Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 76: Chapter 76

DEMI

"Are you still mad at me, Demi? I have realized that you’ve been a little withdrawn ever since I made my birthday wish publicly."

Mother runs a hand over a black Hermes bag in admiration. I stand behind her, tagging along and mostly disinterested in shopping, even at Ashley’s luxurious mall.

My life has been crazy ever since she dropped that huge bomb on me. I can barely go out without a horde of cameras on my tail. There are tons of articles being popped out about my speculative pregnancy. Some bloggers have even been bold enough to photoshop a baby bump on me. At this point, I can’t even pretend not to be mad at mother. She did this to me.

"Demi? Are you listening?"

I retreat to a couch and plunk down on it. She comes shuffling after me. "Are you punishing me for my mistake with Ashton? Is this your idea of trying to get Ashley and I to consummate our marriage?"

"You consider having a baby with Ashley punishment?"

"I consider being forced to have a baby without any consideration of my feelings on the matter a punishment. Why mother? Why did you put that idea in Ashley’s head? We are barely friends as it is and you know how I got into his life in the first place. Why wouldn’t you allow Ashley and I to reach that decision ourselves?"

"The real question is if you see yourself having a life with Ashley, Demi. I know I brought you into my household to straighten my sons from their irresponsible ways. A baby was never part of the agreement unless mutually consented to by both parties. I have no right to make decisions for you and I wasn’t trying to, honestly."

She sighs and places a hand on my thigh. "I have been seeing you and Ashley much closer ever since he forgave you for your involvement with his brother. Ashley has never been happier. Watching both of you effortlessly act like a real couple has brought tears to my eyes and I might have assumed you guys are trying to make this a real marriage. I just thought that a baby would draw you guys much closer and strengthen your bond."

She takes my hands in hers now. "What I did at my party was merely a suggestion, not a demand. It’s up to you guys at the end of the day. Don’t listen to what the media is saying. They’ll soon find some other piping hot gossip to fixate on and let you two be."

Her eyes dip to the floor. "I am worried about my boys. They still haven’t made up. Asher and Ashal are also being affected by this rift between Ashely and Ashton. The quads have had fights in the past but it has never carried on for this long."

She’s right. Asher has been giving me hell ever since the incident. If I thought he was cold towards me earlier, he’s worse now. He makes me work till my feet hurt.

"I understand why Ashley still can’t forgive his brother despite how much he misses Ashton. It’s an ego thing. Ashley is convinced that you will only ever love Ashton. He sees his brother as a threat to his chances with you. If he believed that you were willing to commit to your marriage and bond with him as a couple, he might be able to forgive Ashton and both men will stop hurting."

My hands tremble in my lap. "What are you saying, mother?"

"Demi, we can’t ignore the fact that all of this started with you. It’s only natural that it will end with you too. I’m begging you to show Ashley more love. Give him a chance the same way you opened your heart to Ashton. I see the way he looks at you. The last time he looked at a woman like that was when he fell in love for the first time. His heart got broken and he gave up on love and embraced the lifestyle he is notoriously known for. Today, because of you, I can see slivers of change in my Ashley. He’s opening up his heart again and all I am asking is that you consider giving him a chance. I’m not asking you to sleep with him or do anything you aren’t ready for. Spending quality time with him, not being scared of visiting his room and even holding hands for a start can mean a lot to him."

"What about me and what I truly want?" I ask as my eyes brim with tears.

"You’re currently married to one of my sons and Ashton has a girlfriend. Both sons are good men but you can’t have them both. You would be starting a war in my household. I know you feel like you can’t fall in love with anyone else but trust me, that isn’t true. If you allow yourself to be loved by Ashley, I’m certain in time you’ll grow fond of him too. Just give him a chance for the rest of the time you two have together and see for yourself."

Her offer is very similar to the one Ashley made to me. Did he put his mother up to this? I wouldn’t be surprised. The two of them have been quite close lately.

Mother dabs my tears with her handkerchief. "Don’t be sad, my dear. I am grateful for your affection for my Ashton but I can’t encourage it while you’re wedded to Ashley. If you two insist, both brothers will be estranged forever. The rest of the family will be torn apart. Mila will also be hurt. Can you live with that? However, if you give your husband a fighting chance, all will be well. Ashton will get over you with Mila’s presence. Trust me dear, this is for the best. You will get the love you deserve not one where you have to hide behind closed doors to show affection for the man you love."

