Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 74: Chapter 74

DEMI

"Ashley, please take your wife away. I’d like to talk to your brother." Mom says icily without breaking eye contact with Ashton. I look over at Ashton. Whatever was bothering him seems to have taken a back seat now. He tacitly urges me to go with Ashley who has already stormed away in anger. I feel bad for putting us in this position.

When I reach the door, mother refuses to acknowledge my apologies or even look me in the face.

"You should be apologizing to your husband, not me."

"This really isn’t Ashton’s fault. I started..."

"Demi, please," Ashton interrupts me with a mild plea in his eyes. "Go to Ashley. Mother, please come in." Mother’s eyes narrow at our boldness. This must all come as a shock to her. I take Ashton’s advice and run after my husband, hoping I’d get the chance to speak to mother later.

Ashley isn’t in his room when I check. I try his phone but he keeps cutting off my call. He won’t reply my texts either. I rush out of the elevator and head towards the gate in time to see his car leave the mansion. Where could he be off to? This is bad.

"What’s wrong?" Asher comes up behind me. "Was that Ashley?"

"He um...he saw me and Ashton."

"Doing what?"

I bite down on my lower lip and drop my head in embarrassment. "We kissed."

"Are you nuts? I asked you to watch him till I handled father and you go and kiss him? What in the world were you thinking? What was I thinking sending you off with him? Shit. What are you, an animal? You’re wearing another brother’s ring for crying out loud. Why did you take advantage of Ashton’s condition to realize your sick fantasies?" He goes on to chide me continuously.

"You can have a field day cussing me out but right now, I need to find Ashley. He just left in anger and he’s not taking any of my calls. Where could he be off to?"

"Like you give a damn." He tries to brush past me to go check on Ashton but I pull him back.

"Mother has got him. Ashley is alone and pissed. We know he is being watched by his blackmailer. What if he is being followed right now? He could be in danger. Please, Asher. I need you to help me here."

Asher’s eyes widen with fear. He begins to dial his brother’s phone but now it’s switched off.

"If anything happens to my brother, I won’t spare your life. I warned you to stay away from Ashton. You knew this would happen if you got between them and still, you did. And what better timing than on the very week of mom’s birthday while your husband is still coping from a mental assault! Jeez Demi, you’re the worst wife and daughter-in-law nobody asked for."

He starts heading for his car. "You better pray to whatever god you worship that nothing happens to Ashley or you’re dead."

Tears glisten in my eyes at the insults hurled at me. I deserve them and more. What was I thinking? How could I do that with so many people around?

"Demi?"

I freeze at the sound of father’s voice before gradually turning.

"What happened to Ashley?" He asks with a frown. "Why is Asher so upset with you?"

My lips twitch as I struggle to find the words to explain how badly I just messed up. Father’s frown only deepens at the growing silence despite the questions he just posed.

"Are you deaf, girl? What happened?"

"Demi" Mother calls, stepping out of the elevator. Go wait in my room. I’ll be with you shortly."

I wipe my moist face, bow my head before leaving while she mutters something to father to pacify him. Upstairs, I stare at Ashton’s closed door. I wonder what mother had said to him, the things he had to hear because of my action. Is he trying to call Ashley too? Have I caused a rift between two brothers?

I feel worse just thinking about it. I wanted to make Ashton feel better but all I did was pile on his troubles. We didn’t even get to discuss what was really troubling him.

"Demi." Mother calls from behind me. Flustered, I turn to her. She nudges me towards her room.

"Where’s Ashley?"

I wring my hands. "He um, he went out for a drive. He’s mad at me." I strap down on the need to bawl my eyes out. Mother sits in her room with her head hanging low.

"This is not how I expected to start my birthday week." She mutters. I rush to crouch at her feet but she only moves my hands away when I touch her knees. "I didn’t expect this from you, Demi. I only said you could have one of my boys, not shuffle between them. What were you thinking?" Her eyes are pained now. "You know what Ashley just had to go through. He might be your contractual husband but that’s his brother!"

"Mother, I am sorry. I wasn’t thinking. It was a spur of the moment. Ashton was feeling very sad and he was in tears. I couldn’t get through to him. I know I have no excuse. I shouldn’t have behaved like that. I’m sorry mother." I lay my head on her knee and sob now. "Please help me talk to Ashley. He wouldn’t hear me out."

Mother gets on her feet and paces to her window. "How long have you been in love with him?"

My head shoots up to stare at mother’s stern face.

