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."

one if she’ll be interested. You tell her and let me

to do next with all the time she’s got on her hands but like I said, I

office to

space. "I was wondering when you were going to take a

throw

"What’s up with you?"

"Nothing." I reply.

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

flutter open. "What did

married but you already knew that so what’s with the

The wedding was called off." I refrain from telling

Hunter tomorrow." Elyon’s face contorts with surprise. "How do you not

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 the wedding. I am sure he didn’t tell Maddie about the check I wrote

have to go somewhere. I’ll be back."

I am walking through the front door of Maddie’s father’s apartment. Her mother basks in fear when she opens the door and finds me. Mr. Dunn is not around at the

Ashal? What are

need to talk to

apartment complex. She heaves a deep breath

We both begin in sync, then blush horribly. I shake mine off.

tell me you’re

up at me. That was

am marrying Hunter."

"You can’t marry him!"

my statement. She

say such things. Whatever

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 a liar. Is that

it matter? It’s my life, right? I am

the door. "What has gotten into you? Why are you trying to punish yourself like this? You don’t

TO PROVE ANYTHING. I AM JUST SICK OF

is marrying Hunter not

Dad asked him questions about everything you said but Hunter was able to debunk your lies. The car he rode was registered in his name. He even took me to the new apartment he is thinking of moving into after our wedding. He is not the bad guy you made him out to be so why

his game plan? Why is he hellbent on

spending was given by me! I paid him off

"You did what?"

no, it’s not like

heading back

You’re taking this

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

"Maddie..."

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 how you feel but what’s the need to pretend like you’ve forgiven me? Why act like

whole mess 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

a second, I can tell Maddie desperately wants to believe

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

from mine. "I can’t back off now.

and

account is millions of dollars short of what you consider decent. I am not looking for a billionaire. Hunter is kind to me and I know in time, both of us will learn to love

"Madeline, don’t do this."

I’d hate for

forgive me." I can’t stand another daughter’s life ruined on my account. At least with me, Liv never had to want for anything. Maddie’s

myself." She echoes before going in and shutting the door. I strap down on the urge to kick or punch

his

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

or she’s desperate to

whole point of a

say. I bet you get girls like that with the snap of your fingers. The

"You don’t love her."

If I suddenly professed undying love for me, wouldn’t that

with his responses. Maddie won’t find any reason to back away from this marriage if Hunter

want to marry