Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 188: Chapter 188

ASHAL

I’ve been having sleepless nights ever since Olivia begged me to give our relationship one more chance for the sake of our unborn baby. I wake up earlier than usual and spend hours on the treadmill, hoping to distract myself from the dilemma. I am yet to give her a response and frankly, I don’t know what to say.

She was right. There’s still a part of me that cherishes her and the memories we share from my penthouse, the days before Maddi filled my thoughts and my dreams. However, those residual feelings are nothing compared to the love which burns inside me for the first woman to accept me, flaws and all. I love Maddi now, better than I loved Olivia before. Olivia used to be my world, but now it’s Maddi.

But Liv’s words got my wheels spinning though. Is it possible that my feelings for her sister are not as deep as I imagine and merely a reflection of everything I wanted from Olivia? Could my feelings for Maddi be subject to change eventually if the circumstances differ between us?

No, I could never allow that. I love Maddi through and through, but what will Liv do if I decline her plea? Will she hurt herself and our baby? Distracted, I almost slip off the treadmill. Jumping down, I turn the machine off and dry my face with a towel just as Ashley strolls in. From the look on his face, I can tell he hoped to have some alone time in the gym.

"Trouble sleeping too?" I ask him before downing some water. He merely shrugs. The scene at the hospital comes back to me, him pulling Demi by the hand to go have a talk outside and Ashton losing focus on our discussion with Skylar afterwards.

I have no idea what is going on between the three of them but it appears to be a strong love triangle, just like the one I am having with Liv and Maddi. A thought crosses my head. Maybe my brother and I can help each other.

"Hey, that scene at the hospital between you and Demi seemed intense. I’ve noticed you getting riled up by her presence every time she shows up. Is it what I’m thinking?"

His face is smeared with a massive scowl as he looks at me. "And what is it that you’re thinking?"

"That you might not be over her?"

He grits his teeth. "I was never into her. I just wanted to have her because we were married. That’s in the past now. We’re divorced and after everything that’s been revealed about her lately, I just find it hard to stand her. I don’t know how any of you can. Fine, maybe she did save your life but guess what? That doesn’t compensate for the other atrocities she’s committed against us. How can you let your guards down around that manipulative, home wrecking..."

"Wow. Ok, dude, I get it."

I can’t believe how angry he’s getting over the mention of her name. Ironically, it reminds me of Ashton a couple of weeks back and how the tides have turned now and Ashton is playing Demi’s knight in shining armor.

Sometimes, loud emotions like this can be masking a hidden truth which in this case could mean that Ashley doesn’t totally hate Demi like he claims. Maybe he’s frustrated and hates that a part of him still fancies her despite everything that happened between them. However, I keep these thoughts to myself.

on the bench press and chugs some water. "Tell her in whatever language she understands to keep

already very involved, it’s too late to

"What?"

think she wants to know how everything plays out? Besides, I believe we are still going to need her." I edge closer to him seeing how miserable he looks. "Ashley, is there something

I just don’t like having Demi around. That’s

you still in love

"Excuse me?"

you’re over her and this agitation to stay far away from

"Don’t confuse me for

you

the way he looks at her lately. The same man who swore whenever her name was uttered around him especially after you were kidnapped suddenly starts defending her before everyone. Shameful. It’s not just the classic chivalry we’ve come to know him for. They’re sleeping

shock. "You can’t just make such

hand through his hair. "Look, I am not jealous or anything. I am just highly disappointed that he didn’t deem it necessary to tell me. If she had been his ex-wife, I wouldn’t touch her with a ten-foot pole without pre-informing him first. It’s common courtesy. Instead, he goes about defending her in front of us even

So, that’s where the annoyance is stemming from. Ashton and Demi are secreting

talked to him

show their guilt. They know what they’re doing is wrong. Anyway, all I care about is that Demi not get in the way of our family’s happiness ever again. I don’t believe for a second that her intentions are pure. She’s very good at getting people to believe what she wants them to believe. She came into our family like an innocent victim of a drunken night only for us to realize she was the mastermind of a five-years long revenge plan aimed at our destruction. That’s no longer hatred; it’s an obsession and obsessions just don’t disappear overnight. She’s still hiding something and the sooner you all

hoping to gain some insights from him on how to handle my own problems. I dab my face with my towel, thinking about Ashton and Demi. I can imagine why they’ve kept us all in the dark about their

being at least civil with each other after the misunderstandings that occurred. I for one thought Ashton would need time to fully embrace his feelings for

pain. It must sting, terribly. Demi even spends nights at Ashton’s home? That’s...a whole other level.

without letting her know. Hence, I crawl up next to her and nibble her neck. She flips over, crushing her lips to mine

my throat. "What the fuck is

rooms last night, Madeline’s idea not mine. She figured it’d be better for me and the baby to

not without telling

going to kiss me good bye too? I’m carrying your legacy, Ashley. I’m not a baby breeder. I AM A HUMAN WITH EMOTIONS TOO!" The waterworks start as her eyes grow misty. "Why is it so difficult for you to show me some level of affection too? Do you find me unattractive because I’ve put on a bit of weight due

YOUR SISTER. I need you to respect that. Whatever you’re trying to do...it’s

the bedsheet and climbs down. Her hair is disheveled. Her eyes