"How long have you been in love with Ashton?"

wouldn’t call it

twice on your own volition but the only time you kissed your husband, we had to force you. You even loathed every second of it. I wanted to believe that you had no interest in any of my sons which is why you kept that clause in the marriage contract.

"Please mother..."

man. Do you know how difficult it’s been for him to have you as a wife and not cross your boundaries? He’s used to getting any woman he wants. Marriage was never in the cards for him but after you were dismissed from this house following your marriage claims, he took pity on you and offered to marry you officially. He even cut down on his philandering save for Nicola who won’t stop sticking to him like a leech. My point is Ashley has had

make it up

sinks into the couch closest to the window. "I can’t even defend you anymore. Whenever Ashley would come to me with questions on how to he can be a better husband for you so you guys can grow closer, it would warm my heart that he wasn’t giving up on you. This is a son who would never be bothered about being liked by a woman but he often came to me to ask about

messed up. I just

starts ringing. Seeing Ashley’s call, I

so sorry. Please come home." He

Demi. It’s okay.

set my mind at ease. "Ashley, I want to talk to you. If

send you

"Okay. I’ll be there."

Ashley. I take less than five minutes to get changed from a weepy mess to a decent fit. I have no idea how I am going

space, seated. In front of him is a huge glass with ocean blue lights and hypnotic views of the coral reef. Occasionally,

glass together, saying nothing to each other for a few minutes.

smile he forces on his face, I

Ashley. You didn’t deserve

white shark floats by. "I am not a saint. I didn’t come here because I

tear that falls from my

in love before. I remember a thing or two about how helpless

"You’re hurting."

am trying to remind myself that Ashton is my brother and you’re my wife and that the both of you didn’t do that intentionally to hurt

Get it off your chest, Ashley. I promise I won’t take any of it personally. You’ll be justified to do so. Don’t bottle up your feelings like this. I

"Is that what you

this doesn’t hurt because of our contract. I know how I felt seeing you and Nicola and I promise I didn’t do this to get back at you. I just want you to express your feelings and let out

"You’re in love with my brother, Demi. What can I possibly do about that? I have been the nice guy from day one and tried my best to respect your boundaries and treat you well. If you were going to reciprocate my feelings, you would have

going." I prompt

but somehow it still stings and you know what’s funny? It stings more because he’s my brother and we literally look the same. I go to bed wondering the same thing in my head every night; if she can catch feelings for a man that looks just like me who barely treats her half as good as I do, why not me? I understand you met me as an infamous

"Ashley..."

air my feelings so

watch him run his hand through

for even trying, you know. What the fuck was I thinking? It’s just a year. I can survive a year with a woman who wants nothing amorous to do with me but that singular fact felt like a challenge and

you’re not horrible or underserving of pure love. I am sorry I hurt you. Please, forgive me." He pulls me in for a hug and pats my back

***

"How’s Ashley?" Anna asks.

at work all day. Mother barely talks to me. She wouldn’t even take my input on her birthday plans. I know that if we were cool, she would drag me shopping and run her ideas by me. Now, she mostly

"And Ashton? How is

texts. He and Ashley are like ghosts now. I barely see them even at the dining room. I’m stuck

two make up, the rest of the family will have no choice but to

think he wants to see

but putting in the effort might gladden his heart. Get him a gift, something he truly values. Go on a special date to his favorite place and do all his favorite things. Try to restore your friendship. He can’t possibly hate you as he

have to make it up with Ashley. Liam can’t find out or he’ll start doubting me again. I haven’t even told him

rings just then. She snags the phone before

on the list of Ashley’s

is quite suspicious. When she returns, she has a big smile on her face and a red blush on her cheeks. Despite how much I pester her, she wouldn’t share it with me so I give up. She helps me prepare a small gift for Ashley with

You know he’s a fashion lover. He’ll notice your clothes before anything

the wrong signals. I’m trying

She goes to her wardrobe and pulls out a crepe dress with a plunging neckline. I keep protesting with every

I ask

me out. I’m

new collection. Her friend must be super

treat me to a receptive gaze. Smiling, I head for Ashley’s office.

dress he had wanted me to be the

sultry eyes are fixated on my husband. Their closeness instantly makes me uncomfortable. When Nicci spots me first, she

once again." She then proceeds to twirl while he watches her, especially her backside where the fabric dips almost to the crack of her butt. I am certain she isn’t wearing anything

time Ashley was trying to get me to try the dress for him and asked me to strip. Did he watch

"Oh, hi Demi."

turns to the door. I

there?" Nicci asks with

"I just got here."

me you were coming." He

and thought I’d stop by." I notice Ashley