Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 137: Chapter 137

ASHTON

The shock splattered all over her face matches the reaction I expected from her as someone affiliated with Billion-Err. However, it fades almost instantly to anger as she glares at me.

"Why the hell would you think I am connected to that blog? Why would I be worried that father intends to unmask the one behind it, Ashton? I can’t believe you right now." Throwing her hands in the air, she sidesteps me to go sit on the bed. "Have you forgotten so soon that I have been the victim of Billion-Err’s damaging posts several times? Did you forget how I was forced to lock myself in my room, bawl my eyes out and shut everyone out because I was hurting from their posts about me? If I controlled Billion-Err, why would I be dumb enough to target myself so harshly?"

Her eyes flare up as she rises. "I’d admit that somewhere deep down inside me, I still blame your family for the untimely passing of my parents. I detest the lack of morals in the Rollins family. I am appalled by how much your familial bonds blind you all from seeing the devastating consequences of your decisions and actions, especially as it affects other who you consider beneath you." She grabs the lapels of my shirt and tugs me down. "I hate that not one of the quads is man enough to stand up to your father’s inhumanity to prove, if for nothing else, that some good runs in the Rollins’ veins. I hate that and more, Ashton but that doesn’t mean I want to drive a knife down your throats while you are all asleep. I am just a lady who’s been hurt and betrayed all her life by family and strangers alike. That doesn’t mean I am the devil."

She shoves me away and dabs a stray tear that runs down her cheek.

"But I understand that your family always needs a culprit to hang the blame on. They never truly accepted me anyway so this doesn’t come as a shock truly." Her eyes find mine again. "The only shocking thing about it this time is that you are the one hanging the noose around my neck. You’re the last person I thought would doubt me."

"Demi..."

"I get it, Ashton. I understand it clearly. Sure, I will be your culprit. I am behind Billion-Err. I leaked the photos of father and Mrs. Randall. I did everything. So, are you going to drag me out by my hair, throw hand-cuffs on me or what?"

I hate the game she’s playing. I might not have direct evidence linking her to Billion-Err but I am not stupid. It’s clear as day that she’s connected to it somehow. She’s got the motive too. Of course, the surest way to deflect suspicion of being responsible for a blog like Billion-Err is to make yourself a target too. I am not stupid.

I wish she could trust me to understand her grievance instead of playing the pity card. I hate that she’s looking at me the same way she would look at Asher. She considers me no different from the rest of my family and I can’t fault her for that. I have been compromising a lot lately I actually don’t know the difference between father and I anymore.

"Demi, I didn’t confront you because I wanted to capture you. I am deeply hurt that you think seeing you being punished over your past would make me happy. That’s not why I am here."

"Then why are you here, Ashton?"

Her eyes widen like saucers when I take her hands. "I knew your mother. She was the sweetest and most patient woman I ever met. Despite my unruly behavior, Camille remained kind to me and it had nothing to do with the fact that I was her boss’ son. Her death broke me in more ways than one, Demi. You might find that hard to believe but it’s the truth. I feel personally responsible in a way. I feel like I could have prevented that night from happening."

She sniffles. "Keep going."

"Because I knew a bit about your mom, I know for a fact that you used to be like her. I know that you are still like her. You’ve just let your anger towards my family make you do things you aren’t proud of. I don’t care what they are. I will never blame you for it. I just want you to let me help you, Demi. Maybe asking you to trust me seems like a lot right now but if you can’t bring yourself to do it, I can’t protect you. Please, give me a chance to atone for my mistake."

"Why? Why do you feel personally responsible for my mother’s death at the mall? Were you there? Did you see it happen? Tell me everything, Ashton. Truthfully tell me everything that happened that night. That’s the only way I can bring myself to trust you."

"I will. I promise but not right now."

She yanks her hands free. "Why not? I have been lugging the pain of not knowing the details of their death for six years now. Why can’t you tell me now?"

"BECAUSE YOU’LL HATE ME!" I bark, shuddering with emotion. "Because you will definitely hate me Demi and if you hate me right now, you won’t accept my help. Please, I promise to tell you everything in due time but right now, your protection is more important."

She silently watches me.

"This is the part where you make the decision to trust me blindly or not, Demi. Please."

"Leave my room, Ashton. Leave now or I’ll scream." I take one look at her eyes and I know the battle is already lost. She has clearly deduced that there’s more to her parents’ death than I am letting on. My shoulders sag in defeat as I unlock her door to leave.

"Trust is earned, Ashton Rollins, not demanded." She adds. "You want me to trust you, SHOW ME THAT I CAN. PROVE IT."

I hum to her before

Ashley appears with Nicci who’s got a fresh glow on her

you mean you’re staying back? Do you plan to live here with her until she gives birth?" I snarl at

him to stay for a few days." Demi

blind eye to him spending the night with her and now? What

will hit the roof. I suggested he waited it out here before returning. As for Nicci, can we all quit acting like mine and Ashley’s marriage is something sacred? I am sick of that pretense. She’s

where one of the guards retrieves it to load into the

it? You two

continues to stare at the car where Demi is already seated and

absolutely nothing for me. Maybe she never did. I guess the fact that nothing happened between Nicci and I last night wouldn’t make any difference to her." He exhales. "I’m tired, man. I have

has resolved to settle for the woman who loves him rather than the wife who doesn’t give a flying fig about where he sticks it in. I can’t say I’m happy or relieved for either of them but I can understand that everyone has the right to do what they feel is best

hug. "Take care of yourself

"I will."

Have a healthy

"Thanks, Ashton. I understand."

is a long and quiet one. Demi plugs in headphones to shut me out. She is so pissed about last night that she even refused food or water on the flight. Whenever I try to get her attention, she stops me by flashing her five fingers

don’t understand how things got so bad in the space of a few hours. I thought we could reach some form of

out her own ride home after we

say something." I don’t budge from the aisle as she tries to shove me away. "You’re going to have to use your words. You had four hours to stew. Now, I need to hear it.

out of

off to a great start. Come on, keep going. You hate me. Get it off your chest. What’s

wasn’t prepared for the waterworks but it started and disarmed

Please, I

know. I HATE YOU FOR REOPENING MY OLD WOUNDS, ASHTON. I

after her but I guess that will only infuriate her further so

***

you mean

his old self, draped in a clean-cut Armani suit and oozing so much aura as he glowers at Ashal. Sadly, Ashal is also back to

Come listen to this,

I

a wild guess." Asher answers. One look at Ashal and my heart plummets

"Olivia is missing?"

when the new Ms. took to her heels, leaving no trace." Asher turns to Ashal who’s cradling his head in

couch and lean back. Why now? Why does everything have to

done cleaning up everyone’s messes. Fuck the quad rules. Do your shit and handle the consequences." Asher says

to my feet and block his path to the door.

you being

don’t you ask

wouldn’t have opened up to you, don’t you think?" Asher throws Ashal a sidelong glance before I