Four Brothers and a Bride

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."

to blab to him so her pregnancy becomes a national news and I am forced

Take care of

is behind me. How did she manage to

I didn’t

She utters softly. There’s nothing in

right behind

has me confused a bit. I take a few moments to

just had with the rest of my family and her best friend. I struggle to find the right words to break the ice so we just stare wordlessly at each other. I can tell she knows the one question on

I had more time. I didn’t know something like this was going to

"You told Ashton."

out. I didn’t tell

should have told me, Demi. I deserved to

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 sad to see him picking a fight with mother. I also didn’t like the fact that you didn’t defend me outrightly. I was...Ashley I

you trying to get

"What?"

the truth, Demi. Did you loathe me so much that you toyed with the idea of

isn’t farfetched at all. I can see that picture clearly in my head. I bet she must have been devastated to find out she was pregnant with

someone to blame for the loss of our baby? Fine, pin all the blame on me if it makes you happy. I however will not stop until I get to the root of my attack. I know it was no accident.

mentioning it. Asher. I’ll have to have that

again." Demi says, shaking her head. "We just lost our baby because of someone’s wicked plot and

so much running through my head right now. I need 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 my

are you insinuating? Are you blaming Ashton

Everyone knows he’s still in love with you. We can as well say he had the motive and planned to terminate your pregnancy with the hope of pinning it on Asher,

such

trust each other. I shake my head. "I know he wouldn’t. I’m just trying to remind you of the danger of being fixated on one possible culprit when there are other people who have the

head back on the

back in." I tell

***

that Demi takes a paid leave off work to rest some more. Demi isn’t thrilled about it but she

nor has he tried to settle the feud between 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

to my child. Before now, I thought only father was capable of taking things that

"Ashley."

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

to talk to

you want to talk, huh? After killing

"Ashley..."

know how you feel about Demi and my 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

would believe that the look on Asher’s

to hurt her, I swear, not like

your thugs for how they handled the job you gave them? How pathetic.

in your marriage like that. Please Ashley, I beg for your forgiveness. There’s no justification for the role I played in all of this. I

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

God..." but when I pull my door open, mother is behind the

steps in to cup my face with her hands before pulling

When she eases back, tears still glint in her eyes. "I wanted to give you some time

anger starts surging again. "Why can’t I have

Asher was thinking. I bet somewhere in his head, he thought he