Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 108: Chapter 108

DEMI

"Did you hear me?"

"I heard you, Kira. Your mother is sick. So what? What exactly do you expect me to do about it? Come running over so you can clap your hands and laugh in my face for falling for another one of your dirty tricks? That won’t happen anymore."

"I already apologized for that, didn’t I? Iman convinced me that he wanted to make right all the wrongs he has committed against you and begged me to help get you to his place. I thought he was being sincere."

I can’t believe what a terrible liar she is. "How stupid do you think I am, Kira or are you just so cocky you can’t even bother to come up with a better lie? You expect me to believe that rubbish? You must be more foolish than I thought. Tell your mother to quit acting. I will never sanction your visit to the mansion for any occasion so you two can ease up with the theatrics."

Before I can hang up, aunt’s voice sails through.

"Demi, is this really all you have to say? I accommodated, clothed and fed you for five years and this is the thanks I get? You’re willing to watch me die just to soothe your pride?"

"Pride has nothing to do with it, aunt. If I was proud, like I should be, I would have demolished the house you live in and sent you to the streets with only the cloth on your backs so no one associates that architectural embarrassment with my past. If I was proud, I wouldn’t even take Kira’s call or yours. I would have you book appointments to see me. If I was proud, aunt, I would have your daughter tender a public apology on national TV for her deception which almost cost me my life the last time and after that, I’ll throw her into jail to rot. I know you know all about it but as usual, you’re playing ignorant. Don’t ever call me again unless you’re ready to tender that public apology because proud is all I am going to be from now on while I remain Mrs. Ashley Rollins."

I hang up and slam the phone on the couch. I am so pissed at those two.

"Everything okay?" Amber asks, passing me a cup of coffee.

"Just some pesky maternal family members." I sip my coffee and savor the rich flavor. "I can’t believe they’re related to my mom. She’s an angel compared to them. They drive me nuts every chance they get."

Amber laughs and concurs with a nod. I look up as a dashing young man strides into the living room towards Amber, hunkers down and pecks her cheek like I have watched the quads do to their mother so many times.

"Oh, hi son. How was your trip?"

"Amazing." He says without taking his eyes off me. "Demi Rollins." He crosses to shake my hand. "When my mother told me you visited earlier, I thought she was fibbing to get me to shorten my trip and come home to keep her company. I’m..."

"Maddox." I preempt him. "Amber never stops gushing about her kids." He shares a sweet smile with me. "Why did you think she was lying to get you to come home?"

"Because I have had an unhealthy crush on you ever since you made the headlines."

His bluntness is flustering.

"Quit flirting with her, Maddox, she’s already married to the ultimate rizz master. You’re too late."

We all turn as his sister walks in, plunks her bag down on the couch and hugs her mother. Wow. Did Amber inform them I was coming so they could stop by to say hello?

"Kat, you’re here too."

Kat rolls her eyes like her mom’s acting is terrible. "Yes mom, I just magically appeared after you left me thirteen missed calls and seven texts about Demi Rollins being here." Amber blushes hard. Her children don’t know the first thing about being subtle. I chuckle at their directness.

Kat sinks into the couch next to me. "Hi. My mom seems to think we should be best friends because she was best friends with your late mom, bless her soul. You know, carry on the friendship legacy between Regans and Bransons. What do you think of that?"

"Um..." I stare at Maddox who relieves me of my coffee to sip out of it, especially from the spot my lip touched.

"Don’t mind them." Amber intervenes when a red blush creeps into my cheek as Maddox continues to give me nasty looks. "Kat, go upstairs with your brother. You two should freshen up. Demi and I will set the table. Maddox, I asked you to be friendly with our guest, not flirty. She’s married and you know that. Don’t make her uncomfortable."

"She’s not complaining, mom." He turns to me. "Are you, love? Do I make you uncomfortable?"

"Don’t mind him, Demi. He thinks he’s all that." His sister cuts in.

"I am all that."

so. She was revolted by your

and scampered

"Whose Skylar?" I ask.

wasn’t Victoria secret model and Vogue cover-ish, she would easily go unnoticed as she wants. She rejected Maddox

they both heed her. "I’m sorry, Demi. They can

dining room. "I love meeting people, rubbing minds. It’s refreshing, especially when

blow me a kiss and blush even harder. He reminds me of Ashley when we first met. I had been repulsed by him given how little I knew of him and

and even though Ashley will beat Maddox hands

at crossroads with respect to what we both want out of our marriage.

and her children helped distract me for a few hours from the fear that has settled thickly in my gut ever since I found Asher outside Anna’s house. Though Anna has repeatedly assured me that Asher seems completely clueless about my pregnancy, I just can’t bring

his reason is. I know he stands with his father and disapproves of me as the mother of Ashley’s children. He has never been subtle about his utter dislike for me. So, why hasn’t he

It’s such a difficult situation that I’ve found myself. The silent torment is almost unbearable. I

place, I have plans to meet up with Kristy but I put a raincheck on it because Ashley has been making a fuss about

me over the phone as I wait

"Not yet."

"What’s taking so long?"

can’t hurry this even if I wanted to. Brett is not an easy man to get close to even though we practically live under the same roof. I can’t just stroll into

while, Demi. Billion-Err needs

I hear a familiar sound. "Where

am not mistaken, it sounds like a race track but I doubt Liam is the type to indulge in that type

"I’m driving. That’s why."

"Oh."

a way and get it done." He hangs up. I

through the pictures on my phone and linger at the pictures of father and Kristy. That would make headline news but I am not ready to lose my friendship with Kristy just yet. She can prove very useful in the long run. I flip through and find pictures of Josh and father.

calls me and I decline it. My phone rings again and I continue to decline the number. How dumb can people be? Why does this person keep calling when I clearly don’t want to speak to the stranger?

it’s Mila. I got your number from my fiancé.

Ashton as her fiancé like I wouldn’t know him if she simply called him Ashton. The traffic clears up just as I am typing an excuse with it. Shit.

affirmative and meet up with her at the wedding shop she texted me. The moment I walk in, an attendant with

a sleeveless, silk wedding dress that sculpts her body like paint and flows down her knees. She looks so divine with the long veil over

she turns in all her glory

to work rearranging her train on the floor with every move she makes. "What do you think?" She cups her boobs that are peeking from the plunging

asking me. I decline the offer of champagne from a staff and turn to

look absolutely

personal opinion. I called you here so you can help me pick a dress that my fiancé will love." She inclines her

trying

If you wanted that

that but it would be weird since they all look like Ashton. It would feel like he is the one looking through the dresses with

a reaction out of me. This is the last thing I thought she was interrupting my day for. Is

why you wanted to see

hand, she dismisses all the ladies assisting her. They all disperse in a

figured as the first daughter-in-law of the family, you’d know a thing or two about what the Rollins family expect of me

her eyes that betray the innocent smile she’s giving me. She means to rub it in my face that she’s getting the brother I happen to fancy.

I can’t help you here. I don’t know what you’re trying to do here but whatever it is, I am not down for it. Get your friends to help you pick a dress. I’m sure your future mother-in-law will be thrilled to bounce off wedding ideas with you. I have

as three steps before

refuse to leave the mansion with your