《Four Brothers and a Bride》


 Chapter 1

    <h4>Chapter 1: Chapter 1</h4>


    DEMI


    "Demi! Demi!! Demi!!!"


    The shrill sound of my aunt''s voice cuts through my foggy brain and stirs me awake from a deep sleep. My eyes still closed, I hear her swing my door open and barge into my room with her daughter in tow. It''s usually bad when they enter the small boxy room that is my escape hatch from their hateful res and harsh words.


    I have been living with my aunt ever since my parents died five years ago. They were unfortunately inside a faulty elevator in a mall that fell from the neenth floor and crashed. Aunt wasn''t pleased to have an extra mouth to feed by amodating me. She hated her sister, my mother. Jealous is more like the word. They had both wanted my father and my father chose my mum over my aunt. Long story. My aunt and her daughter, Kira, have been making my life a miserable one ever since I moved in with them.


    "You''re still in bed by ten in the morning, huh girl? Did you forget you''re an orphan and a freeloader in my house? An adult who is yet to start contributing substantially to the expenses in this house?" My aunt snarls.


    I sit up on my bed thinking how I have been submitting my pay checks from working at a book store to my aunt at the end of every month, for thest two years now. The light from the window is harsh so I squint my eyes. My head aches badly and my aunt''s voice is only making it want to fall off my neck. Why do I feel this way?


    "Where were youst night? Kira heard youe in by two this morning. Where the hell were you?"


    "I told you she has started prostituting herself." Kira draws close and sniffs me.


    "Eww. She reeks of alcohol and her breath stinks mum. She''s clearly drunk."


    "What''s that?" Kira asks. In a sh, she snatches a paper crumpled by the foot of my bed. I continue to cradle my head in my hands when Kira shrieks. "NO WAY! NO F*CKING WAY." She rushes to show her mum what the paper says.


    "A marriage certificate?"


    "She got married mum, not just to ANYBODY." Kira stares at me. "TO ASH ROLLINS??? This can''t be right. The Rollins brothers would never...Demi could never manage to be in the same room as one of them."


    "What? The Rollins brothers? The quadruplet sons of the Rollins Empire?" My aunt snatches the paper and reads intently. "Is this real? No, it can''t. Speak up Demi. What is the meaning of this? Who did you get married tost night at the Saint Lucy church? Which Ash Rollins signed this document with you?"


    The Rollins brothers (Ashely, Asher, Ashton and Ashal all went by the short form, Ash Rollins whenever they were in public spaces to preserve their mystery. No one could really tell them apart by looking at them. Very few people have had the privilege to fraternize with them and I am not of that ss so the Ash Rollins on the certificate must be a prank by a wannabe. Wait, marriage certificate? What marriage certificate?


    Right now, all I can recall is walking into my boyfriend''s apartment and finding him beneath two butt naked women. Iman even had the nerve to me me for neglecting his needs and driving him to the edge with my decision to wait till marriage. Fresh hot tears moisten my eyes now. I had left there to my best friend''s work ce, a high-end club. She snuck me in. I don''t recall much after.


    "I...I don''t remember."


    Something sinister twinkles in my aunt''s eyes. "Oh, you''ll have to remember. I don''t care if you make up a story." Smiling, she exits my room with the marriage certificate, dragging Kira with her. I dig around for my phone and flip through it. There''s no clue in it. No pictures or sloppy drunk videos. How much did I drinkst night? How did I end up with a marriage certificate? And to Ash Rollins? Nah, some random dude must have been ying a prank. There''s no way one of the billionaire quads of the Rollins Empire, the richest family in the entire country would ever share the same air or space as me. Not possible.


    Two hourster, I manage to take a homemade remedy for my hangover and freshen up. I am veryte for work but I am hoping Mr. Rahl would be forgiving. I have never turned upte before. He would be more concerned than mad. Liam, one of our most loyal customers was alsoing today to get his order of business books. I need to be there and ready when he arrives the store. Just as I grab the door knob, my aunt yells behind me.


    "Where do you think you''re going?


    I spin towards her. "To the book store, for work."


    Her smile gives me chills. "I don''t think so." She''s all dressed up. Kira too. "We''re heading for the Rollins Mansion right now."


    "What? W-Why?"


    Kira pushes her phone screen in my face. "Because my clever mum has already posted your marriage certificate online. All the entertainment blogs are eating it up. There''s a new article about your marriage every thirty seconds. Even Billion-Err has written about you."


    "What-are you saying?" I quiver, grabbing her phone. Indeed, there''s an article about my marriage on Billion-Err, a very popr blog in Danvarr that''s notorious for uncovering wrongs done by wealthy families/businesses and calling them out for it. I don''t mind other small blogs running the story but not Billion-Err. Now, the whole of Danvarr knows my face. How am I supposed to live under the radar after this?


    Dread fills me to bursting seeing the crappy photo Kira added of me.


    "But I am not married! I-I caught my boyfriend, Iman, cheating on me yesterday, okay? I was livid and had a drink for the first time. I must have had too much to drink. The fake marriage thing must have been a drunken idea and clearly, the rando I was drinking with was ying a prank by signing his name as Ash Rollins. How could anyone buy this crap?"


    "Everyone knows its hogwash but who wouldn''t jump on a train to make some money off the Rollins family?" Kira shoots back, snagging her phone from my hands. "They have too much of it as it is. Mum is going to put her skills as a thespian to work today. The Rollins will be prepared to pay us handsomely to bury this story. It''s such a good n."


    "But...billion-err already carried it. How can this ever be buried now? I-I can''t..."


    "Shut up!" My aunt scolds me. "It''s the least you can do to pay me back for putting up with you. You better y your part. The paparazzi must be headed to the mansion." She pushes me out of the door and wee face to face with cameras shing in our faces.


    "Why are they here?" I ask with a hand over my face.


    "I might have included our home address." Kira is already posing for the cameras. My aunt nudges us into her minivan saying we''ve got bigger fish to fry. I try to beg her to change her mind. The Rollins family can''t easily be messed with but my pleas fall on deaf ears. Kira whips out her phone and starts vlogging the whole thing, sticking my worried face in when it pleases her. They n to make me take the heat for all of this. Aunt is going to tell the family that I am certain one of their sons had married mest night while we were intoxicated and I am to affirm this.


    If the family happens to rebut my im, aunt would switch roles and scold me for trying to sully the reputation of the family. All in all, she hopes to make a grand appearance in the famous, ptial Rollins mansion with Kira recording everything. She also ns to leave with a good financial settlement.


    My fingers are cold and shaky as the security detail stops us in front of the Rollins mansion. I shut my eyes and try to recall the events ofst night after leaving Iman''s apartment. I try calling my bestie, Anna but her line doesn''t go through. I wish she was here with me. Surprisingly, the gates swing open and aunt drives through. I was hoping we would be turned away but apparently, the Rollins want to see what this is all about.


    "Aunt please, I can''t do it."


    Aunt turns off the ignition in front of the mansion. Our battered minivan is an eyesore given the shy, expensive cars sprawled all over the driveway.


    "You have no choice." Aunt replied. "Whatever you do, you better make sure we leave here with a huge settlement of at least ten million dors or you''ll be back sleeping on the street. That''s less than their sons'' pocket money"


    Our phones are temporarily withheld. Metal detectors are waved all around our bodies before we are escorted inside by men draped in sleek ck suits and dark sses. It feels like walking into a presidential house. While my aunt and Kira keep gawking, I trail slowly behind, pacing my breath.


    We are ushered into avish living area with antique upholstery. We sink into the plush sofas while we wait for our hosts. Domestic staff members in white and ck uniforms enter to serve us wine in tall sses along with a tray filled with hors d''oeuvres. While my aunt and Kira stuff their faces, I put down my ss and rake the living space with my eyes to distract myself from the pounding in my chest.


    This won''t take long. I will swiftly apologize and take the me for my poor decisionst night. I can''t let this family cklist us. It won''t be good. Aunt might put me out but not forever. I will stay with Anna for a few weeks while aunt''s anger cools down.


    The Rollins emerge in all their splendor, like a painting by a renowned artist. The men are all formally dressed in suits, standing regally with hands tucked in front of them. Mrs. Rollins is a vision of understated elegance in her primly cut knee-length gown. I shift my gaze to the four brothers. No publication has ever done justice to their breathtaking looks. Their blue eyes, long curly hair and hypnotic gazes all hit me at once, as daunting as a fist through ss.


    "Demi Branson?" Mr. Brett Rollins, the father calls to us. My aunt and Kira must have gestured to me as all eyes descend on me. I am rather focused on the sons, not because they all look exactly the same but because seeing them up close has triggered a slice of my memory fromst night.


    I definitely recall drinking whiskey with one of these men, in the dimly lit VVIP section of Anna''s club. My marriage certificate is not a lie after all and one of these blue-eyed brothers knows it.

 Chapter 2

    <h4>Chapter 2: Chapter 2</h4>


    ASHER


    Whenever dad summons a meeting with all his sons in the ground floor living room, it''s always for one reason; one of us has messed up and we need to fix it. Lots of meetings have been called in this living room over Ashley, Ashton and Ashal, never for me. It''s not luck or a coincidence. It''s strategy. Somewhere in dad''s head, he is keeping the records. I am not any different from my brothers. I love women and hook up with them sometimes, but not as much as Ashley. I drink and party too but I never let my guard down or allow myself cause a dent in my good reputation as future CEO of the Rollins Empire. I can''t allow father have a reason to not appoint me in his stead, after he retires.


    I stare intently at Demi and instantly analyze the situation. I want to say this is Ashley''s mess. Probably, he''s knocked her up. This wouldn''t be the first time but Demi isn''t exactly Ashley''s type; busty bimbos with BBLs. She is too natural, too prim and proper for him.


    "Demi Branson?" Father repeats curtly.


    Demi snaps out of her entranced stare at my brothers and I. I can''t me her. We get that all the time.


    "S-Sir?"


    "You want to tell me why there''s a horde of paparazzi in front of my house and incredulous articles of you allegedly being married to one of my sons this morning? It might be an alien concept to you all but this family has an empire to run. I especially detest people who waste my time."


    Demi''s quivering lips crack open but before she can say anything in response, her mum jumps in.


    "Mr. Rollins, I am Mrs. Elizabeth Collin and this is my daughter, Kira Collin." The bright-eyed, heavily dressed young woman next to Mrs. Elizabeth waves a hand at us like a pageant winner. She is smiling too much. Nobody cares. I flick a nce at my watch. We don''t have time for this crap.


    "Demi here is my niece" Mrs. Elizabeth continues, a tad bit somber now. What a drama queen. She whips out a crumpled paper and offers it to my dad. Instantly, I retrieve it from her in his stead. "That''s a marriage certificate showing that one of your sons did wed my niecest night." I nod in agreement when dad nces my way.


    Oh boy, what has Ash gotten himself into? The signature is legit. I sh a quick nce at my brothers. We are all thinking the same thing, that one of us disobeyed rule number thirteen (Never go alone to a public space routinely visited by all four brothers together and do something crazy that could hunt the others. If you must go, notify the quad).


    "You are mistaken. None of my sons can be so foolish as to wed a nobody, intoxicated or not. Isn''t that right, boys?"


    We all nod. Of course, we will deal with thister but family supports each other in public.


    "Are you calling my niece a liar? This poor girl is no liar. She''s a good daughter. She''s never had a jot of alcohol until yesterday and that was only because she caught her boyfriend cheating on her. His reason? Demi refuses to be intimate with him until marriage. One of your sons here clearly took advantage of my poor niece in her inebriated state to y such a prank but while you can easily sweep this under the rug by padding envelops to the bloggers, my poor niece will have this in her official records for life. She just turned twenty. She doesn''t deserve to be a divorcee at such a young age."


    Wow. I will give it to this woman. An Oscar is deserving of this performance.


    "Look Mrs. Elizabeth" I intervene. "Your niece''s im is nothing new to us. We are all aware of all the lengths young women go to affiliate themselves with the Rollins Empire, from rape and pregnancy usations to fake marriage ims. The only reason you''re still standing here and not on your way to jail is out of the goodness of our heart." I squeeze the paper in my hand and throw it on the floor. "You''ve been given more than enough time to own up to your lies and leave quietly but if you want to insist on taking this to court, we will dly oblige you. Be warned that no person or institution has ever defeated us on the legal front. We will absolutely crush your family''s reputation. Is that what you want for your daughter and niece?"


    A storm is brewing in Demi''s eyes. "Don''t threaten my family." She barks at me.


    "Why?" It''s Ashton. I''m surprised he has reined in his anger till now. He steps up to Demi, pinning her with a death stare. "Y''all have the fucking nerve to barge in here like some entitled pricks and the temerity to use my brothers and I of being hitched to you?" He scoffs, giving her a once-over. "Left to me, I''ll have had you all whipped severally for your guts before handing you over to the cops."


    "Ash" Mum warns him to back off. She also can''t tell us apart so she calls each of us Ash, like everyone else.


    "Easy tiger." Ashley pulls Ashton back, then steps up to Demi. The flirt. I am certain his antenna didn''t fail to pick up the insinuation that Demi might be a ''virgin'' while Mrs. Elizabeth was speaking. She might not be his type but he''s a sucker for everything pure and tight down a woman''s legs.


    "End this farce now missy and take your family away before it''s toote." He winks at Demi. "Trust me, we''ve heard better rumors, seen better theatric performances but this is getting old, okay?" I admire his restraint in not ying with her hair.


    "I want an annulment."


    "What?" Mrs. Elizabeth quips. "Shut up Demi. You don''t know what you''re saying.


    "I think she does." I reply.


    "Then, she''ll have what she wants." Ashal adds. The sentimental, feminist quad. He speaks, ha.


    "No" Mrs. Elizabeth insists. "She doesn''t know anything."


    "Aunt, please. Let me handle this."


    "The same way you handled your heartbreak and ended up married in one night? You better shut up and step back."


    "I see" Father nods. "So, you brought her here hoping to exploit us. You want to rewrite the poverty out of your family by using this falsehood?" Fatherughs hard. "Poor people never cease to disgust me. Maybe you three would be the scapegoat to teach others never to mess with my family, especially my sons, ever again. DUNCAN!"


    I ce a hand on his shoulder and whisper in his ear. "Don''t be in a haste, dad. The rumor is gathering digital dust, especially with the marriage certificate on disy. Even Billon-Err has bought into this rumor. Our stock prices might dip if we don''t handle this logically."


    "What are you saying?" Dad bellows angrily.


    "Let me handle this." I take the floor. "Demi, tell us what happenedst night. You im to have wedded one of us while intoxicated. Where was this?"


    "It''s right there on the certificate"


    "Shut up Mrs. Elizabeth! I was talking to Demi." I turn to Demi again. "Where did you meet me or one of my brothers as you allege?"


    Demi quivers. I know she can''t admit it. She can''t possibly be allowed into the Blue Cove so someone must have snuck her in. That someone must be dear to her and she wouldn''t want them losing their job.


    "Where, Demi Branson?"


    "At a club, the Blue Cove. I remember having whiskey with one of you. I distinctly recall..." she trails off as Iugh.


    "Whiskey? We all drink whiskey Demi, as do so many other men, I am sure." Except Ashton. He can''t stand it for some reason but Demi doesn''t need the fine details. "And the Blue Cove, how did you get in? I know a person of your ss can''t afford to." Demi hangs her head low. Whether you decide to speak or not, I say in my head, whoever snuck you in is as good as fired.


    When she remains quiet, I continue, "I guess that settles it. You and your family will have to pay for this inconvenience. You have not only kept us from meeting a morning appointment but you have also put the Rollins Empire in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. Our stock prices may take a hit. You can''t possibly be let off easily. DUNCAN!" I call out to the head of our home security detail.


    "WAIT" Demi shouts with a raised hand.


    "What? Begging won''t change anything now."


    "I don''t want to beg." She stands firmly. "I know who my groom is."

 Chapter 3

    <h4>Chapter 3: Chapter 3</h4>


    DEMI


    I don''t know what the hell I am doing but I can''t stand these usations and threats anymore. I had wanted to take the me and end this farce quietly but it seems the Rollins Empire are more ruthless than everyone thinks. They won''t let us off easily and aunt will ultimately me me for everything.


    The brothers all stiffen at my utterance. Good, the culprit deserves it for standing here with a straight face and letting me take all the heat for our stupid actionst night.


    "How so?" The serious looking detective wannabe one leers at me. He''s too stuck up. I doubt he has a romantic side. The one I had been with definitely knew how to make a womanugh and feel. That leaves the other three brothers behind their quiet mother.


    "I woke up from a terrible hangover to find the marriage certificate. I couldn''t have dreamt it all up. The church exists. As time passes, snippets ofst night filter into my memory."


    "What the fuck are you saying?" The brash one with thug vibes cuts me off. I rule him out too. He hasn''t rxed his facial muscles ever since he set eyes on me. It''s almost like plebeians are a trigger for him. That leaves the flirty one and the quiet one. Neither can be innocent especially given the intimate kiss I now remember sharing with one of them. I recall losing myself in his blue eyes, burying my fingers in his curly hair, and the bite. He definitely bit down possessively on my lips.


    "The signature. Why don''t wepare it with all yours. Whoever it matches is the man who married me." They all scoff. "That signature is very unique. It can''t be pulled off by just any random guy." I am panicking but I hope nobody senses it. When I look up, Mrs. Rollins is smiling warmly at me. For the first time, I take an easy breath. "I still want an annulment but before that, I want to prove to you, Mr. Rollins, that I am not a liar. I have never wanted to be wedded to one of your sons irrespective of your wealth. I admire your family but I don''t want your life. I am content with my aunt and our quiet neighborhood. Fame isn''t everyone''s wish."


    "I hate to break it to you but this signature can be replicated by all four of us. It''s a popr one we use when signing autographs for people. Pictures of it are sttered over the inte. Some people even print it on their shirts. I am saying anyone could have copied it." The I-have-to-impress-my-daddy brother retorts. "You clearly don''t know who your groom is because frankly, you''re looking for him at the wrong house."


    "That''s enough. I''ve had enough of this." Mr. Rollins says. He orders Duncan to throw us out. Aunt and Kira have surprisingly backed down from the fight as the mission has failed. "Don''t you even think of talking to the media or making anymore posts about this issue. I will deal mercilessly with you if you try it."


    "Calm down, dear." Mrs. Rollins intervenes for the first time. She waves Duncan away and escorts us to our car where we get our phones back.


    "Mrs. Rollins, I am not lying. One of your sons knows I''m not." I plead with her to believe me.


    "My sons will never lie to me."


    "I am sorry but this time, you''re wrong. I wasn''t sure this morning because I was hung over but as time passes, it''s alling back to me. I apologize for the media mess and I assure you I don''t want any of the attention. The leaking of the certificate was wrong on our end but we couldn''t get an audience with your family otherwise so I can get an annulment." My aunt grunts behind me.


    "If it''s money you want, I''ll have someone handle that." Mrs. Rollins tells my aunt. "And you, Demi, do you swear to me that you aren''t one of those desperate girls hounding my sons to get theirst name? Are you certain one of my boys did wed you and knows you aren''t fibbing?"


    "I swear it, Mrs. Rollins. He..." My cheeks turn red and I look at my shoes. "He kissed me." I can feel aunt''s bulging eyes. "I was in pain from the heartbreak and vulnerable. I must have identally mixed up the male and female bathrooms upstairs in the club. He asked the bouncers not to hurt me and took me into the VVIP section. He was alone."


    "Alone?"


    "Yes. Nodies but lots of alcohol." It was alling back to me now. "He listened to me. He didn''t touch me except to brush my hair off my face or wipe my tears. He was kind to me. I must have kissed his cheek and that was what prompted him to kiss my lips. I''m sorry Mrs. Rollins. I don''t remember how we got to the church. I''ll tell you everything once ites back to me."


    Mrs. Rollins watched me intently. "Do you still want an annulment?"


    Her question fazes me. "What?"


    "If you want an annulment, I''ll arrange for it to be done."


    "And if she doesn''t?" My aunt asks, edging closer.


    Mrs. Rollins smiles. "If she doesn''t, I just might know which of my sons married herst night."


    ***


    The ride back is surprisingly silent. Aunt keeps watching me through the rearview mirror. Mrs. Rollins said some shocking things to us back at their mansion. Apparently, she can''t always tell her sons apart especially when they are all dressed alike. However, she knows each one''s temperament, their likely response to a given situation, the way they talk. Her sons also know she knows so whenever they want to switch on her, each one ys a different brother and their mum is back to not knowing them. The family is used to their pranks. Only their father can get them to admit to being themselves but that rarely happens.


    Mrs. Rollins is sick of being the only woman in the family. She is not a fan of the few women her sons have brought home. They''re not exactly ideal. She admits she has taken a liking to me because I represent everything she wishes for in a daughter-inw; reserved, intelligent, prudent, mannered and most importantly, I am not afraid to stand up to her sons.


    So, she proposes that I hold off on getting the marriage annulled. Whether I choose to annul it or not, it will still make headlines and I can never go back to my life before paparazzi.


    "Will you take her deal?" Aunt asks me. Mrs. Rollins generously wired twenty million dors to my aunt and promised to continue to look out for our family if aunt is kinder towards me. She had seen through my aunt''s fa?ade and knew just what kind of life I lived under her.


    "To choose any of her sons as my groom and stick with him for a year in hopes of straightening the attitude of the quads?" I repeat Mrs. Rollins proposition. "I don''t want to, aunt. You got the money you wanted, twice over. I just want this to all blow over so I can forget this nightmare."


    "You''re really going to blow off being the first daughter-inw of the Rollins Empire?" Kira scoffs. "Wow, Life really isn''t fair."


    "Did you see them?"


    "I did and they''re sexy, Greek gods."


    "Did you hear them?" I paraphrase to Kira. "They''re so mean, proud and entitled."


    "They have every right to be. They have the looks, name and status to be entitled." Kira fires back.


    "I hate to break it to you but not every woman wants to be married to the Rollins brothers."


    "And who would you prefer? Two-timing Iman?" sheughs and aunt shoots her a warning nce.


    I can''t believe Kira would go there. Actually, I can. It''s Kira after all. "Aunt, can you please drop me off at the book store? I am expecting an early customer and I have to set up."


    My aunt drops me without a fuss and only tells me to sleep on the proposal. Thankfully, neither Mr. Rahl nor Liam is in sight. I unlock the store and head inside. I quickly begin to set up. I have already lost hours of daylight. The bell chimes, noting the entry of a guest.


    "Sorry, we aren''t open yet..." I freeze as Iman stares back at me. "Iman, what are you doing here?" I hate that my voice is shaky. I still love him after everything he put me through. Iman rushes to me and falls to my feet.


    "Baby, I have been looking all over for you. I am deeply sorry, my love. I was hurting from all the neglect."


    "I was working and you said it was fine when I told you I wanted to wait till marriage." I croak out, tears rushing down my face. Iman pulls me in for a hug. "How could you still think that your betrayal is my fault?"


    "I am sorry, love. I am so sorry."


    "You called me a boring girlfriend." I murmur.


    "I didn''t mean that. I am sorry. You are not boring and those women meant nothing. I couldn''t stop thinking about you." His grip tightens around my waist. "I swear on my life, I will never make you cry again. I promise baby." I don''t want to believe him but before I know it, he smashes his lips to mine and kisses me deeply.


    I want to pull away from this forceful kiss but memories of my kiss with one of the Ash brothers fill my mind. It had started gently and gradually grew intense. I recall the taste of his lips and instantly I can''t stand Iman''s. The sound of a camera clicking filters into the shop. I push Iman away and find that we have been photographed by someone, Iman''s friend, Gary. I stare into Iman''s face. I should have known he would do anything for five seconds of fame. Tears fill my eyes. The Rollins family won''t spare me now.


    Someone wrenches the phone from Gary''s hand and smashes it to the ground. He stomps the heels of his boots on it severally like a mad man. Gary flees instantly. With both hands in the pockets of his ck leather jacket, he turns to face us through the ss.


    I stare helplessly into the eyes of one of the Rollins Brothers. Which one is he for goodness'' sake?


    "Virgins don''t kiss like that." He blurts.

 Chapter 4

    <h4>Chapter 4: Chapter 4</h4>


    ASHTON


    Virgin my foot. It''s just as I suspected. She''s no different from the other whores. She wears ankle-skimming dresses to fool others but she can never fool me. If you''re a whore, be a whore. Don''t pretend to be a saint. That''s worse than gross.


    "It''s..."


    "...not what I think?" I finish her sentence, strolling into the book store. "So, you weren''t in here smooching your ex-boyfriend after the show you put up in my house this morning and the money my mum gave your family?"


    "Ex-boyfriend" Demi corrects me.


    "Yeah. And that makes it better?"


    "Which is it?" Iman asks, squaring his shoulders. "Asher, Ashal, Ashton or Ashley Rollins?" I reply him with a death stare.


    "You''ll do well to keep those names out of your cheating lips or by god, I''ll bash your face in so far the only women you''ll see for a while will be from the pages of a raunchy magazine."


    "The violent one. I see" Iman says. Just then, Demi ps him hard across his face.


    "Get out!" She yells. "You put me in this mess. I never want to see you again." Iman reels his hand backwards to return the gesture and I watch Demi duck for cover. He beats her, huh? Coward. Both of them. Iman is wise to stop himself in my presence.


    "Cunt." He spits at her feet and heads for the door. I want to punch him so bad but I don''t want this being misconstrued. After the door clicks shut, I turn to Demi. Her face is flushed with fear. I don''t care.


    "Lock up. We''re leaving."


    "Excuse me?"


    "Are you deaf as well as spineless? Two minutes. I''ll be in the car." I leave her. To avoid attention, I put on tinted shades and slide into the ck sedan parked next to her store. Demi takes five minutes to join me.


    "You''rete." I say the second she shuts the door.


    "Who are you? Which Ash Rollins am I dealing with right now?"


    I smile. "Mum didn''t tell you? Nice try." I ignite the engine. "You can call me Ash."


    "Where are we going? What do you want from me?"


    "Now you develop some spunk? Minutes ago, you waited to be hit by that punk. Bad taste, by the way."


    "You haven''t answered my question." I swerve the car off the road and screech to a halt by the curb. "Hey" I stab a finger in her face. "You better watch that tone of yours. You think you''re something now because your ugly picture is trending next to the Rollins name on local blogs? You''re still a nobody, get it? You''re nothing!" Her eyes clouds with tears. "That move won''t work with me. Dry your eyes immediately. These car seats are new."


    She wipes her eyes with her palms and tries to get down but the doors are locked. I restart the car and zoom off.


    Five minutester, after all her tantrums on the way, we arrive in Ashal''s penthouse in Alpha district, a gatedmunity that houses the wealthiest crop of individuals in all of the country. I step out of the car.


    "Get out, princess. No one ising around to get the door for you." When she sits put with arms folded across her chest, I leave her and stroll into the house. She doesn''te in even after ten minutes. The brat. Snarling, Ie out and yank the door open.


    "I thought you weren''t a gentleman." She scoffs, then yelps when I grab her arm forcefully and pull her into the house amidst her kicking and screaming. "LET GO OF ME. LEAVE ME. ASH ROLLINS, I SWEAR TO GOD..."


    "Woah, few minutes with you and this one''s already screaming obscenities. You''re such a bad influence, Ash" Demi''s eyes widen with terror at the sight of Ashley. Asher is down by the dining table, rattling the ice in his drink. Impatient as always. Ashal sits cross-legged on his sofa and frowns at my rudeness. Smiling, I let go of Demi''s arm abruptly and she falls. Ashley catches her. Typical of him. She crawls away from him.


    "Why am here? What do you all want from me?"


    "Ash" Ashal calls to me. "Could you kindly show our guest to a seat. Is that too much to ask?"


    "I''ll show her." Ashely answers with a twinkle in his eyes. Asher impatiently walks up to Demi and helps her off the floor. He points to the sofa.


    "Grab a seat. Don''t act shy now. You were running your mouth about one of us being your husband just this morning." Demi takes one cautious step after another and sits down next to Ashal who is smiling warmly at her. If we hadn''t changed out of our stuffy suits (except Asher), she might have mistaken him for Ashely.


    "What do you all want?" I can tell she''s scared shitless but her brave fa?ade is admirable.


    "Y''all won''t guess what our little virgin wife was doing when I arrived."


    "Humor me." Ashley replies.


    "Smooching her ex-boyfriend while some fool was photographing them."


    "What?" Asher drops his drink. "You''re trying to create more buzz for your stupid im?" He yells at Demi. He turns to me. "The pictures?"


    "Destroyed. Smashed the phone severally with my boots to be double sure." Asher nods and res at Demi who only looks down.


    "So, you do know how to get some action."


    "Enough" Ashal interrupts Ashely. "Can we get to business? I have an appointment."


    "Our mum." Asher begins, leaning forward. "What did she discuss with you? Don''t deny it. We all saw the two of you speaking for at least seven minutes."


    Demi''s features hardened. "That''s none of your business."


    "Attagirl" Ashely winks at her, then narrows his eyes. "Except it is in fact our business. You better get to spilling it or we can''t guarantee you''ll be able to walk out of here on your own two legs, after we take turns dealing with you." His insinuation registers the desired effect on Demi.


    "You wouldn''t dare." Demi''s frantic eyes shift from one face to another. I bet she feels like she''s looking at the same person in four different outfits. Now, she surveys the house, the exits.


    "Don''t even bother." I add fuel to the fire. "The locks are palm coded. If one of us doesn''t let you out, you''ll be stuck here for as long as we want."


    "She made a proposition." Demi replies now.


    "What proposition?" Asher enquires.


    "She doesn''t want me to annul the marriage. She wants me to stay married to one of you for at least a year." Our faces all harden in sync.


    "And? You told her you were sticking with annulment, right?" Asher prods.


    Demi looks up at me, then at my brothers. "So, you admit it. One of you indeed got married to mest night but instead of owning up to it like a man, you are hiding behind this face." I don''t like where this is going. She growing bolder now as she rises to her feet. "Your mum was right. You are all spoilt brats who deserve to pay for your mistakes, like anyone else."


    "Firebrand now, are we?" Asher rises as well. "I''ll say this only once. You are going to decline her offer right this minute or..."


    "Or what?" Demi fires back to our surprise. "You''re going to gang rape me? You wouldn''t dare touch me. My ex-boyfriend saw me with that one." She jerks a thumb at me. "If anything happens to me now, rather than covering up your mess, you''ll only be shining a brighter light on it. Billion-Err will destroy your family''s image if I turn up defiled or dead. The whole of Danvarr will despise your family. Your mum WILL KNOW you all did it. She''ll have every reason to believe that her sons are rascals indeed."


    She whips out her phone and tries to dial a number.


    "Who the fuck are you trying to call now?" I ask, snatching her phone.


    "Mrs. Rollins. I want to be the first one to give her the good news; she''s getting a daughter-inw" Demi smiles smugly as the humor drains from our faces. "Unless my hubby steps up, your mum has assured me I can cheery-pick one of you to be stuck with me for a long while. So, who is it going to be? Asher? Ahal? Ashton or Ashley?"


    Fuck! I curse under my breath. This bitch isn''t spineless after all.

 Chapter 5

    <h4>Chapter 5: Chapter 5</h4>


    DEMI


    "Demi dear?" I look away from the tall, arched window to stare at Mrs. Rollins. She walks elegantly towards me in a flurry of satin. A sparkling diamond ne glitters on her neck. Next to me, my aunt, Kira and my best friend Anna huddle close.


    Mrs. Rollins ces her ring studded hand on my left shoulder. "It''s okay. This is your home now." I inhale deeply and force a smile. I still can''t believe it. Anna has a big smile on her face as she delivers my suitcase to one of the domestic staff. Aunt thanks Mrs. Rollins profusely for standing by me.


    Down the hallway, the quads stand with their hands buried in their pockets, their faces bereft of emotion. Their father must still be stewing in his study. Mr. Rollins isn''t entirely happy to suddenly wee a daughter who isn''t at the very least an heir to a fortune. For thest one hour while I was waiting with my family, he has been scolding the quads, referring to me as their ''mess''.


    I am supposed to pick one of the sons to y my husband for the next twelve months. This is another reason that has me all tensed up.


    "Rx dear." Mrs. Rollins steers me toward her sons. "One of my sons has decided to be your husband." I halt in my track.


    "Is he the one who married me? You said you knew."


    Mrs. Rollins sighed. "No, he isn''t the one I suspected to have married you that night. Honestly, I am not entirely sure my guess is correct and my boys won''t open up to me. Don''t be disheartened dear. Ashley has offered to stand by your side. Collectively, they have promised to treat you with the respect you deserve." Seeing the worry etched on my face, she takes my hands in hers. "You''re still free to choose as we originally nned. I just thought I would let you know that one of them is stepping up."


    Aunt pulls me aside. "Does it really matter who it was that night? This isn''t some kind of love marriage. Since you can''t tell the brothers apart, sticking with Ashley or randomly selecting won''t make a difference. Chances are you might still end up picking one of the three who didn''t wed you. The most important thing is that you have been epted as the first daughter-inw of the Rollins family. Don''t forget that."


    "She''s right, Demi." Anna adds. "You''re one lucky girl. So many women have yed this fake marriage card with the quads and never even got to the front steps of this mansion yet here you are moving into the mansion and cherry-picking what quad you share a room with." She gives me a dirty wink. "Go for it. If the coward who married you won''t step up, good riddance, right? Stick with another bro."


    I whip my head to stare at the brothers. They are standing next to their mother now. Drawing a breath, I nod in agreement. "You''re right. This will all be over in a year anyway. I shouldn''t overthink who gets to y my fake hubby."


    "That''s the spirit." Anna cheers me.


    "Are you for real?" Kira mutters disdainfully. "Rather than thinking of turning this sham marriage into the real deal and making a ce for yourself, you''re already looking forward to your divorce? You''re nuts."


    Before I can reply her, Mrs. Rollins draws close to us.


    "Demi, this is Ashley."


    He''s beautiful. Damn it, they all are, with a powerful gaze that can chew up and spit a woman''s insecurities if allowed to linger. I extend a hand and when he kisses my knuckles, I freeze up. No, not that one. Not the flirt. He leans close to my ear and whispers in a breath.


    "Hope you like getting chained in the bedroom."


    The color drains from my face as he backs away.


    We head to Mr. Rollins'' study where hiswyer is already waiting for us with the contract papers. Mrs. Rollins had earlier sent a copy to me for review. Ashley and I sit down and while he hastily signs, I quickly scan the fine print to ensure the changes I had insisted on had been included. No sex. Contract length was exactly twelve months. Reason for divorce would be due to irreconcble differences.


    "Sign it already." Mr. Rollins speaks impatiently.


    "It''s not stated here how I can distinguish or identify Ashley." I reply with a frown.


    My father-inw leans forward in his high chair. "Why do you need to tell him from the others? Do you n to sleep with him? Have his babies? Are you worried about riding the wrong Ash?" The quads chuckle softly behind me.


    "Brett!" Mrs. Rollins cautions her husband with a stern look.


    Satisfied with the embarrassed hue on my face, he smirks. "Since it''s only a marriage on paper, he isn''t bound to distinguish himself. You don''t get that privilege."


    "Sign it Demi." Aunt pleads. "Don''t be difficult."


    I cast one long look across the faces of the quads before signing the document. Mrs. Rollins insists we celebrate with a few drinks. It turns into a mini celebration in one of the grand living rooms on the first floor. Mrs. Rollins takes Aunt and Kira on a tour of the mansion while her husband retires to his study. One of the quads escorts him and I conclude it''s the one who is desperate to please their father. The rest disperse to the gaming room.


    "Rx Demi. It''s not the worst thing in the world to be married into the Rollins family and to a gorgeous face like that" Anna''s eyes wheel to Ashley in a white shirt as he approaches us. She leans close to whisper in my left ear. "You''re living every woman''s fantasy right now. Don''t take that for granted."


    "Ladies." Ashley charismatically bows to kiss Anna''s knuckles and she giggles like a teenager. "Anna, pleased to make your acquaintance. I terribly apologize for disrupting your conversation but I would love to have a word with my new wife. You''re wee to join my mother and the otherdies for a proper lunch. Oliver here will escort you." With a casual wave, a young man hustles forward and steers Anna towards the elevator.


    Ashley''s eyes go warm when he turns to me again. My breath hitches in my throat. A year will never be enough to get used to the thrill that radiates up my core whenever I lock eyes with the quads. He smells really nice. His posture is everything. I dip my eyes to the fine trim of his beard, then the angles of his jawline. Maybe if I look at him closely, I will spot a differential scar or something with which to distinguish him from the rest.


    "Are you really Ashley or just posing as usual?"


    Hisughter is low and pleased as he strolls to an antique bar, unearths a bottle and tops off my ss. "If you really want to know, you could take away that nasty use that prevents me from popping your cherry. After our first night together, you will never mistake me for anyone else, darling."


    He is too close. Looking away, I take a bracing sip of my wine for the first time and ce a steadying hand to my tummy. How can one person ooze so much sexual appeal? These brothers could make a nun''s stomach muscles curl in lustful delight. I can''t get distracted, I remind myself. This marriage is not for personal gratification and for all I know, Ashley could just be acting out the script the quads gave him. My face hardens as I recall the tant denial and rejection. I was made to look stupid in front of everyone simply because these quadruplets won''t own up to their wrongs.


    "You all must be enjoying this, right?" My brows knit in anger as I face him again. "The Rollins quads must really think they''re invincible. Tell me, how hard did you allugh about this situation and me? Did you cast a dice to see who gets to y my fake husband or was it out of the goodness of your heart that you chose to be burdened with me for the next few months?"


    He downed his drink in one gulp and shook his head to the side. "It''s scary to imagine all the spiteful assumptions people have of my brothers and I."


    "There wouldn''t be so many assumptions if you and your brothers weren''t so scared of putting on your big boy pants and behaving like distinct adult individuals rather than your habitual, childish game of switcheroo." For a moment, I sense his gentlemanly fa?ade waver as his fingers tighten around the stemless ss. Good. Show me who you truly are, Ashley Rollins. Break the mold.


    He works a devilish smile onto his perfect face. "What is this really about, Demi Branson? Why do you have it out for my brothers and I?" It takes a lot of willpower to nt my feet on the ground while he circles me with a whiff of amusement. "You''ve made it abundantly clear that you are no fan of ours. You despise our guts. But if you truly consider us the scum of the earth, then my mother''s deal shouldn''t have appealed to a self-righteous woman like you. Which begs the question; if you''re not doing this for the money or out of duress, why exactly are you here?"


    The question hangs thickly and ufortably in the air. My lips curl in a smile. "How about this? I''lly all my cards on the table when the REAL Ashley Rollinses out to y. Think you can manage to pull that one off or have you spent too long ying everyone else but yourself and simply don''t remember who you truly are?"


    His eyebrows sh up at me. I hit home with that one.


    He takes my ss and drains it in a gulp again. "The real Ashley is exclusive to family members only. For your one-year subscription, <i>this</i> Ashley is all you''re gonna get." He nts a moist kiss on my cheek and saunters away. I feel a quick tug of guilt as I watch him leave. Did I already mess this up on the first day of our marriage? I bite down on my lower lip and pace around. I can''t get through this marriage if all the brothers hate me.


    My phone pings. It''s a text message from an unknown number.


    [I know your secret, Demi Branson. You weren''t drunk on the night of your wedding with Ash. You only pretended to be.]


    My phone tters to the floor as I stagger backwards in shock. Damn it! I''m screwed!

 Chapter 6

    <h4>Chapter 6: Chapter 6</h4>


    ASHLEY


    "C''mon, you know you like it."


    The sturdily built Tobias feathered his big hand through my chin-length hair while I moaned in terror. The room was dark. He always switched off my sleeping lights. Yanking my hair, he pulled me out from under the bed and mmed me on the cushy mattress. When he proceeded to unbuckle his belt, I tried to crawl away even though I knew I wouldn''t make it.


    "Where do you think you''re going, boy? We haven''t even started." The nasty edge of his voice jabbed through my gut. He smacks my cheek hard and tears run down my face. "Off to rat on me? Nobody will believe you. Daddy will call you weak again and beat you to a pulp. You know he already hates that you''re smaller and weaker than your brothers. Do you really want to give him and the others more reasons to detest you?"


    I shuddered at the thought. Father wouldn''t spare me. He''ll say I was always making excuses for not being as good as my brothers. Nobody will believe our loyal bodyguard can harm a hair on my head. So, I got on my knees quietly and shut my eyes while Tobias had his way. When he flipped me over, a shocked cry ripped through my throat as the pain hit.


    I wake up gasping for breath. A film of sweat trickles down my sides despite the chill in the room. My fingers scrabble the sheets as I swallow the trapped screams of pain and terror. The nightmares are rare but incredibly intense when they happen. My eyes pan the dimly lit room desperately. Even though he''s long dead, I can''t help but feel his ghost might still be lurking around me.


    I manage to grope to the bathroom and ssh some cold water on my face. My reflection in the mirror is that of a shit-faced drunk. I take a few calming breaths.


    "You''re fine, Ashely. You''re strong. He can''t hurt you anymore. Ashton already killed him. You''re safe. You''re not that wimpy, whiny eight years old kid. You''re the ASHLEY ROLLINS now, a grown, strong man." I work a weak smile into my face as I repeat the words.


    Tobias had been wrong. If only I had told my brothers earlier, it would have stopped. They believed my every word and the very next morning after I opened up to them, Tobias was found with a slit throat. If I had ever doubted my brothers'' love, that sight smoked it all away. Father had said nothing when Ashton told him I killed Tobias for hurting me but he smiled at me genuinely. Ashton has always been one to give up the credit for others.


    Demi''s wordse flooding back to me. I stare hard at my reflection.


    "I know exactly who I am. I am Ashley Rollins but most importantly, I can be whoever the fuck I want to be; Asher, Ashton, Ashley or Ashal. I can be anything and anyone I want. I don''t have to be one thing." I hate that my voice falters at the end like a whine of sympathy. I hate the Ashely Rollins I was known to be; weak, slow, abused. I would rather slit my wrist than stick with that guy and thankfully, my brothers caught on. For me, they defied our parents and perfected the art of switching ces. With practice, I was able to wlessly mimic any brother I wanted, whenever I wanted. Knowing I had the option to be anything but the weak and wimpy Ashely felt invigorating and slowly, the zeal to take my own life ebbed.


    Now, I don''t feel like punching the wall when I stare at myself in the mirror. The trauma rears its head once in a while but I am coping just fine. I may still be wary of love and long-termmitments like marriage but that is okay with me. I love keeping sex casual with no strings attached. That way, I don''t saddle one woman with my insatiable libido. Better a serial flirt and womanizer than a vengeful rapist on the loose, heh? Thankfully, a face like mine and wealth like my family has got attracts women of all walks of life like moth to a me. I don''t even have to beg for their admiration. The xx chromosome can''t help themselves around me...except Demi.


    I linger by her door and watch her sleeping soundly in the room next to mine. I can''t quite put my finger on it. Any other woman in her ce would be fawning over me and actively trying to bear my child within the first nine months together, but not Demi. Except for the brief blush at the sight of my brothers and I, this woman has mastered the art of not-giving-a-fuck about us. She couldn''t care less if we were voted the sexiest men alive every year in Danvarr. Something bigger helps her shelve her feelings around us and I desperately want to know what that is. Why is she so spiteful of us?


    I shrug into a shirt and head for the gym on the second floor to let off some steam. After a few sprints on the treadmill, I take a break to catch my breath.


    "Can''t sleep?" Ashton asks, strolling in. He lobs a bottle of water to me and sits on the floor. I guzzle the water like a parched caveman.


    "N-Nothing n-new."


    His eyes deepen with concern. "You''re stuttering again. That bad huh?" I duck when his hands reach for my forehead to gauge my temperature. "The meds...are they helpful? You haven''t seen your therapist in a while. Maybe you should..."


    "Ashton! I-I am f-fine, okay? I j-just had a n-nightmare. You g-guys don''t have to w-worry a-about me."


    "Toote bro." Ashton replies with a quirky smile as Asher and Ashal stroll into the gym. "I swear I didn''t call them. I guess it''s a quad thing. Wee running when one of us is g-glitching." He pats my knee. "Take steady breaths, okay? It''s just us." Slowly, I inhale on his cue.


    "Well, if it isn''t the newly wed." Asher bumps my head. "Can''t get it up? Oh, that''s right. Mrs. Ashley Rollins isn''t interested in being touched by the sexiest man in Danvarr. It''s refreshing to see you getting turned down, Ash."


    "You know we have the same face, right?" I tell him. "You get girls all the time but you''re too grumpy to retain their interest for long. So, theye to me."


    Ashal squats next to me. "You look like crap. Howe we all have the same face but somehow Ashton has the best morning face?" Ashton smirks from his spot on the floor.


    "I don''t need coddling guys. We all have a long day today. Work and all. Seriously, let''s get back to bed."


    "Not before we discuss Demi." Asher has his serious face on. "Dad is still very uncool with her in the family. I can''t get him to see the social damage denying her in the face of overwhelming evidence will cause. Now, he has resorted to arguing nonstop with mom over the part she yed in keeping Demi here. He even sleeps in his study now. I hate to see them fight. I hate to see our family fighting each other so much so that I don''t mind our stock prices plummeting if it means we get Demi to leave. We have toe up with a viable reason that will sway the masses in our favor."


    "Mom wants her here. How do we get rid of her without hurting Mom''s feelings?" Ashal asks.


    "Simple. We give mom what she wants. She brought Demi here to straighten us up. If we can show mom that we don''t need a year or Demi to do that, she wouldn''t be so heartbroken when Demi is made to leave. We have to hurry though before mom bonds with her."


    Asher is right.


    "Ashal, you''re the best at fixing our women problems with the least possible damage to the woman. Are your wheels turning? Tell us how to fix this."


    Ashal rolls his eyes at Asher and sighs. He hates thisbel. "Fine. Um...we start by figuring out what''s important to Demi. She obviously isn''t like the other women we are used to who would be easily intimidated by a threat or give in to a bribe. I think she holds herself to the highest standards of purity, honesty and family love. If we can make her see that her new rtionship threatens to crumble everything she holds dear, she might choose to abandon her marriage. That way, we make it public that Demi is solely responsible for the divorce and Ashely can y the heartbroken ex-husband." Ashal sps his fingers. "We''ll start with her avaricious aunt. See if we can pay her to sway Demi out of this with emotional ckmail."


    "Damn it, Ashal." Asher backs away. "I was thinking of using brute force but your seemingly innocent idea is giving me chills. You y dirty when you want to."


    "You all bring out the worst in me, remember that." Ashal chuckles. Ashton is unusually silent.


    "You''re game, right Ash?" I ask him.


    "Of course. Sure."


    I''m d he concurs. Everyone has to be. We have too many skeletons in our cupboards that we aren''t ready for the people of Danvarr to know about. The secrets are painful and run deep with invisible scars. The Rollins quads aren''t perfect but for the longevity of our family business and fame, we have to appear to be. That has been our mantra since childhood. We have to strive for perfection no matter what. If we make a mistake, we have to figure out a way to clean it swiftly without smearing our family and business reputation. Mom made a mistake bringing a girl like Demi into the mix. Demi doesn''t fit into our life.


    Like Ashal, mom looks like a harmless, sweet cinnamon roll. In a sh, she can switch to a ticking bomb and incinerate everything that has taken years to build just to sate her anger. Though we have never uttered it, my brothers and I know that mom didn''t insist on Demi staying here to straighten us up. She has never been that bothered about our shenanigans in the past. Why now? It scares me to think she has finally learnt the truth that Asher and I have kept from everyone else for this long and hoped no other family member has to endure...the truth about<i> Josh Randall.</i>


    If she has, then Demi might be a pawn in mom''s long and dangerous game of revenge.

 Chapter 7

    <h4>Chapter 7: Chapter 7</h4>


    DEMI


    I had expected my life to change after taking on thest name of the Rollins family but what I underestimated was how quickly that will happen.


    "What? What do you mean I can''t work?"


    I watch my new mother-inw sip her coffee and gingerly rece the chinaware on the tray next to her chair. "Keep it down, Demi. It''s too early and you''re going to give me a headache." She subtly rubs her temples with her eyes pressed shut. I breathe through my teeth to rein in the temper brewing behind my eyes.


    "Mrs. Rollins please..." I implore her, grabbing a seat next to her. "I am not cut out to be a house wife. I''ll go crazy. I want to work. I love working."


    "You''re part of the Rollins family now, Demi. Everything you do henceforth can have a ripple effect on our image and the daughter-inw of this family taking up a job will reflect poorly on us."


    I can''t believe she is saying this. How did she forget to mention this part when coaxing me to wed one of her sons? This is utterly ridiculous. I didn''t sign up to be a prop in the Rollins mansion. Mrs. Rollins flicks a sympathetic nce at my anxious face and the first hints of amusement creeps into hers.


    She chuckles loudly. "Are you really that devastated about doing absolutely nothing and having everything you could ever need at the snap of your fingers? Demi, I have a husband and four sons who make at least twenty million dors weekly. Even if I decide to shop every day for the next five years, I won''t go broke. You don''t need to make money to earn your ce here. That''s my point."


    "I don''t want to work because I want to rival anyone''s earnings. I could never do that even if I tried. I just love working Mrs. Rollins, because it fulfills me. I hate being idle. I wasn''t raised that way." My face crumple with desperation.


    "Tell me about your parents, Demi. I never asked."


    The question catches me off guard. Mrs. Rollins is sitting uprightly now and staring intently at me. "Uh...they um...they died. Few years back."


    "So sorry for your loss, dear." She takes a cautious sip from her steaming mug. "How, if you don''t mind me asking."


    I shift restlessly in my seat. This is clearly still a sore topic for me even after five years. "upational hazard." I blurt out. My fingers are suddenly mmy with sweat. "I am sorry. I just don''t like reliving the pain by discussing the details." I lurch to my feet, ufortable with the palpable silence in the living room.


    "I''m sorry Demi. I didn''t mean to upset you."


    "It''s fine." I clench and unclench my fingers. The room feels hot all of a sudden.


    "Are you okay?"


    I stop gnawing at my fingertips and stare down at my mother-inw.


    "You''ve broken out in a sweat."


    She''s right. My forehead is coated with sweat. Ignoring it, I drop into my seat again. "I know it sounds ironicing from a peasant like me but Mrs. Rollins, I am notfortable living like my life is an endless vacation trip. Could you help me find a job that''s befitting of my new status? Anything is fine as long as I have a ce to go to every day and make meaningful contributions to, just like your quads." The quads. I pray she takes the bait. I want to work with one of the quads. I have to. Anyone will do for now.


    Someone is onto me. I might not have as much time as I thought so I have to expedite my ns now. That text message has left me in a constant loop of unease. Who could it be? How did they know?


    Mrs. Rollins inclines her head and contemtes. "You and Ashley just got married. It won''t look good if you two swing back into work immediately. It''s all over social media that your marriage was arranged to..."


    Is this what it means to be affluent and famous? I wonder quietly as Mrs. Rollins rants about the need to dispel the rumors of my eptance and marriage being another ploy by the Rollins family to smooth out the feathers ruffled by the intoxicated marriage incident.


    Is this my new way of life? To live life ording to the dictates of stock market prices and on the whims of the public opinion?" My lips curl distastefully. It''s a different kind of prison, one I''ll have to endure for a bigger and greater agenda.


    "You''re right, mother. I shouldn''t insist." I sink into my seat and blow raspberries with my lips. "I guess It''s my fate to putter around the house in my flip flops and watch the clock ticking till Ashley returns."


    A hoot ofughter echoes. "When you put it like that, it sounds very depressing which is far from how I feel about my daily routine." Mrs. Rollins purrs. I muffle an apology. For a woman in her fifties, Mrs. Rollins looks very good for her age. Her milk white skin is shiny and spotless. Her facecks the folds and creasesmon with her age. We share a smile in thepanionable silence.


    "Tell me about them. Asher, Ashley, Ashal and Ashton. Every birth has a unique story to it. What was it like having the quads and nursing four babies? Must have been a madhouse" The smile on Mrs. Rollins'' face deepens and her eyes light up as I continue, "How were you able to distinguish them? Did you have them wear name tags? Who was the naughtiest growing up?"


    Mrs. Rollins swipes a tear from her eyes. She takes her precious time overwhelmed by the sudden flux of emotions. I feel uneasy watching her.


    "I''m sorry, Mrs. Rollins..."


    "Oh, for heavens'' sake, call me mother. Drop the formality." She pats her eyes dry now with the oval-tipped nails.. "Oh, there''s just so many stories to tell I wouldn''t know where to start." Then she proceeds to tell me how chaotic life was when the quads were toddlers and how troublesome they grew to be as adolescents. She had made them wear name tags until one day they just wouldn''tply anymore.


    "Can you really not tell them apart?" I ask after her story draws to an teary end. "You''ve known them all their lives. They might be able to fool the rest of us all the time but certainly not their own parents."


    "I know them when theye to me. My boys always find their way to me once in a while and when they do, theye as their true selves. Asher sheds his leadership role long enough to seek my humble advice. Ashley''s serious and creative spark kicks in when we rub minds on histest design sketches. When Ashtones, he doesn''t cuss around me. He is the sweetest gentleman and very kind. Ashal..." Her voice falters, then firms. "Ashal allows himself to be vulnerable around me. He narrowly escaped being a mama''s boy." She chuckles lightheartedly. "My boys, they mean the world to me. They''re good men, not perfect as no one is but good for sure. You''re here because I believe they can be better."


    Her words are nothing like I have heard about the quads. Curiosity stirs in the pit of my stomach as I wonder what I could find if I manage to peel back theyers of personalities the quads have built over the years until I reach their authentic selves. I am not just here to fulfil my end of the bargain with their mother; I am here for a few other selfish reasons. I want to ensure that when my nse to a climax, the right Rollins brother will be the one being punished for destroying my life five years ago.


    "The quads spend most of their day at work. If I don''t find an excuse to hang around them, I may fail to fulfil my promise to you, mother." I shoot her a toothy smile. "If I can''t go back to my old job, then maybe I can learn a new one working with my new family, with Ashley perhaps."


    I don''t care for fashion but I''ll settle for hovering around Ashley at any of his clothing stores while watching him work. Mother buys my puppy dog look and in exactly forty-five minutes, we pull up in a sleek orange Maybach in front of Ashley''stest pop-up shop in downtown Danvarr.


    My heart does cartwheels as journalists take photos of me and mother''s arrival. It''s my first public outing as Mrs. Demi Ashley Rollins, mother whispers before grabbing my tensed hand and following the lead of our bulky bodyguards in well-pressed suits. The interior of the shop has a roomy, closet feel despite the rows of color-coded clothing from high-end brands. Mother weaves our way through the endless streams of passionate chatter from bright-eyed women with model-like bodies. When the conversations segued to the new wife of Ashely Rollins and phone cameras start shing in my face, I fight back a shudder. I can never get used to this attention.


    We are steered to the VVIP waiting room. The elegant hue of the room is blended into graceful furnishings. The walls are decked with expensive art from all over the world. Ashley, d in a dark zer and pants is engrossed with tapering histest silk dress to the tiny waist of his beautiful model. Mom gestures me to a seat while we watch him work in silence like the handful of assistants nking him. His eyes are narrow with precision as he deeply focuses on bringing the image in his head to life.


    When his eyes rake the model''s body, they aren''t riddled with lust as usual. Rather, I note admirably that they''re contemtive and full of appraisal. Watching him, I realize fashion is more than a business for him; it''s an expression of how he views his own slice of the world. I can tell it makes him happy, proud and fulfilled every time he throws together a dazzling look.


    "Give me a twirl, please?" The model obliges and spins. A small smile works its way onto Ashely''s handsome face, apanied by a vigorous nod.


    "He''s in his head at the moment." Mother whispers proudly. "He can barely register any other presence here other than that of his model." I zero in on his face cloaked with rapt attention on the model while he works. I never imagined Ashley ''the flirt'' could look upon a woman''s body like she was merely a mannequin. Today, I stand corrected. It feels awfully refreshing to glimpse this rare side to him.


    Ashley mutters instructions to an assistant with an iPad before the small crowd disperses. He streaks a hand over his hair and whirls around. His eyes light up at the sight of his mom. His full smile makes my heart skip a beat as he strides towards us, his zer fluttering like a cape. He leans down to give his mom a peck.


    When he turns to me, his smile thins "Hello Demi." I nod awkwardly at him. Things have been weird between us since ourst conversation. "This is a surprise. I wasn''t expecting you guys."


    "We thought we would surprise you."


    "Well, I''m d." Hooking an arm around his mom, he continues gleefully. "Let''s head to my office for lunch. We have a full house but my staff can take it from here."


    "Good." Mother concurs, freeing her arm and nudging me towards Ashely. "Your wife hasn''t had anything all morning. You two can discuss her employment prospects here over lunch." Ashely''s eyes goggle in shock as does mine.


    "What? What are you talking about?" He flicks a nce at me. My mouth goes dry as Mrs. Rollins pecks our cheeks and heads out the door for a lunch appointment with her husband. I shift awkwardly as a hush falls over the room. Ashely buries his hands in his pockets and clears his throat.


    "I have a lot to do. Let''s talk about whatever this is when I get home. Richard will take you home." He gestures and his assistants trail after him as he leaves.


    I feel silly right now. Wordlessly, I stalk out of the room. By the time I am outside the shop, I have worked up a fine head of steam. How could he be so abrupt and rude? Would it kill him to have lunch with me? Why couldn''t he even pretend in front of his staff? The bitter thoughts continue to flit through my head, worsening my throbbing headache.


    "To think I was going to apologize to him..." With a loud oath of disgust, I slide into the car waiting for me. Did Ashely and his brothers not consider me pretty? Is that why they easily diss me? I may not be a supermodel but I know I don''t look terrible at all.


    Hourster, I stir awake in bed as my phone continues to blow up with notifications. I pull up my WhatsApp to behold numerous messages and attachments, mostly from Anna and Kira. I open one up and it takes me to a thread where I am being bashed as Ashely''s wife.


    <i>"She''s nowhere near his league. Nic is a better match."</i>


    <i>"She''s a desperate whore. He can''t even stand her. Instantly turned her down when she wanted to have lunch with him today."</i>


    <i>"Ashely deserves better. She has no fashion sense. They are ill-suited for each other." #justiceforAshely #AshNic4life</i>


    <i>"She is built like a pole, t and uninteresting to look at. How the hell did such a woman weasel her way into the Rollins family?"</i>


    <i>Divorce her now Ashely! She''ll corrupt your gene pool and give you basic looking babies."</i>


    A startled breath trembles from my lips as I skim through the harshments that only get more vulgar the deeper I go. I don''t realize I am crying until a single tear runs down my face. I blot it away with my palm but when I see old pictures of Ashely and Nic who is apparently his ex-fianc¨¦ trending online, next to a mockup of some pathetic selfies I took ages ago, I lose it. I don''t care about his rtionships, past or present. It just sucks to be mercilessly trolled online.


    "It''s a contract marriage. I don''t care about his rtionship." I whimper. Yet while I bawl my eyes out till the first slivers of sunlight filter into my room, I fail to understand why my pride takes a blow whenever I recall the photo of Nic''s angelic face split in a smile while she shared lunch with Ashely in his office after I left.

 Chapter 8

    <h4>Chapter 8: Chapter 8</h4>


    ASHER


    "She hasn''te out of her room yet. Keeps sending away the maids and won''t even let mom in."


    ''Amateur'' I think in my head as Ashley drones on about Demi over the phone. Poor thing. This is her first brush with the cold reality of being famous. Online trolls always go for the jugr, especially the ones hiding behind a fake ount. I want to feel sorry for Demi but frankly, I have bigger problems to worry about. While she is busy sobbing over a few nastyments about her body and face, I am fiddling a small envelop in my hand while I take this call. The contents of this envelop will make normal people cry and for the weak ones, it will drive them to depression and ultimately suicide. I don''t have that luxury. I have three brothers that I believe can''t function properly without my constant voice in their heads.


    "Frankly, I think this isn''t such a bad thing." Rising, I spin to enjoy the wuthering height of the Rollins Group HQ through the ss walls and the mesmerizing view of distant skyscrapers towering above the bustling city beneath. I live for this heady view each day and the powerful feeling that apanies it.


    "What do you mean?" Ashely enquires.


    "Isn''t this what we want? To get her to leave our family on her own steam?" I tuck the envelop into my pocket hoping for the out of sight and out of mind effect and twitch my suit jacket closer. "At least this way we don''t get our hands dirty. We''ll leave it to our fans to y Russian roulette with her mental health. I doubt even the fierce Demi Branson can withstand their torture."


    Ashley huffs out a breath. "And father? He''s fine with the drama?"


    "He''s never fine with anything that doesn''t pad his ount and you know it." A soft rap on my door has me turning and the sight of Josh Randall''s face drains the humor in mine. My head steams with annoyance as he helps himself to a seat while I wrap up my call with Ashley. "Let''s tackle this in the group tonight. Later Ash." I hang up the phone and grit my teeth at my colleague.


    Josh''s face is fashioned for arrogance almost as much as mine is fashioned for admiration. My eyes dart to his crossed legs and anger simmers in my gut. I have never disliked a person as much as I dislike Josh. The man is meticulous at his job and represents my toughestpetition every year for best employee of the year award in the parentpany. We go neck-to-neck in our bid to please Mr. Brett Rollins. I admire Josh''s work ethic and dedication which consistently rivals mine. Yet, I can''t help but hate him because every time I stare into his face, I am brutally reminded of what my father looked like in his twenties.


    "What can I help you with, Randall?" I snap impatiently at my half-brother. Josh squares his shoulders at the way I deliberately stretched hisst name. A cocky smile ys on his lips as he res at me.


    "Easy bro..."


    "DON''T.CALL.ME.THAT!" I growl angrily, jabbing a finger in his face. I hate the guts of this bastard. Josh rises to meet my eyes. We exchange heated looks for one humming minute, eyes sizzling with rage. I hate that dad unts his infidelity in my face by having Josh work in the headquarters with us. It doesn''t make much of a difference that it was based on the condition that Josh retains his mother''sst name to avoid a scandal.


    "Fine, Mr. Asher Rollins. I see you''re hell bent on keeping your walls up. Don''t say I didn''t try to be a friend. We will always be more than colleagues and you know that." He dumps a stack of papers on my table. "Father...the chairman wants us to get started on the negotiations for the acquisition of the startups on that list." He ils out his jacket and heads for the door while my eyes stay on him.


    He pauses by the door and slides a heated re my way. "You know, you have no right to walk around here with that chip on your shoulder or to even look down on me with scorn. I am not a charity case. Unlike you and your brothers, I actually have Brett Rollins'' blood flowing through my veins." He waits a beat to let his words simmer in the air. I fist my fingers into a ball.


    "Watch your mouth."


    "Right back at you." Josh replies in hushed tones. "This is <i>my</i> father''spany too. Remember that the next time you call me Randall and maybe I''ll ignore the ugly truth about your paternity when I call you Rollins." He beams at me before slipping out the door. It takes a lot of restraint to not shove everything off my desk or chuck my golden name te at him. In less than twelve months since he resumed, Josh has grown pretty confident around here, especially since father has grown fond of him. They have lunch together every day since he already shares breakfast and dinner with mom and his other sons.


    When he first confided in me months back, I couldn''t believe my father. I still haven''tpletely forgiven him for betraying our family by siring a son outside his marriage but I understand why he wants to be a part of Josh''s life. Josh is a mirror image of father, his biological son. My brothers and I were adopted. Though father may consider us his sons, seeing him with Josh opened my eyes to the depths of fatherly love Brett Rollins is capable of which my brothers and I have never received from him. While we were raised with stern looks and beatings to conform to his image of perfect sons, father has no stringent expectations from Josh. He is more lenient when Josh errs. He even defends his son''s excesses sometimes unlike my brothers and I who have to clean up our own messes.


    Father had begged me to keep this secret from the rest of our family to protect the peace. However, I knew he was more worried about a scandal erupting and hurting thepany''s stock price. As a price for keeping his dirty secret, I made sure he altered his will favorably for my brothers and mom. He also promised to nominate me as his sessor after his retirement. With these terms in ce, I have been strapping down on the urge to beat Josh to a bloody pulp every time hees in front of me or tries to put me in my ce, so to speak.


    Rage bubbles in my gut as I pull on my hair. I don''t know how much longer I can contain myself. The burden of keeping most of the ugly secrets of our seemingly perfect family is getting to me.


    "Sir, are you alright?" My secretary, Nessa pokes her head in the door.


    "Yes, I''m good." But my head swims and my vision go somewhat grey when I turn to face her. I stagger backwards. Nessa skips across the wide office faster than most average women in stilettos and reaches for my hand.


    "You don''t look too good." Her forehead creases with worry. "Do I call the doctor?"


    "No!" I lumber to my desk and drop into the seat. Tossing my head backwards, I inhale deeply. "No doctors. I''ll be fine." Nessa lingers, hardly convinced.


    "Please Mr. Asher, doctor Arnold is deeply concerned about your test results. He advises that you begin treatment soon..." One scorching look from me and Nessa''s lips stiffen.


    "You breathe one word of the state of my health to anyone at all and I will smother the life out of you myself." I mean it. Her eyes cloud over. When she tries to leave, I grab her hand. "Nessa, I don''t want your pity." She squeezes my hand as a sob rips through her throat.


    "Ash, please, I can''t lose you."


    There it is. Feeling less woozy, I sit upright and grab the files Josh left for me. "I have told you countless times that it''s nothing more than casual sex. You and I aren''t a couple. Stop wishing for something more." I add irritably. Women. Why are they so daft and emotional? I can''t afford entanglements. Nothing is more important to me than securing the future of my brothers and our mom. Josh doesn''t fool me. I know he and his mother want more than father''s acknowledgement of Josh''s paternity. Those greedy bastards want our lives. His mom wants the glitz and mor of being Mrs. Rollins and Josh can''t wait to be rid of the famous Danvarr quadruplets. I won''t put it past him to be on the hunt for ways to bring about our ruin and disgrace, especially with the gem in his hand; the unpleasant truth of our adoption.


    He''s like father so I know he won''t just stop there. He will dig deeper and get his hands dirty unearthing the identities of our biological parents. I know I would if I were in his shoes. He is ruthless and thorough, again, just like father. For these reasons and more so for the countdown on my longevity as a living being, I can''t afford to be sidetracked by something as fickle as emotions.


    "Get back to work Nessa."


    I am surprised she doesn''t stumble on her way out given her sobs. I may regret losing out on finding true love when my eyes close in death but what I can''t endure is the thought of my brothers and our mom being forcefully wrenched away from the quality of life they''ve only ever known. It will kill mom to learn about the other woman and the bastard son but at the very least, I want her plotting her revenge from thefort of a mansion.


    I n on telling my brothers everything eventually. Everything. However, now is a terrible time. I have to keep ying father''s long game of being the perfect son. I can''t leave any wiggle room forints. I don''t n on giving him any excuse to exalt Josh''s existence or position over that of his true family.


    I get down to work. The legal team and I spend hours deliberating on the best startups to acquire with minimum risks and legal implications. Josh is unfortunately in the meeting. We try not to mix our personal issues with work. After the meeting, father raps on my office door just as I am shrugging on my jacket to head out for lunch.


    "Dad?"


    "Off to lunch?"


    "Yeah."


    "Soul foods?"


    I''m touched he remembers. "Actually, no. I''m headed home. Mom is expecting me." Something flits across his face as he eases a hip at the edge of my desk.


    "I was thinking maybe you can join Josh and I for lunch today."


    I maintain a nd expression and grab my keys. "That''s fine. I wouldn''t want to ruin my appetite or your bonding session."


    "Asher. He''s your brother. I expect you of all people to be mature about this."


    I wheel towards him with an amused smile. "And Josh, what expectations do you have of him or is the burden of living up to your steep expectations reserved for the sons who you didn''t sire? Is Josh perfect because your blood runs through his veins?"


    "I never expected you boys to be perfect. At the very least, I hoped you''d be normal."


    "And how are we not?" I shouldn''t have asked.


    "Why don''t you ask Ashal?"


    That leaves a cut within me. "It''s not his fault and you know it. I can''t believe you''d breathe his name like he''s some ferocious animal."


    "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean it like that. Look, I just came here to ask you to lunch. We don''t need this song and dance."


    Father''s face hardens when I ignore him. "Josh is right. You''re the one who stubbornly refuses to move past this." He hisses out a breath. "I can''t undo what has been done. I won''t call it a mistake because it wasn''t. Josh is no mistake. However, I do apologize for betraying your mother''s trust and hurting your feelings in the process. One lunch, Asher. Ten minutes. I hate to see you brothers fighting. Come with us. I don''t want to resort to threats just to have both my sons eat from the same table,"


    "Mr. Rollins?" Josh lets himself into my office after hearing father''s voice. He lounges by the door and hooks a thumb in his pocket. "It''s lunch time dad and you''re buying."


    I trade nces with father who tacitly implores me to join them. Josh reads the room.


    "You should join us, Asher. I hear Soul Foods is a favorite spot for the Rollins family. I have no doubt I will love it."


    That''s it. I stride towards the door. "Thanks but I already have ns. Enjoy your lunch."


    I ride the private elevator in silence, nking my mind to purge it of the thought of a forced lunch with Josh. s, this is the dent in my perfect corporate life. My phone pings.


    [I NEED YOUR HELP. I MESSED UP, AGAIN. TOO MUCH BLOOD. SHE WON''T WAKE UP. HURRY-ASHAL]


    The second the elevator opens, I bolt out.

 Chapter 9

    <h4>Chapter 9: Chapter 9</h4>


    ASHAL


    The first time it happened, I was twelve. My brothers and I were sent to a private school where the kids in our ss treated us like garbage because they felt intimidated by us. They''d throw stuff at us in ss when the teacher wasn''t looking, call us names and sometimes make us trip and fall on our faces during lunch break.


    Asher and Ashton fought back sometimes and got punished for it. Ashely was too small and too timid to retaliate. He was an easy target. I didn''t refrain from doing anything because I was scared. I just thought if I failed to give them the satisfaction of pulling a reaction from me, they''d eventually stop. They didn''t and when we went home with a cut lip or other bruises, father wasn''t pleased.


    One day, the bullies came for me and I snapped. I didn''t think I was too angry. Ron was a big boy and thirteen at the time. He and his annoying pack of friends cornered me in the bathroom and hit me. Thest thing I remember was their taunts as the rage bubbled inside me. I snapped and the world went ck. I couldn''t see anything for like fifteen seconds. When I blinked and came to, Ron was knocked out cold with a nosebleed. One of hisckeys was curled up by the sink, crying with fear-stricken eyes. He even wet himself when I tried to go close to him. The others had scampered away in fright, screaming for help at the top of their lungs. If my knuckle wasn''t split open, bleeding and hurting, I wouldn''t have believed the tales the survivors told the principal of the school. Mom and dad had been shocked. My brothers too. When we packed our things and left because mother wanted us to change schools, Ron stared fearfully at my brothers and I. Asher and Ashton enjoyed it. Ashely reveled in it while itsted. I grew scared because I had no memory of the incident.


    I''ve had quite a number of rage ckouts since then and woken up to the horrible reality of hurting people, especially the women I had been with at the time. The diagnosis was done after I killed a man. Father buried the crime, as well a few others that eventually followed. My family literally works overtime to hide my condition from the world.


    Nine months ago, I had a one-night stand with a woman and almost killed her. After getting nursed back to health, she refused to be bought over and threatened to tell the world about my condition. Father stepped in and threatened the life of her loved ones. Mother promised to support her family financially in return for Olivia''s agreement to sign an NDA. When Olivia was discovered pregnant two monthster, our marriage was forcefully and secretly arranged. We lost the pregnancy eventually and things have been rocky between us.


    Olivia hates me for ruining her life. Since our marriage, her every move is monitored. She has zero friends and mostly stays in my penthouse surrounded by bodyguards.


    She is also constantly afraid of me. Once, when she tried to escape, I didn''t take it well and I hurt her.


    I know she has every right to hate me but I never stop trying to make amends. I love her and I will never stop trying to get better so we can rewrite our tragic love story. Today, I stopped by to check on her. She easily gets suffocated in the penthouse and loathes being followed around by guards. She texted me toe over and to get rid of the bodyguards for a few hours. I remember her sniffing the flowers I got her with stars in her eyes. She was making lunch and I volunteered to help her. Music floated in from the living room and Olivia danced barefoot in the kitchen. I don''t recall any triggeringment or action on her part.


    I just remember waking up on the living room sofa with a serrated knife in my bloody hands. My body quivers with shock at the sight of a blood trail leading up to the kitchen. When I follow it, Olivia is sprawled on the floor. Blood oozes from her wrist. That''s when I text Asher. Asher says to text him first whenever I need help with Olivia.


    While I cradle Olivia''s head in my thighs and beg her to return to me, Asher''s car roars into the driveway. He bursts through the door, yelling for me.


    "In here!" I croak, choking back the tears. "Asher, I...I killed her. I did this." My brother crouches and checks Olivia''s pulse. His face hardens. "I don''t remember it. I s-swear, we were making lunch together and the next thing I knew, I was w-waking up on the sofa with a bloody knife." My nose runs with snort and I swipe at it. "I can''t bear it. I can''t lose her."


    Asher shakes his head. "You won''t lose her. Her pulse is weak but she''s still alive. Come here, Ash. Why don''t you go get cleaned up upstairs while I take a look at her."


    "I''m a freak! A fucking monster!"


    "Stop it, Ash! Don''t say that"


    "YOU KNOW IT''S TRUE." My heart breaks in tiny splinters as I cradle Olivia''s head closer to my chest. Sobs quiver through my body. "Why am I not fated to be loved? Why do I end up hurting the people that put up with my demons?" Asher runs his hands over his face and huffs out an exasperated breath.


    "Please Ashal, I need you to let me look at her. Go get cleaned up. Olivia will be fine but the longer we wait, the less certain that bes."


    "We have to call an ambnce or something."


    "Upstairs, Ashal. Now!"


    Asher''s face is stern and dark like father''s when his patience runs thin. Instantly, I snap out of it. "Upstairs." I reiterate with a shiver, carefully cing Olivia''s head back on the floor. I feel really sad. Why am I such a monster to the woman I love? She doesn''t deserve a wed man like me. No woman does. She has put up with me for nearly a year now but my demons always get in the way of our rtionship.


    "D-Don''t let her d-die, Ash."


    "I won''t."


    I choose to trust my big brother and head upstairs. I get into the shower with my clothes on and sit under it while the sting spray rinses off the blood stains, sweat and tears from my body. Olivia''s pale face shes in my memory. Hard as I try, I can''t connect the dots of the time I lost. What happened? How did I get to the sofa? Did I really cut her? My eyes swerve to the bathtub. I turn off the shower and move like a zombie to the tub. After filling it up with water, Iy inside and submerge myself. I am tired. I am sick of hurting people who dare to love me. Today, it''s Olivia. A year ago, it was father. He is still wary of me till date. I have alsoe perilously close to hurting my brothers but thankfully, they knocked me out cold before the mania could get the best of me.


    And mom? I hope my depression kills me before I hurt a hair on her head. I stare at the bubbles floating to the top. My chest tightens forck of oxygen but I make no move to go up for some air. I remain still in my watery grave. It''s the least I can do for my family; giving them a break from all the pain they''ve had to endure because of me. I hope Olivia and my previous victims can find it in their hearts to forgive me for not taking my life sooner. Just as my vision ebbs and I give in to the gentle tug of death, strong hands grab my shoulders and yank me out of the tub.


    "ASHAL! Come one buddy, stay with me."


    The violent shake and face ps make mee to as I pant for air. Those familiar hands m my drenched face to their chest. "You''re not dying on me. I won''t allow it." Asher continues with a shaky voice. I blink my eyes open to stare up at his face. A thin smile ys on my lips as I note the panic in his eyes.


    "Couldn''t you have waited a minute longer? I was about to go over the edge."


    Asher eases back and gives me a p. "You think that''s funny? DON''T YOU DARE ATTEMPT TO TAKE YOUR LIFE, EVER!"


    My eyes redden. "Olivia?"


    "She''ll be fine. It wasn''t a deep cut. I took care of it."


    Asher pulls me back when I try to force myself up. "I-I need to see her."


    "Ashal." It''s the sadness in his voice and the fear in his eyes that stops me. Asher smothers me in a hug again and this time, I don''t fight to break it. He is uncharacteristically emotional today. He even allows a tear to slide down his cheek. It''s a first for Asher Rollins since we hit puberty.


    "I''m sorry. I don''t know what came over me. I was selfish. I didn''t think of mom or the quad. I..." Asher takes my face in his hands and touches his forehead to mine.


    "YOU''RE NOT A FREAK. I NEED YOU TO BELIEVE THAT ASHAL. You''re my sweet and kind brother. No one is perfect, not even father. Don''t try to harm yourself, ever again. Can you swear on mom''s life that you won''t do this again."


    "Asher..."


    "Swear it!"


    I inhale. "I swear." Asher hugs me tightly and we sniffle in sync. He dries the tears on my face.


    "This never happened, both Olivia''s ident, your suicide attempt and especially me crying."


    I chuckle at thest part.


    "Get dressed in some warm clothes so you don''t catch a cold." He dismisses my protest with a finger in my face. "Olivia is sleeping now. She isn''t running away or anything. I have called back the domestic staff and bodyguards. Get changed and then you can go see her."


