Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 112

Chapter 112: Chapter 112

ASHLEY

None of this is real. How was Demi pregnant and I didn’t know? Why didn’t she tell me? And Asher? He also knew and kept me in the dark?

I don’t know how to feel right now. I just learnt that I was going to be a father and at the same time, I have lost my unborn baby. Why did Demi not tell me any of this? Does she hate me that much that she didn’t want me to know we were having a baby?

When Demi finally gets conscious, everyone rushes into her room to see and talk to her. I stay back, cradling my head in my hands.

"Demi is awake. Aren’t you going to see her?" Ashton asks me. I know he is itching to talk to her. My red rimmed eyes turn to stare at him. I want to know if he has also been keeping me in the dark about something I should have been told.

"I’ll see her eventually. I need to clear my head first."

"I understand."

"Ashton?"

"Yes?"

"Did you also know that Demi was pregnant?" I lock eyes with his cool ones. His elongated silence breaks my heart. He also knew? How did I not know? I turn and shake my head. "Did she tell you or you found out by observing her like Asher claims?"

"I figured it out too."

"And you didn’t tell me because?"

Ashton takes a seat next to me with a somber expression on his face.

"Ashley, I’m sorry. When I confronted Demi about hiding her pregnancy especially from you, she told me what happened the night she took the pregnancy tests. She said she overheard father and mother fighting over the possibility that she could be carrying their grandchild. According to her, father said some mean things about her. She was too afraid of our parents being torn over her pregnancy that she needed time before she informed the family. She begged me to give her some time, Ashley."

"She didn’t tell me."

"She wasn’t sure you wanted the baby too."

"What?" I ask, whipping my head to face him. "Why would she think that?"

"You didn’t defend her when father said those mean things about her. She felt that you shared the same sentiments as he does about having a baby with her because of your silence. Maybe you should go talk to her and clear up the air. I think there’s a lot of misunderstanding going on."

He pats my back before leaving for Demi’s room.

Demi isn’t the only one to blame for robbing me of the chance to celebrate fathering a child with her. My brothers also kept me in the dark. They’re partly responsible for the pain I am feeling right now.

My phone buzzes in my pocket. I frown at the sight of Nicola’s call. For a split second, I had forgotten all about our conversation. She claims to be pregnant with my child.

Though this is hardly the ideal time to tackle the issue or the way I planned to come into fatherhood, I can’t ignore her. That will only make worse an already combustible situation. Demi just went through a traumatic ordeal and lost our child in the process. The last thing she needs to hear now is how I fathered another child with my ex.

"Why are you calling me? I told you I’d call you soon." I whisper to her from the far end of the hall. My eyes keep darting around for any lurking family member.

"It’s been hours, Ashley. You know every second counts if we must achieve our plans. This baby is also growing every day. Where did you run off to?"

"My whereabout is none of your business even if you might be pregnant with my child. Don’t start asserting rights that only accrue to my wife, Nicci." That bit must have hurt her feelings with the prolonged, awkward silence that follows. I run a hand over my face and expel a frustrated breath. "I’m sorry. I’m just in a really bad mood right now. You should have listened and waited for me to call you."

"My father is growing suspicious. He asked to take me to see a doctor when I got back from your office. I told him I already saw one and lied that I am coming down with a fever. I think he bought it but I don’t know how much longer I can keep him in the dark."

news and I am forced to take her more seriously. My

back. Take

me. How did she manage to

I didn’t hear

in her eyes to make me

be right behind

to clear my head before advancing to Demi’s

moment she just had with the rest of my family and her best friend. I struggle to find the right words

eventually going to tell you about the baby." She whimpers softly. "I thought I had more time. I didn’t know something like this was going to happen. I’m sorry, Ashley." She proceeds

"You told Ashton."

out. I

have told me, Demi.

dabs her wet eyes. "I was afraid of what father would do if he found out. I also thought you didn’t really want the baby if it would upset father. I was so confused after witnessing the scene that night when I took the tests. I lied to you because I was a bit

to get

"What?"

me the truth, Demi. Did you loathe me so much

farfetched at all. I can see that picture clearly in my head. I bet she must have been devastated to find out

marriage, that baby was also mine. How could you think so low of me?" Her tears give way to a sheen of pain and anger. "Is that what you want to hear? You want someone to blame for the loss of our baby? Fine, pin

name is right on her lips but she refrains from mentioning it. Asher. I’ll

her head. "We just lost our baby because of someone’s wicked

time to articulate." I pace the room. "I know you’re eager to make Asher your culprit but don’t forget he isn’t the only one who knew about your pregnancy. Asher wouldn’t go behind

insinuating? Are

still in love with you. We can as well say he had the motive and planned to terminate your pregnancy with the hope

never do such a

wouldn’t. I’m just trying to remind you of the danger of being fixated on one possible culprit when there are other

back on the

back in."

***

a paid leave off work to rest

Asher and I. I haven’t been able to stand Asher’s presence. I know I told Demi that he couldn’t have gone behind my back to do such a thing but that was a lie. Asher has been trying to get me to divorce Demi for a while now. I am sure he would have done everything in his power to

a thing to my child. Before now, I thought

"Ashley."

you want?" I snap at Asher who hovers in front of my bedroom.

need to

now you want to talk, huh? After killing

"Ashley..."

marriage to her but even at that, Asher, I can’t believe the lengths you are ready to go just to make me live my life the way you want. You’re just as controlling and egoistical as father. How could you go after my unborn child? How could

would believe that the

weren’t supposed to hurt her, I swear,

for how they handled the job you gave them? How pathetic. Is that supposed to make me feel better

had no right to intervene in your marriage like that. Please Ashley, I beg for your forgiveness. There’s no justification for the

The knock on my door few minutes later almost make me go berserk. Why can’t he take a hint? I am trying my very best not to lose it here. If he persists, I might actually have to start a physical

when I pull my door open, mother is behind

in to cup my face with her hands before pulling me

my son. I know how much you must be hurting. Believe me, I feel your pain." She sobs softly. When she eases back, tears still glint in her eyes. "I wanted to give you some time to grieve but I haven’t been able to

I have anything for myself? Why do I keep losing the good

"I have no idea what Asher was thinking. I bet somewhere in his head, he

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