says, pointing to the box in Asher’s hand, "in the restroom at the restaurant

"For you?"

who continues to sit quietly and even his breath. I head

briefly. She was in the restroom when I came in, reapplying her lipstick but when I came out of

LIKE?" I ignore how flustered Demi must feel as she tries to recall. She must find everything very confusing but I don’t have the emotional bandwidth to

Asher echoes next to

black dress on and some stilettos. Her black hair covered most of her face and her eyes...I couldn’t see the color. She was wearing dark shades and I thought it was weird since it’s nighttime. I don’t recall much else." She draws in a sharp breath. "Is Ashley okay? He hasn’t said a

in, Demi. We’ll

was that note

please." Asher warns with a low growl. Demi is clearly startled at his reaction. To diffuse the tension, I steer her away from the

vile accusations capable of tarnishing his image. We’ll find them and make

huge, traumatic shock tonight. "She was there at the restaurant, watching Demi and I. She knew when Demi got up to use

out with you, maybe even Nicola or William, the same thing might have occurred in the respective bathrooms. I don’t think she’s working alone and from

did book it early

hand. "So, they’re not trying to attack you physically despite having been to your office and now, the restaurant where you were out with your wife. Your life must

made any demands of me. Why these scare tactics? Are they hoping I’ll breakdown from sheer torment? What would they do if I carry on with my life like their efforts don’t faze me?"

health, wreck your mind, make you lose sleep till you probably confess to a crime you didn’t commit before the entire country. After that, they

says. "Tobias’ death was swept under the rug, remember? Father dumped his body over the bridge and when he was found, it was ruled as a homicide. Maybe his family always knew ours was behind it even though he

was his most trusted friend and bodyguard. He knew a lot of our secrets too." Asher paces, punching his right fist in his left

go to crouch by Ashley’s

must

to you. None of us will allow it.

do? I just want it to stop, guys. I can’t live like this. I’m scared to think how far they’ll go if

inside and see that he takes a sleep inducer and rests for at least eight hours." Ashley’s protest is dismissed with a steely glare from Asher and I. "I wasn’t asking you. Go in and rest. That’s an

needs rest. He has broken out in a sweat now and his face has lost the sheen it always has at the end

Ashley is successfully knocked out by the pill, the rest of us call father

this addressed

message along to him with lingering doubts. She’s not very consequential here and Ashley remains the main target." Asher moves closer to father. "She’s getting bolder as time passes. We have

informed that a member of Tobias’ family has indeed returned to Danvarr. The family probably tried to hide this information to throw us off their scent when they started coming after