    That works for me. Asher lingers while I watch Olivia sleep for thirty minutes. His phone keeps ringing but he ignores most of them and sends texts instead. When I am satisfied that Olivia''s breathing is normal and she will pull through as Asher promised, I quietly leave her room.


    Asher and I have lunch together.


    "Did you tell them?"


    Asher impales his braised ribs and eats. "No secrets from the quads, remember? Rule number..."


    "...three, I know. Got it." Yet, I hesitate, fiddling with my cutlery. "I was hoping to stall for a bit. I don''t want their pity right now."


    Asher drops his knife and fork with a tter. "If you don''t want it, then don''t act like it. Don''t hang your head low and feel guilty when everyone knows you have no control over these episodes. Don''t cry or whine or me fate. That''s weak and a total waste of time."


    "What would you have me do then?" I hate that my voice sounds like a pathetic whine.


    "FIGHT IT, ASHAL. REFUSE TO BE ITS SLAVE. NEVER BELIEVE THOSE DARK THOUGHTS THAT TELL YOU THAT YOU''RE NOT WORTHY OF LOVE OR THAT YOUR FAMILY AND THE WORLD IN GENERAL WOULD BE BETTER OFF WITHOUT YOU. THAT''S A LIE." His voice falters. "We will be shattered without you, Ashal. Mom won''t survive it. I won''t forgive you and I''ll make sure Ashton and Ashely don''t." Asher dumps his napkin on the dining table and lurches to his feet.


    "I''ll personally find you a better therapist. Forget about working on-site. I''ll have your P.A make arrangements for you to work from home. You need anything else, you let me know."


    "Asher." He pauses on his way to the door and whirls to me. I can''t help but suspect there''s more to this than he is letting on. "Are you okay, brother?"


    "I''m fine. Finish your food and get some rest. Ashton will be here to pick you upter tonight. See you at dinner."


    Watching him leave, something warm blooms in my heart. I don''t know what the quads would do without Asher. None of us is nearly as focused as he is. He never lets his guard down or allows himself to feel emotions like love. He wasn''t always like this growing up. I distinctly remember a younger Asher that wrote love letters to his crushes and cowered in fright when father''s arm came down with a beating.


    Asher grew stronger and fearless years earlier than the rest of us. He stopped crying when father hit him and learnt to hold father''s gaze longer than the rest of us. He turned into our knight in shining armor and has been our leader ever since. Beyond being the first quad to be born, we believe he deserves to lead us because his leadership skills are unmatched.


    I am grateful to him for keeping some of my ugliest secrets to himself and for being one of my biggest confidantes. I love him for having my back. Hence, I forgive him.


    I forgive him for nearly beating Olivia to death after their one-night stand and pinning it on my ckout the very next day. I had seen him with Olivia that fateful night at the bar in one of father''s hotels. Unknown, to him, I fancied Olivia but never worked up the courage to talk to her. Asher happened to also run into her and they hit it off immediately. He took her to his room and slept with her.


    I remember him rejoining me at the bar, all sweaty and furious. Some of his buttons were missing from his shirt. He dismissed my questions while we had drinks. I must have passed out from the alcohol. When I came to, I was Asher''s room and Olivia''s bruised body was next to me on the bed. The blood and the booze set the whole stage. No one believed me and after a while, I started to doubt my own recollection of that night and believed I indeed had a ckout and hurt Olivia, as used. Then, I overheard Asher talking to father on the phone and understood why he did that to me. Like father, Asher couldn''t afford to have that scandal on his hands. Father would have reservations about letting a hothead seed him as CEO of Rollins Group. He would look at Asher the way he looked at me; like a mental defect and Asher couldn''t have that.


    If only he had asked me, I would have dly yed the victim willingly. I was already in love with Olivia and I didn''t minding into her life that way. I would have left no stone unturned to make it up to her and win her trust and love. I would have found a way around Asher''s mess. I never believed I could get a woman to stay with me, especially after she had learnt of my condition.


    I owe a lot to Asher. I would be behind bars if not for his protective efforts. I just feel hurt that he used me like that.


    While Olivia sleeps, I head to my own room and shut the door. Inside my closet, I unlock a hidden door that leads to my surveince room. I pull up the feed from the house cameras, especially the ones from the kitchen and living room before, during and after Asher''s arrival. I had cameras set up in the house just so I can see what happens whenever I ckout.


    My blood boils with anger as the truth unfolds before me. I watch the clips with a churning mix of anger and shock as Olivia craftily staged her alleged harm while I was out, applying fake blood on my shirt, slipping the knife in my hand too. However, my heart bleeds when I freeze and rewind a particr clip. It''s a clip of Asher yelling at Olivia to quit ying dead right after I had left. She got up and rushed into his arms.


    "It was the only way to get you here fast enough."


    Asher shoved her away but her alluring smile remained fixated on him.


    My heart aches now. I don''t know which is more shocking; the fact that Olivia knows it was Asher and not me who attacked her that fateful night or the fact that she is clearly still in love with my brother? Have they been ying me this whole time?

 Chapter 10

    <h4>Chapter 10: Chapter 10</h4>


    DEMI


    I smiled when I felt the dip in the bed. Secondster, his manly smell engulfed me. The heat from his body caressed my back. Draping his arm across my body, he pulled me closer to his naked chest. Smiling, I turned to stare into his cobalt blue eyes. My fingers streaked over the angles of his pretty face, traced his biceps. With a mischievous smile, he slipped off the thins straps of my night shirt and pulled it all the way down. Then he proceeded to cup my breasts. They weighed gloriously in his palms. A soft moan escaped my quivering lips when his tongue fastened on my hardened nipples, sucking. My body raged with unbridled passion.


    "Ash" I moaned, shuddering with delight.


    He nibbled my ear and nuzzled my pulsating throat. "SAY MY NAME."


    ''Ash."


    His eyes were dark and feral when he looked at me. In a sh, he vaulted my hips, syed my legs apart and positioned himself between my wet center. His lips brushed teasingly over my lips, fogging my brain.


    "SAY MY FULL NAME."


    Twining my arms around his neck, I stared into the gorgeous face of the man who was numbing my senses.


    "I..."


    Why couldn''t I recall? Which brother was on top of me right now?


    A bright light suddenly washes into the dim room. I squint awake at the sound of hurried movement. Ashely is standing by the window, fiddling with the remote as he watches the curtains parting. His face is nd when he nces at me.


    "What are you doing? It''s barely 7am." Why is he in my room anyway?


    "Ha. I''m impressed you know the time. Care to rejoin society?" He tosses the remote aside. I pull the duvet over my head and try to go back to sleep but suddenly, it is wrenched from my grasp. I stare wide-eyed at Ashely who also tosses the duvet to the floor and stands with hands in his pocket.


    "Breakfast. Downstairs. Ten minutes," He reels out curtly.


    I can''t believe how rude he is being right now. He has barelyforted me since the whole spinsters in Danvarr have been trolling me online for two days now. I guess he is enjoying the attention he and Nic have been getting. I throw a pillow at him and grit my teeth when I miss.


    "Get out of my room Ashely."


    He turns to me after catching the pillow. His outfit looks hurriedly put together and visiblycks his usual ''extra'' touch. How am I even noticing this while my head is steaming with anger over his tant rudeness.


    To my utter shock, he throws the pillow back at me.


    "It''s Ashton by the way."


    My cheeks go red and I immediately cross my arms around my chest. Ashton sneers at my misced sense of dignity. I guess we are thinking the same thing right now. Why is it okay for Ashely to see me in my sheer nightdress when our marriage isn''t even real? His guess is as good as mine. Yet, I continue to cover myself.


    "Ten minutes, Branson. Don''t keep the family waiting.". He strides off and shuts the door behind him. I bury my face in my hands and muffle a scream. Why the hell did hee to wake me?


    In seven minutes, I am done freshening up and join the family in the dining room for breakfast. The brothers are all seated. As far as their fashion sense is concerned, they''re as different as day and night. Asher seldom strays from his bespoke suit and tie. Ashton is in a long-term rtionship with leather jackets and pants. ck seems to be the only color that appeals to him. With Ashely, even his casual wears have to be artfully styled. He can''t help himself. Ashal pulls off all types of looks and if his facial features aren''t constantly marred by a look of depression, I would have a hard time telling which brother he is.


    I shuffle to the empty chair next to Ashely and sit down. Mr. Rollins barely spares me a nce when I say a greeting. Mrs. Rollins fixes my te with motherly affection.


    "d you could join us again, Demi." She says with a smile.


    "Thank you, mother." The men at the table quirk a brow at my direction. Mother smiles and winks at me. Mr. Rollins let''s his mouth curve in a petnt air.


    "Demi, I believe you''ve had enough time wetting your pillow over the lousyments made about you online. I''ll have you know that such weakness is not expected of a member of this household and would not be tolerated in the future. In this family, we don''t hide from our problems; we tackle them as best as we can."


    I swallow hard. "I understand, Mr. Rollins."


    His face remains set as a rock as he returns to his meal.


    "Demi dear, you have nothing to worry about. It will all blow over soon and something else will take their attention off you. In the meantime, you''re going to need a makeover. Ashely has everything sorted out."


    Ashely gives a half shrug when I look at him. We continue breakfast. When I steal nces at the brothers, I can''t help but sense some kind of tension between them. What did I miss? I wonder.


    Ashal picks his food with a disinterested look on his face. Asher has an iPad in his face, watching the stock market reports while his food is mostly untouched. With deft strokes on his iPad, he pulls up ounts and studies them. Ashely eats at a normal pace, only that his phone endlessly vibrates. When he nces at the caller, he ignores it and sets it down on the table. I hate the quick tug of jealousy I feel just thinking Nic is on the other end of the line. Is he refusing her call because I am right next to him?


    My eyes meet Ashton''s. He is one brother I suspect I will have a hard time figuring out. Little flicks of fear always twine my gut whenever I meet the cold pools of his eyes. His eyes, they usually look at me in a way that makes my skin tingle with fear and my thigh muscles sing with lust at the same time. I avert my gaze from Ashton only to find Mr. Rollins quietly watching me with a suspicious glint in his eyes. I dip my eyes to my omelet and try to focus on polishing off my te.


    After breakfast, I follow Ashely to his car.


    "Is that what you''re wearing to work?" He asks, giving my cropped white shirt, jeans and sneakers a onceover.


    "What? Oh" I am d he wants me to work with him but I don''t think I am up for it anymore. "Right. I-I wanted to talk to you about that."


    He scowls impatiently at me and takes off his amber tinted sses. Silver winks along the shell of his ear as he inclines his head. "About what?"


    I wring my hands nervously as I collect my thoughts. "I-I am incredibly grateful for your consideration but I don''t think I can cope in the fashion business. I know next to nothing about fashion icons or styling. I think it will be a lot of pressure trying to measure up to the standard yourpany is known for."


    Ashely''s lips remained pursed. He ms his car door shut andes around to the front steps where I am standing. We are toe to toe now. He removes his sses and those powerful blue eyes make my insides go mush.


    "Is this really about yourpetence or about the incident that happened days ago?


    "Both?"


    "Look Demi, I know I haven''t said it enough but I am sorry you had to go through that. Being bashed online is almost a norm around here. We make the news for ugly reasons more often than good ones. My family has grown numb to online trolling. I was genuinely surprised you shut everyone out to deal with it yourself. I kept my distance to let you process things the way you saw fit. I am sorry if you mistook my reaction for indifference because we are from different economic brackets."


    "You don''t owe me any apologies."


    He smiles softly. "Contract marriage or not, I believe I do. My fans had no rightparing you to my ex." He sighs. "Nic and I are through. Our rtionship is strictly professional now; I design clothes and she models for me."


    You can hire any supermodel of your choice. Why does it have to be your ex? I query him in my mind but say nothing.


    "Again, Ash, no apologies necessary." I turn to leave when he utters some shocking words.


    "Say my name."


    Faint images of my sexual dream cause a deep blush to seep into my cheeks.


    "What?" I face him, ignoring a quick re of heat between my thighs.


    "Say my full name, Ashely. There are three other guys that go by Ash around here and you can''t tell them apart. You wouldn''t like the awkwardness of name shes, trust me."


    I inhale deeply. "Thank you, Ashely."


    He reces his sses. "Better." I watch him head for his car. "I guess working with me is off the table. The wardrobe makeover is still on though. There''s no getting out of that one." He jumps in, ignites the engine and zooms off.


    It amazes me how the quads all drive cars that resonate with their personalities. Asher who exudes ss and power rides a G-Wagon. Ashely is more fixated on the beauty of a car than it''s features so he is prone to change his cars or their colors once he gets bored of them. Ashal rides a simple, white Mercedes. The car is slightly old but Ashal isn''t interested in getting a new one anytime soon. Ashton only drives fast cars as can be deduced from his Bugatti Chiron, McLaren and Porsche collection. He is obsessed with speed. I sometimes wonder if it''s just the way he is or because he runs the automobile subsidiary of the Rollins Group. He literally tests and sells cars for a living, especially fast cars.


    Feeling sick of the mansion, I have a bodyguard take me to Soul Foods as rmended by mother. I text Anna to meet me there. It''s only been a few days away from home as I know it but I feel really nostalgic. When she arrives, we hug tightly before making our orders.


    "How are you feeling?"


    "I still feel like crap. I mean, I thought I was tough but reading those hatefulments did a number on me."


    "You''re human after all." Anna sets her drink down. "How is life in the mansion? Are you under surveince all the time? Does anyone suspect you?" Her eyes survey the restaurant as she leans forward conspiratorially. "Have you been in touch with Mr. S?"


    My eyes flit across the room too. We can''t afford to be heard. "We text mostly at night. He is rather impatient. He keeps forgetting I came up with this whole n in the first ce." I rub a hand over my eyes. "He''s not my boss and doesn''t get to call the shots."


    "You haven''t given him much to write about on Billion-Err. You can''t let him think you can''t be trusted." Anna whispers concernedly.


    "Can''t be trusted? This is MY revenge game for MYte parents. He''s just some silly rival of the Rollins Group who wants to knock them off from the top. My life is riding on this and he dares suspect me?" I can''t believe it. "I haven''t even been in that house for up to a month. Does he expect me to go sniffing around for information despite the cameras in every damn corner?" I suck in a breath. "Mr. Rollins suspects me. Ashton and Asher too. If I am not careful in ying the ''innocent, weak and na?ve'' card, they could catch on pretty fast and everything will be over."


    Anna reaches forward to squeeze my hand. "Take a deep breath. You''vee this far all by dint of your hard work. If anyone can pull this off, it''s you, Demi. Nobody ever suspects a face like yours."


    We chuckle. I look adoringly at my best friend. "Thank you, Anna. I couldn''t have done it without you. Blue Cove was a vital part of my n. If you hadn''t managed to sneak me in or spike one of the quads'' drinks, I wouldn''t be here."


    I mean every word. Anna doesn''t say it but she has money problems. Her mum and kid brother are dependent on her for their livelihood. The club is her major source of ie but it rarely covers her family''s expenses. It had taken a lot to convince her to risk her job by sneaking me into the club and getting me in the VVIP session where the quads loved to hang out.


    On that fateful evening, one of the Rollins sons was having a low day. Anna had quickly informed me. I knew Iman was cheating on me every time my back was turned. That night, I called ahead to inform him I wouldn''t being over just so he would invite his side pieces to his apartment. True to form, he did. I needed a reason to drink, or at least pretend to consume alcohol. The rest, as they say, is history.


    I dig into my purse and pass Anna some money in an envelope. "I''ll get you some more as time goes on." Her eyes go blurry with tears.


    "You know I would do this for free if I wasn''t neck-deep in debt."


    "I know."


    We share a warm smile as we dive back into our meals. Half-way through, my phone buzzes.


    "Is it Mr. S?" Anna asks. Her smile wanes at the worry etched on my face. "Who is it, Demi?"


    "Someone''s been ckmailing me. They im to know everything that transpired that night at the club."


    "Impossible. How could they? No one saw us. I was extra careful."


    "I don''t know. This person knows I wasn''t drunk that night. If they haven''t spilled anything by now, I''m guessing they''re doing this for money."


    "What does the message say?" Anna asks worriedly. I pass my phone to her to read the text.


    [You''re not the first daughter-inw of the Rollins family, I AM. Wee to hell, Sis-O.D]

 Chapter 11

    <h4>Chapter 11: Chapter 11</h4>


    ASHTON


    "I don''t need a bodyguard" Ashal scowls at my looming presence.


    We''re in his home office where he is setting up for a zoom meeting with his staff at the office. "Good, because you couldn''t hire me to protect your dumbass anyway. I''m here as your brother." I circle around his chair while he shifts restlessly in his seat.


    "Don''t you have to be at work? Gris has been calling."


    "My personal assistant should be the least of your concerns right now, Ash. I''ll handle my business. Just pretend I''m not here and carry on." I fix him with a deep stare. Ashal avoids my eyes and fusses with his setup.


    I am not surprised he tried tomit suicide; I am surprised he waited this long. I am genuinely surprised to learn how strong he is. Unlike me, Ashal is actually strong. He doesn''t just pretend to be. I pace the room now, trying and failing to quell my temper.


    "I can''t concentrate if you keep pacing like that. What the fuck are you looking for, Ashton?"


    "Signs of confusion, vomiting, respiratory problems and every other post drowning symptom I can think of."


    Ashal cocks a brow at me, perplexed by my response. Sweat starts to dew on his face.


    Contrary to what it may look like, I am not enjoying any of this. I am deeply hurt and I am afraid for Ashal. I know he looks fine right now but when a man contemtes suicide to the point of actually attempting it, he opens a dangerous door in his head. That door is difficult to shut. For this reason, the chances of repeating the act won''t just be a faint smear in memory.


    I know because I have tried to take my life a few times in the past even though I chickened out in the end. While Ashal feels burdened by the fact that he can''t get people to see him beyond being a guy with a personality disorder, I on the other hand struggle with an identity crisis as I can''t get people to see the real me. Ashal wants to be perceived as more than his condition; I want to be perceived as just me and not the million personalities I have yed over the years.


    When we were kids, it was absolutely fun to switch identities without consequences. We were boys trying to help one of our brothers feel better about himself after his abuse. We didn''t have anything to lose and it was fun. At that age, everyone thought it was cute.


    However, when you y that type of game for years, you just might lose sight of who you actually are as a person, especially if you didn''t discover your unique self before wearing different faces.


    My brothers and I have never been the perfect sons father always wanted. After so many years under his tutge and iron fist, Asher and Ashely managed to conform and be men father can be proud of. I couldn''t do that.


    Like Ashely who was visibly smaller than us in statue while growing up, I was born with dark hair as opposed to the golden locks of my brothers. Father hated it. He punished Ashely and I for being too different from the rest.


    Ashely grew taller and caught up with the rest of us, leaving me at our father''s mercy. Mother had to dye my hair from a very young age so I could seamlessly blend in with my brothers. After that problem was fixed, I realized I was dyslexic.


    My teenage years were riddled with diverse, consecutive challenges that made it significantly harder for me to find favor in father''s eyes. He treated me differently, like he had triplets and not quadruplets. I felt like the odd one in the group for so long. Topensate for my shorings, I mastered the art of pretending to be Asher, Ashely or Ashal. Even father couldn''t tell when he patted my head andplimented me as Asher. Pretending to be anyone but myself was the only way to connect with father so I stuck with it.


    Now that we are all grown up, switching ces is riskier. We now run businesses and have women in our lives. Hence, there is need to form some rules. Asher cleverly came up with them. We call them the quad codes. While it''s a wise decision, it has left me feeling rather empty as I am stuck with being just myself most of the time. The problem with that is, I don''t know who the fuck Ashton Rollins is supposed to be. I never tried to know the guy. I don''t know what he is to my family or if he has grown dispensable over the years for his inaction.


    There''s a hollow feeling in my gut whenever I look into the mirror after washing my hair. The dark-haired stranger staring back at me is exactly that, a stranger. I have never bothered to know him and now I fear nobody will ever love him, not even me.


    Ashal sighs as he moves to a coffee machine.


    "Care for a cup?"


    "No, thanks." I fear I''ll need something stronger to lift my spirit right now.


    He returns with a steaming mug of ck coffee. "Out with it, Ash. A million questions and thoughts are glistening in your eyes. Ask away."


    I draw in a sharp breath and ease a hip onto his desk. "Was it the first time you tried to take your life?" I need to know how far he has gone, how redeemable he is.


    Ashal''s long pause makes my heart skip several beats. He takes a shot of coffee and moistens his lips.


    "Yes." At my piercing look, he continues, "It''s been in my head for years but I never acted on it."


    I look away and let out a short breath of relief. "Then you''re so much stronger than you give yourself credit for, Ashal" My hands reach to squeeze his shoulder. "Don''t try it again though. It''s like father said, we Rollins don''t hide or run away from our problems, we face them head-on." I feel a sting of hypocrisy w its way up my throat at the irony of giving an advice I didn''tpletely believe. Lord knows how many times I have tried to ram my car into oing traffic, intentionally.


    "How''s she?" I slide off the desk and jam my hands in my pockets to hide the slight tremor in them.


    Ashal''s features harden conspicuously. "She''s all better. She won''t say a word to me or return my calls. The maids report that she keeps trashing the gifts I sent her." He runs his hands over his face, trails them through his hair. "I don''t know how we can move past this, bro. Every time I think we are making progress in our doomed rtionship, ssic Ashal strikes again and we''re back to square one."


    "Give her some time. While she heals, focus on your therapy. You both can rise above this." Ashal nods weakly.


    "Did you install the cameras like I suggested?


    Short pause. "I did."


    "And?"


    He gives a half shrug and clears his throat. "There was nothing helpful from the feed, just me turning ssy eyed and attacking Olivia after a hapless argument." He grunts in frustration. "I can''t get the images off my head. I think I''ll take the cameras down. It was hard seeing myself like a mindless beast."


    "I''m sorry about that. You should definitely take them out if it bothers you so much."


    When his meeting starts, I excuse myself and head out. My fingers twitch by my sides. I feel like going for a really long drive to clear my head and possibly thaw out the truth from Ashal''s words. He might not know it but Ashal has a ''tell'' when he is about to lie; he shrugs and clears his throat. Why did he lie to me? Is there something else on the tapes that he doesn''t want anyone to find out? Is it linked to his condition?


    My phone pings. A reminder about my date tonight pops up. I have a few hours to kill before it so I head to work. Rollins Automobile is a sterling radiance along the business district of Danvarr. As chief operating officer, I am advised to be punctual as a leader who leads by example. I''m told it helps to boostpany morale, bolster the team spirit, h h h. Ipletely agree but when your father owns the fucking ce and you don''t necessarily need the job to survive, you can bend the rules for your sake. That being said, Ie in whenever I like.


    Martin Gris, my personal assistant grabs my things from the back of my car and trots after me towards the bank of elevators. While he babbles my schedule, I plug in headphones and shut my eyes till the elevator dings in front of our office building. The showroom is milling with chattering salesmen and high-worth customers. A small smirk tugs my lips. The only bosses who need to worry about dwindlingpany morale in a business like mine are those who fail to hire employees that are feverishly passionate about cars and pping them with robustmissions that can make them salivate.


    With Gris'' assistance, I conclude the paperwork for certain car purchases and fix appointments with buyers who need more convincing. When I nce at my wristwatch after a few hours of deep work, it''s almost twilight.


    "Gris, postpone the rest of my meetings. Let''s call it a day."


    Gris bobs his head, almost knocking off the sses on his face. My date will be arriving FiFi''s soon. I had a roughly forty minutes to make a good first impression by not showing upte.


    Thirty minutester, I was parked down the street from FiFi''s, a local diner with pleasant reviews online. I watch my date walk in, slicked in a sexy ck number and sharp red stilettos. She''s early. My fingers tremble on my steering. I can''t botch this date.


    "Get it together, Ashton. This isn''t your first rodeo. You''ve had all sorts of women in your bed. This should be a cakewalk."


    Yet, it doesn''t feel like a cakewalk. True, I have never had to beg for a woman''s attention. With a face and body like mine, I attract lots of women even when I don''t mean to. It''s one of the perks of being THE ASHTON ROLLINS, standing at six foot three, with gold locks and blue eyes.


    Tonight though, the man in the car is darkhaired. He is casually dressed in jeans and a tee shirt. For one night, I want to introduce the real Ashton Rollins to the world without the embelishments and see what they think of him.


    I get out of my rented car and cross the street. The bell dings when I enter the diner. My date continues to pat some more blush onto her red cheeks while I walk to her booth.


    "Hannah?" My hand is extended for a handshake. Too formal? Too stiff? I am not sure how dates work. Never had to put in the effort.


    Hannah scowls up at me, her mouth primed to snarl at my ten minutes tardiness. Suddenly, the anger fades and a light of cheer warms her eyes. She rises to take my hand, a sultry smile on her lips.


    "Hi. Will, right?"


    I ignore the nerves and smile. "Nice to meet you." Hannah continues to undress me with her eyes as we take our seats. "I''m sorry I''mte. Had a little car trouble. Would you like to order..."


    "Hold that thought." She quips, her smile growing wider by the minute. "I''m sorry but I am dying to ask; has anyone ever told you how much you look like the Rollins'' quads?"


    I gulp in shock. I thought my wig was sufficient disguise. I made sure to order a curly one for this. I break into a shortugh. "No kidding, I get that a lot." She continues to stare at me like I belong in a museum. "Drinks? What would you like..."


    "Damn. Are you sure you aren''t rted to the Rollins family? This is the best lookalike I have evere across. With a little hair dye and a wardrobe change, you could pass for one of them. I wager a lot of women in this country won''t mind paying you to pretend to be their Rollins crush for a night."


    Her disinterest in Will scrapes at my pride. "Rollins crush?"


    "Yup. Every woman has a favorite brother. Asher, the ambitious. Ashely, the sexy flirt, Ashton, the crazy or Ashal the gentleman. This is purely based off of the type of rumors we constantly hear of each brother, you know. For example, Asher is always making money moves and sealing multimillion dor deals with daddy while Ashely''s sexual prowess precedes his fashion wiz." She leans back and tosses her head to the side. "On a scale from one to ten, how good are you with their impressions? I''ll pay you fifty bucks right now to be my Ashton for the night."


    Without waiting for my response, she digs into her purse for some money. "I get the hots for that crazy hunk. Would kill for his strong hands to close around my neck in a chokehold..."


    Pressing my eyes shut, I massage the kinks in my neck. I should have known. It''s toote for the real Ashton to make an entrance. Ashton the crazy? I scoff. I can''t believe her. I am not violent. I only tow that path to protect the ones I love. It''s unfair to have that be my sole identity. For one night I just wanted to be myself around a total stranger and be appraised from a nk te. This date is an epic failure.


    Hannah chucks some bills at me. "You should really consider this. I know a guy who makes big bucks doing Ashely impressions on the phone and making women damp down there. He doesn''t even look anything like the quads but his voice is eighty-five percent close to the real thing. You could make way more than him, enough to buy a new car in a few months too. Bye-bye car troubles, huh?"


    She''s hopeless. I dig into my wallet and m a couple of hundred-dor bills on the table. "I don''t need the gig. I can fix my own car." She winces at the irritation in my voice. "Have a nice night, Hannah."


    My head is aching by the time I walk up to my beatdown car. What the fuck was I expecting? Why did I think this night would go differently? I wrench the wig off my head and pound on the steering wheel. Maybe I am violent after all.


    My phone pings with a message from Hannah.


    [My friend is offering to pay $350 per hour for a date with you as Asher Rollins. You have toe with the right hair color and style though. Please consider it, Will. She''s in an abusive rtionship and has been feeling depressed. Help her live her fantasy with this date.]


    I take some calming breaths to quieten the turmoil bubbling within me.


    [Her name is M Wright. Here''s her photo.]


    The message is followed by a picture of a woman in her early twenties.


    "What the fuck?" I gape in shock at the sight of Olivia Dunn, Ashal''s wife.

 Chapter 12

    <h4>Chapter 12: Chapter 12</h4>


    ASHER


    "It''s a pleasure to have you all back here." The owner of Blue Cove, a voluptuous woman in her thirties beams at my brothers and I. "You know you''re my best clients. I was worried the marriage scandal would force you guys to end our business rtionship. I am d it didn''t."


    She flicks her ring-studded fingers anddies in lingerie file in, carrying our favorite bottles topped with sparklers. On the long table at a corner, a buffet is generouslyid out. The girls deliver our drinks with great flourish and proceed to grind on us as the music crescendos. Ashal is unsurprisingly in a foul mood and picks a bottle over a girl. With a scorched stare from the club owner, the poor thing slithers away with her tail between her legs.


    "Is this how you n topensate for breaching our privacy rights, Donna? With food, alcohol and sex? You do realize my brothers and I don''tck these things, don''t you?" I shove the girl dry humping me to re at Donna whose cocky grin fades in seconds. "How did a stranger manage to get past security and make her way to our private space without getting gged?"


    "I can assure you that we are looking into it. We have interrogated the people on duty that night. The police are working hard to find the culprit as the cameras were faulty that fateful day."


    "Well, isn''t that convenient?" The music stops at my signal and I demand the room be cleared. After the girls leave, I turn to Donna once more. "Don''t get me wrong. Demi is a beautiful addition to our family. However, your carelessness and ipetence forced my brother into a marriage earlier than he nned. The entire country wagged their tongues and judged us for something he was too intoxicated to remember. Do you realize the damage you caused?"


    Donna falls to her knees. "I cannot apologize enough. We take full responsibility for what happened. Please Mr. Rollins, do forgive us. The Blue Cove will work tirelessly to regain your faith and trust in our establishment."


    I spare a nce at my brothers. Where the fuck is Ashton? Speak of the devil, I think as Ashton emerges. His face is set in a hard line as usual. If I didn''t know any better, I''d say he looks like he just got rejected. He plops into the sofa and epts a drink Ashely has already mixed for him. My eyes meet Donna''s frightful ones.


    "This matter is hardly over." She nods and surges to her feet. "We don''t want any disturbance. Have just one of your girls serve us tonight."


    "Which one, sir?"


    "Anna Prescott." Donna hustles out to find Anna.


    As expected, my brothers lock eyes with mine. "I can''t believe how stupid Donna thinks we are. Who else would have snuck Demi in if not her very own best friend who works in this same club?"


    "Are you going to interrogate Anna?" Ashely asks with a frown. I smirk at him.


    "Interrogate is a strong word. I''m thinking more like coax."


    "How exactly do you n on coaxing her?" Ashton asks with an impatient look on his face.


    "He''s going to do one of three things." Ashal slurs with reddening eyes. "Ply her with alcohol so she spills the tea on Demi. If Anna is smart enough to refuse getting wasted with us, then Asher ns to threaten to have her fired and possibly arrested. Thest option is a bit of a long game; he''ll seduce her, make her fall for him and after he''s made her betray Demi, he''ll dump her."


    "Get out of my head, Ash" Iugh at how urate Ashal is. I don''t know how he does it but he can be scary some times.


    "You''re more of an open book than you think. It isn''t hard to think like you."


    "Touche" I raise my ss in toast to him. "Although thest option isn''t necessarily a long game. I don''t have the time to spend fake dating anyone. I''ll just flirt with her, take some raunchy photos and make sure Demi sees them."


    "Why should Demi care?" Ashely asks. "Our marriage is just a contract."


    "Oh, she would care. Women always do. She did care when she saw the photos of you and Nic trending online." I nod, recalling the look Demi kept giving Ashely at the breakfast table when he kept ignoring his calls. It screamed of jealousy. "Those two seem awfully close. We give them something to fight about and one of them is bound to spill what truly transpired that night. My money is on the broke best friend."


    Just then, the bouncer informs us that Anna is at the door. We let her in. She stands coyly in the middle of the room with her head hanging low.


    "Good evening, sirs. Donna said you specifically asked for me."


    I like that her smile means thatst part makes her feel special.


    "That''s a sexy dress you''ve got on. Come over here." She cautiously scoots closer and twirls at the gesture of my hand. "Anna, we''re sorry to trouble you but the incident with Demi''s intoxication and the marriage that ensued has left us with no other choice. We''ve be wary of letting just anyone around us here. We wouldn''t want another scandal on our hands, don''t you agree?"


    Anna visibly gulps. "I understand." She crouches to mix our drinks. My hands y with her wiry thatch of pee colored hair. Her hands tremble slightly as she pours our drinks. Ashal watches me work my charm silently. Ashely and Ashton discuss in hushed tones. Great, I''ll do all the work myself.


    "You were here on the night Demi got drunk, right?"


    Anna nods softly.


    "Did you see her enter this club or climb upstairs to the VVIP session? I understand she''s never been here before so my guess is she might have stopped by to see you and wail over her being cheated on."


    Anna''s face is flushed with trepidation as she stares from one brother to the other. Surprisingly, everyone waits on her response with bated breath.


    "S-She um...she c-called me c-crying earlier that night. Iman had cheated on her again. She couldn''t bear it. I tried to calm her down over the phone and beg her to wait t-till I get off work. I didn''t want her to harm herself." She pauses to take a deep breath. "I didn''t expect her toe to my ce of work. I d-didn''t see her that day. I was just as shocked as everyone else when the marriage certificate was leaked."


    "Very few people know we visit this club, mostly because they work here. Did you ever tell Demi the Rollins brothers frequented the Blue Cove?"


    I look up with surprise as Ashely took the question out of my mouth.


    "Y-yes. I must have mentioned it."


    Ashal carefully drops his drink and takes the reins. "Anna, you have nothing to be afraid of. We are happy to have Demi in our family. However, there are a few things that need rifying about that night. We are trying to get to the bottom of it so elite customers like us can feel safe while drinking in this fine establishment." Anna nods in agreement. "Donna tells us that before that day, Demi had never step foot in here. That makes one wonder how she got in and how she found her way to this room on that fateful night especially while drunk." Ashal leans forward on his elbows. "It appears that she had help getting into the club and getting up here."


    With a loud oath of disgust, Ashton turns to Anna. "Enough with this dilly-dallying. WE KNOW YOU LET HER IN THAT NIGHT, ANNA. What we want to know now is why."


    Anna goes pale. "I am sorry I lied. I did see Demi that day. She came here very drunk. I couldn''t leave her on the street so I pretended she was a regr who had identally wandered off and brought her in to sleep it off. She must have w-woken up and wandered upstairs while I was working. When I returned, she was gone. Her phone was switched off. After waiting for half an hour for her return, I left for home thinking she probably did the same." She looks up at me, looking white as a sheet. "I am sorry. I shouldn''t have brought her in in the first ce."


    Wow. I did underestimate this woman. She''s still lying in our faces.


    "Leave." Ashal tells her. I can''t believe he''s buying it. Anna takes to her heels.


    "What the fuck was that? She clearly lied."


    "Of course, she did." He replies me harshly. "And she was going to keep lying to save her skin and stay loyal to her friend, something we brothers may never understand."


    "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" He takes a shot of tequ and indulges in a long sigh. I have no idea why he is acting like a bitch tonight.


    "Let''s just go home. We will figure out another way to get rid of Demi."


    I grit my teeth as they all start leaving. This wasn''t just about getting rid of Demi. That will happen sooner orter. This was about following a hunch father has about Demi, one I also suspect; that there''s more to her story than she''s letting on.


    "Youing?" Ashely asks me, hovering by the door.


    "Yeah, go on. I''ll be home in a few."


    The second they all leave, I have the bouncer send Anna up again. The color has returned to her cheeks and she stands with her head screwed on straight. Her eyes are firm. It almost seems like she''s had some time to recollect her story.


    "I wanted to apologize for putting you in a weird spot. I had questions and I thought of calling and asking you privately but I didn''t want you to feel ufortable being alone with me. I thought you''d feel more rxed with my brothers around."


    Anna mirrors my smile. "I don''t feel ufortable around you. With your brothers around, a lot of women will agree that''s intimidating." She chuckles.


    "I want to make it up to you. I feel terrible." Her eyebrows wing up in surprise. "Don''t say no. You''re like a part of my extended family through your ties with my sister-inw. Coffee? Brunch? Something simple if simple is what you want." Her eyes crinkle in a smile.


    "Is simple what you want?" I tuck stray strands of hair behind her ear. We are standing really close now, our belly buttons an inch away from grazing. Anna''s eyes are ssy with wet dreams. I lean down to whisper something in her ear before heading for the door. She catches my wrist. How dramatic. I spin to face her only to have her lips smashed against mine in a passionate kiss. Her hands curl behind my neck moments before she buries them in my freshly styled hair. I don''t have time to be mad at the boldness. The taste of her coats over the fatigue in my bones. When she eases back, I stare into her doe eyes while my senses gradually return.


    She kisses me again, catching my bottom lip between her teeth. "You still owe me coffee."


    "Yeah?" I manage between gasps as excitement begins to ball in my belly. Her directness stirs my soul.


    "Yeah" She walks to the door, turns to shoot me a glittery yet sexually suggestive smile before sauntering away. I run a finger over my warm lips. How can a simple kiss make one feel so alive? Damn, I wish I can hit that but there are other pressing matters.


    "Kane?"


    The bouncer enters.


    "Did you get it?"


    Nodding, he passes his phone to me and I hit rey, reliving the hot kiss I just shared with Anna Prescott. My smile darkens as I imagine the circuits in Demi''s brain getting fried at the sight of the video.


    I just have to send it to Demi. I can''t wait to see how their friendship holds up against this. I am sure Anna would kill to be in my bed. It could change her life. She obviously needs money. What I am unsure of is whether Demi won''t mind her best friend French kissing a man that looks exactly like Demi''s husband, a man who could very well be <i>the</i><i>Ash Rollins</i> who wedded Demi that fateful night.

 Chapter 13

    <h4>Chapter 13: Chapter 13</h4>


    DEMI


    "They did what?"


    "The quads interrogated me about that night you lumbered into the club dead drunk, allegedly." Anna let out a low whistle on her end of the line. "I was literally terrified, Demi. They were trying too hard to make it seem like they weren''t overly pissed or suspicious of us but I could feel the anger simmering beneath their tone. I think they''re onto you."


    Absently, I run a finger over my temple to dull a throbbing ache. Again, I expected this but not so fast. Maybe Mr. S is right and I should get on with our n. At this pace, these brothers might find a reason to have me kicked out before I can pay them back for the part they yed in my parents'' deaths.


    "What about your job? Any problem with Donna?"


    "I''m not sure right now. She suspects me and gives me the eye every now and then. However, I don''t think she ns to let me go anytime soon."


    "What makes you think that?"


    "Well, the club''s been seeing a horde of new customers, mostly women from high society ever since your marriage happened. Apparently, they all frequent this ce in hopes of running into and possibly stealing the heart of one of the quads. Business is literally booming. Plus, these women have been fawning over me ever since they heard I am besties with the daughter-inw of the Rollins family." A low chuckle follows. "I don''t know what they hope to gain from being all friendly towards me. Heck, if I knew how to turn them into billionaire heiresses, I''d probably snag that opportunity for myself, don''t you think? Anyway, they always ask of me every night when theye partying and buy whatever I point at. Donna can''t afford to lose her new, rich clientele by dropping me."


    "I hope you''re right. I''d hate for you to suffer any consequences right now, especially since I am not yet financially poised to help you."


    "Don''t bite your nails over it. Donna tells me that one of the quads passively mentioned I be allowed to keep my job when she hinted at my dismissal to please them." I don''t know why but I''m pretty sure Anna is blushing at this point. Her lowughter is sensual and weird.


    "Do you know which one?"


    "I''m not sure but he gave off boss vibes. Did most of the talking while they interrogated me."


    It sounds like Asher but I am not too certain. If anyone wanted to punish Anna for her role in my marriage mess, it had to be Asher. Compassion doesn''t sound like him. He wouldn''t let Anna keep her job unless he had ulterior motives for doing so. Then again, why would Ashely, Ashton or Ashal let Anna keep her job after she covered for me? If they''re all plotting to kick me out, giving Anna the boot will definitely send a stronger message than pardoning her.


    "I thought I knew them a bit after serving them for years now but tonight, they were all riled for some reason." Anna continues solemnly. "It was hard to pick up the miniscule signs that point to one brother or the other. They didn''t even flirt around. They turned away the strippers Donna arranged for them and mostly had tequ. Their eyes, when I managed to nce up, were hooded and brooding. One of them arrivedte in a different outfit from the others. I guess he didn''t get the memo on time." Anna giggles. "I don''t care which quad it was that spared me. I''m just d I still have my job."


    I take a short breath. "I''m d you weren''t hurt or fired. I could never forgive myself." Her family would suffer. How could I have been so selfish, waltzing around the Rollins mansion thinking I have months to execute my ns when my best friend is a helpless, easy target for these brothers? The mere thought of them bullying her grates on my nerves and makes me grind my teeth.


    "I''m sorry you had to go through that."


    "Hey, it''s okay. I know what I signed up for." Anna exhales. "Besides, you can''t do this all alone. I''ll handle my business and cling to my job however I can. You get on with your own ns and handle those men the way you see fit."


    Her resilience surprises and amuses me. "Okay. Talk to you soon. Bye."


    Turning, I yelp in shock at the sight of Ashely lounging by my bedroom door. I didn''t hear anyonee in.


    "Jesus, Ashely. This really has to stop." I yell angrily, clutching my chest as my heart thumps wildly. "You can''te into my room whenever you want. That''s not how this marriage works."


    "Is that right?"


    With hands in his pocket, he glides to me. "And how exactly does this marriage work?"


    My breath steadier, I look up at him. The outfit definitely has the ''extra'' touch. Every damn thing is the same; hair, voice, build, except the eyes. There''s something about the eyes that sends chills down my spine the way Ashely''s have never done, even with his dirtiest talk. This look isn''t sexually arousing or casually curious; it''s more. It''s...


    "You''re not Ashely." I breathe firmly.


    He smiles darkly. "What? Two weeks in here and you think you know us now? Is that what you''re here to do, to learn to tell us apart? For what? Why exactly are you sticking around, Demi Branson?"


    "I am not doing this." I take two steps to go around him hoping to go to the bathroom when his big arms grab my elbow, spins me and ms my back against his chest.


    "What do the hell are you doing? Let go of me!" My voice is a little shaky, a lot pitiful and I hate myself right now. He smells of Ashely''s cologne. God. How far do these brothers go to imitate each other? His arms trap mine till I am merely writhing against him.


    "Oh, you''re so much better than the strippers. Did Anna mention that bit?"


    My blood chills as he presses me even tighter against his rigid cock and closes a palm possessively over my breasts. Fury and disgust fill me to bursting. "YOU BASTARD, LET ME GO!" I crane my neck towards the door. "MOTHER!!! ASHELY!!! HELP...mmm" Now his hand is mped over my mouth, muffling my screams. His hot breath fans my ears as my eyes grow misty.


    "I don''t know what games you think you''re ying, Demi Branson but I can make you one promise; my brothers and I won''t stand for it. If you''re here simply because my mom asked you to and n to leave quietly after a year, you''re wee to stay. However, if you have some sinister ns up your sleeve," He chuckles darkly, his voice deep and spine-chilling. "...then you''ve unfortunately joined the wrong home. The smart option is to run. Run, baby, run or else, you''ll make the headlines for tragic reasons."


    His grip loosens and as I attempt to wheedle out of his clutch, he turns me over, hauls me up and shoves me on the bed. The scream is trapped in my throat as he edges close, his eyes mischievous and wicked. I crawl away.


    "Get away from me." The tears are pouring now. I nce at the flower vase by the side of the bed. I won''t reach it in time if he ns to rape me.


    "DON''T. YOU. DARE. TAKE. ANOTHER. STEP, YOU MONSTER!"


    Something shes in his eyes briefly and then the darkness returns.


    "If protecting my family makes me a monster, then I guess I am one." His eyes rake my naked thighs. Instinctively, I grab the nket and cover myself. He scoffs. "You can''t stop me if I want to have my way with you. What are you going to do, scream? I''ll just tell everyone I am Ashely, your husband. My parents won''t know the difference and my brothers will definitely not rat me out." He lets out a shortugh at the dread seeping into my cheeks.


    "I''ll get away with it because everyone in Danvarr knows you''re married to Ashely. How could your husband possibly rape you?"


    "We have a contract..."


    "...a secret contract that''s known by a handful of people, most of them being MY family." He finishes. "As far as the world knows, we''re fucking, just like normal couples. If I decide to breach our little contract, my family will never turn on me to take your side, not even my mom. And your aunt, she''ll be singing a different tune once we pad her ount. You know it''s true. DO YOU NOW SEE HOW FUCKED UP THIS IS? You''re not as safe and untouchable as you think. We can destroy you if we want to."


    His low, deepugh makes my skin tingle. shes of the text message from the unknown numbere to my mind, especially the end bit, [...Wee to hell, sis] I shake my head from side to side.


    "Destroy me, like you''ve destroyed so many others before? Ruining lives seems to be a sport for the Rollins quads, not so?"


    "In our defense, we only ruin the lives of people whoe after us first." He smirks, turns and heads for the door. "Fair warning Branson, youe for us, we''ll be your ruin." The door clicks shut as he exits. I didn''t realize I had been holding my breath. I gulp in lots of air and slide to the foot of my bed, crying. What in the world was that? Which brother just did that to me? My heart is pounding as the sobs quiver through my system. When I try to stand, my shaky legs make me keel over in fatigue. So, I curl up in a fetal position and bawl my eyes out some more.


    Hisst sentence ys in a loop in my head, "Fair warning Branson, youe for us, we''ll be your ruin." That mode of address sounds oddly familiar. My eyes sh as I recall the one brother who has brazenly stepped into my room without deigning to knock, the one brother who always makes my spine chill with the suspicious glint in his eyes, the one brother who''s the most difficult to read; ASHTON ROLLINS.


    My head burns with rage as I rise from the floor. That bastard and his brothers dare to do this to me? They dare take shots at me when I have been nothing but amodating? I wipe my eyes with a thin smile. I might be scared but I am not spineless. If I wasn''t courageous, I wouldn''t have made it into the home of the people who killed my parents and turned my life into a living hell. Courage like they say isn''t the absence of fear but the ability to carry on regardless of fear.


    Maybe this is just the push I need to get my wheels turning and set my n in motion to bring the almighty and invincible Rollins family to their knees.


    I head to the door and lock it. Then I make a beeline for the bathroom, flick on the shower and while it runs, I make a call. He answers after the first ring.


    "This is surprising. The ke knows how to put a call across." I let the sting of his words steam. I deserve it.


    "We''re on."


    "No shit. Funny, because I thought we were on the minute you moved into that damn fortress. I guess the honeymoon is more important that avenging mom and dad''s death."


    "STOP." I can''t hear it. The rape scare I just had won''t let me digest his sarcasm right now. "Are you done bitching or do you have more to get off your chest?" I hear him exhale deeply. "I thought as much."


    "What happened? You''re all fired up. I can hear the frustration and anger in your voice."


    I am not used to him paying attention to the little, sensitive things about me and while I would normally appreciate this rarity, my head is so messed up right now courtesy of Ashton Rollins that I would rather chew granite than ept kindness from a man. Aren''t they all the same in the end?


    My phone buzzes with a message from an unknown number. I really don''t have time for this right now. "One second, I''ll call you back."


    What now? Why can''t I deal with one trauma at a time? But as I click y on the video, I go numb watching my best friend kissing one of the quads. My eyes narrow to slits. What the fuck, Anna? I strap down on a wing need to chuck my phone against the wall. I don''t give a flying fig about any woman being dumb enough to fall for any of those jerks but not Anna. She''s too smart for that or at least I think she is. Is this what she meant by handling her own business? Why didn''t she tell me about this part of her evening? And how the hell did my ckmailer get his/her hand on a video Anna is probably unaware exists? Could my ckmailer be the brother kissing Anna?


    My head is spinning with a myriad of thoughts right now. Why was I sent this video? It doesn''t make any sense. How exactly does my ckmailer expect to exploit and extort me by bringing Anna to the mix? If anything, they would make more ckmailing the quads with this clip.


    Unless the ckmailer is indeed the quads. As logical as it sounds, I can''t ignore my gut feeling that tells me I am probably dealing with more than one ckmailer here. If indeed I am not the first daughter-inw of the quads, then there''s a secret wife somewhere with the initials, O.D. The Rollins must have a reason for hiding such a thing. I don''t see how the quads could ckmail me with a sensitive secret of theirs.


    I quit theorizing to call Anna.


    "Hey"


    "Someone just sent me a video of you kissing one of the quads." I reel out and wait for her to freak.


    "W-What?" Her voice is shaky. It''s as I feared. She wasn''t aware she was being filmed.


    "Those jerks filmed you, Anna and sent me the damn clip." I stifle a cuss at the tip of my tongue. "Why didn''t you tell me about that? Why did you even do that? You have no idea how dangerous these men are." Tears shimmer in my eyes when I look at the bathroom mirror. "One of them just tried to rape me, Anna."


    "What? Demi, are you okay?" Anna''s voice falters with fear.


    I sniffle, calming myself. "I''m fine. I''ll be fine. Listen Anna, I don''t know why I was sent this clip but I think I know what I want to do with it. You may not like it but I need you to be onboard with me, okay?"


    "Okay,"


    I''m scared for her now. She might lose her job because of this but I have no other choice.


    "Here''s the n..."


    ***


    Someone knocks on my door and tries to pry it open severally.


    "Demi? Are you in there?"


    Steadying myself, I hurry out of the bathroom, unlock the door. This Ash Rollins seems baffled. My heart rate picks up a bit seeing this face again.


    "Why was the door locked? The voice. The sultry eyes. The clothes. It''s all Ashely. I exhale as he follows me in. I work the tension in my jaw tomunicate surprise.


    "I''m sorry. I was in the bathroom." I follow through by wiping my hands with a little towel. My eyes study his own. You know, don''t you? You know what your brother just did. You four talk about everything. Apologize Ashely and prove to me you''re human after all. I really hope you are.


    "Where''d you go?"


    He sighs. "Blue Cove. We went for drinks."


    "And?"


    His eyes light up with surprise at my curiosity. "Does the wife really want to know?" Huffing, he shrugs. "Suit yourself. We had drinks, a fewp dances...shit, Anna must have called you. Look Demi, I''m sorry we interrogated her okay but you can''t me us for seeking answers. You''d do the same if your life got upended from one drunken night at a club."


    "Upended?"


    "I''m sorry. Wrong word. My apologies." When he reaches to pat my shoulder, I flinch instinctively. Ashely''s eyes quirk up in surprise. "Ah, you okay?"


    I clear my throat. "I''m fine. Why are you here though?" I swallow hard.


    "Dinner. I was thinking we could...everyone''s down there already. Mom''s asking for you." His eyes keep watching me. "Are you sure you''re good? You''re shaking." I take a step back as he draws close. "Okay, what the fuck is going on, Demi? I know we''re not a real couple but I don''t bite. Don''t treat me like a fucking gue." His eyes are suddenly pained.


    "I''m sorry. Tell mom I''ll be down in a sec." He nods and leaves. After I get changed into something better, I head down for dinner. I keep my head high and chatter away animatedly with mom while the men eat in silence. I pay no mind to the quads or allow myself to recall what transpired earlier in my room. I refuse to give Ashton the satisfaction of seeing me browbeaten over the stunt he pulled. Thanks to it, vengeful Demi is back in the driving seat.


    I smile brightly as I recall the n I have set in motion. By tomorrow, the quads will be forced to reveal their distinguishing traits to me and the whole of Danvarr!

 Chapter 14

    <h4>Chapter 14: Chapter 14</h4>


    ASHER


    I''m not gonna lie, Demi is one fascinating woman. I am sitting here at the dinner table, watching her babble mom''s praises like nothing happened, like she wasn''t just scared shitless less than an hour ago. It''s the boisterousughter for me. I love a woman that knows how to make smart decisions. She understands her ce now and won''t dare cross the line.


    Still, something bothers me. It''s the fact that though she avoids meeting our eyes, she doesn''t seem rattled or scared. Even a good actress will fumble at some point but this dinner has been the liveliest I have ever seen of her. I nce at Ashely. He is also watching her with worry lines etched on his face.


    After dinner, Demi joins mother in her room to finish up their conversation. Ashely tries to go after her but I grab his arm and herd him to the game room.


    "What''s with the sappy look on your face? You looked like a lost puppy running to its owner." Ashely yanks his arm from my grip.


    "Something''s wrong with Demi. I can tell. Earlier, she looked scared to death and flinched every time I took a step close to her. Now, she''s acting all hysterical."


    I huff out a breath. "I have eyes too, you know. It''s all good."


    "Good?" Ashely barks. "I told you that was a bad idea. She''s got nothing to hide but you won''t drop your suspicions." He roughly brushes past me to lean by the pool table. "Why did you make me do that to her? She called me a freaking monster, Ash. And she''s right. I am a monster for making her go through that. The way she looked at me when she thought I wanted to rape her..."


    "Don''t." I warn him.


    "It''s the same way I looked at Tobias when he loomed over me. I hate you for making me a monster like him." The sharp bite of his words and the anger zing in his eyes hit me hard. "You''re an asshole."


    "I didn''t exactly force you, Ashely. If I remember correctly, I wanted to get that shit done myself but you opted to do it instead."


    "Because I don''t trust you to not use unnecessary force."


    Says the man who led Demi to believe she was about to be raped, I think to myself. Talk about unnecessary. I join him by the table. He totally regrets his action. "I''m sorry okay. I should have known you''re too sentimental to execute this without your moralpass taking a blow."


    "Stay away from her, okay. No more games. Don''t even think of impersonating me to slide information from her. I don''t think she has some sinister ns up her sleeve I mean why the fuck would she? She simply resents our guts, if anything. Just because she doesn''t fawn over us like ny-five percent of the women in this country doesn''t mean she is our enemy."


    I want to believe him but I''ll just have to see and make double sure for myself. "Take it easy now. I hear you. I must have been wrong about her." I knead his tensed shoulders. Humor slides warm into my tone. "Now, just how good of an actor were you that you managed to scare the Demi Branson like that? Are my brothers getting better at ying me than me?"


    Ashely doesn''t indulge me. His frown remains glowing on his face.


    "C''mon Ash, you''re making it hard for me to believe you haven''t fallen in love with this woman."


    "If you can''t tell the difference between being humane and being in love, then that''s too bad." Ashely stands and looks around. "I need a fucking drink."


    He strolls to the wall and presses a button, then orders drinks to be brought up to us. A servant appears a minuteter with Brandy and snifters. Ashely dismisses him and pours himself a quick drink. "I don''t know how I''ll be able to face her with the guilt drowning me."


    "You don''t have to feel guilty." I tell him. "There''s a bright side to our hasty n; you were ying me! She doesn''t suspect you; she suspects me! You have nothing to feel bad about."


    "I''m afraid I might have derailed in ying you." Ashely stares dejectedly at his drink. "I might have been more of Ashton than Asher." My eyes bulge.


    "What do you mean by that?"


    Our heads snap towards the doorway where Ashton stands with both thumbs hooked in the pocket of his pants. Ashal is right next to him, a curious expression on their faces.


    "Nothing." I quickly say. Ashton''s eyes dim with suspicion.


    "If it has my name next to yours and I can''t fathom what you''re talking about, it doesn''t sound like nothing." He takes slow steps to us while Ashal trails closely behind.


    We are standing with our shoulders squared now. I note that the annoyance that has been simmering in his eyes has risen to the surface. "Let''s try that again." He nces at Ashely now. "What did you mean by you might have been more Ashton than Asher? Is this about Demi? What did you guys do?"


    "Leave it, Ash." I try again. I don''t like where this is going, especially with Ashton already pissed for some reason. It''s futile reasoning with him when he''s fuming.


    "Maybe he shouldn''t. He deserves to know what you got up to behind his back." I stare nkly at Ashal. What the fuck is his problem now? He''s been acting weird since I botched his suicide attempt.


    "Now what exactly is that supposed to mean?" I ask, walking up to him. Shockingly, he nts a firm stance to rival mine. His deep gaze is confrontational. Ashal hates confrontations because they can be a trigger for him. Tonight, he moves no muscle but stands with a silly smile on his face. He looks like a psycho killer.


    "Ok, guys, cut it out." Ashelyes between us and shoves each person apart. Ashton insists on learning what was done to Demi and demands we tell him.


    "Why don''t you start off by telling us where you went earlier this evening? You didn''t even tell Gris. What was so important that you kept everyone in the dark, huh?" His face hardens at my question.


    Ashely shoots me a scorching look. "That''s enough, Asher. Don''t antagonize him. You know better. Ash," he says, turning to Ashton. "It''s nothing deep. Asher was suspicious of Demi''s true intentions and asked me to try to ferret some information from her. That''s all." Ashton''s heaves a breath and backs away.


    Ashal chuckles. "ssic Asher, always ying people like a fiddle."


    "Excuse me?"


    "I didn''t stutter, did I"


    He''s baiting me. I reel my hands backwards and m my fist into Ashal''s jaw. Blood sputters from his nose and broken lip. Ashley and Ashton rush to help him, screaming at me.


    I wipe my sweaty forehead and nt my hands on my hips. Ashal totally deserves it for ruffling my feathers but before I can apologize, Ashal shoves our brothers so hard they fall like felled trees. Eyes wide like a madman''s, his fingers close around the brandy bottle and once in his grip, he charges towards me. Purgatory shes before my eyes as certain death approached.


    ***


    We are all in father''s study, our faces crestfallen like naughty middle school children who have been called into the principal''s office.


    Ashal took a longer time to wake up from his ckout, about two hours. He sits at the farthest couch from me, nursing his throbbing head where Ashton had knocked him out with a fist.


    Everything had happened so fast. In seconds, my life shed before my eyes; everything I had done and the ones I was yet to do. Whenever I think of dying, I imagine the cancer beating me. I have never imagined one of my brothers being the angel of death.


    I steal surreptitious nces at Ashal and he locks eyes with me. The evil in his eyes has fizzled away, leaving remorse and shame in his bluish orbs.


    "You all never cease to disappoint me." Father hisses from his high chair. "I honestly thought we were past the fights, especially with Ashal''s peculiar condition. Asher, you are supposed to be the most responsible one. Yet, you stupidly let him prey on your pride? You could have been killed!"


    I want to believe father is speaking from a ce of care and normally I would bask under his worry for me but my eyes stray to Ashal instead. With his head hung low, he stares at the floor. My heart goes out to him.


    "I didn''t forbid the fights to stop you from bruising yourselves and making it easier for people to tell you apart, I did it for your own safety. With Ashal''s condition, it''s not a fight but certain death."


    Ashal sniffles. I can''t imagine how he''s feeling right now. He literally just attempted suicide days ago. Being addressed as a monster will take a toll on his mental health.


    "Dad, please." I interrupt, rising to my feet. "It''s all my fault. We all had a tough day and I wasn''t sensitive enough to not escte a hapless argument. Please, don''t heap this on Ashal. We all know he isn''t to me for his condition. I am to me for triggering him."


    With a low grunt, father turns away to make a call. We all lead Ashal to his room so he can get some more rest. I apologize tirelessly to my brothers for the way I handled myself. Before we all retire for the night, I make a mental note to talk to Ashal in private and get to know what is going on with him.


    The next morning, I skip breakfast and head to work ahead of father. At work, I try to distract myself by studying business trends and the silent moves being made by our biggest rival, Spellman Group to knock us off our cherished first ce position on Danvarr business rankings.


    Nessa walks in, a somber expression on her face.


    "Sir."


    One look at her and I know the easiest way to get my mind off things, especially as the glowing reviews on our rival''stestmunity development efforts is gaining traction. I push away from my desk and range myself in front of Nessa.


    "Sir, you need to see this..."


    My fingers cup her chin but the moment I lean down to kiss her, she wedges a hand between us, stopping me.


    "It''s urgent sir."


    A knock interrupts us. Nessa moves to create a professional distance between us just as Josh walks in.


    "If you''re not here strictly for work-rted purposes, I don''t want to hear it, Josh." I circle back to my desk and drop into my seat.


    "I''m only ever here for work, Asher. I don''t know what you mean." His smile grates on my nerves. "I take it you haven''t heard. That cockiness lends credence to the fact." I have no idea what he is yapping about. "I know Spellman group is steadily working their way up the business chain but now is not the time to put Rollins Group on the radar for..." he scrunches his nose, "...for non-business-rted reasons."


    "You better stop speaking in Morse code and tell me what the fuck you mean." Josh throws a look at Nessa who dips her eyes with an embarrassed hue on her cheeks. I don''t get the weird energy in this office right now.


    Josh taps his phone and then passes it to me. I take one look and my blood chills. It''s the fucking video of Anna and I kissing, all zoomed close, on Billion-Err.


    My eyes dip to the article that''s been viewed by over a million people and garnered a over fifty thousandments. Billion-Err calls out my family, using me and brothers of being shameless. The article hints that Ashely is a serial flirt and possible adulterer.


    Demi is also dragged for her pathetic choice of a partner and challenged to quell the cheating rumors by proving within forty-eight hours that she can distinguish her husband Ashely from the rest of us. She is also tasked with exposing which brother is in the video. Else, it would be assumed that she is sleeping with all four of us.


    "What the fuck is this?"


    Josh snatches his phone. "You tell me. Look, I don''t care what you and your brothers get up to. Frankly, nobody does but if you''re going to indulge yourselves, try to be discreet so your actions don''te back to haunt thispany and bite us all in the ass." He storms out after ring at me.


    Nessa''s face is at the verge of tears but she shows admirable restraint, puts up a brave look before leaving for her desk. I ignore the callsing through and hurry out. The entire office stares at me as I make my way to father''s office. Josh is already by his side. They both turn to look at me as I enter.


    "Dad..."


    Father ms the iPad in his hand on the floor. "Find your brothers and go clean up this mess! Now!"


    The image of Josh smirking by father''s side makes my head throb. On my way home, while zipping through the highway, I smile darkly. This is all the proof I need. Demi is not so innocent after all. She''s the only one I sent that video to. If Billion-Err has it, then it can only mean Demi intentionally sent it to them. But why? She must have known that it will reflect badly on her too. The tagline of the article shes through my mind. I also recall Ashely''s little bedroom performance.


    "Demi, you''re one sneaky bitch." I blurt out before pounding on my horn to clear my path. Demi is smart. I''ll give it to her. She used my own move to corner my brothers and I into revealing our distinguishing features. Maybe it''s time she feels a few thorns like the other daughter-inw of the Rollins family. Obviously, Demi has been pampered too much. She needs to be taught a lesson. As I pull up in front of the mansion, I change my ns and take a cue from her. As I step out of the car, I maintain a calm demeanor before walking in.


    Mom, Demi and my brothers are in the drawing room on the first floor. Demi is working hard to y the hurt wife.


    "You all promised this wouldn''t happen. You promised to treat her with respect. How could you be careless enough to go back to that stigmatic Blue Cove. And worse still, you openly kissed her best friend knowing Demi is married into this family. Do you not see how bad this looks?" Mum sinks into her seat and blows out a frustrated air. Ashal goes to her, mutters catingly. I watch Demi. She meets my eyes and holds my gaze firmly.


    "I''m sorry mom. It''s all my fault. I didn''t realize we were being filmed. Demi, my deepest apologies. It was a spur of the moment thing between Anna and I. I shouldn''t have let it happen. I''ll fix this."


    "How?" Mom asks. "Everyone wants to know how Demi can differentiate Ashely from the rest of you. Will you do that?"


    I sigh deeply. "We have no choice. We can''t let this fester for a day longer."


    Demi nces at me as I crouch by her feet. This is where I nt seeds of doubt in her head that I didn''t send her the video or n to use Anna from the outset. I need to buy more time. "I''ll handle the PR. This matter will be doused by nightfall. I''m sorry, okay. I didn''t set out to embarrass you like this."


    I know just how to pacify the people. They want to be able to tell us apart, I''ll throw a bone at them to nibble on while I go fry bigger fish. Demi gets a call on her phone from Anna. Perfect timing. I rise as she excuses herself to go take it by the piano. I know exactly what this call is about. When Demi turns to us, I have already schooled my face to be nk. Her red eyes say it all. Donna has fired that bitch like I instructed on the way here. I turn to hide the smirk on my face.


    "Mom, I''ll just make a quick call. I''ll be right back."


    Down the hall, I turn into an empty guest room and shut the door behind me. The number I asked for has been forwarded. I dial it and wait while it rings.


    "Hello?" A voice drawls.


    "Hi. Is this Iman Burke, Demi Branson''s ex?


    Pause. "Who the fuck wants to know?" My lips curl in a smile.


    "Someone who is about to make you very rich and help you get back at your ex, all with one move."


    "Keep talking."

 Chapter 15

    <h4>Chapter 15: Chapter 15</h4>


    ASHTON


    I can''t believe Asher can be so reckless. What the fuck was he thinking kissing Anna? He even had it filmed? I jam my hands in my pockets to avoid punching something. Tearing my eyes away from Ashal who is trying to calm mom down, I let it sit on Demi. She''s been on the phone for a while, mostly listening to her caller and speaking in hushed tones when she responds. That must be Anna calling to exin herself or perhaps Demi''s overbearing aunt scolding her for her poor choice of a friend.


    Asher isn''t back from taking his call. I''m curious to find out what else he is hiding from us. He has a lot of exining to do for going behind our backs like that and getting the family name smeared with distasteful gossip. He made the fucking rules of quad behavior and now he has broken a vital one. Just as I am about to go look for him, Asher emerges from the hallway, all bright-eyed with a ghost of a smile on his face.


    "Mom, I''m handling it. Please trust me." He nts a kiss to our mother''s forehead and orders a servant to escort her to her room. Demi hangs up now and turns to us four. Her eyes are red and teary, worse than they looked when I rushed home to find her with mother, steaming over the leaked video.


    "Asher?" Her voice is hoarse and raw. Asher turns to her. With mother gone, his eyes are now cold pools, his lips curved sternly.


    "Demi?"


    A storm is brewing in Demi''s eyes. A war of anger and frustration. For a split second, I fear she ns to charge forward and tackle my brother. The tension between them is more palpable than the one between the four of us. To my shock, Demi lumbers forward, her tears pouring. Her eyes skirt across all four of us.


    "Anna''s been fired."


    Not the words I expected to hear. Still, my heart aches at her reddening face.


    "I know she didn''t mean to get involved with you." She says to Asher now. "I know Anna. She won''t risk her job like that knowing it''s her only source of livelihood. Please Asher, her family depends on her. She has a sick mom and a kid brother who''s still in school. She doesn''t deserve the hate she''s getting. She''s not a whore."


    Asher grinds his teeth. Everything about his bodynguage tells me he doesn''t want to help but then he goes on to say, "I''m sorry about her situation but right now, saving the family''s reputation is my top priority."


    "Asher."


    Asher turns to look at Ashely who steps forward and stands by Demi. Asher''s brows furrow slightly at the show of support. "I don''t think Anna can wait. We have a whole PR team and a team ofwyers at our beck and call. Anna only has Demi. I think you should consider helping her since you''re not entirely meless for Anna''s present situation."


    "I agree." Ashal and I quip in unison. We exchange a small smile. Demi wipes her eyes.


    "Right now, her source of livelihood is paramount. If you can just talk to Donna..."


    "I will." Asher''s hasty response is suspicious but Demi breaks into a sweet, teary smile and even rushes to hug him.


    "Thank you so much. Thanks a lot, guys. I''ll let Anna know there''s hope right away." Seeing her skip up the stairs like a happy child warms my heart until Asher''s frozen stare hits me.


    "My bedroom. Now!"


    In his room, he takes off his suit, loosens his tie a bit and sits cross-legged on the couch. His eyes remind me of father''s whenever we have been summoned to his study to get a third-degree. After staring intently from one brother to another, he lets out a shortugh.


    "Oh man, she''s got you all whipped."


    "What do you mean by that?"


    Asher drops his leg to lean on his elbow. His eyes darken as he res at Ashley. "Exactly what you heard. That girl, Demi Branson, is a fine actress and she''s got all my brothers dancing to her tune. Unfortunately, she didn''t count on one of us not being a lovesick puppy."


    "Not again with this Sherlock Holmes bullshit." Asher shifts impatiently. "You''ve got a problem with her, spit it out, Chapter and verse. Don''t sit there ying dad. Some of us have better things to do." Asher is so clearly scorched by Ashely''s words that he stands to his feet. He''s never looked scarier and that''s somethinging from me.


    "I''m going to say it this once and whether you all believe me or not, I will do everything I can to get that woman out of our lives. DEMI BRANSON IS NOT THE INNOCENT, NA?VE WOMAN SHE CLAIMS TO BE! She''s got something against our family. I can feel it in my marrow."


    He is pacing now, running a hand over his messy hair. "Yes, I wanted us to interrogate Anna. I''ve been reying the whole story in my head and it''s not been adding up. Demi, a seemingly innocent and sweet book seller gets cheated by her boyfriend and decides to drink away her sorrows, right? Now, she allegedly gets drunk and instead of going home, shemutes a good distance to the Blue Cove where her best friend happens to be on shift and on a night when one of the Rollins brothers is drinking alone in the VVIP room. Stay with me. It so happens that she arrives on a night when the cameras in the building malfunction. There isn''t a single footage of her arriving or leaving." Asher bites down on his lower lip. "This is fucking real life not a web novel and in real life, things only work out that way when it is strategically nned. Luck can''t cut it."


    When he breaks it down like that, it makes a whole lot of sense but I still can''t digest the thought of Demi in that light.


    "Great. So, let''s say your hunch is right and Demi did n to be at the Blue Cove that very night so she could get married into this family, how does that prove that she intends to harm us and not that she just wants to marry rich like every other damsel in Danvarr? Do you have any solid proof to be wary of her?"


    Asher smiles cheerily at my question. "If Demi was merely interested in our wealth and status, she wouldn''t have put in a no sex use in the fucking marriage contract. She''d tire Ashley out with baby making sex and get pregnant to secure her ce here. Her arrogance in keeping her distance from each and every one of us is fueled by something deeper than pride and I intend to find out."


    He drops back in his seat and exhales deeply. "But with respect to your question Ashton, the answer is yes. I do have proof. The video. I had someone film the kiss between Anna and I because I was convinced Anna was withholding information from us out of a sense of loyalty to her friend. When she fell for my trap and kissed me, I sent Demi the fucking video hoping to rattle the foundation of their friendship. I merely hoped Anna, without Demi''s guaranteed support, would be more pliable in my hands. Imagine my surprise when the very same video is leaked to the biggest critic of the Rollins Group, Billon-Err."


    I don''t want to believe it but Asher''s theory is crystalizing very fast.


    "Demi was the only one I sent the video to so if Billion-Err got it..."


    "She leaked it herself." I frown at this cold truth.


    "How are you sure she didn''t forward it to anyone else, not even Anna?" Ashley asks. "Could Anna have leaked it hoping to get Billion-Err''s support like Demi did?"


    Ashal answers before Asher can. "Anna couldn''t have sent it. Billion-Err couldn''t have supported her with one flimsy video of a kiss with Ash. Demi''s case was different, she had a marriage certificate with our signature that couldn''t easily be ignored." Ashal leans back in his seat. "If anything, Anna would have tried to use it to extort money any one of us by threatening to release it to Billon-Err."


    "But why would Demi leak it knowing it would affect her best friend so?"


    I give Ashley a pat on his knee. "She was probably mad and did it in anger before she thought better of it."


    "No." Asher counters me. "I don''t think she meant to target Anna. I think she meant to target us. Demi knows exactly what a video like that would stir. She''s newly married into the family and she can''t tell us apart. It scares and frustrates her. I see her trying every day to note the differences. She''s mastered our fashion preferences. Ashley, how did she try to recognize you when you went into her room the other day?""


    "She sampled my outfit and assumed who I was, Ashely but when the behavior didn''t match, she tried to leave, saying I wasn''t Ashely after all."


    "Exactly." Asher continues. "Demi knew exactly how this would pan out. The public would want to know which Ash Rollins is in the video especially because the woman being kissed is Demi''s best friend. They rallied in support of Danvarr''stest sweetheart, Demi Branson, the poor, innocent new wife of the flirtatious hotshot, Ashely Rollins. No offense."


    Ashely shrugs. "None taken."


    "All that drama in front of mom knowing fully well she sent the damn video?" Ashal''s eyes ze now. "Oh, she''s got to go."


    "So, what''s your n here?" I ask Asher.


    "We''ll deal with the press first. They''re not really expecting us toe show them how they can tell us apart. They''re more interested in us proving that Ashely isn''t the one in video and didn''t cheat on Demi with her best friend. So, we''ll give them sufficient proof without necessarily showing off our birth scars. No, Demi won''t have her way this time."


    ***


    "What?" Demi asks with a shocked expression. "What honeymoon? What are you even saying right now?"


    "Exactly what you heard." Asher repeats the n. He''s trying really hard not to snap at her. He doesn''t want to give it away that we now know her schemes. I watch Demi''s expression drop in disappointment. "What?" Asher asks her. "Were you hoping for a different oue?"


    Her face firms and she crosses her arms across her chest defensively. "Forgive me but I''m trying to understand how pretending to be away on honeymoon with Ashley can quell the rumors."


    "Who said anything about pretending?" Ashely asks, emerging from the elevator. A servant escorts him, lugging light suitcases in both hands. "We''re taking a private flight to our vacation home in Brellis Ind. We''ll stay there till everything blows over. Meanwhile, my brothers here will handle the rest and make sure everyone who knows we were in Danvarrst night will bepelled to keep their mouths shut."


    The color drains from Demi''s cheeks.


    "Wha-What? This...this is all so sudden." She flinches when Ashely wraps a hand around her waist. "What are you doing?" Her eyes boggle in shock.


    Ashal, Asher and I exchange meaningful looks at her reaction.


    "Rx, we''re off to our honeymoon. You''ll have a lot of role-ys to do if we must put out convincing photos for our fans here. I trust you''ll cooperate." He grabs her arm and steers her towards the door while the servants trail behind with their luggage. Demi struggles to pull away and keeps looking back at us and asking if our parents are on board with this sudden n. She''s clearly frustrated and angry.


    "What about Anna?"


    "Asher will handle it."


    I watch her till Ashley tucks her head into the car and ms the door shut. She meets my eyes through the half-open window of the back seat. I can tell she''s scared. This isn''t what she envisioned. In the waning light of dusk, her moist eyes manage tomunicate pain and fear before I look away. I still can''t believe she''d do something so wicked to a family that has epted her. Her innocent face won''t fool me anymore.


    I am pissed that I let myself get so distracted that Asher was the one who sniffed out her lies. This is usually my thing around the house. Not much gets past me, or used to. Now, my battle with self-discovery has made me lose sight of what''s important which is protecting my family. I make a mental note to rectify thatpse of judgment.


    "Jeez, such a drama queen." Ashal retorts after the cars leave. "What now?"


    Asher runs a handkerchief over his face. "Ashal, I need you to stay call the PR team. Have them craft a believable story regarding Ashley and Demi''s vacation in Brellis in defense of the adultery ims. Sprinkle a little threat of libel and defamation in there as well, just to scare the roaches."


    "On it." Ashal whips out his phone and heads for the elevator.


    "Ashton, I need you to go to this address and interview Demi''s ex, Iman Burke. He''s expecting me. y me, okay? Don''t go all Ashton on him. We need his story to kick Demi out for good."


    This is the part of the n that I find unsettling. However, I nod vigorously.


    "I''ll get back to the office and bring dad up to speed."


    "And Anna?"


    Asher scoffs. "She''ll survive."


    He doesn''t mean to help her. Why should we, anyway? Why do I even care? I wonder.


    Iman''s apartmentplex is unsurprisingly a stone throw from the bookstore Demi used to work in. I wriggle in my suit, adjust my dark shades before taking the stairs. The corridors reek of cigarette, alcohol and piss. The door bell is broken when I try it so I knock softly instead. Iman spies me through the peephole before cracking his door half open.


    "Asher Rollins?"


    I nod briskly and he ushers me in. His ce is not the tidiest. His sitting room is crammed with shabby furniture. He gestures me to his peeling couch and plops down on one himself. A half-empty bottle of liquor lies by his feet. He picks up a cigarette, lights it and smiles at me through the stream of smoke oozing from his nostrils.


    "You mentioned something about making me very rich?" He coos with a lopsided grin. I cross my legs the way Asher is fond of doing and pretend this is any other negotiation with a worthy client.


    "...and helping you get back at your ex, Demi Branson." The mention of her name significantly distorts his cherry face. "The money is not the problem. The question is, is your story worth it?


    Iman shrugs in his seat. "You mentioned you want to be rid of her because she''s trying to ruin your family. I am not surprised. That bitch is not as innocent as she looks. She''s a pathological liar. Woe to anyone who doesn''t realize this on time."


    "What do you mean?"


    He leans forward. "She broke up with me because I cheated on her and went on to drink herself to stupor and wed your brother, right? That''s the tale she''s been pushing online but that couldn''t be further from the truth. That night wasn''t the first time I was cheating on Demi and she knew it. I''ve been inside, romping naked with some bitches and heard sounds in my living room. When I came out to check, my door was slightly ajar. Once, I caught a whiff of her perfume right in here and the second time, I saw her hopping back into a taxi and leaving. Both times, she never confronted me or gave me attitude the next day. In fact, she was very sweet to me like nothing happened."


