Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 120: Chapter 120

DEMI

I’m staring at my reflection in the mirror, at the heavy gunk of makeup layered over the skin of my face as well as the deep, wavy hair that frames it. Put plainly, I look extremely beautiful today. Ashley’s stylists have been going out of their way to rebrand me for the little show I have been putting up for the cameras. Every news article and channel in Danvarr reports my pregnancy glow and fashion at least once a day. I am photographed everywhere I go and it’s all by design.

It’s father’s wish that I keep the media focused on me so much so that they forget that the other woman in the picture has been noticeably absent for weeks now. So far, I have been cooperating. It got easier after I kept seeing Liam in the crowd. We haven’t been able to meet up for days now since my security detail has been quadrupled and my movements restricted to keep up the farce.

I am only able to sneak a call or two to him while by myself in my room.

Liam is far smarter than I envisaged. During this difficult period for me, I have come to appreciate his ability to adapt, improvise and work alone to bring our goals to pass. He only asks that I trust him and not question the tough decisions he makes this period without consulting me first.

When Billion-Err strikes up a conversation about Nicola Grey’s sudden disappearance after rebutting the pregnancy rumors, a warm feeling fills my chest as the fog covering the eyes of the media start to fizzle away.

That is why I am nursing a thin smile as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I might hate how things have turned out and how my hands feel tied but if I have learnt anything from Liam, it’s that every situation can be used to our advantage.

I won’t cry or sulk. I will make lemonade out of this situation and bring the Rollins family to their knees when I am done with them.

I grab a brush and pat my face while smiling deviously. Through the mirror, Ashley’s eyes lock with mine. When did he come in? Shit. It’s his room after all.

"You’re smiling. Something funny?" He asks me dryly. I dump the brush with a sigh and turn to stare at him.

"What exactly do you want from me? You had a problem when I didn’t smile at all for the cameras and when I smiled too little. You complained when I smiled too much because it didn’t look genuine. Now, you have a problem with me practicing my smile before we put on a show for those clueless fans of ours out in the real world?"

Wordlessly, he advances towards me and cups my chin. "That smile was worrisome, Demi. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you’re enjoying the fact that everyone has started asking questions about Nicci’s whereabout."

I pull my chin away. "Why the hell shouldn’t I be happy about that? Why should I sympathize with you after the lengths you’re going to make my life miserable?" I scoff at him, rising to my feet.

"You’re so despicable, Ashley. Even after everything you’ve done wrong to me, you still feel entitled to my loyalty and support? Where was yours when you left a baby in Nicci’s womb or when I was hauled away and locked up in my room because I refused to play pretend mom for you and Nicci’s unborn child? Where is your loyalty, support and LOVE right now when I am being used by your family to keep your reputation intact? You have some nerve expecting me to feel anything but hate towards you right now!"

When I try to leave, he grabs my wrist in a tight grip. Anger wells up in my throat.

"Get your hand off me." I order him through gritted teeth. His very presence disgusts me.

Rather than oblige me, he steps closer to stand behind me and snakes a hand over my tummy. I writhe uncomfortably in his grip as he tugs me closer to his body. His hot breath fans my ear when he leans to whisper to me.

"You’re lucky you look hotter than you usually do. That’s the only reason why I’m letting this arrogance slide."

"FUCK YOU!"

"Gladly! If you weren’t so stubborn, you wouldn’t have to be pretending to be pregnant right now. You’d be carrying our child again."

"I’ll rather drink from a sewage than share a bed with you again!"

His short laugh makes my skin tingle with dread. "And yet you’re here, in my bedroom." He sniffs my neck. "Wearing my scent. You can’t hate me that much."

"You ordered your stylists to use..."

"Whatever." He spins me to face him, his hands interlocked behind my waist. "I felt bad for you for a really long time. I allowed the guilt eat me up each time I couldn’t be enough for you. While I shamelessly craved your acceptance, Nicci on the other hand loved me in spite of my flaws. I ignored her for a long time because I felt I owed my wife loyalty. My point is, Demi, that you have never loved me. It was a blatant waste of my emotions to ever dream of being loved by you. That is why in hindsight, I no longer feel guilty for accommodating Nicci. At least she has true feelings for me regardless of her flaws and mine."

"Then why don’t you two ride off into the sunset and be happily wed? Why don’t you leave me our of your love story?"

