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."

I am forced to take her more seriously. My head is spinning and

you back. Take care of

up. When I turn, Anna is behind me. How did she manage to sidle

I didn’t

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

right behind

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 and I can

stare pitifully at her. She’s propped up against a pillow. She looks very weak. There are still tears in her eyes from the moment 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

had more time. 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

"You told Ashton."

out. I didn’t

Demi.

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 didn’t plan

to

"What?"

loathe me so much that you

picture clearly in my head. I bet she must have been

you say that to me, Ashley? Despite our differences and opinions on having kids in this 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

she refrains from mentioning it. Asher. I’ll have to have that conversation with him. He had

someone’s wicked plot and you’re more interested

am in shock, Demi. There’s so much running through my head right now. I need time to articulate." I pace the room. "I know you’re

you insinuating? Are you blaming

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

never do such a thing. He wouldn’t

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

lolls her head back

in."

***

insists that Demi takes a paid leave off

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.

my child. Before now, I thought only

"Ashley."

at Asher who hovers in front of my bedroom. I can’t believe he’ll have

need to talk

now you want to talk, huh? After

"Ashley..."

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 me first about your feelings on

sizzling with rage, I would believe that the look

to hurt her, I swear, not

job you gave them? How pathetic. Is that

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

my door few minutes later almost make me go berserk. Why can’t he take a hint? I am trying my very

pull

She steps in to cup my face with her hands before pulling

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 hold

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

takes my hand. "I have no idea what Asher was