    He pauses to take a drag of his cigarette. "I thought she probably had another guy on the side and stalked her but she wasn''t seeing anyone. However, I did notice something weird."


    "What''s that?"


    "She has always been vocal about not being a fan of you and your brothers. I found it fascinating that she was one of the few women who didn''t have a massive crush on the Danvarr quads. One day, I visited her at the bookstore and noticed she kept a special collection of business magazines."


    "What''s weird about that?"


    Iman smiles. "They were all the editions of magazines where your family made the front cover. Your pictures were all defaced with a red marker."

 Chapter 16

    <h4>Chapter 16: Chapter 16</h4>


    DEMI


    I wait with bated breath as the line trills. Anna finally picks up.


    "Demi?" Her voice is hoarse. She has definitely been crying.


    "Hey." I take a deep breath to steady myself. "Erm, everything is going to be fine, okay? Asher is...."


    "Where are you?" The question catches me off guard.


    "What?"


    "Your inws put out a statement that you and Ashley are currently on your honeymoon vacation outside of Danvarr and so he isn''t the one in the video. There are pictures of you two together on a beachfront. Ashal did a video apologizing to the public for our kiss, iming it was poor judgment on his part. You know Danvarr loves him as the least scandalous quad so he''s been getting a lot of love. The hatements for the Rollins family have morphed into hearts and fire emojis. I''m the only one left to hang dry now, Demi." She chokes back some tears. "You said this wouldn''t happen, that I won''t be out of a job. I need to support my family, Demi."


    I can''t believe how quickly the quads dispelled the rumors. My head is thrumming. "It''s okay, Anna. Asher promised to handle it. He is..."


    "Asher?" Anna questions with a sudden stern voice. "Asher is going to help me? Demi, Asher was the one who threatened Donna to fire me or she''ll lose her business. Donna wasn''t happy to let me go but she couldn''t risk losing the Blue Cove." Anna''s sobs wracked through my system, breaking my heart in splinters.


    "No, that can''t be right. He promised..." The moment the words leave my mouth, I realize how silly I have been. How could I trust Asher to havepassion on Anna? He yed me. They all yed me to get me out of the house. Now, Anna is getting the short end of the stick.


    I sense his presence the minute Ashely walks in and hang up while Anna continues to sob and me me.


    "Did you know that Asher never nned to help Anna?"


    Ashley huffs. "Of course, I told him not to."


    I whirl to him, shocked by his response. His eyes are narrowed to slits. In his billowing shirt and flower-patterned shorts, he looks just as natural and smug as he does in a custom-made suit.


    "Why? Why would you stop him?"


    Ashley strolls past me, shoves the wide balcony doors open and leans on the rails overlooking a jewel-toned beach. "Because we are not Jesus, Demi. We don''t forgive our enemies."


    "Anna is not your enemy!"


    "SHE IS." He yells at me. "She is an enemy of my family! She leaked that video knowing exactly what it would do to our family and business reputation! She''s heartless" His eyes look pained and frustrated. Though he is talking about Anna, it almost feels like he means to call me out.


    "She knew! Just because it didn''t go the way she hoped doesn''t mean she''s remorseful!" He smoothed his hair as it pped in the wind. "If she wanted money, she could have just asked us. She callously attempted to sully our reputation and now she has to pay."


    "Ashley, please..."


    "I won''t hear it." He warns with a finger in my face. I''ve never seen him this angry. Breath explodes out of my lungs and shudder back in as I sink to the floor. What have I done? Why didn''t I think this through? I recall my safety, surge to my feet and try dialing a number. This was the n all along.


    "Don''t bother calling mom. She won''t help you either."


    My fingers tremble now. I can''t believe I shot myself in the foot. How did this happen? Ashley watches me out of the corner of his eyes. His fingers tighten around the rails as he grits his teeth. I fear to think he knows the truth. Do they all know the truth? Is that why he''s been giving me the cold shoulder ever since we got to Brellis?


    He tries to walk past me.


    "Ash"


    Grabbing his hand, I rise from the floor with a dejected look on my face. If I believed any of the quads had a heart, it had to be Ashley. I dry my eyes, ready to appeal to the kindness I know he already possesses. He stands rigid with his back to me.


    "Anna didn''t send the video."


    He doesn''t turn. I flex my fingers and press my eyes shut as the tears threaten to well up again.


    "I did." His rigid shoulders sag as he spins to face me. His eyes right now are not just angry but murderous. He grabs my shoulders and shakes me violently.


    "HOW COULD YOU? HOW COULD YOU BE SO INHUMANE, DEMI? WE TRUSTED YOU!" I fall with a thud as he shoves me, grazing my elbows on the floor. "You were supposed to be good! I defended you every time my brothers grew suspicious. How could you?"


    "ASHTON TRIED TO RAPE ME!" I scream above the pulse of his voice with my hands over my face. That pauses his angry usations. Ashely''s eyes boggle at me. His hands go limp before they slide down my shoulder. I hug my knees as the painful memory refreshes.


    "What did you say?"


    I manage to nce at him with my blurry eyes. "Ashton tried to rape me...yesterday, at home." My skin tingles unpleasantly and I look away from his face, because the man that tried to assault me unfortunately looks just like Ashely too. "I-I was in my r-room. I had just f-finished talking to Anna on the phone. When I turned, you were standing there by my door. I didn''t hear youe in."


    I nce at his pale face as tears streams from mine. "At first, I thought it was you. I mean, no one else would barge in like that. He was dressed exactly like you, smelled like you but his words and his eyes were different."


    Bile tickles my throat as I recall the incident. I hate to do this but he needs to know that he can''t always trust his brothers. They clearly didn''t tell him about their little switcheroo that almost cost me my virginity. Ashley surprisingly remains speechless as I rattle on.


    "He used me of having ulterior motives and when I wouldn''t listen to his usations, he shoved me on the bed..."


    "STOP." Ashley staggers away.


    "I was so scared, Ash." And I was. "I called for you, for mother..." My voice breaks as the sobs take over. I should have told him sooner. I shouldn''t have tried to fix things myself. "He threatened to ruin me and silence me. He said your family would never take my side even if I was innocent, that you wouldn''t rat on him no matter what, that the marriage contract was meaningless..."


    "You can''t be sure it was him." Ashley tore his moist eyes away from my face.


    "But I am. That wasn''t the first time he''s been in my room. He came in once to wake me for breakfast after the incident with you and Nic. He calls me Branson, Ashely. That''s how I knew it was him. He called me Bransonst night before leaving."


    Ashely shakes his head and tries to leave but I quickly grab his arm. I need a brother on my side if I must help Anna. I hate that I have to relive that scary incident but everything about it is true. Hence, I fend off the guilt surging in my belly.


    "I was barely recovered from that shock when I was sent the video of Anna and Asher. I was angry and confused. At the time, I feared it was Ashton toying with my mind. I thought he meant to use Anna to ckmail me to keep quiet about the incident. I should have told you everything." I plop on the nearest couch and bury my face in my hands while Ashely watches me in pain.


    "I thought sending the video to Billion-Err wouldpel you all to distinguish yourselves but I meant no harm. I just want to be able to recognize you Ashley so I can better protect myself from Ashton or any of your brothers who impersonates you like that. Please don''t hate Anna. It''s all my fault. I didn''t think about her when I leaked the video. I was too preupied with thoughts of saving myself from Ashton''s wicked schemes."


    The tears flow freely from my eyes until I feel Ashely''s arms around me.


    "I''m sorry." He croaks. Tears shimmer in his eyes. "I''m so sorry about everything. You didn''t deserve that." He pulls me into his chest and wraps his arms around me. We hold on to each other, sniffling and hurting.


    Ashely continues to apologize for the rape scare but he fails to me Ashton or promise to confront him over the issue. Blinking, I gently pull away from his embrace and stare into his misty eyes.


    "Did you know?" My heart is beating rapidly now. "Did you know that that was going to happen to me, Ashely?" His prolonged silence is all the answer I need. Gasping, I crawl away from him.


    "Demi, please..."


    "Stay away from me." My chest hurts with the sting of betrayal. I know I have no right to expect anything from him but given the little I now know of his personality, it''s a rude shock to realize Ashely can stomach the idea that Ashton was going to treat me that way. Even worse was the way he pretended afterwards like he had no idea why I was jumpy around him.


    "You lot are evil."


    I manage on all fours to put a good distance between us only for him to circle me and stand in front of me again.


    "Demi" he says, crouching on his knees with his hands open in a gesture of truce. He looks as desperate as I just did while begging for Anna. "It was Asher, not Ashton. Asher said he wanted to ask you some questions. He had concrete doubts about what transpired in Blue Cove. I had no idea of the rape thing. You have to believe me. I would never have agreed if I knew he meant to scare you like that." Crying, I fall into his arms because I need to believe he has my back.


    It''s one thing to punish a person because they have done something to deserve it but to put someone through hell without having sufficient cause is in wickedness. Ashley holds me while I wail. I feel a tear on my forehead as he rocks me.


    "I''m so sorry. I''ll do everything I can to help Anna."


    "Your family, they''ll never forgive me. They won''t let you help Anna."


    He cups my chin and blots out my tears with his other palm. "I can''t get Donna to give her a second shot but I can take care of her money troubles while she looks for a new job. Isn''t that what you hoped mom would do?" I nod, a small smile working its way to my lips.


    "Thank you, Ashley. Thank you." He holds me a little longer before releasing me to make some calls. I whip out my phone to call Anna and tell her the good news. She takes a while to ept my call and when she does, her spirit is lifted with the news of financial aiding her way.


    "How did you manage to convince him, Demi? How did you pull it off"


    I pinch the bridge of my nose, sampling the right way to answer the question. "Lots of tears." Real ones, I note mentally. I hadn''t nned it. It was too real and too painful to be rehearsed.


    Ashely returnster at night and looks baffled as I throw my things from the hangers into my suitcase."


    "You''re back." Smiling, I drop the clothes in a heap on the bed. "How''d it go?"


    "Erm, I wired some money to her preferred ount. I also spoke with a few friends about a possible job opportunity." He scratches his head and points at the mess on the bed. "What''s going on?"


    "Oh, I am packing for home. The rumors have been dispelled. Whatever your brothers did worked." I shrug my shoulders. "We don''t need to hide away here. Let''s leave tomorrow. I''ll stay indoors with mom if it makes you all feel better but I don''t want to be away from Danvarr any longer. I want to see Anna. Aunt and Kira have been blowing up my phone too. I''m sure you also want to be with your family as well."


    "Erm, maybe we can stay for a few days? Explore the stunning bluegoons and coconut groves. C''mon, we just got here." Somehow, his voicecks the thrill of excitement his suggestion is meant to convey. My phone rings just as I am about to politely turn down his offer. I don''t have the time to spend running barefoot on the powder-soft white sand beaches or napping in hammocks.


    "Hold that thought." I utter before picking my phone. It''s a call from Mr. S. I sh my pearly whites at Ashely before turning to pick the call. Mr. S goes on a rant about me frolicking on the beach while things are turning to shit back home. I have no clue what he means.


    "Your fucking ex-boyfriend is over here granting interviews and spitting lies about your rtionship. He''s raising questions you''re not ready to answer. It''s almost like he has been nning this for a while or was meticulously prepped for this."


    "What?" My phone almost slips from my hands in shock. "Iman? What is he saying?"


    "It''s not so much what he is saying as it is the questions he''s raising in people''s minds with what he isn''t saying. The jerk is over here steering people to believe that you''re not the angel they paint you to be and that you hold a grudge against the family you married into. He''s got the receipts to prove it, something about your magazine collection where you defaced the pictures of the Rollins'' family. It''s really looking bad. You need to return asap and clear your name before you''re ruined."


    When I turn to face Ashely, he is gone.

 Chapter 17

    <h4>Chapter 17: Chapter 17</h4>


    ASHAL


    In the pretty slice of a bright Tuesday afternoon in Danvarr, I watch a red Ferrari 488 GTB zip across the open car track, a few paces ahead of. a grey Lamborghini Huracan. Ashton and I are seated on the tenth row, watching our brothers settle their grievances behind the wheels of supercars. It''s all Ashton''s idea as he posits that the adrenaline rush of racing each other on a racetrack with NO speed limits should be more effective than bitching and throwing punches at each other.


    Before this, we watched our brothers yell at each other for six minutes. Asher was pissed that Ashley derailed from the n by helping Anna at Demi''s behest. Ashley med him for his stupid idea of questioning Demi in her bedroom which scared the shit out of her and forced her to seek revenge by uploading the video which Asher filmed and sent to Demi. Ashton had originally intervened to keep our brothers from throwing punches until he heard Ashley had impersonated him in questioning Demi and there''s a chance Demi now thinks Ashton is capable of rape.


    It took a lot of willpower to for Ashton to not draw the first blood. Thankfully, he showed admirable restraint and took the fight to the racetrack.


    The rule is simple; whoever loses the race bying inst after threeps gets to apologize to the winner and never bring up the matter ever again.


    With a cloud of dust and dirt in their wake, both cars thunder for the finish line.


    "My bet is on Asher." I quip, eyeing the Lamborghini. "He has always been the mostpetitive. He''ll never let us live it down if he wins."


    Ashton gives a half-smile. "True, but never underestimate a man desperate to prove himself. This win will just be another bragging right for Asher but for Ashley, it might revalidate his self-esteem."


    Ashton smirks as the Porsche tears through the finish line with a hairsbreadth.


    "Ooh, Asher''s going to be livid." I chant.


    "Yup."


    While we head to the outfields, I register the dissatisfied look on Asher''s face as he ms his car door hard. Ashley allows a ghost of a smile to tint his face as he walks up to us.


    "Great job." Ashton congrattes him, shaking his hand in a firm grip. I give Ashley a fist bump before we all turn to the sore loser who is now ming his race car for his loss.


    "You owe me an apology."


    Asher grits his teeth at Ashley. Ego battles with integrity and ego wins. "I don''t mind apologizing and I will but we can''t gloss over the fact that you fucked up in Brellis." Both of them regurgitate the bone of contention and defensively apportion mes. Ashton walks around them to go check on the condition of the cars, leaving me to deal with it all.


    I let out a frustrated breath. I have been actively trying to avoidbustible situations like this between us brothers. That way, I can keep my demon in check and maybe father won''t regard me as a ticking bomb. Hard as I try, I can''t stand the heated looks they continue to give each other as their voices go up a notch. Sighing, I dump the can of beer in my hand and range myself between them.


    "That''s enough."


    I don''t have to shout. I only have to act like I want to get involved and they''ll break it up. Memories of ourst, shameful fight lives rent free in all our heads, especially Asher''s. Something about being reminded of that day snaps him out of his petnce into the no-nonsense demeanor of the quad leader we''ve alle to know and love.


    Asher peels his hand gloves off and exhales. "Look, all I am saying is that Demi can''t keep staying in this house. She''s got to go, Ashley. I don''t care what she told you. That woman is bad news. Have you listened to her ex-boyfriend''s fucking interview? She''s got something against us. Before she came into this family, we never fought with each other. We adhered to the quad codes. We worked like a single unit. Now, she''s trying to tear us all apart by getting in our heads."


    Ashley heaves a deep breath. "I never said she has to stay. I''m still on board with getting her out of the family but only as Ashal earlier suggested. No rape threats or scares." His breathes out in hitching gasps as a painful memory flit in his eyes. Closing a hand over his mouth, he leans on the trunk of the Porsche. "I''m such a hypocrite. I should have known better than to do that. She was...I couldn''t keep ming her for leaking the video in order to protect herself. I DROVE HER TO THE EDGE, Asher. I couldn''t deny my own guilt in the way things yed out so I helped Anna. End of story."


    "What''s done is done." Asher agrees. "It''s pointless pointing fingers. We have Iman to focus on now. If we don''t pull the right threads with this guy, then Demi will find a way to wriggle out of this mess too and reinstate herself as Danvarr''s innocent sweetheart. With every triumph she cops, it will only embolden her and make it more difficult to get rid of her. Clock''s ticking." His eyes dart around, then settle on me with a firm look. "Ashal? You know what to do, don''t you?"


    I grind my teeth and force a smile. Ever since I watched the camera feed, I haven''t been able to look at Asher''s face without feeling the unpleasant sting of betrayal. I can''t get over that stump no matter how much I try.


    "I do."


    With a nod, Asher excuses himself. Ashley muffles an apology to Ashton before striding off as well. I watch them leave, a reasonable distance between their shoulders. Then Asher edges close and hooks an arm around Ashley''s shoulders. The image warms my heart. When I turn, Ashton''s eyes are studying me.


    "You''re not leaving yet? I ask him, squaring my shoulders. Ashton''s been paying a little more attention to me ever since I attempted to drown myself. While it might be sweet of him as a brother to care so deeply for me, I can''t help but find it suffocating. I literally grew up under watchful eyes. Everyone in the family has always looked at me extra-long or extra hard no matter how much I kept my distance or tried to be invisible. Right now, I don''t want to hold anyone''s attention, especially not while being myself as Ashal Rollins.


    "Nope. I want to do a fewps with this baby first." He gives the Porsche a small kick.


    "Oh. See youter then" I say, swiveling.


    "Hey Ash?" It''s the way he calls my name. I halt in my tracks as he steps up to me. Please don''t be weird, I mutter silent prayers in my heart. Don''t ask if I have breathing problems or post traumatic stress disorder. Don''t give me a lecture on how to beat my condition. If I have to stand one more talk therapy session, I''ll pull my hair off.


    "How''s Olivia?"


    I blink twice, surprised at his interest. "Olivia? She''s fine. W-We''re fine." And because he continues to stare at me under the peaks of his quirked brows, I follow through with more lies. "She''s calmer now. Less tantrums I''m told. I n on seeing herter today."


    "Well, that''s good." Ashton appears to have more questions on his tongue. "Um, does she ever go out by herself to say, catch up with friends?"


    "Friends?"


    "It''s okay, Ash. No one''s going to hear it from my lips."


    So, I take it he knows I have rxed some of father''s rules regarding Olivia''s situation. It''s been almost a year and she has been suffocating in the four walls of the house. I did what I thought was right, what I thought would make her cherish me.


    "I doubled the bodyguards. She only has one friend and they go out for dinner once a week to a private restaurant."


    Ashton sighs. "You should keep a close eye on her so she doesn''t break her NDA by telling anyone the truth about her situation." His hand squeezes my shoulder. "I''ve heard some disturbing things." I concur with a nod before marching away. What has he heard? Has Olivia been talking to Eliana about her condition of living? I ponder over the possibility of her fooling the guards or losing them during her dinner dates with Eliana as I make my way home. The anger slowly starts to bubble but I take deep breaths to calm myself.


    Blind rage is useless. I need a new trump card if I must deal with my personal problems efficiently.


    At the mansion, I find mother in the living room the moment I step out of the elevator.


    "You wanted to see me?"


    She draws me in for a quick hug and lingers. Then she eases back to trail her hands along the angles of my face. She looks weary. "She''s in her room. She''s expecting you." I clench my jaw. "I know you don''t like to get too close but I am sure everything will be fine. Think of it as damage control. She''s family now and whatever her ex does to ruin her image will hurt us if we don''t nip it in the bud quickly. Your father won''t be pleased." She sighs. "She refuses to be around any of your brothers right now. I don''t know why but she was on the brink of tears when she begged me to ask your help."


    I can think of a few reasons why Asher, Ashley and Ashton being around her right now will give her the creeps. However, I wish I didn''t have to do this. Ever since she joined our family, I have actively tried to keep my distance from Demi. The reason runs beyond hiding my condition.


    "I''ll see what I can do."


    Mom kisses my cheek. "Thank you, son."


    Demi doesn''t turn when I knock and let myself into her room. Her eyes are trained at the nk wall, ssy and empty. She sits in the dip of the bed, cradling a pillow between her thighs. Her ink ck hair tumbles over her thin shoulders. She says nothing when I call her name and merely cranes her neck to stare at me as I step into her line of vision. Her eyes drill into mine, searching. The quads were right. She''s relentless in trying to tell us apart.


    "It''s Ashal."


    She scoffs. "Is it?" My breath hitches as she pins me with a sad gaze. Her eyes are a rich brown color and very intense. She looks pitiful.


    "Do you trust mother?" She nods. "Then take her by her word and stop trying to search for my brothers in my eyes. It''s just Ashal, the aloof quad or should I say the gentleman by popr vote." A weak smile seeps into her face. "C''mon, I need to prep you for your response to the ex-boyfriend and judging by how dejected you look, my work is cut out for me."


    It''s surprisingly easier to talk to her or maybe it''s because I am seamlessly switching between Ashley''s charm with a good dose of Asher''s professionalism.


    "Shall we start?" Demi bobs her head with a smile.


    ***


    I arrive the penthouse at night with a satisfied smile on my face. Demi is a good student. Our hour-long session helped bolster her confidence as I strategically refined her version of the truth to counter Iman''s usations. Unfortunately, what she doesn''t know is that my brothers and I only saved her today so she would fall harder tomorrow. The altered truth is going to bite her in the ass pretty soon.


    I step down from the G-Wagon and make a beeline for the door. As I suspected, Olivia is preparing for her dinner date tonight. She''s draped in a dazzling blue bodycon dress. Her hair is swept up in a high bun with sleek,id edges. She gasps at the sight of me and proceeds to rake my suit.


    "You''re here? I wasn''t expecting you."


    I close the distance between us and seal her lips with mine. With her head tipped back, she leans into the kiss like a cat being stroked. Her hands twine behind my back. Just as we begin to lose ourselves, I break it off. She''s breathless. Her eyes have stars dancing in them. Her fingers y with the buttons of my shirt.


    "You wouldn''t pick my calls and now you''re getting me hot all over?" She hugs my chest. "I''ve missed you so much. Let''s go upstairs. Ashal won''t being in tonight. I want to feel you." My hand closes around her neck but instead of the usual glint of dread in her eyes, she smiles and runs her tongue over her teeth. So, she likes it aggressive but not from me?


    "Don''t call my phone, ever. From now on, I''lle to you when I want to have you. You dare call or text me, we''re done! Is that understood?"


    "Yes daddy." She''s yanking at my clothes impatiently. "Come on Asher, I''m an impatient woman, remember?"


    An hourter, Olivia lies spent on the bed. I trail my fingers over the faded scars on her bare back, over the slope of her ass cheeks. The sex had been great with the exception of Olivia screaming Asher''s name. I don''t mind it at all as long as I can be with her in this way. Her eyes had been trained on me. She might have been craving Asher but it was my cock she rode till her body jittered with mind-numbing orgasms.


    "I wish you hadn''t passed me off to your brother." Olivia sighs, turning into my chest. "This could have been us every night." I didn''t have to rifle through mental files to know what Asher would say right now.


    I trail a finger along her jawline and when it touches her lips, she opens her mouth and takes it in, sucking on it as her lustful eyes watched me. I immediately get my second wind as my cock goes hard again. "Maybe, if you didn''t mess up our chance by threatening to ruin my family." It''s a lie obviously. Asher would never marry for love and Olivia doesn''te close to the kind of woman he would settle down with for a marriage of convenience.


    "I was battered and bruised. I wasn''t thinking straight." When she props herself to a sitting position, the bounce of her perky boobs sends a shaft of pleasure through my groin. "I will do whatever you ask now. I''m prepared to be the perfect daughter-inw for your family." Then with a childish scowl, "At the very least, I won''t put the family in the news for the wrong reasons."


    When I say nothing, she proceeds with a frown. "Why her? She''s an orphan with no social ss. Why was she deemed worthy by your family and not me? There''s nothing special about her. I will be a better match."


    "Is that what''s got you so riled up?"


    "Can your parents never forgive me? I swear I''ve changed. Asher, I don''t want to be stuck with your brother forever. It kills me to be around him. He could never take your ce in my heart." Something in my face scares her so she hurriedly adds, "I know he''s a sweet soul and I''m sure there''s someone out there for him but you''re the only one I want to be with."


    Ashton''s voice echoes in my head: <i>I''ve heard some disturbing things</i>. Could Olivia really have breached her NDA?


    My hands cup her chin and yank it closer to my face. "Passing you off to Ashal was the only way to ensure we can be a family and still have moments like this. You either take it or leave it." The challenge hangs in the air, in our synced breaths before she smashes her lips into mine. A low growl erupts from my throat as our fingers frantically trace each other''s skin. I pry her mouth open further with my tongue, trail small kisses over her throat and breasts that leave a riot of pulses. My finger slide into her wet, sticky pussy and she moans in ecstasy. When our lips find each other again, I kiss her roughly, biting down on her lower lip.


    "That''s new." She manages between gasps.


    I smile down at her. "It isn''t."

 Chapter 18

    <h4>Chapter 18: Chapter 18</h4>


    DEMI


    [My ce, 8pm sharp.]


    I scowl at the message on my phone. When motheres down the stairs, I slip the phone into the back pocket of my jeans and beam up at her. She looks radiant as always in a fuchsia pink dress that hangs just below her knees, exposing her beautiful long legs.


    "Is that what you''re wearing? Demi, why don''t you try the clothes Ashley painstakingly handpicked for you?" A small frown creases my forehead as I recall theplete overhaul of my wardrobe.


    "Most of them are either too sexy or too elegant. I can never find something that feels just right like a in shirt and pants. Can we just go? I promise I''ll wear something ssy on our next lunch date." Reluctantly, she nods.


    We meet up with the quads and Mr. Rollins for lunch at a five star restaurant. Mr. Rollins makes a scathing remark about my outfit.


    "How could you let here here dressed like that?" He asks, turning to his wife. "You know this lunch is a PR stunt to show our family as a unified front irrespective of the negative media attention we''ve garnered over the past few weeks. How are the photos supposed to turn out with her looking even more shabby than waiters in a two-star diner."


    "Calm down Brett. I am sure it won''t be so bad. Everyone in Danvarr knows Demies from a humble background. If we hastily try to change her to our own image of the perfect daughter-inw, that might backfire. I think people will appreciate the fact that Demi feels veryfortable being herself around us. Nothing will look forced upon her."


    "I think mom''s right."


    I nce up and note from the hand signal he gives me that it''s Ashal talking. Thest time we spoke at length, he had told me to expect a very unique but subtle hand signal to tell him apart. It''s our little secret, he said.


    "Judging from thements from her response to Iman''s usations, a lot of people insinuated that based on her outfit, Demi seemed ufortable and pressured to live up to our standards. I think it will be a breath of fresh air if they see her in her usual clothes every once in a while."


    Father grunts. "You all had better be right about this. I shelved some very important meetings to make it to this lunch. I will hate for all our efforts to go to waste."


    The paparazzi start taking photos of us once our meals arrive. We are discreetly instructed to smile a lot to portray a happy, thriving family. Ashely and I sit next to each other and every three minutes, he is supposed to feed me and vice versa. The early shots of our public disys of affection are horrible and seem forced, like it actually is. We''re both still struggling to be our usual selves after the shocking truth in Brellis. After a couple of shots and some believable photoster, we are instructed to kiss each other.


    My heart plummets. "What? Nobody said anything about kissing." A cold sweat breaks atop my forehead. I don''t like the sound of this.


    "What''s so unbelievable about you and your newly wedded husband being unable to keep your hands off each other in a public restaurant?" Mr. Rollins mutters in anger. Mother tacitly implores me to cooperate. I stare across the room. There are only a handful of customers at the well-spaced tables but they steal nces at us every now and then.


    "Do you realize we are doing this to salvage our reputation that your sorry past tainted? You have the audacity to sit there and act like a prude who''s finding it difficult to kiss a handsome face like that? Are you kidding me?"


    "Father, please." Ashley pleads.


    "Calm down, Brett." Mother adds.


    "She''s not so innocent. Have you seen her ex? What self-respecting woman would date a druggie like that?"


    "Enough now, Brett. You''re not helping."


    "I don''t have time for this. Hurry up, Demi so we can be done here."


    "Demi, you''re wasting everybody''s time. Get on with it so we can all go back to our busy schedules." Asher sends me a heated re. My heart is thumping wildly. Asher exchanges nces with the rest of his brothers. I can imagine the suspicions building in his head due to my reluctance. Grim images of the past few, harrowing days flit across my memory. Asher has left no stone unturned in his efforts to expose me. I can''t let him convince everyone before my nse to fruition.


    Ashley takes my hand and muffles an apology for not telling me about the kissing part. "I deeply apologize. It''ll just be a second or two. A quick kiss on the mouth and then a few pecks on the cheek. That''s all..." His eyes dte as I mp his lips shut with mine in a sensual kiss. It takes him a few seconds to recover from the shock and return the gesture. All around our table, I hear the clearing of throats. I break off the kiss and smile lovingly at Ashely.


    I hope they got the pictures they need because I don''t think I want to do that again. Ashely''s cheeks are just as flushed as mine. I dip my eyes and shove food into my mouth to hide the embarrassed hue on my face.


    "Again, virgins don''t kiss like that." I don''t have to look up to know it''s Ashton.


    We finish our lunch and everyone starts dispersing to their ces of work.


    "I''ll just stop by my aunt''s house. She wants to see me." I inform mother.


    "I''ll drop you." Ashely offers and when I shift ufortably, he exins, "It''s along the way to one of our stores where I have a consulting meeting anyway. I just thought we could ride together."


    "That sounds fine. Demi, let him drop you off." Mother''s tone brooks no question.


    The ride to my aunt''s ce is the most awkward I have ever had with Ashley. This is what I feared. I really don''t want us to get weird around each other anymore than we already are, especially since we would be seeing a lot of each other for months toe. Ashley apologizes again for the inconvenience I had to go through. I look out the window, at the zipping houses and trees. I can''t let him fill his head with the wrong ideas. Though my heart did flutter when we kissed, we can never be more than this. I won''t let any hormonal reaction sway me from my mission.


    The Rollins family have been getting away with so many wrongs. Someone has to make them face the consequences. I stifle the urge to nce at Ashley. He might not be the monster I once thought he was and he might actually have likeable traits but he has beenplicit in a lot of appalling actions perpetrated by his family. For that reason, he isn''t entirely innocent. At the end of this, revenge might not feel as good as I envisioned earlier but at least, it would feel relieving to have avenged the death of my folks.


    "How''s Nic?" I chime, abruptly cutting off his apologies on behalf of his father.


    "What?"


    "Nic, your ex-fianc¨¦. How''s she doing these days?" His surprise fades to annoyance when he sees the smile on my face. Nothing about my evasive technique is humorous. I merely want him to understand that I am not going to be losing sleep over our kiss.


    "Really?"


    "The kiss." I continue, "It meant nothing."


    "You think I don''t know that?" His voice rises an octave as his tone turns brash. I stare at him in surprise. "I deemed it necessary to apologize to you on behalf of my entire family because no one else had the decency to do so. I am just trying to be a gentleman, not warm my way into your bed."


    The car screeches to a halt in front of my aunt''s. "Contrary to what you might think, Demi Branson, I don''tck self-control or women with enough sexual experience to give me a great time. Get out of your own head for one second and maybe you''ll recognize the thin line between a man just trying to be kind and one trying to get into your pants."


    The passenger door locks disengage, startling me. Ashley inclines his head, expecting me to use the door. When I grab it, I realize someone is standing right outside my aunt''s porch. Liam. Ashley follows my eyes and frowns conspicuously at the sight of Liam. He grabs my arm before I can leave.


    "Remember, people are always watching you. Be careful."


    I get his message loud and clear. <i>Don''t get photographed smooching another man and smear my family''s image with dirt</i>.


    I m the door shut and head over to greet Liam. Ashley lingers a few seconds before igniting his engine and taking off.


    "Trouble in paradise?" Liam asks.


    I shake my head. "What are you doing here?"


    "What? Aren''t you allowed to keep old friends anymore? Ah, I see. Did I make your husband feel insecure?"


    "You wish."


    Heughs, his eyes never leaving mine.


    "Ok Liam, why are you really here? You could have called me."


    "Somehow, you''ve be a difficult woman to reach, Demi Branson. Phone calls won''t do it anymore. Hence, I''ve decided to be a regr face around you. I''ll make social calls every now and then. Maybe that will spur you to take our ''thing'' more seriously."


    Aunt and Kira aren''t home from the looks of it. I toss my head back. "You really think I''ll let myself be sidetracked by the quads? Every time I look at them, I am reminded how my life took a deep plunge into hell five years ago because their father, as usual, swept their wrongs under the carpet and buried the truth behind the death of my parents. You think you want to see them go down more than I do?"


    "I don''t know what you see when you look at those blue-eyed hunks and I really can''t me you. You''re a woman after all, with a beating heart and needs. I saw the pictures of your cozy family lunch," His smile disappears. "Your kiss. You can stand here all you want and tell me it meant nothing and I will tell you for free that you''re fibbing. You still have months to go before your contract expires. You''ll probably have to kiss Ashley a couple more times before then, and do whatever else that family requires of you just to buy more time. Do you still think you won''t be biased after all of that?"


    "What would you have me do? They already suspect me. Asher is very close to uncovering my schemes."


    "That''s why you need me in the picture. They need to know you''re not alone. I know your marriage is a mere contract. Ashley''s still having fun with his numerous girlfriends. You need to make those quads realize that I am with you. Tell them I am your significant other whom you''ll be marrying properly after the contract expires for all I care. That will hopefully make them keep their hands to themselves, especially behind closed doors."


    I am notfortable with this n but I don''t have a better alternative yet. "I''ll think about it."


    "No, we don''t have that kind of time. We''re doing this." Before I can argue, he slips away. I have a few hours to gripe about it to Anna before aunt and Kira returnter in the evening.


    "Was that Anna?" Aunt gasps. "Why are you still talking to the woman who tried to steal your man?"


    I leap off my bed in disgust. "Anna didn''t try to steal anyone. She was used. Besides, none of the quads is technically mine."


    Beside aunt, Kira scoffs. "What exactly do you have against that family? Could Iman be spitting facts, huh, Demi? I really don''t understand why you''re desperate to throw away an opportunity most women will kill for."


    Aunt wags a finger at me. "I don''t know what''s going through that mind of yours but if you dare jeopardize this marriage by bringing shame to the Rollins family or doing anything to make them cut ties with us, I''ll never forgive you. You''ll have no home here."


    "Aunt!"


    "You better watch the way you behave in that house. Don''t ever give them a reason toin. Be their perfect daughter-inw. Do what they want you to do and say what they want you to say at all times. If you do anything to crumble our new lifestyle and status, I''ll kill you with my bear hands."


    Her eyes ze fiercely as she issues more threats. Kira doesn''t help matters. She reads out scathingments made by people after our family lunch photos were posted andughs derisively.


    "How could you dress so poorly to that kind of fancy restaurant?" Aunt barks. "Why are you such an embarrassment?" She shakes her head. "You won''t dare it ever again. You''ll dress appropriately henceforth. Mrs. Rollins mentioned that she had Ashley oversea your wardrobe facelift. You''ll go home and make sure you make it up to that family. Seduce your husband if you must. Promise me."


    Exhausted with their drama, I pick my bag and head for the door.


    "If you''re really not interested in them, get a divorce! Why are you ying hard to get? Everyone knows the quads are out of your league. Stop prancing about like you are the catch or the prize in the rtionship." Kira shouts.


    Wordlessly, I leave. I think of calling a chauffeur from the mansion and change my mind. Everyone must be pissed at me over thements in the post. Maybe my aunt is right. I have to find a way to pacify them, even if it''s for an entirely different reason.


    I recall Ashley''s anger earlier. I have a lot of fixing to do. Ashley was the only one that sympathized with me today. I need to make things right between us. If I can get Ashely to be my friend again, maybe that will keep Liam off my back. My phone pings and I rush to check if it''s Ashley texting to check on me.


    [Are youing over? We need to talk.]


    Hissing, I ignore Iman''s message. Does he really think I will fall for his tricks again?


    I get home a littlete, way past dinner. Ashley didn''t call even once. That''s proof that he is very mad at me. The maids inform me that everyone has retired to their rooms except Mr. Rollins who is currently in his study. I take the elevator and make a belie for Ashley''s room. His door is unlocked when I try it and I let myself in.


    It''s more spacious and tastefully furnished than mine. The monochromatic theme reminds me of a bachelor pad. I stare in awe as I have never been in his room before.


    Ashely is standing by the corner of his bed, his back to me. He quietly flips through his phone. Is he trying to call me or check up on me? Before he can dial my phone and disrupt the surprise, I sneak up on him.


    "Ash?"


    He turns, shocked to find me behind him. I nk my mind to consequences as I grab his cor, pulling him down for passionate kiss. A strangled groan escapes his throat. Lust blooms, ripe and red-hot inside me as I put my tongue to work, nibbling and teasing. I should stop now, I think to myself, but the taste of him is overwhelming. When he takes the lead, the thill of it rattles my senses. Struggling against the dizzying build of sexual tension, I shove him lightly and stagger backwards.


    This kiss definitely can''t pass for nothing.


    "I''m sorry. I didn''t mean for that to carry on." We both pant for breath.


    What the hell did I just do? It was supposed to be a light makeup kiss.


    A mischievous smile tugs his lips. "For thest time, Branson, virgins don''t kiss like that."


    Just then, the bathroom door swings open and Ashleyes out in a bathing robe with water dripping from his hair.


    "Demi? What are you doing here?"

 Chapter 19

    <h4>Chapter 19: Chapter 19</h4>


    ASHTON


    I haven''t had a woman knock the breath out of me with a simple kiss in a minute. I would never in a million years have expected such a stimting kiss toe from Demi. If she was thinking about Ashely when she went for it, then she must have fallen hard for him. To be frank, I am surprised she managed to hold out this long. He''s too charming for thedies to resist.


    Demi''s cheeks go from a deep red blush to a stunned, ashy pallor as she stares from me to Ashley and then back to me. Her lips move but fail to form words. Shocked Demi is an amusing sight.


    "A-Ashley? What? I thought..."


    Ashley draws closer to us, reeking of a fragrant bath gel. "What are you doing in here?" His eyes dart from her embarrassed ones to my amused ones and a slight frown mars his facial muscles. "What happened?"


    "I...um, I came looking for you. I wanted to apologize for earlier." She pokes a finger in my direction. "I thought he was you."


    That''s it? I wonder in my head, stifling a wing need to chuckle. Damn. She''ll make a terrible storyteller. How could she leave out the heart-racing, blood pumping, lip locking part?


    "Well, that''s the boring version." I tell Ashley, licking my lips to Demi''s horror. She res at my shamelessness and looks away. Ashley sighs.


    "Ashton, could you give us a minute? Demi and I need to talk."


    "Right. Was already heading out. Thanks for the car keys, Ash."


    "Yeah, anytime. Have fun at your date." Ashley calls back to me. Before I close the door behind me, I lock eyes with Demi''s shocked and slightly miffed ones.


    My date is all the way across town. She''s the first youngdy who didn''t cancel on me after I refused to y or be called Mr. Fantasy. Most women cancel because I wouldn''t fulfil their weird fantasies.


    Ever since I turned down Hannah''s friend who happens to be Olivia, word spread amongst a small pool of spinsters in Danvarr. Hannah had the phone number I got for this purpose circted and now I get random calls and desperate texts from women prepared to do anything for me to y myself or any of my brothers.


    I kept turning them down but like they say, women just don''t listen. Few days ago, I got a message from a youngdy who calls herself M. What attracted me to her message was the way she addressed me; as Will and not Mr. Fantasy. She indicated an interest in going on a date with Will.


    At first, I thought it was just a ruse to get me to respond to her message but then she sent one more message telling me to text her whenever I felt like hanging out with a stranger with no pressure. I thought it was cute of her to be so friendly to a person she had never met, to a man like Will.


    So, tonight, Will is being introduced. I am hoping she finds me likeable. My appearance isn''t significantly altered for this. Unlike thest time, I am rocking my natural, curly ck hair, topped with some nerdy looking sses. I think it''s a good look for Will and silently hope it distracts from Ashton''s sexual appeal. This is going to be a test. If all she wants to talk about is Ashton behind the sses and not Will in front of her, I am walking away.


    I park outside the diner and scan the area. Unlike the business and Alpha districts, this area is quaint and quiet. Very few business lights are turned on and fewer people are on a night stroll. I flick on the security mode of the car to prevent theft or vandalism before strolling, with my hands in my pocket, towards the diner.


    The small diner is bathed in the yellow glow of light. Based on my view from the outside, two tired waiters are on their phones, chattering by the counter, possibly waiting for their three customers to wrap up and leave.


    My eyes skip an old man and his teenage grandson to settle on thedy in a secluded booth. She frowns at her phone and grudgingly takes a sip of her drink. I check my wrist unit. I''m barely ten minuteste. What is it about my dates and them always being on a time crunch? Or better still, what is it about me and always beingte? Right now, I don''t know if it''s an Ashton or a Will problem because both are perpetualters. I push open the door and stride in.


    The waiters instantly frown at the sight of a new customering in instead of an old one leaving. After a proper view of my face, their forced smiles be patronizing and flirty. I ignore their quick mutterings and long stares as I walk straight to my date who is already regarding me with a light of surprise. She''s up on her feet before I can get to her, a hand outstretched.


    "You definitely took your precious time, didn''t you?" She says with a soft smile on her face. "d to finally meet you."


    "Pleasure''s all mine." We take our seats. "I''m really sorry for beingte. Car troubles." I don''t know why I can''t think of a better excuse. Is Will such ame liar? Before we can get a word across, a waiter saunters to our booth and eagerly ces two menus in front of us.


    "Hi. Wee to the Masons Diner. What can I get you?" Her eyes remain trained on me. She flutters her thickshes and hovers close like my date is invisible.


    "Will?" M calls with a cid smile.


    "Yeah?" I reply, eyes fastened on M. Her looks are pleasant. I like that she chosefort over style for our date. Her sweatshirt and jeans go terribly well with my own in clothes. A big, bucket hat hugs her head, nearly concealing her eyebrows. Her blonde hair flows freely behind her back.


    She catches me appraising her and chuckles. "I was thinking you could order?"


    "Oh." My eyes drop to the menu. "Um..." The waiter makes no fuss while I struggle to make a choice that''ll be great for M and I.


    "We''ll just have two hamburgers, French fries and diet cokes." M smiles cheerily after the waiter leaves. "You don''t get out much, do you?"


    Will certainly doesn''t and Ashton doesn''t do diners. Her hapless smile is oddly satisfying, being without judgment. I find it strange how I can be so in control and overly confident as Ashton but theplete opposite with Will.


    Our food arrives a few minutes. M finds it cute that the waiter slipped her number under my dish. I ignore the note whichys it thick that I am as handsome as the Rollins quads and dig into my food.


    M is easy to talk to. I find myselfughing easily to her simple jokes. I have a few questions for her but I am afraid of ruining the mood by upsetting her. I just find it odd that she hasn''t said anything about my uncanny resemnce to the Danvarr quads. The hair color and sses aren''t much of a disguise. Like the waiter, most women would have pointed that out by now which leads me to suspect that M''s reason for holding back. It is highly unlikely that she hasn''t heard of or seen my brothers and I.


    The question still lingers in my mind as we talk a short walk under the moonlight.


    "Thank you for tonight. I had a st."


    "Me too. It was lovely." We stare at each other for another testing moment before she stands on her toes and touches her lips to mine.


    Stunned at the thought of two women kissing me suddenly in one night, I hesitate and M pulls away, embarrassed. Smiling at the coy look in her eyes, I lean down and kiss her properly. It''s going well until her hands stray into my hair. Instinctively, I jerk back. Confused, she looks up at me.


    It takes me a second to recall the fact that I am not wearing my wig or my dyed hair but just my natural ck hair. For years, I have been wary of strangers touching my hair even by ident. I can''t risk anyone finding out my little secret.


    "Are you ok?" M asks nervously. "I didn''t mean to upset you."


    "You didn''t. I''m sorry. It''s just...it''ste. I''ll call you a cab." Her face crumples at the abrupt end of our kiss and though I feel bad for the way I reacted, I can''t really exin or justify my reaction. I just hope she can overlook it. I help her hail a cab, kiss her forehead goodnight and watch the car drive off. I linger on the road for a while with my hands jammed in my pockets.


    Regret swells inside me for not asking her about her thoughts on the Danvarr quads in hopes of steering the conversation towards my looks. I wanted to ask her but the fear of her response ruining our perfect evening held me back.


    I take the short walk towards my car. It''s been a long time since I felt genuinely content in my own skin. Being Ashton, the blonde is more pressure than most people think, from father''s demands of perfection to sustain thepany and family''s image to keeping up with quad rules. Hence, it feels liberating to just walk on the street, under the moonlight while the night breeze whooshes in my ears, with the added allure of nobody giving a fuck about me.


    "Ashton?"


    My fingers freeze on the car door. Slowly, I turn arounding face to face with a brte whose short hair is pping messily in the wind but that''s not the weird part.


    The weird part is that she''s dressed exactly as my date who just left in a cab less than five minutes ago. But then there''s the crazy part. Did she just call me Ashton??? M edges close to me coyly with both hands tucked behind her back.


    "I''m not a creep, I swear."


    "Not a step closer or you''ll regret it." I warn her with a death stare. "What''s behind you? Let me see your fucking hands, now!"


    With a frustrated sigh, she reveals her hands and the blonde wig and bucket hat clutched in them. I gasp silently.


    "I know what this looks like but please, let me exin." She tries to take a step closer and halts in her tracks at the burning look I give her. I don''t know what the fuck is going on. Who the fuck is she and how the hell can she tell exactly which quad I am. Rather than demand answers, I slide into my car and shut the door. My heart is thumping wildly. My night just went from chill to crazy in under five minutes.


    "Ashton, wait..." M taps on the window. "It''s not what you think. I can exin everything. Just give me two minutes of your time."


    I don''t want to hear it. I don''t know who this woman is or what she wants from me. My mind is spinning as I back off from the curb and swing the car onto the road. In the side mirror, I watch M standing and calling out to me as I drive off into the night.


    Is this a dream? This can''t be anything else. My second line buzzes with texts from M. At the sight of her name, I chuck the phone to the back of the car, cussing. I can''t believe she yed me or whatever it is that was. I might eventually need to find her and wheedle the truth from her but not right now.


    I am fucking furious. M is a big fucking red g. There are scaryyers to her that I am not ready to face. The wig is one thing but knowing my real identity with pinpoint uracy and contacting me through a very private channel is a whole different level of stalking. I have a million questions but I need time to recover from the shock.


    When I get home, Ashley''s car is dusty with a shallow dent due to my rough driving and bumping it into amp post. I pause to take a few calming breaths. My head is banging with a migraine.


    Just before I step out of the car, I notice my dark curls in the rearview mirror. I grab my blond wig from the pigeonhole and put it on. Then I dig around for my discarded phone at the back seat and slip it into my back pocket before going into the house.


    Disoriented, I use the elevator to get to my room. I just want to put this night behind me, to ept that Will is never going to happen and move on with life.


    When the elevator doors open, Demi is standing right outside it. She''s in her pajamas with her phone in hand, possibly on a call. Her eyes go wide with surprise on seeing me and I can only imagine how disheveled I must look. She hangs up her phone and locks eyes with mine.


    The memory of our kiss hits me like a storm. Absently, my eyes dip to her soft, pink lips. Blinking, I step out of the elevator but before I can walk away, she grabs my arm.


    "Ashton? A moment?"


    I press my eyes shut as her soft voice reminds me of M. Though I am mad enough to burst a punching bag open with a few blows in the gym-which I n to do-I turn to hear her out.


    The reason I am indulging her is simple; Demi can recognize me because of my outfit. It''s the same in clothes I had one before leaving for my date. M on the other hand can''t possibly know anything about me as we only just met for the first time tonight. No matter how hard I think about it, I can''t understand how she knows what she knows about me.


    My fiery eyes hone in on Demi''s surprised ones. "What? You kissed me by ident. I get it. We are two fucking adults. We don''t need to have the ''awkward talk''," I say with air quotes. "Don''t sweat it. Besides, you''re not really my sister-inw so there''s no need to nurse some misced sense of guilt over the incident. Ashley knows better than to take any of it personally. Now please be on your way. I don''t have time for this bullshit." I pivot on my heels and start towards the hallway.


    It''s a little past 2am. Yet, I head over to the gym and sweat it out. It''s frustrating that I can''t tell my brothers about M. Doing so will require me telling them about Mr. Fantasy, Will and my struggle with self-discovery. The double rejection of Will scrapes at my pride as it is so I am not ready to open that can of worms yet. Plus, my brothers don''t take secrets kept from them well. We all have one but the person who gets the heat is the one who fails to keep his hidden forever.


    I go to bed, struggling to forget my date and M in general. I can''t seem to put it out of my mind. After a lot of tossing and turning on my bed, I stop resisting the temptation and tune my mind to the one part of my evening that didn''t suck; my kiss with Demi Branson.


    ***


    "Are you ok, sir?"


    I look up from myputer to nce at my personal assistant across the room. "Why wouldn''t I be, Gris?" He adjusts his nerdy spectacles and sidles towards me.


    "You came in earlier than everyone today, sir."


    That stumps me. I lean back in my chair with a hand on my chin. "Isn''t that what you''ve been begging me to do for thest two years? How did you put it?" I pause to recall his exact words and using my best imitation of his high-pitched voice, I continue, "<i>Your punctuality will boost the morale of the employees and make them look up to you as a boss who leads</i><i>by example</i>."


    Gris smiles. "I am d you finally took my advice, sir."


    "Don''t get used to it. I am just here early because I have a few things to sort out." One of them being the mystery woman whom I had a date withst night. I need time to process everything and as fast as possible.


    "Plus, you mentioned delegates from Spellman group areing in to ce an order for a mass purchase of Mercedes to gift their senior staff members. I wanted to be early for that meeting. I can''t have our rival thinking a nepo baby like me doesn''t put in the work, even if that might be true."


    "Very well sir."


    I ignore Gris'' lopsided grin.


    "What else is on my schedule for today?"


    Gris adjusts his frames and clears his dry throat. "The meeting is ted for 10am-12pm. After your lunch break, you have a consulting call by 1pm. Then, a supervisory visit with the..." Gris trails off when my secretary, Rachel rushes in to apologize ahead of my impromptu guest. My face hardens at the sight of the one person I wasn''t expecting to show up at my office.


    "You again." I growl.

 Chapter 20

    <h4>Chapter 20: Chapter 20</h4>


    DEMI


    I know I should forget it. Heck, I should have forgotten all about it by now, the way I struggle to remember what Ashley''s lips felt like when we kissed but every time I look at the man in front of me, the evergreen memory of that thirty seconds long kiss alles flooding back. I watch him rise, a conspicuous scowl on his face as he walks up to me.


    "Thank you, Rachel. You can go back to your desk." I hear the clomp of the smallish secretary''s shoes as she skitters away. My eyes remain trained on Ashton. Would I have struggled to forget the kiss if Ashley had been in his ce? I continue to wonder as his bluish orbs of eyes peer into my soul. What exactly is this pull? The more I ruminate over the kiss, the more I realize that the act itself isn''t the reason I get flustered around Ashton; it''s the man himself.


    "Gris, if you would excuse us."


    The bespectacled man bows and quietly leaves. Ashton and I hold each other''s gaze for a moment longer. His face is impossible to read.


    "I have a very important meeting to attend this morning and I should be preparing for it. This better be good, Branson."


    Though his eyes are t and his voice cold, it fails to register the silent threat. I don''t know if this is a good or bad thing. Thus, I tear my eyes away from his daunting ones to survey his office. It''s a cozy space with minimalistic designs. There''s barely any clutter at all. Every art, furniture and even potted nt seem to be needed toplete the look. I imagine that even trying to move a paper clip will be risky as it will instantly be noticed, terribly missed and frantically searched for.


    My eyes return to Ashton''s face. His facial muscles are a little bit rxed now and he doesn''t look like he wants to rip my head off for ruining his day a little shy of eight am.


    "Yes, this is still about the kiss." I blurt out his suspicion. Before he can finish rolling his eyes, I continue. "I''m not losing sleep over it but apparently Ashley is." Ashton''s eyes soften with concern.


    "What makes you say that?"


    He''s been avoiding me. He didn''t speak to me this morning and hasn''t returned any of my calls. I need you to help me talk to him."


    I hate that I have to beg like this. I need Ashely back on my side so Liam doesn''t foil my ns by making a grand entrance. Liam is very impatient and erratic. He''s being sending me a countdown to his self-introduction to the quadruplets. I am not ready to have one more man hovering around me.


    Ashton scoffs and returns to his seat. He reclines in the chair with a hand on his chin. My breath catches once more. He looks very different under this light. Instantly, I realize I might as well be staring at Asher given the sophisticated and ambitious bent, Ashley given the sultry smile on Ashton''s face, Ashal with the eyes that seem clear yet full of secrets. The all-ck outfit in this moment is the only thing that screams Ashton, until he opens his mouth again.


    "What do you care? You don''t give a fuck about any of us. It''s no secret, Branson how much you keep your distance from us, even Ashley who chose to be with you and treats you like a decent human being. The only time you let us breathe close to you is when you don''t have a choice, case in point being your kiss with Ashley." His leans forward and steeples his fingers like his father normally does. "And ours was purely a mistake. Even if Ashely had been in my ce, I a certain you only allowed yourself to go that far for personal gain. To that end, I am d that my brother wasn''t there but me."


    I squeeze my eyes shut and strap down on the temper building inside me. "I don''t care what the rest of you think of me but I do care about Ashley. Like you said, he is kind, respectful and caring. Yes, I admit that at first, I was wary of him because of his reputation but after spending time with him, I came to realize what a gem of a man he is." Ashton winces at my choice of words but I carry on. "I hate that I hurt him. I want to make peace with him. The rest of you can keep witch-hunting me for all I care."


    "You must really think he has fallen for you." His short derisiveugh afterwards stings my pride. "You''re wrong. Ashely has always been a gentleman or at least he tries more than the rest of us. He''s not interested in finding love so reduce your expectations. I''ll tell you what I know. My brother isn''t avoiding you; he''s just back to being his regr, old self after his patience with you ran out."


    He rises. "He''s got ns with Nic today. My advice to you will be to stick to the contract, be done with it and leave us alone." I hate how he says that with a straight face. My eyes sweep his office again as I consider if it''s worth bugging his office by nting the listening devices in my bag. Nah. I can tell Ashton barely spends time in here. He wouldn''t even host his brothers here so I can''t get any incriminating admissions from their conversations. I have to find their hangout spot. If not the offices, then at the mansion. I have to find a way to bug their rooms too.


    "I knew it would be of no use talking to you. You''re not as reasonable as you look." When I swivel to leave, he rounds up on me, a dark, feral look in his eyes. My breath catches and absently, I find my eyes trailing to his lips.


    "You watch your little mouth, Branson." I stagger backwards until I am pressed against his desk. His eyes hone in on my quivering lips. My heart is racing wildly. Delicious little fires erupt inside me as his breath fans my face. His arms are mped on both sides of the desk, trapping me with the heat of his body. We lock eyes and I fear I will get lost in his if I don''t leave now.


    I lean forward and whisper in his left ear. "It''s Mrs. Ashley Rollins to you." His shoulder droops and immediately, I give it a light shove and walk out.


    My heart is still thumping wildly when Anna ces a te of pasta and some wine in front of me. She''s currently working full time at one of Ashley''s friend''s new restaurant and the pay, as she had excitedly told me, is very good.


    "Are you okay? You''re red in the face."


    I blink my eyes, flushing the dirty thoughts of what could have happened between me and Ashton if I hadn''t left the second I did, down the recesses of my mind.


    "I''m fine." Anna frowns when I empty my ss of water in seconds.


    "Tell me quickly." She demands. "I can spare a few minutes."


    "No!" I can''t have her getting reprimanded so early at her new job. "I just had a little tiff with Mr. S. I''ll call youter and tell you all about it." I stare down disinterestedly at my food. I can''t stomach it. I need to see mother, urgently. After paying for the untouched food and tipping Anna, I hurry into the car and have the driver take me home.


    I can''t keep this up. One way or another, I have to figure out the particr Rollin quad that I married that night. It was all spelt out in myte mother''s diary which I stumbled upon while cleaning aunt Elizabeth''s room. I have to find that one brother who is fond of drinking whiskey more than any other brew of alcohol. Mum said some disturbing things about him in herst entry which leads me to suspect he knows more about that night five years ago.


    It was with great effort that I convinced Anna to keep a close eye on the brothers whenever they visited the Blue Cove. She noted their drinks and tried to note the brother who consistently stuck with whiskey. For a long time, their orders varied but that night, Anna had called me because this lone brother has ordered only whiskey and nothing else. He had been semi-drunk when I stumbled into the room, pretending to be tipsy myself.


    I was prepared for a one-night stand which is a staple for the quads. My original n was to fake a pregnancy, create enough buzz with Billion-Err to get the Rollins family to ept me into their home. However, the Ash Rollins I had met in that club was broken and in pain. He wasn''t just drinking to alleviate his sorrow. It almost felt like he wanted to end it all. We had our moment and he started talking about doing something crazy. When he dragged me to the church, I was perplexed but couldn''t break character especially since he literally made thing easier for me.


    What I didn''t count on was the brothers protecting each other and denying me in the end despite hard proofs. Hence, the mess I find myself in right now. My head aches. I don''t know why it stings that Ashley has ns with Nic or why I can''t get Ashton out of my head. I am human after all. However, in spite of the confusing thoughts, I have no ns to hit the break on my mission.


    "Mother?"


    Mrs. Rollins looks up from her call and waves me into her bedroom. I ignore the sumptuous looking room and stand in front of me. Tears shimmer in my eyes. I need her to take this seriously and help me out. Thankfully, she apologizes to her caller and hangs up.


    "Demi dear, is everything okay?"


    I let the tears fall freely now and copse at her feet. "Nothing is okay, mother. Everything is wrong." Iy my head on her thigh and cry.


    "What do you mean? What happened?"


    "I can''t do it. I know I promised you I''d help with your sons but I can''t with all the odds stacked up against me." She wipes the tears running down my face as I carry on. "Your sons, they''re making me go crazy. I know the circumstances under which I got married and lord knows I have tried to be a good daughter-inw the best way I can. I wake up every day only thinking of how I can prove myself to this family or contribute to its glowing reputation. I don''t expect much in return, except the basic human respect."


    "Who disrespected you?" Mother hurriedly asks.


    I sob some more. "I''m aughing stock in Danvarr. Everyone knows I can''t even tell which of the quads I am married to. I don''t know who I married that night either. They all keep switching on me still. Mother, Ashley and I have recently been growing as friends. I don''t know if it''ll lead to more but after our kiss at the restaurant, we had a little fight. I felt really bad and wanted to make it up to him so I went into his room for the first time. I-I wanted us to kiss and make up."


    "And?"


    "I thought for sure I wouldn''t mistake him for anyone else. I was wrong," Mother takes a deep breath and smoothens my hair.


    "You kissed his brother. Which one?"


    "Ashton." Mortified, I bury my face in my hands. "Maybe everyone is right; Billion-Err, my ex, the quads. I am a slut."


    "No dear, don''t say that."


    "But it''s true. I don''t know how many times I have mistaken Ashton, Asher or Ashal for Ashley. Asher came into my room the other day and tried to...touch me." Mother''s eyes boggle with dread. "I was so scared he was going to rape me and he did confirm that he could if he wanted to and nobody would know he wasn''t Ashley. This is exactly what I feared would happen if I can''t tell the quads apart. It''s the reason I put in that use, because I don''t want to be shared by all four brothers like a toy."


    Mother pats my head and consoles me. "They are even worse than I feared. How could they disrespect you like that?"


    "The man I met that night at the Blue Cove," I begin, earning a surprised nce from mother. "I remember everything now. I have never connected to anyone the way I did with him. He was different without his brothers around. He was kind. He didn''t look to take advantage of a drunk woman even though he could easily have gotten away with it." Sniffling, I rise to my feet. "That''s why I insisted on being with THAT Ash Rollins because I...I hoped there was more to our story and we could be happy together."


    "Mother" I continue plopping on the chair next to her. "You had told me you suspected who my initial husband was. Please tell me his name."


    "Demi, you''re married to Ashley now."


    "It''s only a contract marriage which will end in a year and Ashley has made it abundantly clear that he wants Nic." I dig my fingers in my hair and tug. "They''re always having lunch dates in his office while I am here, walking around on egg shells and wondering when I would stop being the victim of a media witch-hunt due to the horrible usations my ex made."


    "I''ll talk to Ashely."


    "No. I don''t want his pity or his loyalty born out ofpulsion. I just want to know the man I met at the Blue Cove. I need closure mother. Answers. If he doesn''t want me, I''ll let it be. Please, just tell me who you think it is."


    Mother sighs deeply. "And if it''s Ashley?" She asks.


    I shake my head. "I don''t think it is. Asher clearly exined that Ashley is thest brother that willmit to a woman for the long term and I have reasons to believe that. I don''t believe it was Ashley." The memory floods back again. "Like I said, he wasn''t looking to take advantage of me. He wouldn''t even touch my hair until I let him. I kissed him first and that was when he feltfortable kissing me back. He bit my lower lip once he got excited. I think it was an ident as he apologized profusely."


    Mother is watching me. Her face contorts with every detail I give. "Demi, I don''t know anything about how my sons kiss women..."


    "He drank a lot whiskey. He was very particr and wouldn''t let them serve him anything else." Something shifts in mother''s eyes. Her brain wheels are turning now with recognition so I follow through with thest unique detail I can recall. "Onest thing, he was weirdly sensitive and jerked back from our kiss when I tried to fist my hands in his hair."

 Chapter 21

    <h4>Chapter 21: Chapter 21</h4>


    ASHAL


    "What did you tell her?" I ask mom impatiently.


    "What do you think?" I hear her sigh tiredly over the phone. "I can''t believe what you and your brothers have been up to. You all brought this on yourselves and while I am trying to fix it, you''re only making things worse and harder. How could you all keep switching ces on her?"


    I remain silent because my brothers and I have no defense to that. We had literally promised mom to behave and treat Demi with respect. I like to think we did until Asher supplied logical reasons why Demi can''t be trusted. However, I don''t share any of this with mom. My heart skips as I realize how close Demi is to finding out the truth. Why is she so desperate to know? What does it all mean to her?


    "She can''t find out mom. She can''t. I am not prepared to relive that night."


    "Then talk to your brothers. You all should stop provoking her to seek these answers. If Ashley can pretend to be a half-decent fake husband and not unt Nic in Demi''s face, maybe she could learn to be satisfied with him. If Asher and Ashton stop spooking her so much, she''ll be morefortable in this house. It''s just a matter of a few months." She lets out a frustrated breath. "I don''t want to get your father involved but if you all don''t behave, I might have to. Talk to them."


    The line cuts. I run a hand through my hair and grit my teeth. Asher and Ashton are hopeless. They won''t back down from being their intimidating selves. Ashley has held on longer than he usually does. He won''t keep thedies at bay any longer. I just have to find a way to distract Demi myself. I could be the friend she needs and feed her with whatever information I can to dissuade her future attempts at uncovering the truth.


    The truth isn''t so simple. That night took a toll on me and on my family. It was one of the craziest decisions a quad ever made and that''s something considering we''ve made quite a few. I hit my brothers up and drop an urgent message on our private chat. Sliding my phone into my pocket, I walk into my penthouse.


    Olivia and I have had some wild nights with me ying Asher. It''s the craziest sex I have ever had in my life, and the best obviously. I never knew Olivia was a freak. In hindsight, it makes sense that she was attracted to Asher at first, who is just the same underneath his corporate mask. ying Asher has also allowed me to explore the limits of my sexual prowess. Olivia is a difficult woman to keep up with but thankfully, I haven''t given her a reason to suspect a thing.


    Today, I am visiting as the aloof Ashal who is timid around her. I hate to y myself but Olivia would be highly suspicious if I don''t show up once in two weeks or if Asher suddenly spends too much time with her.


    The minute I stroll into the house, the new maid, Sia, rushes forward to relieve me of my coat. Sia is a wise decision on my part. She is around Olivia''s age and can keep herpany now that Eliana won''t be in the picture anymore.


    The day Demi had been brought here, I had drugged Olivia and locked her in her room. I couldn''t have both wives running into each other. Olivia would have turned things into a bloodbath and Demi would have be privy to a secret that could destroy our family reputation for good. I couldn''t have one more fuck up on my conscience.


    Olivia frowns slightly when I walk into her room. She sits by her window, sipping wine from a ss while she flips through a magazine. Her dress is blue (Asher''s favorite color again) and rides up her thigh as she rises. It gives me sterling satisfaction to see her wearing the ne I got for her as Asher.


    "You look lovely." I mutter.


    She shuffles to the vanity mirror and begins to brush her hair. Her eyes sh up at me in the mirror as I tentatively edge close to her, wringing my hands the way Ashal would.


    "I''m deeply sorry for hurting you, Olivia. I''m taking a lot of therapy now. I''m getting better." I don''t remember thest time I went for my therapy session. I just remember I paid off the therapist to tell anyone whoes asking that I attend religiously. Olivia continues to brush her hair.


    "You look very lovely. Let''s go have lunch." Her hand freezes on her hair, her fingers curly tightly around the stem of the brush. She ms it on the table and turns to give me a searing look.


    "Did you forget that Eliana and I always have dinner dates today?" I ignore the scorching look and shrug my shoulders. Olivia grabs her phone and repeatedly tries to dial her friend''s line. "Why can''t I get through to her?" She huffs, a fresh tint of annoyance seeping into her already angry face.


    I wait for the truth to dawn on her and unfailingly, it does in less than five seconds. She leaps to her feet and whirls to me. "What did you do? You know she''s the only one that keeps me sane in here. Our dinners dates are the only highlight of my monotonous week. Ashal, why can''t I reach my friend?"


    She looks helplessly at me. "Did you tell Eliana anything outside the script we gave you?"


    "What?"


    I edge close to her, my eyes suddenly stern. "Did you tell Eliana anything about your situation in this house, my family or me, Olivia? Did you confide in her about your predicament here?" Hershes flutter nervously.


    "Of course not." She lies, moving away from me. "How could I? I s-signed an NDA. How could I take such a risk?" More lies. My head suddenly throbs and I run a hand over it. I don''t want to lose my temper right now. Demi is enough on my te at the moment.


    "You wouldn''t lie to me, would you Olivia?" My voice is a low threat. She visibly shivers.


    "Of course not."


    "Then, you have nothing to worry about. I don''t know how Eliana got her hand on some information. My sources tell me she tried to set you up on a date with one Mr. Fantasy, citing that you were in an abusive rtionship. I wonder where she could have gotten that idea from."


    Olivia shrugs. "Your guess is as good as mine." We stand facing each other. Then gulping, she deigns to ask. "What did you do to her?"


    "Nothing. She has just been advised to stay away from you and to stop pedaling false rumors or there will be consequences." I close the distance to trail a finger along Olivia''s cheekbone. She stares wide-eyed at me but doesn''t move even though my touch disgusts her. "I have missed you, my lovely wife. I''ll take Eliana''s ce and have dinner with you once a week. Is that okay?"


    "I''ll be fine. We don''t need to pretend to be a happy couple." Just as I suspected, she wants nothing to do with me.


    "I''ll just call my family and chat with them..." She gasps when my hand closes around her wrist, stopping her from walking out on me. A few nights with Asher and she''s already acting like I am not one to be feared.


    "Ashal, you''re hurting me." She cries, struggling to free her wrist.


    "I change my mind. It''s not up for debate. You and I will have dinner together, in here, every Thursday. I expect you to dress like you''re off to a five-star restaurant and behave yourself. Is that clear?"


    "Yes." I release her and watch her scamper away. Was I too harsh? I really don''t care. Being kind to her or considerate of her feeling have never been good enough to make her perceive me as a desirable human being. She''ll never love me as Ashal and I am slowly beginning to make peace with that fact. I don''t know what will happen when my luck runs out and my cover as Asher is blown. I hope, for her sake, she doesn''t still treat me like garbage or else...


    My eyes spot her phone on the dresser. Instinctively, I pick it up to change Asher''s contact name to mine and vice versa. That way when she tries to call or text Asher, I''ll be the one getting it instead. Her password is no hurdle given how obsessed she is with Asher. With a small smirk, I turn around and head for home after I finish.


    ***


    "What were you thinking inviting Nic to dinner?" I am so pissed at how reckless Ashely is back to being. I have no idea what transpired between him and Demi but this shameless disy of indifference towards Demi is very immature even for him.


    Smiling, Ashley sips his brandy as Nic and mother fuss over the dining table setting. Demi hasn''te down yet for obvious reasons.


    "Rx, it''s not a date. It''s just a social call. She insisted. She has missed mom and our home. It''s just dinner. Look, mom still loves her." I nce at mom who is trying to make Nic feel wee like any matriarch would do. Her eyes tell a different story as it keeps watching the elevator and the stairs in case Demi shows up.


    "And you didn''t think to check with us first?" I clench my fist in anger at how flippant he is being. Asher and Ashtone strolling down the stairs. "Did anyone even get my text? I specifically mentioned that it was urgent."


    "Will you chill? What''s with the ASHER vibes?" Ashley frowns.


    "Hey, what is that supposed to mean?" Asher scowls at Ashley. Our eyes dart to the lone figure at the top of the stairs. Demi, in a simple ck sweater and grey cks descends. She walks right past us and joins mother and Nic. Nic mutters a greeting which Demi gaily responds. I guess Demi doesn''t want to give Ashley the satisfaction of seeing her ufortable with our unexpected guest. When I look at Ashley''s face, he couldn''t care less. My heart flops. This is the worst time for THAT Ashley to materialize. I need the gentleman for a few more weeks until Demi leaves,


    The elevator doors open just then and a hush falls on the room. To Demi''s surprise, Nic streams across the room and embraces father. Cheerfully, hepliments her outfit and thanks her for joining us for dinner. Father always had a soft spot for Nic due to his rtionship with her father, a senator in Danvarr. He had hoped Ashley would wed Nic rather than have a casual fling with her. Seeing her resurface in his life makes his face glow with hope.


    Dinner is usually quiet but tonight, it''s heavily awkward for known and unknown reasons. Firstly, father and Nic endlessly discuss her father''s reelection, her thriving modeling career and they even casually bring up her breakup with Ashley. Ashley, though focused on his food, doesn''tin when Nic keeps leaning on him or wiping invisible food stains off his lips. Mom keeps her head down and avoids Demi''s eyes.


    As for Demi, she seems more preupied with avoiding Ashton''s piercing gaze. Asher is glued to his iPad as usual but lifts his head to join father''s conversation with Nic. I don''t know what the hell is going on with my brothers tonight. When Demi looks at me, I give her my hand signal and she smiles wryly.


    After Ashley sends one of our drivers to take Nic home, mom demands to speak with father in his study and they both leave. My brothers start heading for the game room for our emergency meeting. I hustle after Demi who is on her way to her room.


    "Hey."


    "Hi." Her smile is forced but I say nothing about it.


    "I''m sorry if that was awkward. Nic just showed up and father was just trying to make her feelfortable given her history with our family and his rtionship with her father."


    "It''s okay. I know my ce. You don''t have to feel bad." Now, her smile is more genuine. "Thank you, Ashal, for looking out for me." She hugs me suddenly. My hands go limp by her side as I wasn''t expecting a hug. "Thank you for being a friend. I need one right now." She pulls away and buries her hands in her sweater. I look around shyly, my throat suddenly dry.


    "Any ns for tonight? I''m not sleepy yet. Maybe we could y a game or two." She stares up the stairs where Ashton stands giving us a weird look. "Is that where you all are headed, the game room? Can I join?"


    I hate this part. "Well, yeah but maybe some other time. We already made ns for a boys'' night."


    "Oh. That''s too bad." She looks crestfallen.


    "Sorry."


    "I guess I''ll catch youter then." She mimics my hand signal before heading for her room.


    In the game room, I recount everything mom had told me to the group. My brothers all frown in anger.


    "What is it to her?" Ashley blurts out. "Why is she obsessed with finding out which Ash Rollins married her that night? We epted her, didn''t we? What more does she want?"


    Asher clucks his tongue and shakes his head. "Ungrateful bitch. She should consider herself lucky she''s not stuck with me. Contract or not, I''d have cut her down to size." I note the weird look Ashton shoots Asher at hisment. I zero in on Ashton.


    "What do you think we should do, Ash?"


    He stares hard at me and reclines in his chair. "You''re the one that''s alwaysing up with solutions to this kind of female headaches, Ashal. What happened? Run out of bright ideas already?"


    The doorbell chimes, indicating our liquor is here. Just in time, I think, heading to get the door. Heaven knows whenever we get like this, my brothers and I need alcohol to stand each other. I can sense some tension around this Demi issue and it hits different for each brother. Ashley''s is from a ce of pride. Demi''s recent behavior can be construed as an outright rejection of him. For Asher, it''s his unhealthypetitive spirit. He always has to win and right now, he can''t think of anything else than beating Demi at her own game. For me, it''s the wing need to preserve my peace of mind by keeping Demi from knowing the truth, even after she is out of our lives. For Ashton, I can''t quite put my finger on it yet. Like me, he also can''t let the secret slip but for some reason, he seems to have some other issue at the forefront of his mind.


    When I pull open the door, I narrowly miss catching Demi in my arms as she falls headlong into the room. She finds it hard to stand on her two wobbly legs. Azy smile is on her face as she squints at me through drooping eyes. I clutch her waist to keep her from fallingpletely.


    "What the hell?"


    The boys all rush to us, huddling close.


    "Is she drunk?" Ashley asks. Ashton steps outside the door and picks up an empty can of beer. He waves it at us and Asher scowls.


    "Bullshit. Who gets drunk on a single can of beer." He lunges forward, grabs Demi''s chin and puckers her mouth open. Her breath is definitely tinged with beer. Asher scowls again. "She''s putting on an act. I''d say it''s a reenactment of the Blue Cove scene, huh, Demi? Just like that night, she showed up drunk in a private room she had no business being in. This shit is getting old." His hands fist in her hair and yank harshly, making Demi yelp in pain and crumple on the floor.


    "Hey, watch it." Ashely and Ashton yell in sync, leering at Asher. A surprised smile coats Asher''s face.


    "Well, if it isn''t the disloyal husband and the husband wannabe. It''s a littlete to develop a conscience, don''t you think?" He throws me a nce as I help a sleepy Demi off the ground and help ease her hip on the table by the door. "I''m not shocked you''re buying this too. It''s your mess. That bitch isn''t that drunk but clearly you all are. There''s no justification for how sappy and stupid you''ve be because of one woman!" He throws his hands in the air. "I''m done."


    We watch him storm out. Ashley and Ashton spare each other a nce and say nothing. Hesitantly, they leave me with Demi and stalk off to their rooms. Demi purrs softly as I carry her in my arms all the way to her room. When Iy her on the bed, she moans softly, stirring in her sleep.


    I watch her, the way I watch Olivia sleep. She sleeps so soundly and peacefully.


    "Why did you drink ande to us?" I mutter. My fingers suddenly yearn to caress her face. Asher is right. This drunk move is stale. Demi might have been upset enough to drink alone tonight buting all the way to the game room where she knew we all would be is very suspicious and I know my other brothers know this too. Good thing we had themon sense to keep our mouths in check in case Demi indeed is putting on an act.


    Demi''s phone buzzes in her pocket with a message. Gently, I frisk her side pockets and unearth it. I clench my fist in anger as I read the message. My brother was right all along.


    "Bitch!"

 Chapter 22

    <h4>Chapter 22: Chapter 22</h4>


    DEMI


    The harsh slivers of sunlight wash into my room, half-blinding my eyes. Stirring, I block the rays with an arm over my face and groggily sit up on my bed. The room spins slightly with every move I make. Cussing, I pull my knees up and cradle my aching head in my hands. Just then, the blinds on the windowe down, blocking off the heat of the sunrays.


    I blink severally to adjust my vision. My heart leaps at the sight of one of the quads sitting in my room. How long has he been there watching me. His clothes are very casual and very ck. I can''t make anything from his nd eyes. Trying to figure out which brother is facing me makes my head want to split in two so I just give up.


    "What do you want? I am not in the mood for this."


    "Beside you." He jerks his chin towards my bedside drawer. "That should help with the hangover." I hastily drain the contents of the cup and toss my head back on the headboard. A film of sweat coats my forehead, dibbles down my side.


    "I hate this feeling."


    "And yet you still drink." His tone makes me look up at him. "For someone who ims her life turned on its head after one drunken night, you sure haven''t learnt your lesson." A small smile tugs his lips.


    "Which brother do I have the privilege of being lectured by this fine morning?"


    "Hmm. I thought you were somewhat of an expert by now. Are the clothes too abstract for you?" Before I can frown, he makes a familiar hand signal and relief swells inside me.


    "Oh, Ashal, just who I wanted to see." I dab my brows. "I''m sorry aboutst night. I was so foolish. I thought I wasn''t furious about Nic''s visit. I wanted toe find you so we can drink and I can air out my feelings but then I recalled you already had ns. I guzzled a can of beer in here. I must have wandered." My head spins again and I close a hand over my forehead. "I hope I didn''t do something crazy."


    Ashal chuckles. "Isn''t it amazing that you seem to never lose your bearings especially when drunk?" He rises to his feet. "If you''re going to have a secret hand signal with Ashal, maybe try not to make it so fucking obvious in public, Branson."


    I shut my eyes. It just had to be him. I am not nearly ready for this back and forth, especially since ourst encounter is still vivid in my imagination. I feel a crimson blush seep into my cheeks. "Of course, you saw that."


