Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 142: Chapter 142

ASHLEY

"Anything else?" I ask Trevor over the phone as I wait in Mila’s office.

"Nothing else. I’ve scoured the internet but the guy’s is literally a ghost."

"No adult human has a dearth of information online unless he/she has gone to great lengths to make that happen, and if he has, then he’s got something to hide." When Mila enters from the corner of my eye, I wrap up the call. "Thanks, Trev, Talk soon." I slide my phone into my pocket and watch as Mila, looking as ravishing as ever, sashays into her office like it’s her personal runway.

"Well, I am a fool to have expected a teary, mascara riddled face. You look stunning for a fiancée who just git jilted publicly." I kiss her knuckles while she smiles and reclines in her chair. I don’t know who’s the best at being indifferent between Ashton and her.

"I am co-chair of a conglomerate. We snack on scandals daily. Besides, I have a business to run. We don’t cry over hopeless relationships here." She leans forward with her hands steepled on her desk. "Although, I was kind of hoping your insensitive brother had somehow found the decency to stop by and offer some apology or explanation for his dick move. It’s very immature of him to carry on like nothing serious happened between us."

Despite her firm look, I can feel the mini cracks in her voice and the sliver of pain in her eyes. She must have been grilled by her father to snap out of her heartbreak phase sooner than most. I for one know how much she loves Ashton. It couldn’t have been that easy to move on so quickly.

"If it makes you feel any better, you’re doing way better than him after the breakup. He’s been withdrawn ever since which begs the question why he called it off in the first place." I lie to soften the blow.

Mila silently savors that info with a corner of her lip curled up in a smile.

"Your family lucked out in letting him do as he pleases. My cousin, Michelle, is a gem in her own way but you’ll all soon find out that she’s rusty when it comes to bonding with family. She’s all business and profit. Nothing else matters. Brace yourselves. You dropped a pound and picked up a penny. Sorry Michelle."

I recall how devastated Asher was when father refused to change his mind on the alliance. Personally, I was moved when I saw Asher, for the first time, butting heads with out father over a question of obedience. He’s changing.

Of course, father made threats regarding Asher’s place in the company if he backed out. That did it. After registering his displeasure in very colorful language that everyone is used to hearing from Ashton alone, Asher walked out on father. It still gives me chills when I remember their heated exchange.

"Yeah, that alliance isn’t exactly off to a rousing start. Asher’s not thrilled to be the scape goat in all this. It’s got nothing to do with Michelle though. I just think he’s not in the right head space right now for a flash marriage."

Mila chuckles. "Are we talking about THE Asher Rollins or another brother? My father chose him specifically because of his fierce commitment to upholding your family and the business interests no matter what. Jeez, that’s disappointing. Michelle being his exact replica will only make things harder for them." She shakes her head. "Enough of that. What can I get you? This is your first time here. I should be a good host..."

Maybe we can do that some other

What serious business? I hope you’re not here to sway me

don’t know how to bring the matter up with tact so I spring for casual. "I’m just going to get straight to the point. My wife’s seeing someone." I ignore the arch of her brow. "I’m not jealous. I deserve it after my thing with Nicci but that’s not why I am here." I clear my throat. "Naturally, I was concerned about the kind of guy she

"And?"

ghost online save for one picture off an old social media account that someone might have forgotten to delete." I pull up the screenshot of the picture on my phone and pass it to Mila. Something akin to shock flits across

don’t you? You posted that

returns my phone. "It was a lifetime ago. He’s a childhood friend I grew up with. I

"Considered?"

I lost communication with him and have moved on since

her points for the convincing lie but my guts have never

"What’s his name?"

currently seeing him? Wow, I hope he’s less of a prick now than he was back then or else, he’s certainly not the upgrade she

a concerned look. "You say you’re not jealous but you did some digging on her new babe. That kind of screams ’jealous husband’

slip my phone in my pocket. "I didn’t." Rising, I beam at her.

you going to do? Beat

smile fully. "Nope. I think I’ll have coffee with him. I’d love to know more about him." Again, her smile temporarily wavers. That’s the cue I needed. Confidently, I strut

***

rehab a

mother sinks into a chair with her head in her hands. I

the fucking rules!" Asher yells. "Because of his selfish and arbitrary decision to dump his fiancée without so much as an excuse, guess who gets to clean up his mess and suffer for it?

that kind of your whole thing, Asher? Cleaning up after us with a smug

I give him a searing look that dissuades him from antagonizing Asher

my old ways. Guess what? I took that advice. I’m allowed to be selfish too. I am allowed to put myself and my happiness

somewhere

from the doorway. He walks

on their behalf." I say regarding