Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 75: Chapter 75

ASHLEY

The moment mom utters her wish, the lights and camera wheel towards Demi and I. Demi staggers backwards until she slams right into my chest. I hug her from behind to hide the awkwardness from the sharp eyes of the journalists.

"Just smile. We’ll discuss it later. Everyone’s watching." I whisper through clenched teeth. She complies and relaxes into my embrace while pictures of us are taken from different angles.

I can feel her vibrating with tension. She hates cameras and being put on the spot like this is one of the worst things you can do to her. I am just going to assume mother isn’t aware of how badly Demi hates the spotlight.

I find mom’s eyes in the crowd. She’s smiling gaily at me. Next thing I know, she winks at me. Was this the help she was talking about? Is this the plan to get Demi and I to be closer to each other? A BABY? How did she think Demi would react to this?

"Mr. and Mrs. Rollins, how do you feel about your mother’s wish? Should she be expecting a grandchild anytime soon or is there already a bun in the oven?"

The enthusiastic journalist shoves the mic too close to Demi’s face. I cup the microphone and push it downward with a stern look at him.

"My mother’s birthday party is not over yet. Please, let’s not draw the spotlight away from her."

While most of them back away to refocus on mother, some nasty ones remain to capture every worry line on Demi’s face. I spin her to face me and she buries her face in my chest.

"Let’s go upstairs." I whisper before taking her hand. At the most subtle of signals, our personal security edge closer and block the paparazzi from following my wife and I till we safely make it across to the mansion.

I intentionally dismiss guests trying to congratulate us too early with a smile and apologies for my abruptness. I manage to whisk Demi all the way to her bedroom where she sinks on her bed looking pale.

"Here, some water." She takes the glass with trembling hands and sips a little.

"Thank you."

"Calm down. Take a deep breath." I stroke some strands of hair off her face.

"Why would mother do something like that?" she asks me with curious eyes. "And in front of all those people? How could she make such a wish knowing the circumstances of our marriage and without talking to us first?" I take the glass from her hands and carefully place it on the side drawer next to the bed.

"I’m sure she didn’t mean any harm. It’s mom, remember? Our marriage might be contractual but mothers will always be mothers and try to convey their silent wishes for their children somehow. Though I don’t support her making it so public, I can understand where she’s coming from. Please don’t misconstrue it."

"It’s just that she was mad at me not long ago and now she goes and makes such a public wish that will definitely trend in the news for the next few days. It feels like she’s trying to punish me."

"No, Demi, she’s not."

"People are already speculating that I might be pregnant. It’s too much pressure on me, on us. A baby? That’s too much." I take her head and cradle it on my shoulder as she paces her breath. "I’m sorry Ash. I’m sure you’ll make a wonderful dad one day but this..."

"I know but you also have to remember that those people out there don’t know anything about our contract. We are a real couple to them. We still can be if you wish it." I take her face in my hands. "We can be more if you want it." Her eyes move uncertainly. "I’ll talk to mom. A baby is a giant leap from where we are right now. However, I want you to convey your reservations about her wish with tact. It’s still her birthday. We wouldn’t want to ruin her mood or anything."

"I understand."

I kiss the top of her hair. "You can rest if you want. Do you need me to get you anything? Should I call Anna?"

"Yes. Just Anna."

I nod before leaving her. While I make my way back to the festivities, I register with a hint of pain that she still didn’t confirm if she wants more out of her marriage to me. It’s taking forever and I know that if it’s taking her this long to give her consent, she probably hates the idea. I bump into Anna running up the stairs with her gown in her hands. I direct her to Demi’s room knowing fully well where she means to go.

I’m not surprised to find Asher coming behind Anna. They have been cozy all evening. He gestures me back up the stairs.

"What the hell was that? Did you know mom was going to do that?" He asks, vibrating with temper. I don’t get his full-blown hatred for Demi.