    My stomach muscles tighten as Ashton approaches with his hands jammed in the pockets of his pants as usual. "You must know that my brothers and I have concrete reasons to be wary of you. Let''s say I believe that the Blue Cove was an ident. You came to my family the very next morning to assert your im to a ce here. Pressured by public sentiments and my mom''s rare liking to you, you were epted into our home. You got a husband and a wealthy family. Now, my question to you is why this isn''t enough? Why are you hell bent on finding the man who wedded you while intoxicated? What is it to you?"


    "Keep it down. My head is aching." I hope I can stall his rapid-fire questions with a show of dizziness but true to form, he persists stubbornly.


    "Are you in love with him?"


    The question makes my eyebrows sh up at him. The grim set of his eyes has been tempered by curiosity. When he takes a seat right next to me, I stifle a nervous shudder. "Why him?"


    "You spoke with mother?"


    He nods briskly. "She''s worried about you. Everyone is, in their own way." He hits me with those intense blue eyes again and my throat goes dry. It always does whenever I am too close to one of the quads. "Why him, Demi?"


    I clench my jaw. "If he remembers that night as well as I do, then he wouldn''t have to ask me this question." My eyes frantically search his deep ones. He tears his away, and shifts ufortably. "You know him, don''t you?" Gently, I touch his broad shoulder and turn him to me again.


    "And what if he isn''t willing to show himself to you because he is afraid of hurting the people that he loves?"


    "I don''t see how that could be a possibility. I am not asking him for a lifelongmitment. I just want closure from that night and the morning after. I have a few things to say to him, things we didn''t get a chance to discuss because of how intoxicated we were."


    My hands trail his jaw, snakes into his hair. He inhales sharply, closing a hand over mine. Unable to resist it, I lean forward and capture his lips with mine in a hurried kiss. Ashton cups my face with both hands and leans in deeper into our kiss. Our tongues discover each other. Our heartbeat drum in rhythm. Then, I pull away to his surprise. I can''t allow this anymore. It''s too distracting.


    "I''m sorry. I can''t..." I run a hand through my frizzy hair and sigh. "Tell the Ash I met in Blue Cove that if he ever wants to talk about that night, I''ll be here. I just want to talk and that''ll be it. I am not breaking my contract with Ashley. I value promises and keeping my word." I try to slide off the bed when his words leave me numb.


    "He''s right here, Demi. So, what is it you want to say to me about that night? Tell me." My heart thumps wildly at his admission.


    "You..."


    "I''m sorry." Ashton runs a hand over his face. "I-I had a bad day. I wanted some privacy, away from everyone to drink away my pain." Tears wells up in my eyes when he nts a kiss in my palm. "It was stupid what we did. I didn''t think you''d care or show up the very next morning at my house with our marriage certificate on disy for the world to see how badly I fucked up. I was mortified, Demi and mad at your arrogance. Heck, I didn''t even recall your face from the previous night until you arrived. I thought you were one of the numerous gold-digging women vying for our attention. I-I loathed you in that instant and tantly denied you."


    I wrench my hands from his face but he holds on tight. "Please Demi, you have to understand. A lot was at stake for me. Yes, I did feel a connection between us in Blue Cove but everything wilted when you showed up with your family. Heck, couldn''t you have personally tried to reach me first? What was the need for the drama and involving my parents too? I was disappointed in you. I thought you were no different from the other women my brothers and I are used to."


    Bile tickles my throat as anger bubbles hot inside me. While I am d to be rid of this confusion of trying to decipher the one quad that may have a connection to my parents'' death, I am devastated to know it''s Ashton. I didn''t realize how desperately I wanted it to be anyone else but him until this very moment.


    I forcefully pull myself off the bed only to feel dizzy and end up falling into Ashton''s waiting hands. Though I am grateful for his reflexes, I am too angry to thank him. I shove his hands away from me and wobble towards the bathroom.


    "Demi, you said you wanted to talk. I opened up, okay? Please talk to me."


    His words irk me right now. A fine head of steam threatens to explode if he lingers in my room. Gritting my teeth, I turn to face him. "You know what, I thought I needed closure. I felt a connection that night and every day since then, I have wondered if things would have been different if you stepped up as you should and we were given a chance to explore life together. After all this time, and learning that it''s been you all this while, I feel nothing. So, there''s nothing more to be said." A conspicuous frown creases his forehead.


    "Don''t worry. Your secret''s safe with me. I forgive you too as I hope you''ll forgive me for all the inconveniences caused. Let''s expunge that night from our memory as well as this morning, and move on. Good day, Ash Rollins."


    With the bathroom door shut behind me, I exhale deeply and listen as his steps retreat. Tears cloud my eyes. Why him?


    "Stop it, Demi. You always knew it was going to be one of them. You were prepared for this." I blot away my tears with the hem of my nightdress and stare at my disheveled face. Maybe this is a good thing. With all that out of the way, it''s time to move another card on the board.


    ***


    "You got drunk? Demi, how could you have been so reckless? Anything could have happened to you. There''s no telling what those quadruplets could have done to you." Liam chides.


    We are in Mr. Rahl''s bookstore, sipping coffee in a quiet nook at the back of the shelves. Just before I had to move in with my new family, I had pitched the idea to Mr. Rahl about adding some reading tables and sofas to the shop, as well as disying treats and coffee to draw in more customers. Thankfully, with Liam''s support, he had implemented them, and amidst my chaotic transition from a nobody to a member of the Rollins family nheless.


    To show his appreciation, he allows Liam and I to hang out at the back to avoid being photographed by desperate journalists. Save for the new employee at the counter with headphones stuck on his head, the shop is empty for now.


    I set my mug of steaming coffee down. "It had to be real. Asher was there. I knew he wouldn''t buy it so I had to actually get drunk. I know it was risky but I was counting on the fact that they would respect their parents and their home enough to not entertain any dark thoughts they might have had. I needed to get in there somehow Liam and they were going to suspect me way more if I turned up sober."


    Liam shakes his head. "Well? Did you seed?"


    I nod in affirmation. "I was literally struggling to keep my eyes open but when Ashal held me by the door as his brothers bickered, I managed to stick one of the devices under the wooden table closest to the door. I was very scared. Asher was onto me but Ashley and Ashton protected me." I stare wistfully into my mug as I recall snippets of their arguments. Ashley really stood up for me? Was he just being a gentleman or could there be more to his chivalry?


    Liam scowls at the distant look on my face. He sips his coffee and sighs. "I don''t like that look on your face. You know you can''t have soft spots for any member of that family if you hope to uncover the truth about your parents'' death."


    My fingers tremble around the mug. "You don''t have to remind me every time. I am not sidestepping from the n."


    "You think you''re still in control but you don''t see what I see." He leans forward. "Judging by that sappy look on your face over the fact that two of the quads stood up for you, I can tell you for free that you''re slipping." Sighing, he whisks out his phone. "Thankfully, you have me to give you a rude awakening. I really never wanted it toe to this but our mission is just as important and personal to me as it is to you."


    After a few quick taps on the screen, he slides his phone across the table to me. The minute I pick it up, I lose my mind.


    "WHAT THE FUCK? WHY DO YOU HAVE THIS?" Tears track down my face as I stare angrily at him. Without thinking, I smash the phone on the floor and proceed to stomp my foot on it. Liam simply watches me with impable calm, sipping on his coffee. When I attempt to upend the table, he catches my wrist. Even through the blur of tears and the rage, the dangerous look he shoots me sends shivers down my spine.


    "Are you done nursing feelings for those despicable quads? That''s what I thought." He shoves me hard against a shelf. The new hire calls out to know if everything is okay and Liam cheerfully assures him everything is fine. Then his face hardens as he stares back at me. "I want that picture engraved in the deepest recesses of your mind; the mangled bodies of your parents on the national news. I don''t fucking care if it nauseates you or not but I will forward every autopsy photo so you''re reminded of all the bruises on their ashy skin as theyy cold and dead on the gurney."


    "Enough!" I croak in tears.


    "Need I remind you that while the Rolllins passed it up as an elevator ident, their autopsy showed that they suffered severe impact prior to their crash down the elevator. The impact was so severe it only points to one conclusion; they were run over by a car, Demi. That was the original cause of death and your bastard inws must have dumped their bodies in the faulty elevator to cover it up. You should be ashamed to even feel anything other than brutal revenge against that family."


    While I sink to the floor and bury my face in my hands sobbing, Liam huffs out a breath. "You think I don''t care enough about this simply because I didn''t lose loved ones to the cold hands of death because of the actions of those buffoons? I neverpeted with you for whose goals are top priority in this. However, I am also in this to save my family and our business. I joined hands with you so we could take down a family that''s hurt us personally and continue to hurt others. I NEED YOU TO WAKE UP AND GET YOUR SHIT TOGETHER."


    He crouches to breathe in my face. "If you dare screw this up for me, I''lle at you with everything I''ve got and ruin you along with your precious new inws. You decide whose side you''re on."


    He heads towards the front of the store and pauses by the doorway. "Oh, Demi? You have two weeks to install a spy app in the quads'' phones. I don''t care how you get it done. You can fuck your way through them if that gets you close enough to distract them. If I am unable to record their texts, phone conversations, GPS locations and whatnot on my device in fourteen days'' time, I''ll send your father-inw, Brett Rollins, a little gift exposing your connection to the elevator victims from five years ago. I guess you have to hurry if you don''t want to end up like your parents."


    His smile is dark as he leaves. I dab my tears away. Liam is right. I needed to see that. Maybe I have been derailing for a while now because of some stupid hormones. Guilt wracks my system as the gory image of my parents'' bodies sh in my mind. Instantly, disgust at my foolishness fills my mind. Iugh hysterically, clutching my stomach. Women are indeed such fickle minded creatures.


    When I arrive at Ashton''spany to see him, there are little to no traces of the weepy woman Liam had left behind. Rather, I am elegantly dressed in a chic, white two-piece suit and red stilettos. Ashley''s wardrobe haul dide in handy after all, I think to myself while Gris ushers me into Ashton''s office. I ignore the silent gasp when Ashton sees me. With Gris gone, I plunk my little purse on the couch and turn to face Ashton with an angry look. He swallows hard, his eyes struggling to stay on my face. I just need to confirm a hunch I''ve been having all morning.


    "You can''t make this a habit, Branson. What do you possibly want?"


    "That''s riching from someone who was just in my room this morning. The double standard is nauseating, Ashton Rollins." Surprise flits across his face and fades just as quickly but not before I registered it.


    "I''m here finish what you started this morning." He looks flustered as he walks around his table to me.


    "I don''t have time for this. We''ll deal with it when I get home."


    Face to face, I see it now. His eyes. It''s always in the eyes. Ashton has no recollection of what happened in my room this morning, because it wasn''t him in my room this morning!

 Chapter 23

    <h4>Chapter 23: Chapter 23</h4>


    ASHER


    Nessa''s lips are soft with just the right amount of friction to make my me hard. I have her backed up against a wall, away from the transparent ss wall that overlooks the city scape and of course in a blind spot from the camera in my office. Lust tingles my groin as I kiss her passionately while she writhes ufortably. Satisfied, I pull away and watch a crimson blush seep into her cheeks as she pants for air.


    "I need to go, sir. Someone might walk in." She avoids my eyes coyly.


    With a finger, I stroke her jawline. "I want to see you tonight." I stifle her protest with another mind-numbing kiss. "Tonight. The usual ce." She concurs with a nod.


    Someone clears their throat and we both look up to find Josh lounging by the door with a smug look on his face. His phone is up in his hand like he filmed us. Nessa wriggles from the caging of my arms and shaking like a leaf, she sps her hands in plea. Josh enjoys a good throatyugh at her pathetic whine for sympathy. Gritting my teeth, I order her to return to her desk immediately. While she scurries away, I return to sit behind my desk and adjust my tie.


    "Asher Rollins, you and your brothers just can''t help yourselves, can you?" Josh helps himself to one of the seats in front of my desk. His cocky grin frays my temper but I ignore it.


    "I guess we can''t help it. Like our father, we find it hard keeping it in our pants. You should be grateful father''s no different or you wouldn''t even be here." Now, it''s my turn tough but rather than a throaty one, it''s a low, deepugh that manages to sound mocking and prideful at the same time. Josh grits his teeth.


    "I guess we''ll have to find out what father thinks of this video."


    "Sure, go right ahead and tell him. Let me know when you n to so I can bring Hayden Garcia along to that meeting." The mention of his former secretary smokes away the cockiness on his face. "You change secretaries faster than anyone else around here. Does father know why?"


    Josh dumps an invitation card on my table. "My birthday party is in two weeks. You''re not invited and I really don''t want you there but father insists I be nice enough to invite you so make sure toe up with a good excuse to decline it." I flip open the card and skim through.


    "Hmm. Looks like my schedule will be less busy by then. Can I bring a date? I can''t guarantee it wouldn''t be Hayden though." Josh wrenches the card away from my grasp and rips it to shreds in front of me.


    "It''s like you said. We Rollins men can''t keep it in our pants. The only difference is that unlike you, I don''t mix work with pleasure, in my office, during working hours."


    "And giving back shots to married women in the backseat of your car at the parking lot is more honorable?" I lunge to my feet. "You better think twice before you try toe for me, Josh Randall. If I wanted to, I have all the information to ruin your image before the board so badly that even father can''t overlook them." I chuckle softly. "The whole of Danvarr knows of the sexual prowess of my brothers and I. Heck, they''vee to love us in spite of it. You won''t achieve much with a stupid little kissing video. We''ll turn the tables on you really fast. However, you''re still pretty much a nobody and if a video of you leaks, people will bash you. Your poor mother will face bacsh and be abused of not training you properly. They''ll cast aspersions on your upbringing by a single parent and father will want no part of that stigma so he won''t be in a hurry to im you in public."


    Josh only continues to grind his teeth in anger. "You know I''m telling the truth. Almost the same scandal but different oues for us. That''s the difference between a legitimate son and a biological but secret bastard." I catch Josh''s fist as it reels forward to deliver a punch up my jaw. "Delete the footage of me and Nessa or you''ll be jobless and suicidal before the sun sets."


    Grudgingly, Josh deletes the video in front of me before storming away.


    "Happy birthday in advance, Randall." I call after him, earning a heated re.


    Alone, I run a hand across my temple as a small headache brews. The dizzinesses and goes. My phone rings and I frown at the caller ID. About time, I think. I lean back on my chair to take the call.


    "Hey, Ash. What''s good?"


    "Do you have a death wish, Asher?"


    I think about the brain tumor in my head that I have been ignoring for weeks. "I guess I do." Ashton breathes deeply on his end of the line.


    "What the fuck were you thinking impersonating me in Demi''s room this morning?"


    "I have a better question for you, bro," I sit up to deliver this one with a curious look in my eyes, "Why does Demi feel morefortable being around you than her actual husband? Have you been hitting it behind our backs and pretending you want her gone like the rest of us?"


    "You haven''t answered my question, Asher. You made the rules remember? You have no right to impersonate me without my knowledge and permission to fulfil your selfish ends."


    "Selfish? Oh no brother, I wasn''t being selfish. I went over there to confront her for the stunt she pulledst night. I don''t know what the rest of you are on but Demi can''t fool me. I went to get answers to the very question on our minds right now; why she is obsessed with finding the man who married her that night. I knew she wouldn''t open up to me so I nned to y Ashley. However, it appears she''s still miffed at him. I settled for her new friend, Ashal and it was going well until I noticed she wouldn''t bare her heart to him. That was when an idea urred to me."


    "You pretended to be me."


    "Don''t think I haven''t noticed the weird energy between the two of you. At first, I thought she was just afraid of you. Heck, who can me her? Then, I noticed it wasn''t so much fear as it was a crush. I don''t know what you must have done to give her such courage but she''s definitely got the hots for you, bro."


    "You don''t know what you''re talking about."


    "Actually, I do. The moment I imed to be you and told her I was the one she met at Blue Cove, that woman kissed me more passionately than she kissed Ashley at the restaurant. She didn''t have to be persuaded. It was of her own volition." I sigh. "Oh Ashton, she has definitely had sex dreams about you to be able to kiss a man like that. It was too good especially for a woman like Demi. Straight eight out of ten, points lost because of how brief the kiss was." I imagine Ashton steaming now at my audacity.


    "You told her I married her at Blue Cove? Are you serious? What sick-twisted game are you ying at?"


    "Rx, I only did that to get her to spill the truth about why she wanted to know who had married her that night."


    "And?"


    "And...she was too flustered and heartbroken to talk. She changed her mind, angry that I...I mean YOU cowardly left her to hang dry. Personally, I don''t think there''s any big secret behind it all. She failed to get any love from Ashley and has been feeling quite lonely nowadays. That made her recall having a moment or connection with the mysterious Ash at Blue Cove so she went on a spree to find her mystery man."


    Ashton exhales deeply. "Why didn''t you tell me about any of this? At the very least, I wouldn''t have looked like a fool when she barged into my office this morning."


    My ears prickle. "She what?" Ashton repeats himself and all I can think of is how my efforts aren''t totally wasted.


    "Listen to me Ash, I''ll keep your secret if you allow me to shepherd this little fire between you two. If she stopped by yours this morning, she might want to pick up from where we left off. I need you to...


    The line cuts. "Hello? Ash?" With a smirk, I stare at my phone. "You''re so whipped for this one, huh, Ashton? I''m sorry but I am not done using you. You should have been smart enough to keep your feelings in check. This won''t do, Ash. Demi still has to go and you might have given me a trump card to make that happen."


    Absentmindedly, I recall the sultry kiss Demi had thought she was sharing with Ashton. It was nothing like Nessa''spulsive responseced with jitters and nerves. It''s been a while since I enjoyed a kiss like that where I felt it in my marrow that every ounce of me was desired and not just because of my good genes and worth.


    Olivia.


    She had given me a bit of a hard time when I tried wooing her. However, we had a great time after the ice had been broken. She gave me everything; her body and soul. I still feel it whenever she kisses me, like thest time at the penthouse. It''s a shame my brothers get to experience all the good stuff while I race against time to secure their future.


    My fingers hover over Olivia''s number in my phone as I contemte calling or texting her. I ditch the idea and dunk my phone on my desk. I had expressly forbidden her from calling me to avoid suspicions from Ashal. I can''t alter that rule just to satisfy the hardness in the shaft of my cock. Ashton, the crazy, is already pissed at me. I can''t have Ashal on my neck too, especially given his condition. He is utterly in love with Olivia. I guess I have to let them work out the tensions in their rtionship somehow.


    A small smile ys on my lips. If I can''t get to Olivia, maybe I wouldn''t mind keeping Demi around to explore her feelings for Ashton and the lengths they could go if either was bold enough to try. I know for a fact that Ashton wouldn''t dare let Demi know how to distinguish him. He also won''t explore whatever feelings he might have for Demi. That''s the problem with being so damn predictable. I toss my head back with a bright smile as I wonder what Demi is like in bed.


    ***


    I can''t believe I am here. With a quiet oath of disgust, I shoot a demeaning gaze at Demi''s house, wondering how someone from such a humble background managed to move up in the world in one night. I turn off the ignition of my car and shuffle towards the door.


    The Collins family look stunned as they open their door to find me.


    "Asher." I put them out of their misery.


    "Mr. Asher, you''re wee. W-We weren''t expecting you."


    "I''m sorry to show up unannounced, Mrs. Collin." By her side, her daughter ogles me so boldly. "I was hoping we could have a word?"


    "Oh, yes, pleasee in."


    "Right this way." Kira says, leading me across a narrow hallway into the crammed living room. I ept the seat offered and beam up at them.


    "This is a cozy ce you''ve got here."


    Kira rolls her eyes. "You''re too modest and kind. We know it''s nothingpared to your mansion." Her mother concurs with a nod.


    "I was hoping to discuss a delicate matter with you."


    Mrs. Collins'' eyes dte in horror.


    "What had Demi done now?" Her brows furrow in anger. "That wench! Why is she so ungrateful?" Mrs. Collins sinks into a couch and folds her hands angrily. "I have often told her what a lucky woman she is to be epted as the daughter-inw of a prestigious family. Everyone knows this. I wonder why she''s the only one who fails to realize this."


    Kira''s demeanor mirrors her mother''s disappointment. She follows through with more scathing remarks. "She''s not even half as pretty as the women you and your brothers have been affiliated with in the past. Hers is a textbook case of a miracle. I really don''t know where all that pride and arrogance emanates from, like being Ashley''s wife is the most natural thing for a in Jane in Danvarr."


    I clear my throat. "My family and I have done all we can to wee and amodate her but for some reason, your niece refuses to ept us as family. It''s almost like she holds a grudge." Something flits across Mrs. Collins'' face. "I really hate to be the bearer of bad news but my family has been going through a lot emotionally because of Demi''s actions. My mom was hoping to get a good daughter-inw. She went to bat for Demi and defended her to my father. Their rtionship suffered a strain just so Demi could join our family."


    "Oh, dear heavens." Mrs. Collins clutches her chest. Kira edges close to my chair with a sympathetic tap on my knee. How brazen, I think but say nothing.


    "I am the first son of my father and I believe it is my duty to keep my family glued to each other forever. I can''t stand it when anyone tries to threaten the bond that holds us together. To this end, I need your help." Carefully, I trade nces with both mother and daughter. "I''m prepared to give anything to keep my family together. If Demi loathes being married to one of us, she doesn''t have to stay married. I want to give her what she wants; a divorce."


    Unsurprisingly, Kira''s lips break in a smile. Her mother''s face is however set in a tight line. The woman isn''t necessarily worried for her niece but worried about losing her family''s new cash cows.


    "I always suspected she wasn''tpletely over her ex." Kira chimes in with a disgusted scrunch of her nose. "I can''t help but wonder what she sees in him. Ashley is by far a dream. You all are. It''s just unfortunate your family chose to ept the wrong woman who doesn''t even worship the ground you walk on, as she should." Her eyes twinkle in my direction.


    "Demi is clearly frustrated being with us as we are with her." I continue, facing Mrs. Collin. "We can''t kick her out without hurting public sentiment. That''s where you bothe in. I''d appreciate it if you could find a way to get her to divorce my brother without any heating back on my family. I assure you that you''ll be duly rewarded for your help."


    "Rewarded?" Kira reiterates. "How so?" I instantly recognize the gleam in her eyes. She isn''t thrilled about getting a financial reward. She wants more. A look at her mother and I can tell they''re thinking the same thing. Like mother, like daughter, I think.


    "Let''s focus on handling Demi first. We can discuss the details of the reward once I see a significant effort on your part." I stand to bid them farewell and head for the door. Kira tags close with a naughty smile on her face. She waves me goodbye till I back out of the tidy little corner of their street. At the jarring sound of my ringtone, I answer the call without looking because I am only expecting one caller by this time.


    "You there yet?" I ask Nessa with a naughty smile on my face.


    "We need to talk."


    I stare at the caller ID: Demi Branson

 Chapter 24

    <h4>Chapter 24: Chapter 24</h4>


    ASHLEY


    "It was lovely having dinner with your family again." Nic says. I am down by her feet, trying to figure out the best length for the new bodycon line I amunching. I can''t decide if it looks better sprawling behind her or barely skimming her ankles. There''s a high slit by the side to give the wearer room to show off a leg and their high heels. I spring to my feet and have Nic strike a pose for me. This decision on the length wouldn''t be so hard if I didn''t already have my mind cluttered with other thoughts.


    "Ash, are you listening?"


    "Give me a sec, Ni" Three minutester, I give up and return to my sketching board. Nic sashays after me and ces a hand seductively on my shoulders, kneading the kinks in them.


    "Would it really hurt to ask my opinion? There was a time when we bounced ideas off each other as designer and model, a time when my opinions mattered greatly to you." She turns me around to face her and sps her hands behind my neck. God, she is so damn beautiful. "Let me help you, Ash. It doesn''t have to mean anything."


    I sigh in resignation and face my board again. "It always means something to you, Ni. However, for old times'' sake, let''s hear it. Ankle length or floor length?" I wheel around when Nic fails to respond only to find her back at the center of the room in a perfect red carpet pose under the glow of the light. She pretends to be swarmed by photographers and executes different beautiful poses in under a minute. My brain jogs back to life as I take in the functionality of the dress vis a vis the style. This type of outfit will mostly be a good pick for a red or green carpet event andfort is just as important as mor.


    "Personally, I think a little sweeping tail behind would be great since it''s in vogue right now." I nod in agreement with Nic''s perspective. She''s right. We make such a great team. Like she is able to read my mind, Nic struts up to me and nts a sweet kiss on my lips.


    "She doesn''t love you. Anyone can see that."


    I know she''s talking about Demi. Smiling, I turn to finish the sketch.


    "Who says I married her for love?"


    "So, it''s a forced marriage because of her pathetic im?" She scoffs beside me. "I don''t care what the circumstances are, Ash. I just hate to see you so unhappy. I miss you." My hand freezes on the board. "I miss us." She adds.


    I whirl to face the first woman I attempted to love despite my PTSD. It wasn''t the easiest decision I ever made but with mom''s encouragement, I chose to give love andmitment a slim chance. It was a fucking mistake that sent me back down a very dark hole for months after our breakup. I''d never give another woman that kind of power over me, no matter how much she upies my mind.


    "I wonder what Harvey will think if he hears that." Nic winces at the mention of the man who tore us apart. "Thank you for your input. You know I appreciate your ideas, even if I don''t show it the way you hope."


    "It was a mistake, Ashley. I was lost at the time. I just lost my mom and he was there."


    "Yet you pegged me the cheat in the rtionship to save face amidst your father''s campaign. You didn''t think twice about hurting my feelings after betraying my trust. You threw me under the bus to make sure your father grew in ranks. What about my family? Do you have any idea what we went through?"


    It was all her fault that I was branded the flirt. Ours was a public rtionship with so many people in Danvarr rooting for our union. When Nic spread the rumor that she broke up with me because of a cheating scandal, my social image took a hit. That''s the power women have. They y the innocent card so well. With a few fake tears, they can sway the public in their favor. No one cares about the man''s innocence because they never expect the woman to be at fault. It grates on my nerve as I realize that I have fallen prey to the same whims of a conniving woman; Demi.


    I couldn''t care less what she has going on with Ashton. I never thought of having a long-term rtionship with her. I couldn''t do that to myself. However, she clearly has been keeping secrets from me and has the audacity to point fingers at me. I did her the courtesy of halting my one-night stands and casual flings while she adjusted to being a member of my family. Yet, she goes and proves to me that she isn''t worthy of my consideration.


    Now, I am done ying the nice guy. I wronged her once by scaring her in the bedroom as Ashton. However, I already apologized for that. Now, I owe her nothing more. I n to stick religiously with our contract until she leaves and if it so happens that Asher''s hunch is true, then I''ll definitely make Demi''s stay more traumatic than she can ever recover from. l will make her regreting into my family and ying cruel games.


    Nic cups my face in her hands. "I''m not that selfish woman anymore. Ash, I promise to make it up to you. I''ll do anything to have you back in my life."


    "Have me back?"


    "I can tell your marriage isn''t fated tost. I''ll wait for you, Ash. I know you won''t spend forever with a woman like her. I don''t mind warming your bed on the side till I can proudly hold your hand in public again." She pouts her lips in a manner that used to make me go weak in the knees. I force a thin smile. It''s obvious she wants to use my family''s goodwill to boost her father''s reelection campaign. Ni is so damn predictable.


    Nevertheless, I have been bitten once and now know better than to get myself burnt again. I could use her too to get back at Demi.


    "You don''t mind being my booty call, huh?" My colorful choice ofnguage hurts her pride but she lets it slide. I grab her ass and squeeze. "Don''t cast aspersions on my marriage, Nic. You don''t have that right. I''ll decide if I want to ditch the book seller or not. Till then, you''re wee to warm my bed as you rightly said. You know I''ll warn you though. My expectations in the bedroom are steeper than you remember." Nic swallows her pride and epts my kiss. My lust gets the better of me but just as I heft her on top of my mahogany desk for a quickie, the jarring tone of thendline interrupts us.


    Cussing, I disconnect it while Nic struggles to unbuckle my belt.


    The door swings open just then. The expletives get trapped in my throat when I turn only toe face to face with my mother.


    Clearing her throat, she tacitly asks Nic to excuse us. Ni slides off the desk and pulls her dress in ce. Blushing, she mumbles a greeting to mom before walking away. I love that she takes her time to sashay out of my office instead of scampering off like a shameful sneaky link.


    "Mom, you''ve got to start using your cell phone. I don''t like ALL surprises." I fluff out my messy hair and buckle my belt.


    "And you''ve got to start answering your phone when I call, even thendline. I''m sorry for interrupting your little fun." She helps herself to a seat while I fetch her a cold beverage from the fridge. When I offer it to her, she politely turns it down. Shrugging, I chug the canned drink down my parched throat.


    "Is that the best you could do, Ash? Go crawling back into your ex-girlfriend''s arms? Have you forgotten what that woman put you through?"


    "Technically, Ni is the one crawling back into my arms, mom" I correct her. "She literally just begged to be my side piece despite my marital status." I slide into my chair with a satisfied grin on my face. "I''m not stupid. I know what I am doing."


    "Do you?"


    I rub away an ache in my temple. "Ok mom, why exactly are you here? What can I help you with? If this is about your precious daughter-inw, I don''t want to hear it."


    Mother sighs.


    "What exactly do you want from me, mom? I did as you asked. I stepped up to y her husband because YOU instructed Ash not to own up to his mistake. This is as far as I go. You know what I am like. Demi too. I think we can all breathe easily while the contract persists. I am not down to pretend to y some devoted husband to a woman who wants nothing to do with me."


    "She rejected you. Is that why you''re hurting and making dumb decisions like weing Ni back into your life?"


    "Is that what you were hoping for? That Demi and I will somehow fall in love and live happily ever after?" I can''t help breaking out in augh. "You really did bring her into our family to straighten me up? Change me from a serial flirt to what, a loyal husband? I can''t believe you mother. This isn''t a hallmark movie; it''s real life. Besides, what makes you think I want any of that in the first ce? I never asked for your help."


    "Ashley, I know about your nightmares."


    I swallow hard. "Hmm, we always knew nightmares were going to be a part of my recovery journey. If anything, it just proves that I am oveing my past. Living this way is my choice."


    "No! It''s a coping mechanism. You''re hiding from the problem not facing it."


    "I''m not Ashal, mother. I am not..." The rest of the words die in my throat. "You know what I mean." Mother says nothing in reply but continues to watch me. "I didn''t sign up to give Demi a happily ever after. I respect her well enough, or at least I did. With everything that''s happened, I no longer have the emotional bandwidth to tolerate her haughtiness and judgement. I won''t let her look down on me any longer."


    I cut off mom''s protest with a flip of my hand. "Let''s get out of here. I''ll take you to lunch."


    "Never mind." Mom replies with a thin smile. "I already had one." She pats my cheek. "I''ll see youter."


    I don''t have time to make head or tail of the weary look in her eyes because my phone starts ringing shortly after mom leaves.


    "Hey"


    "Hey" Ashal replies me, his breath a little raspy.


    "Are you ok? What''s going on?" A sick feeling settles at the pit of my stomach. "You know what? Send me your location. I''lle see you."


    "How do you do it?"


    "What?" I ask, shrugging on my coat.


    "How do you keep from loving women?"


    "Ash, where are you?" Why wouldn''t he just tell me already? He sounds frighteningly depressed and though I blot out the thought the second it shes in my mind, I can''t shake off the fact that my brother never makes good decisions from weak moments like this.


    Fuck it. I''ll just track the GPS on his phone. "Don''t go anywhere. I''ll be with you in ten."


    "Don''t bring the quad."


    "You know I won''t."


    Nic struts in just as I swipe my keys off the table.


    "Off in a hurry?"


    "Clearly."


    My clipped tone makes her wince but I can''t be bothered by her bruised feelings right now. I drive like a deranged person till I get to the Blue Cove. I have no idea why Ashal keepsing back here every time he is in a dark ce. Thest time yielded enough problems for our family. Yet, I don''t bring this up as Donna escorts me to Ashal. He''s chosen a different, smaller room with a dark hue and tons of whiskey. Donna excuses us after I thank her and slip her an envelope for her silence.


    Ashal is almost wasted.


    "Ash, what''s going on? Why are you trying to drown yourself in alcohol, and in the Blue Cove of all ces?" He shoves my arm away when I try to hook it across his shoulder. His eyes are red-rimmed and bitter.


    "This is t-the only r-reason why s-she isn''t lying in a p-pool of her own b-blood right now."


    "What? You''re not making any sense." I grab the ss forcefully from his hand, sloshing whiskey all over his pants. Ashalughs hysterically.


    "She lied to my f-face. S-she looked me in the eye and l-lied to my face. I guess I''ll n-never mean much to any woman. T-they are all liars in the end."


    "Ash, you''re not making much sense right now."


    "I saw it." He taps drunkenly on my shoulder. "I saw the message on her phone while she slept. Demi..."


    "Demi? What did she do?"


    "Nothing. She did n-nothing. Olivia''s been trying tomunicate with Demi." He slurs. "She told Demi toe find her in the penthouse."


    "What?" Now, I am rmed. "Did Demi see the message?"


    Ashal shakes his head sideways. "I deleted it before she woke up."


    I wonder silently if this is the first time Olivia has done this. Could she have contacted Demi or someone else before this? What exactly is she nning by involving Demi?


    "I don''t want to love like this anymore." Ashal looks dejected now, close to tears even. "How do you do it, Ashley? How can you stay with a woman like Demi and turn off your emotions? How can you go through different women and be intimate with them without developing soul ties?"


    My throat suddenly feels dry. I grab Ashal''s ss and empty the content in my throat. "I don''t have a temte if that''s what you''re asking. You know exactly how I ended up like this."


    I forgive his insensitive question because he''s tipsy. I never asked to be a cold-hearted lothario. I always imagined love and a stable, long-termmitment in the form of marriage long before these concepts sickened me. Would I give up ''ying it safe'' and keeping women at arms-length if I could be rid of my trauma? Absolutely. Am I willing to wear my heart on my sleeve like Ashal and desperately search for love and validation in spite of my ws? Nope. That''s where my brother and I part ways.


    He is strong. While I hoist my trauma as an excuse to stomp on the hearts of women, Ashal craves a chance to love them wholeheartedly in spite of his condition.


    Ashal lolls his head back and nods off. One look at all the whiskey on his table and it reminds me of that one night, five years ago, when everything went to hell at Rollins Group HQ. It''s a secret that I hope never gets out as it can ruin everything my family has worked hard to build. Things have been rtively calm ever since that unfortunate night. I think about it sometimes and what my family went through because of it. We weren''t entirely meless for the loss of lives but we did what any other family would do to protect their own.


    Thankfully, justice hasn''t called us in five years. My phone starts ringing in my pocket just then. I ept the call.


    "Yes, Demi?"

 Chapter 25

    <h4>Chapter 25: Chapter 25</h4>


    ASHTON


    My brothers and I are all seated in the second living room. We all arrived the mansion barely twenty minutes ago after getting Demi''s cryptic call. Mom called this meeting at Demi''s behest. I am still stewing over Asher''s stupid action so for that, he actively avoids my eyes. Ashely and Ashal were thest ones to pull up ten minutes ago. Ashal looks slightly drunk because of the big, patronizing smile on his face as he does a little hand signal at Demi. If he was sober, he would be wearing a forlorn expression and definitely wouldn''t be trying to draw any attention to himself.


    Demi doesn''t reciprocate or mirror his smile. She''s standing firmly in the middle of the room with her hands on her hips. Mother sits facing us, her expression t and disappointed. I can already tell what this is about.


    "I won''t waste your time." Demi begins with a stern look. I haven''t seen her this resolute and pissed. "I called mom here. I wanted her to be around when I issue this warning."


    "Excuse me?" Asher snorts. "Warning?"


    "Enough Ash, let her finish." Mom cautions him.


    "I do not want any of you stepping into my room henceforth. You can consider itpletely off limits." She continues, ignoring Asher''s amused expression. "As you all know, I am unable to tell you apart. Some or all of you have repeatedly taken advantage of this fact to impersonate another brother in front of me. For this reason, I''m banning all of you from crossing the threshold of my room. Let''s leave the madness outside."


    "Are you really worried about our switcheroo or is there another reason you want to keep us out of your room?"


    Demi res at Asher. "I don''t go to YOUR room so don''te into mine!" She replies. We are all wearing different outfits from work and for that reason, I am certain she can tell which brother is which right now. When her gaze falls on me, she gives me an icy look that hurts more than I care to admit. She must believe that I knew Asher was going to do that to her.


    In my office earlier, she refused to leave until we continued our conversation from this morning. I did a poor job of hiding my shock at her usations. My mind was reeling with thoughts about the nature of her conversation with Asher and the fine details of it. Demi instantly guessed that I had been impersonated. It made her very livid, which further worsened my curiosity.


    Mom reiterates Demi''s rule.


    "I won''t hear of this anymore. She is not some toy you all can mess with; she''s officially the daughter-inw of this family and deserves the respect she demands." Something about the ire in mother''s eyes makes Asher swallow the retort on his tongue. Ashal is sobering up now as the light of cheer in his eyes has faded to despair. Ashley sits mute with a nk face.


    Demi excuses herself. Mother moves to Ashal and cups his face in her hands while she probes him about his drinking. I leave for my room to stifle the urge to punch the smug grin on Asher''s face. I''m not terribly surprised at how much of a dick he can be sometimes but right now, it''s better to stay mad at him than the moronic alternative; vying for Demi''s attention to clear my name. Why her validation is important right now eludes me. When the elevator opens to the first floor and I turn to head for my room, I find Demi keying in a passcode for her bedroom door. She spares me a nce, her eyes t.


    Everything I would like to say to her right now escapes my mind. Instead, I stand a few feet away from her, grinding my teeth in my jaw. She punches in the code hurriedly, suddenly ufortable. She can''t possibly think I''ll hurt her, can she? I wonder. The door doesn''t budge as she keyed in the wrong code. Demi tries again, stealing a side nce at me. Now I am pissed at how ufortable she is being.


    I take a step forward and she tenses.


    "Stay back!" She yells with the five fingers of her left hand shot in my direction. You''d think she is about to shoot fire from them.


    "Are you serious right now? It''s me, Ashton."


    "I don''t care. Stay the hell away from me." She tries her code again, cusses when the door buzzes with a sh of red. Her eyes boggle as I close the distance between us and cage her between my arms.


    "Breathe godammit. I don''t bite." She reluctantly evens her breath. Then I turn her around so she''s back facing her door. "My brothers will be here any second now. If you don''t want them seeing us like this, you better remember that code, now!"


    Demi inhales sharply and closes her eyes. When she keys in the code, the door shes green and unlocks. She slips inside but doesn''t shut it.


    "I''m changing the code in case you ever think ofing in here."


    I smile at her. "Don''t put ideas in my head, Branson. Go right ahead and change your code if you want to. If I wanted to see you, you''ll need more than a door to keep me out." I chuckle softly at the wilted look on her face before she ms the door shut.


    ***


    "You''re quitete, sir. The client has been waiting for you for over an hour." Gris chimes as I step out of my car in the parking lot. My hair is wild right now as I forgot to run ab through. Gris frantically digs into his bag and supplies me with a new hair brush. When I stare at him with a stunned look, he proceeds to try to run the brush through my hair. I jerk back and catch his arm.


    "Are you nuts? What makes you think that is okay?"


    "Sorry sir. I know you don''t like anyone touching your hair. Your hair always looks great except this morning. Unfortunately, I don''t want our client thinking you just rolled out of bed and strolled to work like a typical nepo baby with no work ethic." Grudgingly, I snatch the brush from his hands and using my side mirror, brush my wig properly.


    "Who''s this client that we are trying so hard to impress anyway?"


    "I forwarded all the info to your email. Didn''t you check it?" Gris'' face crumples at thezy shrug of my shoulders.


    When I step into my office, it''s just as Gris had described on our short flight up here. A beautifuldy slicked in an orange three-piece suit stands with her back to me as she studies an antique painting on my wall. On the sofa, an elderly man and a sprightly young man turn to face me as I enter. I instantly recognize the elderly man. His facees up on the news as frequently as my father''s. He owns the biggest multinational conglomerate that can rival ours; Spellman group.


    "Mr. Hugh, I am terribly sorry for keeping you." I extend a hand to shake his. Mr. Hugh is clearly disappointed by my tardiness and doesn''t fail to register his displeasure with a condescending look at the gold watch on his wrist.


    "Is this any way to run apany, Mr. Rollins?" He grunts. "You''ve kept us here a whole hour and don''t you go ming your personal assistant. He''s been calling you all morning."


    "I deeply apologize sir. I was unavoidably detained. I''ll not waste your time any further. If you''ll allow me, shall we continue this in the showroom? It''s my understanding that you''re looking to purchase a vehicle?"


    "Yes, for my daughter." He jerks a thumb at the young woman who whirls to face us now. My jaw drops, then clenches. "M, I believe you can take it up from here?"


    "Yes, father." M cautiously avoids meeting my eyes after the first frosty re I give her. Her father lunges to his feet, a huge bulky man with a protruding belly, and draws his suit jacket closer.


    "I wanted to show face so she doesn''t get treated like a nobody. Give her whatever car she wants. Give the best you''ve got. The money is not a problem." Gris nods in affirmation and graciously escorts Mr. Hugh and his bodyguard out. My gaze remains trained on M who brushes a stray clump of hair off her face and boldly meets my eyes now.


    "I needed a way in."


    "So, you brought daddy."


    "You wouldn''t listen to me otherwise. If I had showed up to talk to you, you would have had your security show me out. Gosh, I didn''t want to use the ''family status'' card but I had no choice. Look, out of respect for my father, you''re still standing here talking to me. You know you wouldn''t have given me the time of day otherwise."


    The fact that she''s right scrapes at my pride. I ball my fists. "I''m guessing this isn''t about a car."


    "Unfortunately, I have to get one or dad would be pissed I wasted his time."


    I inhale deeply. "We are going to the showroom and you''re going to pick a car of your choice. I''ll have the documentation done and you''ll be on your way. Have I made myself clear?" When I turn to head downstairs, M calls after me.


    "I''ll keeping here in the guise of shopping for a car until you hear me out. It''s like my father said, the money is not a problem. I don''t mind gifting cars to my employees every week if I have to. Point is, you won''t stop seeing this face until you hear me out." Her arms are crossed defensively over her chest, a statement of firm resolution, when I whirl towards her with angry eyes.


    Gris returns.


    "Gris, postpone the rest of my meeting. I''m going out." I don''t wait to rify but stroll out with M on my heels.


    M is smart to stay quiet all through the fifteen minutes car ride to a caf¨¦ downtown. Despite how much I swerve, she doesn''t flinch. She sitsfortably with her legs crossed like a woman used to fast car rides. She twiddles with the seat belt and hums a tune softly as the car zips across town. I''ve never had a passenger princess that didn''t hang on for dear life. Though I find it quite impressive, my mood is too fucked up to airpliments.


    We order coffees and grab a table.


    "You have twenty minutes." I blurt out coldly after our coffees are served. M sips hers, approves with a smile. "Neen." I add.


    "Ashton is really a pr opposite of Will."


    Thatnces my pride. "Eighteen."


    "Fine." She slouches with her hands folded again. "It was the watch."


    "What?"


    "How I recognized you. The dainty wrist watch you wear inside your sleeve. I''ve seen it in many of your on-screen interviews with your family. I was curious to know why you prefer that old thing over all the fancy watches you can afford so I might have done a bit of research." Seeing my expression, she hurries to add, "Don''t worry, nothing interesting came up. I just spent so much time staring at it that I can recognize it anywhere, especially given the fact that it''s broken and constantly tells the time as three fifteen am."


    I pull my sleeve over the leather watch. "How did you find me as Will?"


    "Mr. Fantasy." M corrected with half a smile. "I heard about it at the spa. A group ofdies were talking about it and how they''ve left you lots of messages but you wouldn''t reply unless they wanted to go out with Will." M sighs and sips her coffee again. "Aren''t you going to drink that before it gets cold?" She asks me over the rim of her coffee mug. Her does eyes are oddly cute from my side of the table.


    To distract myself, I grab the mug and sip. "Keep going."


    "I''ve lived as Hugh Spellman''s daughter all my life. You must know what it''s like living as the child of a famous billionaire. There''s so much pressure to act right, do this and do that. Everyone has an opinion about your life. The expectations keep piling up the older you get. It''s very exhausting. Hence, I wanted to go out and not get recognized for once. I wanted to eat a damn burger like normal people and slurp my coffee without judgment. With the constant demand to live, act and speak a certain way, I felt like I was losing myself so when I heard about you, I wasn''t interested in meeting Mr. Fantasy. I wasn''t seeking that thrill. I just wanted to hang out with someone as an ordinary girl and have fun, not as MILA SPELLMAN with the world''s expectations hanging like a noose around my neck. That''s why I reached out to you."


    I stifle the urge to nod in resonance with her words. It''s exactly how I feel.


    "And when you realized it was the Ashton Rollins ying dress up? Why didn''t you just walk away?"


    She leans forward and rests her chin on her hands. "Now, that was a pleasant plot twist. If I ever imagined one of the quads going undercover, you''re thest one I pictured. It was absolutely intriguing to see that side of you, the real side I am assuming." Her eyes shift to my blonde hair. I don''t bother to lie about it being a wig. She can obviously tell now and if I tried to sway her, she''d know it means a lot to me and probably use that against me.


    "With the effort you put in, I wagered you felt something akin to the way I feel. I thought we could help each other get through it, assuming it''s a phase."


    "How am I supposed to believe you?"


    "It''s your choice really. I''m just d I got to get that out of my chest." She smiles widely at me. I whip my head just as journalists with cameras take photos of us from outside the cafe. Why are they everywhere for goodness'' sake?


    "Time''s up."


    M holds my hand as I try to rise. I give her a sizzling look as our hands meet.


    "You don''t have to worry. I won''t say a word about your real hair color or texture. Scouts honor. You just have to promise me I''ll be seeing Will again. I miss him." Something warm fills my chest at the keen mention of Will. M grabs her purse and joins me on my feet. "Now, let''s go get me my car."


    ***


    M turned out to be a suffering perfectionist while car shopping. It''s either that or she intentionally kept nitpicking every choice I made for her as a ruse to spend more time with me. I''d admit I won''t be appalled if it turns out that thetter is true. I didn''t have a horrible time with her. It was easy to be my authentic self around her as she was around me.


    When I walk into the living room, dad''s voice calling me from the dining table is a pleasant surprise.


    "Over here, my boy."


    He looks genuinely happy to see me. Everyone else on the table is wearing a smile. Everyone except Demi who continues to poke her food. Father shakes my hand firmly.


    "Hello father. Am I missing something?" I ask, scanning the amused faces in the room.


    "I''m really d you''re finally taking a cue from your old man. Atst, a choice I can be proud of."


    I have no idea what he''s bbing about.


    "A choice? Father, I don''t understand..." My words trail off as Asher shoves his iPad in my face. A frown creases my brow as I stare down at a weirdly angled picture of M and I. The headline is even worse. "Father, it''s not what you think." I am prepared to exin but surprisingly, father cuts me off.


    "I was beginning to get worried that my sons don''t have good taste in women. You proved me wrong today, Ashton. M Spellman will make a beautiful addition to this household. Shees from an equally wealthy family. She knows all about our kind of life; living under the public eye, running a conglomerate and whatnot."


    "Addition? What are you talking about?" I question but he totally ignores me.


    Father raises a toast at this point. "To Ashton and M."


    "TO ASHTON AND MILA" My brothers and mom echo with big smiles. Across the table, I lock eyes with Demi''s empty ones.


    What the fuck?

 Chapter 26

    <h4>Chapter 26: Chapter 26</h4>


    DEMI


    Three Days Later.


    I sit quietly, eating my food in silence. It''s been a while since I felt this awkward around people that are supposed to be my family. I have no idea why aunt called me home on a Sunday afternoon to have lunch with her and Kira. The fact that neither one of them has dropped a scathing remark since I got here thirty minutes ago is beyond shocking. Though most of their hurtful words never miss causing me great difort, I kind of prefer it to this awkward yet palpable silence right now.


    I drop my fork. "Aunt, you said it was urgent. I''ve been here for half an hour but you''ve barely spoken a word to me. What''s the matter?"


    "Can''t I invite my only niece home to share a meal with her? You''ve been married for over two months and we haven''t eaten from the same table ever since. Is this meal beneath you now, Demi or do I have to have a life-threatening situation before you cane pay us a visit?"


    I can''t believe how dramatic she''s being. "I didn''t mean it like that, aunt. You had me worried when you said it was urgent. I came rushing. You could have just told me you wanted to have lunch and I''d be here anyway."


    I pick up my fork and twirl some creamy pasta onto my fork and eat. "And what do you mean by me considering this food beneath my station? That will never happen. You know how much I enjoy your cooking."


    Kira snorts. "Is there something in that mansion that makes all its upants terrible liars?''


    "That''s enough Kira, she wasn''t talking to you so mind your business." Aunt''s eyes find my face again and warms. "Thanks for thepliment, Demi. That means a lot to me."


    Like her mother, I ignore Kira for the rest of the meal.


    "So, how has marriage been? Are they treating you well?"


    I almost choke on my food at thatst part. Aunt quickly tops my ss of water from the water pitcher. "Thank you." I say with a smile after guzzling some. "Yes aunt, everything is fine at home. Thanks for your concern."


    Aunt trades a quick nce with Kira. "Demi, you don''t have to lie to me. I know I literally forced you into that marriage but I have learnt my lesson now. Money isn''t everything. It disappears as quickly as it appears. The euphoria of wealth is fleeting."


    I am amazed at her poetic words. Could this be because she lost the ten million dors Mrs. Rollins gifted her while gambling to double it? I say nothing and make a good show of seeming enraptured by aunt''s words.


    "I want you to know that you can alwayse back home if that marriage isn''t working. I don''t want you to overthink it. Just call it quits. You''ll have my full support, no questions asked. You can go back to your quiet and simple life afterward. Things will go back to the way they were."


    Ok, I don''t know where all this ising from but this line of conversation is getting very awkward now. "Aunt, I am fine. Thank you for your unwavering support but I made amitment to that family and I have every intention to see it through." At this point, Kira breaks her five-minute-long silence to counter my words.


    "Stop acting so perfect, Demi. You''re not sticking close to the quads and their parents out of a sense of integrity. Grow the balls to admit it. Everyone in Danvarr knows you''re a dumb fool and treated no less in there. Forget the cars, the chauffeurs and the bodyguards, that family couldn''t care less about an orphan who weaseled her way into their home by taking advantage of the press."


    Uncharacteristically, aunt doesn''t stop her daughter this time.


    "Look at the history of the type of women the quads have rolled with. Even their flings have ss. Ashton just got with M Spellman, the only daughter of the chairman of Spellman group. Ashley, your fake husband, is definitely still sleeping with his ex, Nic Grey, the daughter of a high-profile politician in this country. Asher has been known to date only within the upper echelons of society; daughters of CEOs of huge conglomerates, a foreign ambassador''s daughter one time, an international beauty pageant winner and the list goes on. Don''t you see a pattern there?"


    Hard as I try to ignore the sting of her words, it gets to me.


    Kira chuckles. "Those are not coincidences, Demi. It''s all by design. The rich date and marry amongst themselves. YOU were just a shameful mistake but the Rollins n on rectifying that mistake really soon. When Ashely divorces you in ten months'' time, it will be carefully arranged so the whole of Danvarr hates on you. You''ll be lucky to leave that mansion with a sliver of sanity and shortly after you return, you''ll only think suicidal thoughts because of all the hate you''ll get from our society as a divorcee dumped by the Rollins family. Unless, you divorce Ashley first."


    "She has a point, Demi."


    I stare at aunt with a surprised look. How long have they been thinking this way. Kira clicks her fingers in my face to draw my attention back to her.


    "You must know that those brothers are seriously scheming to kick you out sooner than you expect. Their father already loathes you so he won''t bat an eye no matter how dirty they get their hands. Mrs. Rollins might be fond of you but she''ll never pick you over her family. My point is, Demi, everyone in Danvarr knows how badly this is going to end for you except you. Your best bet is to beat those quads to their game and leave Ashely first. Come up with any excuse for a quiet breakup. Get your head out of that sandbox and save your reputation before it is irredeemably tarnished."


    I take a gulp of water and set the ss down.


    "Thank you, aunt, for the meal. I''ll be on my way now." I slide off my seat and grab my bag.


    "Asher was here."


    I whip my head towards Kira. "What?"


    "Your precious brother-inw Asher Rollins stopped byst night to discuss YOU."


    "Kira." Aunt''s voice is a low, warning growl but its effect is lost on Kira as she continues nheless.


    "Asher came to register the displeasure of his family over your intentions for sticking with them. He is convinced you have ulterior motives and hasmitted to make your exit from his family a memorable one. Demi, those quads n to disgrace and dump you like used toilet paper. No man in Danvarr will look at you again. You can only stop this if you quietly divorce Ashley first."


    Speechless, I make my way out of the house. Why does it still surprise me the lengths Asher Rollins will go to get rid of me? I shouldn''t be shocked anymore at this point. Yet, hearing his schemes always manages to send waves of cold chills down my arms. I have not even scratched the surface of my ns. I can''t leave now. Yet, if there''s any truth to what Kira is saying (with Kira being Kira) then I can''t let the quads have their way. I''ll leave on my own terms, not for any other reason.


    ***


    "Did you know?" I ask, scowling at Liam. He shoves a paperback in a shelf and turns to face me. "Did you know what your sister has been up to? She''s warming her way into the very family you im to despise."


    "Correction Demi, half-sister. To answer your question though, I wasn''t aware. From the little I gathered; M never struck me as the type to find love amongst the quads. She has never loved the spotlight. All of this is news to me."


    "Well, apparently, you were wrong. She clearly has her fangs in the Rollins'' family now. Brett Rollins is already toasting to her and Ashton as though they''re an official couple." The image from dinnerst night seems to irk me more than the distasteful visit Asher made to my aunt''s home. "They went on one coffee date and everyone is already branding them a couple."


    Liam narrows his eyes at me. "What exactly are you livid about? The fact that this can potentially pose challenges in our grand n or losing Ashton''s attention?"


    I stare up at him, a conspicuous frown on my face. "In case you haven''t noticed, Ashton''s attention is the reason Asher''s hasn''t uncovered my truth yet. It''s very important to have a brother on my side, you know that. With your half-sister in the picture, everything will getplicated for me."


    Liam doesn''t look convinced. "I hope to the heavens that your priorities are straight. M knows nothing about my ns. After all, she has never had to face rejection from our father. She is his princess. Taking down Rollins group and putting Spellman group in first ce is my only ticket to reuniting with my father."


    Just then, a customer enters the book store. Liam steers me further behind the shelves.


    "I can''t confront her. We aren''t close. Just keep doing what you''re doing. Hopefully, Ashton is smart enough to reject her affection."


    Though Ashton had seemed pretty surprised and slightly ufortable with his family''s stamp of approval on M, his purported new girlfriend, I don''t know if he can turn them down. He adores his mother. His father is a different story.


    Brett Rollins is not as effusive with praise as Mrs. Rollins so when ites, his boysp it up as fast as they can. I recall the glint in Ashton''s eyes when his father held out a hand to shake him. It felt like Ashton breathed a sigh of relief at finally making the old man proud and feeling seen for the first time in a long while.


    Can Ashton really turn his father down if Brett wishes to see M join the family? I push the thoughts at the back of my mind to avoid facing the nerve-wracking truth.


    Have you heard anything significant from the device in the game room?" I ask, digressing to clear my head.


    "They haven''t been in there for now. Bugging their phones will be more effective."


    Sighing, I run a hand through my hair, ruffle it. "For this unforeseen turn of events, I''ll need more time to deliver on that end. Getting close enough to the brothers to get their phones will be even harder now. I''ll see what I can do." Surprisingly, Liam doesn''t object. Instead, his eyes are narrowed with precision like he always does when he is running an idea in his mind.


    "We can''t keep stalling like this." He spits. "We need you working in HQ."


    "Brett will never sanction that even if I had all the requisite qualifications to hold a job there."


    "Then we''ll have to force his hand."


    I don''t bother asking him what he means. Right there and then, he pulls up hisptop from his bag, settles into a couch and begins to write. I know he is cooking up something juicy on Billion-Err and for that reason, I''m afraid to ask what.


    "You''re not going to like it but trust me, this is how we can get you to work at the damn HQ. I''m going to tag all the major blogs and journalists on this post. Brett won''t be able to ignore this."


    The door bell chimes and my best friend walks in. Just like I have already exined to her, she makes a beeline to the back of the bookstore and smiles beautifully at the sight of me. We embrace each other tightly for a few seconds.


    "Hello, Mr. Spellman." Anna waves at him. Liam doesn''t look up from hisptop screen.


    "Liam please. Just call me Liam."


    "Ok, Liam." Anna chuckles before I grab her to a different couch to fill her in on the new M problem. She is just as shocked as I am and steals nces at Liam every two seconds.


    "Shit. I think I see the resemnce." She coos.


    "That''s not the problem right now."


    "Oh, right. Ashton." She shrugs. "You can''t know for certain that his feelings for you or whatever they might be, is fading because of this M unless you check."


    "Check?"


    "Scratch that. We can''t let his feelings for you wither away. It''ll make your revenge game harder without a brother dancing to your tune, right? So, you can''t wait or try to check. You have to strum that Ashton like a guitar. If you''ve been ignoring him up till this point, give him some kind of a greenlight so he isn''t afraid to explore his feelings with you. You need him to reject M because of his feelings for you."


    I bite down on my lower lip. I don''t know much about seducing a man, let alone a man like Ashton. "I don''t know, Anna. If I immediately switch from not giving a fuck about him to wanting him the minute M showed up, Ashton might suspect me or consider me desperate."


    Anna smiles. "Who says you''re going to seduce him by giving him ap dance? Nothing too obvious, Demi. You''ll keep ying your innocent little game. I bet he especially loves that about you. Just be a damsel in distress more frequently so hees to your aid as he usually does. Get your keys jammed in the lock. Slip and fall. Break your heels or something right when he''s around the corner. When hees to your aid, you don''t act stubborn but thank him. Let him linger around you longer than you''d usually permit and all he''ll think is that you''re just being grateful for his help. When hees close to you, don''t push him away."


    "It''s done."


    We both turn to stare at Liam.


    "Oh damn, thesements are wild." Liam spares me a cautious nce. "Demi, remember I did this for you. Let the heat rise till it starts to scald Brett Rollins. That''s when you''ll hit him with the employment question."


    "Oh crap." Anna passes her phone to me. "Did you really have to take it that far?"


    I brace myself as I read the article. It thoroughlypares me with Nic, M and a few other exes the quads have had in terms of beauty, standard, ss etc. Liam tries to sway peoples'' minds to the idea that the Rollins'' family haven''t fully epted me because I don''te from a wealthy background like the other women. He alludes to my poor fashion choices and the fact that I am currently not integrated in the family business. He makes more scalding statements about my ce in the family and raises suspicions that the Rollins family keep me locked up in the house instead of letting me work like I used to.


    People buy into his posttion and make unhealthyparisons between me, Nic and M. Most appeal to my inws to polish me up to look like a befitting daughter-inw but there are others who use me of being a gold digger who tore Ashley and Nic apart and for that reason, I deserve the disdain of my inws.


    Anna rips the phone from my hand.


    "That''s enough. Don''t let those trolls get to you."


    Liam walks up to me and pulls me to my feet. "You''ll need a tougher skin to survive all the things I am prepared to do to get you closer to hard proof." He shakes me a bit. "Go home. Look forlorn and dejected. If any of the quadses to console you, spy their phone. We''ll give Brett a few days and then you can gradually start pitching the idea of working at the HQ to Mrs. Rollins or her husband directly."


    I nod my head with a small smile. "I understand the n. Simply because I shudder at how creative people can get with insults towards someone they barely know doesn''t make me weak. Anna, you recall what this feels like, right?" Anna nods affirmatively.


    "I never knew I could feel worse about my situation until those trolls came for me." She shivers in remembrance. "You should try it Liam. Wait till someone leaks that you''re behind Billion-Err. Then you''d know that talk is cheap."


    Liam remains unfazed. "Let''s focus on the task ahead first. If you feel like shedding tears, then do them when the family members can see and have pity on you, not in your room behind closed doors. We need to tug at their heartstrings till Brett Rollinses around. Is that clear?"


    "Crystal."


    ***


    The minute I get back into the car, the chauffeur is the first one to ask if I am okay. He noticed I spent quite some time at the bookstore. I peer at him through the rearview mirror, my eyes red and puffy and ask to be taken home.


    At home, I trudge into the mansion like my legs are made of lead. I don''t have to fake the weariness or tears as the harshments I had read on the car ride back home left a tear in my confidence and self-esteem. I intentionally ignored numerous calls from home too.


    At my bedroom door, I keep entering the wrong code on purpose. I give the door a bad-tempered kick after the third try and whimper softly when a door along the hall opens. I continue to key in the wrong code and banging the door when it wouldn''t budge. Huge armse around me, clinging tightly to keep me from bruising my knuckles further by banging the door. I turn around and cry in Ashton''s chest as he holds me. Then I catch a whiff of the perfume. Pulling back, I note the outfit. Dread fills me as I jerk back against my door with bloodshot eyes.


    "Not the brother you hoped for, huh?"

 Chapter 27

    <h4>Chapter 27: Chapter 27</h4>


    ASHAL


    My phone res in the silence of the room. Groping, I identally knock it off the top of the side drawer. Olivia stirs in her sleep next to me. I grumble out of bed and pick up the ringing phone.


    "Yes?"


    "Where are you? I''ve been waiting here for over an hour."


    "Shit." It alles back to me now as I grab my pants off the floor and shrug into them. Ashton. The race track. It had been my idea. How could I have forgotten? With the phone still glued to my ear, I apologize profusely to my brother while I hop from bathroom to closet.


    Done with dressing and the call, I shuffle back into my bedroom to grab a few things and notice it isn''t Olivia on my bed. The new maid twitches the nket around her naked chest and smileszily at me. What the fuck?


    "Where''s Olivia?"


    Her face crumples at the first name out of my mouth after I clearly just slept with my wife''s maid. Lily cowers frightfully at the fire sizzling in my eyes. How the hell did this happen? "She''s...she''s..." Lily points towards the door.


    "Get the hell out of my bed and tidy this ce up." I order her before rushing out and making a beeline for Olivia''s room. However, something catches my attention on the way. There are dried droplets of blood in a long trail leading to Olivia''s room. My legs freeze up. Did I hit her again? I don''t recall getting into my penthousest night or what must have transpired with Olivia. How did I end up in bed with Lily?


    Gradually, I crack open Olivia''s door. It''s as I feared. She''sying on her bed with a swollen, red face. There are shallow cuts on her face and arms. The dried blood spill from her lips gives me chills. Her breathing is shallow as she sleeps. When I go closer to examine her, her eyelids flutter open, weakly. Her eyes are filled with dread but she doesn''t try to move away from me. It''s probably because she can''t. Her eyes are pained and seeing her in the condition I put her makes me realize what a monster I must be.


    "Olivia, I am so sorry."


    A single tear slides down Olivia''s face as she shuts her eyes.


    "I''m sorry babe. I''ll call a doctor right away."


    "I''ll take care of her."


    I whip my head to find Lily by the door with cleaning supplies. It appears she has just finished mopping the hallway. She steps cautiously into the room.


    "I''ll treat her wounds and nurse her back to health. I''m good with a first aid kit. If you call a doctor, questions will be raised."


    My hand trembles around my phone. "Did you see me do it? Were you here?"


    Lily ''s eyes dips to the floor. She nods.


    "Why didn''t you help her?"


    Her face flushes with embarrassment. "You wouldn''t let me sir. You grabbed me..." She trails off, hoping I get her drift. I turn away disgusted with myself. I can''t believe I bloodied my wife and went on to sleep with her maid.


    "Take good care of her, you hear me. If she doesn''t get better, let me know instantly so I can call a doctor." Lily nods firmly. I take one look at Olivia and battle an urge to sit by her side while she gets cleaned up but I know she doesn''t want me around right now. I put her in this condition. My apologies can''t mean much. Ashamed of myself, I turn around and storm out of the room.


    On my way to see Ashton, a thought urs to me. I am not really thrilled about it but I am too worried about Olivia to be selfish right now. I don''t like the idea of leaving her in that condition in the hands of a mere maid. I whip out my phone and call Asher. The few seconds it takes him to take the call, I recall my secret impersonations of my brother and how Asher''s presence might douse everything I have managed to build with Olivia while pretending to be him.


    "Yes, Ash?"


    My mind goes nk. I clear my throat. "Oh shit, Asher, I''m so sorry. I mean to call Ashton. We are racing today. I must have dialed you identally."


    Asher grunts. "Way to break a brother''s heart." He chuckles. "Alright, you two have fun." The call ends. I stare back at Olivia''s bedroom door and try to justify my selfishness. She''ll be fine, right? She has not fatal injuries.


    "If Asheres and she says something, he might pick up that I have been impersonating him. Worse still, he might get worried and decide to keep frequenting this ce to check on Olvia. I can''t have either. I still need more time with Olivia, to have great moments with her and build memories she wouldn''t want to give up even after she learns she has been having them with me all this time and not her beloved Asher. This is how I can ensure there''s hope for our future rtionship."


    Sighing, I continue out of the house. While I start my car and pull out of the driveway, I make out Lily''s silhouette by the window in Olivia''s room. She stands by the curtain watching me till I leave.


    ***


    I watch Ashton finish first in a race against one of his friends. He gets out and shakes hands with his opponent. Then he instantly seeks me with his eyes. I wave at him from our favorite row in the stands. My head wasn''t in the game when I tried racing Ashton.


    Though no one can really beat him at this, I usually don''t cross the finish line a minute after Ashton does. Ashton and I usually go neck and neck when I am inspired enough. Today, I am clearly distracted by Olivia''s condition that I can''t get my head in the game. Ashton had to seek a worthypetitor in his friend.


    "You good?"


    "Yep." I pass a bottle of water to him and sip on mine. Ashton drinks a little before plunking down next to me.


    "How is she?"


    "What?"


    Ashton stares hard at me. "How''s Olivia? Are you two still not talking yet? I know you''re always so pensive whenever you two are in a bad ce so, how is she?"


    I exhale quietly. "She''s fine. Typical Olivia and Ashal dynamic; I am trying to love her but my condition won''t let her give me a chance."


    "Did something else happen?"


    "NO!" I reply too fast. At the arch of Ashton''s brow, I force a thin smile. "What I mean is that we''re fine. It just gets really frustrating trying and failing to win her over. I am at my wits end." Ashtonys a hand on my shoulder and squeezes.


    "You two will be fine."


    "I hope you''re right."


    His phone rings. When he checks it, M''s name shes. He slips the phone back into his jacket, unanswered.


    "You two beefing already?"


    Ashton rolls his eyes. "We''re not a couple. Forget what the blogs said."


    "And Dad? What if he really wants your union?" Something uncertain flits through Ashton''s eyes but he doesn''t give me a response. I excuse myself to go make a quick call. Lily answers thendline and I immediately enquire about Olivia''s health. Olivia is said to be sleeping after her wounds have been treated. I sigh in relief.


    "Listen, I won''t being home tonight. I can''t stand seeing her like that. I''ll send my brother instead. He and Olivia used to be very good friends. She needs a friend now and she would appreciate his visit. Make sure he is well entertained, ok?"


    "Yes sir." Lily answers.


    I hang up and exhale. I have to go back as Asher and console Olivia. She is keeping to my threat and refusing to call Asher to her aid. However, I have always called Asher whenever I identally hurt her in the past. She''ll find it odd if he doesn''t turn up. I know she''s looking forward to his visit and that is why she is enduring the pain. The least I can do is give her her desire; Asher Rollins.


    I return to find Ashton scowling at a text from M.


    "That one seems relentless."


    He slips his phone back into his jacket. "I don''t know what she thinks we are. She''s been hounding me."


    "You two looked really cozy at the caf¨¦ though."


    Ashton shoots me an icy re that makes me chuckle.


    "She''s way in over her head." He shakes his. "I mean she''s smart and fun to be around but thest thing I need right now is more media attention in my private affairs. We have enough spotlight on us as it is."


    "And Demi?


    Ashton stares at me with bright eyes.


    "Don''t give me that look. I have eyes too, you know. What have you got going on with her?"


    "Nothing. We''ve had a few run-ins where I wasn''t aplete asshole and maybe that''s why she started treating me like a decent human. Is she attracted to me? I don''t know. Am I attracted to her? She''s a beautiful woman. Maybe I might be fond of her but you know nothing can evere of it. I wouldn''t..."


    "I know you, Ashton. You''re not like the rest of us perverts. You''ll keep your hands off a meal at the table until you know it''s yours. You never touched any brother''s property without permission. Too bad the only thing Danvarr knows about you is your obsession with protecting your loved ones."


    "You mean my violent streak?"


    We both chuckle.


    "Hey, I think I''m done working from home. I''ll be resuming the office soon."


    "Are you sure?"


    "Ashton, I am fine. It''s been weeks. I am not suicidal anymore if you can''t already tell." I need a distraction. If I have to go into work, then I can spend my nights with Olivia as Asher. Though I am sad things went this far with Olivia, it''s given me another reason for Ashal to stay away.


    I stop by the house in the evening to change into a decent corporate outfit. Father is most definitely still at work with Asher. Mother passively mentioned seeing some friendster today so I assume that''s the reason she isn''t the first person toe greet me the minute I arrive. She seemed really worried about my drinkingst night.


    I head straight to my bedroom and hurry into a dark turtle neck top, khaki chinos and a zer. For an elegant spin, I round off with a pair of dark brown suede Chelsea boots. I''ve seen Asher pull this look often when he wasn''t feeling like a donning a suit.


    On my way out, I can hear beeping sounds followed by a frustrated sigh. When I get closer to the door, I hear soft whimpers. Like I suspected, it''s Demi.


    I don''t know what has got her looking so sad and teary. She keys in her door code again and bangs on her door in frustration when it wouldn''t budge. Before I can think better of it, I find myself moving fast towards her. My arms go around her and sp tightly. Overwhelmed, she leans into my embrace for a few seconds before whirling to cry into my chest. I think she''s confusing me with Ashley or Ashton for that matter.


    Then it clicks. She pulls away from me, eyes wide with terror. I can''t me her for not trusting any other brother with her vulnerability.


    "Not the brother you hoped for, huh?"


    Demi swallows. What exactly has Asher done to make this woman so terrified of us switching ces on her. I can only imagine.


    "I''m sorry. I shouldn''t bother anyone with my troubles." She spins to her door and tries the code again. It works now.


    "Demi?" Tentatively, she hovers by the door and turns to me. "It''s Ashal. I''m sorry I didn''t start with that." She doesn''t seem to buy it as my outfit screams Asher but she nods. "I''m sorry about whatever has got you in tears. I wish I could stay and talk about it but something very urgent came up. Will you be alright by yourself? Should I call Ashely? Anna?"


    "I''ll be fine."


    She thanks me and shuts her door. Once again, I feel weird leaving a distraught woman to her whims. At least I''ll be with Olivia in a bit but Demi has no one. I contemte calling Ashley but when I try his phone, it fails to connect. Ashton on the other hand wille running but I don''t want my brother being around a vulnerable Demi. They are human first and there''s no telling how they might end up seeking sce in each other. I can''t put Ashton in a weak position. I ditch the idea, trust Demi to handle herself and head out.


    The ride to my penthouse is a fast one. I remember when I got it. It was right after Asher hit Olivia and almost killed her. After he pinned the me on me and Olivia refused to sign an NDA despite our please and bribes, father came in with threats and mother, with more bribes. When our marriage was fixed because Olivia waster found pregnant, I was advised to get the house to keep her a secret.


    Then, I had hoped to work out a rtionship with Olivia to the point where she could ept our union and I could bring her into the Rollins mansion as my wife. Those dreams still remain dreams till date. Rather than make Olivia known to the world, I keep finding reasons to keep her hidden.


    She hasn''t fully given her heart to me yet. If my ns are sessful and she falls deeply in love with the Asher I have been pretending to be, I only hope that shees to realize that I can still give her all the happiness she felt when she thought my name was different. If she epts to explore a rtionship with me as Ashal, I hope that can be a fresh start for us.


    Lily meets me by the door.


    "Wee sir. Mr. AshaI mentioned you would being in his ce."


    "Where is she?" I bellow gruffly.


    "She''s upstairs in her room." I hurry past Lily and sprint up the stairs the way I imagine Asher would. Olivia is still purring softly. Lily wasn''t lying when she said she could take care of the cuts. There are little band aids across Olivia''s forehead. Her cheeks are still swollen and tinted red. My eyes drop to her bandaged arm.


    "What happened to her arm?" I didn''t notice it was broken earlier.


    "It was slightly dislocated but I managed to correct the bone. She''ll be able to use it in a few weeks'' time."


    My heart breaks into a million pieces. Am I breaking her bones now? What would be left of her when we finally want to mend out rtionship? Will she still stay with me as Ashal when she has permanent damages to remind her of the gory consequences of my condition?


    "Asher?" Olivia''s eyes barely open. Her weak voice shatters me.


    "Leave us." I tell Lily who slowly backs away and shuts the door behind her. I rush to Olivia''s side. "Are you okay? Are you hurting all over?" She grimaces in pain when I take her hands. "Sorry. I''m so sorry." Catching myself, I look down and study her bruises. "How did it happen?"


    "The same way it always happens. He used me of trying to tarnish the image of your family. He''s always suspicious of me, Asher." Tears well up in her eyes. "He''s going to kill me Asher. Please take me away from here. I''ll go anywhere else as long as it''s away from him. I need a divorce. Please tell your parents I will dly sign anything they want but nobody will ever hear anything from me."


    Shock is sttered all over my face at the mention of a divorce.


    "Please Asher, I''ll die if I continue to live here. I can''t bear it anymore. I won''t tell a soul that I ever knew the Rollins family. I''ll do anything you want to get away from your brother. Please help me."


    She starts crying heavily now while I struggle to stay in character. My head is spinning. She has never asked for a divorce. She knows what that will mean for her family. The support of my family will be cut off from them. Her father will hate her for not cooperating. Her mother would wee her back despite knowing how tough things will get for them moving forward. Her sister''s schrship to the prestigious university she currently attends will be withdrawn.


    However, what hurts me the most is that she is willing to divorce me even if it means being away from Asher forever. I can''t hold onto her if she won''t hold on to Asher.


    "Divorce?" I reiterate in shock. "You know what that will mean for the both of us or don''t you?"


    Olivia braves a hand to my cheek. "I''m just another woman in your bed, Asher. We both know this will never be more than a fling. You can have any woman you want." She struggles to prop herself up on the bed. "Please, if you ever cared for me, you''ll help me end this torment before it destroys my lifepletely. I''ll be of no use to you or anyone dead."


    I lunge to my feet to go stand by the window. "I will talk to my brother..." Olivia starts shaking her head, "I''ll make sure he never skips a day of therapy."


    "He''s been doing it for months now and yet here we are. It won''t stop Asher, not while he still has a punching bag to practice with. Please say you''ll help me Asher. I don''t want to die."


    "You won''t die." I tell her.


    "HE ALREADY KILLED OUR BABY ASHER!" Olivia screams in tears. "I LOST OUR BABY LAST NIGHT!"

 Chapter 28

    <h4>Chapter 28: Chapter 28</h4>


    ASHTON


    [Stop ignoring me. You promised, Will]


    I slide my phone into my pocket, ignoring M''stest message. She''s reallyying it on a bit thick here. It was cool when our friendship was still in the dark. With all the spotlight on us now, I''m notfortable seeing her and feeding the gossip already trending on the news and blogs. I nce up towards the door when I hear a familiar voice.


    "Is this how you treat a friend?"


    M hovers by the door of my office with her hands on her waist. Her voice is a petnt whine. She strolls in uninvited and helps herself to a seat. I was about to leave and I tell her as much.


    "What''s wrong, Ashton? Why are you being so cold towards me?"


    "Look M, I appreciate you wanting to indulge Will but I do not have the time for any of that now. I have a lot on my te." M scrunches her nose.


    "Just spit it out. This has got nothing to do with your workload. You''re the chief operating officer here. You call the shots and you''re free to delegate your tasks when you need to. Sparing an hour and thirty minutes of your time for me won''t make yourpany fold. I run one too so I know what I am talking about."


    She rises to her feet. "I''m not a child. I can tell when people aren''t being honest. I guess it''s my fault for hounding you like I''ve got nothing better to do. I just wanted to take a break from my mundane routine and hang out as friends. Don''t read much meaning into it."


    Before she can leave, I stop her.


    "I didn''t mean to be an asshole M and I apologize for being just that. Honestly, I''m notfortable with the amount of media attention we are getting over one lousy photo at the caf¨¦ the other day. I told you, I tried to be Will so I could draw less attention to myself and feel free. I''m not ready to put up with anything that defeats that."


    M''s eyes soften with understanding. "I''m guessing your dad also gave you a hard time about it too."


    "Hard time?"


    Sighing, she edges closer to my desk. "Well, mine wasn''t totally upset with the idea of us allegedly dating or whatever. He just prefers Asher to Ashton. You know, solid work ethic, business acumen, h h h."


