Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 91: Chapter 91

ASHAL

"Are you okay?" Asher asks when he finds me in the gym late at night after we all decided to hit the sack. The fact that he is not dressed for a workout tells me he is strictly here to check on me before retiring to bed.

"Yeah. I thought you would be asleep by now." I check my watch. It’s fifteen minutes past two in the morning. "Don’t you have a big day today?" He shrugs lazily and sits on the floor next to me.

"Every day of work is kind of a big day at the HQ so it’s nothing new." His eyes narrow with concern. "How are you? How are things with Olivia? I’m sorry we’ve been so carried away with Cree that nobody remembered to ask how you’re faring in all of this."

His raw admission and the concern swimming in his eyes disarms me. "Thanks Asher. I’ll be fine."

I am not ready to share Olivia’s pregnancy news just yet. Liv and I are still trying to work out our differences and now won’t be a good time to share such a news in a household where most people don’t like her. When she forgives me and I am certain that we’re back on the same page, I’ll let my family know.

"Liv is hurt. She um...she isn’t speaking to me right now and I honestly don’t blame her. She has every right to be. I betrayed her trust." Olivia’s sad face flits across my memory and I wonder how long it’ll take before she gets excited to see me walk through the door of the penthouse again. "We’ll be fine. We always find a way to circle back to each other no matter how lost we get."

"The thing with Cree..." Asher sucks in a cautious breath. "What was that about?"

"I love my wife, okay? I always will. We were in a really bad place and I missed her. Cree reminds me so much of Olivia when we first met; the fire, the carefreeness, the vibrancy. I shouldn’t have gone looking for Liv in some other woman. It was a mistake." Asher nods with understanding. "I love Olivia." I repeat.

"I know you do. Does Olivia feel the exact same way?"

My head rears up at his question.

"Is she in love with Ashal Rollins and feeling betrayed because of your kiss with Cree?"

"Of course she does. Why would you even ask that?"

Asher continues to regard me with suspicious eyes. I am so sick of my family always assuming that my love for Olivia will always be unrequited. It’s even worse coming from Asher who used to or probably still is the subject of Olivia’s unwavering affection.

I’ll admit that Olivia’s feelings for Asher aren’t completely gone. I remember distinctly how she dropped on her knees and tried to beg me (while I was pretending to be Asher) to take her back. That memory still plagues my sleep and brutalizes my ego.

However, unlike before, I know for a fact that Olivia feels something for me now. She calls only my name when we sleep together, even when I ask her while she’s in a deep sleep. It’s a huge win compared to Ashley’s situation if you ask me. So, yes, I believe Olivia loves me too.

"I’m sorry. I’m just looking out for you. I see how tormented you feel for kissing another woman. I just hope Olivia factors your suffering into consideration and forgives you soon so you two can be happy again."

"Thank you."

"Although, I sincerely don’t think you should deny yourself any chance of finding true and unconditional love from a woman just because you feel guilty about Olivia." He puts out his hands as a gesture of peace when my eyes fasten on his with a hint of annoyance. "Hear me out first, Ashal. I am sorry it has taken me this long to come clean about Olivia. I know you know where this is going. I was the one who got with Olivia that night at the club. I was a dickhead and offered to be your wingman and get you the woman you were ogling from across the room but then Olivia refused to be swooned by a guy who didn’t have the balls to walk up to her and make his move. She insisted on hanging out with me that night."

I can’t believe he is finally talking about this. How long has he known that I know? His face contorts with painful embarrassment.

"The right thing I should have done as your brother was to turn down her advances but I didn’t. She and I got talking. I saw why you liked her. She was more than a pretty face. She was also sexy and fun. The rest is history as you know." He trails off to leave out details that no married man will want to hear his brother say about his wife. "I am sorry I blamed it on you. I thought everyone would go easy on you, especially father. I didn’t think Olivia will become such a burden."

"Speak for yourself, Ash."

