Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 115

Chapter 115: Chapter 115

ASHLEY

[I’m deeply sorry for everything, Demi. Please come back home. I miss you. Everyone is worried.]

[Demi, I am handling Nicci. She won’t tear us apart, I promise.]

[The baby was an accident. You’re the only one I want to have kids with. Please give us another chance.]

[Call me back.]

As I go through the unread text messages that I have left for Demi, a head ache throbs at the base of my skull. She’s definitely getting my texts but she won’t open them. She has never been this mad at me and I am worried this might just be the last straw for her. Can she really forgive me this time?

"Are you okay?"

The sight of father in my office is not something I ever expected. I am struggling to believe he came all the way to see me instead of calling me over to the headquarters.

The last time I saw him, he had brought me here to introduce me to everyone as the new manager. That was a different time.

I remember basking under the euphoria of his intimidating aura and how proud I had felt to be the son of such a business tycoon. Now, as I look at him, the intimidating aura is still there but instead of pride, I feel...nothing. It’s probably because of the emotional rot I have been enduring for the past few days.

He helps himself to a seat because all I do is stare at him with glassy eyes.

"Son, talk to me. Let me know how I can help you get over this stump in your life."

I lean back on my seat as a tired sigh rips through my throat.

"You were right. Asher tried to pin the blame on you. He’s got Ashton sold on that lie too. I don’t know how. I don’t understand why he would lie about you like that even when I had already agreed to forgive him."

Father sighs softly. "He’s afraid to be hated by you and your brothers. I guess it’s easier to pin the blame on me since I am not anyone’s favorite parent anyway. Hmmm. He’s not lying though. It’s kind of my fault. He told me about Demi’s pregnancy and mentioned that he was handling it. I should have enquired about his methods. I should have deterred him from interfering in your matters. My grandchild was lost as a result of my inaction."

He bows his head and breathes deeply. His facial features are shrouded in pain.

"I’m sorry I haven’t had the time to talk to you personally about everything that’s happened. I’m not very good with consolations. I usually just buy your mother gifts but I don’t think that applies for a man like you."

"It’s fine. I have been too distracted by my own pain to notice who has comforted me and who hasn’t. I am glad you’re making the effort."

"I know it’s hard to believe but I can relate to the pain you’re feeling right now. I have been in your shoes thrice in the past."

"What?" I ask, intrigued.

"Your mother and I didn’t find it easy to expand our family. She suffered three miscarriages before you boys came into our lives. I can relate to the pain of losing a child, the strain it can put between the couple, the myriad of questions flowing in your head about what you could have done to prevent this and the like. Trust me, don’t allow yourself to sink into that fiery pit of self-doubt and self-loathing. There’s nothing you could have done."

"I realize that. I am more worried about fixing things with Demi. She’s still hurting and because of Asher getting away with his role in her pain, she can’t seem to forgive me. That’s why I let her move in with her best friend in the meantime."

"She’s with Anna?"

"She could use the friendly face and the space. Like I said, I let her go. She’ll be back."

I wasn’t worried about how he would react to Nicci’s pregnancy in the heat of the chaos that is my marital life, I would have been open to share my problem with him. I know father can handle Nicci faster than mother and my brothers combined. Still, I can’t risk it. He might not take into consideration my preference for the

absence the

"Isn’t it enough?"

I to assume you’re in love with

I wonder why I am always super defensive about

can call it that but I know that I really like her. Once we figure out a way to sort out the issues plaguing our marriage, I am confident we can both explore fully what

plaguing your marriage, you’re referring

"I don’t blame him any longer for Demi’s feelings. The truth is that I envy him. Feelings can change and with more quality time with my wife, I am sure she’ll fall for

face is hardened, a reminder of the promise I made to him. My marriage was never supposed to exceed a year. I shift uncomfortably

I’ve still got six months, haven’t

to sabotage your future out of fear. You can and will find true love. It isn’t tied to one woman. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you. Don’t spend it begging for anyone’s love or attention. I raised you better than that."

be headed back

"Thanks for stopping by."

in my head. It sucks to realize the number of people in my family rooting for me to divorce Demi. At this point, it wouldn’t feel like my choice even if I decide to go down that route. I’d feel like I

left." I tell Asher over the phone. "No, I don’t think he suspects a thing." I sigh on my end. "It was really hard trying to keep it together after he walked into my office and pretended to sympathize with me. How foolish does he think I am? He killed my baby

let him

to hear that you went behind

I’m doing this to distract him from following up on Ashton. If there’s any truth to Ashton’s claims regarding father’s hand in the death of our biological parents, then Adriana’s life will be in danger if father finds out about her. We have

didn’t

I know sides to father that you all are yet to meet. However, I’m just giving him the benefit of doubt. It’s the least I can do. Maybe I want to believe he hasn’t completely lost his humanity while chasing dollar bills

Were you able to

have ghosted me too because of everything that happened. She’s convinced I killed her

I need to

no one will greet you with a bucket

here anytime now. I told mom everything and

want me to come

it. Thanks for

"You’re welcome."

she’s grown in the last two days. I don’t get why she’s been acting so strangely since we last

sleeve. I am prepared for every possible scenario in my head, including

"How have you been?"

plunks her bag on the

out a way to get Demi out of the picture so you and I can raise our child in a healthy home. You’ve been avoiding me ever since and after I threatened to expose everything-which by the way is the only

desk to come stand in front of her. When my

you everything but first, I’d like to know what’s with the sudden attitude? I thought we left things at a good place the last time we

you, Ashley? You left me with high hopes that my child and I would get what we deserve only for me to learn that you haven’t even revealed my pregnancy to your family. Am I a joke to you? Do you

you such

else would?"

too upset given everything that has happened. I flush the anger surging from this revelation

see you deny it." Nicci continues, brimming with anger. "Have you told your entire family about me or am I just a problem you plan on taking care of quietly?" She sits and crosses one leg over the other on the couch like a talk

been going on in my private life? Everything doesn’t revolve around you, you know? I have been dealing with a lot of pain over the last few days. I bet you didn’t even notice but then again, why would you? You only

hell are you talking about?"

day you informed me about it, I got called to the hospital because Demi

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