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."

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

Take care of

me. How did

didn’t hear

in her eyes to make me suspicious that

be right

thoughts before seeing Demi. Nicci’s call has me confused a bit. I take a few moments to clear my head before advancing to Demi’s room. The moment I step in, Ashal and Ashton herds everyone else out so Demi

from the moment she just had with the rest of my family and her best friend. I struggle

baby." She whimpers softly. "I thought I had more time. I didn’t know something like this was going to happen. I’m sorry,

"You told Ashton."

he found out. I

Demi. I deserved to

when I took the tests. I

you trying to

"What?"

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

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. I however will not stop until I get to the root of my attack. I know it was no accident. Someone orchestrated everything, someone who knew about my pregnancy and wanted it

it. Asher.

head. "We just lost our baby because of someone’s wicked plot and you’re more interested in blaming me than looking into the person

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 back and do something this heinous. I refuse to believe

you insinuating?

wanted you to have my baby. 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

would never do such a thing. He wouldn’t hurt me

him for me. It’s nauseating to be reminded how much they 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 motive and would stand to benefit

head back on the

in." I tell her before

***

properly looked after. She even insists that Demi takes a paid leave off work to rest some more. Demi isn’t thrilled about it

happened, 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

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

"Ashley."

hovers in front of my bedroom. I can’t believe he’ll have the guts to show

need to talk

want to talk, huh?

"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

I wasn’t sizzling with rage, I would believe that the look on Asher’s face

to hurt her, I swear, not

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

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

my room, Asher. I can’t even 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

but when I pull

with her hands before pulling me in

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 hold myself. Greta had been right after all. I was going to be a grandmother but I didn’t get to celebrate it. The baby was snatched

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 betraying

to join me on the couch and takes my hand. "I have no idea what Asher was thinking. I bet somewhere in his head, he thought he was doing the best