Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 175: Chapter 175

DEMI

"Are you sure? Skylar’s father is still alive and he’s the one who sends her the postcards?"

"Very. My brother and I double checked." Kat assures me. "Maddox will have his address before midnight."

I don’t know what to do with this information. Just when I was starting to feel like my role was done in the Rollins family saga, something new crops up to pull me back in. This isn’t the AFTER I was hoping for. I might just be realizing it but I can’t keep doing this. I need to mentally check out of this drama to find my rhythm and focus in life again.

"I’m sure the quads would treasure this piece of news and figure out a way to find their grandfather..." I say to both girls staring intently at me. "However, I don’t think it’s necessary to insert myself back into their situation just to get this news across to them." My hand goes up, shutting Kat before she can speak. "You were already at the party, Kat. You could have told Anna and she would have told Asher. He listens to her. You didn’t have to come to me!"

"I did. Anna also felt the same way. We wanted you to have a way to redeem yourself..."

"Maybe I don’t need to, Kat. I have done more than enough for the family that wrecked my life, don’t you think? If my life was a web novel, I’m sure eighty percent of the people who read it will hate me as a character. They’ll call me weak and stupid for putting up with so much bullshit and not staying true to my original plan to avenge my parents." I pace around the small living area. "Look, I’m emotionally bankrupt at this point. I have no idea how to process what I am feeling inside. I don’t think I’ll be able to go to that party and face those people. They’re welcome to think whatever they want, to believe whatever they want to believe about me or my intentions. I did my best."

Cree’s face looks crestfallen so I match up to her. "I’ll make sure word gets to Asher. He’ll help you find your grandpops."

"Thank you." She replies with a ghost of a smile.

"Oh, shit." Kat exclaims.

"What?" I ask when she continues to stare at her phone. My own phone buzzes. I grab it and stare at Anna’s message. Instantly, I reach for the TV remote and turn on the TV just in time to see a strange woman asking tough questions to the entire Rollins family.

"In case you’re wondering, I didn’t get the anonymous email. Yeah, that’s why I am not afraid to air my views." Her eyes skirt around the room.

"What email is she talking about?" Kat asks rhetorically, mirroring my own thoughts.

"From the way I see it, it’s easy to stand there and claim to be remorseful of the pain you’ve caused others. You’ve never had to walk a day in their shoes and if your little party agenda works, you’ll never do. So, why don’t you prove me wrong then? You just said that you’re willing to make things right for your victims, right? What if they don’t want your money? What if the only thing that will truly appease them is to see you serve jail time? If I had a petition signed by your real victims clamoring for your joint arrest and prosecution for every evidence-backed allegation against your family, would you accept that fate?"

"Who is she?" I wonder aloud.

"No idea but whoever she is, she appears to know a bit about the Rollins family and isn’t afraid to call them out." Cree replies me without taking her eyes off the screen.

"I recognize her from the party. When she arrived at first, everyone stood transfixed for a second or two, including the quads. She interrupted their photo session without even being a familiar face. I wondered who she was too." Kat responds, staring keenly at the woman questioning the Rollins family.

"Miss, what was your name again?" Brett asks, hushing the rising murmurs.

"I didn’t give it at first but if you’d like to know, it’s Monaco Vaughn. I’m an attorney at law."

"Monaco Vaughn? That’s a beautiful name but sadly one that I don’t recall having on my guest list." Mother replies with a small smile.

couldn’t make it. Does that disentitle me to ask pertinent questions that

to prove our remorse, such things can’t be done on a whim, regardless of a signed petition. That’s not how it works. There’s a judicial system in

wish it. Like Liam said, most of the evidence against the Rollins family was fabricated against them. We all can see why this family is an easy target.

ON THE JUDGMENT, ok? If you truly feel they’ve trampled on your legal rights, then don’t hide behind your phone screen and a fake account to diss them. Be an adult and get legal aid. Don’t take the law into your hands, got it?" She stares pointedly at the camera, poking her index finger at those of us at home. Then swivels back to the Rollins

out of the way, I just have one more question.

doesn’t change when the camera zooms in on him,

"Kat?"

ahead of you." Kat responds to me, doing a quick background check on Monaco. I turn back to the screen and note with

her, struggling not to be

I have a dance? I

last two minutes. The music cranks up. The dance floor is cleared. Ashton adjusts his suit before walking to meet Monaco halfway. His hand snakes around her waist, pulling her close.

that just for a

at him, star spangled eyes and all. "Go BIG or

distract myself from Ashton and his new

is too." I follow Kat’s eyes to find Monaco killing it on the dance floor to everyone’s admiration,

has even bothered to ask about you. Don’t you think it’s weird? Up until a few days ago, you were the sweetheart that married into that family.

fall to pieces whenever I am top of their mind." I look away so she doesn’t see that though my words are true, it still stings to realize how easily I have been erased from that

supply while Cree continues to inundate the old age home with calls, trying to figure out more details about the transfer of Skylar’s grandfather. My attention is drawn once more to the TV after a few minutes at the

good, Mr. Ashley

head in time to see

seems to give a shit about her. Care to clarify why that is the case, Mr. Ashley? Was the divorce that messy or are the two of you still on good terms

had wanted to say. Then, I grab my phone to call Anna but suddenly see Ashton’s incoming call. I don’t feel like talking to any of the quads right now so I abruptly end the call and

about to come

an old age home by someone unknown.

"I understand."

see you when you get

"Uhm, Demi?"

"Love you."

blow a frustrated breath as the hive of music seeps in from her end of the line. She’s probably distracted by something. "Ok, I’ll hang up now.

We need to talk." My insides

Ashton?

***

text, a voice mail or better yet, send a

version of him I met during my first few days at the mansion. If I wasn’t already

know how conversations work." I

I had made it to the party but something about Ashton’s call snapped my cool in half like a broken twig. He basically called me to order me to attend his party and so

that you do. I’ll

Ashton. Why