Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 135: Chapter 135

ASHTON

I finally got through to Demi yesterday after a lot of incessant calls but when she picked up, I completely froze. She stayed on the line even though all I did was breathe quietly on my end of the phone. I didn’t know what to say to her or where to start. In that moment, I realized that the conversation we are supposed to have, was not meant to be done over the phone.

She’s expected to be back from the island with Ashley today. I don’t know why they chose to spend a few days over there but I am anxious to face Demi.

I tried to convince myself that I had it all wrong and that Demi couldn’t be Camille’s daughter. It had to be a bloody coincidence. I went as far as visiting Demi’s aunt to see if I could siphon some information from her.

Kira met me at the door and somehow assumed I was Ashal. She was very courteous and tended to me all evening. She cooked us dinner and kept topping off my glass of wine. While I wanted nothing more than to lose myself in the alcohol so I could forget the harsh truth I just uncovered for a few hours, the scene only made me remember that night at the Blue Cove. I politely took little sips of my drink, a strong indicator that I had no intention of getting drunk again with my emotions all over the place.

Kira was soon tipsy. Her mother wasn’t around. I was glad she was in her mother’s house and not in public so I didn’t have to deal with hassle of transporting a drunk woman back home.

"I’m so g-glad, A-Ashal." She drawled. "D-Demi said she’d set us up. I d-didn’t t-think she could p-pull it off."

I grabbed the glass in her hand and set it down. "Really?"

"Yup. I t-threatened t-that bitch. It’s the least s-she can do for me, f-for using my m-mom and I."

"How did she do that, Kira?"

She laughed and made a silly face. "T-that D-Demi isn’t who you t-think she is. She’s a l-liar and a p-pretender. She’s not innocent at all."

"What did she lie about?"

Kira was on the verge of nodding off so I knew I had to spearhead the conversation if I wanted to get details.

"Was it her parents? What happened to Demi’s parents, Kira? Please tell me."

She gave me a goofy smile. "I’ll tell you. Argh, it’s so t-tragic. T-they died. They d-died in a fucking e-elevator accident in a mall and guess who owned t-that mall? YOUR FAMILY!" My eyes were already bloodshot red before Kira stabbed a finger in my chest. "I t-thought it was p-pathetic of D-Demi to marry into your f-family given the history there until I r-realized she planned that marriage. Yes, Ashal, it was no f-freaking accident!" She laughed loudly and slapped my knees. "She used my mom and I to make that night happen with Ashton. I doubt she was truly drunk."

I staggered to my feet in shock at Kira’s words, unable to decipher if Kira was being Kira and lying through her teeth about her cousin whom she loathed, even while drunk. An ache filled my chest as a piece of me wondered if this unfamiliar version of Demi being described by her cousin might be true.

Could Demi have orchestrated our wedding that night to get into my family? Did she fail to mention her parents and how they died because she still holds a grudge? Could Asher have been right all along about her intentions for our family?

Kira grabbed my hand. "Don’t go. We h-haven’t kissed yet or had sex. How else would I get p-pregnant for you?" She staggers to her feet. "Will you m-marry me anyway? I also w-want to become a d-daughter-in-law like Demi. That was our deal. She promised to make it happen like she did hers if I shut up about her mom."

I helped her lie down on her couch and watched her doze off in no time. Shaken to the core, I rushed out of there before her mom got home.

I haven’t been able to sleep since then. I can’t even face my brothers or literally anyone in the family until I can prove or disprove Kira’s words. If she’s right, then my heart will be broken for Demi.

into what she is today. It saddens me that everything was a lie from the start, even the woman I

realize that all of that was fake may destroy me and my belief in love. Maybe this is my karma for what I dragged

waist line, one none of my brothers know I have. I couldn’t get Camille’s death out of my head for weeks after it happened and my family covered it up. I felt so remorseful and wished I could turn back the hands of the clock. I

it when it coincided with Demi’s birthday but right now, I understand why she didn’t want a party in the first place and why she sulked all through the lavish party mom had thrown for her. Fuck! It happened on her fucking birthday? How the

and snakes her arms around my waist. Immediately,

what was that

I

part by keeping your mom’s fragile mind off things so her blood pressure doesn’t spike

shove her out of the bathroom amidst her grunts of displeasure and

bathroom in time to find Mila spying

Now you have time to talk because it’s the love

Mila!" I say

moved on but I see that was a lie." The call ends but Mila won’t hand over my phone. Instead, she scrolls through. "Wow, did you really call her up thirty-two times in a

snatch my phone back, Mila throws in on the floor in anger. I gently shove her on the bed before she can stomp her heels all over it because the phone fails to break. I grab it

chills when she tells me about Ashley’s

wanted to inform someone. Please, I need you here. I can’t

I’ll be there. Put the doctor on the line so

dressed and prepare a light travel bag, the doctor assures me that Ashley would be fine after some rest and that he merely fractured his ankle. Mila continues to question

with Mila around my

in a bit of a hurry. I’ll call you,

where you’re going? Mila said it was Demi’s call. Is everything alright at the island?" Behind her, Mila stands with her hands crossed on her chest, fuming at me. She has never looked

fine. Your grandchild is fine and so is the mother. Ashley requires my assistance. It’s a secret between brothers. I’ll be back soon." I step down to kiss her forehead. "Don’t worry. Father’s scandal is over. Asher killed it

because I highly

he would be fine even if

left town without informing him and leaves me an angry but funny text. Ashal’s phone is turned off so I assume he’s over at his penthouse with Olivia. I push back other worries as we touch

pounding in my chest at the thought of seeing Demi again, knowing what I know now. I have a million questions and a lot of guilt. I am ashamed to face her, to question her about facts that are already true because hearing them from her own mouth would seal

happened that evening? Do you tell her the truth or cover it up for your family’s sake? Will you blame her for lying

all. No, I can’t move past this knowing she knows. What if Kira had been right? My family might be in danger. Demi could be behind a lot of the unpleasant circumstances we’ve faced since she joined us. Who knows what her grand plan is? To wipe us out as a family like we

around, I won’t be alerting father or any other family member. I can’t trust them to spare Demi. I have to protect her to make up for not protecting her mother.

and sandals. There’s a big smile on her face that belies the truth gnawing in my heart; she inwardly hates me and my

dragged you out here. Ashley’s fine. He’ll be using crutches for the next two days

in." I tell

the way, a

to the list of painful experiences Demi has endured in her life. Ashley kept cheating on her after their marriage and even knocked Nicci up. Demi’s unborn child died because of father and now she’s being forced to