    "Ouch." I pretend to clutch my bleeding heart.


    "I know, right? What did your parents think of me?"


    My throat goes dry. "My father? Well, the idea of one of his sons allegedly dating the daughter of a business mogul like himself sounds good to them." M''s eyes light up brightly. "But of course I quickly had to debunk the rumor and set my family straight. You did so too, right?"


    She shrugs nonchntly. "Look, I just want to get hamburgers and fries. I''ll wear a male disguise if that puts you at ease. Cool?" I''m not still psyched about the idea but I agree.


    "Fine. I''ll text you when I am free."


    "Cool. Oh, by the way, I''m really sorry about your sister-inw. I don''t know why the blogs have been unfair to hertely."


    My eyes meet hers lightning fast. "What?


    "The blogs? They''ve been giving her so much k for no reason. I don''t know why they like picking on your family so much. Haven''t you seen the articles? It''s been trending all evening." M tuts while I hurriedly pull up my phone to check. I hate lingering on social media so a lot gets past me with my inte turned off. To my horror, my phone goes crazy with numerous notifications.


    "Shit. My brothers have been trying to reach me too."


    Asher has left a message on the quad WhatsApp group but so far only Ashley has responded to it. Ashely points out in the chat that Ashal can''t be reached. I recall my conversation with Ashal earlier and wonder if he is at his penthouse with Olivia trying to repair their rtionship. My mind shuttles to Demi. How must she be holding up? Thest time she was dragged online, she didn''t take it well.


    It''s been over thirty minutes since Asher dropped a message that our PR team is working to dispel the heat gathering from the rumors. He also mentions that father and mother are coping just fine. There''s no mention of Demi''s state. I contemte asking Ashley in a private chat but I have no idea what meaning he might choose to read from it. Finally, I text to ask where he is. If he''s home, I can hope he has at least tried to console his wife. If he isn''t, then Demi is probably still all by herself.


    "Is everything ok?" M asks while I anxiously wait for Ashley to reply my text. Crickets.


    "I um, I need to get home. I''m sorry. Let''s hang outter, okay?"


    I steer her towards the elevator and see her off to her car before hopping into mine. Ashley still doesn''t reply my text and when I call him, his line goes to voicemail. Is he with Nic again? I wonder silently. He usually keeps away from his phone when he doesn''t want to be disturbed with his woman.


    I try Ashal''s phone. It''s unreachable.


    "Now, where exactly are you, Ashal? Why won''t you pick up too?"


    I arrive with minutes to spare before the dinner table is set. The guards all greet me as I alight from my car. Uncharacteristically, I toss my keys to one of them to help me repark my car properly in the garage and head inside the mansion. Inside, the maids are already setting the table. Everything looks rtively normal. I don''t know why I expected chaos.


    "You''re back." Mom calls with a smile. She and father are stepping out of his study together. I don''t know what to make of that. Father''s face is set in a grim line. He says nothing when I greet him.


    "Where''s everyone?" I ask casually, my eyes darting around the room. I study mom''s face for worry lines.


    "Upstairs perhaps. One of your brothers isn''t home."


    "Ashal." I reply. I don''t mention that I''ve been trying to reach him. "He''s probably spending the night at his penthouse." I tell mom.


    Father''s frown deepens. "I wonder what he ever saw in that woman. I''ll have to revisit that situation and deal with it before that silly blog catches on." I know he is referring to Billion-Err, the bane of every wealthy family in Danvarr. I however wonder how he ns to deal with Olivia any different from what he has already done.


    Mother''s face has grown worry lines now. I draw closer to her and cup her chin with my hands. "He''s fine mom. We were together all day. He even mentioned resuming work physically soon. He''s feeling much better. Let''s trust him, okay?" Mom nods. I stare at the elevator as it opens. Asher strolls out, his iPad in one hand and a ss of drink on the other.


    "How is it going?" Father asks him.


    "It''s going alright but these people are relentless. They''re tearing down every defensive reply wee up with."


    Fathe grunts. "And what exactly is Demi doing to quell this? This is all her fault. I wonder how she manages to stir the masses like this. Thest time it was her ex-boyfriend. Now, it''s her joblessness. She never spares any opportunity to put our family under the telescope for a bunch of nobodies to nitpick."


    "Calm down Brett."


    "Don''t tell me to calm down. That girl is just bad news. She''s ill-suited for our family. That much I can agree with the blogs." He runs a hand over his face and sighs. "Are you happy? I told you we should have kicked that girl out and faced the music. Her ridiculous ims would have been stale news by now like all the rest that came before her but you insisted on bringing her into our family. We haven''t had a moment of peace ever since."


    "Calm down father, please. We will ovee this like we always do." Father nts a heated gaze my way. Surprisingly, heports himself.


    "Fine. Find a way to tackle this with your brothers. I''m getting a migraine just thinking about our stocks plummeting again. If we suffer any more hits, Spellman group will outrank us and I can''t have that. Hugh is already proud enough as it is. I can''t let his ego get any bigger."


    "It won''t." I and Asher assure him simultaneously.


    "We''ll fix this." Asherpletes. He is sopetitive and just has to have thest word in. I shoot him smile.


    "How''s M?" Father asks out of nowhere. I gape at him in surprise.


    "M?"


    "Hugh''s daughter. How is she?"


    "Father, M and I aren''t..."


    Father''s raised hand kills my protest. "I don''t care what you are. Keep her close. She might prove useful in the future. Spellman group coulde in handy." With that, he allows mom to lead him to the table for his dinner. I can''t believe him. Is that the only reason he approves of M? I look away to hide the disappointment that mars my face. When my eyes find Asher again, he staggers to a couch and plunks down with his head in his hands. I rush to his side.


    "Asher! Are you okay? What''s wrong bro?"


    Immediately, he drops his hand. "I''m fine. I just had a stressful day at work. I''ll just have a fruit and go to bed. I need at least six solid hours of sleep."


    "Are you sure?"


    "I am."


    I head upstairs to find Demi. In front of her door, I contemte knocking or keying in her code. Somehow, I feel she hasn''t changed it. Will she consider me immature for not respecting her boundaries? I refuse to overthink it. I have to check on her since Ashley clearly hasn''t. My hand is poised over the keypad when my phone buzzes. I check my message the second I realize it''s from Ashely.


    [I am at home with Demi]


    Just then, the door knob turns and swings open. Ie face to face with Ashely whose arm is around Demi''s waist. Demi has clearly been crying. She sniffles and looks up at me with sad eyes.


    "Hey, I just got home and saw your text."


    "Oh really?" Ashley asks.


    "I''m sorry I wasn''t online. I had no idea so much was happening." Turning to Demi, I give her a sympathetic look. "Everything will be fine. Asher is working on it."


    "See, I told you." Ashley tells Demi. "You''ll be fine. Brace up."


    "Thank you." Demi whispers to both of us.


    I excuse myself to go freshen up. While leaving, I hear Demi decline Ashley''s invitation to join the family for dinner. In my room, I grab a shower. While the hot water sluices down my skin, I hope to wash away the difort I felt seeing Ashley''s arm around Demi. I can''t feel jealous over my own brother''s rtionship. It might only be on paper but it is still legal nheless.


    When I step out of the shower and wipe the foggy mirror clear, I realize my hair dye has worn thin. Flecks of ck hair dots my golden hair. Sighing, I get my dyeing kit from the bathroom cab and text mom. She normally helps me with dyeing my hair. I am bundled in a robe by the time she raps on my door.


    M texts me on my second phone to ask if everything is fine at home. I quickly reply to set her mind at ease and drop the phone on the top of my side drawer. With my other phone, I leave Ashal countless messages before I make my way to the door. I can''t believe he hasn''t deigned to reply any of them. He should know better how worried mom constantly is about him. Even now, I am just as worried because he never shuts everyone out like this. I don''t have Olivia''s number or I would have called her to check if Ash is with her. I make a mental note to text Asher and have him contact her before opening the door.


    Mom smiles as she nces at me.


    "I''m sorry to bother you sote. I just noticed it''s wearing thin."


    "That''s okay son." She follows me inside where I already have everything set up in my bathroom. She tries to encourage me to go for a permanent dye while shethers the dye on my hair and wraps it up in a silver foil.


    "Why? I thought you enjoyed dyeing my hair."


    "You know I love doing anything for you. I just don''t like how nervous you get because of this secret. I wish you didn''t have to hide your beautiful hair."


    "It''s fine mom. I''ll stick with the temp dyes."


    I don''t want to lose my uniqueness. Being identical to my brothers sometimes makes me crave a little differentiation. That''s what my hair does for him even though it is regarded as a w by father. Mother senses the awkwardness in my silence and evades to ask about Ashal. I lie to her about speaking with Ashal shortly before she arrives just to put her mind at ease. She sighs, relieved to hear he is doing fine.


    "That girl M, do you like her?"


    I am surprised at her concern. Father has always thought us to never put our happiness before that of the family business. Even though mom is not too fond of this ideal, she has never once objected to it or opposed father when he focused on a woman''s wealth and connection before weing her into our family as the official girlfriend of his son. Hence, this question throws me off a bit.


    "I saw your face earlier. You were disappointed in your father."


    "M is a cool friend. That''s all I can say." I hope it''s a good enough answer. I don''t want to affirm or deny anything just in case mom is testing me. It isn''t her style but there''s no telling what father could put her up to. She smiles at my response and doesn''t pursue the matter.


    After mom finishes with my hair, I bid her goodnight and escort her to my door. She''s such a life saver. She nts a soft kiss on my cheek and walks away. Just as she disappears into the elevator to get to her room on the second floor, Demi steps out of hers and locks eyes with mine. I proceed to shut my door and go to sleep but she calls out to me. When she rushes to my door, her appearance hasn''t improved much. There are still bags under her eyes.


    "You should be in bed." I tell her. She sniffles and offers a weak smile.


    "Thank you for earlier. I''m grateful to your family for all the support."


    "You seem surprised. Did you think we wouldn''t support you?"


    She shrugs. "I''ve been nothing but trouble around here. I can understand if father..." Her voice wavers, breaks. Her eyes grow misty. "I''m sorry. I just...they''re not entirely wrong Ashton. The trolls have a point. I have been trying to fit in here in my own way but it has never been good enough. I spoke to mother once about my idleness and she tried getting me to work with Ashley but the fashion world isn''t something I can grapple with." More sniffles. "I am notzy. I can work hard like everyone else in this family if my skills are put to the right use. I am good with marketing. Can you help me tell father that I want to work? Please?"


    Tears stream down her cheeks. I am too stunned to reply.


    "Demi, calm down. You don''t have to listen to those bullies."


    "No, I do want to work. I''m losing my mind staying at home all day. I wasn''t raised like that. I love working. Tell father I will ept any role: personal assistant, secretary, intern. Whatever he gives me, I''ll ept. I won''t make a fuss. Please. I''ve always wanted to win father over. He appreciates hard work and making money. If I work with him, I may be able to impress him with my work ethic and output. Please Ashton."


    Her hands are sped in front of me now. I don''t know how to tell her that pigs will fly before father will let her anywhere close to the HQ just because of a silly blog post. He is a stubborn man and wouldn''t want to cave to the whims of the people every single time.


    I might be able to impersonate Asher and convince father. I have done it quite a few times in the past. However, I am not entirely sure this is the best solution right now.


    "Have you spoken to Ashley? What did he say about this?"


    "He said I am setting myself up for failure. Father will never listen to me if I approach him directly." Her eyes pin mine again. "Unless I speak with you. He said you had a way with convincing father."


    "Your best bet is to go through mom. No one can sway him like she can." That''s a lie. I can be very persuasive because I know just how father thinks. I''ll make him believe it''s his own decision but I don''t want to do that for Demi. If she starts working at the HQ, I''ll see very little of her and she''ll be spending too much time with Asher. I don''t know why that makes me ufortable.


    Demi''s face falls. When the tears overwhelm her, I hold her in my arms and she doesn''t resist. She wouldn''t stop crying even after I promise to see what I can do. To avoid drawing attention, I pull her into my room and shut the door.


    Ten minutester, I''ve managed to coax her to drink some water and quit crying. I''ll see what I can do. She thanks me. After she leaves, I shut my door and exhale. I have no idea how I am going to go about helping her but a promise is a promise and I never break mine.


    I whisk myself for my phone to make a few calls. I can''t find it. A mini search around my room and I still can''t find it.


    "I had it just a few minutes ago. Did I leave it on the bathroom sink?" Convinced, I make my way towards my bathroom when my eyes catch a glow of light beneath the side drawer where Demi had sat. I dig under and pull it out. I don''t remember knocking down my phone. It was right on top the drawer where I always leave it. I refuse to think much about it and go ahead to change into somethingfortable for the night.


    Someone raps on my door almost immediately. I can''t imagine what Demi must have forgotten to say. I pull open the door only to find Ashal looking disheveled and forlorn.


    "Ash? What happened to you, man?"


    "I killed someone." He blurts out before losing consciousness.

 Chapter 29

    <h4>Chapter 29: Chapter 29</h4>


    DEMI


    "Did you find anything?" I ask frantically into the phone.


    "Yes." Liam replies. A sigh of relief escapes my lips. I worked too damn hard to load a spy app on Ashton''s phone and I am d it paid off.


    "Well, what''s in there?" Now my heart skips a beat, not because I am expecting to hear priceless information and secrets about his family but because I am afraid of learning he might be into M or some other woman or even secretly married.


    "It''s strange really."


    "How so?"


    "This line has very few numbers on it and they seem to belong toplete strangers. Women between eighteen through thirty-five."


    My heart plummets. Why the hell am I surprised? It should have been obvious that a dashing man like Ashton would crave the attention he is used to getting from the female folk. However, I expected this kind of thing to be done by Ashley who is unapologetic about his flirtatious lifestyle. Ashton never struck me as the type to fuck his way through a horde of women.


    "They all call him Mr. Fantasy."


    Ew. I think. Of course they do. I can imagine all the fantasies he helps them fulfil. I am too disgusted and disappointed to hear more at this point but then Liam mentions something surprising.


    "M''s number is here too. It appears this is how they met. She continues to text him with this number till date but what I find odd is the fact that she refers to him as Will instead of Ashton."


    Now, that''s interesting. "Will? Why would she do that? She knows exactly who he is."


    "She isn''t the only one. I perused through earlier texts and I realized Ashton has been firm in demanding that the women hang out with him as Will not Mr. Fantasy."


    "Why?"


    "I have no idea. His texts are very terse. M might know more about this secret identity of his."


    I don''t know how to feel about Ashton having a secret identity. Just then, I have a shback of the night I identally locked lips with him instead of Ashley back in Ashley''s room. Ashley had passively mentioned his brother was off to a date that night. When Ashton returned, I had noticed he was in a bad mood. Could that have been one of his dates as Will? He also wore very in clothes and his hair did look off.


    "Demi, are you there?" Liam asks.


    "Yeah, sorry."


    "Does any of these facts ring a bell? Have you noticed anything strange about Ashton?"


    I exhale. "No, not really. I was always too busy keeping my distance from him as someone clearly warned."


    Liam sighs. "I think Ashton has another phone, his main phone with all the important contacts in it. This seems like a phone he got just to entertain these women or his fantasy as a guy called Will. Your work isn''t done Demi. Get to him and spy his main phone. Try the other brothers too."


    "I will."


    After the call, I get dressed and go downstairs. Unlike my inws hoped, the heat from Liam''s post hasn''t shown any signs of cooling down after four days. Asher is close to pulling his hair out as his PR team are also getting bashed for their half-baked press releases spouting lies to redeem the image of the family andpany.


    Father has been very vocal about his displeasure with the situation and my connection to it. I have had very little of mother''s attention but much of her support. I managed to talk to her two days back about the same idea I ran by Ashton and Ashley but she is yet to bring it up with father. I don''t me her. He''s like a ticking bomb when hispany''s image and stock prices are on the line. It takes very little to set him off and right now, nothing will work faster than the mention of my name.


    Mother has been distractedtely. Ashal is in the worst state I have ever seen him. He has been weepy ever since he returned home four nights ago. He has remained confined in his room and wouldn''t allow visitors, not even his mother. Ashton was the only one he let in for the first two nights and more recently, mother.


    I have no idea what could have put him in such a state. He looked cheerful when he was about to leave for an urgent matter thest time we spoke. Though I feel bad for him seeing as he had been eager tofort me during my own distressful time, I am not allowed to go close to his room without ruffling some feathers. Hence, I choose to stay in myne and hope he gets better.


    "No!" Father yells from his study. I wonder what he isn''t agreeing to. Asher has been in there with him for a while. I suspect it has something to do with me being excessively attacked by the blogs. The dust hasn''t settled and father is finally feeling pressured.


    "Demi?"


    "Yes mother?"


    I go to her, meek as ever. Duncan, the senior bodyguard whispers something in mother''s ears as I approach her. He bows to greet me and excuses himself. Mother''s face is ghostly pale.


    "Mother, is something wrong?"


    "Everything will be fine, dear. How have you been? I hope you''re not reading those harshments about you and our family." She gently touches my cheeks. "I hope you don''t believe we don''t love you or haven''t fully epted you into our family."


    "I know just how much you all care for me, mother. I just feel guilty being the target of gossip and attracting negative media attention to this family because of our different economic brackets."


    "That will change soon enough."


    I spare a nce towards father''s study where muffled voices filter through the partly open door. "Father is really upset."


    "He is but he''lle around."


    The door to father''s study swings open and Asher steps out. He looks flustered at the sight of me. Stepping up to me, he speaks loud enough for mother to hear.


    "You''ll resume work as an intern at Rollins HQ next week. Be prepared to wake up extremely early and work extremelyte. I hear oneint and you''re out. I''ll be keeping an eye on you the whole time so you better not fuck this up." He whirls and stomps into the elevator. A huge grin forms on my face as I turn to mother. Hers is a weak but relieved smile. I embrace her and thank her because I know she definitely has something to do with this too.


    "How''s Ashal? Can I see him?"


    "Not yet dear. He still wants to be left alone."


    "I don''t understand. He was perfectly fine thest time we spoke. He said he had something urgent to attend to. I feel so bad that I can''tfort him. He has been really friendly and nice to me. Could you pass my message to him? Tell him I miss him and I hope he feels better soon so we can hang out."


    Mother smiles and nods.


    Excited, I head upstairs to share the good news with Liam when a loud voice catches my attention first. It sounds like the quads are having a big fight in Ashton''s room. The door is slightly ajar as I edge close.


    "What the hell were you thinking? I told you to impersonate me and tell dad not to sponsor the startup brand founded by Josh Randall and you go in there and convince him to let Demi work at the HQ? Have you gone nuts?"


    "For your information, father was already thinking about it. I didn''t have to sell him on anything. He had resolved to hire her due to your ipetence in tackling the issue. His words, not mine. You know what that means, right? He has lost some faith in your abilities to handle unforeseen crisis."


    "You''re lying!"


    "I went in there to do exactly what you asked but father suddenly registered his displeasure at the failure of the teams you have been working with to nip this media disaster in the bud. If I hadn''t stepped in and preempted his decision to hire Demi, you would have looked even worse than a fool. Thanks to my help, father still thinks your brain works."


    That was Ashton? The Asher that had scared the wits out of me as he informed me of my new employment status was actually Ashton pretending to be Asher?


    "You just did this for yourself."


    "For myself? How does Demi working closely with you and father benefit me?"


    Something shatters to the floor. A flower vase maybe before Asher''s voice rings out again.


    "Do you have any idea what you''ve done? If you wanted to please her so much, why didn''t you just hire her in your ownpany? Why foist her on mine? I already have a lot on my te with Josh and now I have to deal with Demi at work too?"


    "What exactly do you have against Josh Randall?" Ashton asks. "Why are you constantly trying to get rid of him?"


    I have no idea who Josh is but I guess I''ll find out when I resume work next week. Asher doesn''t bother to answer Ashton''s question. He cusses some more before storming out. By this time, I am safely tucked away in my room to avoid further suspicion from Asher.


    I wish I can talk to Ashton not just because I still have to get to his main phone. There''s so much to unpack as a million questions are running through my head. I am barely recovered from the discovery of his secret identity as Mr. Fantasy/Will and now, he''s ying Asher? How many sides are there to this man? What other secrets could these brothers be hiding?


    However, it doesn''t seem like right now is the best time. The brothers are all on edge. Ashley hasn''t left Ashal''s side and now Ashton and Asher aren''t on talking terms. The entire atmosphere is very ufortable but just as I think things can''t get any worse, M strolls into the mansion looking for Ashton.


    Mother and I are in the living room downstairs, trying to figure out what the family should have for dinner. We are hoping to perk up the mood in the house with a cheerful meal. When a maid shows M in, she is visibly astounded by the splendor of the mansion. She recognizes mother instantly and cordially greets her.


    Our eyes meet and she shoots out her hand out to shake mine. While I shake her, I try to ignore how tall and beautiful she is and how she effortlessly pulls off the fuchsia off-shoulder sweater and leather pants she has on. In her six-inch heels, I hate that I have to look up at her face to meet her eyes.


    Father emerges with Asher (I am not sure now). Like Nic, he cheerfully wees M to the mansion and graciously offers her a seat. One of the domestic staff appears with a tray of champagne. I have never seen father so hospitable. Asher has a lopsided grin on his face when I turn to him. Could that be Ashton? I don''t know what to believe.


    "M" The real Ashton calls in surprise as he jogs down the grand staircase. "What are you doing here? Did we have something nned?" The annoyed pinch of his nose at her surprise visit makes something jump in my chest even though I pretend not to care.


    "What do you mean? You reached out to my personal assistant via email inviting me over. I was just as surprised to be invited to your home."


    Ashton trades a quick nce with Asher who winks at him. So, Asher made this mess?


    "You''re wee here whenever you want, M." Father assures her.


    "Thank you, Mr. Rollins."


    He shoots Ashton a ''Behave yourself'' kind of look before heading back to his room. The awkwardness in the room is only felt between Ashton, Asher and I, but unlike us, Asher is thoroughly enjoying it. Mother mumbles something, to M before excusing herself.


    When I try to leave, M offers her sincere apologies for what I am going through. One look at her and how sweet she is being, and I instantly realize what the fuss is about. She is definitely a sweetheart and all in a ss of her own. Maybe Liam didn''t lie or exaggerate when hepared me to M and Nic. I am nowhere close to thesedies.


    "Thank you so much. I really appreciate that." I tell her, smiling warmly. After that, I excuse myself as well. It takes a lot to not look back to see Ashton''s face one more time and confirm if he is truly not thrilled by her visit, especially now that both of them were all by themselves.


    "Take her to your room, bro." I hear Asher suggest before the elevator doors can shut properly in front of me. My fingers clench into fists by my sides.


    ***


    Aunt Elizabeth and Kira have the weirdest, shocked expressions on their faces when I tell them the good news. I don''t know what to make of it. While Kira is visibly astounded by the fact that the Rollins family deigned to include me in their business, aunt''s lips tremble in shock.


    "R-Rollins HQ???"


    "Yes."


    I really didn''te all this way to tell them. I just needed to get out of the house and nk my mind of what Ashton and M could probably be saying or doing in his room. Anna is still at work and I didn''t want to bother her. I think I need a bunch of new friends to fill during times like this. Liam is on his way so while I wait, I figured I''d tell my naysayers thetest development just for the hell of it.


    Kira snorts. "This isn''t the good news you think it is. That family just set the ball rolling. Intern? Get ready for more drama." Then her eyes narrow. "This is starting to sound familiar, right mom? Didn''t your sister start as an intern too?"


    At the mention of my mom, my eyes flip to aunt''s. She''s almost white as a sheet.


    "Really? Mom worked at Rollins HQ before the ident?"


    Aunt shakes her head. "I don''t remember."


    She''s lying. I know mom did. It''s clearly documented in my mom''s diary which aunt kept hidden from me for years. Aunt pats my shoulder. "Congrattions. I hope things go well with your new job. Make sure you don''t do anything to put your inws in a difficult position. Work hard and mind your business."


    I watch her retire into her room and shut the door. Left with Kira, I simply stalk off to go find Liam. While walking towards the bookstore, strong arms grab my shoulders and yank me off the empty street. While kicking and writhing, I am forcefully carried into an alleyway. I recognize the cologne and intensify my screams but the beefy arm over my mouth traps it in my throat. I wish I had insisted on being driven here. The driver would have helped.


    When my feet touch the earth again, I make a run for it only to realize it''s a dead end. Eyes sizzling with rage, I turn to face a haggard looking Iman.


    "How dare you touch me? What the hell do you want?" My tone is sharp and bitter. I genuinely feel disgusted by him. I never liked this guy. He was just avable to y my cheating boyfriend. I would never date a psycho like him even if I was paid heavily for it. He smiles as he edges close to me.


    "Are you ready to admit you used me, Demi? There''s no one else here but us so you can drop the act." He tries to touch my cheek and I p his hand away. "I know you''re a very smart woman. I always wondered why you said yes to me and stayed even when you knew I was seeing other women. Tell me Demi, why did you use me like that? Don''t worry." His hands shoot up in surrender. "I know how powerful your new family is. I wouldn''t dare hurt a hair on your head. I just want answers."


    Bile tickles behind my throat at his audacity. "Answers? Today, you want answers? Do you think I am a fool? I bet you have someone filming us right now for your selfish ends. The interviews didn''t pay you enough and now you''re trying to make a quick buck by faking another rumor about me? Grow up Iman. You''re pathetic." I start walking back towards the main street but he suddenly grabs my arm and shoves me against a wall.


    His big hand closes around my throat, cutting off my air supply. I try in vain to free myself while my vision starts to get spotty.


    "You now have such a big mouth, huh? You think your new family is on your side? Who do you think paid me to stage all of that? YOUR FUCKING IN-LAWS! I could take your life right now and I bet your inws will pay me handsomely for helping them get rid of their problem, bitch." He releases me. While I keel over, trying to catch my breath, he crouches in front of me and smoothens my ruffled hair from my face.


    "You and I aren''t over, Demi. You messed with the wrong dude and until I get the right answers from you, these little encounters will seem like fate." He grabs my face and kisses me roughly. I am too stunned and weak to push him off the second he does it so when he breaks it off, I spit in his face.


    Heughs and wipes it off. "Bye for now, my love."


    I refuse to cry. It''s like Ashal says, I have to be stronger. I am not weak. ying weak is my strength right now. That way, no one will expect my fangs when theye out.


    Someone suddenly starts pping. I look up to find Kira with a big smile on her face. By the looks of it, she definitely saw everything. She dangles her phone in front of my face.


    "So, you get hired by your inws in response to the brutal attacks on social media and the first thing you do is to go kiss and makeup with your wretched ex in an alleyway. Ooh Demi, what will your father-inw think of these pictures and the video."


    My eyes redden. "I hope you got everything on there, from my kidnapping to the sexual assault because I''d like for the police to use that as evidence to lock that animal away for good."


    Kira smiles. "Too bad. I just hit record when you locked lips with your ex. Will that be enough?"


    I can''t believe her. There''s no point in arguing with this one. She knows exactly what the truth is but she will always be selfish and think of her personal gain first. My breath finally even, I manage to stand.


    "What do you want, Kira?"


    Her smile widens. "A date...with any of the quads." Sheughs.


    "I thought the quads were bad news?"


    "Marrying them and hoping they magically ept a lowborn like yourself makes them bad news to you but going on a hot date with them or kissing and sleeping with them is trendy. There''s a whole fan club for women who have tasted them." She sighs wistfully. "It''s a whole flex, you know. I have to go on a date with the real deal though, not Mr. Fantasy or the other lookalikes."


    My eyes dte in shock. "Come again? Did you say Mr. Fantasy?"


    Kira scowls up at me. "You have no idea what''s going on, do you? Yes, Mr. Fantasy. He''s a..."


    "I know what he is." I interrupt her. "How? How did youe to know of him?"


    Kira eyes me suspiciously. "Like every woman does apparently. Why are you so keen? You eat, sleep and wakeup in the same mansion as the real quads. What do you care about some lookalike pretending to be a quad for a few bucks?"


    "Ok, have you snagged a date with Mr. Fantasy?" I ask, trying to steer her back into the conversation on Ashton.


    Kira folds her arms on her chest. "What if I have?"


    "When is it happening?"


    "That''s none of your business."


    "I know but my inws have been upset about people posing to be the quads. If I can go in your ce and catch this person, I think they''ll appreciate it. I''ll make the arrangement for you to go on a date with one of the quads if you let me trade ces with you."


    "Really? How about I expose this wannabe myself and get all the credit. Maybe your inws will even let me pick which of the quads I want to go on a hot date with."


    "I doubt that. They''re not as easy as you think. You''re wee to try but I bet you that all you''ll get is a pat on the shoulder at best. If you strike a deal with me, I can bring any of the quad''s home to you under the guise of visiting. I''m good friends with most of them now and they''ll follow me anywhere. Once I deliver them, the rest is up to you to work your magic. All I want is that you give me the details of your date with Mr. Fantasy so I go in your ce. Deal or no deal?"


    Kira stares at my hanging hand, thinks a bit before shaking it.


    "You''ve got a deal."

 Chapter 30

    <h4>Chapter 30: Chapter 30</h4>


    "How is she?"


    "She hasn''t spoken a word in days. She barely eats or drinks. You shoulde see her sir. She''s depressed." Lily tells me. I press my eyes shut and sigh. I am not ready to face Olivia, not as Ashal or Asher. Either way, I won''t be able to contain the pain or the shame. I killed my own baby! It''s the most unforgivable sin.


    That baby would have been mine and Olivia''s. Having a baby together might have helped our rtionship progress. I know it''s selfish to think this way but I can''t help it. Olivia will never forgive me as Ashal now. If she hated me once, she''ll be murderous towards me now. For all she knows, she just lost Asher''s baby. Even if she happens to find outter that the baby was mine, she''ll want to kill me even more for the deception. I can''t let her find out, ever.


    "I''lle see her soon. Please take care of her." I hang up and toss my head back on the pilliow in anguish.


    "How is she?" Ashton asks.


    "Not good. I just ran, Ash. The moment she told me she lost our baby, I couldn''t think or do anything else. I couldn''t face her or myself. I ran away from there." I refrain from adding that I was tempted to walk into an oing vehicle and end it all. I don''t want anyone''s pity. I don''t deserve it anymore than Olivia deserves to have a fucked up husband like me.


    "Thank you." Ashton says, patting my shoulder. "Foring back home." I get his drift.


    "I shouldn''t have. I don''t deserve to be here while my child..." The pain erupts in my gut. When Ashton tries to sympathize, I push him away. "No, I really don''t deserve it. I could have stopped it all. I could have saved my poor child. Prior to the night I hit Olivia, I discovered something that made me mad at her."


    I go ahead to recount how I discovered Olivia had messaged Demi.


    "I tried to drink my pain away. I even consumed whiskey like you would. I hoped to forget her betrayal. The point is that I knew I was mad at her but I still went ahead to the penthouse knowing the risk. If I had stayed away from her for a week or two, my anger would have subsided and my baby would still be growing in her womb. I destroyed my future with Olivia."


    Ashton''s arms wrap around me, holding me in a tight embrace as tears wrack through my system. I don''t know how long we stay like this but when I open my eyes, it''s almost dusk and my phone is ring in the dimness. I am all by myself. I grope for the phone just as the iing call disconnects. When I check, it''s from Lily. I gape in horror at the nine previous calls she has made to me while I was asleep. How did I sleep through the calls? Did Ashton pop a sleep-inducing pill along with my regr medication?


    "Lily?" I call back.


    She''s out of breath and talking a mile in a minute. "Lily, calm down, what''s wrong. I can''t understand a word." Then my eyes boggle. "Olivia did what?" I leap out of my bed like it''s on fire and bolt through the door. "Keep her sedated. I am on my way."


    When the elevator won''t open despite how many times I tap the control buttons, I sprint down the stairs, nearly bumping into Duncan.


    "Sir, are you alright? You should be resting."


    "I''m well rested, Duncan. Thank you." He regards me with suspicious eyes as I brush past him on bare feet to the garage. Thankfully, mom isn''t around to stop me. However, I''m certain that everyone would soone to know I left the house in a haste since Duncan knows. He''s too loyal to my parents to cover for any of us.


    I narrowly escape meeting with an ident twice on my way to the penthouse. While on my way, I have Lily on loudspeaker, reporting on Olivia''s state of health. Olivia had attempted suicide but thankfully, Lily saved her.


    When I get into the house and find Olivia looking impoverished, pale and sweaty on her bed, my heart breaks for her. She''s has lost some weight.


    "I have hidden all the knives and other sharp objects in the kitchen. I will also personally administer her drugs from now so she doesn''t attempt to overdose."


    "Thank you, Lily. I don''t know what I would do without you."


    "It''s my job, sir. I''m happy to be of service."


    My eyes narrow in anger. "What were you all doing?" I yell at the bodyguard by the door. "I PAY YOU TO PROTECT HER AND IF LILIY HADN''T BEEN HERE, MY WIFE WOULD BE DEAD BY NOW."


    "We are very sorry sir. I have beefed up security. Nothing of the sort will ever happen again. You have my word." My chief security officer assures me.


    "TELL THAT TO YOUR NEXT EMPLOYER. YOU''RE ALL RELIEVED OF YOUR DUTIES. GET OUT, NOW!!!"


    He bows and leaves.


    "I''ll have a new security team report to duty by tomorrow morning." I assure Lily. She nods. I notice she is restless from the corner of my eye. She raises her head to stare at me and I imagine she has something to say but is afraid to say it.


    "What is it? Just say it!" I snap impatiently at her.


    Lily clears her throat. "Forgive me sir but I know it''s not my ce to tell on your wife." She is visibly shaking now. "I just don''t think it is fair to keep you in the dark knowing what I know."


    "What is it, Lily?" She tilts her head up courageously and holds my gaze.


    "I''m sorry for your loss. However, while you brother was here, I did hear your wife tell him that the baby that died belonged to him and not you." Her eyes dip to the floor instanteniously, like she had used up her daily dose of courage. "I think they are having an affair behind your back."


    It takes me a second to digest her words like a normal man would. Still, all I do is stare pitifully at Olivia. I have zero energy to y the shocked crazy husband card.


    "You''ll never utter a word of that rubbish to anyone, ever again." When my darkened eyes meet hers, she trembles in her small shoes. "Is that crystal clear?"


    "Y-Yes sir."


    Lily bows her head before leaving. I sit next to Olivia till the drugs start wearing off an hour and a halfter and she stirs awake. Relief floods through me as tears shimmer in my eyes.


    "You''re awake."


    "Asher?" She asks weakly. Her bloodshot eyes stare hopefully at me. My fingers freeze midair on their way to her cheeks to clean the tears flowing from her eyes. Ashal. It''s Ashal, I want to scream but I know how that will go. Olivia takes my hand and sters it on her wet cheeks. She rubs her face against it. "I knew you''de back to me."


    My heart and ego instantly goatose as she clings to my hand as Asher. "Why did you leave me like that? You ran away and left me to deal with the pain all alone. How could you? Do I have to be at the brink of death to get your attention and presence? Was losing our baby not enough punishment?"


    "I''m sorry baby. I''m truly sorry. I was in shock. In one breath, you told me you wanted a divorce from my brother knowing fully well that will amount to our separation. While I was still trying to process that, you informed me that we lost our baby." I cradle my head in my hands. "It was all too shocking and painful. I am sorry I didn''t handle that well."


    Olivia props herself up to a sitting position. "You doubt I was pregnant for you? Asher, you know I haven''t let Ashal touch me for over seven months now. He and I are practically strangers. You are the only man I want and the only one I have been giving myself to."


    "I trust youpletely, Olivia."


    "Then are you mad that I got pregnant for you?"


    "No. Of course not, baby. I desperately want a baby with you or more if you wish. I am deeply saddened that we couldn''t wee our angel together. Please forgive me for not protecting you both." While I grab her hands and kiss her knuckles one faster the other, Olivia pulls away, her eyes glinting with surprise.


    "Is something wrong?"


    "You said you never want to have babies. You told me that the only reason you''ll ever have a baby with a woman is if your father ordered you to or you needed one to achieve your goals." The color drains from my face. "That''s why I didn''t tell you. I was hoping to hide the pregnancy until it became too risky to abort. Now, you sit here and tell me you want to have babies with me? Who exactly are you?"


    The switch from Ashal to Asher takes a nanosecond. "What exactly do women want, huh? What the fuck do you want from me Olivia? You make a fuss when a man only wants to have you in his bed without making a family with you and when he is prepared to give you the family you want, you use him of being dishonest." I make a show of being pissed off by lurching to my feet and pacing angrily across the room.


    "This case is actually different. You know I can''t tell you apart from your crazy brother."


    I grit my teeth and strap down on the rage that bubbles hot inside me at the way she described me.


    I am not crazy; I am sick, I say in my mind.


    "Are you trying to tell me that there''s a chance you might have identally fucked my brother thinking he was me?" My brows are furrowed with annoyance. Olivia takes the bait and quickly apologizes. When she tries to get up, the dizziness overtakes her and she almost crashes to the floor but for my quick reflexes.


    "Be careful." I lift her andy her back on the bed. I caress her cheeks. Our faces are inches apart. "I love you, Olivia. Believe me. I can''t stand losing you. Please don''t leave me. Don''t divorce Ashal yet. I am not ready to be yours fully and I don''t know how Ashal will take it when he finds out about us. I am making ns for us to ensure a smooth transition to the next phase of our love life. I''ll try harder to make sure Ashal never hits you again. You just have to trust me and hold on a little longer. It will all be over soon."


    Olivia smiles for the first time. "I trust you. I love you Asher." I kiss her tenderly. When she snakes her arms around my neck, I feel relieved that I have managed to salvage our rtinonship vicariously through Asher. It is not my brightest idea but my hands are literally tied and there''s no other way to keep Olivia in my life.


    "Ashal?"


    The voice interrupts our kiss. I look up and stare in shock at the unannounced visitor and family member by the door. Olivia gapes at me in shock.


    ***


    My room is full as the doctor shes a tiny light in my eyes. I don''t know what the fuck he is checking for.


    "I told you all I am fine." I reiterate. My parents and brothers pay me no heed as they patiently wait for the doctor''s conclusion.


    "He''s right. Everything seems to be okay. He just had a lot of emotional stress but aside from that, his health is just fine. I''ll advise you avoid anything that could jolt your emotions, Mr. Ashal. Try to stay away from anything or anyone that could send you back into that spiral."


    "Thank you, doctor." Father says. Ashley escorts the doctor out to receivest minute rmendations for my speedy recovery while the rest of my family stare at me like I am an experimental rat in ab.


    "I''ll kill Duncan." I mutter under my breath.


    "How could you just disappear?" Mom starts, tears glinting in her eyes. "How could you not even leave me a message knowing how worried I''d be if I couldn''t find you?"


    "I''m sorry, mom. I had to see my wife. She wasn''t feeling too fine."


    "You still could have said something to someone."


    "Your wife?" Dad lets out a humorless chuckle. "You mean the same woman who put you in this state? I don''t know why my sons are terrible at picking ''wives''." He sighs in frustration as he most certainly reflects on Demi''s recent media incident. "I''ll have to revisit you and Olivia''s situation. It''s high time you cut yourself loose from that unfortunate entanglement."


    My eyebrows sh up at him. "My marriage is not unfortunate; I am. Don''t me Olivia. If she was your daughter, you wouldn''t let her marry a man like me even if I was an heir to a fortune."


    The fire in my eyes stun everyone to silence. Asher seems really surprised at the way I am standing up for Olivia.


    "Calm down, Ash" He begins. "Dad definitely means well for you."


    "I know exactly what he means and I won''t allow it. My rtionship with Olivia, despite how rocky, is one of the few things keeping me tethered to this world. You will not take that from me. If and when Olivia and I can no longer forge ahead with our rtionship, I''ll dly let her go. For now, we are at a good ce so please everyone, mind your business."


    Father and mother regard me quietly with questions in their eyes.


    "You better not eat your wordster. If you screw up your secret marriage situation and ites out to hunt this family, I''ll make sure you spend a good amount of time in rehab or a mental asylum to get your head straight." He walks out. Mother nts a kiss on my palm.


    "I love you, no matter what." I nod.


    Ashton who has been quiet ruffles my hair.


    "You try that again and I''ll personally break your legs." I smile as he leaves.


    I am not surprised Asher didn''t trail after father. He has some questions for me due to the statements I just made.


    "Hey Ash, you and Olivia are good? Like, you two are working it out?"


    "Yes, we are. She still has reservations because of my condition but she''s willing to give me a chance now. It''s been going well for weeks."


    Asher''s expression is hard to read but if I had to guess, I''d say he isn''t exactly thrilled that Olivia is moving on from him. Though he wasn''t very amodating of her feelings for him back at my penthouse, learning that she is giving me a chance must sting his pride.


    "Good for you." He says dryly. I wait till he grabs my door knob.


    "Asher?"


    "What?"


    I smile devilishly. "Don''t ever try to contact my wife again. Lose her number this very night." His eyes dte in shock. "I have cameras in my penthouse. I saw Olivia kiss you thest time you visited. I know she still has feelings for you." Asher''sposure doesn''t waver for a second. "I don''t want her going back to her past. That''s why I hope you''ll understand and remove yourself from the picture."


    Now, he smiles thinly. "Done."


    After he leaves, I think about Olivia and how our kiss was interrupted. That was a close call. If I hadn''t maintained my stance in ying Asher, Olivia would havee to know the truth. Everything would have been over. I whip out my phone to text my confidante.


    [I know it''s wrong. I am not proud of impersonating Asher to win my wife''s love but this is sadly the only way a wed man like me can get close to a happy ending. Please, give me some time to win Olivia as Ashal and I promise toe clean to her soon after. Don''t tell anyone about this, especially Asher.]


    The responsees a full thirty secondster.


    [As long as you keep your promise, I''ll keep mine.]


    [Thank you.]


    [You''re wee.]

 Chapter 31

    <h4>Chapter 31: Chapter 31</h4>


    DEMI


    "Ashley?"


    I take tentative steps into his bedroom as I call out to him. This will be my second time in here and I am very wary of making another blunder. Thankfully, there''s no other brother in sight. I know he''s alone in here. Except for Ashal who is still receiving treatment in his room, the other two brothers are with father in his study.


    "Ashley? Where are you?" The sound of the shower tells me he is probably in the bathroom. I decide to leave ande back when a thought crosses my mind. There are definitely no cameras in here and I may never get a chance to rummage through his half open drawers again. Inhaling, I sidle towards the drawers and slide them fully open. The bottom drawers mostly contain his briefs and socks. I quickly work my way up without messing his neatly arranged underclothes.


    The next set of drawers are locked except for one. When I pull it open, my jaw drops at the number of adult toys in there from prostrate massagers to cock rings. Cautiously, I pick one up and gape in astonishment.


    "Find what you were looking for?"


    I turn around sharply, startled to find Ashley fresh from the shower with only a towel around his waist. I flush red on my cheeks as his sultry eyes rake my body. His wet hair and the water shimmering on his hairy chest makes my heart thud widely in my chest.


    Slowly, he makes his way to me with a mischievous grin on his handsome face.


    "I-I need help with m-my styling t-tomorrow." I manage to stutter. Ashley is so close to me now with our belly buttons grazing. He smells very good and his breath in my ear tingles my skin.


    "Is that really all you want?" His hand closes around the blowjob simtor in my hand. "That''s not for you but I have an entire collection guaranteed to make even a nun scream in pleasure."


    Embarrassed, I try to leave only to be trapped by Ashley''s body.


    "Ash, please. I''lle backter." I hate how breathless I sound.


    "I''m already here now. Why don''t we start." He trails wet kisses down my neck and my nipples go hard as a rock. I want to push him away but then he starts nibbling on my throat. A soft moan escapes my lips. I turn away when he tries to kiss my lips.


    "This doesn''t have to mean anything. Just close your eyes and feel."


    Before I can respond, he captures my lips in his. My head falls back in delight. Somewhere in my head, I try to justify this as a way of distracting him from the fact that he just found me going through his things. I also throw in our legal marriage to the mix. The bubble busts when his cold hands scrape over my thighs and try to pick me off the floor.


    "I c-can''t." I gently push him away. Ashley''s eyes darken.


    "Do I really repulse you?"


    "You know we can''t do this."


    "I know we can. WE''RE MARRIED FOR GOODNESS SAKE."


    "Don''t start this, Ashley. We''re not that kind of couple."


    He yanks my arm when I try to leave. "And exactly what kind of a couple are we? The type where you can''t stand your own husband''s touch because of your moral high ground but you have no problem throwing caution to the wind when ites to his brother?" He doesn''t look surprised at my shocked expression. "Would you have stopped me if I was Ashton?"


    I wrench my arm away from him. "You have the wrong idea. I didn''t stop you because I want to experience this with any of your brothers."


    "Then why did you stop me, Demi? Your body clearly wants this."


    "I''M NOT ONE OF YOUR SEXUAL CONQUESTS, ASHLEY. I am not the type of woman that is content with being touched by a man who doesn''t love me or I him? Yes, I am a woman and I have needs but random sex with a man who''s still very much a stranger to me isn''t my style. I''m sorry."


    "What do you want then? Love andmitment?"


    "Maybe."


    Something painful flits in his eyes. He looks away and ms his drawers shut. "I already have your outfits for the week picked out. Stop by tomorrow morning and I''ll help you."


    Relief floods through me. I wish I can thank him with a hug but I don''t want any misconceptions.


    "Thank you, Ashley." He barely acknowledges me with a dismissive wave. I feel stupid leaving but I do anyway. I can''t help but wonder why he reacted that way regarding the love andmitment phrase. Are they really so strange to him?


    The very next morning, Ashley keeps to his word and styles me. He is surprisingly in a better mood and doesn''t make me feel awkward about our encounter the previous night. When I step up to the full-length mirror to behold my look, I gasp at the elegance of the knee skimming dress.


    "Are those heelsfortable?" Ashley inquires.


    "Yeah. I love them." Hees up behind me in the mirror. "Thank you, Ashley. I mean it." He only winks at me.


    "How''s Ashal?"


    "Much better."


    I wish someone would tell me more about his condition and why he is in that state.


    "It''s been over a week. Can I see him? Please?" Ashley looks uncertain. "He was kind to me that day. He wanted to console me when I came home crying after the blogspared me to M and Nic. Ashal didn''t want to leave me by myself but he had something pressing to get to. That was thest time I saw him. I don''t understand what went wrong and why he has been in a bad condition all these days. Please, let me see him once."


    Ashley exhales. "Fine. Just a few minutes, okay? He needs his rest."


    "Was he in an ident?"


    Ashley doesn''t take the bait as he escorts me to Ashal''s room. When we get there, I am surprised to find Ashal sitting up in bed with a headphone on. He seems to be rounding off a session with a therapist. His eyes look tired as they light up in a smile the minute he sees me.


    "Ashal" Relieved, I stretch out a hand to meet his halfway and squeeze. "Dear lord, I''ve missed you."


    "I''ve missed you too, Demi." He props a pillow and sits upright. "You look spiffy. First day of work, I hear?" I give him a small twirl that makes even Ashley smile. "Wow, you''ve outdone yourself, Ash." He tells his brother.


    Ashley shrugs.


    I crawl into bed with Ashal. "I have to go now but I''lle hang out and y games with you when I return. You can''t refuse."


    "I''ll look forward to it."


    I press a kiss to his forehead, pat his cheeks and leave both brothers alone.


    Rollins HQ is clearly as advertised; a huge ss skyscraper that goes all the way up sixty floors. Inside, there are sprawling hallways with hundreds of workers cordoned off by their fairly sized cubicles. Different departments upy different floors all connected by the bank of elevators. I ride the executive elevator in silence with Mr. Rollins and Asher all the way to thest floor where every other business is supervised, monitored and controlled.


    When the doors open, we are greeted by cheerful faces resplendent in their corporate attires. Even the janitor here looks like a boss.


    "Good morning, Mr. Rollins." A young, handsome man walks up to us and shakes hands with father. His hair is cropped low on his head. He looks impable in a navy-blue suit.


    "Good morning, Josh."


    Josh? As in the Josh Randall that Asher can''t stand? I smother a grin behind a fake cough when Josh totally ignores Asher''s nd face to say hello to me. He gives me a firm handshake as he wees me to work. I immediately see why Asher doesn''t like this young man; he feels threatened by him. Josh might be an attention seeker but he does get the attention he seeks. He has a way of winning hearts with the little gestures. Even though his smile looks practiced, I am lost in the charm of it.


    Mr. Rollins continues to his office after introducing me as Demi Branson to his employees. At the snap of Josh''s fingers, twodies march out holding a mini cake and a candle.


    "HQ tradition for your first day at work." At this point, Asher snorts and heads for his office. I blow out my candle and bask under the cheerful smiles and apuse I am showered. I think I will love it here.


    "Hi, I''m Nessa. I''ll show you to your office."


    "I get to have an office?" I ask the beautifuldy in a snug red dress and gold rimmed heels. She chuckles at my naivety.


    "You''re the daughter-inw of the Rollins family. Of course, you get your own office even if you''re only an intern for now." She winks at me as she leads me through a maze of offices and over the hum of machines and whispers. We finally arrive.


    "This is your little corner over here. Mine is right over there if you need anything." I smile contentedly at my space. It''s already pre-decorated in a minimalist fashion with just the right amount of office stationery.


    "Whose office is that?" I ask, gaping at the beautiful interior visible through the open door. Before Nessa can reply, Asher walks up to the door and ms it shut. "Never mind."


    Nessa''s eyebrows wing up. "Are you two having issues?"


    I shrug. "Not everyone is thrilled about me being here. There are some who consider me unqualified even as an intern. I intend to work hard and prove them wrong."


    "NESSA" Asher calls from within his office.


    "Is he stupid? Doesn''t he have andline to make that call?"


    Nessa rubs my shoulders. "Try to settle in. We''re d to have you." She blows me kisses and dashes off to attend to her grumpy boss.


    Few hours into my day and I have already had numerous employeese in to make an introduction. Apparently, Alfie is the tech guy to report any faulty appliance to. ke is my go-to girl for office gossip. Minni always has best restaurant rmendations for staff lunches and dinners. Nate is open to give advice on any rtionship squabbles I might have and the list goes on. When someone raps on my door, I am just about to thank them in advance and dismiss whatever they''vee to say when I see Josh.


    "Hi."


    "Hi" I reply to him.


    "How''s it going so far?" His hands are in his pocket as hees around my table to peer at myputer. Nosy much? I think.


    "Erm, I have been trying to finish editing a report on an excel spreadsheet."


    "Need any help?"


    "Oh no, I''ve got it. Thanks."


    Why do all the men around me smell heavenly, except Iman of course.


    "You let me know if there''s anything I can do to assist you."


    "Thank you."


    "Do you have ns for lunch? You''re wee to join father...I mean Mr. Rollins and I. We always enjoy meals from a ce called soul foods. Their food and service are top-notch."


    "I don''t know. I''ll have to ask Minni."


    "I see you''ve met some of the staff. Minni is a food connoisseur. Plot twist, she discovered soul foods for all of us here. It''s just a little pricier for most of them but not us." He smiles broadly.


    Us? I think. How can he constantly afford it if the others can''t? He''s probably paid extremely well or maybe father covers his bills at lunch.


    "I guess you''re right. Thank you for offering but it''s my first day and I didn''t want to waste time worrying about where to have lunch so I brought some from home. You''re wee to join me." I dig into my bag and set my lunchbox on my desk for him to see. He chuckles.


    "That''s really impressive. I think you''ll rise up the corporatedder around here faster with that attitude. I know I did." With onest wink, he walks away. I can''t tell if he''s being genuine or keeping an eye on me.


    I barely have time to finish my lunch as Asher has Nessa bring a pile of files to me to make more reports on. I know he is trying to frustrate me but I refuse toin or give him the satisfaction of watching me break a sweat. Nessa apologizes every time she returns with more work.


    When mother calls to ask how my first day is going, I cheerfully inform her of all the positive highlights of my day. Aunt also calls and I reiterate the same thing but with even more enthusiasm. My call is interrupted by the jarring tone of thendline in my office. I hang up and take the call. Asher bellows an order at me. I can''t believe what a dick he is being right now.


    When I go to his office as he demanded, the first thing he does is warn me never to enter without knocking first. Before I can dignify his outrage with a response, he jabs a finger to hisputer screen and calls the reports I have turned in hot, steaming piles of corporate rubbish.


    "Do you really suck this bad at being a mere intern? If you didn''t know what to do, why the hell didn''t you ask? Your pride will only get you fired here, Demi."


    "I doubt that. You''ve been working here for years. Pride seems to be the only thing fueling your position right now." Asher''s frown gives me sterling pleasure.


    "You better watch your mouth, Branson."


    "It''s Mrs. Rollins actually." I step close to him. "You can''t intimidate me into quitting Asher. I know you hate me and you hate that I have intruded your corporate haven. I don''t understand why you feel threatened but I have only one advice for you; stay out of my way. If you continue to treat me badly and tell lies about my impable reporting skills, I might have to file a report against you."


    Heughs. "You think you can actually do that?"


    "I bet if you spend less time thinking of ways to get under my skin and more time worrying about being the best at what you do, then people like Josh Randall wouldn''t be able to hold a candle to you." His face hardens at the mention of that name. It is as I guessed. Asher indeed feels threatened by Josh. It''s marveling. Josh might be a few things but, in my estimation, being the son of the owner of the damnpany trumps all that. Why then is the mighty Asher ruffled by a mere employee?


    "Get back to those reports and do them all over again!" Asher barks at me.


    "I already did them. I won''t be redoing them until I am told what I didn''t get right."


    "I''ll help you."


    Josh is at the door again. Momentarily, I wonder if he doesn''t have an actual office or work to get done which will exin the amount of free time he has to sneak up on other people. Now, this I agree is annoying about Josh. However, I have an idea to annoy Asher.


    "Oh, thank you for offering, Josh. You''re a gem." The second I turn to follow Josh, Asher grabs my arm.


    "You will do no such thing. She''s an intern directly under me. You''ll not interfere with her training."


    "How am I interfering with her training when all I want to do is save her time and energy by eliminating the guess work in her job description?"


    "I''m her boss. I decide how she learns."


    I watch both men trade heated res.


    "Thank you, Josh. I''ll figure it out."


    "Are you sure?" Josh asks.


    "Yes."


    I leave them to their staring contest.


    Kira keeps blowing my phone all day, reminding me to keep my end of the bargain or our deal will fall through. After work, I politely ask Asher to give me a ride to my aunt''s ce to pick up a few things before we head home. He means to decline until I casually throw in that Josh already offered but I declined.


    When we pull up in front of my home, Asher pretends it''s his first time here. One look at him and I recall Kira''s words that Asher had paid them a visit to discuss getting rid of me. I grit my teeth to rein in my temper and usher him in. Kira is all dressed in a skimpy outfit. She stretches her glossy lips in a smile as she wees Asher home. I really don''t care at this point. They do deserve each other.


    Aunt pulls me inside to ask about work. I don''t get why she''s being so dramatic. I assure her that I had a great first day. She wants to know which brother I brought along and when I mention Asher, a thin smile envelops her face. So, she''s well aware of Kira''s n?


    I get a message from Ashal reminding me of my promise the same time as Ashley asking how my day was. There''s nothing from Ashton, not even an emoji. Sighing, I head back into the sitting room hoping against hope that I don''t find Kira and Asher kissing. Thankfully, they''re not. They''re standing close to each other but only because Asher is peering intently at Kira''s phone screen. My blood chills when Asher shes the picture of the little incident with Iman in the alley. I should have known Kira wouldn''t delete it as she promised.


    Aunt gasps I shock at the sight of the picture.


    "You slut!" Asher growls at me.

 Chapter 32

    <h4>Chapter 32: Chapter 32</h4>


    DEMI


    "It''s not what it looks like." I tell Asher. I don''t know how pictures can lie but this one clearly is a lie. I wasn''t asfortable orpliant with the kiss as the picture portrays. "Tell him, Kira. You saw everything."


    "Exactly. I saw you and your ex kissing in an alley. That''s exactly what I captured." I can''t believe this snake of a girl. Asher has been unusually quiet and brooding. His eyes are dark and scary when they find my face. I can''t believe Kira will go this far. I delivered on my own end of the bargain so why did she betray me like this?


    "Aunt, you know I wouldn''t." Aunt looks away and doesn''t utter a word in my defense. Now, I realize she and her daughter nned this. She isn''t as clueless as I think.


    "You wouldn''t even let Ashley kiss you but you''re happy to offer your lips to that broke cheat? What has my family not done for you, Demi Branson? We epted you into our family and polished you up. We''ve helped you every time that bastard tried to drag you down. We face bacsh from the media constantly because of your ties to our family. Any other family would have thrown you to the wolves or kicked you out but we didn''t and this is how you pay us back?"


    "Asher, I am telling you that picture isn''t the truth. Iman forced that kiss on me."


    "You''re not a very good liar, Demi."


    "SHUT UP KIRA. I AM TALKING TO ASHER." Kira is momentarily stunned by my angry outburst butports herself. I turn to Asher, grab his hand and lead him to my room. With aunt and Kira, I am certain I won''t be able to get him to see the truth.


    I exin everything that happened that day to him while he studies me with cool eyes.


    "So, your aunt and Kira are lying? That picture is a lie, Demi?" He sighs and jams his hands in his pocket. "Those people have lived with you for years. They know you better than we do. If they say you''re capable of doing something like this, there might be some truth to it."


    "They are lying, Asher. Please believe me. Why would I go back to Iman? That makes absolutely no sense!"


    "I don''t see why you can''t. You loathe my brothers and I. You treat your husband like a gue. Maybe the reason you can withstand not being intimate with him is because Iman gives it to you."


    "ASHER!"


    "For all I know, this was the n all along between the two of you. You''re in this for the money while keeping your ex on the side. What? Did Iman put you up to this? Pretend he cheated on you, get drunk and go to a high-end club where my brothers and I usually frequent and fake a marriage with a drunk quad. Did Iman force you to keep the use in the contract so nobody touches his girl?" He ys with the sleeves of my dress and I p his hands off.


    "You have a very fertile imagination, I''ll give you that but simply because you can string up a story doesn''t make it true."


    "It sure makes a whole lot of sense right now, Demi. It exins a lot about your reason for sticking with my family despite your ridiculous contract." He heaves a breath and re at me. "I can''t figure it out no matter how many times I run it in my head. You''re not in this marriage for money or you would have been making financial demands of us long ago. You''re not in it for the chance to have free, great sex with one or all four of the Rollins quads which is the fantasy of half the women in Danvarr. You hate the fame being affiliated with us brings you. So, pray tell. What else could it be, Demi? Why are you choosing to stick with my family till the end of the contract if you don''t have some grand n up your sleeve?"


    My breath catches in my throat. "I made a promise to your mother..."


    "Don''t bullshit me!" His menacing stare makes me take few steps back. "What? You''re going to leave if mother wishes it? Is that what you''re saying? If mother asks you to break your promise and leave right now, do you mean to say you won''t cry or beg?"


    When I fail to give an instant reply, Asher chuckles.


    "Oh Demi, you do love Iman, don''t you?"


    "I DON''T LOVE HIM!"


    "But you love the sex, huh? Is that why you keep going back?"


    "Stop it. You know that''s not true." Tears shimmer around my eyes because I want him to see it and believe me. I know exactly what he is ying at. Aunt and Kira aren''t the only ones lying here. This is all a staged performance by the trio to box me into a wall and get rid of me. I know Asher knows I detest Iman and don''t want anything to do with him but with this trump card of an alleged betrayal of my new family, I am scared to think of all the nasty ways he might try to get back at me.


    Asher''s finger trails my cheek to blot out the tears streaming down.


    "Why are you crying if you aren''t guilty?"


    I stare into his eyes. How could he look so much like Ashton and be this devious?


    "What else am I supposed to do when you''re clearly not prepared to believe a word I say? Is this how much you hate me? You''re prepared to believe an obvious lie if it leads to my downfall?" I sniffle. Kira was right after all. Asher has a big plot to ruin me before I leave his family and now, she might have showed him one of the many ways to achieve it.


    Asher''s hand cups my chin. When he leans close to press his lips to mine, I push him away.


    "What the hell do you think you''re doing?"


    "Spare me the act. I know you''re pretending. You''d kiss and fuck anything if it aids your goal."


    I wipe my tears. "You want to take advantage of me because of a lie? How low can you stoop, Asher Rollins? You''re disgusting."


    "I am disgusting? YOU''RE THE ONE SHUFFLING BETWEEN FOUR BROTHERS AND AN EX. You''re nothing more than a slut so don''t act like a prude now."


    "DON''T YOU EVER TRY THAT AGAIN." I am done begging him.


    Asher is impressed at my resilience. He defies me and backs me up against a wall with a single hand movement. Instantly, I catch a whiff of his unique scent. I have only smelt this once before. Why the hell am I just recalling how unique the cologne is now when I have literally been around him all day? Something about him being so close to me fuels my recollection.


    "What exactly would you do if I don''t obey your order, huh? Do you think your aunt or Kira will tell on me?" His eyes are fiery with a challenge. I recall the scene in my bedroom and my fingers tremble. Ashley had mentioned that it was Asher who threatened me that day.


    "It was you that day in my bedroom, wasn''t it? Ashley told me." Tears stream down again despite how hard I try to keep them at bay. "You said these same words to me. You threatened me..." Angrily, I shove him so hard he trips and falls on his back on the bed. "You think you''re so invincible, Asher Rollins? You think I am so helpless and weak because I have a shitty family? You''re dead wrong. I am not weak or helpless and if you ever try to touch me again, I''ll make sure you regret it."


    I grab the door knob to leave but hesitate. I need to ask. I am afraid to but I know I can''t leave otherwise. When I turn, Asher is back on his feet with a sly smile on his face.


    "That cologne. It''s familiar."


    "Bullshit."


    "I know it''s rare and expensive and that is why I can recall it." My eyes fasten on his face as it dims with recognition. "That night at the Blue Cove. That was the first time I caught that scent." Asher''s pale face makes me shudder. "It can''t be. You can''t be."


    His face firms. "You were very chatty and loud at the club for a drunk and heartbroken girlfriend. Then when you consumed alcohol at home, you passed out almost immediately. That''s how I realized you faked being drunk at the Blue Cove. First time drinkers can''t hold their liquor for that long."


    My hand slips from the knob. "YOU?"


    Asher walks up to me with a smug grin. "What? You hoped it was Ashton?" He throws his head back andughs. "News sh, even if it had been Ashton, Ashley or Ashal, I still wouldn''t have allowed it. My brothers and I have too much at stake and I won''t let them be sidetracked by some gold-digging orphan."


    He catches my hand when I try to p him. "You guessed right. I call the shots. I made a mistake that night. I let my guard down but I will spend all my sober moments ensuring my family doesn''t suffer for my stupidity. Why else do you think I am onto you like a bounty hunter, Branson? I know there''s more to you than meets the eye and I won''t let you have your way with my family." He shoves me away from the door so hard I fall and graze my elbow.


    Asher goes home without me. Iy on the cold floor, too shocked to process everything. After an hour, I dust myself up. More than ever, I feel invigorated to pursue my n ruthlessly. Asher deserves everything that''sing for him. He''s the bastard that caused the death of my parents after all. It all makes sense too. He works at the HQ where mom worked. He can''t be innocent.


    My phone is filled with lots of missed calls and texts when I whip it out. Everyone has been trying to reach me including Liam and Anna. I hurriedly reply as many as I can to let them know I''m fine.


    When I step out of my room, Kira is curled up on the sofa, watching ate night show. Aunt must have retired to bed. Kira continues to binge on her popcorn, ignoring me. I have a few things to get off my chest but not right now. My words will only fall on deaf ears. I am going to pay her back for this betrayal but right now, I need to make it home.


    Wordlessly, I step outside and discover a car parked in front of our house. It''s different from Asher''s but I can already tell which brother loves this brand the most. The headlights sh twice at me. The driver steps out, a conspicuous frown on his face.


    "It''s supposed to be your first day at work. Are you trying to make it yourst?"


    ***


    "Did Asher call you?" I ask my husband, shutting the passenger door he just opened for me. "Where is that asshole? Is he home already?"


    "Hey, watch it. What''s up with you?" Ashley is dismayed at my indifference on seeing him. Maybe I would have given him a hug or a smile at the very least if my mood wasn''t ruined by my ''little talk'' with Asher few hours earlier.


    "Yes, Asher called me toe pick you up. He said you got into it with your cousin and you were really upset. Apparently, you are still very upset."


    The asshole, I think. Why didn''t he mention the photo to Ashley? What could he be nning?


    "Are you okay?"


    "I''m fine. I''m sorry. I didn''t mean tosh out on you. Kira really got on my nerves." I tense up when Ashley runs a hand over my forehead, tucking stray clumps of hair behind my ear.


    "Father will take it out on you if you return home thiste all by yourself. However, he won''t be too mad if he is led to believe that we were outte on a date to celebrate your first sessful day at your new job." When l look at him, he hurries toplete his words. "It''s just a story we are telling. We aren''t going on an actual date." He opens the passenger door once more. "Let''s get you home. You have a long day tomorrow."


    While we ride home, he apologizes for his actions in his room the previous night. I look out the window to hide the red blush that coats my cheeks at the memory of that night.


    "I''m sorry about the things I insinuated about you and my brother too. I say the dumbest things when I am angry."


    Just then my phone starts ringing. When I spot the caller, I cut the call and shove it back into my bag, but not before Ashley sees it. He huffs out a breath. "Is there a particr reason you''re notfortable taking Ashton''s call in front of me?"


    Though his facial features are calm, I don''t miss the nasty edge of his low voice as he asks the question.


    "Because I''m tired and sleepy and in a pisser mood. How about that?" When the frown on his face only deepens, I throw my hands in the air in frustration. "Oh, for goodness'' sake, not you too. Asher is already giving me a hard time as it is with all his suspicions. Do I have to worry about you too?"


    "You don''t want to be suspected, how about you try to not act so damn suspicious! I don''t give a flying fig where your emotions lie Demi given the circumstances of our marriage but I swore to respect you and I demand the same of you. Seeing my brother behind my back while we are still legally hitched is insane."


    "I AM NOT SEEING ANYONE." I yell angrily at him. My emotions threaten to get the best of me as I give him a burning look. I ward off the tears by throwing my head back. "I''ve had a long day and a very shitty evening. If that call had been mother''s or Ashal''s, I still would have ignored it just the same way I ignored Ashton''s. It doesn''t mean I am trying to hide anything. It just means I''m knackered and want to crawl into bed and sleep so this shitty day can end so please husband, don''t make this day any worse than it already feels."


    I don''t care if he believes me. We finally make it to the mansion. As dered, I hurry to my room to rest. After showering, I climb into bed and fluff my pillows, ready to hit the sack when a message pops in my phone.


    [I need to see you. Five minutes. I''m outside your door. Open up, please-Ashton]


    My eyes flick to my door. What could be so urgent? I think, jumping off the bed to go get the door for him. I recall his help in getting me into the Rollins HQ. Maybe I do have some things to get off my chest too, especially about the method he employed to make my dreame true. When I reach for the knob, my fingers freeze as a thought urs to me. There''s something oddly strange about Ashton''s message. The Ashton I know wouldn''t use ''Please''. He knows my fucking passcode. He''d use it if this is truly urgent and he didn''t want to draw attention to us.


    I take a few steps away from the door and wait. If it''s really Ashton behind it and not just someone with his phone, I''d find out soon enough. After a minute, a new message pops in.


    [I know you''re not asleep. Get the door, please.]


    Another please. Chills start to run down my spine. Who could be ying such a game with me? Could it be Asher due to the chaotic conversation we had or Ashley given his suspicions earlier? What could they possibly hope to gain by doing this?


    Another message beeps in.


    [I guess you''re smarter than you look. I hoped to do this in person but since you''re so stubborn, here''s the deal; You have two choices to make. You either quit your job at the Rollins HQ or you file for divorce from Ashley. If you don''t make a choice before the end of this new week, I''ll publish the photos of you and your ex and make sure the whole of Danvarr tears you down bit by ugly bit before you get kicked out of our home for good. Make no mistake; these two things are already in your fate but this offer is your only bet to make a clean, quiet exit. Tick Tock, Branson.]

 Chapter 33

    <h4>Chapter 33: Chapter 33</h4>


    ASHTON


    It feels eerie being here without my brothers, especially Ashal. Today however, I have no intention of ying anybody but myself. I am here on personal business and I really don¡¯t care if word spreads to Ashal. I notice the new security detail at the penthouse. They barely let me through the gate without proper identification. After satisfying their curiosity, I am allowed to drive into the premises.


    I shouldn¡¯t be surprised. A lot has happened behind these thick walls recently that even caused the loss of a life. Ashal is on edge right now. He has made massive staff cuts. I agree with his decision. I¡¯d probably do worse if I was in his shoes.


    "Wee sir." The new chief of security greets me.


    "Thank you. It¡¯s Ashton."


    "I know. I saw your ID."


    "I know my way inside. I don¡¯t need an escort."


    "It¡¯s protocol, sir. We can¡¯t leave Mrs. Olivia alone with any guest. Please cooperate with us."


    Sighing, I follow his brisk steps into the house while he mutters instructions through his two-way radio. My own phone buzzes in my side pocket. I pull it out and give a half smile.


    "That was fast. Your new team is a delight to watch."


    "Why are you at my penthouse?" Ashal fires at me.


    "Woah. Calm down, hulk. When did I ever need your permission to visit my sister-inw?"


    "I¡¯m serious, Ash. Things have changed around there. The least you could have done was inform me you were visiting. I don¡¯t think Olivia is ready to see my face just yet."


    "Well, I understand your anxiety but I need to speak with her. It¡¯s about her contacting Demi. That¡¯s the reason you got so mad and hit her, right? I need to know what else she has done and who else she has told. Then, I n on giving her some advice to avoid triggering your anger. You know you¡¯re not in a position to order her around right now. Let me do this for you."


    Ashal heaves a breath over the phone. "Go easy on her. She¡¯s been through a lot."


    "Got it."


    "And Ash?"


    "Yes?"


    "If she mistakes you for Asher, please correct her. I don¡¯t know why but she keeps mistaking me for him ever since he came in to help her when I hit her weeks back. I think she believes he¡¯s the only one who actually cares about her."


    "Alright. I¡¯ll see you soon." I hang up and continue following the officer.


    I don¡¯t know what to make of Olivia¡¯s confusion. I know she has history with Asher. They met first and had a one night stand that didn¡¯t end so well. Typically, Asher couldn¡¯t handle the dent on his reputation so he easily dumped the me on his sick brother. I overhead Asher and Olivia talking about that night once. I got mad for my poor brother, Ashal. Asher didn¡¯t deny it when I confronted him but he assured me that Olivia will always be Ashal¡¯s.


    Now, I don¡¯t get why Olivia is mistaking everyone for Asher. Have they been in contact? Is he helping her or did he ask her to reach out to Demi? I wouldn¡¯t put it past him. He has been trying to find a smoking gun to kick Demi out. Why not create the evidence if you can¡¯t find any?


    "Mrs. Olivia, Mr. Ashton Rollins is here to see you." The security officer announces.


    Olivia sits by the piano, running her fingers smoothly over the keys but doesn¡¯t y anything. When she rises to face me, she is thinner than I remember. Her eyes are weak but there¡¯s still some fight left in them. She stares hard at me as though somehow, she would decipher the truth of my identity.


    "Olivia. It¡¯s been a while." She only continues to mope at me.


    "Could you just stand right outside the door? This will only take five minutes." The security officer trades a quick nce with Olivia and only obliges after he gets a concurring nod from her.


    "What is this about?" Olivia asks.


    "Firstly, ept my condolence for the loss of your child." The color drains from the skin of her face as she staggers backward, bumping into the piano and identally hitting the wrong keys. "Are you okay?"


    "Did Asher tell you that? About my baby?"


    Why would Asher tell me about your baby with Ashal? I think to myself and then it clicks. Fuck. It can¡¯t be. To the best of my knowledge, I am the only one privy to Olivia¡¯s miscarriage. If Asher knows, then Ashal didn¡¯t tell him. It only means he has been in contact with Olivia all this time. Was that his baby she just lost? Fuck.


    I hasten to rectify the mistake I think I might have just made. "Yes, he confided in me."


    Her facial muscles rx as she straightens up. "He didn¡¯t tell Ashal, did he?"


    "No. Ashal is still very heartbroken over the state he put you in due to his condition. He is choosing to give you enough time to heal and possibly forgive him."


    Olivia scoffs and looks away. "Did Asher send you then? To check on me?"


    I study her. "No. I am here on my own ord." I take two steps forward. I really can¡¯t believe it. Asher has been cheating with Ashal¡¯s wife? The baby Ashal has been mourning all this time wasn¡¯t even his? How low can Asher stoop? Anger bubbles hot within me but I remind myself to keep calm and aplish the business that brought me here.


    "Olivia, I have a very important question to ask you and depending on how truthful you are, this might save your life tomorrow." When she gives me her full attention with a serious look on her face, I proceed, "Have you been trying to contact Ashley¡¯s new wife, Demi Branson?" The shock on her face is all the proof I need.


    "You signed an NDA."


    "I didn¡¯t break it. I merely wanted to be friends. I wasn¡¯t going to introduce myself as rted to your family or tell her anything."


    "You expect me to believe that?" I can¡¯t believe she is still lying through her teeth, "YOU TOLD HER TO COME TO THE PENTHOUSE! What were you hoping she¡¯d find here?"


    The security officer appears by the door when Olivia cowers in fright. I ignore him and continue.


    "Do you know the gravity of your actions?"


    "I haven¡¯t broken my NDA." She insists.


    "So, how do you exin your best friend Eliana trying to hook you up with some Mr. Fantasy guy because you¡¯re in an abusive rtionship? Why would she say that if you didn¡¯t tell her?"


    Now, Olivia is at a loss for words.


    "You know why you lost your baby? Ashal found your text to Demi and lost it. How could you do that knowing the risks? What do you think will happen if Demi learns about you? She¡¯s family now and the best she can do is speak to my mother on your behalf. If you were smart enough to behave and convince my family that you¡¯re not a threat to us, maybe the whole of Danvarr would know you as Ashal¡¯s wife by now. This house arrest type situation wouldn¡¯t be your life."


    "I don¡¯t want to be known as Ashal¡¯s wife. I¡¯d rather die."


    My heart clenches at her revolting deration. "I understand why you would be against the idea but take it from me, Ashal actually loves you unlike the man in your head. While your lover denied you, Ashal epted you and your lover¡¯s first baby despite knowing the truth. He has been working hard to get better so he can be deserving of your love. If you had any sense in that head of yours, you¡¯d go for the man that cany down his life for you and not the one that¡¯s cool with banging you whenever he has some time to spare in his schedule."


    Olivia¡¯s embarrassed face doesn¡¯tst. "Say all you want. I love Asher and that will never change." Then she looks down somberly. "I¡¯m sorry about Demi. It happened at a time when I was fearful for my life here. I still am. Please, don¡¯t tell your parents. Your father will actually kill me this time. I promise not to do anything rash ever again. I¡¯ll keep a low profile as long as you find a way to keep your crazy brother away from me. When he isn¡¯t trying to kill me, he drives me absolutely crazy. Please Ashton, keep him away until he actually gets better." She begs with folded hands.


    "It¡¯s HIS house and you¡¯re HIS wife. No one can tell him when to visit his own home. All I can promise is to talk him into giving you enough time to heal. YOU also have a part to y in all this. Don¡¯t try to act smart and reach out to people you shouldn¡¯t be contacting or telling people things you shouldn¡¯t be talking about. I have eyes and ears everywhere. You try it one more time and you¡¯re done."


    I turn to the door and pause just in front of the security officer.


    "Oh, and Olivia?" She looks up with wary eyes. Her hands are burrowed between her thighs. "End your illicit rtionship with Asher. I won¡¯t let you two disrespect Ashal like that. He has suffered enough because of your lies. If you defy me and continue entertaining and fucking Asher, I¡¯ll personally inform the entire family about your escapades, from breaking your NDA to cheating on Ashal. Asher will be scolded at best but you..." I let my insinuation steam in the air before leaving.


    Hours after I leave the penthouse, I am still stewing in my office. If I could, I¡¯d punch Asher repeatedly in the face till he bes unrecognizable. The bastard. How could he still continue to hurt Ashal so? Who the hell does he think he is? He already has enough women vying for his attention. Even M¡¯s dad has given his stamp of approval for the prick. Why does it have to be Olivia when he knows how hard Ashal is working to salvage his rtionship? I am utterly disgusted.


    I think of calling Asher to give him a piece of my mind but I decide against it. This is a conversation best had in person so that if Asher says something cocky, my fist can fly. Ashal¡¯s calles in just then. I inhale sharply to quell my rage before picking up.


    "How did it go?"


    "It went well. She¡¯s obviously still grieving the loss of her baby but I think she¡¯ll be fine."


    "And the Demi thing?"


    "She apologized. It was out of panic for her life and safety when she made the poor decision to reach Demi. She promises never to do that again."