That annoying chuckle again. "Because this isn’t a Nora Roberts novel; it’s real life, baby and in this life, we don’t always get what we want, how we want it." His eyes dip from my face, down my plunging neckline. Immediately, I attempt to wriggle away from his lustful gaze.

"You’re shameless. In one breath, you speak of being in love with a woman and in the same breath, you’re ogling another."

"I said Nicci was in love with me. I never said she’s the one I have feelings for." He corrects matter-of-factly, pinning me with a heavy look that reminds me of the Ashley I used to know. My throat dries up but I manage to moisten my lips.

"You can’t be in love with me." I deny his manipulation. "You have done nothing but hurt me."

"You have a biased view of what a man in love with you should be like. I’m guessing the standard is a certain blonde hunk who was born black-haired?" He allows a small smile on the corner of his lips. "If you have been burned and betrayed as much as I have in life, you’d understand why my approach to dicey subjects like the four-letter word come with a few thorns rather than rose tints."

feelings. I don’t regret never giving you a chance in

Immediately, I free myself. We haven’t brought it up since I mentioned

allowed myself to do things knowing fully well how much it would hurt you. Still, I don’t know why I feel a nagging sense of guilt within me.

"What are you saying?"

part of the deal but I am a bit unsure of your loyalty. You and Ashton have never betrayed me and still I threw tantrums just because I imagined you wanted to in spite of his restraint. It pissed me off that you craved him even while in bed with me." He takes a step towards me and I take two backwards. "Have you truly been loyal to me and my family, Demi? Tell me you’ve truly been loyal and that is why I feel a smidgen of

being loyal to you and your family for six months, then my

that a yes?" He

can choke on it. Now get the driver so we can wrap up today’s episode of playing pregnant.

towards the door but as I pull it open, the maid, Halle, stands outside with a tray of fruits and her hands poised to ring

some fruits up to

thank her for me and tell her to dial

me. I

too? I won’t

"What drama?"

shock at the sight of my aunt and niece. Mother has just stepped out of the elevator with

ever since she took in. The mood

you..." He presses his lips to mine to shut me up. I want to claw at his neck but that would only spill the beans

intentionally invited my aunt and Kira here just so I play nice around him and his family. Does he think my

mom struggles to

Demi. Pregnancy looks good on

"Congrats." Kira chimes dryly.

wrench Ashley’s hand from my waist but he doesn’t budge.

feel about them. How could you bring

apologize, Mrs. Rollins. She has clearly forgotten her place and her manners. Please forgive her." The wench turns to me again. "Mrs. Rollins didn’t invite us

this. He takes the cue to cup my face. "Behave darling." He mutters to me before speaking loudly. "They’re still your family, darling. I know your emotions are all over the place right now but try to calm down. I thought if you spent more time with them, you’d be able to bury the hatchet and move on. You’re having a baby soon. They must want

don’t want them here. Send them

I storm away to my room. His foot wedges between my bedroom door before I can shut it. When we are alone again in my room, I throw a pillow

trying to upset me even more

I thought having your

family dumped mud all over me and now you’re complaining I stink? YOU ALL TURNED ME INTO

my parents. You do it effortlessly in front of the cameras for strangers three times a week yet when you step through those doors and enter this house, you stare at everyone of us like you’d like nothing more than to

grit my teeth in ire. I really want to maim

be nice, I’ll send your

"And if I refuse?"

with us till the

discard my ego and tell

with us. I’ll keep bringing people and coming up with ways to make you cave, Demi. Is that what you want?" He continues when I only stare daggers at him. "I’ll send them home. Halle will be back with the fruits. Eat them, I beg

attempts to leave. "I’ll eat the fruits and even give mother a smile

"Fine."

me unzip my dress and keeps her head bowed like she can’t hear the

have to play nicer, Demi. You can’t let them brand you

my head at

just

informs

"You’re working with Liam?"

are three of

my feet and take her hands. "If I had to guess who Liam’s minions were,

emotions get

sink to the floor. "I’m sorry. I’ve been losing my mind ever since our plans went

like that, how you can use your situation and the people around you to propel your plan. Use Ashley’s hunger for love and the guilt he feels to your

A thought crosses my mind. "What bone do you have to pick with this family? How have they wronged

important. All you need to know is that we are on

I get to

just mine for now. Remember, stay in character as long as it advances our goals. You can’t treat me differently after learning this secret. I only had to deliver