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."

bet she can’t wait to blab to him so her pregnancy becomes a national news and I am forced to take her more seriously. My head is spinning and

Take care of yourself

When I turn, Anna is behind me. How did

didn’t

you." She utters softly. There’s nothing in her eyes to make me suspicious that

be right

to clear my head before advancing to

she 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

I didn’t know something like this was going to happen. I’m sorry, Ashley." She proceeds to cry her eyes out while I remain still, my thumbs hooked in the

"You told Ashton."

found out. I

told me, Demi. I deserved to

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

you trying to get

"What?"

her with a pained look. "Just tell me the truth, Demi. Did you loathe me so

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 my

pain and anger. "Is that what you want to hear? You want someone to blame for the loss of our baby? Fine, pin all the blame on me if it makes you happy.

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

lost our baby because of someone’s wicked plot and you’re more interested in blaming me than looking into the person behind my

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

We can as well say he had the motive and planned to terminate your pregnancy with the

do such a thing. He wouldn’t hurt

of the danger of being fixated on one possible culprit when there are other people who have the motive and would stand to benefit from your miscarriage as well. I’ll look into it. For now, try to

lolls her head back on the

in." I

***

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

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

he did such a thing to my child. Before

"Ashley."

at Asher who hovers in front of my

to

to talk, huh? After

"Ashley..."

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 you dispense with talking to

wasn’t sizzling with rage, I would believe that

hurt her, I swear,

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

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

look at you." I slam the door behind him and rake my hands through my hair. 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 fight to

but when I pull my door open, mother is behind

my face with her hands before pulling me in for a

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

your every own son, Asher." I add spitefully. "Don’t ever forget that part." I move away to go sit on the couch. The anger starts surging again. "Why can’t I have anything for myself? Why do I keep losing the good things in my life? Why do my loved ones keep

my hand. "I have no idea what Asher was thinking. I bet somewhere in his head, he thought he was doing the