Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 131: Chapter 131

ASHAL

It’s been crazy at the mansion lately. Then again, when have my family not been chaotic both internally and externally. With Asher still recovering and father’s scandal attaining new heights of public embarrassment and financial losses by the hour, I wish I could go spend a day at my penthouse and check on my pregnant wife. I can’t exactly do that because I am actively avoiding her right now. I don’t know what she has found out about Maddi and I but I am not ready for that confrontation.

Maddi has also been unreachable lately. I am guessing it has a lot to do with our last meeting and the guilt of entertaining another man when her boyfriend’s funeral is yet to be organized. I plan to give her some time to grieve and process everything before we have the hard conversation about our future, assuming there’s any hope for us.

There’s my family of course and the poor history we have with the Dunns because of Olivia. Father would never agree and I am certain the Dunns won’t allow it either. Olivia will certainly not take it well out of fear of her sister replacing her in the cage I previously locked Liv in. Then there’s mine and Olivia’s baby to think about. Me and Maddi together is an impossible future to fathom but even then, I am willing to try if she is.

I chug down a pint of brandy and listen to Ashton griping on our conference call.

"We’re down by 16% and it hasn’t even been a full day yet."

"Have you spoken to father?" Asher asks. I wasn’t in favor of him joining this call from his sick bed. Frankly, none of us wanted to but he swore at us and dared us to shut him out. If we weren’t in a bind and didn’t need all the help we can get, we would have ignored his threat. Plus, he has always been better at damage control than all three of us combined.

"We literally spent the whole morning with his PR team..."

"About Kristy." Asher clarifies with a sharp voice. I can feel his rage just simmering at the edge. "What’s really going on between them, Ashton? Has he seriously not explained himself to you? Is he seriously waiting to be asked?"

Ashton works his tie and leans back in Asher’s office. He’s killing the Asher look by the way.

"Do we really need his clarification?" He inquires. "I don’t know about you guys but I know what the truth is because I know what father is capable of! Y’all are free to give him the benefit of doubt and hope he is falsely being accused but I won’t. I just want to deal with this problem soon enough before it wrecks our lives. THEN, I’ll give father a piece of my mind for going, yet again, against his word and hurting our mother!"

We all remain silent for a few seconds.

"I agree." I add. "Let’s not pretend to be noble sons and deny who and what our father is. I only defended him to put mother’s mind at ease but those pictures didn’t lie. In fact, I’m afraid somewhere deep down, she’s got her doubts too."

"She does." Asher concurs my statement. "She was in my room last night, badgering me to tell her the truth."

"Really?" Ashley straightens himself on the executive chair in his own office. "What did you tell her, Asher?"

We all fix Asher with concerned stares. Mother isn’t ready for the truth especially not now. There’s too much on ground to pile on her emotional distress too.

"What do you think? She’s been coping just fine, hasn’t she? If I had actually told her the truth, don’t you think all hell would have broken loose at home?"

We all agree. Mother seems to be doing fairly good especially with Mila as a healthy distraction. Ashton encourages Asher to set his feelings for father aside till we deal with the problem at hand. With obvious restraint, Asher proceeds to make suggestions on how to quell the rumors. I listen quietly until my phone buzzes on the table, next to my laptop.

I already know it’s Liv. I have been avoiding her and the penthouse since Asher’s hospitalization. I excuse myself, mute my brothers before taking Liv’s call.

snaps at me. "Why have you been avoiding me? Do you realize I am pregnant with your child? Is this anyway to treat me even if we’re getting divorced?

headache to brew in my head. I rub it away and grit

the news lately? My father has come under fire with a cheating scandal which is false anyway but the family business is suffering because of it. Asher is feeling under the weather at this time. My entire family is stressed out looking for a quick way to put out this fire. I can’t possibly abandon them right now. I know you are well taken care of at the penthouse. You have your doctor, nurse, security guards,

spend time with me. We need to discuss making some adjustments. I need to be allowed to go out

"Slow down, Liv..."

strict rules and let me out a few times. You even let in visitors. Ash, I can’t remain caged in this house. I am losing my mind. I need a change of environment. I need to converse with

No mention of Maddie? I wrack my brain and wonder if I am being lured into a trap. Could this be a ruse to get me to ease up the security so she could

you

"Fine. I’ll

make it sound. You’ve been running things

That part hit home.

it can’t happen over the

probably nothing. Unfortunately, I am unable to concentrate for the rest of the day. My brothers proceed to implement their plans to deescalate the damaging rumor but all I do is torture myself with all the ways things could go wrong when Liv and

found true love in my wife’s younger sister. Even thinking about it makes me realize how crazy that sounds. Tired of procrastinating and

weren’t expecting you." Lily voiced once she saw me barge into the house. Liv appears at the top of the stairs with bewilderment written all over her

out, giving me a once over. I notice her growing bump and feel a tightness in my chest. Am I about

were swamped with family issues?" Liv asks, walking back to the living room on the

time to swing by, check on you and the baby..." I clear my throat. "Discuss other matters that seemed

sinks into the couch with one leg tucked under her ass and grabs the little beanie she’s making. I

the security guards. They’ll prepare an itinerary for your movements. You let them know where and who you want to visit. Thrice a

leaps up and smothers me in a hug. She proceeds to kiss

with a big smile. "What’s got you in such a good mood? I

stare at her and immediately realize she can’t know about Maddi and I if she’s this giddy. My hands slip inside my pockets

least I can do to make this pregnancy more comfortable for

and returns to her seat.

to talk about Maddi?" I remind her. Instantly, her demeanor changes. She abandons the stuff she’s doing

prepared to believe it." A hysterical laugh and a flip

as she shakes her

about Maddi but not

fists in my pocket. Might as well get the show

"What?"

have no frigging clue why the universe keeps toying with me by allowing me to fall in love with people I can’t have but..." Tears shimmer in my eyes to my annoyance. "...what I feel for Maddi is pure and genuine. I

to her feet. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU

What the hell was she referring to earlier if not my feelings for