"Ashal, hear me out, okay? Ever since you were forced into a relationship with Olvia because of what I did, you’ve been trying nonstop to prove yourself to her. I know there are times when she has obliged you but, in her state, I find it difficult to fully accept that her feelings for you are real, not when she doesn’t have a choice. You will never know for certain that she’s prepared to give you the love you deserve until she has the option to leave you. If Olivia could walk away from your marriage and be certain that our family will never bother her again, will she still choose to stay with you? That’s the question you need to answer before you commit your whole life to her."

The air in the gym suddenly constricts in my lungs. All I see when I look at Asher is Olivia’s face begging me for a divorce so we can co-parent.

Asher places his hands on my shoulders. "What you felt for Cree, what you refuse to allow yourself to feel for other women that have and can come into your life, Ashal, I don’t want you to be in a hurry to give that up. It kills me to see you suffer like this to gain Olivia’s affection when you could find someone that won’t make you sweat so much or work for their love like it’s a sport. The woman that will love you regardless of your condition is still out there, Ash and I don’t want you to give up on finding her."

darkened eyes dart back to his face. "Did father

"What? No!"

YOU show up with a heartfelt speech about how I deserve true love from someone other than Olivia. How do you expect me to believe that some woman out there will love me for me, flaws and all, and not just because of who I am? Heck, even my family failed to love me unconditionally. Since I attacked those bullies in

with empathetic eyes which further aggravates me. "You’re wrong. We all

at all. We stab each other in the back to have our way. We betray our loved ones. We cheat and lie all the time. There is no familial love, not even amongst

her heart fully to me. Our family is the bane of her existence. She’s been estranged from her loved ones because of us. Why the fuck will she love me like in a fairytale when her life is an unending horror movie? Huh?" I finish with a short laugh. "Why would she? Would you love someone who

only watches me with that stupid concern and alarm in his eyes like I am in a spiral. So, what if I am? Why can’t

You love Olivia and want her. That

in my house till the flame inside her goes off and she becomes an empty husk that’s resigned to her

Ashal, I

I make up for the wrongs committed against her and if after everything, she still doesn’t choose me, then I’ll gladly consider a

work. I can’t concentrate especially because I can’t forget everything Asher had told me. I

that would love me the way Olivia loves Asher and Demi loves Ashton? What if Olivia never truly accepts me? Am I prepared

"Hey?"

up as Elyon enters.

"Sure."

"So, I realize it’s too early to talk about it but I just can’t help myself. Your

to think about her. She must hate me for turning her over to my brothers.

the mention of her name and Elyon sees it. "That’s not true, is it? I mean I know you’re not married but are you involved with the

hand on my desk, startling him. "You’re buying into rumors now, Elyon? What? Did your sisters and

I’m just here as

you any explanations. You’re welcome to believe the tabloids for all I care because of course they only speak the truth, right? Do whatever you want on your own time, not during work hours. I have a company

didn’t mean to offend you." He leaps to his feet and I

and I am just sick of defending myself to people. They’re welcome to

me. I should know better. Besides, it’s your private life. You’re free to be with whomever you choose. I’m sorry for

I’m sorry for being a

have a guest waiting, the same one

"Madeline?"

"That’s the one."

does she want now? Can I just go a

find Asher calling

comes to your relationship with Olivia and it hurts my feelings that you’d question my love for you

utters, cutting off my protest. "I just have a few questions.

sounds weird on my tongue and she notices with a cringe. "Don’t you have classes to attend? Don’t make me regret your scholarship so

"Why?"

"Why what?"

after all the trouble I caused you? Why didn’t you take out your anger on me at the very least, or on my

of your actions in place of your parents?" Something flits across her eyes so fast I couldn’t discern it. Her

isn’t being punished for my wrongs." She edges close to my desk. "I don’t know why but I feel

spare you once and you suddenly think you have me figured

a deep, meaningful look that almost chips away my gruff exterior to expose the inner child yearning

to me right now? She

ask when she avoids

to convince her that Liv is fine but she won’t stop worrying. If only I could see Liv...Mr. Ashal, you were going to take me to see her before, right? You said she was in a bad state because of what I did. I can help you comfort her. I really want to see Liv too. It’s been so long." Tears fill her eyes. "Please, I know I shouldn’t ask anything more from you but I beg you to take me to see my

that’s music to your ears, right?" I