Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 148: Chapter 148

DEMI

"Ashton, believe me, I didn’t do it. I know nothing about the recent posts on Billion-Err." Even while I kept pleading, I completely understand why no one would believe me.

"If you didn’t post it and Liam couldn’t have posted it, then you must have another partner with access to the blog. Please Demi, you have to find a way to take it down and debunk that article. PLEASE."

His voice is teetering dangerously between a desperate plea and a finite warning, or maybe the last bit is just in my head. Tears shimmer in my eyes as I pace around with my hand in my hair. No one is listening. Why would they? Who would believe I didn’t know Liam had another accomplice apart from me?

"I’ll go see Liam. Can you make that possible? I need to talk to him and get some answers. Maybe I can get him to call off this expensive prank..."

Ashton breathes heavily on the other end of the phone. "He’s getting out today. You can go visit him by noon. Make him fix this somehow. Things are...Look, punish me, okay? I have no problem with you exposing my secrets or the things I’ve done in the past but Demi, you’re targeting the wrong people. Highlighting Josh’s paternity like this...my mother...I’ve kept her safe from this bitter truth for years." His voice shakes as he fends off the tears. "For her to find out about father’s infidelity like this...she’s broken, Demi. She’s heartbroken. Her condition is getting worse by the hour."

I dry my eyes. There’s no point insisting I didn’t do it when everyone is thoroughly convinced. I’m starting to rue my threat to Asher which must have fueled Ashton’s doubts.

"I’ll speak to Liam." I end the call and sink down on the couch. "Why won’t they believe me? I DIDN’T DO IT!"

Anna rubs my shoulders in circles and consoles me as I break down crying.

"Why is this all happening now? I was just about to wrap things up and turn a new leaf. Why did everything have to fall apart? Ashton and his brothers blame me. Their mother is in a bad state. Brett won’t spare me now. He’ll come after me with everything he’s got. How could Liam fool me like this?"

"Just talk to him first and hear his explanation."

"What good will that do? All the evidence I submitted regarding Josh’s paternity has been leaked, including recordings of the quads talking about Josh and their father. There’s no coming back from this. There’s no way to debunk this. The damage is already done." More tears stream down my cheeks. "Whoever is behind Billion-Err is leaving cryptic messages and teasing at another major reveal, Anna. I wonder what they’ll drop next. I am so scared. I feel so helpless and without control over how the plot of my own revenge unfolds."

Anna pulls me into a tight hug. "I took the day off. Let’s go see Liam together and find out why he would allow this to happen."

***

Ashton’s hair reveal has done more than afford me a break from social media hate. So many speculations were born from his action including the thought that the quads might all have natural black hair and if that is true, then maybe the dark haired man kissing me in the leaked photos could be none other than my husband, Ashley.

Apologies have been swirling from different blogs to me while my in-laws continue to get bashed for not openly refuting the cheating allegations levied against me. With Brett’s own affair now in the open, I am being painted a victim once more who has been suffering in silence under the weight of injustice being meted out by my in-laws within the four walls of the mansion.

Reporters hound Anna and I outside her home.

"Mrs. Rollins, what do you have to say to your in-laws who allowed you to suffer unjustly from a false accusation?

"Can you confirm that Ashley is the one kissing you in the photos?"

the divorce still happening or all

your father-in-law’s leaked affair with Kristy Randall and his other

Rollins, blink twice if you need help untangling yourself from

and I rush into Maddox’s car and zoom off, leaving the

watching me from the

The truth is I am not. I am worried and scared. I may not have posted the articles but that doesn’t matter, especially when the Rollins family is convinced I did. I am surprised Brett hasn’t sent any of his lackeys to come grab me yet. Maybe he’s avoiding more drama in case reporters capture my kidnap or Anna comes forward to complain that her best friend had been kidnapped by none other than the Rollins family. That must be it. My in-laws are afraid of

of their well-hidden secrets and might spill even more if antagonized? Could that be

announces after about fifteen minutes of silent driving. I compare the address of the beautiful house in front of us to the

lives here?" Anna gaped with

heir, remember?" I

"Right. I keep forgetting."

His

you can come with me. The

"What?" Anna gasps.

harsh demeanor. He seems different from the man I’ve always known. Fear curls up my belly till it tangles around my neck like a noose. I force myself to be brave for whatever I am

I kiss Anna’s cheek and hug Maddox before falling in step with Liam. While the gate

ornate furnishings. His living room is riddled with conspicuous statements of luxury like a three-tiered chandelier spilling gold light across a marble flooring I probably could eat food off of.

couch looks inviting but this isn’t a social call so I decline and

me, you’re going to need to sit down for this

that he isn’t bluffing. Hesitantly, I sit down. His smile is unnerving

for someone

to see Brett gnawing at his fingertips in confusion, to see the quads running back and forth like headless

on Billion-Err. Are you going to tell me who you instructed to do

the WHO than the success we just copped? We’ve been trying to hit those billionaires where it matters for months and all we ever did was tickle a feather in their nostrils. One article and we’ve

"I DIDN’T SANCTION IT."

TO." He snaps back at me. "It’s MY blog, remember? I had the tool and the means to make them pay for the humiliation they put me through, and I

just say the blog was

article, Liam? Who else has

with two glasses of white wine. She offers one to her brother and makes herself comfortable next to him on

a surprise but somehow, I

on it this whole time? You told me both of you

left me no choice, Demi. I told you from the beginning that our plan may have started because of you but it wasn’t only about you! We started off great but soon, I realized you couldn’t be trusted to pull this off alone. I needed to make other plans to

your goal and getting sidetracked by your feelings for Ashton. I had to step in to break that up. I understand, Demi. I see why you’d fall for him but you should have had your fun and kept your head

I am the one getting the heat for all the drama out there. My cover’s blown and Brett considers me his undoing. He’ll come for me. I am pulling