Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 104: Chapter 104

ASHAL

A sudden hush falls over the dining room the moment Ashley makes his announcement. Everyone isn’t stunned because my brothers and I can’t leave the mansion. Of course, we can if we so please. It has just always been convenient living together in our mansion.

However, Ashley’s sudden announcement takes everyone by surprise for certain reasons. Firstly, he didn’t even share it with any of us so I am guessing the rest of my brothers are wracking their brains like I am, wondering what in the world could have made Ashley suddenly want to leave.

Secondly, Demi looks just as confused as the rest of us. It only means that she is also unaware of the sudden move. I hate where all this is going. It appears there might still some bad blood between Ashley and Ashton because of Demi. I thought they were over it.

"Ashley?" Demi calls him softly. "What are you talking about? Why would we move out of the mansion? Why would you even make such a decision without asking my opinion first?" When Ashley turns to gaze at her, the cheer in his eyes are gone. Demi notices the difference but awaits his response with a bold face.

"Did you hear the part where I said I am doing this to preserve our union? That should tell you why we’re leaving."

"Ashley." Mother calls him sharply. "If this is a prank, I am not finding it funny. What are you saying? How could you make such a drastic decision and not consult your wife’s opinion? And your brothers? Your parents? This is no way to break such news."

"Ashley." Father finally intervenes. "What exactly is this about?"

Ash drops back on his chair. "I think everyone at this table knows the answer to that. I could still jog your memories if you want me to but we’re having breakfast. I wouldn’t want to ruin your appetites."

"Just come out with it already!" Ashton snaps at him. They exchange heated glares. "Say whatever the fuck you have in mind."

’Fine. I have come to the conclusion that putting some physical distance between you and Demi might be the only way to stop you two from ruining the lives of your spouses."

"Ashley!"

"Don’t, Demi!" He yells at her. "I gave you two the benefit of doubt and for a while I even tried to believe that you two had moved on like you led everyone to believe so tell me why you two are meeting up at the church where you had your drunk wedding like long lost lovers or why MY wife calls me ASHTON when we’re sleeping together?"

Damn. He went there. The silence is beyond awkward now, except for Asher who whistles loudly.

"Ashley, you’re spiraling." Mother snaps at him. She turns to father who surges to his feet and calls on Ashley to join him to his study. I feel really bad for Ashley. I know how he must feel. Ashton leaves the table angrily and won’t stop even while mom calls out to him. Demi runs up to her room, crying. Asher continues to eat his breakfast like nothing just happened while I comfort mother and reassure her that everything will be fine.

"This was such a happy occasion. Ashton just got engaged last night. Why did Ashley have to ruin everything like this?" Mother looks up at me and then at Asher. "Did you both know anything about this? Why didn’t you talk him out of this?"

"Ashley didn’t tell us he felt like moving out, mother. We had no idea."

"Well," Asher interjects. "He didn’t tell us he was moving out but he did tell us how frustrated he was feeling about Demi and Ashton’s feelings and how it was getting in the way of his marriage, mother. Ashley is right to feel concerned. Those two haven’t moved on as they claim. We all know it."

"Asher, you’re not helping."

"We all need to stop glossing over Ashley’s pain, Ashal. It’s too risky to let him slip over the edge again. Mother," he says, turning to her. "You had your wish. You saw Ashley married. It’s time you really start considering speeding up their divorce. Ashley is clearly frustrated because Demi is in love with Ashton. What’s the point of waiting for the next six months when you can just rid him of his misery?"

"Is that what he wants?" Mother asks.

"He is afraid to admit it but he’s blindly trying to stay in this marriage till its contractual end only to please you, mother. You have to show him that his happiness and peace comes first before your motherly wishes. You want a daughter-in-law for the fun of it, Mila will be joining us soon. Demi has brought nothing but pain to Ashley and fights amongst my brothers and I. You need to clear the scales from your eyes and let that woman go before she ruins our home further." With that, Asher storms away. Mother remains eerily silent. She feigns a smile at me before leaving for her room.

I spend my day cooped up in my office, hoping to blank out the drama at home and the war raging inside me ever since I kissed my wife’s sister. I don’t know what to do with myself.

There’s a part for me that’s laden with guilt for betraying Olvia yet again because I didn’t exactly hate the feel of Maddie’s lips against mine. Then there’s another part that’s trying to justify my action because Olivia gave me a hall pass to go find someone else to love. While that might be the case, I can bet a billion bucks Olivia never meant for me to go to her sister.

