Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 133: Chapter 133

DEMI

The flight to the remote Island where Nicola is staying is approximately four hours, as our pilot informed us. I am glad I convinced Ashley to take me to see her since the mansion has been unconducive lately. It was easier to convince him because Nicci hasn’t been taking his calls either and he was already starting to worry.

I made sure the trip happened today knowing the longer we take, the more complicated things could get if truly Nicci has any issues with her pregnancy. I need to make sure and figure out a way to turn things in a direction favorable to me.

I inhale a long breath and look out the panoramic window, at the bright sky. We’ve only been airborne for thirty minutes on one of the family’s private jets but I still haven’t been able to relax. My mind is haunted with troubling thoughts.

Ashley looks up from his phone and takes in my restless movements.

"Everything okay?"

I shrug my shoulders at him. "Just jittery. I can’t seem to get used to being airborne."

"Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’ll adjust in time." He leans forward to rub my knee reassuringly. His smile almost has me floored so I look away.

The truth is that my uneasiness has nothing to do with the flight. I haven’t been able to get thoughts of my lunch date with uncle Marcel out of my head.

I had gone to have lunch with him at a restaurant in a hotel a little further away from the mansion. I had to clear things up for him so he doesn’t come in and fuck up everything I’ve been working on for many years.

After the pleasantries, hugs, tears and catching up were out of the way, he pinned me with a deep look I couldn’t decipher as I toyed with my food and narrated the circumstances that led to my marriage. I bet he already heard a thing or two so there wasn’t much I could alter on that front, except the true identity of the man I wedded that fateful night. I also didn’t mention the existence of a marriage contract with Ashley. On the surface, it appeared that I was in a good marriage.

I watched him too to gauge his reaction whenever I mentioned my in-laws. His face didn’t contort in the faintest hint of anger while I calmly described them like fairly decent people. I deduced that my uncle must not know the ugly parts of the Rollins family and their direct involvement in the death of my parents.

He reached forward and closed a hand over mine.

"You never struck me as one meant for life in the spotlight. Are you truly happy, Demi?"

"Yes." I answered too fast. He chuckled.

"And the man you married? Do you love him and vice versa?"

At that moment, I thought of Ashton who was the man I truly married that night after all.

"Yes, we love each other dearly." Uncle Marcel smiled like I had actual stars in my eyes as I replied.

"That’s more convincing. I’m glad to know you’re happy and they treat you right in spite of the gaping difference in your economic bracket and theirs. Not a lot of billionaires are good with treating plebeians as decent human beings."

I force a smile before stuffing some crisp veggies in my mouth.

daughter of their former staff who died in a work-related accident in one of their properties? Do

my food. Uncle Marcel helps me with a glass of water and rubs my back gently. I chug down the water and

was the next morning after my hangover had ebbed. Of course, I was a bit skeptical given the history shared between our family and theirs. For that reason, I sought an annulment but Mrs. Rollins begged me to give the relationship a try. It turned out okay. The family turned out to be decent folks. I have never mentioned having an uncle so it might seem strange that one popped out of nowhere. Plus, the timing sucks. The

other girl who came in with similar marriage claims against her sons, even pregnancy claims. Do you think

for the pitcher of water and pour myself another glass, avoiding my uncle’s

you’re Camille’s

didn’t want to be accepted into that family by playing the pity card. Right now, they only know that I am orphaned and that aunt and Kira are my relatives. If you want to be introduced to them, you’ll have to promise not to bring up the tragic

Marcel leaned back in his seat. His food was untouched. His eyes pierced

want you to be truly honest with me

goes, I thought to

and married

"What do you mean, uncle? Are you

and it sounds more authentic to me than what you’re saying. I remember how adamant you were that your parents were murdered. You even badgered the police officer in charge of the case with questions and calls to convey your thoughts and theories about what transpired that night at the mall. It baffles me to believe that that spitfire teenager braying for vengeance for her parents somehow gave up on that quest and conveniently got married to a son of the family who

around the tablecloth. When he saw it, his eyes deemed with

the last few years on a vengeful quest. Tell me you didn’t orchestrate your marriage

the investigations proved it was an

subject, Demi. God, you’re just like your dad. This is exactly how

insisted, glaring at him. Why wasn’t he as mad as I was?

did back then but I realized that even if I

have managed to connect me

but I pulled them away, fuming at him. "I know better than most people how quickly the thrill of revenge dissipates. I have done time for taking revenge on people. Revenge only lasts seconds and then you’re saddled with intense guilt. Unless you go through the proper channels, revenge can be dangerous and soul corrupting. In the end, you tend to become the same or worse than the person or

your lectures, uncle Marcel." A chuckle escapes my lips. "Am I in an alternate universe

your aunt because I hoped you’d move on and have a good life. That’s all your parents would want. They wouldn’t want you living

about that." I dumped my napkin on the table and attempted to leave but he yelled my name so authoritatively, chills actually

MISSY. I’M NOT DONE TALKING TO

wasn’t lost after all, I thought as I slid back

flash with fear

things I am saying to you right now or cheered your revenge plan on? They’re already dead and gone, Demi. You’re no less than a daughter to me and I can tell you for free that Camille would hate to see what you’ve become. My brother too. Their sweet little girl who should be off studying, exploring the world, enjoying true love or starting her own family being obsessed with avenging their deaths to the point where she deceptively married into an evil

stung my eyes. He took

husband or his family, leave him. Go start a new life. Give yourself a chance to heal properly.

wiped my tears. "It’s too

"Demi..."

even if it means I end up going down with them. Somebody has to stop them and so far, nobody has. Everyone looks the other way when they throw money at them. I just need a few more months and that family will be on their knees. I have it all planned

let you do

You won’t go running to tell them my true identity either because if you do, we all die. How would you face my parents then?" I loop my handbag across my shoulder and lean down to kiss his forehead. "Thanks for stopping by, uncle Marcel. It was nice to see you again. Have a lovely journey back