    While the silence wears on, I contemte telling Ashal of Asher¡¯s escapade with Olivia. Ashal would be hurt no doubt but wouldn¡¯t it be better if he suffers through it now along with every other pain he¡¯s already feeling? If he confronts Asher, I will be certain Asher wouldn¡¯t continue his secret rtionship with Olivia who¡¯s clearly too weak to resist him.


    Then again, there¡¯s no way to predict that Ashal won¡¯t lose his mind and bray for Asher¡¯s and Olivia¡¯s blood. There could be a literal bloodbath and I can¡¯t live with that. I decide against telling him. Thest time I told him Asher had intentionally lied and dumped Olivia¡¯s responsibility on him, Ashal hadn¡¯t taken it well. I can¡¯t risk all that again.


    "Thank you." Ashal mentions. "For not ratting Olivia out to father."


    "I hope she listens to my advice. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll do if she misbehaves again."


    After the call ends, I get a message on my second phone. It¡¯s been a while since I got a message in there. After I continuously ignored the rest given the way my date with M turned out, fewer texts and calls have been trickling in. I even had to give M my main contact just so she would stop bugging me from the second phone.


    The message asks for a date with Will. I have no idea why this message feels strange. Could this be M ying pranks to get me to go on a date with her as Will? It must be. I call her by my other contact just to verify. She denies being behind such a prank.


    "Are you going to indulge this stranger?" She asks. Her voice isced with jealousy.


    "You were a stranger once, weren¡¯t you?"


    "I thought you were done being Mr. Fantasy."


    "Yeah, but I am not done being Will. And Will still needs friends."


    M scoffs. "What if someone else recognizes you and learns of your secret? I think you should get rid of the phone. What¡¯s the point of having multiple friends when you have me to hang out with as Will? I just think it¡¯s safer that way."


    "Are you jealous right now?"


    "You wish. Listen, do whatever you want. Don¡¯t call me when this backfires in your face." She hangs up. I understand her concern and I don¡¯t intend to be reckless. Something about the text pulls at me.


    [Hi, would love to go out with Will. I need a night of fun to forget how shitty my life is right now. Could you spare me an hour? I¡¯ll pay if I have to. You don¡¯t even have to say anything. Just listen to me rant about my stupid boyfriend while I guzzle some beer. Sound cool? Text me back-Dee]


    I don¡¯t n on going but I admit the message has got my curiosity peeked. The texter doesn¡¯t send a photo when I ask for one to be able to recognize her. She merely mentions that she¡¯ll tell me what she¡¯s wearing when Ie looking for her at the date venue. I slip my phone into my pocket and try to forget about the weird text.


    Gris is sick today and none of my other staff have been able to fill in for him. I literally missed two appointments because Stefanie, my secretary got the time mixed up. Gris offered to handle it from his sick bed but I wouldn¡¯t let him. I managed to reschedule the meetings with great difficulty and finish up the rest of my tasks for the day. When I set out for home, my head home, my mind is still cluttered with worrisome thoughts.


    I steady my hands and remind myself not to take out my anger on Asher in front of everyone and escte the tension that¡¯s already in the house. As I walk into the mansion, everyone is surprisingly in a light mood as dinner is being prepared. Father¡¯s loud cackle makes sense when I spot M on the sofa next to mom. M winks at me. I head over to kiss mom¡¯s cheeks.


    "That¡¯s the second time, M. You should tell me when you¡¯re stopping by."


    "I invited her." Father replies before M can defend herself. I feel uneasy as he shoots me a sly smile. Demi and Ashley are seated across from us. Like before, she acts indifferent about M¡¯s presence, as she rightly should. I don¡¯t know why I keep thinking M makes her ufortable. Asher emerges from the elevator with his hands strewn over Ashal¡¯s shoulder. My blood boils at his hypocrisy. Ashal offers everyone a weak smile.


    "See who I found, the prodigal son." Asherughs.


    "Ashal" Mother calls, rising. "Would you be joining us for dinner?"


    "Yes, he will. Right, bro?"


    Ashal agrees with Asher¡¯s statement. When a hand closes over my clenched fist, I look down to find M¡¯s manicured fingers curled over my hand. She had somehow noticed the murderous look in my eyes and came to stand next to me hoping to calm me down before anyone else notices. I ma grateful for her instincts. When I look away from her, my eyes find Demi unconsciously staring at M¡¯s hand over mine. For the first time, I see that it does make her ufortable. When she notices me watching her, she feigns a smile and looks away.


    "M?" Father calls with a smile, seeing her next to me. "How about you and Ashton go on a proper date? You two look good together."


    M blushes profusely as she steals surreptitious nces at me. My hand goes limp in her grip. I stare at father and his eyesmunicate a clear warning.


    "I don¡¯t know your rtionship dynamics right now," Father continues. "However, I would love it if you two go on a date even if it¡¯s for media optics to help fix our social image. M, is that something you think you¡¯d befortable helping my family with?"


    "Of course. I¡¯d be happy to help." M holds my hand even tighter.


    "It¡¯s settled then. Ashton, take her somewhere fancy, like her father¡¯s new five-star restaurant. That will be great. Duncan will arrange for the photographers."


    "Father, how about Ashton and M go on a double date with Demi and I?"


    I crane my neck at Ashley who is up on his feet with a big smirk on his face.


    "It will be perfect. The media will focus on this new alliance and hopefully give Demi a much needed break." He turns to a pale Demi. "What do you think? Sounds great, right?" There¡¯s a mischievous spark in Ashley¡¯s eyes that I am only used to seeing in Asher¡¯s. Clearly, Demi sees it too and shifts ufortably.


    "It¡¯s a double date then." Ashley deres with a smile. Father shrugs.


    "Just make sure you all get the right pictures." He reiterates.


    "We will" Ashley and M reply in sync, then break into a soft chuckle at each other. Mother invites everyone to the dining room for dinner. Before he drags Ashal away for dinner, I catch Asher winking at Ashley. Did they n this? Why? Ashley pulls a reluctant Demi towards the dining room and I helplessly watch them leave.


    Dinner is nd as I fail to stay present. My head is swimming with a lot of thoughts. I don¡¯t know what father is nning but I have to make it clear that I won¡¯t be hispdog like Asher. After dinner, I storm away to cool off in my room. Everything is so fucking annoying right now. In my room, I strap down on the need to smash a thing or two. I¡¯d prefer Asher¡¯s face to anything else. I grab a shower, change and go find Asher to talk to him. When I don¡¯t find him in his room, I head to his second favorite spot; the game room. He¡¯ll definitely be in there probably ying and drinking with Ashley.


    Just before I pull the door open, Demi steps out looking anxious. She is visibly shocked to see me. Behind her, I spot Asher next to the pool table, a drink in one hand and a smirk on his face. Ashley is nowhere to be seen. I narrow my eyes at Demi¡¯s bowed head.


    "What the fuck are you doing here, Demi?"

 Chapter 34

    <h4>Chapter 34: Chapter 34</h4>


    ASHER


    Ashton ranges himself between Demi and the door. His long rangy body and the face marred by a frown will look just as natural as a bouncer outside of the doors of a club. His eyes dart towards me again, brimming with heat. I suck in a breath through my teeth. This guy has been staring daggers at me all evening. I am starting to wonder if this is all because of Demi and the sight he just walked into.


    "What¡¯s going on here?" Ashton continues. His eyes fall back on Demi. "Why are you so quiet? Tell me what you¡¯re doing in this room alone with him?"


    "JESUS CHRIST ASHTON!" I can¡¯t stand him any longer. I drop my drink and start towards them. "What the hell are you asking right now? If you¡¯re fuming this much, what is Ashley supposed to do as her husband? You might look just like her husband but that doesn¡¯t make you him, okay? Stop role swapping. Ashley knows Demi is here and he has no qualms about it. I don¡¯t see why you should."


    I give Demi a look. On cue, she tries to brush past Ashton and leave when he grips her arm.


    "Oh, for goodness¡¯ sake, let the woman go."


    Why the hell is Demi looking like a scaredy cat right now? Her hands are even trembling a bit. She¡¯s clearly acting up. She wasn¡¯t this quiet or nervous when she approached me herself earlier to get me to change my mind about ckmailing her. I can¡¯t believe she¡¯s trying to fool Ashton with her theatrics.


    I move forward and try to break Ashton¡¯s grip. As sure as hell, he doesn¡¯t budge.


    "Demi, is he ckmailing you? What exactly were you doing here? Tell me."


    "What do you mean by that?"


    We all turn to find Ashley and Ashal walking up to us. Ashley has a conspicuous frown on his face s he steps up and wrenches Demi¡¯s arm away from Ashton¡¯s weakened grip. I am d his timing is impable. What the hell took him so long? Ashley steers Demi behind him and looks at Ashton with a narrowed re.


    "Why do you assume that every other person talking to Demi in private has to be ckmailing her? What right do you have to act so protective and obsessive towards my own wife, Ashton?" He exchanges quick nces between Demi and Ashton. "Is there something both of you aren¡¯t telling us? Are you fucking behind my back?"


    "Ashley!" Demi cries.


    "Is that what Asher¡¯s been telling you?" Ashton asks.


    "Asher doesn¡¯t have to tell me anything." Ashley is nose to nose with Ashton now. "Everybody can see it, even M. All through dinner, you barely even looked at the woman on your arm. You kept your head bowed and the only person you deigned to look at when you raised your head was my wife! Do you even know how M got home tonight? You just left her at the table and went off to your room. I went to drop off YOUR guest. Everyone can see that you¡¯ve got eyes for my wife."


    This is way better than any TV show. I want to go back for my drink but I am afraid to miss a single arch of an eyebrow or the clenching of fists. Demi is getting impatient now. She steals a nce at me but all I do is wink at her.


    "Ok, that¡¯s enough you two." Ashal steps between them. Fucking hell. Why is he even here? Shouldn¡¯t he be cooped up in his room, sobbing or something? Why did he choose this very night to rejoin us? He¡¯s ruining such a good show.


    Ashley gently moves Ashal to the side. "No. I have concerns and I will get to the bottom of them tonight."


    "Stop it, Ashley." Demi tries again,ing in front of him and Ashton. "There¡¯s nothing going on beyond Ashton¡¯s genuine care for me." Her eyes are tearing up. "You all know how your brother is. Ashton cares deeply or he doesn¡¯t care at all. He also gets violent when he wants to protect those he cares about. Ever since I joined this family, I¡¯ve been through a lot. Asher has been dead set on witch hunting me. You, Ashley, have slowly gone back to your <i>life,</i>" She pauses so everyone gets her drift. Ashley winces at thatst part.


    Demi sniffles. "Ashal was there for me until he got sick. I¡¯ve been dealing with so much all by myself until Ashton noticed. He stops to ask how my day went or if I need help handling a problem. Simply because he is very intentional about making sure I get the help I am too afraid to seek doesn¡¯t mean you get to judge us like that. I don¡¯t see you being mad at Asher for trying to rape me the other day." Her angry eyes shes at me.


    Ashely is lost for words.


    "Why? Are you okay with what he did? You told me he was the one in my room that night. Why did you never confront him? Why are you attacking Ashton for no reason?" Demi buries her face in her hands and sighs. "Maybe the reason why he attempted it again back at my aunt¡¯s house is because you never had the balls to confront him about it."


    "What?" Ashley asks, eyes wide with shock.


    Oh, Demi, you¡¯re so dead now, I think in my head as my three brothers all give me death stares.


    "After my first day at work, I kindly asked him to make a quick stop by my aunt¡¯s ce so I can pick up a few things. Asher tried to kiss me and when I scolded him, he threatened to rape me again, saying neither my aunt nor Kira will breathe a word against him if he did have his way with me. Ever since then, he¡¯s been ckmailing me."


    She has barely finished her words when I start pping.


    "Wow Demi, that was a really good story there, except you intentionally left out major details."


    My brothers are all inside the game room now. Ashley looks betrayed. Of course, I told him about Demi¡¯s pictures with Iman the night he brought her home from her aunt¡¯s. He was steaming because he suspected Demi could have feelings for Ashton and that scraped his pride. I saw it as an opportunity to rope him into my grand n.


    He was desperate to find out so he managed to steal Ashton¡¯s phone while Ash slept and texted Demi from it. Demi turned out to be smarter than we thought. I knew she would never ignore Ashton so when she wouldn¡¯t open the door despite reading the texts, I had to step in and help Ashely.


    I sent Demi the text threatening her with the pictures. I didn¡¯t tell Ashley all the fine details of what transpired in Demi¡¯s room, especially the part where I tried to kiss her. Why does it even matter? Her marriage to Ashely is only on paper, not so?


    "You tried to kiss her?" Ashley heaves a breath.


    I ignore him and face my scarier brothers. "Demi here has been up to some shameful things despite knowing the difficulties our family has faced because of her. Right after father epted her into the HQ, she dashed home to her real man and boyfriend, Iman, to kiss him. I have pictures of them in an alley."


    One look at Ashley and he now pretends to be hearing this for the first time.


    "You went back to Iman?" Ashley asks Demi.


    Ashton and Ashal demand to see the pictures and I dly show it to them on my phone. Ashal flushes with secondhand embarrassment for Demi while Ashton snags the phone from my hand to peer deeper at it.


    "It¡¯s not what it looks like, Ashley. Iman attacked me on my way to the bookstore that day. He threatened me."


    "Yeah right, everyone seems to threaten Demi. How convenient." I blurt out.


    "He forcefully kissed me. I didn¡¯t kiss him back. Kira saw everything but she preferred to take pictures instead of calling for help. She has a video too. Please ask her to show you the video. You¡¯ll see me struggling. I could never do that to your family after everything you¡¯ve done to save me from Iman."


    "She¡¯s lying, as usual."


    "SHUT UP, ASHER." Ashton bellows. I stare into his eyes and realize he isn¡¯t buying the story. "For anyone that has eyes, you¡¯re wee to look closely at this photo. Demi is clearly ufortable with what Iman was doing. I believe he forced himself on her." He chucks my phone on the pool table and Ashal grabs it, takes a deeper look and nods.


    "Yeah, something is definitely off with it. Iman is clearly the one forcing the kiss. Demi appears to be shocked and helpless." Ashal offers the phone to Ashley who gives me a quick look.


    "I didn¡¯t do it on purpose Ashley. He tried to strangle me. I was too scared to fight him alone in that alley. Please believe me." Her voice is edged with pity. I can¡¯t believe how this night is suddenly swerving in Demi¡¯s favor after all my hard work. That silly girl, Kira, hasn¡¯t stopped blowing my phone asking for her reward. It¡¯d be spineless of me to go back to her to get her to find another incriminating evidence against Demi.


    "Wow, you all amaze me. How the hell do you all know what Demi looks like when she is kissing a guy? Have you all locked lips with her before?" I intentionally let my eyes linger on Ashton. Big mistake. He is going to punch the daylights out of me now. When the punch doesn¡¯te, I dip my eyes to find his hands clenched into fists by his side. Amazing. Ashton learnt self-control? That¡¯s new.


    Ashton ignores me and whips his head to Demi. "Is this what he was ckmailing you with?"


    "Yes. He ordered me to make one of two choices before the end of the week or he would send the photos to the blogs and have me ruined."


    "What choices?" Ashley asks.


    Dang it. I didn¡¯t tell him those too. I only mentioned using the photos to ckmail her into doing our will. For Ashley, that means making Demi stay away from Ashton and give her husband all the attention she has to spare. Fuck me!


    Demi takes her time with this one, wiping her tears. "He asked me to either quit working at the HQ," then she stares intently into Ashley¡¯s eyes for thest part, "or divorce Ashley by the end of the week."


    "You snake." Ashley growls. "That¡¯s not your call to make."


    "Asher, what personal vendetta do you have against Demi to go this far?" Ashal asks. Ashton remains dangerously quiet. I know he has a lot on his mind but for some reason, he isn¡¯t voicing it out. He steals nces at Ashal and keeps mum.


    "I know you all think I am overreacting but I will prove you wrong. This woman is out to get our family and it¡¯s my responsibility to stop her." I zero in on Demi¡¯s pathetic crying face. "YOU MIGHT HAVE WON THE BATTLE TONIGHT BUT THE WAR STILL LOOMS. I¡¯LL EXPOSE YOU LONG BEFORE YOU GET A CHANCE TO SINK YOUR FANGS INTO THE ROLLINS FAMILY."


    Ashley gives me onest look of disappointment before grabbing Demi¡¯s hand and tugging her away. Ashal retires to his room. Ashton won¡¯t budge. I make for the door and he calls out my name.


    "You¡¯re such a hypocrite, you know that?"


    "Really? How so?" I ask, whirling towards him.


    Now, his rage is at the surface. "You¡¯re a disgrace of a brother. You stand here talking about responsibility and protecting our family when YOU are the disease festering in here. YOU¡¯RE THE PROBLEM, NOT DEMI."¡¯


    "You¡¯re gong to have to be a little more specific, bro."


    "Was it not enough for you when you lied about Ashal hitting Olivia? After he took up your shame and responsibility, the least you could have done was allow them to work out their marriage. Instead, you shamelessly snuck into her bed behind Ashal¡¯s back and even got her pregnant. The baby whose death Ashal has been mourning for days wasn¡¯t even his!!!"


    I am too stunned to speak. "What the fuck are you talking about right now, Ash? Olivia was pregnant? Baby? I don¡¯t know..."


    "You¡¯re the reason she can never give Ashal a chance because you¡¯ve got it in her head that you will be with her eventually. How low can you stoop? Now you¡¯re trying to ruin Ashley¡¯s marriage too? If he wants to divorce Demi earlier than their contract stiptes, that¡¯s his call to make, not yours! How could you enjoy interfering and ruining the lives of your brothers like this? What have we ever done to you to deserve such hatred?"


    I can¡¯t believe Ashton thinks I hate my brothers. It stings to hear this.


    "Do you really consider us a threat? NOBODY WANTS TO INHERIT THE FUCKING HQ SO KEEP IT AND LEAVE US ALL ALONE!" He shoves me with his shoulder and storms out. I stagger forward, grab my drink and glug it all down. I grab the bottle, slosh more wine into my ss and guzzle it all once more.


    What the fuck was that about Olivia? I haven¡¯t called or spoken to her in over two months. Why does Ashton think I got her pregnant? What silly game is that wretch ying now. Anger prickles over the shock of Ashton¡¯s words. I have no problem digesting the sting from his usations regarding Ashley. Yes, I brought that on myself. However, I won¡¯t sit quietly and stomach the ridiculous allegations regarding Olivia. If she had a baby and lost it, it definitely wasn¡¯t mine and I will make sure she tells the truth!


    ***


    "I¡¯m d you finally showed up. I was starting to panic..."


    "I¡¯m not here for the chitchat doc, just give me something for the headaches and dizziness." I interrupt, massaging my temples with my hands. This morning was the worst I ever felt. I woke up with a splitting headache and for a few seconds I couldn¡¯t even more or pull myself out of bed.


    "I should be at work by now." I add when doctor Ezra tries to protest. "Please, I¡¯lle in for the surgeryter. I have a lot going on right now. It¡¯s too dicey leaving my family or the business at this critical time. When I have set things in ce, I¡¯de over and you¡¯ll get the surgery done."


    "Mr. Rollins, need I remind you that a brain tumor is the diciest thing in your life right now. You can¡¯t just pick and choose when to have the surgery. If we don¡¯t tackle this now, those brain cells could be malignant."


    "Just give me the damn pills, doc. You know me better than this."


    Doctor Ezra sighs. "Asher, my concern stems from a personal ce rather than professional. I have known your family ever since you boys were in diapers. I can¡¯t sit back and watch you toy with your life like this. Please, I need you toe in for the surgery. Any medicine I give now will only give a temporal relief and there will be side effects. Let¡¯s tackle this once and for all so you can go back to living your healthy life again."


    When I say nothing in response, he goes ahead to prescribe some drugs for me. I grab the medicine and surge to my feet. The sharp movement makes the room spin.


    "I¡¯m fine." I tell him when the doctor tries to grab my hand. "I¡¯ll call you."


    I know this is important and I am trying to make peace with the fact that I might eventually have to go under the knife. It¡¯s not been easy. I hate hospitals and drugs and doctors. I have always had impable health since my childhood and I always stayed fit as an adult. Why in the hell am I battling a brain tumor now? How did that even happen? Why me?


    Every night I go to bed and pray to wake up from this nightmare. When I wake up and realize I still have the tumor, I adjust my prayer asking that the tumor disappears as mysteriously as it appeared. I have heard stories like that. Maybe that¡¯s the reason I am not eager to rush into surgery.


    I identally bump hard into a broad chest, making my medicine tter to the ground. My headache triples with the sh.


    "Oh, I¡¯m so sorry." The man apologizes. Our eyes meet and his jaws drop. "Asher Rollins?"


    Of course, it had to be stupid Josh Randall.


    "What are you doing in the hospital so early, man?"


    By his side, his mother eyes me suspiciously and I drop my hand from my head.


    "Minor headache." I chime.


    "It can¡¯t be minor if you had toe all the way to the hospital to get it looked at." Mrs. Randall adds. She¡¯s just like her son; nosy. Her eyes dip to the floor where my drug still lies. I make a quick grab for it before Josh can and slip into my pocket.


    "Actually, I didn¡¯t juste in for the headache. I had some other business to do with a few shareholders of this fine establishment. Have a nice day." I take my time walking to avoid losing my bnce since I know for a fact they¡¯ll be watching me.


    I manage to make it into my car before I catch a breath. I quickly pop a pill and take a short rest before zooming off to work.


    I pull up next to a restaurant to avoid killing myself. My vision is blurrier than before. Staggering, I walk into the restaurant and ask the first waiter I see for the direction to the gents. I almost make it to the bathroom door when my dizziness kicks in and I fall surprisingly into soft arms.


    "Mr. Rollins, are you okay? What¡¯s wrong with you?"


    I blink up at thedy cradling me in her arms as my vision clears. "Anna?"

 Chapter 35

    <h4>Chapter 35: Chapter 35</h4>


    ASHLEY


    I knew she was going to look beautiful in the sexy number I picked out for her but I didn¡¯t expect she¡¯d look<i> this</i> good. Lust crawls up my belly as Demi steps out of the elevator clutching a shimmering gold purse. The red crop top fits her body like paint. The cut out at her torso exposes her t tummy just enough for any man to drool. The skirt starts just above her waist and ends above her knees. A huge white bow dangles by her left side where the shirt slit begins. The entire living room falls silent till she makes her way in and stands next to me.


    "Wow, you look great Demi." Motherpliments her. It¡¯s Saturday and we all have some free time away from work. I manage to pick my jaw off the ground as Demi stares up nervously at me. She hadn¡¯t wanted to wear this particr outfit but I had insisted. I want to make a clear statement to all my brothers standing in this very room.


    After the night at the game room, we got into a heated fight. Just as we went past Demi¡¯s room towards mine down the hall, Demi tried to pull her hand away. I forcefully pulled her all the way to my room and shoved her inside.


    "What?" I asked when she stared angrily at me. "Did you get your second wind?"


    She shook her head. "You didn¡¯t believe a word I said back there, did you? Is that why you¡¯ve brought me here to interrogate me again?"


    "Can you me me? So much has been happening with you and you didn¡¯t even say a word to me. If I hadn¡¯t walked into that scene back there, I still wouldn¡¯t know you were being ckmailed." I backed away from her and inhaled sharply. "Simply because we aren¡¯t a regr couple doesn¡¯t mean you get to keep me in the dark about things like this. I am still your husband and I deserve to know what¡¯s going on with you."


    Demi¡¯s eyes softened. "I wanted to tell you but then Asher hinted earlier tonight that you wouldn¡¯t give a damn about our divorce. He told me you wouldn¡¯t save me." Fresh tears cloud her eyes. "Why didn¡¯t you confront him, Ashley? Why didn¡¯t you confront him about that other night after what happened? Can¡¯t you protect me? How am I supposed to trust you if you act like Asher runs the show here?"


    "I told you he already apologized. I didn¡¯t think he¡¯d dare try it again." When I reached for her hands, Demi pulled away.


    "I kept thinking about the reason why Asher hates me so much. It just wasn¡¯t enough that he felt super protective of his brothers and family in general. He has been hating on me since the first day I stepped into this mansion with my aunt and niece." Her teary eyes found my anxious face. "I can¡¯t believe he was the one I met at the Blue Cove. Tell me your brother lied to my face once more. There¡¯s no way he¡¯s the same man I met that night. He is too different to be him."


    I couldn¡¯t believe Asher tried to ruin everything with his ego. How could he have gone that far and told her about the blue cove?


    "Calm down, Demi."


    "You know what, forget it. I don¡¯t care anymore. I know you¡¯d always stand by your brothers." She dabbed her tears with the back of her palms. "I understand your filial love but I wish you would be just as protective of me. I wish you wouldn¡¯t let Asher get away with using and tormenting me while you im to be my husband. Maybe that¡¯s why I prefer to run to Ashton. Asher would never have messed with me twice if I had told Ashton everything from the onset."


    My rage unlocked at the tantparison. "Ashton! Ashton!! Ashton!!! I¡¯ve had enough. Is that your type, Demi? You love men with a tendency for violence?"


    "Ashton is not violent!"


    "Now you¡¯re defending him? Wow. Asher is right after all. Whatever¡¯s going on between you two is definitely beyond what you say."


    Demi didn¡¯t even bother to deny it again. "I guess we¡¯re done with this conversation. You¡¯re free to believe whatever Asher feeds you. And for your information, I¡¯m not going on any double date with you."


    That¡¯s when I snapped and yanked her arm as she tried to leave.


    "What did you say? You aren¡¯t going? Why? Because you can¡¯t bear to see Ashton with another woman on his arm?"


    "Let go of me Ashley. You¡¯re hurting me."


    "I don¡¯t give a fuck about your feelings for him but what I won¡¯t tolerate is your disrespect and betrayal while we are still legally bonded. I¡¯ve told you that before." I pulled her face close to mine. "You¡¯ll go on this date and on as many dates as I want to dispel the ridiculous suspicions flying around this mansion before they spread through Danvarr. I am sure as hell not letting another woman corner me with her theatrics. If you have a problem staying away from my brother and showering your legally wedded husband with all the love and care you clearly show to Ashton, then I don¡¯t see any reason why we should keep this sham of a marriage."


    I release her and noted the palpable tension in the room. Demi clearly didn¡¯t like the thought of an early divorce if her wide eyes and difort were any indication.


    "Let¡¯s end it this weekend like Asher nned."


    "You don¡¯t mean that."


    "Did I stutter?"


    She sucked in a breath through her teeth. "You¡¯re going to give Asher his wish?"


    "No. I am going to give you YOUR wish. This marriage appears to mean nothing more to you than a pretense to stay in this house. If you cared about fulfilling mom¡¯s desires, you¡¯d pay attention to me. She chose to keep you in this family because of me. You¡¯re wee to ask her." I added when Demi¡¯s eyes widened with surprise.


    "I¡¯m done being made to look like a fool in front of my own family. I won¡¯t wait till you make a fool of me in front of the entire country."


    "You¡¯re going to divorce me because of a stupid date?"


    "It¡¯s not a stupid date. It¡¯s your way of proving to me that despite your feelings for Ashton, you¡¯d respect me enough to put my honor first while we are still married. Prove to everyone, especially Ashton, that no one else has a shot with you while you are still my wife. After our divorce, you can bang him for all I care."


    I didn¡¯t mean that but like I have said before, I say the dumbest things when I am angry.


    "Fine! We¡¯ll make the date."


    I had been so surprised at her sudden agreement that I instantly felt annoyed.


    "Are you agreeing because you want to prove to me that you are not sexually attracted to my brother or because you don¡¯t want the divorce and to be away from him?"


    "You wouldn¡¯t believe me anyway so you¡¯re wee to think anything you want. I am too exhausted to go back and forth with you about my feelings for Ashton."


    "In that case, we¡¯ll have to make certain revisions to our marriage contract."


    "What?"


    "You heard me right. You won¡¯t get a free rein to do whatever you please around here. I¡¯d try my best to ensure a fair contract revision. It¡¯s up to you to ept the terms or leave." I went up to her and ran a finger down her tensed cheeks. "I think I have the perfect date night outfit for you."


    ***


    Now, as she stands next to me smelling divine, I know I made the right decision in being tough with her. I shouldn¡¯t have started off our rtionship by ying the nice guy. Demi is clearly into hard guys with a violent streak. Maybe that¡¯s why her ex is Iman. I¡¯ll never hit her obviously but I will be firm with her from now on.


    One look at Ashton and I can tell he his thoughts are far from holy as he stares at Demi. I choose this moment to nt a kiss on Demi¡¯s lips. Like we agreed, she doesn¡¯t reject me. She kisses me back and smiles at everyone after I pull away. Ashton shifts ufortably.


    "You look stunning." Mpliments Demi.


    "Thank you, M. You¡¯re a vision." Demi replies.


    M¡¯s elegant bulk is spilled into a sleek yellow jumpsuit that skims her ankles. Her cleavage peeks rosily from the halter neckline. Her brown hair is swept up in a semi-messy bun atop her head. From her ears, crystal drops dangle and twinkle in the light.


    Amidst the cheers from everyone, we all get into ourtest Rolls Royce and head out for dinner. The evening is still young. Ashton and M sit across from us. While M coaxes Ashton to share a flute of champagne with her, I whisper sweetly in Demi¡¯s ears to keep her at ease. I know she isn¡¯t thrilled about tonight but I want her to try to enjoy the evening.


    "Are you cold?"


    "No. I¡¯m fine." She replies stiffly.


    I lean close to her ear. "We¡¯re doing this first for my family and secondly for our union. You can at least try to not look constipated."


    She beams at me. "I¡¯ll try."


    "Thank you." I whisper to her.


    Ashton thankfully tears his eyes off us to indulge M. I can only assume he is choosing to ignore Demi just as she clearly is ignoring him. He clinks his ss with M and they both take sips of each other¡¯s champagne with their hands interlocked. This time, Demi struggles not to look jealous.


    We eventually get to M¡¯s father¡¯s restaurant. We¡¯ve already been prepped on how to step out of the car. I step down first and help Demi out. I help her fix her dress and hair before gently leading her out of the waning light of dusk into the mor of the restaurant. Amidst our entry, cameras sh, taking pictures of us. Demi almost misses her step due to the blinding light but luckily, I anticipated this and ensured I walked directly in front of her to shield her from the bright shes. She pulls off the first stage when we sessfully settle into our seats.


    Aston and Me in next, a minute after we do. They look like a power couple. M is clearly a pro and sashays like a beauty pageant all the way to our table. They get seated with sweet smiles on their faces.


    We ce our orders immediately. By the time the first courses arrive, Ashton and I have had more photos taken while leaning in and whispering to the girls. The night wears on better than I hoped. Demi eventually rxes and even spoon feeds me at one point. M keeps eating from Ashton¡¯s ce and he doesn¡¯t seem to mind. I am really d how everything is turning out. Each couple eats like they¡¯re the only ones on a date.


    "You look breathtaking tonight." I begin. I might be a tad bit tipsy but I mean every word. My hand cups Demi¡¯s cheek. "You are so beautiful."


    "It¡¯s the dress."


    "No, it¡¯s not. It¡¯s the one inside the dress that¡¯s making me lose my mind." When she coyly looks around our table, I steer her chin back to my face. "It¡¯s okay."


    "I think the photographers have enough pictures."


    "I¡¯m not trying to get a photo taken. I¡¯m trying to kiss you...for real this time." I see her eyes go mellow. "Can I kiss you?"


    "You¡¯re drunk."


    "Even so, I know I want to kiss you badly." I lean forward slowly and intentionally pause hoping she meets me halfway. When her lips tease mine, I go in for the kill. Our hands cup each other¡¯s face like there¡¯s no one else at the table. Demi matches my pace and leans back to allow me to taste her. I struggle to keep my hands on her face but in my head, I¡¯m ripping her skirt and clearing the table to have her t on her back.


    "Get a room." M¡¯sughter faintly filters in my head. Demi stiffens and pulls back. She pats her lips and lowers her eyes in embarrassment. I on the other hand feel strangely invigorated. When I stare at Ashton, he picks up his wine ss, toasts to me in the air and downs everything in one gulp. He and M had locked lips several times tonight but it was nothing nearly as intense as what Demi and I just shared.


    We ride home in different cars. Ashton orders for an extra car and one of our drivers toe over. He joins the Bentley and goes to drop M off while Demi and I return with our original driver in the Rolls Royce.


    "That wasn¡¯t so bad now, was it? Maybe we can do this often but just the two of us and without the paparazzi."


    "Is that what you want?"


    "That¡¯s what I¡¯d prefer to the mundane arrangement we have going on."


    Demi rubs her neck. "This mundane arrangement allows you to be with any woman of your choice despite being married to me."


    The alcohol is already wearing off as a small frown creases my brow. "Why are you okay with that?"


    "Because I never nned to have you to myself exclusively and love was a silly fantasy to ever hope for from the outset." She stares deeply into my eyes. "You¡¯re a kind man Ashley. I don¡¯t know what Asher would have done if we had indeed remained married and he were in your shoes. I am sorry if I took you for granted before. I¡¯ll try my best to give you the respect you deserve while we¡¯re still married. If you want to go on more dates, we¡¯ll do just that."


    "Still married, huh? You say it like it¡¯s something you¡¯re enduring. I bet you have a more exciting n after our divorce." A shortughter escapes my lips. Maybe I am not sober after all. "Was that kiss also an act? Gosh, you¡¯re a talented actress."


    Now I am getting frustrated. I¡¯ve had better kisses and sex from a variety of women. Why does it matter so much that Demi wouldn¡¯t give me the time of day? She¡¯s driving me crazy.


    "Ashley, please don¡¯t get upset. We had a lovely evening. I¡¯d like to remember it that way."


    I ignore her words. I need to get this woman out of my head. It¡¯s clearly not going to work with her still in that dress and our kiss still fresh on my lips. When we pull up by the gates of the mansion, I ask Demi to get down.


    "Aren¡¯t youing?" She asks surprised.


    "Like you give two cents where I go or who I sleep with. Get some rest. We¡¯ll resume acting ss bright and early tomorrow." I shut the door and have the driver speed away. Through the rearview mirror, Demi stands in the cold night air and watches the car leave.


    What exactly does she want? Why is it so impossible to give me a shot? I am the one stuck with her for the next ten months. If she has desires, why wouldn¡¯t shee to me? I have been a gentleman despite the lust I feel for her. I have been respectful and trusting but all she does is stay faithful to the contract with no wiggle room for romance between us. It sucks.


    And Ashton? I bet she can¡¯t resist him. If they haven¡¯t already done it, I¡¯d credit it to Ashton¡¯s self-control and discipline. If he were ever to make a move on Demi, she wouldn¡¯t care about any damn contract. I whip out my phone and text Nic to meet me at a hotel. Maybe a night with her will flush thoughts of Demi out of my head.


    ***


    I was wrong. Even while Nic rode me, I kept seeing Demi in my head. Dissatisfied, I have no choice but to stoop low and call Asher. He might be a dick but at least he doesn¡¯t pretend to be anything else. I can always count on him being predictable.


    "Do it." I tell him.


    "Are you sure?


    "I want to confirm it for myself. I¡¯ll be home in an hour."


    I shrug into my clothes while Nic twitches the nket around her chest and scowls on the bed.


    "It¡¯s past one am. Can¡¯t you at least spend the next few hours with me before dawn?"


    "You said you were prepared to warm my bed in spite of me having a wife. Don¡¯t act like you have rights now."


    I get home just before two thirty am and stroll to Asher¡¯s room.


    "I sent the message on the group chat. Pretended it was an ident but Ashton did see it. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll head to Demi¡¯s room soon if you don¡¯t reply on time. I mentioned she¡¯s been crying since you left her by herself to go be with Nic after your date. Has he called you yet?"


    "He¡¯s been calling me but I have ignored all his calls. Let¡¯s see how long he waits."


    Ashton doesn¡¯t wait long. Thirty minutes after I arrive, he goes to knock on my door and calls my phone. Asher and I watch him from a corner as he gives up and heads towards Demi¡¯s door. He knocks softly and calls out to her.


    "C¡¯mon Demi. Open up. I know you won¡¯t keep him waiting." Asher chimes with a crooked smile.


    Ashton knocks a second time.


    "Why is she taking so long?" I murmur.


    "Maybe she¡¯s sleeping." Asher replies.


    Ashton knocks a third and fourth time and now I am genuinely worried about Demi¡¯s silence. Before I can voice out my concerns again, I watch in shock as Ashton punches in a passcode and Demi¡¯s door unlocks. He marches right inside and shuts the door behind him.


    My jaw drops to the floor just as Asher¡¯s.


    "He has the passcode to your wife¡¯s bedroom door?"


    I am too stunned to process anything as the circuits in my brain fry up instantly. I finally remember how to speak after ten seconds.


    "WHAT THE FUCK???"

 Chapter 36

    <h4>Chapter 36: Chapter 36</h4>


    ASHAL


    "Wee sir." Everyone chimes as I make my way into Rollins Media. It¡¯s been days since I¡¯ve worked directly from my office. When I step in, there are gifts and flowers from different departments festooning my desk and sofas. The copywriting team left me a brand new hoverboard. The marketing team stocked my personal fridge with my favorite drinks and snacks. Tears glisten in my eyes at the show of love from my employees.


    "Thank you so much guys. You didn¡¯t have to."


    "No, but we wanted to." Elyon, my creative lead quips. He beams at me. "We¡¯re d to have you back sir, hale and hearty."


    I pat my eyes dry. "Okay. Enough now. Let¡¯s all get back to work. We have a major campaigning up. I need great ideas. There will be juicy rewards for the team that knocks this right out of the park."


    Everyone coos with excitement as they retreat to their working desks. I sink into my chair and take a deep breath. Gosh, it feels good to be back.


    Remote working is not my style. I love the power and control that only emanates from my high-back executive chair. I love hearing the hum of activity from the bull pen filtering in through my half open door.


    I love the clomp of my secretary¡¯s shoes over the tiles as shees to reel out my schedule for the day. I love imagining lunch breaks in the staff cafeteria and eating with everyone.


    We are like a family here. We are nothing like the HQ where everyone walks with an imaginary status symbols embellished on their forehead. Here, there¡¯s no power tussle, just a family and their leader.


    I am d I dragged myself out of bed today. I need the distraction. With a lot of faces milling around me, it will be a while before I recall my dead child or Olivia¡¯s bruised body. I¡¯ll feel less likely tomit self-harm with so many people around. When I get my head straight with a few hours of deep work, I¡¯ll go see Olivia.


    Just after two meetings with all my team leads trying to strategize for the next quarter, I settle back into my office to prep for lunch when an expected visitor beams at me from the door.


    "I was honestly starting to wonder when you¡¯ll show up. I knew you couldn¡¯t help yourself."


    "I tried and failed to give you your space." Mom admits with a huge smile and open arms. I embrace her. If I hadn¡¯t insisted, she would have joined me to the office this morning and watched me work all day. I guess it¡¯s one of the perks of being her favorite.


    "I told you I¡¯d be fine. You didn¡¯t have to call Elyon or my secretary." Before she can deny it, I add, "They¡¯ve been hovering over me all morning and making hushed phone calls. I know it¡¯s been you on the other end."


    Mom¡¯s shoulders sag with resignation. "I had to know you were actually fine. You know I hate being clueless about your state of mind."


    Together, we move from my office area to the adjoining room that serves as a lounge area to entertain our guests. I reach into the fridge and grab mom¡¯s favorite can soda.


    "I¡¯m d you¡¯re here. I might need your help." I say, giving her the drink. Worry creases her forehead.


    "What do you need help with?"


    My face crumples for the first time today. I¡¯ve tried not to think about Olivia and our lost child but right now, the emotions start to overwhelm me again. I wring my hands and gnaw on my bottom lip. Mom drops her drink toe sit next to me.


    "It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m here for you. Anything you want."


    "Thank you for not telling Asher."


    She rocks my head on her chest and says nothing.


    "I didn¡¯t mean to do it, mom. I tried countless times to connect with Olivia as myself but she has always loathed me. She despises me even more because of my condition. The only name she loves and responds to is Asher. If there was a better way to make her fall in love with me as Ashal, I¡¯d have opted for it but nothing else worked. I swear it."


    "It¡¯s okay."


    I pull my head up to stare into her eyes. "No, it¡¯s not. I don¡¯t know if I am only shooting myself in the foot by making her fall deeper in love with Asher while I am pretending to be him. I am sick with worry wondering when she¡¯ll discover the truth and how she¡¯ll react. With the death of our child, will she ever forgive me now?"


    Mom grabs my chin with both hands. Tears swim in her eyes. "That is why this n is so risky. If you truly love her, you¡¯ll have to be relentless in winning her over as Ashal and nobody else. You have to show her that you are so much more than your condition. I¡¯ll help you talk to her."


    I surge to my feet and blot my teary eyes. "You and father have been pushing me on her from day one. Maybe that is why she¡¯s sick of me. She never wanted me and maybe she feels I am just with her because my parents demand it."


    I give mom a reassuring smile. "I¡¯ll win her over mom. I have to be a man for Olivia. She has to know that she can feel safe with me, around me and because of me. That¡¯s why she loves Asher. I didn¡¯t realize it until now. He gave her a false sense of safety and she has been clinging to it for a while now. I¡¯ll show her that she¡¯s safe with me."


    "How do you intend to do that?"


    "That¡¯s where I¡¯ll need your help."


    ***


    After the strenuous security clearance in my own home, mom and I finally make it into the penthouse.


    "Why do you have to go through all that clearance to get into your own house?"


    "Because I have three brothers that look just like me and one of them happens to be loved by my wife. I can¡¯t take any chances, mother." Mom nods sagely.


    Just then, Lily appears in her checkered uniform and wees us. She stands, looking a bit confused about how to address me.


    "It¡¯s me, Lily, your boss."


    "Oh, wee Mr. Ashal."


    "This is my mother, Mrs. Rollins."


    "Wee to you too, Mrs. Rollins. It¡¯s a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance." Mother beams at her.


    "Where¡¯s my wife?"


    "She¡¯s seeing a movie in the home theatre. I¡¯ll inform her you¡¯re around."


    "Tell her to meet me in the living room upstairs. Mention that my mother is here too."


    Mother joins me to take the stairs to the second living area where we sit and wait for Olivia.


    "To the best of her knowledge, she doesn¡¯t know that I know of her pregnancy for my brother. If I fail to win her over with my genuine promises as Ashal, I just might resort to weaponizing her betrayal. I¡¯m not proud of it," I add when mom¡¯s face hardens, "I just want to have a family with her and hopefully, she¡¯ll be smart enough to realize Asher will never give her that."


    "Okay."


    When Olivia walks into the living room, she¡¯s looking much better than I expected. She greets mother cordially and meets my eyes. She offers me a stiff greeting which I don¡¯t take personally.


    "How have you been, my dear?"


    "I¡¯ve been better." She replies mother with sped hands.


    "Please sit." I point to the sofa. Olivia hesitantly walks over and takes her seat.


    "Olivia, I know at this point you have every reason to dislike...hate me." I correct. "I have hurt you more times than I can count and it¡¯s no excuse that those were due to a medical condition I have no control over. Yet, here I am, still begging for your forgiveness and still asking for a chance to do right by you. Saying I love you might sound like the worst thing you ever heard but I will never stop trying to be a better man for you. I know our marriage was forced but I believe we can still make something beautiful out of it. I just need to know if there¡¯s anything I can do to restore your faith in me and our union."


    The room falls silent. Olivia gapes at me in shock. The words I just uttered are clearly not what she had been expecting to hear. She stares from mother¡¯s face to mine, her lips unable to form words. Mother intervenes.


    "Liv dear, I apologize on behalf of my son here for what you¡¯ve had to go through because of my family. I am certain no mother could bear to see their child trapped like this. However, I am giving you my word that everything will be better going forward. Ashal is prepared to do whatever it takes to fix your marriage and give you the love and the life you deserve. All he is asking is for you to give him one more shot. While you deliberate, please remember that him hitting you has never been intentional. Without his condition, he¡¯ll never even hurt a fly. Please don¡¯t anchor your decision solely on his medical condition. Treat him like you would a normal man vying for your love and see what your head tells you."


    I weigh in again, going to sit close to my wife and taking her shaking hands in mine. "Olivia, ever since you came into my life, I have never thought about my future with anyone else. I am deeply in love with you. This wouldn¡¯t be our life if we didn¡¯t meet the way we did and you didn¡¯t threaten to ruin my family. If you agree to give me another shot and to stand by me and my family, I promise to have you join the Rollins mansion as the respectable daughter-inw of our household. My mom here will bear witness. What do you say?"


    When Olivia¡¯s hands slip out of my grasp, I know she¡¯s about to break my heart, again. Nervously, she rises to her feet and creates a distance between us.


    "Is this a joke? Do I look like a fool to you all? You made these same promises to me and much more when we first got together." She res at mom. "You promised he would get better and never hit me yet he never got better. Every time he beat me to a pulp, you pretended not to know and stayed in your mansion."


    Her eyes fire up as she stares at me now. "You don¡¯t care about me. You can¡¯t possibly love me because if you did, you wouldn¡¯t keep me in this marriage against my will. You wouldn¡¯t be selfish with your love and constantly think of yourself and what you want. I know exactly what my life will look like with you in the Rollins mansion. Everyone will turn a blind eye to your actions. They¡¯ll sweep my suffering under the rug like they¡¯ve always done and rally round you to give emotionally support whereas I, I will be threatened to silence. That¡¯s the norm in the Rollins household, isn¡¯t it?"


    "Olivia."


    "Don¡¯t call my name, Ashal. I don¡¯t want your selfish love. Why can¡¯t you understand that? I don¡¯t love you and I may never be able to love you."


    My fingers clench by my side. When Olivia sees it, she staggers back.


    "Are you going to hit me in front of your mom too?"


    "Ashal" Mom calls me, rising nervously.


    "I¡¯m not going to hit you or anyone." I run a hand through my face and settle back down on my seat. "I¡¯m trying so hard to win your love and trust despite how many times you¡¯ve trampled on mine, Olivia. Why are you so adamant about rejecting my love? It¡¯s not just because of my condition, is it?"


    I stand and square my shoulders. "It¡¯s because you¡¯re in love with another, right?"


    Olivia¡¯s eyes widen with shock.


    "I know. I know you just lost a baby. I know it wasn¡¯t mine but you don¡¯t see me being spiteful of you. You don¡¯t see me asking questions or trying to get mad at you. I have learnt to forgive you quicker because I never want to hurt you again. Why isn¡¯t that enough proof of my love for you?"


    Olivia¡¯s lips tremble slightly. "Why won¡¯t you ask who the father is."


    "Because I don¡¯t want to get mad at you."


    "You know who it is." Olivia says firmly.


    "I forgive you, Olivia, whoever he might be. I am sorry for the loss of the innocent child at my hands. Now, I want us to start on a clean te, just you and I. No more betrayals. I am not the only one who needs to put some effort into repairing our rtionship. I need you to meet me halfway if this must work."


    I stretch out a hand to her. "Will you agree to be my wife and the mother of my unborn kids before the whole of Danvarr?"


    Olivia stares at my outstretched hand.


    "Excuse me sir, Mr. Asher Rollins has just been cleared by security. He is requesting your approval for entry into the penthouse." My chief security officer announces.


    ***


    "You¡¯re a difficult man to see, Mr. Ashal Rollins." Asher says as I take the short stroll from the entrance of the penthouse to his car on the driveway. "Now, why the fuck is your security detail treating me like I am being cleared to enter the Whitehouse? I thought this was like a second crib for the boys?"


    "You didn¡¯t tell me you wereing, Ash."


    "Pffft, my bad." Asher grabs his phone and sends a text. My phone beeps in my hand. When I read the text, it¡¯s clearly from him informing me that he is about to pay Olivia a visit. I chuckle softly at his flippant response.


    "This will not do from now on. You can¡¯t get in here without clearance from me."


    "What the hell is going on man? I¡¯m your brother for Pete¡¯s sake."


    "That¡¯s exactly why you weren¡¯t turned away at the gate."


    Asher fixes me with a hard look and steps down from his G-Wagon. He eyes the penthouse and deliberately lets his eyes stray to Olivia¡¯s window.


    "This isn¡¯t what you think it is. I didn¡¯t want to bring this up with you without confronting your wife first but I guess you leave me no choice."


    "What are you talking about?"


    "Ashton had a lot to say to me the other night when I exposed Demi¡¯s pictures with her ex. He used me of some very vile things which I admit I might be capable of but in this case, I clearly didn¡¯t do. Apparently, you and Olivia lost a pregnancy." He pats my shoulder somberly. "I¡¯m really sorry about that. I don¡¯t know why you didn¡¯t tell me but we¡¯ll leave that discussion for another day."


    He reces his dark sunsses on his face. "I¡¯M HERE TO CONFRONT YOUR WIFE FOR INSINUATING THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PREGNANCY SHE JUST LOST."


    I do my best to look shocked, not shocked as to how Ashton found out and even told Asher but shocked as a man suddenly discovering that his wife might have been cheating on him.


    "What the h-hell are you t-talking about r-right now?"


    Asher tosses his head andughs. "You¡¯ve always been a terrible actor, little bro." His face hardens now. "LET¡¯S TRY THAT AGAIN. YOU WANT TO TELL ME WHY YOUR WIFE BELIEVES SHE¡¯S BEEN FUCKING ME AND EVEN GOT PREGNANT BY ME WHEN I HAVEN¡¯T SEEN HER IN MONTHS? Think again before you lie to me, Ashal Rollins."


    Before I can caution him to keep his voice down, we get interrupted.


    "Asher?"


    We both look up to find Olivia staring dejectedly at us.


    Oh no!

 Chapter 37

    <h4>Chapter 37: Chapter 37</h4>


    ASHTON


    I get a sick feeling in my gut when Demi doesn¡¯t get the door after my third knock. I know she¡¯s in there. Why wouldn¡¯t she answer the door? Ashley isn¡¯t taking his calls either. It¡¯s toote to get anyone else involved so I do the only thing I can at the moment; I punch in her passcode to gain ess half hoping she changed it as she had said.


    When it unlocks, I save my surprise forter and go inside. The room is dark but I can see the silhouette of a person lying on the bed. When I flick on the light switch, Demi squints at the brightness. Quickly, I adjust the setting so the light is just enough for me not to grope in the dark.


    I¡¯m surprised she still as her clothes and shoes on.


    "Demi? Are you okay?"


    I reach for her hand but she pulls it away weakly. Her lips move to form words that end up dying in her throat. She throws her head back and falls asleep again. Every attempt to rouse her is futile. That¡¯s when I spot the ss next to her bed. It contains remnants of an orange juice. When I sniff it, a huge frown furrows my brow. Was her drinkced? Who would do such a thing?


    Just then, someone bangs on her door.


    "Open up, Demi. It¡¯s Ashley."


    Oh, now he shows up. I drop the ss and go get the door. I don¡¯t care what this looks like. Ashley¡¯s doesn¡¯t seem as shocked to see me in his wife¡¯s room as I expect. I am certain Asher isn¡¯t far behind watching this unfold. This is clearly a setup.


    "How in the world did you get in here?"


    "I punched in the passcode to the door."


    If looks could burn, I¡¯d have been ashes with the hot re my brother gives me now.


    "You know my wife¡¯s passcode?" Heughs hysterically. "Why am I not surprised? You two do have a lot inmon, huh?"


    "I will dly exin how I came about that information but right now is not the time to pick a fight. Demi doesn¡¯t look alright. I think her drink wasced."


    Ashley shoves past me and goes to check on Demi.


    "I couldn¡¯t reach you after Asher posted on the group that Demi wasn¡¯t doing too well. I came to check on her and when she failed to answer the door, I had to use the passcode I saw her imputing once. I found her like this. Look," I grab the ss and ask Ashley to sniff. "She probably asked for a ss of juice and somebody had itced with something else. A sleep inducer maybe. I can¡¯t quite discern it."


    Ashley only continues to rub Demi¡¯s palms and try to force her to keep her eyes open. My anger crystallizes now.


    "You don¡¯t seem too shocked about any of this Ashley," I say recing the ss on the side drawer. "That only tells me that you know exactly what¡¯s going on here."


    His re doesn¡¯t faze me. "What are you talking about?"


    "You saw me enter this room, didn¡¯t you? I just find it odd that you just happened to show up seconds after I came in here to check on Demi. Were you watching from a distance to see how I would react to Demi in distress? Is that what this is about?"


    I grit my teeth when he doesn¡¯t deny it. My fingers curl around the ss and with a swing of my arm, I smash it across the room, scaring Demi in her sleep. "WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU? YOU HAD TO DRUG YOUR OWN WIFE TO PROVE WHAT EXACTLY?"


    "You proved my point when you strolled into my wife¡¯s room with her darn passcode, a passcode her own husband doesn¡¯t even have."


    "You¡¯re so pathetic. Is this what jealousy has reduced you to, Ashley Rollins? You act like you don¡¯t give a fuck about a woman¡¯s feelings for you. How exactly do you reconcile that personality with this immature disy of yours?"


    "You seem to be forgetting that Demi is MY WIFE. I have every right to care about where her loyalties lie."


    "And what did you discover by drugging her? Were you going to frame her for cheating on you?"


    Demi clutches her head and grumbles in her sleep. Immediately, I dial back on the volume of my voice.


    "Look at her." I order him. "Asher is already working full time trying to make her life miserable. Now, she has to worry about you too? You¡¯re supposed to be her support system in here! I can¡¯t believe you, Ash."


    I bury a hand in my hair, ruffle it. "You don¡¯t trust her, I get it. She¡¯s still new to the family but me? Really? Simply because I was able to connect with her in a way that you haven¡¯t doesn¡¯t trante to Demi cheating on you. She has formed opinions of each one of us and goes to each brother for one thing or the other. Ashal is her buddy for games and rxation. Will you also use him of having eyes for your wife too? Grow up man. She¡¯s human after all. Her life doesn¡¯t have to revolve around you just because you two signed a piece of paper to y a married couple two months ago."


    I head for the door, brimming with rage. "Have that shit cleaned up before your wife wakes and hurts her feet. It¡¯s the least you can do after being such an insecure, shitty husband."


    I am so livid right now. Why the hell are my brothers all acting like the cells in their brains are fried? Ashley has always been very confident in himself despite his traumatic childhood. When did that change?


    Am I really the problem here? Shit. Maybe I am part of the problem after all. I shouldn¡¯t be walking around like Demi means more to me than my sister-inw. Maybe my actions do give cause for concern. If father harbors the same suspicions as my brothers, things will only get worse for me and Demi.


    Whatever this feeling is, I will have to check it. Ashley is the one married to Demi. He has more rights to her than I ever will. It doesn¡¯t matter that theirs is a marriage only on paper. I have to let them figure it out themselves without butting in. I have to regain Ashley¡¯s trust in me even if it means losing Demi¡¯s. Brothers before babes, right?


    The pictures from the double date break the inte as we anticipated. Spections fly in the air about possible wedding bells for M and I. I try not to think about it and the naughtyments most women leave under the blogposts regarding the ns they have for me.


    On the bright side, Demi gets less shade and more love due to the photos. Her fanspliment her outfit saying Nic can¡¯t hold a candle to this new version of Demi. When I find myself actively sifting throughments about Demi, reading and smiling through them, I realize I do have a problem.


    "Get it together, Ashton. She¡¯s not yours."


    I drop my iPad at the back of my car before heading to go see father at the HQ. He has summoned me for some reason on a bright Monday morning. Asher is being very evasive when I text him to give me a hint on why father requires my presence. His sketchy reply doesn¡¯t soothe my nerves.


    When I take the executive elevator and arrive the highest floor of Rollins HQ, the employees silently gasp as I make my way in. I get this a lot it really irks me sometimes. Of course there are four of us that look like this, get over yourselves, I scream in my head. Jeez.


    Asher meets me just in front of father¡¯s posh office.


    "You¡¯re no help at all."


    He chuckles. "I want to see your reaction when he tells you himself."


    "Tells me what?"


    I stumble forward as Asher shoves me through the door. Father looks up from hisptop screen, beams at me and takes off his sses.


    "Ashton, my boy."


    I shoot Asher a death stare before he shuts the door behind me.


    "Father, you asked to see me?"


    "Yes, please sit." Graciously, he gestures towards a creamy white sofa. I sit down, slightly feeling anxious about this visit. Why couldn¡¯t the matter be discussed over the phone? Why couldn¡¯t it wait till we get home? Why is father smiling from ear to ear as he takes me in.


    "Hugh Spellman just left my office. He talked a lot about us doing business in the nearest future. Can you believe that? Hugh actually swallowed his pride toe in here, toot my horn and ask to do business with me. I never thought I¡¯d see the day and it all thanks to you."


    "Me?"


    "Yes. His girl seems to have a thing for you and Hugh can¡¯t seem to say no to his princess. Imagine all the ways we could use this to our advantage."


    I rub my eyes now. "Father, M and I are just friends. I told you this before." Father¡¯s struggles to keep the smile on his face despite his ruptured pride as he lets me finish. "Besides, M did say her father prefers Asher to me. Why don¡¯t you get Asher to date her? I¡¯m sure he wouldn¡¯t mind."


    "I already tried that angle but apparently, M only wants you. She can¡¯t stand Asher."


    I can¡¯t believe my ears. Why would M say that? She knows we aren¡¯t serious. Is she trying to put me in a difficult situation with my father?


    "The double date. It worked. You got the spike you wanted in the stock market. That¡¯s all I agreed to do. I am not ready to date anyone seriously and you know how I handle things when they¡¯re forced into my hands. I can¡¯t do that with Hugh¡¯s daughter. It won¡¯t augur well for the business so please, don¡¯t ask this of me."


    Father¡¯s smile finally disappears now. He lurches to his feet and goes to stand by the tall ss wall, peering outside.


    "I think you¡¯re mistaken. I didn¡¯t call you in here to coax you into anything." He whirls to face me now. "You and M are as good as a couple right now. Asher can¡¯t step in. You¡¯ll date her for as long as you need to develop feelings for her. Then we¡¯ll talk about taking your rtionship to the next level." And just like that, he resumes his position behind his desk to signify the conversation is over.


    I can¡¯t believe him. I surge to my feet.


    "No, you¡¯re the one who¡¯s mistaken, father. I might look like Asher but I am not him. I don¡¯t pander to your every whim, especially when it has to do with MY life. I am YOUR son not a piece on your chess board. If you want to do business with Hugh, I¡¯ll dly handle the proposal and negotiation but I won¡¯t date his daughter against my will just to make you happy. I am done trying to prove myself to you because all you ever do is take advantage of me."


    "ASH"


    "IT¡¯S ASHTON!" I fire back. "And I am no longer that wimpy kid struggling to fit in with his brothers so daddy can love him too. I can fare better on my own without your conditional love."


    When I turn to leave, his next words shock me.


    "You take one step out of that door and Demi suffers for it."


    "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"


    "You think I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re acting up? Dating or sleeping with women for selfish reasons has never been a big deal to you and all of a sudden, M is not good enough? You think I don¡¯t see the way you look at that lowborn?"


    "Don¡¯t.call.her.that." I reply with gritted teeth and instantly regret affirming father¡¯s suspicion. He smiles wickedly.


    "So, it is true. When did this happen? You know what, never mind. I don¡¯t care. All I care about right now is you and M. You will worship the ground M walks on if you must. You have to fan the mes of her casual interest in you until she falls hard for you. If you defy me and make her sense that you¡¯ve got another woman in your head, I¡¯ll make sure Demi pays for your stubbornness. You know I don¡¯t bluff. Ask Olivia."


    I clench my fist by my side. How the hell is he my father?


    "Do we have an understanding, Ashton Rollins?"


    My eyes narrow to slits. "I think we do, Brett Rollins."


    If father is shocked at my guts, he only registers it with an arch of his brow. When I leave his office, I brush angrily past Asher because I desperately need to punch something. My mood is dark and my eyes hooded. Just as I turn the corner towards the elevator, I see her.


    Demi is by a printer with a stack of white papers in her hand. She yawns tiredly as she waits for more papers to spill out of the machine. The previous night must be a blur for her due to the stuff that was put in her drink.


    The way she leans on one leg tells me her heels hurt from standing so long. She is clearly not used to them but HQ and their shy dress code won¡¯t let the poor woman wearfortable shoes.


    The second her eyes dart in my direction, I resume my fast pace towards the elevator. Demi looks a bit confused as she tries to make out if I am Ashton or not and why I suddenly stopped by the HQ.


    "Ashton?" Her soft voice calls uncertainly.


    I ignore her and punch the control button on the elevator.


    "Ashton!" She calls firmly now. My attitude must have given me away. Neither Ashley nor Ashal will ignore her like this and my only other rival in the rude and stubborn department already works with her. She watches me as I enter the elevator. Our eyes meet and hold before the door shuts in my face.


    It¡¯s my damn fault. I have put her in a precarious position with father because I broke character for the first time in a long while. What the hell is wrong with me? Why didn¡¯t I stick to my routine? When did I get soft with Demi? Why did I let my guard down and make myself an easy prey for father¡¯s selfish whims?


    I have been around the Rollins household long enough to know how everyone operates and what motivates their actions. I could have sniffed this consequence from a mile away so why didn¡¯t I?


    I drive like a mad man all the way across town. I need to get the rage out of my system somehow and I can only think of one way. When I get in front of the apartment building, I grab my phone and dial M¡¯s line. She picks up after a few rings.


    "Hey babe."


    Short pause. "Babe? That¡¯s new but I love it."


    "I bet you do. How did you like the pictures? You looked gorgeous enough to eat."


    "Wow, Ashton, what¡¯s up with you today?"


    "What? Can¡¯t Ipliment my girl anymore?"


    "Look, I have a lot to get done today. You can stop by if you¡¯re really that bored."


    "C¡¯mon babe, don¡¯t be so dismissive. We are the trending couple right now. How about we give the people of Danvarr another inte breaking photo. I¡¯m sure our parents would love that."


    M sighs now. "You¡¯re pissed, aren¡¯t you?" I hear some shuffling sound like she¡¯s getting up to go take the call somewhere more private. "Let¡¯s talk about it tonight. I¡¯lle to you, okay? It¡¯s not what you think. Can you give me a chance to exin?"


    "Sure, honey but I can¡¯t do tonight. I wasn¡¯t aware we were a couple before I agreed to go on a date as Will. You should run your ns by me especially if they affect MY life, okay? I don¡¯t like surprises."


    "Wait, a date? Ashton, you can¡¯t seriously be considering that. It¡¯s too risky. Don¡¯t go."


    "Toote. I already replied. Don¡¯t worry hon, she won¡¯t be recing you, unless her father happens to richer than yours of course but what are the odds, heh?"


    "Where are you right now, Ash? Tell me, please."


    "Talkter. Kisses."


    I step down from my car and make my way up the stairs. I make a beeline for apartment 203 and bang on it. I hope the owner is home. I need this. When the door cracks open, a smile seeps into my face.


    "Hello, old friend."


    "About time. You¡¯ve been ignoring my calls. Did you see the pictures Kira took? Did they help?"


    So, he did intentionally assault Demi. Now my smile darkens. "Oh, they helped quite alright." I flex my wrists and my neck. "But you¡¯re about to be the most useful to my fist right now."


    Iman has a second to register that I am not Asher. "Oh fuck." He says before my punch sends him flying into a potted nt by the wall. Blood trickles from his broken nose as he crawls away from me.


    "What the fuck do you want, you crazy bastard?"


    "I don¡¯t want anything. I need a punching bag and my house is quite a distance from here." I grab him by thepels of his shirt and m my balled fist into his stomach, causing him to sputter more blood. "Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯lle with a friend to take pictures and make videos next time." Another fatal blow goes under his jaw. Iman falls limply against his shabby couch.


    "I¡¯m not done yet. Open your fucking eyes you asshole!"


    The heel of my boot rams into his face and his body jitters. My rage is nowhere near sated. Why the fuck is this guy down already? I still have a fine head of steam going. I plop on the couch, grab a half full pack of cigarette on a side table and help myself. Streams of smoke go up in the air while I wait for Iman to wake up.


    My phone lights up with calls from M and I ignore them. When a message slides in from Demi, my finger is poised to open it but I hold back. Instead, I delete it and block her.


    Iman stirs awake with a ck eye and a bloody face. I stub out my cigarette.


    "Finally. You kept me waiting, man." I lurch to my feet and pick him up like a ragged doll.


    "Please..." Blood dots my jacket as he coughs. Thankfully, my jacket is ck.


    "Don¡¯t beg. Bullies deserve to be bullied. You¡¯re getting what you dish out." My fist reel back to deliver a fatal, face morphing punch.


    Thest thing I remember is a sudden sharp pain at the back of my head as something hard connects with it. I lose my grip on Iman as the room spins and the world goes ck.

 Chapter 38

    <h4>Chapter 38: Chapter 38</h4>


    DEMI


    I am certain it was Ashton. No matter how many times I think about it, it can¡¯t be anyone else and this time, it¡¯s not just about his style.


    Ashal has resumed work at his office and I doubt he would have any reason to ignore me. We¡¯re really good friends now. Ashley has been extra sweet towards me since the double date. It¡¯s mostly because he feels bad about the way he ended the night with me, even though I don¡¯t recall much after he left me in the cold night air to go be with Nic.


    Asher is well, Asher. He hasn¡¯t stopped threatening to kick me out of the mansion and the HQ ever since his ckmail ns blew up in his face with the intervention of Ashton. We work together so I am used to his cold res and silent treatment. Then there¡¯s Ashton.


    Ever since the date night, his attitude towards me has been weird. Why did he ignore me like that? What have I done? Does this have something to do with me kissing Ashley during the date? It can¡¯t be. Ashton must know it was all for the photos.


    Besides, he also kissed M multiple times too so what is this attitude? Why was he even in the HQ this morning and what upset him so much that he left with a conspicuous frown on his face? The thoughts keep distracting me as I try to focus on work.


    Asher leaves work an hour after his brother. When his secretary, Nessa, tries to know where he¡¯s off to and when he¡¯ll be back, I hear him mention something about going to see Ashal. Why all of a sudden? I wonder. What could be up with these brothers? It has to be a pressing matter for THE Asher Rollins to leave work before closing time to go see his brother whom he¡¯ll definitely be seeing at home.


    I give into my curiosity and text Ashton. Nothing. He doesn¡¯t even bother to reply. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on with him but I need to fix things between us. He¡¯s a very important piece in my n.


    If I had known that Ashton could serve as a barricade to Asher¡¯s threats, I wouldn¡¯t have flinched when thetter threatened me. Now, I know I can rely on Ashton to fend off every dart thrown my way by Asher. To do that however, I have to figure out why my guardian angel isn¡¯t replying my texts or why I can¡¯t seem to get through to him on phone.


    Someone raps on my door.


    "Mrs. Demi Rollins?"


    "Yes?" I look up to find a courier by my door. Half of his face is covered by the huge flower bouquet he schleps in his hand. He deposits the bouquet ceremoniously on my desk and shows me where to sign. After he leaves, I hunt for the card and realize the gift is from Ashley.


    My phone starts ringing immediately. I grab it hoping it¡¯s Ashton calling me.


    "Hey."


    I work a big smile into my face to hide my disappointment. "Hey, I just got the flowers. They¡¯re beautiful. Thank you."


    "I¡¯m d you like them. I¡¯m really sorry about date night. I was drunk half the time and didn¡¯t mean to hurt or disrespect you."


    "I told you, it¡¯s fine."


    "Ok. Got any ns for lunch? There¡¯s a new ce that just opened up and I was wondering if you¡¯d be open to try it out with me. They¡¯ve got amazing reviews."


    My breath hitches as I fear ruining his mood with my response. I already have something nned with Anna and Liam. I don¡¯t know if Ashley is going to be cool with me canceling on him. The threat about revising our marriage contract still looms and thest thing I want to do is give him cause to revisit that conversation.


    "Are you there?"


    "Erm, I¡¯m so sorry. Anna already promised to have lunch with me to celebrate my new job. I didn¡¯t know you wanted to do lunch."


    "Oh, that¡¯s ok. I¡¯ll call ahead next time."


    "Tomorrow. How about tomorrow?" I quickly ask. I bet he has a small smile on his face as he agrees.


    After the call, I try to swing back to work and clear my te so Asher wouldn¡¯t have anything toin about when he returns.


    I n to use my lunch break to run over a few things with Liam. He is mad that I have been keeping a few things from him, like the fact that Asher had ckmailed me. He also ims to have juicy updates regarding the listening device in the game room. There¡¯s a lot for us to share with each other.


    Just as I tidy my desk and proceed to head out for lunch, Brett Rollins appears by my door.


    "Sir. F-father." I stutter. I rarely run into him here and the few times I do, I realize that I will rather put up with Asher than run into Brett. He has a cold aura around him that makes me shiver in my heels even when I haven¡¯t done anything to upset him. Something about the nd expression on his face tells me I will never be good enough in my father-inw¡¯s eyes.


    "Off to lunch?"


    "Um, yes sir. I¡¯m done with most of my work today. I am off to grab a quick lunch with a friend."


    His lips curl distastefully as he takes in my flowers. "And your husband? Do you ever make time to fit him in your ns?"


    I don¡¯t understand why Mr. Rollins is suddenly invested in my rtionship with Ashley. He knows exactly what kind of marriage contract we have going. Why is he making a fuss about who I eat lunch with?


    "Ashley and I already made lunch ns for tomorrow, sir."


    There¡¯s definitely something more to the look he continues to give me.


    "That¡¯s fine. Be careful. Make sure you don¡¯t give those hungry journalists something negative to write about my family." He stalks away like he just dished out apliment and not an insult. I don¡¯t bother to let the insult simmer as I rush out to meet with my friends.


    ***


    "Why didn¡¯t you tell me Asher was ckmailing you?" Liam asks with a frown.


    "Everything happened so fast, from Kira¡¯s betrayal to the Asher¡¯s ckmail. I thought I could handle Asher and talk him out of it. I nned to find something against him to bargain with."


    "it¡¯s ASHER. You can¡¯t talk him out of anything."


    "I realize that now. Thankfully, Ashton met me in time and squashed his brother¡¯s ns."


    Annaes over to serve us our lunch and join us. Her boss didn¡¯t object when I asked for a few minutes of my friend¡¯s time. Even though he obliged because of my status, I am d I get to talk to my best friend.


    "Speaking of Ashton, I got some juicy info from the device. Turns out there¡¯s a woman named Olivia who happens to be Ashal¡¯s wife."


    "What?" I gasp. "Ashal is married?"


    "Yes. Ashton spewed a lot while using Asher of banging Ashal¡¯s wife and even getting her pregnant. Listen." He passes earphones to me. Anna and I stick each end in our ears and listen as Ashton scolds Asher. I can¡¯t believe my ears. Not only is Ashal married but his wife is having a secret affair with Asher? She even got pregnant for him and lost the child? Where is Olivia? Howe nobody mentions her in the mansion? What other secrets could this family be hiding?


    "Olivia." I repeat the name.


    "You know her?"


    "No but I think she knows me." I immediately start flipping through my phone. "A few weeks back, I got a strange text from someone with the initials, O.D iming that I am not the first daughter-inw of the Rollins family. The message literally told me, <i>¡¯wee to hell."</i>


    "What? Why wouldn¡¯t you tell me about something like that?"


    "I didn¡¯t think much of it. I thought it was a random person trying to prank me because I married into their dream family or something." I arrive at the end of my messages and realize Olivia¡¯s message is gone.


    "You can¡¯t cheery-pick which information you pass along to me. You get creepy messages like that or threats, you let me know. Okay?"


    "I can¡¯t find it. It was right here." I turn to Anna. "You were there, right? You saw that text from O.D. I never deleted it but it appears someone did. I can¡¯t even find her contact." Anna grabs my phone and scrolls through while Liam expels a frustrated breath.


    "It¡¯s gone. Someone must have deleted it."


    "Who could have done that?" Liam asks. "The quads?"


    "If one of them did, then they know Olivia tried to contact me. I wonder what kind of state she¡¯s in. They could have her locked in a basement or worse."


    "Let¡¯s not jump to conclusions. Olivia can¡¯t be locked in a basement even though she¡¯s clearly hidden away from the public eye. She has ess to a phone to send texts. I¡¯ll do a deep dive into women named Olivia who have had dealings with the quads in the past two years and see what I can find."


    "The penthouse." It¡¯s almost like a light bulbes on in my head. "I don¡¯t know about the rest of the quads but Ashal owns a penthouse in Alpha District. The quads took me there once and threatened me to back out of my deal with their mother. If Ashal has a wife, that must be where she stays. I¡¯ll see if I can finagle the address and pay him a surprise visit whenever he goes to see her."


    "Wonderful." Liam nods. "Is there anything else you¡¯re keeping from me? Any weird texts or calls I need to look into?"


    I don¡¯t have to think about it. "Apart from Olivia, there¡¯s someone else who texts me once in a blue moon threatening to expose my secret to the Rollins family. I don¡¯t think I can keep ignoring it." I show Anna and Liam the texts. "The thing is they haven¡¯t asked for money or anything but I feel it¡¯sing."


    Liam frowns and hands my phone back to me. "If they had solid proof, they would have demanded money for their silence or gone ahead to show their evidence to Brett Rollins or the quads. I say ignore it for now."


    "Asher."


    "What?" I ask, staring at Anna¡¯s wide eyes. She jerks up and points.


    "That¡¯s Asher¡¯s car."


    We all follow her gaze and true enough, Asher¡¯s G-Wagon pulls up in front of the restaurant.


    "What the hell is he doing here? He doesn¡¯t even like having lunch just about anywhere." When I turn, Anna looks flushed. I barely have time to wonder how she is able to recognize his car from afar when Liam grabs his lunch and switches to an empty table with his back turned to us. He keeps his head low to avoid getting recognized. While Anna pats down her uniform, I touch my meal for the first time.


    Asher strolls in to find Anna¡¯s signature wee smile. He returns it with a sly one as he heads towards her. When I turn my head to face him, the flirty look on his face gives way to a surprised glint.


    "Well, if it isn¡¯t my intern."


    "I am allowed to have lunch too, right? Besides, my best friend works here so it shouldn¡¯te as a surprise. What brings you here, boss?"


    Asher jams both hands in his pocket. He looks dashing in any suit. "Hunger. What else could it be?" Anna hustles away and returns with lunch packaged to go.


    "Your order, sir."


    "Thank you, Anna." Asher smirks at me before leaving. I am so confused right now.


    "How long has beening here?"


    "It¡¯s a restaurant, Demi. Everyone who can pay is wee to patronize us. Don¡¯t bite your nails over it."


    But I look worriedly as my best friend saunters away. How can she be so professional and cool with a man who almost ruined her life? Most importantly, why does it feel like there¡¯s more to this than she lets on?


    ***


    Ashton didn¡¯te down to have dinner with everyone. Upon enquiry, one of the housekeeping staff informs father that Ashton isn¡¯t in his room. The rest of the quads confirm that he hasn¡¯t been taking his calls all day. My fingers tighten around my cutlery as I recall how angry he had been earlier. What must have transpired in the office?


    Father looks worried now. Did they have a fight? Mother keeps trying his line to no avail.


    "He¡¯s Ashton." Asher quips. "I¡¯m sure he can take care of himself."


    "Yes father, he¡¯ll surely be back soon." Ashley adds.


    Ashal beams up at mother. "He¡¯s fine. He¡¯s probably having fun out."


    "Why wouldn¡¯t he take his calls and let us know? Why do you boys always scare me like this?"


    "Ah, there he is." Asher shouts.


    Everyone at the table turns as Ashton walks in.


    "Why haven¡¯t you been taking your calls, young man? Your mother has been sick with worry."


    Ashton ignores father and walks up to crouch by mother¡¯s feet.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to make you worry." He kisses her palms and goes on to apologize to everyone, iming M had insisted he keep his phone on silent so they can enjoy some personal time. My insides churn ufortably hearing this. I pull my eyes away from Ashton and fork some food into my mouth.


    He excuses himself and heads for his room to freshen up. While his eyes track the room, he never let it settle on me, not even once. Is he avoiding me now? Since when have he and M be so chummy with each other? I try not to overthink it. What right do I have to be pissed or jealous?


    I should focus on important things like the fact that I am getting closer to uncovering dirty secrets within the family. Ashal¡¯s is still too heavy to digest. As I wink at him across the table, I can¡¯t help but wonder how he has a secret wife. Could he truly be abusing Olivia for her to attribute being a daughter-inw of the Rollins family to living in hell? Does he love her? What would he do if heter learns that the child he thought he lost actually belongs to Asher?


    Ashley tops off my wine and I shoot him a sweet smile. With everything that happened with the date, he has been so thoughtfultely. I was even able to load a spy app into his phone while he was distracted.


    With dinner concluded, I head back to my room, declining Ashal¡¯s offer forte night games. I work a seven to five now and sleep has suddenly be a luxury. While the quads call the shots in their respectivepanies, I am a mere intern and could get fired for the slightest infraction.


    Ashley bids me goodnight and joins Ashal and Asher to chill at the game room for a bit. I know it¡¯s too risky and stupid but I can¡¯t get it off my mind. I desperately need to talk to Ashton. He¡¯s been acting so weirdtely. When I am certain that no one is watching, I sidle to Ashton¡¯s door and try his phone. It doesn¡¯t connect. So, he actually blocked me? I can¡¯t believe it.


    I knock repeatedly on his door but he wouldn¡¯t open up.