I blush red as I recall kissing Ashton in his room. I understand what mother is saying but I don’t want to succumb to any kind of pressure right now. I know Ashley is a great guy and I don’t completely feel nothing for him. I don’t admit it but my jealousy spikes whenever I see Nicola and there’s only one reason for it.

However, I don’t want to be forced to start an intimate relationship with Ashley. That should be our mutual decision. Till then, I’d much rather stick to our bare contract and move on with my life like nothing happened.

When I explain this to mother, she isn’t pleased but she feigns a smile.

"I respect your decision. Do well to communicate this to Ashley as kindly as you can so he doesn’t hurt too much."

I feel like the bad guy now. Despite all the coaxing, I literally turned mother down for the first time. I hope I am not digging a grave for myself. What if mother asks Ashley to divorce me? What if Ashley comes to that conclusion for himself if he can’t have me?

to concentrate and Asher continues to make my life more miserable than it already

him in the air. The papers shower down all around us. "You’re really asking for a negative report from me, aren’t you? If there was a position lower than a

"Asher..."

me appropriately at work or you’ll

him as much as I can. Surprisingly, Josh comforts me when our paths cross at the cafeteria. The rumor of Asher’s temper reached his

you can always switch and

concern but I’ll manage. Mr. Asher isn’t always like this unless I am being terribly slow at my job. I’ve been out of it lately, hence his reaction." Josh gives

you pregnant? Wow. Congrats." He starts clapping but I jam his hands together before he can draw too much attention

pregnant. The rumors are false." I mutter under my

ever change your mind. I could talk to the chairman on your behalf if you’re worried about Asher

back to his conversation with Asher where he referred to the Chairman repeatedly as dad and Asher failed to counter him. It explains a lot now; the lunch breaks they share together, the chairman’s fondness for an employee over his own son and Josh’s arrogance around the office. Does mother know? I doubt she

know." I tell him. He nods

to me lately, I sometimes feel suffocated with all the attention

encouraged to tread a new path with Ashley as the subject of my love interest, what is Ashton being coaxed to do to earn forgiveness? What kind of pressure is he

like a tight fist in my belly now. Is Mom right? Will all be forgiven if I accept Ashley’s love? Will the brothers be reunited if I sacrifice my

let out a frustrated breath and weigh my options. I can’t leave the mansion at any cost until my revenge dish is properly served. Till then, I owe it to myself

plan. It’s a distraction I have to nip in the bud. However, if I accept Ashley’s love, I might be coaxed to have a child with him which is something I can’t do. I can’t have

My phone rings.

"Aunt?"

Ashley having a baby? Are you pregnant? I thought your contract was for a year with no sex implied? Where did this baby talk come from? I hope you’re not seriously considering it. What if they cast you away with a baby

a hypocrite. She doesn’t give two fucks about me. She just doesn’t want me to have a baby for the Rollins family before Kira does. I am certain they were embarrassed to not have received an invitation to mother’s birthday party. That was entirely my

you there? Are

up and sip my coffee. When my phone rings again, I cuss under my

interested in your

family?" The icy edge of Liam’s voice is a low warning. I double check the number

the media is saying." I hate how weak and pathetic I

am I supposed to do that when my informant gives me less information than the media does? Have you been holding back on me, Demi? Are you growing

start with

happened between

"What?"

Demi, since you’re obviously losing your way. I warned you about catching feelings for those brothers but you pretended to be superwoman and impervious to their charms. Now, you’re jeopardizing a

to me like

special? You think these people love you? News flash, they don’t! You’re not indispensable, Demi. You think these brothers are fighting for you? Ha! They’re fighting for who gets to bed you first. You’re just a fresh pussy to them, nothing more. How could you forget what Olivia is going

around my mug and steady my breath as one of my colleagues comes in to grab

your mother-in-law’s birthday wish was her wish? Let me shock you. ASHLEY TOLD HER TO SAY THOSE

"What?"

themselves. You’re just a pawn in their game. For all we know, this ongoing beef

same thing Ashley had said to me; to give Ashley

Turn the tables on them. I can’t achieve my

When I turn around, Asher is standing there,

to hear and disconnect the call. Asher pulls the phone away from his ear and stares at me.

I have my phone back,

working hours? Do you think your

glare up at him with murderous intents. Asher remains unfazed

you on one of these calls again, I’m smashing your cheap phone to the ground. I dare you to test me." He chucks my phone on the kitchen table and

to kill him so badly. I wish someone would. He