Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 166: Chapter 166

DEMI

My hands tremble as I end the call. A wave of nausea hits me, threatening to make me spill my guts. I bend over with a hand closed over my mouth and the other on my stomach.

"Wow." Liam exclaims, clapping his hands. "That was...beyond impressive. Your acting skills even under pressure is Oscar approved." He smiles at Skylar who pries my phone out of my hand before I bolt to a corner and throw up.

"I guess we’re going to shop for your party dress. This is my favorite part..."

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?" I yell at her after wiping my mouth. "What the hell is wrong with both of you? How are you not ashamed of yourselves right now? Do you think you’re better than the people who hurt you even after all this?" I walk up to Skylar. "Look, I don’t know the backstory here but I suspect you and I have a similar bone to pick with Brett Rollins. I get that you’re livid that they were unremorseful of their wrongs towards you but here’s what I’ve realized after spending six years obsessed with getting my revenge. If you happen to enjoy doing evil in the name of avenging your loved ones, then you were always innately evil just like the Rollins family. THIS," I add referring to Ashal and the phone call, "none of it is okay and if you had a conscience or a moral compass at the very least, you’d feel ashamed of yourself."

Quick as a whiplash, she smacks me so hard across the cheek blood trickles from my torn lip.

"Don’t you EVER compare me to those monsters!" She warns while wagging a finger in my face. Her eyes widen like saucers as she drives home her defense.

"This is justice for all the evil they’ve wrought in this world, and all the lives they’ve destroyed." A dry chuckle follows. "You and I are nothing alike, Demi. The Rollins family killed your parents and because you’re too weak to keep your head in the game and fight them, you’re here sucking up to them to win brownie points with Ashton. Disgraceful!" She spits on the floor and steps back, her face aglow with hatred under the glow of the light.

"That family took everything from me: everything. Brett stole everything from me! He took my parents and made me an orphan. He took my family’s wealth and made me beg for scraps of food all my life. He even took my siblings and turned them to poisonous monsters like himself. He took everything and left me with nothing but this life goal; to end his evil reign and eliminate everything that tethers him to this world. I will never feel ashamed for doing the world this service."

Her eyes find Ashal’s who’s shocked at her words. She squats to stare at him. "Mother would be so ashamed to see what you all have become. She didn’t go through nine hours of labor or fight to keep you just for you to become...this. You are a disappointment and a disgrace. YOU WILL NEVER BE MY BROTHER." Tears stream down her face as well as Ashal’s eyes. "YOU WILL ONLY EVER BE THE SHAMELESS SON WHO REMAINED LOYAL TO THE DEVIL THAT RIPPED HIM AND HIS BROTHERS FROM THE ARMS OF THEIR BIOLOGICAL PARENTS RIGHT BEFORE SETTING THEIR HOME ABLAZE."

She spits on him before stepping back and slamming my phone back into my hands. I rush to comfort Ashal who’s struggling not to be overwhelmed with emotion.

"You better not think of breaking character, Demi. When you step through those doors and go out, you must be the enemy that family expects you to be. If you give them any reason to suspect that you’re being forced to do all this against your will, I don’t have to tell you what happens."

I glare at her. "What? You’d kill your brother? You honestly believe your parents would cheer for you and your revenge when it means killing your own flesh and blood, instead of reuniting with them?"

Before she can step forward to hit me again, Liam stops her.

"She’s trying to get into your head. Ignore her." He kisses her knuckles. "Why don’t you go get started on that shopping spree for Demi and birthday boy over here. I’ll handle things here."

Skylar draws in a sharp breath. "She better check that cockiness the next time we run into each other or Anna might just be our new basement guest." Seeing the shock splattered all over my face makes her grin before leaving. Liam whirls to me and scoffs at the sight before him; me comforting Ashal.

"You would be wise to listen to everything she says, Demi. Don’t think for one second that she’s bluffing or that she’s incapable of following through with her threat. She’ll gladly prove you wrong."

tug tightly on my shirt, apparently stopping me from antagonizing Liam with a clapback. I shut my mouth and hug him close. Liam gives us one last contemptible look before walking away.

I’m so sorry." My fingers tremble as I cup his red, bruised face. "I’m so sorry you

other ropes, he stops me. "There’s no point. They won’t let me

you here

They could really hurt you." He coughs a bit. "Why did you make that call? My family must think you’re behind

the least of my worries right now,

for just being associated with us. What if I don’t make it out alive to

be strong. You’ll be reunited with your family soon." I press my forehead to his as

visit would only stir up

almost more complicated than me being in love with my

She made a big deal of my impromptu visit and refused to calm down even when I assured her I came in peace. She spoke with someone on the phone shortly after agreeing to let me talk with Maddi. The last thing I remember is passing out after taking the fruit juice

in on this whole

his frame against the wall. "It seems

"Between Liam and Olivia?"

sure what I saw when I roused awake after the first beating but it definitely looked and sounded like Olivia was in here with Liam. She must have come to see me, only she didn’t seem

I can’t believe

thrives on the support of real victims who hold a grudge against your family. Olivia must have been approached by Liam somehow and offered the opportunity to see her enemies sink in real time. I am sure they’re just

doesn’t show it. Instead, he

lady truly my sister? She’s not the lost sister Ashton found months ago. If she’s my biological sister, then Adriana whom Ashton was introduced to as our sister must be a fake. Do you think Skylar’s behind that deception too?

you had a biological sister this whole time? Ashal, why didn’t you believe me when I tried to warn

a while for Ashton to convince me about Adriana, especially given the backstory her existence came with." He manages to tell me everything Cree had shared with them, making me shiver with fright. Now, it’s all coming together. Skylar’s unwavering

There’s no way Skylar would be this vengeful if she wasn’t still hurting from the

can be trusted right now seeing as she is one of Skylar and Liam’s lackeys but the story definitely adds up. I break out of my thoughts when

be

The family I fought so hard to protect might have actually made me an orphan at birth. My ex-wife had me abducted. I am forbidden from having

cries some more. Just then, Liam comes in and demands

hon. Time to

I hope it won’t be the last time I see him with breath in his body. On

that blood on you. I’ll get you some of Mila’s clothes, and then you can

***