    "Open up. I need to talk to you."


    Still nothing. What the hell is his problem now?


    "Ash, please."


    The door opens and a shirtless Ashton scowls at me. His hair is shagged around his ears. His chest is broad with sparse hair. I ignore the instant tug of desire as my eyes rake his hard biceps. With a low gasp, I fist my fingers to stop myself from touching his body.


    "My eyes are up here, Branson. What the hell do you want?"


    Embarrassed, I swallow hard. "Erm..." Why can¡¯t I remember anything beyond his rock-hard abs? "I...I um..."


    "Take that shit to Ashley. I¡¯m sure he can understand gibberish."


    "Wait." I call before he can shut the door. His sweat pants are riding dangerously low on his waist so I cement my eyes on his face to keep from drooling. I want to ask him why he blocked me and why he has been so cold towards me when I see something trickling down the side of his neck. My hand moves faster than my mouth can ask anything. Ashton¡¯s hand catches my wrist just as my finger tips swipe at the liquid.


    "Don¡¯t ever touch my hair." He breathes through clenched teeth.


    We both stare down at the blood coating my fingertips. Dread washes over me but Ashton remains indifferent.


    "You¡¯re bleeding." I gasp worriedly.


    He shoves my hand away. "Don¡¯t bother me again."


    Stubbornly, I nt my foot between the door before he can jam it closed.


    "Let me help you clean it. Five minutes."


    "It¡¯s a small cut. I can handle it...what the fuck do you think you¡¯re doing?" He yells when I push past him and shut the door behind me. "Get out."


    "Why are you being so cold towards me? Is it because of the double date? Did Ashley say something?"


    "GET OUT THIS MINUTE DEMI OR I SWEAR TO GOD..."


    The rooms are all simr so I easily find my way to his bathroom. I don¡¯t know why I am being so reckless. This wouldn¡¯t look good for either for us but despite the adrenalin rush I am getting from the risk of getting caught in my brother-inw¡¯s room, I still grab the first aid kit. My fingers freeze over the excessive supply of blonde hair dye in the bathroom cab.


    Ashton halts his hurried steps by the door when he finds me poised by the cab. Our eyes meet. For whatever reason, I don¡¯t ask him about the hair dye. It may be because I am in a hurry to tend to his wound without getting caught or because of the helpless look in his eyes when he thought I had found something he wasn¡¯t proud to show anyone. All the anger and meanness seem to dissipate after my discovery.


    We don¡¯t say anything to each other afterwards. Silently, heplies when I order him to sit by the tub. While he stares into my face, I rinse his hair with the hand shower. The gold color of his hair is inconsistent but I say nothing.


    Ashton sits up while I proceed to use a soft washcloth to clean around the cut. After the bleeding stops with a little pressure from a gauze, I go in with an ice pack to reduce the swelling around his scalp.


    Ashton quietly watches me the whole time.


    "Does it still hurt?"


    "Mhmm."


    It¡¯s been over ten minutes. I know he feels just fine but simply doesn¡¯t want me to leave.


    "Just hold this over your head and you¡¯ll be fine." He grabs the ice pack from my hands and holds it over the swollen scalp.


    "Thank you."


    I shelve my thoughts and the burning questions I have forter. I can¡¯t remain here for another second, not with the way Ashton is looking at me or I him. I suddenly feel hot all over just staring into his sexy blue eyes.


    He trails behind me as I head back into the room and towards the door. The lust crawling up my thighs fizzle away when someone knocks on the door.


    "Hey Ash, are you in bed yet? Can I have a quick word?" It definitely sounds like Ashley.


    Ashton and I trade rmed looks. I immediately break into a panic as we watch the knob turn and the door swing open.

 Chapter 39

    <h4>Chapter 39: Chapter 39</h4>


    ASHTON


    I have less than a second to think through the mush in my head caused by Demi¡¯s entrancing presence and get us both out of this hot mess. Just as my door begins to crack open, I flick off the light switch which was luckily already on a low setting and sp a hand over Demi¡¯s mouth to muffle any sound. Then I heft her into my bathroom and click the door shut.


    "Ash? Are you asleep already?"


    When Ashley pokes his head in and turns on the light, he sees me patting my hair dry with a small towel. "Oh, there you are."


    I plop on the arm of my couch. "What is this about?" I ask grudgingly. Thest time we spoke, it was a heated conversation. I am still pissed at him for acting so immature. Hence, my attitude.


    "Hey, I¡¯m really sorry aboutst time. It was stupid of me to misjudge you like that." Ashley makes himselffortable on my bed and I grit my teeth. If he¡¯s feeling cozy, this conversation could span hours. I can¡¯t have that, not with Demi freaking in my bathroom.


    "I know Demi and I are only married on paper. However, I believe that as herwful husband, there should be obvious differences between me and you guys being her brothers-inw. I should have certain rights exclusive to my position. Things like you knowing her passcode when I don¡¯t or you being able to make her feel a certain way just by being in the same room with her makes me go crazy sometimes..."


    "I get it, Ash. Whether your marriage is on paper or not, you¡¯re a real couple to Danvarr. I know I can be a hothead and insist on having my way irrespective of how it makes others¡¯ feel. I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ll give you and your wife the space you need to bond. We¡¯re good." I lurch to my feet, spurring Ashley to do the same.


    "Thank you for your understanding, man. For a second, I feared you might actually be in love with her." Ashley chuckles as we share a look meaningful look with each other. If he¡¯s here to force words out of my mouth, it¡¯s not working. I feign a smile at him in return.


    "I¡¯ll be on my way now." But then he stops by the door and turns to me with a suspicious air. "By the way, M texted Asher to ask if you were home as she hasn¡¯t been able to reach you." Though he doesn¡¯t say the remaining part ringing in his head which is, ¡¯I found that strange because you told us the two of you spent the entire evening together,¡¯ I get it from the wink he goes on to give me.


    "Women, am I right? They can be quite clingy."


    "Unfortunately, it¡¯s usually not the ones you care about." My reply temporarily stuns him.


    "Could you um, help me with Demi¡¯s passcode? I¡¯d like to say goodnight."


    And there it is, the immature Ashley sprouts his head again. I toss my towel aside. "The husbandly thing to do will be to ask your wife directly if she¡¯sfortable with that, not try to finagle it from someone else who happened to see it identally. I think Demi will appreciate the respect."


    "Right." Ashley nods and grabs the door finally. "For a bachelor, you give good advice that nearly rivals Ashal¡¯s. I¡¯ll be stopping by for more marriage advice."


    With a softugh, he bids me goodnight and leaves. I exhale deeply. The weird thing with Ashley is that you can never truly know if you¡¯ve managed to fool him or he fooled you.


    Did he really not suspect a thing, not even Demi¡¯s night cologne hanging thickly in the air? I go to tap softly on my bathroom door.


    "He¡¯s gone. You cane out now."


    Demi steps out quietly, a huge blush on her face. I get it. Now, we really do look like we¡¯ve been up to something bad. She literally hid in my bathroom while I hastily tried to get rid of her husband from my bedroom. It looks wrong from every angle.


    "Ashley could be watching my room. You leave now and he¡¯ll see."


    Demi bites down on her lower lip. "What do I do?"


    One look at me and I know she¡¯ll dread the idea.


    "We have no other choice." I confirm the fear swimming in her eyes.


    From my spot on the couch, I watch her sleeping peacefully on my bed for the next three hours. Damn, has she always been this beautiful?


    I force myself to look away. I have never coveted anything that belonged to any of my brothers and I won¡¯t start now. Besides, it¡¯s best for me to keep away from Demi. Her safety and peace of mind depends on it. Father doesn¡¯t bluff. I won¡¯t be able to bear it if he makes Demi suffer like Olivia.


    In the wee hours of the morning when I am certain everyone is in their beds, I rouse Demi awake. She purrs like a satisfied cat and stretches like a newborn swaddled all night.


    "It¡¯s time to go." I ignore a wing need to stroke her messy hair. My bed will never feel the same again and I am truly d. I tell her exactly what to do to avoid suspicion.


    "The cameras are temporarily down but the housekeepers are already up. Keep your head up and walk. Go downstairs and get a juice box or a bottle of water from the kitchen. Then go back to your room, okay?"


    "Mhmm."


    She¡¯s still groggy. I help her out of my high bed and set her down. Now, she looks so small and cute. In the dim light, Demi stares longingly into my eyes. Heat res up my groin as she runs her hand through my hair. I don¡¯t even flinch or stop her like I normally would. Instead, my eyes flick from her doe eyes to her soft, kissable lips. Before I lose thest shred of my sanity and kiss her lips till they throb, I gently nudge her towards the door. She whispers a little ¡¯thank you¡¯ and quietly leaves.


    I wait till her steps retreat in the distance, hoping against hope that none of my brothers broke routine and stayed up all night watching my door. Even with my best talking game, there¡¯s no way I can talk my way out of this. Demi and I can never prove that we didn¡¯t do anything all night.


    Nomotion. No confrontation and it¡¯s been ten minutes already. I hiss a breath and throw myself on my bed. Her scent still lingers on the pillow and duvet. Smiling sheepishly, I nestle the pillow next to my heart and surrender to sleep.


    ***


    M isn¡¯t thrilled about my date tonight. I am not doing this to offend her even though I don¡¯t owe her an exnation for how I choose to spend my time. I just need a distraction from a LOT of things, Demi included. M is kind and she¡¯s a dream find but she and I can only be good friends at best. Everything else is just parental pressure trying to ruin our good friendship.


    Work isn¡¯t helping to keep my mind off father¡¯s threat and Demi in my bed so I texted the strangedy through my second phone to tell her I¡¯d be avable tonight.


    I had lied thest time I told M I had a date. Back then, I had merely resolved to go on the date in my head to spite M for fast tracking our friendship into a fully blown rtionship through her dad. Now, I am simply going on the date to get a break from all the craziness around me and to keep Demi out of my head for one evening.


    "I told you I didn¡¯t say anything to my father. I am shocked he visited your father¡¯spany. He hasn¡¯t mentioned a peep to me about you."


    You don¡¯t owe me an exnation, M. I understand how maniptive parents can be. We¡¯re good friends but the way I see it, our parents are going to ruin that for us really soon if we don¡¯t beat them at their game." I watch her dismiss the assistants nking her with glossy papers to be signed. She¡¯s like Ashley in my world; a fashion icon and stylist.


    With everyone gone, she leans conspiratorially towards me. "What are you suggesting?"


    I brush my nose against hers. "If we are going to date seriously, it should be our decision not theirs. I have a bad history of treating things or people forced into my hands in a way I am not proud of. You really don¡¯t deserve that. So, you tell daddy that his princess wants to take things slow and see where it goes. If he wants to do business with Rollins HQ, he doesn¡¯t need our alliance to seal the deal."


    M eyes my lips. "And what if his princess only likes fast things? Fast food? Fast cars? Fast <i>rides</i>?" She moves to kiss me and misses as I lean back on my chair with a smile.


    "You don¡¯t strike me like a woman who likes to be used by men merely for pleasure."


    "Used?" M licks her lips. "That¡¯s very stereotypical of men to think they are the ones always using women. I have needs and you have the genitalia to fulfil them. End of story." I am amazed at her rawness.


    "What¡¯s her name?" Her eyes crinkle in a smile. "Go on, you can tell me."


    "I don¡¯t know it yet. I am still searching but what I<i> do</i> know is that casual sex doesn¡¯t do it for me anymore. That¡¯s why I am going on this date. Who knows, a couple more and I might just make a connection that will hold forever." I surge to my feet. "Don¡¯t give me that look, M. You promised to be fun. Jealousy isn¡¯t fun."


    "I hope you don¡¯t regret this."


    "Which part?"


    "Not kissing me?" She winks at me.


    "I already do. I just prefer we get there mutually."


    I go around her table and peck her forehead. "I¡¯ve got a fast car I guarantee you¡¯ll enjoy riding. See youter."


    Throughout the day, I check my phone and stare at the door to my office expecting Demi to barge in like before. I know neither can happen because I already blocked her number and she wouldn¡¯te to my workce so soon after we narrowly escaped being used of something heinous. Still, I allow my imaginations fly and expect to hear her heels clicking on the floor towards my office.


    My date has confirmed her avability. Well, that¡¯s good. We make arrangements for dinner at a remote diner. I prefer it that way. When lunch time rolls by, Gris shows up to remind me to eat. Frankly, I seldom have appetite for lunch.


    Since I have less to do and lots of time to kill, I call Ashley to see if we can do lunch together. I still have doubts about his attitudest night and I want to spend more time with him and gauge his reaction to see if he still harbors suspicions of Demi and I.


    "Hey, can we do lunch today? It¡¯s been a while."


    Ashley sighs over the phone. "Crap man, I¡¯m so sorry. I am already at lunch with Demi."


    Demi? How? When did that happen? Doesn¡¯t she work all the way at the HQ? How are they having lunch together? The thoughts keep floating over my head.


    "Ash, you there?"


    "Oh, sorry. Gris was trying to get me to sign a few papers. You said you¡¯re already having lunch with Demi? That¡¯s fine. I think I¡¯ll just order something here at the office. I still have a lot of work to do anyway so it will save me some time."


    "I¡¯m truly sorry man. I would have loved to eat with you alone. It¡¯s been ages."


    "I know. We¡¯ll do it some other time. My regards to Demi. Bye."


    Fuck. She¡¯s having lunch with her husband while I am over here daydreaming. I fucking hate myself right now. Why am I overthinkingst night? It meant nothing. It shouldn¡¯t mean anything. Demi is right to not make a big deal out of it.


    Like I told Ashley, I throw myself back into work, forcing Gris to cringe as he watches me take things off his te. I make ns for a customized car exhibition we have been nning. I take calls from our loyal customers and answer whatever questions andints they have. I join the auditing team to review sales reports. Finally, I go over our new car deliveries, rechecking to see that each car fits its description.


    "Sir, sir?"


    I jerk awake to find Gris¡¯ bespectacled face hovering over me.


    "Sir, it¡¯s seven pm. Everyone¡¯s left."


    "Apparently, not everyone since you¡¯re still here buzzing in my ear."


    "I can¡¯t leave before you do, sir."


    I rub the kinks on my neck and tidy my desk. Shit, I have a freaking date by seven thirty. After thanking Gris, I grab my things and rush to my car. I have everything I need in there. I¡¯ll find a motel along the way to freshen up and change for my date, then carry on with my night.


    By the time I arrive at the diner, I am nearly an hourte. This time, I am prepared to get an earful for keeping my date waiting. She¡¯ll be justified to vent her anger at me.


    However, when I push open the door and go in, I fail to find anyone matching her outfit description in the booths. Just then, I get a text from her apologizing for herteness and iming that she¡¯s five minutes away. Wow. And I thought I was thest one to arrive.


    I order a drink and slink into a cozy booth at the far end of the diner. It¡¯spletely away from the other booths and allows for more privacy incase someone else happens to recognize me. I kill time by scrolling through social media.


    When I check my leather watch, my date is still yet to arrive after twenty minutes. Have I been pranked or something? Is this what M feared? What if this person isn¡¯t really interested in a date and I have been lured here for some reason?


    Furious, I text her onest time to ask where she is. She doesn¡¯t reply. Brimming with anger, I grab my jacket and head for the door. Outside, the cold night air whizzes past my face, fluttering my long, ck curls. I shrug on my jacket as I scan the street. Everything seems rtively normal. People are going about their night peacefully, shuffling casually along the street. I jam my hands in my pocket.


    Someone catches my attention. It appears to be a woman in a red coat. She stands a few meters from the diner, slightly hidden by a wall. At first, she doesn¡¯t appear to be actively trying to stay hidden but when my eyes track in her direction, her whole body disappears behind the wall as quick as a whish. While I watch the corner, she peeks at me once.


    "M?" I wonder. Despite how ridiculous that sounds, who else would be tailing me? I start walking in the woman¡¯s direction.


    The sound of my footfalls must have alerted her as she takes to her heels. My steps increase to a light jog but as I reach the corner, I am only just in time to see her slide into a cab and zoom off. I can¡¯t even make out her face in the dimness. Too bad her cab is going in apletely different direction from where my car is parked. I will lose them long before I jog back to my car.


    I call M immediately.


    "Where are you?"


    "Hello to you too."


    I can¡¯t pick up any sounds like she¡¯s in a moving vehicle. I only hear a soft tune in the background.


    "I¡¯m sorry. Hi, M."


    "I¡¯m home, Ashton. Why?"


    She doesn¡¯t sound breathy or nervous either. I believe her.


    "Nothing. I guess I missed you."


    "Hmm. How did your date go?"


    "It didn¡¯t. She was a no show."


    M gasps. "Someone actually stood you up? Ouch."


    "Happens to the best of us. I¡¯ll call youter. Gotta go nurse my bruised ego. Bye."


    I take onest look at the street. Who the hell was that?


    ***


    By the time I get home, I am pretty exhausted. Mom called a few times on my way back and I quickly answered to assuage her worries. I know she understands I can handle myself but she can¡¯t help being a mother.


    Given the kind of father I have, I will never make a fuss about having a doting mom. Life would have been hellish if I didn¡¯t have a parent who saw me as a son rather than a pawn.


    "Ashton. My study. Now!" Father beckons the second my right foot hits the stairs. With a silent grumble, I retrace my steps to his study.


    I hate it in here. For him, it¡¯s just another office and a seat of power. For me, it¡¯s holds very terrible childhood memories. Father has only ever scolded my brothers and I in here, even as adults. He sits in his high chair and leers at everyone else, talks down on them and foists his decisions on them as well. Calling me in here is strategic on his part. If this is to make me feel spineless under his gaze, I won¡¯t give him the satisfaction tonight.


    "You had quite the attitude yesterday." He begins, pouring himself a drink. When he nudges the bottle at me, I shake my head.


    "So, it¡¯s true. You¡¯re still not drinking whiskey? It used to be your favorite." I say nothing in reply.


    "Sit down, son. I don¡¯t bite."


    "I¡¯m tired, father. Can we make this quick? What do you want from me now? A baby with M?"


    Father¡¯s face tightens. "I know you think I am a horrible father."


    "I don¡¯t think it; I know it. I have lived it." My voice is a low growl that shocks both of us. I didn¡¯t even realize how angry I was until hisst statement.


    "I only want the best for my boys. If I upset you because I have a habit of forcing my decisions down your throats, I apologize. It won¡¯t stop anytime soon, especially since you and your brothers continue to prove to me that youck good judgement to make worthwhile decisions all by yourself. Look what happened with Ashal. He could have sunken this family with one night of unbridled passion."


    "You honestly believe that every decision you¡¯ve taken for us is justified and the best? Then why do you feel guilty, father? Did you really call me here to apologize for what you¡¯ve put me through so far or to apologize for all the ways you n to use me in the future to aid your selfish goals?


    "Ashton."


    "Like I told you before, I am faring just fine without your fatherly love or validation. Mom is doing a great job filling the void. Worry about your business like you¡¯ve always done. My brothers and I will survive."


    I pivot on my heels and storm out of his study. Too blinded by anger, I take the stairs in giant leaps and arrive at the first floor. While striding purposefully towards my bedroom door, I nce briefly at Demi¡¯s. She¡¯s probably knocked out. Just as I reach for my door knob, I hear this.


    "Did she bleed?"


    I whirl towards Asher who is lounging by the wall, a smug look on his face.


    "What was that?


    "The virgin. Did she bleed when you fucked her in your roomst night?"

 Chapter 40

    <h4>Chapter 40: Chapter 40</h4>


    ASHER


    Rage shimmers in my brother¡¯s eyes as he gnashes his teeth. I think I just snapped the control he¡¯s beentching onto after his conversation with father.


    "Say what now?"


    He charges towards me, his eyes like ming torches. By his side, his fingers are already tight fists ready to deliver fatal blows. Despite the urge to back away from him, I ignoremon sense and maintain my ground.


    "I saw her go into your roomst night and she never came out, not even after Ashley went in to see you. I am assuming he didn¡¯t find her in there because she probably didn¡¯t want to be seen."


    "Watch your mouth, Ash."


    But I continue nheless. "I know why you hid her. Ashley would have imagined the worst. Anyone who saw here out of your room this morning would have assumed the worst."


    "Like you?"


    I chuckle softly and stand up straight. "No, not like me. I happen to know you, Ashton. I know how principled you are. You don¡¯t have a habit of touching what isn¡¯t yours even if you won¡¯t get caught. Now, I definitely don¡¯t trust Demi for shit but I trust my brother to not intentionally hurt another brother just to satisfy himself. That¡¯s how I know nothing happened between you twost night. Thankfully, you won¡¯t have to worry about anyone else misconstruing the situation either."


    Ashton¡¯s deadly stare softens. "You tampered with the cameras."


    I shrugzily. "I refuse to speak without mywyers present." Ashton¡¯s smile evokes one on my face. I ruffle his hair and squeeze his cheek.


    "I love you, man. I love ALL the three weirdos that arrived this earth with me even though I think earth would have been fine with just me. I know we all live by different principles and have our unique ways of handling things but that doesn¡¯t make me the devil simply because my methods jar with yours. If I was truly out to ruin the lives of my brothers, I would have taken the little scene this morning to father and Ashley in no particr order, knowing how damaging that will be to you. I chose to trust you."


    I grab his cheek with a hand. "I wish you¡¯ll extend me the same courtesy whenever you hear something distasteful about me or see me doing same. Wait to uncover my motive for the act before you judge me because believe it or not, the most consistent truth behind my actions is to protect my family."


    Ashton pulls me in for a tight hug.


    "You broke me with the things you said in the game room, Ash. I¡¯m so hurt I¡¯m actually admitting that to you."


    "I¡¯m so sorry, Asher. I¡¯m sorry."


    I pull back and grab his face in my hand.


    "The story is far from what you think but I¡¯ll leave it up to Ashal to clear that misunderstanding. The short version is that I haven¡¯t been having any affair with my brother¡¯s wife, nor was I responsible for her pregnancy. Hit Ashal up for the long version."


    Asher presses his fingers to his eyes. "Damn, I feel so bad right now."


    "Good. You should." I shove him away. "Off you go." With a smile, he unlocks his door. "Oh, by the way Ashton, running the HQ after father retires remains the pinnacle of my career. You dare set your sights on my birthright and I¡¯ll show you how good the devil can look in an Armani suit."


    Ashtonughs as he enters his room. I don¡¯t mind looking desperate before my brother. I really had to clear that misconception fast. Though I am certain we will still run into difficult situations where he questions my loyalty again, I can only hope that he recalls this conversation before judging me.


    Am I capable of seeing Olivia behind Ashal¡¯s back? Very. Did I refuse to take advantage of her affection for me because I was afraid of getting caught by Ashal? Hell no! Did I entertain the idea of going over for a quickie? Fuck Yeah. I am no saint and when ites to the little guy between my legs, I rarely let my head do the thinking. However, I don¡¯t do anything if it¡¯s not for the underlying reason of protecting the ones I love or advancing our collective interest.


    If I happen to be cool with asking father how high whenever he asks me to jump, I am doing all that shit for my brothers. One day, they¡¯ll understand and that day, they¡¯ll forgive me. I only hope I get to hear them admit I am good in my own way before they have to do it standing over my gravestone.


    Ashal believes it now. That day when Olivia had stumbled outside amidst our conversation, I surmised the entire situation unfolding in front of me.


    "Asher?"


    Olivia looked partially relieved and partially distressed at the same time. Mother came out not long after and I wondered if she knew what Ashal had been up to.


    Olivia tried toe to us or me rather but the security personnel blocked her path.


    "Tell me it¡¯s not what I think it is." I whispered to Ashal who was looking devastated at his wife¡¯s shameless behavior.


    "It is exactly what you think it is. I couldn¡¯t connect with my wife in any other way unless I pretended to be you." Ashal¡¯s red eyes turned from Olivia to me. "I was just in the middle of proposing to my wife when you arrived. She might have agreed if you didn¡¯t show up and ruin it all."


    "I think you ruined your chances all by yourself when you tried to win her love as me. Don¡¯t me me for this. She would never have been eager to run to me in the past with the zero attention I have given her all this while. Whatever this reaction is has nothing to do with me and everything to do with whatever you¡¯ve been doing using my name. TECHNICALLY, SHE¡¯S RUNNING TO YOU, NOT ME. You have to make her see that."


    I mmed my door shut. "Do you want me to go break up with her or what?"


    Ashal shakes his head. "No, I am not ready to admit the truth to her. Just leave. I¡¯ll handle this."


    "Suit yourself."


    I got into my car and while I backed away, I could see Olivia¡¯s face go pale.


    I don¡¯t know how Ashal handled it. I don¡¯t want to ask. It¡¯s a sore topic for him since he had to impersonate me to get a woman¡¯s love. I get why he would be embarrassed to open up to me.


    On my part, it can be a heady feeling to know you wield so much power over a woman. I don¡¯t know what I would have done if I hade by this information earlier. I just know right now that several scenarios keep ying in a loop in my head of all the ways I could have had fun with this.


    I don¡¯t know what Ashton is made of and how he is able to carry himself with such grace knowing Demi likes him more than her own husband. Even more incredulous is his will power and self-control given that he feels something for her too. I don¡¯t get how he could literally have let her walk out of his room untouched. I know I wouldn¡¯t have been that strong. She wouldn¡¯t have been able to walk properly for days if I had been in Ashton¡¯s shoes.


    "Darn it, you need Jesus, Asher." I breathe, shaking my head before walking away.


    For the next few days, Iman continues to blow up my phone. I guess the fool is broke again. He sends me some stupid texts, making vile usations and threatening to expose our dealings to the media. He¡¯s a fool if he thinks he can get my attention by making empty threats. Who would believe him if he retracts his story about Demi? What would he do if he doesn¡¯t have Demi to defame? I know he¡¯s bluffing. I ignore him.


    Nessa walks up to me just as I pop a pill for my headache. I shove the drug into my drawer and lock it. If she notices how edgy I am being, she doesn¡¯t say a word. That¡¯s why I like her.


    "Is that it?" I ask after flipping through the document she just handed me.


    "Yes sir."


    I append my signature and return it to her. Rather than leave, she hesitates.


    "What is it, Nessa?"


    Biting her lip, she turns coyly to me. "I waited. You never showed up." Then more quietly. "You haven¡¯t apologized."


    I think I recall the night in question. Smiling, I pull her close.


    "Do you want an apology or a redo?"


    "Can I have both?" She epts my lips as I kiss her passionately.


    "You¡¯re naughty, you know that?"


    "Same time?"


    "Same time." I affirm.


    Smiling, she sashays away. I don¡¯t care that we were in full view of the camera. Tom from the technical department works for me now and he knows exactly what to do.


    The annual general meeting kicks off a few hourster. My brothers all send proxies to no surprise of mine. Mother attends in person. I have Demi sit at a corner and take notes.


    The financial report of thepany is presented both on screen and in print. Nessa and some other secretaries from the HQ move around the huge auditorium, handing out paper copies of all the items to be discussed in the agenda.


    A frown creases my brow when I see Josh take the podium to chair the discussion about the issuance of new shares. Father actively avoids my gaze because he never mentioned Josh would be herding any part of this. When I clench my fist, mother¡¯s hand gently rubs mine.


    "Is there a problem, son?"


    "No. It¡¯s nothing." I can¡¯t let her suspect a thing so I put up a fake smile as Josh gets a pping ovation.


    "Asher, do you mind taking questions on these?"


    I look up at father who is pointing to the next item on the agenda.


    "Of course not." I reply, jerking to my feet and tugging my suit in ce. I get apuded as I mount the stage. Mine is a popr face around here after all. I swiftly handle questions arising from bonus payment ns, new investment ns and stock market trends. Everyone is visibly pleased with the responses I give. When I stare at father in the front row, he has a proud smile on his face. Josh¡¯s face is set in hard line and that makes me smirk.


    After the end of the meeting, everyone stands in twos, threes and more making acquaintances and rekindling old connections. Father reintroduces me to some of his business associates from outside Danvarr that I haven¡¯t been privileged to meet in person. Josh stands close and frowns a bit when father switches from ¡¯Meet my son, Asher¡¯ to "This is Mr. Josh...".


    Before I can relish the sting Josh must be enduring, my eyes almost pop out of their sockets when I see a woman walk up to my mom and exchange pleasantries.


    "Mrs. Rollins, a pleasure to meet you." The woman shoots out a ring studded hand to mother. Mother shakes it uneasily.


    "Hello. Have we met?"


    "I don¡¯t think so. I am Kristy Randall. My son is the young man who gave an excellent presentation about the issuance of new shares. Oh, there he is."


    Josh¡¯s mom waves over at us and her son reciprocates with a big smile. Father¡¯s throat clogs. I rein in my anger and pretend everything is cool. I whisper in father¡¯s ears and smartly whisk him away to join another conversation. Then I return for mother who is clearly ufortable with the stranger bbing to her.


    "Are you hungry, mom? I¡¯m starving. Let¡¯s go eat." I grab her hand while Mrs. Randall looks on, annoyed at my rudeness. Her son joins her as I steer mom away from them. I text father to meet us downstairs in the car so we can all go to lunch. Mother and I sit for a few minutes while father takes his precious time.


    "Why is he taking so long?" Mom asks. "He keeps busying my calls too."


    "It¡¯s the AGM mom. Businessmen strike conversations that go on forever because they might not be able to discuss it in person with their associates for another year." But I am worried. Is father entertaining his other family? My suspicions are proven when father strides towards my car with Josh in tow.


    "Do you mind, honey? Josh here will love to join us for lunch. I already said it was fine."


    "Oh, that¡¯s okay. d you could join us, Josh."


    Josh beams at mother. "Thank you very much, Mrs. Rollins. I was nning on having lunch at the same ce anyway so I thought why not?"


    I can¡¯t believe father right now. Josh gets in the front seat next to me while my parents upy the back seat.


    "Hello again, Asher. Great job back there."


    I ignore him and turn on the ignition.


    "Josh, I think I met your mom back there. Isn¡¯t sheing for lunch? I hope she wouldn¡¯t mind you abandoning her to have lunch with your boss and his family."


    Father clears his throat behind.


    "No, Mrs. Rollins. She actually has ns of her own and doesn¡¯t mind me having lunch with you guys."


    I give father one harsh look through the mirror before driving away.


    After a few indecisions about what restaurant to settle forter, we end up at Anna¡¯s restaurant to keep from driving all around. Mom is pleased to see Anna but father and Josh mirror each other¡¯s indifference. We order our food and eat.


    Save for Josh constantly pulling father into conversations only the two of them can hold and acting like the rest of us aren¡¯t on the table, the only other thing that I find awkward is how I can¡¯t stop staring at Anna or seeking her among the uniformed waitresses milling around to make sure customers have noints.


    She and I haven¡¯t actually talked about what she witnessed the other day when I almost fainted in front of her. She had found my drugs in my pocket. She had helped me take them and waited with me in my car while my strength returned. The ten minutes it took was long enough for her to do a quick research on the drugs. Her face softened with pity when my eyes fluttered open.


    I had thanked her for her help but before leaving, I warned her not to breathe a word about my illness to anyone. I stop by every now and then to remind her to keep her word. Right now, it¡¯s no different. When our eyes meet, she quickly looks away.


    Father calls it a day and orders Josh to go home too. I take him and mother home.


    "Are you heading back to the office?" Father asks when I jump back into my car after dropping them off.


    "Yeah, I need to tidy a few things and then I¡¯ll be home."


    "Drive safe." Mother echoes after pecking my cheek.


    I don¡¯t know what the hell I am thinking going back to Anna¡¯s ce. I haven¡¯t spoken to her since I met her with Demi. I know she wouldn¡¯t dare share my secret with her best friend but it can¡¯t hurt to make double sure she never does. She has just clocked out when I pull up.


    "Need a ride?"


    Anna frowns. "I can find my way."


    "Get in, Anna." My voice is moremand than a plea. Grudgingly, Anna hops in next to me. She¡¯s ufortable and I like it.


    "How was work?"


    She scoffs at my question. "We don¡¯t need the small talk."


    "C¡¯mon, it¡¯s not exactly a short ride to your ce. I¡¯m just trying to start a conversation to rece the awkwardness in the air."


    "I already promised I wouldn¡¯t say anything to anyone. Your business is your business. You don¡¯t have to hound me. I know how to keep a secret."


    "I¡¯m sure you do. That must be why Demi keeps you close."


    Anna¡¯s frown deepens. "What do you mean by that?"


    "I think you know." I flick a nce at her. "It must be a lot carrying the weight of your best friend¡¯s secrets."


    "Everyone has got secrets, even you. Why are you so keen on my best friend¡¯s secrets, huh?"


    "I don¡¯t care about all her secrets; I just care about the ones that have the potential to hurt my family in the future. I know she confides in you. I know you¡¯re privy to those secrets I am interested in. What you don¡¯t know is that I am willing to pay you handsomely for them."


    "I don¡¯t want your money."


    This makes meugh. "Everyone wants my money." My face hardens again. "I admire your loyalty. I truly do but I hope Demi is the same towards you. I hope she doesn¡¯t throw you under the boss to advance her own interest but most of all, I hope you¡¯re not helping her keep any secret that could hurt my family because when ites to light, I won¡¯t spare her...or <i>you</i>."


    Fear washes over Anna¡¯s face as I hold her gaze in traffic.


    "If you really have nothing interesting to share with me regarding Demi, I guess I only have to worry about you exposing the tumor I¡¯ve got in my brain, right?"


    "How can you say that with a smile? It¡¯s a tumor and it¡¯s serious, Asher Rollins. Living in denial won¡¯t make it go away." The wave of emotion on her face catches me off guard for a second.


    Anna sniffles. "My dad suffered the same. Like you, he was very flippant about it till the tumor went from benign to malignant. He only did it because we didn¡¯t have the money for his surgery and he didn¡¯t want us to feel bad that we couldn¡¯t save him. He hid his symptoms and pretended to be fine for a long time." Her voice breaks. I think I get her hint. Her old man died.


    The traffic light turns green and I hit the gas. We get to Anna¡¯s ce soon after.


    "You can afford the best health care in the world Asher. Don¡¯t take it for granted. Take care of your health as soon as you can. It will be a shame for your family to lose you when you could have been saved by less than a fraction of their worth."


    Ice ciers coat over my arms as Anna gets down from my car. Why the fuck would she say something so spine-chilling and walk away just like that?


    I jump down, m my door and follow her.


    "You can¡¯t just say something like that and walk away." Anna halts as I catch up with her. "Don¡¯t act like you care. I know you hate me."


    "Maybe but that doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t call it like I see it. Why would you dly court death when life is within your grasp?"


    "It¡¯s not just about the money."


    "You¡¯re wrong." A husky voice returns behind me. "It¡¯s always about the money."


    I watch Anna¡¯s eyes widen in terror. "IMAN, NO!"


    She shoves me away so fast I fall to the ground. When I look up, the club meant for my head hasnded on Anna¡¯s instead. She crashes to the ground with a thud. Blood gushes from her head, seeping into the cracks on the cobblestones. Iman abandons his weapon and takes to his heels. My heart thumps wildly as I crawl on all fours towards my savior.


    "Anna" I manage to croak out. "NO. NO. SOMEBODY HELP!!!"

 Chapter 41

    <h4>Chapter 41: Chapter 41</h4>


    ASHER


    It all happened in a sh. One moment, I was having a conversation with Anna and the next thing I knew, she was being hefted onto an ambnce headed for the hospital, leaving a pool of her blood on the cobblestones.


    My head spun when they wheeled her on a gurney into the theatre. I had thought my blurry vision was due to stress and my tumor until I wiped my eyes and found my palms smeared with actual tears. That was over four hours ago.


    What¡¯s taking so long? Why hasn¡¯t anyone told me anything? Is surgery supposed to take this long or is it a bad sign? My fingers are still ice cold as I wait patiently outside the operating theatre. Anna¡¯s blood is smeared all over my clothes and hands. Hard as I try, I can¡¯t stop reliving thest few seconds before she pushed me in my head.


    Why didn¡¯t I turn around the second I heard a strange voice? Maybe I could have blocked Iman¡¯s attack. Even if I hadn¡¯t seeded, I would be the one in there now not Anna. What the hell was she thinking when she pushed me away to take the hit herself? She already lost her father. Does she have a death wish?


    "Stupid girl." I mutter through gritted teeth. "Is this your idea of making me indebted to you? You could have just ckmailed me or begged me for money. Why the hell would you put your life on the line like that? I am the one with a short life expectancy and billionaire parents. I am the one that fool wanted to hurt. What were you trying to prove by getting in the way?"


    I bury my hands in my hair and pull. I hate feeling like this. I don¡¯t want anyone¡¯s pity or favors. Anna shouldn¡¯t have added to my trauma like this. How am I supposed to forget this night?


    My phone continues to buzz in my pocket. To distract myself, I pick it up for the first time and realize it¡¯s Nessa. She has called severally and sent a couple of nudes to my phone. I feel nothing but anger as I read her desperate text messages. Angrily, I shove my phone back in my pocket and cover my face with my hands.


    Do I call the boys? Won¡¯t father and mother get suspicious if they all left the house tonight? I have no freaking idea what to do.


    I don¡¯t even know if Anna is going to make it. How am I going to handle it if doctor Ezra informs me that Anna has passed? I don¡¯t even know anything about her or her family besides the sob story she told me in the car regarding herte father.


    I definitely can¡¯t call Demi. She¡¯ll freak out and because she knows I hate her and have been onto her, she might use me of intentionally trying to kill her friend and try to scratch my eyes out. It will be too dramatic and lord knows I can¡¯t deal with anymore drama tonight.


    "What do I do?" I wonder with my hands on my head. The doors to the operation theatre swing open and doctor Ezra steps out peeling gloves from his hand. A nurse behind him quickly epts the gloves and retreats. I leap to my feet, scared to death at the nd expression on his face.


    "H-How is she?"


    "We did our best. The blow to the head caused quite some injury but nothing fatal. We¡¯ll have to wait for her to wake up and see if there are any lingering consequences."


    "She¡¯ll be fine?"


    "All things being equal, she should be."


    I stagger back to my seat and clutch the arm rests.


    "Are you okay, Asher? Let me take a look at you."


    I shove his hand away as he tries to check my eyes. "I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m just...exhausted."


    "You should go home and rest."


    "She doesn¡¯t have anyone...I mean, I don¡¯t know any of her emergency contacts."


    "I¡¯ll have someone call to inform you of her recovery progress. We¡¯ll look after her. You have nothing to be worried about. Once shees to, you cane back and see her." Doctor Ezra¡¯s eyes narrow with precision. "Is she someone close to you? A girlfriend maybe?"


    "No. No. It¡¯s nothing like that. It was an ident and I happened to see her get attacked."


    "Have you informed the police?"


    The police. Iman. No. I can¡¯t involve the police. It will be a media blizzard. I can¡¯t have my family be associated with a criminal like Iman moments after we just concluded the general meeting of thepany. Our stock prices will dip. I have to handle this quietly. I don¡¯t know why Iman would attack me but I intend to find out.


    "I¡¯ll take care of it, doctor. Right now, I am just more interested in ensuring that the victim is out of the woods." Doctor Ezra nods with understanding.


    "Like I said, though the operation was sessful, we can only tell that everything is alright when shees around. That¡¯s how tricky the brain is." He gives me a look. "You should get cleaned up. There¡¯s blood all over your face and body. If you don¡¯t want to go home just yet, try rinsing off in the bathroom."


    "Doc?"


    "You don¡¯t have to ask. I know you don¡¯t want me telling your family about this incident. Give me some credit, Asher. I know you slightly better now. However, ensure you do what you must and inform the police before theye asking questions that I have no choice but to answer."


    "Thank you."


    I watch him leave, thankful for his understanding. Just then, the doors to the theatre open and Anna is wheeled out, ready to be transferred to a hospital room. I already paid for VVIP treatment so I am certain she¡¯ll be taken to the special ward with better room facilities and privacy. A nursees over to ask me to sign some papers as her guardian. After signing, she entrusts me with Anna¡¯s things.


    After washing off the dried blood on my face and hands, I message Ashton. I can¡¯t have all my brothers over here just yet. I could easily have called any one of them but Ashton is top on my mind given our little bonding scely. I¡¯m certain he won¡¯t judge me and he just might help me with handling Demi when thetter finds out about her best friend eventually.


    Ashton finds me in Anna¡¯s room when he rushes in. He takes one look at Anna¡¯satose state and grits his teeth. Then he edges close to me on the sofa.


    "What happened? How?" The blood on my clothes takes him aback. "Ash, are you hurt?"


    "It¡¯s all her blood." I say to put his troubled mind at ease. He gives Anna another pained look.


    "What happened? You only texted this address and room number."


    Sighing, I loll my head back on the sofa. "I dropped off father and mother and needed to pick up something from work. On my way, I saw Anna. Earlier, our parents and I had lunch at the restaurant she works in. I felt I should give her a lift. When we got to her street, she thanked me. I was just biding her goodbye when Iman showed up out of the blue and tried to hit me with a club."


    "Iman?" Ashton¡¯s face switches from shock to surprise.


    "Yes. I didn¡¯t see him. I had my back to him as I was facing Anna. Anna screamed his name as he tried to hit me. Next thing I knew, she pushed me away from the line of attack, making herself the victim." My eyes dart to the sound ofbored breathinging from Anna on the bed. "I have no idea why she did that or why Iman tried to kill me."


    Ashton remains silent with a faraway look in his eyes.


    "I¡¯M GOING TO FINISH HIM OFF FOR REAL THIS TIME."


    "What?"


    He clenches and unclenches his fist, staring between Anna and I. "It¡¯s all my fault. I did something stupid while I was mad at father after my visit to the HQ."


    I remember how furious he had looked that day. He barely even looked at me. "What did you do?"


    "I went over to Iman¡¯s ce. I needed to hit something or...<i>someone.</i>"


    "Ashton!"


    "It wasn¡¯t just for Demi." He quickly rifies. "That man has been nothing but trouble to our family. His house was just along the way and I wasn¡¯t thinking straight."


    A tired sigh escapes my lips as I pinch the bridge of my nose. So, that¡¯s what all those texts from Iman was about. He thought I had sent my brother to deal with him? That fool. Why would he even think that? We have a working arrangement going. I still consider him useful in getting rid of Demi. Why would he attack the hand that feeds him?


    On second thoughts, Iman¡¯s fears are not entirely baseless. While dealing with him, I had casually insinuated that I would send Ashton to finish him off if he dared to mess up. That was because I knew he feared Ashton, the violent one. Of course, I never meant it. How was I supposed to know Iman would take me at my word or that Ashton would randomly show up to his door to fuck him up? Shit.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Asher. I almost caused you your life." Ashton stares pitifully at Anna. "I owe her a debt of gratitude too. None of you deserve this. It¡¯s between me and that moron."


    "No, you¡¯ll stay out of this. I¡¯ll handle Iman myself."


    "Like heck I will."


    "ASHTON. I WASN¡¯T ASKING." The fire in my tired eyes wouldn¡¯t dissuade my brother on a regr day but because he is alreadyden with guilt over the part he yed in this, he grudgingly concedes. My head is still banging. "How¡¯s father? Did he ask about me?"


    "Yeah. Ashley covered for you."


    My shoulders sag in relief. I can¡¯t let father get a whiff of this.


    "Have you informed Demi?"


    My eyes sh up at Ashton. "No and it will remain that way until Anna wakes up and is strong enough to tell the story."


    "Asher."


    "Demi will only make a fuss. I am trying to keep this quiet, Ashton. If this gets out, our shareholders willin. Our stock prices will plummet. We can¡¯t trust the media to tell the truth as it is, especially that Billion-Err blog that¡¯s out to make us socially bankrupt. I can¡¯t involve Demi right now. Once Anna is out of the woods, we¡¯ll tell Demi. That¡¯s final." Ashton clearly has his own opinion but I cut him off with a hard stare, "Final, Ash. I need you to agree."


    "Fine, I get it." He runs a hand through his hair and goes to check on Anna and the ECG. "What did the doctor say? When will she pull through?"


    "Couple of hours tops." I leap to my feet. "I need to shower and have dinner. Can you watch her till I¡¯m back?" Ashton¡¯s face creases with worry. "I don¡¯t know who else I can trust. The much I know about her family can¡¯t even fit in a tea spoon so you¡¯ll just have to help me."


    "You¡¯re not contacting her family for the same reason why you¡¯re not calling Demi?"


    "Bingo."


    "Let¡¯s just hope she pulls through in time." Something worrisome flickers in his eyes. "If she dies Ash..."


    "DON¡¯T." I growl. How could he even... I rub my aching temples and inhale sharply. I can¡¯t think of death right now. It¡¯ll mess me up in more ways than one. "Don¡¯t say that. She will be fine. Doctor Ezra assured me."


    "I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to...I¡¯ll watch her. Go get some rest."


    "Thank you."


    "Ash, here." Ashton shrugs off his jacket and passes it to me. "You don¡¯t want anyone freaking out on seeing all that blood."


    I didn¡¯t think about it. I peel mine off and wear his ck leather jacket, then zip it all the way up.


    "I guess Ashley will be the only one that will have a seizure with this fashion mayhem." We bothugh over my suit and jacketbo. I thank Ash once more before leaving the hospital.


    It¡¯s alreadyte and I am too tired to drive so I quickly call one of our drivers toe take me home. I don¡¯t realize how exhausted I am until the driver nudges me awake after we get home. I don¡¯t even recall dozing off on the way.


    I take the elevator straight to the first floor and make a beeline for my room. My blood-stained shirt is already starting to itch ufortably so I start to pull down the zipper of the jacket as I edge close to my door. Small footsteps trailing behind me get my attention. I crane my neck to find Demi.


    "Ashton?"


    Oh, for heaven¡¯s sake, not now!


    "Ashton, I..."


    "IT¡¯S ASHER." I state tly, turning to her with a cold gaze. "Not every brother who wears a ck leather jacket is Ashton, missy." I can¡¯t even feel bad at the shocked embarrassment on her face as she backtracks.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I thought..." Her eyes dip from my face to my chest and dte in horror. Immediately, I zip up my jacket. "Was that blood? Are you hurt?"


    "Do I look hurt to you? It was a stupid club fight. Red wine. Mind your business, okay?" I swerve towards my door. Then, I figured I might as well get it out of my chest.


    "By the way, what is it you want from Ashton, Demi? Why are you constantly sneaking in and out of his room? Are you trying to get him in trouble?"


    When her eyes sh in shock, I continue with more steam. "You¡¯re married to Ashley. If you¡¯re desperate for some action, go to him. Why do you keep leading everyone to suspect Ashton is having an affair with you? Are you trying to discredit him? Is this your new scheme? To cause a rift between brothers?"


    "I don¡¯t..."


    "STAY AWAY FROM ASHTON." I warn her in a dangerously low voice. "You and him can never happen."


    Her face brightens suddenly. "Ashton and I are just friends, just like I am with Ashal and Ashley. If he wants me to stay away from him, he can tell me himself. You are not his spokesperson."


    "I am his brother!"


    "He¡¯s an adult! Even his father can¡¯t always make the decisions for him."


    I chuckle at her over confidence. "Then you really don¡¯t know much about father or Ashton. I¡¯m warning you Demi Branson. If you create any rift between my brothers because of your actions, I won¡¯t spare you." I wag a finger in her face for emphasis."


    "You should get that blood cleaned up, sir." She says and walks away. At this point, I wouldn¡¯t mind this blood being hers. Gosh, she drives me crazy.


    After I have a proper shower and order for my dinner to be brought up to my room, I immediately call Ashton to check on him and Anna. Thankfully, everything sounds fine though Anna isn¡¯t awake yet.


    "I spoke with doctor Ezra. He has assigned a nurse to stay with Anna all night. You cane back home now."


    "Okay. I¡¯ll be there soon."


    Nessa¡¯s calles through just as I hang up. Sighing, I take her call.


    "What is it?"


    She sniffles in the background. Has she been crying? "You stood me up again. You promised you would make it up to me."


    "Nessa, I don¡¯t have time for this right now."


    "I didn¡¯t want any of this but you insisted you wouldn¡¯t give me the job if I didn¡¯t give into you. Now I can¡¯t get you out of my head. I need you, Asher. Why didn¡¯t youe to me tonight? Is there someone else? Just tell me."


    "Of course, there are others. Did you think we were exclusive? When did I ever tell you we were?"


    "Don¡¯t be so mean. I didn¡¯t n to fall in love with you. It just happened." She cries harder now.


    I fist my nket in my free hand and squeeze in anger. "I was unavoidably detained tonight, okay? I meant to be there but it just didn¡¯t work. I¡¯ll see youter."


    "But..."


    "Nessa, don¡¯t bother me again unless it¡¯s work rted."


    I hang up on her as she starts crying. It¡¯s always the same thing with her. I made it clear from the start that what we are having is merely a fling. I don¡¯t know why she allowed herself develop feelings for me. I don¡¯t love her. I can¡¯t. She can fuck whomever she wants for all I care as long as she satisfies me when I want her to. I reward her handsomely for ALL her services so why would she want to guilt trip me by acting like I am using her?


    My phone rings again after I chuck it to the side. I grab it angrily and answer the call.


    "Nessa, you¡¯re really pissing me off right now..."


    "She¡¯s awake." Ashton echoes.


    My mind goes nk for a second. "What?"


    "Anna. She just came to."


    Relief floods through me as I exhale deeply. Anna is awake. She made it. She¡¯ll be fine and I don¡¯t have to live with the guilt of causing the untimely demise of an innocent woman. I switch my phone from my right hand to the left because of the slight tremor in the former.


    "I¡¯m on my way."


    I abandon everything else, get dressed and rush out of my room. When the elevator door opens to the living room, father is standing by the grand staircase, a cup of coffee in his hands. He must have juste from his study. Fuck.


    He stares hard at me.


    "Asher?"


    I don¡¯t think much about it. "It¡¯s Ashley, father. I¡¯ve got a little emergency. I¡¯ll be back in a jiffy." Jiffy, that¡¯s something Ashley would say.


    "Where¡¯s Asher? You said he was working a bitte. His car is in the driveway but he hasn¡¯te down to see me yet."


    "I think he¡¯s tired. The AGM must have been exhausting. He crashed in his room the moment he arrived but I am sure he¡¯ll be fully recharged bright and early tomorrow."


    "Oh, that¡¯s true. I should let him rest. Our discussion can wait."


    Discussion? I¡¯m sure he wants to address the insult of having Josh join us for lunch with mom present. Father continues up the stairs with his coffee. I quickly text Ashley about my excuse using his name just in case he identally bumps into father before the night is over. Done, I rush out of the door.


    At the hospital, I take the elevator to the VVIP wing and dash towards Anna¡¯s room. When I step through the door, doctor Ezra, Ashton and a nurse all nk Anna who sits up with a bandage would around her head. She looks weak and pale.


    I cautiously step forward, suddenly reminded of the risk she took to save me. My mouth goes dry as she stares into my face. I¡¯m at a loss for words. She literally saved me moments after I threatened her. Shame overwhelms me as I get to her bed.


    "Ash" Ashton calls me softly but I ignore him. I have a few things to say to Anna first.


    "Anna." I exhale deeply. "I¡¯m so d you made it. I...I¡¯m sorry..."


    Anna blinks up at me and then at Ashton. She coughs a bit. "I¡¯m sorry but...who are you people? Who¡¯s Anna?"

 Chapter 42

    <h4>Chapter 42: Chapter 42</h4>


    DEMI


    "It was a close shave. I don¡¯t know how he spotted me from afar. Maybe the stupid red jacket gave me away." I gasp as I recall Ashton heading speedily in my direction that night. If he had broken into a run from the diner, he would have caught up with me long before I could g down a cab. Even while I slid into the cab, I was scared to death all through the journey that he would intercept us somehow.


    "Does he suspect you?" Liam asks over the phone.


    "I don¡¯t think so." Ashton and I haven¡¯t spoken properly since the night in his room. I still can¡¯t get him on the phone even though every other family member can which affirms my suspicion that he has blocked me. I don¡¯t know why he would do that. Could this rash decision be as a result of the awkwardness of the date night? The energy between us has been off ever since that night.


    "Be careful." Liam chimes.


    "Anything from Ashley so far?


    "Nothing unusual. Nic is eagerly pursuing him. She is desperate to win him back. They sext all the time. If I get something useful, I¡¯ll let you know."


    "Okay."


    I don¡¯t say it but it feels strange to realize how unbothered I feel about my husband sexting his ex. Meanwhile, I had felt some type of way when Liam had told me about Ashton and M. If I ever doubted my feelings for Ashton, this is the defining moment that clears that up. I shake my head, hoping to distract myself from that hot realization.


    "How is it going with Ashal and the penthouse?"


    "I am still on it."


    Liam sighs. "And the HQ? Anything?"


    "Asher lets me sit in during meetings now. I¡¯m trying to befriend his secretary. I suspect she knows more about Asher and thepany than she should. She is Asher¡¯s longest serving secretary. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s solely because of her efficiency."


    "Step on it." Liam hangs up.


    "Was that a personal call?" Josh asks, entering my office.


    "Family emergency. I apologize."


    "I¡¯ll let this one slide. Hope everything is alright though."


    "Yes. Thankfully."


    His big eyes dart suspiciously around. "I¡¯ll let you get to work."


    "Yeah."


    Sheesh. What¡¯s his deal? Is he an actual employee here or a spy for HR? Even Asher, the boss¡¯ son, actually puts in the work. Somehow, Josh struts around like he can get away with anything.


    His arrogance amazes me. It could be because Mr. Rollins is super fond of him. They have lunch together every other day and from what I have heard from the staff cafeteria, Mr. Rollins might even prefer spending time with this employee to doing the same with his own son.


    A few employees gossip about the closeness of the boss and his employee, citing it as Josh being desperate to brownnose the boss because Asher is too focused on work.


    I do find it strange. However, I have seen Josh deliver a sterling performance. He does have some skills that necessitate Asher viewing him as a threat. Josh clearly has his sights set very high, maybe as high as chief operating officer and chairman of the board of directors in the future, two dreams that make Asher quake in his boots.


    Whatever their beef is, I don¡¯t want to know. I just hope Josh stays out of my business.


    My eyes stray towards Nessa¡¯s office. She has been acting strange all morning. Her mood has been off. She barely responded to my greeting earlier.


    Asher came in a bitte today. He has also been cranky like his secretary. I can¡¯t imagine what¡¯s up with them. Did something else happen at the AGM that I missed? Is he mad at her for not representing thepany well or something?


    I ignore both of them. At least one good thing came out of this; Asher hasn¡¯t been yelling for me every half hour and rudely disparaging my efforts. He has been calm all morning. The few times our eyes met, he tantly ignored me.


    Nessa gets up and heads for the restroom. With fewer eyes on me and less worknding on my desk, I try to call Anna. Her line hasn¡¯t been connecting all morning. Thest time we had met in her workce, Asher¡¯s visit had put me on edge. I have questions. I hope Asher isn¡¯t troubling her again. Still, that¡¯s not the reason I¡¯m trying to reach her. Today is a special day for her family, a hard one and I always call to cheer her up. It¡¯s her father¡¯s death anniversary.


    Nessa¡¯sndline starts to ring. I stare towards the bathroom. She isn¡¯t back yet. Since I have less to do, I jump at the opportunity and strut over to take the call.


    "Good morning. Thank you for calling Rollins Enterprise. This is Demi Branson. How may I assist you?" I think my high pitched, exotic ent is good enough.


    "Demi?"


    I stare down at the phone and rece it on my ear. "Who¡¯s this?"


    "Where¡¯s my secretary and what are you doing taking calls on her desk?" I whip my head to find Asher outside his office, staring daggers at me. I jam the phone back in ce and clear my throat.


    "Nessa went to the bathroom. I just wanted to help." Darn it. Why did it have to be a call from this blowfish? Like his father, I can never please Asher so it¡¯s best to not try. Where other employers will deem me diligent, Asher will only scold me.


    "Don¡¯t ever do that again. Know your ce." His brows are furrowed with annoyance. This must be stemming from our unpleasant conversationst night.


    "Copy that, sir."


    "Go get Nessa. It¡¯s urgent."


    Nodding, I make my way to the bathroom. When I step into the posh female restroom, the stalls all look empty. I notice a locked door at the extreme. Someone sniffles quietly.


    "Nessa? You in there?"


    A flushing sound follows a hasty unlocking of the stall. Nessa steps out with slightly red eyes and a nk face. She goes over to the sink and turns on the faucet to wash her hands.


    "Are you okay?"


    "I¡¯m fine."


    Her response is curt unlike what I am used to getting from her. She dries her hands with a tissue, dunks it in the waste bin and walks away. I don¡¯t get it. Why was she crying?


    My eyes stray inside the toilet she used. Curious, I go in. Nothing seems unusual until I spot a pregnancy strip with two clear lines in the waste bin in there. I wonder if it¡¯s hers or someone else¡¯s. Could she be pregnant? That would make sense given her mood swing. If she isn¡¯t ted by her pregnancy, it only means her partner isn¡¯t thrilled about the baby. Poor Nessa.


    Before leaving, I text Anna for a change.


    I still don¡¯t hear from her till my lunch break.


    "Aren¡¯t you going for lunch?"


    I look up from my phone, surprised to find Asher by my door.


    "I¡¯m not that hungry. I have a sandwich in my bag. I think I¡¯ll just have that and get back to work." Due to me usurping Nessa¡¯s role, Asher chose to saddle me with more work to keep me too upied to go assisting others. Asher¡¯s eyes dip to the phone in my hand. I bury it under my desk.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I was just trying to reach my friend, Anna. She¡¯s been unreachable all morning. I am worried. It¡¯s unlike her to be totally unreachable on her off day. I just wanted to talk to her."


    Anna will definitely choose today as her off day from work knowing what it means to her family. They usually spend the whole day together in remembrance of her father.


    I don¡¯t understand the worried look on Asher¡¯s face.


    "Maybe she made other ns and doesn¡¯t want to be disturbed. You are not the only one in her life." He jams both hands in his pocket. "She might want to spend today with her boyfriend."


    "I doubt that."


    "Why? She doesn¡¯t have one?"


    "She¡¯s got priorities and right now a man isn¡¯t one of them."


    His eyebrows arch upwards. "How are you so sure? You two don¡¯t keep secrets from each other?"


    "We might not know every single thing about each other but if Anna had a boyfriend, I¡¯d know." I dig into my bag and unearth my sandwich. Maybe if I start eating, Asher will go away. His next words surprise me.


    "Give her some more time. I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll call or text when she can."


    Why does he care? What¡¯s that look in his eyes? Typical Asher wouldn¡¯t want to hear a thing about my worries. He doesn¡¯t give a damn about me or my friends so what¡¯s with the encouragement? Like he can read my expression, Asher avoids my eyes and turns away.


    "Asher?" When he turns back to me, there¡¯s no trace of the understanding man that was just in my office. His face is all business and professional with the slight scowl that is his signature expression around me. I guess the old Asher is back.


    "I¡¯m sorry aboutst night."


    "Eat your lunch, Branson." He shes his Rolex at me. "You¡¯ve got forty-five minutes left and believe it or not, you¡¯re not going home unless you turn in all those reports." He walks away like his father owns the ce.


    "Well, his father does own the ce." I admit to myself.


    ***


    When I prayed to get an escape from the mountain of work on my desk, I didn¡¯t think for a second that my savior would be mother. Against the backdrop of Asher¡¯sints, mom insists on whisking me away.


    "I never see her ever since she started working. She¡¯s put in seven hours today already. That should count for something. Come on Demi, you and I are going car shopping."


    "Car shopping?" Asher and I reiterate in shock.


    "Yes. It¡¯s time Demi gets a befitting car of her own so she doesn¡¯t always depend on others to drive her or resort to taking cabs."


    "Mom, we have drivers and enough cars at home. What does she need a car for?"


    "Why do you have private cars, Asher?" Mom fires back at him. "You also have ess to those drivers and the cars yet you and your brothers keep buying cars every year." Asher fails toe up with a retort. "My point exactly. Look what happened at the AGM. We totally forgot about Demi. Did you ask her how she got home? Did you check with the drivers to ensure she got home safe?"


    "She¡¯s neither a baby nor my problem."


    "Asher!"


    "Sorry mother." He loosens his tie as mother res at him. "My apologizes, Demi."


    "Demi, Ashton just got a new supply of fancy cars. You can pick whichever car you want and have it customized."


    "Ashton? You¡¯re taking her to the automobilepany?"


    Now Asher looks constipated. What¡¯s his deal. Where else would mother purchase a car for me if not thepany¡¯s very own automobilepany?


    Excitement bubbles in my chest at the thought of seeing Ashton. However, I keep a demure face and pretend to be a half-decent employee who is ufortable with leaving work in the middle of the day.


    "Do you have a problem with me taking business to your brother¡¯spany?"


    "Of course not, mom. Demi, you¡¯re done for the day." Asher resigns to fate.


    "Thank you, sir."


    Beaming, I join mother in her SUV to Ashton¡¯spany. On the way, she continues to apologize for not visiting me sooner or gifting me a car for my first job in thepany. She makes more promises to give me even bigger gifts as I mark more milestones as a member of the Rollins family.


    "What do you mean he¡¯s not in the office?" Mother bellows angrily.


    Gris apologizes on Ashton¡¯s behalf. "He had an urgent matter to attend to and left this morning. I¡¯ll call and inform him of your presence."


    "Never mind. I¡¯ll call him myself." Mother starts reaching for her phone in her bag. At her behest, I make myselffortable on the sofa while she speaks with Ashton on the phone. Even the low hum of his voice sends thrills down my arms. Staring at his desk, I recall the moment we had had when his arms caged me on his desk.


    "Stop it, Demi. You¡¯re just here to get a car." I remind myself as I struggle to keep my thoughts in a professional ne.


    But then memories of the night I spent in his room swamps me. I happened to stir awake and find Ashton sleeping on his couch. That must have been an ufortable sleep. The small sofa in his room isn¡¯t suited for sleep and his height and body mass didn¡¯t make it any better.


    Still, he looked fine in his sleep with his hair falling like bangs over his face. His arms were folded on his chest. His position made me suspect he had probably fallen asleep watching me.


    Did he also find me cute in my sleep? How long did he watch me for? I don¡¯t recall how long I watched him either. I just know that he stirred awake while my eyes were still taking in his body and imagining his it without the clothes on. Color seeped into my cheeks as Ashton¡¯s eyes fluttered open. Instantly, mine fell closed.


    I heard him rise and move around. He probably checked the time. I was still pretending to be deeply asleep when he roused me awake. I yed my part and stretched like a cat. Did I overdo it? I hope he didn¡¯t suspect me. I guess not because he heaved me off the bed like a baby. I have never felt more precious.


    Spurred by how close we were standing, I took advantage of my fake sleepy state and dug my hands in his hair. When he didn¡¯t stop me, I knew he had more than tonic feelings for me. It was quite obvious from his eyes as they dipped to my lips. My heart quickened.


    I don¡¯t think I would have rejected him if he had tried to kiss me then. I don¡¯t think we wouldn¡¯t have tumbled on the bed shortly after but thankfully, Ashton showed great restraint and sent me on my way. We haven¡¯t spoken ever since.


    Until now.


    He streams in, a little flushed to see just me in his office. Did he run here?


    "Demi." He whispers in a raspy voice. His eyes skirt around.


    "Mother had to leave." I quickly exin. "She couldn¡¯t wait any longer."


    "Oh."


    The awkwardness is palpable. Ashton frisks himself for his keys or phone or something, looking everywhere but at my eyes. I wring my hands nervously. Why are we being weird around each other? It¡¯s not like we did anything bad in his room. Could there be another reason for his difort around me?


    "Um, I hope we didn¡¯t pull you away from anything important."


    Finally, he looks at me with a little guilt. "Oh no, no, no. It¡¯s fine. I have it handled." He heads for his desk. "Mother said you needed a car? What kind of car do you have in mind?"


    "Actually, I¡¯ll be fine with anything I get. I¡¯m not crazy about cars."


    "Great. Let me take you to the showroom." With his head down, he starts shuffling towards the door.


    "ASHTON." My shoulders sag in defeat. I can¡¯t take this anymore. He pauses by the door, takes a moment before turning to me. "Is there a problem?"


    "What?"


    "Do you have a problem with me?"


    "Why would I have a problem with you?"


    "Ok. Did I do something to upset you?"


    "Demi, what¡¯s with all the questions?"


    "What¡¯s with all the attitude? You ignored me back at the HQ and then blocked my number on your phone shortly after. Like that wasn¡¯t enough, you started giving me a cold shoulder. Even now, I can tell you¡¯re notfortable being around me. What have I done to deserve this?"


    He runs a hand through his hair and sighs. "I¡¯ve just been having tough days Demi, okay?"


    "Look, I¡¯m sorry about going into your room. I didn¡¯t mean to put you in that situation. I genuinely wanted to help. There was nothing more to it. I¡¯m sorry if it put you in a bad light." I swing the straps of my bag across my shoulder and head for the door. "You can just send me any car. I¡¯m not picky."


    Ashton grabs my wrist before I can leave. I ignore the jolt that zings up my arm.


    "I¡¯m sorry I blocked you. I was upset."


    "Maybe it¡¯s for the best. Keep it that way. I think your brothers will cut you some ck then." When I try to wrench my wrist from his grasp, his grip only tightens.


    "I¡¯m sorry." His voice wavers.


    "You have nothing to be sorry about."


    "No...I am truly sorry." There¡¯s something in his eyes I can¡¯t discern. Guilt? I am not as mad as I am acting over being blocked.


    "Ashton, really, it¡¯s fine. I¡¯ve blocked people on my phone too. It¡¯s not that deep." Our eyes linger until I absently reach for his face. He jerks back. "I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to..."


    "That¡¯s okay."


    My phone beeps. Blushing, I quickly turn away and pull up my new message from Anna. A worried expression fills my face as I turn back to Ashton.


    "What¡¯s wrong?"


    "It¡¯s Anna. She¡¯s been unreachable all morning and just texted to let me know she went to spend her off day with her family. They went out of town."


    Ashton shrugs. "What¡¯s wrong with that?"


    I stare up at him. "Today is her father¡¯s death anniversary. They wouldn¡¯t leave town on a day like this!"


    ***


    Ashton¡¯s face pales at my utterance.


    "Something is amiss here. I can feel it." I blurt out when I call Anna¡¯s phone two minutes after she texts me only to realize her phone is switched off. "She literally just texted me. How¡¯s her phone switched off already?"


    "Maybe it died."


    I move away when Ashton draws close to me. My heart is beating now but not because of him. "I need to go check on her."


    Ashton grabs my arm.


    "Calm down, Demi. I¡¯m sure she¡¯s fine." Next thing I know, he pulls me into his chest and holds me tightly. His hand cradles the back of my head. I shut my eyes as my heart calms in his embrace.


    "I¡¯m scared."


    "I promise that she¡¯s fine. Take a deep breath." I follow his lead, inhale and exhale. My ringing phone snaps me out of my false sense of calm. I pull away from Ashton and stare at the caller. Liam? I move further away and pick the call.


    "Are you alone?"


    "No."


    "Is it one of them?"


    I know he¡¯s referring to the quads. "Mhmm."


    "Are you sitting down?"


    "No?"


    "Sit down."


    "Why?"


    "It¡¯s about Anna."


    My chest tightens painfully as he tells me what he garnered from Asher¡¯s call to Ashley earlier today.


    "Stay calm. You can¡¯t let them know you know or they¡¯ll grow suspicious and realize their phones have been tapped." Tears shimmer in my eyes. Luckily, my back is turned to Ashton. How could they hide it from me? Poor Anna. How is she doing? I bite down on my lower lip to keep from crying.


    "There¡¯s something else." Liam ends the call by telling me what he has recently uncovered.


    "Demi, are you okay?" Ashton asks nervously behind me. When I hang up on Liam, my game face is back on. I blink away the tears and turn with a cherry smile on my face.


    "Who was that? Anna?"


    I stare at his face. How could he stand there and ask me with a straight face about Anna knowing she can¡¯t even remember her own name because of the head injury she sustained?


    I wonder if it was Asher or Ashley that texted me through Anna¡¯s phone. If they¡¯re so innocent, why didn¡¯t they tell me? Why are they hiding her condition if they aren¡¯t guilty? I won¡¯t let them hide their wrongs anymore. That Rollins tradition of sweeping things under the rug will no longer hold now that I am in the family.


    "Oh no, not Anna. She still hasn¡¯t called."


    "Who was it then?"


    A bright smile fills my face. "It was my new friend. I got to know her recently. She went MIA and I have also been worried about her. I¡¯m d she called to let me know she¡¯s alright."


    "Oh, really. What¡¯s her name?"


    My lips curl in a lopsided grin. "Olivia Dunn."

 Chapter 43

    <h4>Chapter 43: Chapter 43</h4>


    ASHER


    "Olivia? How the hell does Demi know about Olivia?" Ashton bites down on his lower lips and this tells me he¡¯s been keeping this from me for a while. I stop myself from giving the hospital wall a bad-tempered kick. "How long? How long have they been in contact?"


    "I don¡¯t know. Ashley confided in me a few weeks back after Ashal found Olivia¡¯s text in Demi¡¯s phone."


    I break out into a short, manicughter. "So, everyone knew about this except me? Why exactly am I just hearing this? Do you guys not know how livid father could get if your little secret causes a huge mess? Do you know how big a mess it will be if Demi actually finds out the truth about Olivia?" I prance away with a hand on my head and another on my hip.


    How could my brothers have kept this from me till now?


    "I thought I had it handled." Ashton adds, walking up to me.


    "Handled?" I fire back, whirling towards him. "Then why the fuck are they still talking? Olivia doesn¡¯t listen. She is a stubborn woman. The onlynguage she understands is violence and threats. That¡¯s why she¡¯s in the mess she finds herself today." I clench my fists. "You should have told me, Ash. I would have made sure to nip this in the bud!"


    I can¡¯t trust my brothers to handle anything, especially not a potential family crisis. Olivia is my mess to begin with. Whatever she does will always ricochet back to me. I shouldn¡¯t have been kept in the dark for goodness¡¯ sake.


    Ashton is usually very persuasive so it beats me how Olivia could have defied him knowing fully well what problems it could cause her with my family and especially Ashal. It makes little to no sense.


    Ashal. I can¡¯t imagine what he would do if he finds out what Olivia has been up to. I don¡¯t have time to think about all that now. I have to find a way to get to Olivia, convince her to behave for her own good and possibly ensure she no longer has ess to any phones. She¡¯s proven she can¡¯t be trusted time and time again.


    "From now on, I¡¯ll deal with this Demi and Olivia problem." I tell Ashton. "Tell Ashley to keep an eye on Demi. I want to know where she goes and who she meets or talks to outside of work and her aunt¡¯s." I might need to have her phone tapped but I don¡¯t share this with Ashton yet.


    "Mr. Rollins?" Ashton and I turn in sync to find the nurse assigned to Anna¡¯s room standing a few meters from us in the hallway. "The patient is awake. She¡¯s asking for Mr. Asher Rollins."


    Ashton and I lock eyes that gradually crinkle in smiles. Finally, I exhale. The frustration and anger surging within me over Olivia¡¯stest stunt with Demi dissolves to give way to relief. We follow the nurse all the way back to Anna¡¯s room. In there, doctor Ezra is already examining her quietly.


    The color has returned to Anna¡¯s face. Her bandage is still on but she looks more alive than yesterday. Doctor Ezra finishes checking the color of her eyes and her vital signals.


    "Everything looks normal." He confirms.


    "Anna?" My voice is no more than a whisper as I edge close to her bed. Her eyes shift towards me.


    "Asher, is that you?"


    I clutch my chest and exhale.


    "I¡¯m d you¡¯re okay." Anna continues with a weak smile.


    "Her memory is restored." The doctor says with a smile.


    "How? Under twenty-four hours?"


    He nods at me. "Her amnesia was caused by the blow to her head. It led to her confusion and problem remembering information. Thankfully, the head injury wasn¡¯t severe so her memory loss didn¡¯tst. In my practice, I¡¯ve seen a number of simr cases of temporal amnesia going away in less than twenty-four hours. Still, I always deem it a miracle." He turns to Anna. "Some details might still be foggy but with enough rest and medicine, you¡¯ll be back to your old self in no time."


    "That¡¯s good to know." Ashton quips. Anna beams at him. Doctor Ezra leaves with the nurse. Alone with us, Anna twitches on her bed with difort. I guess she does remember us after all. Ashton thanks her for saving my life and leaves the room. I bury my hands between my thighs and stare at my feet.


    "Why did you do that? You could have...died."


    She exhales. "I don¡¯t know. I didn¡¯t have time to think it through. I just...acted." Her voice is low and weak, making me look at her. "I am never saving your life again so don¡¯t be too grateful. I have a family that depends on me. I¡¯m all they¡¯ve got." She stares at her hands. "Iman. Did you find him?"


    "Not yet. I¡¯ve been too busy worrying about your state of health." She looks up at me, her eyes warm with tears. "He¡¯ll pay. I¡¯ll make sure of it." I add.


    "I hope he doesn¡¯t hurt anyone else since he couldn¡¯t get to you."


    "He¡¯s too lily-livered to go bursting someone else¡¯s skull open while he¡¯s on the run. My guess is he is hiding away in some shithole with the help of friends. I¡¯ll find him and if I can¡¯t, I¡¯ll have to lure him out." When I look at Anna, she¡¯s visibly terrified over the look on my face as I fume about Iman. I smile at her. "I¡¯m d you made it."


    "Thanks"


    Her eyes widen and instantly starts searching the room. "My mom. She must be worried about me. I call her once every day. What¡¯s today¡¯s date? Shit. Where¡¯s my phone." She tries to get down from the bed but I mp her knees in ce with my left arm.


    "Take it easy. That memory loss shit wasn¡¯t funny. Just tell me what you need and I¡¯ll get it for you."


    She moistens her lips coyly. "M-my phone. It was in my b-bag."


    I reach into my pocket and hand her the phone. Though she¡¯s surprised I have it on my person, she doesn¡¯t question me but proceeds to go through her call logs. She gasps at how many people have tried to reach her and begins calling her family back. Right after, she calls Demi. I don¡¯t know why Anna casually omits her ident and hospitalization but her eyes did nce briefly at me while she told the white lie.


    "She was worried about you? Why didn¡¯t you tell her the truth?"


    Anna shrugs. "It¡¯s the same reason I didn¡¯t tell my mom. I¡¯ll tell themter, in person so they don¡¯t freak out too much."


    I say it before I can stop myself. "Thank you, Anna. You¡¯re a life saver, literally." Her response is a sweet smile.


    ***


    When doctor Ezra had spected that Anna¡¯s memory loss might be short-lived, I had doubted him. Still, I had nursed hope. The guilt over her condition ate at me the whole day at work. I couldn¡¯t even look Demi in the eye unless it was idental or necessary, like when I snapped at her for taking Nessa¡¯s calls and when mom showed up to whisk her away.


    I am d Anna is making a full recovery. A huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. After settling everything to do with Anna¡¯s transportation back home with a n for her to get regr checkups by a private nurse, I make a few calls to ensure she resumes work with no troubles with her boss.


    By the time I return back to the office, I am in a lighter mood. Demi looks up as I make my way to my office.


    "Wee sir."


    That¡¯s new. She must be in a jolly mood after hearing from her friend. I acknowledge her greeting with a brisk nod and go into my office. Nessa follows closely behind.


    My uneasiness returns because of the awkward energy between us since I stood her up at the hotel. She has been weird around me ever since. We haven¡¯t had a chance to revisit that conversation because I haven¡¯t allowed it. Even now, I can tell she¡¯s itching to talk to me about personal matters. Still, I keep a straight face to dissuade her.


    "What did I miss?"


    "Nothing much sir. Your father was just here."


    "What did he say?" I ask, whipping out my phone. No missed calls or texts. It was probably not urgent.


    "He said he¡¯de back."


    "I¡¯ll go see him now." I quickly brush past her to head for my father¡¯s office, ignoring her calls. I don¡¯t want to hear anything about that night. She might not know it but it was traumatic for me. I could have been killed and an innocent woman almost died because of me. Obviously, I can¡¯t tell that to Nessa so I¡¯d prefer we never speak of it. When she¡¯s ready to move on from my disappointment, she will. This wouldn¡¯t be the first time. Some time in the future, we will have another bed-breaking sex that will make up for everything and things will be good with us again.


    "Father? Nessa said you stopped by?"


    Father looks up from his desk. Next to him are his secretary and across from him is the head of the legal department. "I¡¯m sorry if this is a bad time. I¡¯lle back."


    "No. We are done here." Father¡¯s guests excuse themselves, beam at me before leaving us alone. I help myself to a chair. "Did you just arrive?"


    "I had some business outside the office."


    "I see."


    "You wanted to talk?"


    I¡¯m guessing this is about him inviting Josh to have lunch with our family. He¡¯s been seeking an audience with me since then. Just recalling the incident makes my body hum with anger and disappointment. The whole point of me keeping father¡¯s dirty little secret was to spare mom the pain of his infidelity. She is never supposed to know about Josh. With father¡¯s selfish and insensitive action thest time, mom will have a face to put to the name if this secret everes out. Our lunch date will forever be a memory that will make her feel like a fool and that is something I am not ready to forgive.


    Father takes off his sses and steeples his fingers on his desk. "This is about Josh."