"Of course not. I am just as surprised as everyone else. She never said anything to me in that regard."

said she planned to help you out with

have a baby if they so wish it, whether or not there’s a subsisting contract. Mom might have overstepped by not speaking to Demi and I first but she didn’t say anything wrong. We’re married after all. It’s up to Demi and I to decide what we do about mom’s wish. Don’t make this about you and your unproven

the bottom. My anger boils over. I haven’t spoken more than two words to him since he broke his word to me and kissed my wife like I didn’t exist. I don’t care what the circumstances were. He owed it to me as my brother to keep his word and remove himself from my marriage. It still hurts anytime I see him

a similar reaction had Ashton been in my place. We lock eyes as I reach him but before I

"Let go."

"You first."

look. "You betrayed me, Ash after making tall claims about your

up and gently steers us upstairs. "Not here. We still have guests

away. "I don’t have anything to say to him. I am going downstairs to rejoin the celebrations. When I am done, my wife and I will discuss our future together. You had better stay the hell away from her."

"I hate him."

analogy. My bad." Ashal stops to look me in the eye. "You’re still hurting, I get it but sooner or later, you and Ashton will have to bury the hatchet. Remember the quad code; you can’t let a beef between brothers linger for longer than a

push back thoughts of Ashton to the recesses of my mind and go back to rejoin the

the night with Demi. She has been overcompensating for being MIA during Demi’s party. After having the maids deliver some juice and snacks to them, I bid them goodnight and shut

in our usual spot. The sight of Ashton grates on my nerves and I

about us." Ashton calls out. "I have

a seat farthest from

"Make it quick."

facing Ashton. "Is this about what

been troubling me the past couple of days." He runs a hand through his hair and leaves his fingers interlocked behind his neck. "I have been making quite a few

scoff, earning a searing look from the rest of my

the cemetery. I should have stopped picking up strange numbers calling my phone but I am still hurting from the recent discoveries we made in relation to our paternity and father’s affair. I don’t even know if I

over the room

say truly messed with my head. I even wanted to

details of the nonsense this person had to say. Trust me, I wish I didn’t take that call. I just called you all here to tell you essentially that I wouldn’t be looking into our parents anymore. We have father and mother and I have accepted that they’re more than enough.

remains quiet after he

the revelation you got only to burst our bubble by refusing to tell us what you actually found out? If you had made the decision not to pursue that matter anymore, you could have just said that and left it at that? Why

weren’t yourself. No offense to Ashal but you looked like you were in one of those rage moments just before Ashal blacks out. It was spine-chilling and if

Ashal hammers. "I’m sure

too many crises going on all at once.

WE’RE NOT KIDS. WE DIDN’T DIE WHEN WE LEARNT WE WERE ADOPTED

are clenched at my sides. I don’t know if I would be able to keep to the quad codes and quash this beef with Ashton. It will definitely take

red eyes settle on me. "What could be worse is if our parents

of the rubbish he just spewed.

now. We can’t fill our heads with that

hell is that supposed to mean?" Ashal barks, standing to his feet. "We were adopted. How can you believe that crap from a faceless stranger on the phone?" I continue to watch in silence as

the papers myself. Ashton is just saying that the stranger was trying to mess with his head. That’s why he’s not pursuing that shadow

fact that there’s more to this. Ashton wouldn’t have bought into the lie and even ransacked father’s office if he hadn’t been given proof. Didn’t he find what he was looking for? Could there be a

they don’t fall. I sniffle and look away. I refuse to be tormented by anything more than I am

so gullible. I’m off to

rage with mom’s spectacular birthday party celebration and her birthday wish. Demi eats very little at

you

a bit exhausted from last night. You know your parties can

wish. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot like that but I

continues to eat quietly like he didn’t hear mom’s

know he isn’t thrilled about mom’s latest stunt. He signals to Asher and Demi joins them too. She barely remembers to kiss me goodbye but I don’t blame her. She’s got a lot on her mind right now. Alone with mom

hair. I follow suit and mom’s

I love you." I mutter before

***