Maddie has been avoiding me since we kissed or maybe it’s me who has been avoiding her. We were too mortified to even talk about it or look each other in the eye. I dropped her off at her friend’s dorm that night and never called to check in.

Mr. Dunn had been pissed since I had the wedding called off. I managed to get a hold of Hunter and paid him off generously to back away. He was shocked at my offer but took it as expected. We had a little chat about his fake life and the lies he had told. I warned him to stay away from Maddie. I hadn’t meant to sound so overprotective but I did.

Even after I narrated everything to Mr. Dunn, he was still disappointed that once again, I used my money to force people to do my will.

"What happens to Maddie now?" He had asked with a bitter look in his eyes. "If she can’t go to school or get married, what next step is she supposed to take right now?"

"She can take a break to figure out what she wants to do with her life, Mr. Dunn."

"Such things like breaks or gap years are for rich folks like yourself, Mr. Ashal, not people like my family and I. Time is very precious."

"Then she should get a job."

"She’s a college dropout. Her options are vastly limited because of that."

her a job then, a well paying one if she’ll be interested. You tell her

next with all the time she’s got on her hands but like I said, I am avoiding her. No

from my office to go pay

into his space. "I was wondering when you

chair, throw my

"What’s up with you?"

"Nothing." I reply.

to arrange his blind date’s wedding with the loser he handpicked. I thought

"What did

but you already knew that so what’s with

not. The wedding was called off." I

is marrying Hunter tomorrow." Elyon’s face contorts with

trying to have the wedding behind my back as fast as possible so I don’t show up and crash it? What is Maddie thinking? And that asshole Hunter? How could he take my money and proceed with

to my feet and check my wristwatch. "I have to go somewhere. I’ll be back." I dash out before Elyon

Dunn is not around at the moment. I try to put the woman at ease and

Ashal? What are you

need to talk

outside. She takes her precious time in coming to meet me in my car where I am parked outside their apartment complex. She heaves a deep breath

I..." We both begin in sync, then blush horribly. I shake mine off. I don’t have

you’re

was

am marrying Hunter." She

"You can’t marry him!"

my statement. She tears her

can’t say such things. Whatever

That’s not what I meant." I suddenly feel hot all over. "That’s not why I don’t want you to marry him. Did your father not tell you everything I discovered about Hunter? He’s not who he claims to be, Maddie. He’s a bum and

does it matter? It’s my life, right? I

door. "What has gotten into you? Why are you trying to punish yourself like this? You

TO PROVE ANYTHING. I AM JUST SICK

not

things for my parents and I. He even gave dad some money. Dad asked him questions about everything you said but Hunter was able to debunk your lies.

over my face. That prick used the money I gave him to impress Maddie and her family? Shit. What’s his game plan? Why is he hellbent on marrying Maddie when he can just go splurge the money with a bunch of women

he’s spending was given by me! I paid

"You did what?"

it’s

heading back

wait! You’re taking

Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to stop my wedding? I told you that whatever happened while I was drunk was a mistake. I hate myself for doing something so stupid and with

"Maddie..."

not done!" She snarls. "Don’t act like you care how I end up. I know you’re against my wedding because you want me to end up with a worse groom. I saw father’s list and the alterations you made in the list you sent to Cher." My heart sinks to my stomach as her tears track down her face. "You must hate me so much and want to punish me for everything I did to you. I don’t blame you for

with Hunter started because I was pissed at you. Please, let me fix it. You’re making a grave mistake, Maddie. I can’t live with the guilt if you let Hunter into your life and he ends up giving you

desperately wants to believe me. I take her

everything to me; taking the bribe, lying about his possessions, everything. I could also take you to the address listed as his home. You’ll meet the family he works for there. There’s a

can’t back off now.

and

called off the wedding, I called Hunter and promised to marry him. I got everything back in motion. I can’t go back on my word now simply because his bank account is millions of dollars short of what you consider decent. I

"Madeline, don’t do this."

hate for dad to meet you

daughter’s life ruined on my account. At least with me, Liv never had to want for anything. Maddie’s case is worse.

echoes before going in and shutting the door. I strap down on the urge to kick or punch something. What sick twisted game

his phone. When he picks up, I

hear? You’re going ahead to marry Madeline? I gave you five hundred thousand bucks so you could stay the hell away from her life with your broke, lying ass. You eagerly accepted the money and even groveled at

laughs. "I didn’t plan to but Madeline seems to have the hots for me suddenly. It’s either that or she’s desperate to get married as soon as possible. Was I

That’s the whole point of

with the snap

"You don’t love her."

If I suddenly professed undying love

back

genuinely want