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 him so her pregnancy becomes a national news and I am forced to take her more seriously. My head is spinning and aching at the

call you back. Take care

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

didn’t

softly. There’s nothing in her eyes to make me suspicious that

be right

Nicci’s call has me confused a bit. I take a few moments to clear

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 thought I 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

have told me, Demi. I deserved to know

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

you trying to get rid of

"What?"

Did you loathe

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

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

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

says, shaking her head. "We just lost our baby because of someone’s wicked plot and you’re more interested in blaming me than looking

"I know you’re eager to make Asher your culprit

you insinuating? Are you blaming Ashton

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

yourself? Ashton would never do such a

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 from your

lolls her head back on

send Anna back in." I

***

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

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

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

"Ashley."

hovers in front of my bedroom. I can’t

need to talk to

you want to talk,

"Ashley..."

are ready to go just to make me live my life the way you want. You’re just as controlling and egoistical as father.

I would believe that

hurt her, I swear, not

gave them? How pathetic. Is that supposed to make me feel

I’m sorry. I 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 in

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 berserk. Why can’t he take a hint? I am

swear to God..." but when I pull my door open, mother

in to cup my face 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

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

my hand. "I have no idea what Asher was