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."

a chance in my heart, Ashley. As soon as

him as his grip weakens. Immediately, I free myself. We haven’t brought it up since I mentioned it at the dining table.

would hurt you. Still, I don’t know why I feel a nagging sense of guilt within me. Contrary to what you might think, I am not enjoying any

"What are you saying?"

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

is what I get for being loyal to you and your family for six months,

a yes?"

on it. Now get the driver so we can wrap up today’s episode of playing pregnant. I want to get out of these ridiculous clothes

pull it open, the maid, Halle, stands outside with a tray of fruits and her hands poised to

some fruits up to you. Shall I leave

as you know, Halle, so thank her for me and tell her to

me. I

have to do this song and dance inside the house too? I won’t stand for it so let’s keep

"What drama?"

elevator with them. What

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 in front of my

here just so I play nice around him and his family. Does he think my hatred for them

stares jealously at me while her mom struggles to keep up the fake

looks good on you." Aunt

"Congrats." Kira chimes dryly.

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

here? You know how I feel about them. How could you bring them here? Are you trying

that?" Kira interrupts, then turns to mother with an ingratiating smile. "I apologize, Mrs. Rollins. She has clearly forgotten her place and her manners. Please forgive her." The wench turns to

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 to share in your joy. Be nice. They’ll be

I shove at him. "I don’t want them here. Send them away

my family as I storm away to my room. His foot wedges between my bedroom door before I can shut it. When we are alone

are you trying to upset me even more by inviting my aunt and that

like scum, Demi. I thought having

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

around 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

ire. I really want to maim

you can promise me that you’d be nice, I’ll send your

"And if I refuse?"

us

discard my ego

get the same warning as Anna. Then, I’d go get William, you ex, to spend some time with us. I’ll keep bringing people and coming up with ways to make you cave, Demi. Is that what you want?" He continues

fruits and even give mother a smile before the day ends but you’ll have to cancel today’s

"Fine."

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

You can’t let them brand you a sworn

whip my head at

you just

head is firmly held high as she regards me. "Who do you think informs Liam of things that happen in this house

"You’re working with Liam?"

There are three of us here,

I

the point. I have played my role so well they would never suspect me. You’re slacking on that front. You’re letting your emotions

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

Nicci’s father on our side since he has a bone to pick with the Rollins now. You have to start thinking like that, how you can use your situation and the people around you

been slipping. A thought crosses my mind. "What bone do you have to pick with this family?

you need to know is that we are on

I get

it advances our goals. You can’t treat me differently after learning this