    I knew it. I sit up in my chair. "You finally want to talk about it, huh?"


    HIs eyes dim with surprise. "Let me paraphrase that; this is about Josh and you."


    "What are you talking about?"


    Silently, he makes deft strokes on his iPad before passing it to me. I don¡¯t have to click y on the video. It¡¯s me and Nessa kissing in my office. "Tom is temporarily suspended. Josh brought this to my notice and I couldn¡¯t ignore it."


    "You couldn¡¯t or you wouldn¡¯t?"


    "Asher, you know better than to do this. I didn¡¯t expect this from you. Thank God Josh was the one who found this feed and brought it to my notice first so we can deal with it quietly. Imagine if it was someone else? How could you be so reckless?"


    I can¡¯t believe my father or Josh. "You¡¯re seriously going to sit there and pretend you do not know that your son is trying to discredit me so you that he can usurp my birthright? Really father?" I lunge to my feet and pace the office. "Josh didn¡¯t bring this to you because he wanted to keep anything quiet. If he really gave a fuck about me, he would have brought it to me!"


    "Mind yournguage."


    "That sneaky bastard!"


    "That¡¯s enough, Asher. I won¡¯t hear another word against your brother."


    "My brother?" I cackle as father rises. "Just say it. You won¡¯t hear a single bad word against your <i>real </i>son!"


    "You are both my sons."


    "You don¡¯t believe that. If my brothers and I weren¡¯t useful to your empire, you would have cast us away the second you discovered Josh."


    Father slumps back on his chair. "Why do you hate him so much? He is not a threat to you or your brothers."


    "Is that what he told you? Why would he show you that video if he wasn¡¯t trying to make me lose face?"


    "He didn¡¯t manufacture this video Asher. So far, I haven¡¯t heard deny being the one in this clip so I take it that the video is real. If you hadn¡¯t conducted yourself so poorly, Josh wouldn¡¯t have anything to discredit you with if at all he is trying to. This is all your fault. Don¡¯t me the poor man."


    I snicker at father¡¯s blind denial. He would support his biological son in everything. I have to make peace with that. And here I was thinking he wanted to apologize about lunch.


    I shrugzily. "I¡¯m sorry for my poor behavior. Do you need me to put that in writing, sir?"


    He sighs and leans back in his chair with a hand on his chin. "Don¡¯t get cute with me. You might be my son but you¡¯re also an employee here. I don¡¯t care what you¡¯ve got going on with that secretary of yours but it ends now. If you can¡¯t keep your hands off her, fire her and hire an old but efficient hag." His brows knit together as his face hardens. "If I get a whiff of any other insubordination from you, you¡¯ll face the consequences. I¡¯ve been too lenient with you and this is the result; you making out with your secretary during office hours or disappearing from work without notice."


    "What are you saying?" My breath clogs in my lungs. "Don¡¯t beat around the bush, father. Spill it out."


    "You and Josh are both my sons. Unlike what you want to believe, his birth was no ident. I love him as much as I love you and your brothers. Rollins Enterprise is my brainchild and legacy and I have decided to pass it on to the son who proves the worthiest."


    I forget how to speak for a few seconds and just hold my knees, gasping. "You...you can¡¯t mean that. You...p-promised me."


    "It still can be yours. The only difference now is that you have to work harder and fight for it rather than becent and wait for it to fall into yourp."


    Does he even recall the bargain that led to him promising me Rollins HQ? Like he can read my thoughts, fatheres around his desk to ce a hand on my shoulder.


    "I still love your mother, Asher. I made a mistake by cheating on her but Josh is a blessing. You¡¯ll only be breaking your mother¡¯s heart and ruining our home if you tell her the truth. Nothing has to change. I just want you to be up and doing like the Asher that used to live to please me work wise. Once I recognize that diligent young man again, the decision about who seeds me will be a no brainer."


    I pull my shoulder away so his hand slips down. "Make those empty promises to your son, Josh. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll believe them." With that, I storm away from his office. My head spins just as I enter mine. I stagger towards my drawer and reach for the handle to grab my pills but it¡¯s locked. In the haze, I fumble for the keys.


    "Are you okay?" Nessa asks rushing in.


    "Stay away." I yell at her. I can¡¯t have more clips of us. I manage to unlock it and grab my pills. Backing the camera and Nessa, I pop one in my mouth and down it with a bottle of water on my desk. Sweat coats my forehead. How could father do this to me? My whole life has been about inheriting thispany. I won¡¯t let anyone take it from me. I can¡¯t!


    I remain in the office after closing hours. Demi clocks out and leaves when I wouldn¡¯t budge. Nessa lingers. As the employees on the floor thin out to just us, Nessa steps into my office by seven pm.


    "What are you still doing here?"


    "You won¡¯t take my calls if I called you from home."


    I hold my head. "Nessa, I don¡¯t want to hear it. Trust me, now¡¯s the worst possible time ever. Just get your things and leave. I want to be left alone."


    Nessa still doesn¡¯t leave. Instead, she wrings her hands and sobs quietly. "I am sorry but it can¡¯t wait." The tone of her voice makes me look up at her. True enough, tears shimmer in her eyes as she stares at me. She moistens her lips. "I¡¯m pregnant Asher. I¡¯m carrying your child."


    All I do is stare at her like I would an uninteresting wall. It takes me a moment before her words register and the first hint of shock seeps into my face. I grit my teeth.


    "You said you were on the pill."


    "I must have missed..."


    "You missed what?" I want to stand and shake her violently but since I am not certain how far I¡¯ll go given how angry I am right now, I clutch my chair instead and remain seated. "You know what? It doesn¡¯t matter. Get rid of it. I¡¯ll send you enough money. Take the fucking week off and call in sick. Make sure it¡¯s gone before you resume next week."


    "Asher!"


    "It¡¯s SIR to you." My voice echo down the empty floor. "What did you expect? That I¡¯d be over the moon with joy and offer you a ring? That we would have a little family? You¡¯re delusional. If you want to keep this job or any job for that matter in Danvarr, you¡¯ll do as I say." Her tears flow heavily as she closes a hand over her stomach.


    "Don¡¯t act like it¡¯s your first time." I continue with the caustic remarks. "Get rid of that thing. You have seven days. We¡¯ve got busier weeks ahead of us and I need you to be ready."


    I grab my car keys and suit jacket before I head for the door. When Nessa tries to touch my arm, I give a scalding look. "Get it done or I¡¯ll make you regret it." I fling my jacket over my shoulder and wrench open the door only to find someone standing behind it.


    The blood drains from my face.


    Fuck!

 Chapter 44

    <h4>Chapter 44: Chapter 44</h4>


    ASHAL


    "Cool ride." I sputter when I see the red, spanking new Lexus RX 350 that graces the driveway with a bow on it. Ashton leans on the bumper while Demi stands next to me, a contemtive hand on her chin. "This is beautiful, Demi. Go for it. I can totally see you behind the wheel."


    Demi tosses her hair back and circles the car. Ashton and I know she has no idea what to look out for in a new car but Demi likes to pretend she does so we humor her and watch in silence.


    "I don¡¯t like it."


    "What?" Ashton leaps off the car like the new paint isn¡¯t dried yet and goes over to Demi. "Demi, this is the fifth car I¡¯ve shown you in a week. You said you wanted a simple car. You rejected the previous ones for silly reasons; theck of a cupholder, the advanced technology of the car, the way the tires looked and the way the car keys felt in your hands. What could possibly be wrong with this one now?"


    Ashton is at his wits end. I have no idea why Demi is punishing him like this but it is funny to watch.


    "Those were all valid reasons in my book!" Demi insists with a scowl.


    Ashton calms himself by sucking in a breath. "Fine. What¡¯s wrong with this one now?"


    With her hands on her waist, Demi jerks her chin towards the car. "I don¡¯t like the way the engine sounds when you start the car."


    "OH, FOR GOODNESS¡¯ SAKE..." Ashton throws his hands up in the air but Demi maintains her stance. I quickly pull my frustrated brother aside and grab his shoulder while he res icily at Demi. "She¡¯s toying with me. I know it."


    "Yes, it¡¯s as in as the nose on my face. What exactly did you do this time? C¡¯mon, tell me."


    He hisses a breath and shakes his head. "I blocked her number, okay. I was pissed. I didn¡¯t mean to. She¡¯s been mad at me ever since. Mother wants to gift Demi a car but instead ofing over to the showroom and choosing herself or picking one from the pictures I send her, she insists I bring them down here one after the other till she finds ¡¯<i>the one¡¯</i>." He ends his exnation with air quotes around thest two words.


    I stifle the urge tough. Then head over to Demi to repeat the therapy session.


    "Simply because I don¡¯t know much about cars beyond their fancy names doesn¡¯t mean I don¡¯t know what I like about them. I want to find the perfect car for me." She exins herself with her mouth curved in a petnt air and hands akimbo.


    "YOU SAID YOU WEREN¡¯T PICKY" Ashton counters her behind me. Then mimicking Demi¡¯s voice, he goes "<i>I¡¯ll be fine with whatever I get</i>. Those were your words!"


    "Fine being the operative word. The cars I¡¯ve looked at so far haven¡¯t been fine by me!"


    "Ok, calm down, Demi. Don¡¯t mind him. He¡¯s being silly, not you."


    "Thank you."


    "How about you and I go over to the showroom and do some window shopping. There are more cars over there and I¡¯m certain you¡¯ll find ¡¯the one¡¯ among them, especially with me by your side." Demi eyes twinkle with suspicion.


    "You¡¯re not doing this because you think I am being silly and you want to help your brother out of a tough situation, are you?"


    "Of course not. I¡¯ve been thinking of getting a new car myself. Yeah, Out with the old and in with the new, right? I want something new and different for the new phase of my life that I am stepping into. I guess we could just shop for our cars together." I genuinely mean that. I am thinking of getting a new car with more swag than I usually go for. Demi smiles.


    "In that case, I think it¡¯s a lovely idea. After we both get our cars, can you whisk me away for rest of the day? My friend¡¯s out of town and my cousin just got a job. Can we spend the day ying games at your penthouse? I thought it was cool thest time I was there, even though I was dragged and threatened." She chuckles while my body stiffens. "Ashal? Did you hear me?"


    I shake my head. "Oh, um, sorry. My penthouse is off limits. Quads only." She grabs my arm as I try to move away.


    "C¡¯mon. I literally have no friends..."


    "THEN MAKE SOME." My sharp tone shocks Demi as she steps back. Ashton¡¯s hand on my shoulder douses the anger in my eyes. "I¡¯m sorry." I quickly spit out. "I didn¡¯t mean to be rude but my penthouse is like a y pen for my brothers and I exclusively. It¡¯s always been that way. I¡¯m sure you and I can hang out somece else." I hope my smile is natural and alluring.


    Ashton perceives the situation and weighs in. "Sorry Demi, I broke the rules by dragging you there back then but the penthouse is actually a girl free zone." He edges close to Demi and whispers into her ear. Her eyes dte at his words. Smirking, Ashton tugs me away, leaving Demi baffled.


    I gnash my teeth thinking I handled that situation poorly. "Why is she suddenly interested in visiting my penthouse? How long do you think I can stall her for before she gets suspicious?" Ashton squeezes my shoulders to calm me.


    "Calm down, bro. You¡¯re overthinking it. She just made a harmless suggestion. I¡¯m sure there isn¡¯t much to it. Deny her as many times as she asks and she¡¯ll get used to it like she has gotten used to staying away from the game room."


    We cross the small flight of steps into the mansion.


    "I was reminded of the text she had gotten from Olivia. Do you think they might still be in contact? What if she knows about Olivia staying in my penthouse?"


    "I doubt it. Look, we only saw one text and it was the one where Olivia invited Demi to the penthouse. You deleted it before Demi could see it. That was weeks ago. If Demi actually knew about the penthouse, she would have brought this up a while back, don¡¯t you think? Besides, I was crystal clear with Olivia. She wouldn¡¯t risk her life and that of her family. She knows Demi can¡¯t really help her. My bet is she was just trying to get the poor girl in trouble with our family by making her raise questions that will unsettle everyone."


    That makes sense. What could Demi possibly do for Olivia anyway? I guess I am overthinking it. It¡¯s Saturday and since I don¡¯t have any work, my mind is wandering again.


    "Did you really mean what you said about changing your Mercedes?


    I give him a shrug. "I think it¡¯s about time."


    Ashton¡¯s smile stters across his face. "I think I know the best car for you."


    I chuckle at his confidence. "I bet you said the same thing to Demi. Five carster and you¡¯re pulling your hair out." Iugh at him.


    "Haha, very funny." He replies.


    Throughout the day, I can¡¯t seem to get it out of my head that Demi still harbors suspicions over my reaction earlier even though she does nothing to bolster that worry. She spends the day with mother out in the garden. Asher has barelye out of his room all day. He has been moody for some reason and it¡¯s usually best to avoid him whenever he¡¯s like that. Ashton went over to the racetrack with Ashley.


    After lunch, I call Lily to check on Olivia. She tells me everything is fine but Olivia seems lonely and heartbroken. Asher¡¯s visit shes in my head. It got Olivia¡¯s emotions all confused.


    "Take care of her. I¡¯lle see her this evening. You can let her know." When I hang up the phone, I turn to find father watching me by stairs. He has an impatient look in his eyes.


    "Father. I didn¡¯t see you there." He says nothing but continues to pin me with his ufortable stare. "Can I help you with something?


    "Was that about Olivia?"


    I square my shoulders and meet his eyes firmly. "Yes. I was calling to check on my wife." I know how much he loathes hearing me call Olivia my wife. Still, I never fail to remind him since he conveniently likes to forget it and talks about her like she¡¯s no more than a sore pain in the family¡¯s collective butt. True to form, father presses a hand to his eyes.


    "You really want to maintain that farce you call a marriage? Ashal, I am prepared to have you wed to any other woman of your choice, one whom you can proudly show off to the world. Olivia clearly doesn¡¯t love you. Why do you still put up with her? It¡¯s not like you can¡¯t get another woman. Have you seen yourself?"


    Is he being for real right now?


    "And Olivia? What are your ns for her if I do agree to wed someone else?" Like I suspected, father exhales and stares darkly at me. "That¡¯s what I thought."


    I shove my phone in my pocket. Staying with Olivia is now beyond love. It¡¯s the only way to protect her from Brett Rollins. I walk up to father with a hint of annoyance on my face. He grits his teeth while maintaining his stance. I know he¡¯s wary of me.


    "What do you think will happen when you get me married to the daughter of a wealthy family and I hit her? Will you be able to hide me then? Are you sure you can stand Rollins Enterprise being pulled into my mess and condemned? I know exactly what you think of me, father and I don¡¯t me you for it. If I were in your shoes, I¡¯d be wary as a parent too and pretend to understand but unlike you, I¡¯d actually care."


    Father snickers. "You¡¯re right. I haven¡¯t been too caring." He runs a finger over his moustache. "I have left you to your whims. Perhaps if I cared deeply, I¡¯d have realized that the best help you need can only be found inside a mental asylum or a rehab facility." He chuckles when my face pales. Now, it¡¯s his turn to step up to me. Though he¡¯s a head shorter, there¡¯s no mistaking the dangerous aura around him.


    "Do you still think I should care more?"


    My fingers clench into fists by my sides. Like he anticipates it, father¡¯s eyes drop to my tightened knuckles. His brows furrow as he raises his eyes to my face.


    "The day you try to put those hands on me or your mother, I¡¯ll have you put down like a rabid dog." My hands go limp. "Now you listen to me boy, you can continue with that sham of a marriage if you so please but if that woman EVER causes any trouble that affects this family or the business, <i>you </i>will pay for it with your own freedom. I¡¯ll have you carted off to a facility for as long as it takes to restore the family¡¯s image AND fix that problem of yours. For your sake, I hope you¡¯re right to trust that woman."


    Father¡¯s words still ring in my head when I arrive my penthouse an hourter. The ns I have for Olivia haven¡¯t changed. I still love her and envision a life with her in the mansion.


    In my head, she reciprocates my love which makes it easy for her to ept me and my family. In my head, she¡¯s not a threat to the longevity of my family or the business. In my head, I can trust Olivia.


    Before stepping out of my car, I stare up at her room and inhale deeply. With everything that¡¯s happened over thest couple of weeks till my proposal and Asher¡¯s visit, I think she has had enough building blocks to make an informed decision about which brother she can trust or have a life with. If my freedom is on the line right now, I have to know that my dogged pursuit of Olivia is worth it. I hope to gain that rity today.


    I find Olivia cooking in the kitchen with Lily. She¡¯s wearing a colorful beach dress that brings out her green eyes. She has the sweetest smile on her face as she hums to a soft tune in the background. Lily also chuckles at Olivia¡¯s funny dance moves while she gives her a helping hand. For a whole minute, I imagine I have walked into an alternate universe where Olivia is actually d to see her husband. Her eyes track towards the door and finds me standing with a baffled expression on my face.


    "Ashal?" She mutters some instructions to Lily before peeling off her apron and running up to me like an excited child would rush over to an amusement park. Her face mellows as she stands two meters apart.


    "Lily told me you wereing. I tried to make a decent dinner but I forgot it in the oven and it got burnt. We are trying to see if we can recreate it. Do you mind waiting a little bit longer? I¡¯m sorry if you¡¯re starving." She bites a corner of her lip apologetically and my heart sings. This can¡¯t be real life.


    "Ashal? Did you hear me?"


    I blink out of my trance.


    "What?"


    "Sir, I said Mrs. Olivia is on the terrace." Lily repeats herself.


    I tear my eyes away from the empty kitchen and head for the stairs. Olivia is just where I am told I¡¯d find her. She sits with her legs crossed on the terrace. Her eyes are fixated over the railing.


    As I approach her, I wonder what¡¯s going through her mind. Does she ever dream of a life with me the way I constantly imagine one with her? Does she still nurse the hope that Asher will stroll back into her life like a knight in shining armor and save her from our hellish bond?


    She senses my presence and cranes her neck to face me. Her eyes lose the dreamy haze in them and refocus sharply on my face.


    "Hi."


    She looks away again. "Hi. Lily said you¡¯d being."


    She must still be upset for the way I left her hanging the other day. After Asher left, I had the intention to go drop mom off and return but once I got home, I lost the courage to face Olivia alone. It was too awkward to return either as myself or Asher. I couldn¡¯t find the rhythm to push through with my proposal till I got a response or to break things up with her as Asher. What if she rejects me as Ashal after I already broke up with her as Asher?


    Right now however, I need rity on our future together before deciding if I would carry on with my ruse as Asher or not. I can¡¯t lose her on both fronts.


    "Yeah. I called her."


    The awkwardness continues to steam in the balmy evening air. Why won¡¯t she say anything about ourst meeting? I had proposed to her for goodness¡¯ sake! Did my offer mean nothing to her or does she expect me to say it all over again in order to get a response from her? My mind is a madhouse as so many confusing thoughts float in there. Olivia turns to me.


    "Why?"


    "What?"


    "Why did you want to see me?"


    I clear my throat. "I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay."


    "Lily could have told you that over the phone." She looks down at her hands. "I could have told you that over the phone."


    Shit. Is she mad I usually call Lily instead of her?


    "I prefer confirming in person. It¡¯s always good to see your face."


    When she stares at me, I hold her gaze for a testing moment till she looks away.


    "Is that all you came for?"


    My mind turns to mush now. What would be the right answer to a question like this? After a few seconds of brain malfunction, I go with the rubbish in my head. "Yeah. Basically."


    Olivia doesn¡¯t bother to look at me again and remains mute. I guess my five minutes conversation with her is up. Cussing myself in my head, I turn around and march to the door to leave.


    "I wanted to see you too."


    She¡¯s up on her feet when I beat the partial paralysis in my legs and wheel towards her. She¡¯s a vision in white with her hair billowing in the breeze. She steps into the room and edges closer to me. My body still fails to function so all I do is stand frozen by the door.


    "I¡¯m sorry about Asher. I know you know about he and I. It was all my fault. I pursued him even when he didn¡¯t want to betray you. I seduced him." She cowers in shame. "I wanted him to love me the way I loved him but now I know that the love I have always pined for has been right in front of me this whole time. I¡¯m sorry for everything Ashal. It¡¯s like your mom said, you¡¯ve never hit me intentionally. It was out of your helplessness. In spite of it all, you¡¯ve loved me through my rejection and betrayal. No one has ever loved me so unconditionally."


    My heart is about to burst out of my chest. Is this real or am I yet in another trance?


    Olivia takes my hands. "I¡¯m prepared to start over with you, Ashal. I ept your proposal. I want us to give our marriage a second chance." Tears stream down her face. She reaches forward and wipes my eyes before my tears can fall. That seems to do the trick as her touch makes my blood start flowing again.


    "Do you really mean that?"


    Olivia nods. I grab her and hug her tightly. "Oh my God. I can¡¯t believe this." I ease back and stare momentarily into her eyes. When I reach to kiss her lips, I stop myself and peck her cheek instead. I don¡¯t want to be too fast. Olivia nts her lips on mine and kisses me.


    "It¡¯s okay."


    Confident, I kiss her properly this time and hug her once more. This is best day of my life.


    "What about Asher? Don¡¯t you still have feelings for him? Things like that don¡¯t just disappear."


    Olivia nods as I steer her to sit on the sofa. "I know. It¡¯ll take time to get himpletely out of my mind. However, I n to fast track the process by ending things with him."


    She pecks my cheek and heads for the drawer to grab her phone. "I need closure. Don¡¯t worry, I want you here with me while I do this so you see how transparent I want to be with you moving forward."


    "Do what?" I ask fidgeting in my seat.


    "I¡¯m calling him right now to end it in your presence."


    My blood runs cold as she dials Asher¡¯s number and ces the phone on loudspeaker.

 Chapter 45

    <h4>Chapter 45: Chapter 45</h4>


    DEMI


    "Are you sure you got the full name right? When I mentioned it, Ashton didn¡¯t have much of a reaction. It almost felt like he had never heard of the name before. He carried on like I didn¡¯t just drop a bomb on him."


    Liam scoffs. "I guess he¡¯s a sterling actor. It¡¯s either that or he already knew Olivia had already tried to contact you so it was no shock to him." He quirks a brow at me. "Do you think Ashton might have gotten close enough to delete Olivia¡¯s text and contact number from your phone at any point in time? I need you to think hard."


    I don¡¯t have to. Ashton has my passcode. He might have snuck in while I was asleep and used my fingerprint to unlock my phone. He seems like he can pull such a thing off. Yet, I keep my theory to myself. If Ashton did do it, I¡¯ll find out myself.


    "The only time I waspletely knocked out and unaware of my surroundings was the night I passed out drunk in front of the quads. If anyone wanted to get into my phone, that was the perfect chance. However, I don¡¯t recall much about that night after I conked out. I don¡¯t even know who carried me to my room."


    Liam sighs. "It could have been any one of them." Shaking his head, he waves his hand dismissively. "That¡¯s not important right now. What¡¯s important is that Olivia Dunn exists and she is the secret wife of Ashal Rollins. If she¡¯s being hidden away at the penthouse, there has to be a big secret the Rollins family is trying to keep under wraps. Olivia is in the best position to tells us everything."


    Memories of Ashale to my mind. We had so much fun picking out our new cars. He¡¯s the sweetest, easygoing guy I ever met. Hence, I am having a hard time reconciling that personality with the truth unfolding in front of me. Even worse is the fact that everyone in the family is privy to the secret about Olivia, even mom and Ashton!


    "I casually mentioned visiting the penthouse and Ashal flipped. If Olivia was simply living there as a spouse he wasn¡¯t proud of, I don¡¯t think he would have considered my visit such a big deal. Based on his reaction, I¡¯m certain there¡¯s more to it, like domestic abuse or worse. He told me it¡¯s his y pen for him and his brothers."


    The minute I voice those words, my heat sinks. "Liam, what if Olivia is being abused by all four brothers? When I was dragged to the penthouse, they had also threated to sexually assault me as a group. If the penthouse is their y pen, such a sick act might be their idea of fun." Just thinking about it makes me want to retch.


    "I wouldn¡¯t put it past those quads." Liam¡¯s lips curve distastefully.


    I instantly regret my hypothesis. Would Ashton really agree to be a part of something like that? I recall that he had insinuated something simr in my ears when I had been trying to coax Ashal to let me visit the penthouse. He had whispered in my ear, and asked me, ¡¯what do you think happens when you drop a cube of sugar in the midst of ants?¡¯. Oh god, could Olivia really be the sugar in that analogy and the quads the ants? I feel sick to my stomach.


    "Have you been to see Anna?" Liam asks, changing the topic on seeing my difort.


    "Not yet. She called to inform me that she¡¯s back in town now. I¡¯ll stop by her ce right after we¡¯re done here." Hissing, I stare into my drink. "Do you know why she¡¯s keeping it a secret from me? Do you think Asher might have threatened her to keep everything that happened a secret even from me?"


    "I think you know the answer to your own question."


    Poor Anna, I think. Why do my problems keeping rubbing off on her? The quads were never supposed to get too close to my loved ones but now they¡¯ve infiltrated everything and everyone dear to me. One of them is even trying to permeate my heart.


    "How long am I supposed to pretend I don¡¯t know anything about her ident? What if she suspects that you might have gotten wind of it and told me?"


    "Pay her a visit first and see if she still refrains from telling you. If she does and you suspect she¡¯s doing so under duress, I¡¯ll take it up from there."


    "You¡¯re going to run the story on Billion-Err?"


    "Of course. Since we haven¡¯t found any other solid evidence that can hit that family where it hurts, we¡¯ll just have to settle for pricking their egos and making small dents in their reputation with mini stories every now and then."


    He has a point. I look outside the window and follow the rattling journey of an old mini-van down the narrow street. The air inside the bookstore is cool and cid. Itching for a distraction as Liam refocuses on hisptop, I stroll towards the shelves and run my fingers through the stems of dusty paperbacks. The new sales boy at the counter isn¡¯t doing Mr. Rahl¡¯s business any justice. He is always too invested in his video games or music to bother about dusting books.


    My eyes stray to him through a curtain of books and sure enough, he is on his phone. However, he seems to be on call with someone, whispering and craning his neck to peer in the direction of the table where Liam and I are currently upying. It¡¯s a bit suspicious. Why is he whispering into the phone and looking at us? Who could he be talking to?


    I pop out from the corner and startle him. His phone almost slips out of his fingers but his good reflexes save the day.


    "I d-didn¡¯t see you t-there." He feigns a smile to distract me from his deft attempt to hide his phone under the counter. It finally disappears into his back pocket.


    "You¡¯re a little jumpy today...."


    "It¡¯s Lucas."


    "Lucas." I repeat with a nod. This isn¡¯t the first time he¡¯s been stealing nces at Liam and I. "I hope everything is fine. That phone call seemed quite...secretive."


    Lucas¡¯s face hardens a bit. "It was just personal, that¡¯s all." His eyes stray once more towards Liam who joins us in the front. "Handsome boyfriend you¡¯ve got here."


    This time his smile is definitely cocky and rife with mischief. I instantly know Lucas has been up to no good. He must know who I am now and for him to make such a statement about Liam and I confirms his ill-intentions.


    "Let¡¯s go." Liam preempts me, grabbing my hand. Just as he pulls the door open, we bump into threedies coincidentally entering the store. When I scan their faces and recognize one, Lucas¡¯ broad smile tells me we¡¯ve been set up.


    "Well, well, well, look who we¡¯ve got here; Demi Branson in the flesh." Nic tuts her tongue as she stares at Liam¡¯s hand over mine. Liam leaves my hand and scowls at her.


    "What do you think you¡¯re doing, get out of my way or I¡¯ll be forced to use reasonable force on you all." True to his word, he elbows his way through them and exits the store. Outside, he gives me a quick nce before getting into his car and driving away. Nic turns from watching Liam leave to face me.


    "He¡¯s a fine specimen. Too bad he¡¯s not much of a gentleman. He left you and took off. Is that the tenor of your affair? He can¡¯t hold your hands in public?" She ps her forehead as though she just recalled something. "Silly me. Of course it is. That¡¯s the whole point of a secret affair, is it not?" Her friends bob their heads to answer her question.


    "Are you done embarrassing yourself, Nic Grey?"


    She struggles not to lose her marbles over the mention of her full name. "You¡¯re one greedy bitch, Demi Branson. Who the hell do you think you are to cheat on Ashely? Youe here frequently, hiding away in this bookstore with your little boyfriend at the back doing heaven knows what. Does Ashley know about this?"


    "Why wouldn¡¯t he? He¡¯s seen my friend Liam and he knows how attached I am to this bookstore." I round up on her now and whisper in her ear. "You¡¯re very shameless for a mere booty call."


    When our eyes meet, hers are ming torches. "I¡¯ll try not to spike my husband¡¯s anger by telling him the stunt his side piece tried to pull today. I¡¯m feeling rather generous today, you see. My mother-inw just gifted me that beautiful car outside so I am in a good mood. You should have the sense to keep your face hidden knowing what you are, Nic, not just for your own self-respect or to please my husband but for the sess of your own father¡¯s political aspiration. I wonder how he¡¯ll manage to rear his head in public ever again if it leaks that you¡¯ve reduced yourself from a top model to a sneaky link."


    Shame flickers in her eyes.


    "Don¡¯t you dare talk to her like that, you..." The big moutheddy falls silent at the raise of Nic¡¯s hand.


    "Take caredies." I shoot Lucas a steely look that will surely make him worry about losing his job before exiting the store. Through the ss doors, Nic and herckeys watch me settle into my car and drive off.


    What they see is an overly confident woman whom they have just failed to intimidate. What they don¡¯t see is my trembling hands on the steering. My heart is beating wildly too. That was so close.


    I stop by an eatery to get Anna¡¯s favorite takeout before heading to her ce. By the time I arrive, I am feeling more rxed and steadier. I grab the goodies and head over to the entrance. I¡¯m certain Anna would be shocked by my new ride. We can talk about the car before segueing into her ident. That should be a nice, smooth transition.


    At the door, my fingers are poised to knock when I hear muffled sounds of an argument. I can¡¯t make out much of the details of the argument but I recognize Anna¡¯s voice. The second speaker appears to be a man. When he raises his voice an octave higher, the paper bags slip from my hands. I wrench open the door and run inside with a ck of heels.


    "ANNA? ANNA!"


    It¡¯s just as I feared. Iman stands in her small apartment, looming like a tidal wave. Anna¡¯s frightened eyes skirt towards me by the door.


    "Anna, are you alright?"


    She straightens her shoulders and feigns a smile. "Demi, I-we didn¡¯t hear youe in." Iman watches me under the dome of his bushy eyebrows. I re icily at him. What could he possibly want with my best friend? Why won¡¯t he just leave me alone?


    "What is he doing here?" I ask, jerking a chin towards Iman. My face is flushed with anger. I can¡¯t even bear to share the same space as him.


    Iman tips his head in a fit of helplessughter and finishes off with a p. "Wow, little Demi now has guts." He ignores Anna¡¯s pleas and approaches me menacingly. I refuse to budge from my ce at the door till Iman¡¯s breath fans my face. He sniffs the nape of my neck and licks his lips, then shifts back to take in my designer clothes, shoes and bag. "So, you think you can raise your voice and talk to me in third person because you¡¯re wearing brands now?"


    "Stay the hell away from Anna."


    "Or what? Huh? What is little Demi going to do? Bring the quads over here?" Heughs boisterously. "Do you control those brothers now? Do theye running at the snap of your fingers? I know they don¡¯t like you so how exactly are you going to make them do your bidding? Will you blow all four brothers?"


    I smack him hard across his cheek. The deafening p makes him stagger a bit. Behind him, Anna goes pale. In one leap, she streams across the room to stand between Iman and I.


    "Please forgive her, Iman. She didn¡¯t mean to. She¡¯s sorry."


    The look in Iman¡¯s bloodshot eyes smokes away the cold fury in mine. He shoves Anna to the floor to get to me.


    "ANNA." I scream but before I can reach her, Iman closes a hand over my neck and ms my back against the wall. My legs dangle mid-air. Slowly, my vision starts to be spotty as I choke for breath. Anna¡¯s weak voice continues to plead on my behalf but Iman chooses to unleash his fury like a wild animal.


    "HOW DARE YOU? I¡¯LL KILL YOU, BITCH."


    With thest ounce of strength in me, I plow my knee into his groin. He buckles as the slice of pain shoots up his body. Coughing, I manage to crawl blindly away from him only to be yanked back by the tail of my hair.


    "IMAN!" Anna screams at the top of her lungs, holding up her phone. "I just texted Asher Rollins and he is five minutes out too. He¡¯sing here with the police. If you don¡¯t leave now, you¡¯ll be in prison by nightfall, assuming Asher doesn¡¯t kill you first. Get your hands off Demi right now!"


    The pain in my scalp eases as Iman releases the clump of my hair in his grip and hustles out of the house. Anna rushes to hug me as we sob together.


    "Are you alright, Demi? Oh my God, I¡¯m so sorry he hurt you."


    I shake my head numbly, streaking my hands over her face to make certain she¡¯s fine. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you? Anna, are you sure you¡¯re not hurt? You took a fall."


    Anna smiles through her tears. "He almost strangled you to death and you¡¯re worried about me?" She sps her hands behind my back and holds me tightly.


    "I promise he won¡¯t be back. I¡¯ll make sure he goes away for good this time." I say, hugging her too. We remain like that for a long time, sobbing on each other¡¯s shoulders.


    ***


    While I drive back home, I can¡¯t stop that scene from reying in my head. If Anna hadn¡¯t been smart enough to lie about the police and Asher being on their way, would I still be here?


    She eventually had to open up to me about everything regarding her ident. Iman had stopped by her ce to apologize for identally hitting her instead of Asher. He didn¡¯t exin why he wanted to hurt Asher in the first ce and got pissed off when Anna tried to wheedle the information out of him which was the scene I had walked into. Iman must have been triggered by the sight of me and the p to his face to have be a monster in a sh.


    Though it all makes sense, I still can¡¯t help but feel my best friend is still holding out on me. As I ride the elevator to my room with my shoes in my hands, I try not to think too much about how worried Anna had seemed over Asher.


    It¡¯s Asher for goodness¡¯ sake. Why would she feel sympathetic over a man who is an asshole and probably deserved whatever his enemies have nned for him. I stroll across the drawing room where the lull of music drifts out from the open door. Two brothers turn to me and the one on the piano gasps.


    "Woah, what happened? Your outfit is almost ruined."


    Only one person would be able to tell that my clothes have been through hell despite how well I tried to look okay after the incident with Iman.


    "Ruined?" I ask Ashley. "Of course not, it¡¯s totally fine. It held up nicely today." Ashely runs a hand through my hair and clucks his tongue. Before he can gripe about that too, I stop him with a warning look.


    My eyes drift to the other brother and instantly, I know from his eyes that it¡¯s Ashton. His eyes are fixated on my neck. Absently, I tug my cor closer to hide whatever signs might be left.


    "Mom missed you at dinner." Ashley says, stepping out of the drawing room and following behind me. Secondster, Ashton takes over the piano and a beautiful tune waft out.


    "How was your day?" His question gives me unnecessary chills. I wonder if Nic has managed to talk to him yet.


    "Crazy. I went to see a friend." I intentionally omit the name to gauge his reaction.


    "Who? Anna?"


    "Anna isn¡¯t the only friend I have." I touch his cheek. "I have made a new one recently. Her name¡¯s Olivia." His rosy cheeks go white as a sheet. There it is. All the proof I need. To further buttress my point, Ashley stutters in shock.


    "Are you okay?"


    "Sure. I¡¯m d you¡¯re making friends." He clears his throat as we get to my door. "Um, where did you meet this Olivia?"


    "I¡¯ll tell you all about it some other time. Right now, I am tired." I smother a yawn behind my palm to emphasize my point.


    "Oh, right. Sorry. I¡¯ll let you rest." He leans close and kisses my forehead. "Good night."


    I watch him take the stairs leading to the game room. Run. Go tell your brothers about me and Olivia. My smile deepens as I am d my n is working. Ashley has confirmed that Olivia Dunn exists. I guess not every brother is a good actor when they aren¡¯t prepared for it.


    Tearing my eyes off the direction Ashley just sprinted across, I turn back to my door and notice that the music has stopped. When I lift my head towards the drawing room, I almost clutch my heart in shock on seeing Ashton by the door, watching me intently. After a long minute of just staring at each other, I unlock my door and go inside.


    Pressed against the door, I wonder what that look was about. Could Ashton be suspicious of me now? Darn it. I should have surveyed my surroundings before smiling malevolently.


    Before I can collect my thoughts and steady my racing heart, I hear my code being entered. I shriek away from the door when it unlocks. Ashton boldly struts into my room and shuts the door.


    "ASHTON! What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing in my room?" Hand on my chest, I stagger backwards.


    "Why are you so flustered to see me? If you wanted to keep me out, you would have changed your passcode already." Both hands behind his back, he walks in, sampling my room.


    "What do you want?" Normally, I¡¯d be ted to have him here. Maybe the spike of my pulse lends credence to that fact but I¡¯ve got too much to process right now and I need to be alone for a moment. He shouldn¡¯t be in here.


    He reaches me, grabs my chin with one hand. With the other, he takes my cor and tugs it down. Like a cranky child, I jerk my chin free as his eyes darken.


    "Who did that to you?"


    "It¡¯s none of your business. Please leave. I don¡¯t want anyone getting the wrong idea<i>, again</i>." I leave him and stride into my closet to get my night dress and prepare for bed. Unsurprisingly, Ashton walks in after me like he owns the damn ce.


    "Ashton, you¡¯re overstepping."


    "Am I?" He runs his hands through my new clothes arranged in a color-coded manner by Ashley. Then he turns to me again. "You can either tell me his name and I¡¯ll let you do the honors of choosing how I make him pay for touching you or I could go on a spree and deal with every man in your life whom I reasonably suspect can muster the guts to put hands on you, excluding my brothers of course. They were with me the entire day." He shoots me a sick twisted smile that makes me get chills.


    I want to be mad at him but I can¡¯t. My body pulses with the rhythm of his words. The fire in his eyes as he brays for the blood of the man who hurt me makes my thighs sing with damp and lust. Suddenly, the mes in those eyes go off. Ashton¡¯s tensed shoulders sag as he focuses on a particr point behind me. I follow the shock in his eyes to my wardrobe and spot the very item that has stunned him to silence.


    The red jacket I wore on my fake date with Will. The red furry jacket that any smart person would remember even from a dark night!


    "That red jacket." Ashton whispers in a low growl. "Is that yours?"

 Chapter 46

    <h4>Chapter 46: Chapter 46</h4>


    ASHTON


    My heart rate slows down as I await her answer. I recognize the furry coat. It¡¯s a unique piece from Ashley¡¯stest collection and is very pricey. I am not surprised that Demi happens to own one. Ashley is her husband after all.


    However, I do find it surprising that unlike the rest of her clothes hanging carefully on the wardrobe, the jacket sits at the bottom like it was hurriedly tossed in there among her shoes. Why would she keep something so precious in there? It can¡¯t be dirty because I haven¡¯t seen her wear a red jacket since she joined our family. Why else would she dump it in there?


    It can¡¯t be true. The mysterious woman from my date as Will <i>can¡¯t </i>be Demi. That¡¯s ridiculous.


    "Is that yours?" I repeat. My eyes wheel from the jacket to Demi¡¯s face which is gradually beading with sweat. I want her to give me a usible reason why her new jacket is in that state, a reason that will dispel the nasty and unpleasant feeling unfurling in my stomach. When Demi braces herself and looks at me, her eyes are not devoid of suspicion.


    "It¡¯s mine."


    Why does she look so guilty right now if we are only talking about a simple red jacket in her closet? I take it that she knows why I am visibly shocked by it.


    "Tell me it wasn¡¯t you."


    She cast her eyes down in a sorrowful droop and I gasp in utter shock. Edging backwards, I push open the door leading to her bedroom.


    "Ashton, wait! Please! Hear me out."


    With impable control, I pause my march outside her room. How can she possibly exin this? Even my family doesn¡¯t know about Will! That¡¯s how fucked up this is.


    "Have you been stalking me?"


    "NO!" She squeals, reaching to grab my shoulders. "No, Ashton, I didn¡¯t stalk you."


    How much does she know about me? I know she suspects my hair color but did she already know about my ck hair when she found the hair gels in my bathroom cab? Was she pretending even then? How the fuck did she get my second contact and chat me up as Will? Was she aware it was me the whole time while we chatted? Why the fuck did she even try to go on a secret date with a stranger in a far diner without telling anyone? My mind is literally abuzz with questions right now.


    "START TALKING." I order her. "From the beginning. Leave nothing out."


    Demi¡¯s lips tremble as she begins to recount her story. Apparently, she got wind of Mr. Fantasy from her cousin, Kira. I believe that bit as I recall a message from one Kira C. That must be Kira Collin.


    "I promise I only went out of curiosity. I was bored and I felt like having lived with you guys for months, I¡¯d be able to rate this stranger. I also justified it as a way to catch an impostor. I¡¯m sorry Ashton."


    I don¡¯t believe her. I want to but there are so many holes in her story and I can feel her trying so hard not to tell the undiluted truth.


    "If you meant to catch the impostor or rate this stranger¡¯s skills of impersonation, why did you ask to go on a date with Will instead of the ¡¯Ash Rollins¡¯ lookalike version called Mr. Fantasy. Huh?" The question stumps her. "Answer me, Demi!"


    Her eyes go misty with tears. "You wouldn¡¯t respond to messages as Mr. Fantasy. I had no choice."


    I chuckle loudly now. "You expect me to believe that?" My head is steaming now at how untruthful she¡¯s being. "You came up with a bullshit story about having a shitty boyfriend and wanting to hang out. You followed me up for days to make sure the date happened! All for what? To rate a stranger¡¯s impersonation skills? No!" Demi shudders at my ring eyes and takes small steps backwards as I advance towards her.


    "Here¡¯s the truth you do not want to admit. You knew I was Mr. Fantasy long before you sent me that message. I don¡¯t know how but that¡¯s the only thing that makes this story add up. I don¡¯t know why you insisted on the date only to stand me up. When I noticed you lurking by the corner, you ran away in a cab." I grab her shoulders and narrow my eyes at her. I can¡¯t believe she can be such a mastermind.


    "Who exactly are you, Demi? Why did you stalk me?" Demi only cries harder and mumbles incoherently. "You¡¯ve been lying to me all along and pretending to be clueless about my hair and Mr. Fantasy. What other secrets are you keeping from me? Tell me, Branson!"


    She shoves my hands off her. "OK! I¡¯ll tell you the truth." She wipes her tears and stares up at me. "You¡¯re right. I wasn¡¯t entirely truthful earlier. I¡¯m too embarrassed to admit the truth but I¡¯d do it anyway."


    She sniffles. "It was just after you and M became...a thing. I was jealous, okay? I wanted to ignore it but I couldn¡¯t help myself, Ashton. Then Kira mentioned a lookalike that women can pay to y their favorite quad. It was a stupid idea but I thought I¡¯d engage his services so he could y you and I could pretend we went on a proper date. I wanted to do more than imagine what that would feel like. I soon realized it was going to be an uphill task convincing him to y you because he was adamant on being called Will so I made up a story just to ensure hees out on the date. I was confident I could pay him to change his mind and indulge me while on our date. I¡¯m sorry. I know it¡¯s wrong of me to think like that about you but like I said, I couldn¡¯t help myself."


    She retreats to the bed and plops on it, holding her head in her hands. "I had no idea it was you at first. I thought he was aplete stranger but then when I managed to sneak off to the date, I arrivedte and was just in time to see you pull up in your car. Ashton, I was scared at first thinking you¡¯d recognize me and probably scare off my date. I waited by the corner hoping you¡¯d get your food and leave but when you stepped out of your car, you looked different. Your hair was different but I could still tell it was you. Even worse, you went into the diner and never came out. When I messaged my date, I realized you were the one I was texting. I got so scared and couldn¡¯t bring myself to go inside."


    She stands and draws close to me but I put out a hand to stop her. "Ashton, please believe me. I know it was risky and stupid but I didn¡¯t mean to lie to you or pretend about that night. I wanted to tell you but I felt that you had your personal reasons for being Will or Mr. Fantasy. I didn¡¯t know how to bring it up. I¡¯m so sorry."


    I dig my hands in my hair and tug. Maybe I believe her but it doesn¡¯t ease the sting to my pride. She knows about my weakness now. How could I have slipped up like that? M was right to warn me not to go on that date. Gritting my teeth, I head for the door. Demi grabs my hand, crying.


    "Ashton please, don¡¯t leave like this. Please, don¡¯t go. I beg you."


    I turn to her, giving her face a quick sweep. "I can¡¯t...I can¡¯t deal with this right now." I hate how hurt I sound.


    With Demi still pleading, I step out of her room and shut the door behind me. Her story might make some sense and maybe part of me feels d that the random guy she was going on a date with was to satisfy the urge to have a real date with me. However, something inside me is broken right now and I suspect it¡¯s my blind faith in her. I wish she had been confident enough to ask me about that night so I wouldn¡¯t have to find out like this.


    "You really can¡¯t make this a habit, Ash." Asher breaks my woeful train of thoughts. He appears to have just emerged from the elevator with a drink in his hand. "No matter how brilliant the excuse is, you should really stay away from that woman."


    I school my face to hide the hurt and annoyance. "I needed to confirm something. It¡¯s about Demi and Olivia." Asher¡¯s interest is suddenly piqued as he draws closer. "Game room." I mutter, jutting my chin towards the stairs.


    Once congregated, I recount everything to my brothers. I¡¯ve thought long and hard about it. Demi can¡¯t be in contact with Olivia. Ashal had deleted Olivia¡¯s contact from her phone and from his recent search of Olivia¡¯s phone, Demi¡¯s contact is missing too."


    "I spoke to Olivia and she admitted reaching out to Demi in the past. However, she hasn¡¯t tried tomunicate with Demi since thest message I deleted." Ashal confirms. "I trust her. She is trying her best to gain our family¡¯s trust. She wouldn¡¯t lie to me."


    I ignore the surprise that flits across Asher¡¯s face at Ashal¡¯s vote of confidence in Olivia.


    "Why would Demi pretend to be friends with Olivia Dunn if thetter has stopped contacting her?" Asher asks worriedly. "Is she trying to y mind games with us? Do you think she knows anything about Olivia beyond the texts Olivia sent her?"


    My mind reels back to the episode in Demi¡¯s room and how she had cleverly pretended not to know anything about my secret identity. Although it breaks my heart to admit it, I won¡¯t be surprised if Demi actually knows more about Olivia than she¡¯s letting on. My heart gallops as I wonder if Asher¡¯s theories and suspicions about Demi might be true. Could Demi really be a two-faced liar?


    I stop myself from sinking into my fearful thoughts. I am overthinking it. Demi might have lied about our date and knowing my secret identity but that doesn¡¯t trante to her having a grudge against my family. She had concrete reasons for keeping my secret. There¡¯s no reason to doubt her in everything until I have the proof to back it up.


    "Ash? You¡¯re awfully silent." Asher says to me, pulling me once more out of my own head. "Penny for your thoughts?" My brothers are all gazing at me now. I clear my throat.


    "Rather than having these wild spections, how about Ashley asks her? Let¡¯s start there at least. If Demi¡¯s response doesn¡¯t hold up with our research, we¡¯ll know she¡¯s lying and find creative ways to get the truth out of her."


    Asher shakes his head. "Why waste time asking questions she¡¯s probably going to lie about? I suggest we tap her phone, get to know who she calls and texts along with all the juicy details of her conversations. Who¡¯s in?" Asher asks with his hand raised. Ashely and Ashal hesitate to join him.


    shes of Demi¡¯s dishonestye to the fore of my mind. I desperately need to know the real truth before my imaginative mind, which is dangerously teetering towards the worst, gets the best of me.


    "I¡¯m in." I join Asher.


    Asher smiles as the rest of our brothers follow my lead.


    "Great. Ashley, this would be your responsibility. You¡¯re the one with a legitimate reason to hang around Demi twenty-four seven. Find a way to distract her and tap her phone. Since this is probably your first-time getting shit like this done, I¡¯ll give you a week." Ashley nods.


    "Ashal, I am ted for you and Olivia catching a break in your rtionship. This is the happiest I¡¯ve seen you in a long while. Love that for you. However, I¡¯d like you to pay close attention to Olivia and ensure she tells you if anyone tries reaching her for an interview or whatever. I suspect Demi¡¯s confidence in using Olivia¡¯s name doesn¡¯t stem from thin air. Let¡¯s make sure those two never contact each other."


    "Got it." Ashal concurs with a vigorous nod.


    "That includes your penthouse." I add. "Under no circumstances should she be taken or allowed in there."


    Ashal snickers. "You don¡¯t have to tell me twice bro. None of y¡¯all are even allowed there till further notice." While Ashley and Ashalugh over thetter¡¯s statement, I lock cold eyes with Asher.


    Ashal opened up to us about Olivia epting his proposal and being willing to give him a shot. Despite how scared he had been when she had tried dialing Asher¡¯s number (without knowing that Ashal had swapped his contact name with Asher¡¯s so Olivia was indeed calling Ashal and not Asher), Ashal had gleefully told us everything and exhaled when he realized his phone battery had died so Olivia¡¯s call never went through.


    Silently, I wonder why Asher hasn¡¯t brought up the issue of punishing Iman. That bastard is still out there hurting more people. He even went as far as touching Demi! Now, the bastard has attempted to take the lives of two people who are dear to me and that is something I cannot forgive. If Asher isn¡¯t feeling up to it, I¡¯d handle Iman myself.


    After everyone slowly disperses, I put a hand in Asher¡¯s path as he tries to leave the game room.


    "What¡¯s taking so long with Iman? Why is he still roaming the streets freely after everything he¡¯s done?" The anger I¡¯ve been fending off is starting to seep out as I recall Anna on her hospital bed and the red fingerprints on Demi¡¯s neck. Asher squares his shoulders and exhales.


    "I told you I¡¯d handle it."


    "IT¡¯S BEEN OVER A WEEK!" I grunt. "And he¡¯s been going about trying to hurt more people around us."


    "What are you talking about?" Asher¡¯s asks, cocking a brow. "Who else did he hurt?" At the pained look on my face, my brother¡¯s eyes go warm with understanding. "He attacked Demi?"


    "He tried to strangle her,<i> again</i>. She¡¯s got his hand prints all over her neck."


    "And you¡¯re certain it¡¯s him?"


    Now, my anger bursts out. "WHAT SORT OF SILLY QUESTION IS THAT? WHO ELSE WOULD BRAZENLY ATTACK DEMI DESPITE KNOWING HER AFFILIATION TO OUR FAMILY IF NOT HER CRAZY EX?" I run a hand over my face, stifling the urge to punch the wall. "He probably thinks Demi also knew about my visit or instigated me to attack him. It¡¯s all my fault. I should handle this once and for all."


    "You will do no such thing!"


    "HE HURT MY LOVED ONES." I yell in my brother¡¯s face. "Someone¡¯s got to teach him that that¡¯s not okay."


    "If Iman hurt my wife, I¡¯ll avenge her." Ashley whips behind me. When I turn, he has a cid look on his face that slowly morphs into a frown. "Thank you, Ashton, for your zeal to punish that fool for hurting Asher and Demi but I¡¯d like to ask you for a favor."


    "And what¡¯s that?" I ask gruffly.


    "I¡¯d love it if you take a cue from Asher and take a step back so Demi and I can have a chance during our contract marriage. I hate to admit this but I am jealous that she treats you better than her own husband."


    "Well, maybe if you treated her like a wife and not a temporal house guest whom you¡¯d like to sleep with, she might just give you the time of day."


    "Ashton!" Asher chides.


    "It¡¯s okay." Ashley draws nearer to me. "I agree. I¡¯ve been doing a poor job, haven¡¯t I? I didn¡¯t even notice her neck downstairs. I¡¯m sure one of the reasons she¡¯s grown fond of you is because you never miss the little things about her." He chuckles. "But that¡¯s all about to change. I¡¯ve got nine more months to ensure the only man in Demi¡¯s head is me."


    "So, this is a power thing? You¡¯re going to treat a real human being with feelings like a challenge you¡¯d like to win?"


    "You¡¯ve pushed me to the wall, Ashton! I am her husband for Pete¡¯s sake and instead of showing me the barest form of respect, you continue to act like I don¡¯t exist, waltzing in and out of Demi¡¯s room, getting vengeful over a scratch on her body and even ignoring your own alleged girlfriend to fixate on MY wife. That¡¯s insulting and I refuse to tolerate it any longer. Call it a challenge or whatever you want but I am done sitting on the sidelines. Demi is MY wife, not yours."


    "You just want her in your bed. If you had already had her, you wouldn¡¯t give a damn about who¡¯s taking her side or not." I know him too well to buy into the crap he¡¯s spewing.


    "Like you haven¡¯t imagined her in yours?" Ashley asks.


    "I don¡¯t have to. She¡¯s already been in MY bed."


    Ashley¡¯s eyes widen with rage but before he can throw the first punch at me, Asher wedges himself between us.


    "Ok, that¡¯s enough Ashton." Then turning to Ashley, "He¡¯s lying and obviously trying to antagonize you. You know he wouldn¡¯t." Ashley runs a hand over his hair and heaves a breath.


    I pace backwards, regretting how my anger is getting the best of me. What the fuck am I doing? Iman is the enemy, not my brother. I might have a lot to be mad about right now but it¡¯s unfair to let my brother go around thinking I have betrayed him. I can¡¯t have that on my conscience.


    "I didn¡¯t mean that." I tell Ashely. "I just said it to spite you. I¡¯m sorry." I bury my face in my hands. "I¡¯m just so pissed at Iman that I chose to take it out on you guys."


    Ashley hesitates before responding. "I meant what I said. I want the next few months with Demi. I want a chance like Ashal has been given and I know that won¡¯t happen if Demi still believes she¡¯s got a shot with you."


    "What are you asking me?" I already know it but I need him to say it aloud. Maybe then I¡¯d summon the will to cut my intimate ties with Demi.


    "I am asking you to go back to being the distant Ashton Demi was once wary of. She used to try to be friends with me back then but the moment you softened up, she drew towards you like moth to a me. I need you to extinguish that me so shees back to me."


    "So, you¡¯re asking me to be a cold bastard and an asshole to just your wife till she redirects her affections to you." Ashley nods. "It¡¯s done."


    "Let¡¯s start with you giving me her passcode."


    "I told you..."


    "She¡¯s been crying in her room. I don¡¯t have time to go ask her for it. I genuinely want to know she¡¯s okay."


    Demi is still crying? And Ashley wants to gofort her right now? What if she doesn¡¯t recognize him in her state and treats him like she would treat me if I went back to her room? What if she hugs him or tries to kiss him thinking he¡¯s me? The thought of it makes me even more ufortable than Demi revealing my secret identity and our botched date night to Ashley by ident.


    "Well? Are you serious about helping me or not?" Ashley asks impatiently. Asher is also watching me and urges me toply. Reluctantly, I give in and text it to him. Immediately, he dashes out of the room while my shoulders sag in defeat. My heart beats wildly imagining how mad Demi would be because I shared her passcode. Shit. She¡¯s definitely going to hate me now.


    "It¡¯s okay." Asher encourages me. "You did the right thing. Brothers over babes, right?" Weakly, I concur as he leaves. As the time continues to tick by, I head downstairs and wonder why Ashley isn¡¯t out of Demi¡¯s room yet. What could possibly be taking so long? I can¡¯t hear anything from outside her door. It¡¯s eerily quiet in there.


    Shit. I am losing my mind right now. Demi is not in the right frame of mind either. It¡¯s too dangerous leaving her with a guy who looks just like me and wants to touch her as badly as I do, at a time when she¡¯s desperate to prove her loyalty to me. Can I trust Ashley to not take advantage of the situation and justify it with his position in her life?


    Just before the break of dawn, I take the elevator to the second floor where the CCTV control room is. I couldn¡¯t sleep a winkst night and I have to know. I run the feed to know exactly when Ashley left Demi¡¯s room. My head threatens to explode when it dawns on me.


    He never left.


    <i>They spent the whole night</i> together!

 Chapter 47

    <h4>Chapter 47: Chapter 47</h4>


    ASHLEY


    Demi is a crying mess when I walk into her room. At first, I expect to get yelled at for barging in. I know she has never beenfortable being alone with me. Surprisingly, she merely blots at her teary eyes and sits up on her bed. Her eyes cling adoringly to my face as a ghost of a smile seeps into her cheeks.


    "I knew you woulde back." She says in a low whisper. "I¡¯m so sorry. Please don¡¯t hate me."


    Her crying fit starts again while I stand watching her, confused as hell. Was Ashton just in here? What the hell transpired between them? Can¡¯t Demi tell I am wearing the same clothes from earlier when we met at the drawing room or does this mistaken identity have to do with the low setting of her bedroom light? Gradually, my brows furrow in annoyance. Just how much does she care about Ashton? Why has she never looked at me so lovingly like this?


    Her arms shoot up to wrap around my neck in a tight embrace. "I didn¡¯t mean to lie to you. Please believe me. It¡¯s all a big misunderstanding."


    Slowly, she eases back, her breath fanning my face. When I least expect it, her lips are on mine. She infuses just the right about of slutty aggression and sensual passion into the kiss. Lust curls like a ball at the pit of my stomach as she strokes her hands in my hair.


    Heart thumping widely, my hands snake around her slender waist. I feel her shiver with excitement as my hands brush over the warm skin of her back. She tips her head back and moans when my tongue goes to work, teasing and kissing the soft band of her neck. When my fingers scrape over her hardened nipples, she gasps in ecstasy.


    "Ashton" She slurs, her voice no higher than an erotic whisper. My breath catches.


    Disappointed and furious, I pull away so fast she falls back on the bed. Her hair tumbles across her face. Even through the red haze of anger, I am still pining to taste her. I forcefully peel my eyes off her body and rub my hand over my neck, biting down on the wing need to break something. What the hell was that? She was really thinking about Ashton?


    "Is something wrong?" She asks leaping off the bed and taking my hand. She¡¯s so close now, eager to continue. She kisses my cheeks one after the other. "Am I too fast?" I allow her cup my angry face in her hands and return her intense stare. I can¡¯t believe her right now. So, I was never the problem? She just preferred to have casual sex with a different Ash Rollins.


    The scales seem to fall from her eyes as she takes me in, from eyes to clothes. When she tries to jerk back, I grip her hand on my cheek and secure her waist with my other hand.


    "Ashley?" She manages with trembling lips.


    "What?" I dare her. My eyes are sizzling with rage now. She tries to jerk free only to topple us over the bed. I straddle her and watch with ire as she squirms beneath me. "I was never the problem, was I? And you aren¡¯t averse to having casual sex; you just wanted to have it with Ashton!"


    Bile tickles my throat now. I have never suffered this kind of raw rejection. Women have never been able to resist me so how can Demi be disgusted by the thought of being touched by me even when I am a mirror image of Ashton?


    "Ashley, please."


    She struggles to free her hands but I mp down hard on them.


    "You told me things between you guys was simply tonic and here you are trying to give yourself to him while still being married to me! How could you try to fuck my own brother? How shameless can you be?" My voice is a low hush in spite of the fury vibrating within me.


    "I...I..."


    "Cat got your tongue?" I grab her by thepels of her shirt now. "What would have happened if I didn¡¯t stop? If Ashton were here and he didn¡¯t stop? You would have given yourselfpletely to him, wouldn¡¯t you? Why? Why him and not me? Why not the man you¡¯re actually married to, Demi?"


    I let her go and get down from the bed. I won¡¯t allow it. Women keep toying with me even when I try to be a gentleman. This is all I ever get; betrayal. They¡¯re all the same.


    "Ashely, I¡¯m sorry. I wasn¡¯t thinking."


    I p her hands off me. "Don¡¯tplicate this any further by lying to my face. You knew exactly what you were doing. You desperately wanted to sleep with Ashton tonight. If he hade in here and not me, he¡¯d already be inside you by now."


    "Ashley..."


    "Don¡¯t. call. my. name." I growl in anger. "I trusted you Demi. When you insisted that sex shouldn¡¯t be a part of our marriage contract, I didn¡¯t question it. I respected your boundaries despite how difficult it got with each passing day. Do you have any idea how much I struggle to keep my word to you? I was a perfect gentleman all for you and this is how you pay me back? You¡¯ve been lying to my face this whole time. MY BROTHER? It had to be my own brother?"


    I gasp, covering my face with my hands. "I am so disappointed in you right now, and in my brother too. You both have been fooling everyone this whole time acting like your feelings for each other are nothing to be concerned about."


    "Please, it¡¯s not Ashton¡¯s fault. He¡¯s never even kissed me before. I don¡¯t what got over me. I had a bad day and I guess I was seekingfort. I wasn¡¯t thinking..."


    "YOU SHOULD HAVE COME TO ME! I AM THE ONE YOU¡¯RE MARRIED TO GODDAMIT!"


    I create a distance between us to rein in my emotions. "You know I would have fulfilled your needs without judging you for going back on your word. I rushed in here worried about you when I heard from one of the maids that you refused dinner and had puffy eyes like you¡¯ve been crying. I should have known you were just pining for my brother."


    I shake my head in disgust. "Mother...do you have any idea how much this could upset her? And father, he won¡¯t go easy on Ashton because he knows how stubborn Ash can get when he wants something. He¡¯ll give him a tough time and it will all be your fault. You have no idea what you¡¯ve done."


    Demi¡¯s eyes cloud over and she dips her head, crying softly. "I am sorry." She repeats over and over again till it starts grating on my raw nerves.


    "Saying that over again won¡¯t change the fact that you aren¡¯t truly sorry. You¡¯re just sorry you got caught. If I hadn¡¯t been here, you and Ashton would probably have hidden the secret of this night from everyone." When her teary eyes look up at me, I refuse to me swayed by them. "Tell me you two haven¡¯t actually done it."


    "Ashley..."


    "Swear it!"


    "I just told you he hasn¡¯t kissed me, ever. That night in your room was purely an ident and you know it."


    I know it but right now, I¡¯m starting to doubt everything. This all hurts more than I am admitting. My wife might be in love with my own brother! Even worse, Ashton may just have strong feelings for her that transcends sexual attraction. Am I supposed to pretend to be cool with this bullshit simply because of the nature of my marriage to Demi? Hell no!.


    They¡¯re about to make me aughing stock in Danvarr for the second time and I won¡¯t allow it. Once bitten, twice shy, right? I¡¯ll do what I can to stop this madness. Demi can¡¯t get with any one of my brothers; that¡¯s fucked up. A stranger may sting my pride but my brother? That hurts my soul.


    I make a resolution instantly. Thankfully, I was able to convince Ashton to distance himself from Demi. Now, it¡¯s Demi¡¯s turn to keep to her contract and not bring me into disrepute through her actions.


    "Here¡¯s what¡¯s going to happen." I begin through clenched teeth as Demi stares up at me. "You¡¯ll stay the heck away from Ashton and you will not give him any reason to think he¡¯s got a shot with you. He¡¯s your brother-inw, not your friend. Hence, you¡¯ll only treat him as such. You¡¯ll honor our contract and give me the respect I am due. In return, I¡¯ll try to forget this night ever happened so we can all move on with our lives without unnecessary pain, strife andplications. Are we in agreement?"


    Demi sniffles. "We are."


    "Make no mistake. This is yourst chance. If you give me a reason to suspect you and Ashton ever again, we¡¯re through and you¡¯ll be med for everything."


    "I understand." She rises to her feet. "Thank you, Ashley for being so mature about this."


    Mature or weak and stupid? I step up to her with darkened eyes. "Don¡¯t thank me yet. You have a long way to go to convince me that you and my brother aren¡¯t up to no good every time I turn my back."


    My eyes intentionally dip to her lips. I can understand why Ashton keepsing back after that idental kiss between them in my room. My lips are still tingling from her touch.


    When I lean down to peck her forehead, her whole body tenses. She must have sensed how annoyed I am as she returns a halfhearted peck on my cheek. I cup her chin kiss her slowly on her lips. Demi tries not to show any difort and even kisses me back. We carry on with the slow kiss until I back away. It¡¯s nothing as exciting as the one we shared earlier obviously but within me, I am relieved she showed great restraint and didn¡¯t reject me. I run a hand over her jawline and pull her towards the bed.


    "Come, tell me all about your day and what made you cry earlier." Demi quietly joins me in her bed.


    ***


    When I open my eyes, slivers of sunlight filters into the room through the wide window. I look down to find Demi purring softly on her corner of the bed. She looks so peaceful in her sleep.


    Details of the previous night stir up in my head. We had spokente into the night. What had started off as a tense conversation ended up with jokes,ughter and a goodnight kiss. Demi even fell asleep holding my hand. I know it¡¯s nothing but I feel good knowing she trusted me enough to fall asleep with me in her room. I continue to watch her sleep with a smile. I wish I could get used to this sight every morning. Just then, hershes flutter open.


    "Morning."


    She¡¯s surprised when I kiss her hair. "Get ready ande down for breakfast." She gives a small nod as I get off the bed. Her eyes follow me till I wink her before letting her have her room back.


    I¡¯ve had far more interesting nights and exciting mornings but somehow, all of that pale inparison to seeing Ashton¡¯s face at breakfast. The truth is I can¡¯t really tell if it¡¯s his ¡¯I don¡¯t give a damn about anyone so do well to avoid me¡¯ face because he had promised mest night or if he really can¡¯t care less that I spent the night in Demi¡¯s room.


    I am certain he knows by now that I didn¡¯t sleep in my bed. I wonder what he must have imagined transpired between Demi and I. Yet, I don¡¯t feel bad at all. While his male ego might have taken a hit overst night, mine wasn¡¯t left out either. For that reason, I refuse to give any details about my night.


    Demi focuses on mother and makes light conversation as she has her breakfast. Afterwards, everyone begins to disperse for work. I embrace Demi and peck her on the cheek.


    "Have a nice day at work."


    "You too." She says with a small smile. She slides into her car and I help her shut the door. Mother beams at us.


    After Demi leaves, I nce over at Ashton. He¡¯s sporting dark sses topliment his checkered shirt and ck leather pants. He almost looks like a Kpop idol right now. He doffs his cap at me before taking off in his Mustang. I follow suit, smiling satisfactorily all the way to work.


    ***


    "Did you hear me, Ashley? How could you sit there and say nothing?"


    I rub the ache in my temples. "Ni, I only called you here for your creative input not for gossip."


    "Gossip? Even with the video I showed you? Wow." Eyes shing, she grabs her purse and lurches to her feet. "I am slighted by your word choice, Ash. Do well to remember that I am a high grossing top model in Danvarr. Simply because I have a thing for you doesn¡¯t mean you get to talk down on me."


    Exhaling, I toss my head back in my chair and press my eyes shut.


    "It¡¯s my fault for trying to be a good friend and call your attention to what your adulterous wife has been up to. When you do get some time off your precious work, head over to Rahl¡¯s books and ask the young man at the counter how frequently your wife haunts that ce with her lover during her lunch breaks and weekends. I just hope Billion-Err doesn¡¯t get the scoop before you do."


    My eyes shes open as Ni stalks away. I didn¡¯t want to encourage her spections by voicing my concerns earlier. However, I did find the guy holding Demi¡¯s hand at the bookstore in Nic¡¯s video oddly familiar. I¡¯m certain I¡¯ve seen him before somewhere. I shut my eyes and think harder.


    Eureka! It was in front of Demi¡¯s aunt¡¯s house, the night I went to drop Demi off after we were forced to kiss each other in front of our entire family for publicity. He had been waiting on her that night.


    Something unpleasant settles in my gut. Could Demi truly be having an affair with that stranger? I thought Ashton was the only man she was attracted to. Could there really be more to this?


    With Nic¡¯s warning still ringing in my head, I grab my phone and dial Demi¡¯s number. It¡¯s already lunch time at the HQ. If she isn¡¯t at work, then she might have gone off to have lunch somewhere. I just need to confirm her whereabout.


    "Hi." She sounds a little nervous.


    "Hi. I¡¯m sorry for calling out of the blue like this. Are you at lunch?"


    "Yeah. I¡¯m grabbing a bite with Anna, catching up, you know."


    "Okay. That¡¯s good. I¡¯m just heading out myself. Have fun."


    "You too."


    I hang up and rey her responses in my head. It all sounds pretty normal and had Nic not gotten it into my head that Demi is seeing someone on the side, I wouldn¡¯t be here trying to find something suspicious about Demi¡¯s responses.


    No matter how hard I try to be the bigger person, I give into my insecurity and decide to pay a visit to Rahl¡¯s books. A young chap beams excitedly at me as I walk into the small store with dark sunsses on.


    "Wee sir. How may I be of service?" When I take off my sses, his eyes widen with shock. "Mr. Rollins. Pleasure to have you at our humble store." Eager to please, I decipher. I let my eyes skip over the basic disy of cookies and cupcakes. The coffee smells fresh at best.


    "I need to make an enquiry."


    When I leave the store, my mood ispletely ruined.


    "So, you don¡¯t really trust her after all."


    I glower at Nic who is perched on my car with hands on her hips. She reces her sunsses on her face.


    "Don¡¯t worry. I only came to see your face when you confirmed my ¡¯gossip¡¯. You owe me an apology and I¡¯ll only ept it in a steamy bathroom." Winking, she stalks off into a waiting car and leaves. I exhale sharply and call Asher.


    "Hey, is Demi at work? I¡¯ve been trying to reach her for lunch but her line isn¡¯t going through."


    "Really? She left a few minutes ago. Is it urgent?"


    "Kind of. I just wanted to have lunch with her. You know I¡¯ve got to get close enough to get to her phone if I am going to tap it."


    "Right. Um, she usually has lunch at a fairly new restaurant where her best friend Anna now works. I¡¯ll send you the location."


    "Alright. Thanks."


    While I head over to the restaurant, I gue myself with thoughts of what else Demi could be hiding from me. I silently hope and pray Ni is dead wrong. I don¡¯t know what I would do if this guy turns out to be more to Demi than he should. Why would she keep him a secret and meet him discreetly if their rtionship is pure?


    I hit the breaks and pull up silently at a corner of the road. A quick nce at my wrist and I realize her lunch break is almost up. That exins why she¡¯s leaving the restaurant right now. She hugs Anna and blows her kisses before getting into her car. I watch with relief as she swings her car onto the road and takes off back to work. Ni was wrong. She was merely having lunch with her best friend. There¡¯s no strange man in sight.


    My eyes dte as a young sprightly fellow exits the restaurant shortly after Demi. He¡¯s draped in khaki pants, a ck shirt and a face cap intentionally angled to hide his face. When he cranes his neck to survey his surroundings before getting into his car, I catch a glimpse of his face. It¡¯s the same man!


    It can¡¯t be a coincidence that he¡¯s just had lunch in the same restaurant as my wife. Did they n to meet up there and not the bookstore because Nic busted them thest time? Is Anna also privy to their rtionship?


    I m my hands on my steering and re at the ck sedan as it drives by me. I¡¯m not going to stoop even lower than I already have by tailing the man. Demi will always lead me to him when I am ready to follow him up. With a loud oath of disgust, I turn my car around and head back to work.


    She¡¯s been fooling me. She¡¯s been fooling everybody into thinking she¡¯s some saint. On one hand, she was falling hard for my brother and led me to believe it was tonic. Now, I just discovered there¡¯s another man in her life as well.


    "Demi Branson, you¡¯re full of surprises." I shake my head with a wry smile. "Now, you¡¯ll get the biggest one from me. Just you wait."


    I wait till dinner is done. Mother insists on the family seeing a movie together and at father¡¯s behest, we all indulge her and watch Pride and prejudice again. It¡¯s mother¡¯s favorite movie and she has seen it a hundred times. Yet, we all pretend to enjoy it every time we re-watch it.


    Demi makes a lot ofmentary about the movie as she watches with mother. I watch her with hooded eyes a few rows behind her seat at the family theatre. All I can think about is the little surprise I have nned for her tonight.


    On our way back to our rooms, I bid everyone goodnight and request to have a word with Demi in my room. She seems hesitant at first but follows me.


    "Ashley, what¡¯s wrong?" Her voice is edged with worry as she watches me shut the door. "What do you want to talk about?" I gaze upon her sweet and innocent face. I could try to ask her about the strange man but we¡¯re way beyond that courtesy now, especially when I know she¡¯ll just lie about him anyway.


    I head over to my drawer and retrieve a brown envelop from it.


    "Here." I say, handing it to her. Demi collects it nervously from my hands.


    "What¡¯s in here?" She asks, pulling out the stack of papers within. Her eyes widen in shock as she reads the heading.


    My face ispletely devoid of emotion now. "I had our marriage contract revised. It¡¯s up to you to either ept my new terms or I¡¯ll dly give you a divorce." A small smile tugs my lips. "If you ept the terms, you and I will be about eighty-five percent close to being a real couple by all standards. If you do decide to leave, I can¡¯t promise you a quiet and clean exit from this marriage. It¡¯s going to be odious, messy and tearful but only for you. I¡¯ll require an answer first thing tomorrow morning. Now, get the hell out of my room!"

 Chapter 48

    <h4>Chapter 48: Chapter 48</h4>


    DEMI


    This is ridiculous. I can¡¯t understand a thing Ashley is saying right now.


    "Don¡¯t make me repeat myself, Demi." He bellows, pointing to his door. With a small sigh, I quickly skim through some of the terms of the altered contract.


    "Sex at least thrice a week with protection? Date night once a week? I am to inform you of any n to deviate from my regr daily schedule of work? All new friends I intend to keep close must be introduced to my husbandtest two weeks after meeting them?" Disgusted, I rip the papers in half and dunk them on his bed. His eyes are red hot with anger now.


    "What the hell did you do that for?"


    "Really, Ashley? You went to such great lengths to alter a contract we both signed without my consent? Did you really think that would hold up in court? We are a married couple! Unterally altering our agreement is like trying to divorce me without my knowledge. It doesn¡¯t work that way."


    "Don¡¯t try to educate me!" He snaps back. "I know exactly what a valid contract is and with your signature on those papers, our new agreement will stand. There¡¯s nothing irrational about my terms. They¡¯re pretty normal for regr couples but most especially, they¡¯re less ridiculous than your ¡¯no sex¡¯ use in a fucking marriage contract!"


    He¡¯s angry. I can¡¯t pinpoint where all this bitterness is stemming from. Is he still sulking aboutst night? I thought we were past that.


    "Ashley, talk to me." He jerks his chin free when I try to touch him. "Making hasty decisions while one is angry doesn¡¯t allow for the use of good judgment. You¡¯re still pissed at me over what happenedst night. I get it. Take it out on me. I deserve it but please don¡¯t bottle your feelings inside." I stab a finger towards the contract documents on his bed. "That isn¡¯t you, Ashley. You¡¯re just reacting to the pain you¡¯re feeling. You¡¯re smarter than that."


    He wrenches my hands off his shoulders. "Don¡¯t patronize me, Demi." With a small gasp, he shifts back. "Wow, you¡¯re a good actor, standing here and pretending that you give a damn about me."


    "But I do..."


    "No, you don¡¯t!"


    "Yes, I do, Ash. The fact that I am not willing to share your bed doesn¡¯t negate that. I still care about you but you¡¯re only used to a woman showing you love in the sheets. That¡¯s what this is really about, right?"


    "Don¡¯t you dare gaslight me. I am not the liar here." He spits with venom. At my shock at his words, he edges closer and leers down at me. "Don¡¯t act like you don¡¯t know what I am talking about."


    My eyes start to sting with tears as he follows up with more caustic remarks. "I know what I am and I have never pretended to be someone else. I sleep with women I find attractive and make sure they have a good time. I don¡¯t force myself on any one of them; I merely give them the kind of sexual experience they¡¯ve probably only fantasized about, with their consent of course. But you? You pretend to be an open book but there areyers to you that no one could ever really get to the end of."


    I dab my misty eyes. "Stop speaking in riddles, Ashley. Spell it out. What have I done this time?"


    "I thought you only had eyes for my brother and while I am still struggling to forgive you and get over the hump of your betrayal, I realize you also have a secret man outside? Jeez, Demi."


    A man? Liam? Nic must have gotten to Ashley, no doubt. My suspicions are right. This is Nic¡¯s doing.


    "A man?" I repeat.


    "You know exactly who I am referring to. Yes, Nic told me about your little affair. I didn¡¯t believe her at first, not even after she showed me a video her friend made where I could clearly see a strange man holding your hand and tugging you out of the store without a singleint from your end. Like a fool, I ignored her assumptions and defended you. Then I recalled that the man is no stranger to you after all. I have seen him around you once. It can¡¯t be a coincidence that you two keep having lunch at Anna¡¯s, right?"


    "You came by Anna¡¯s today? That phone call earlier, was that your way of trying to confirm my whereabout because you doubted me?" I sink down on the bed. "Why didn¡¯t you just ask me, Ash? If you¡¯re so desperate for us to strive towards being a regr couple, why didn¡¯t you choose to trust me first and then ask me directly what my rtionship with the young man is? Instead, you followed me."


    "What excuse could you possibly have cooked up this time, huh? I know what I saw."


    Sniffling, I wipe my eyes again. "His name is Charlie. He¡¯s an old friend from school long before I moved here. We reconnected while I was working at Rahl¡¯s. After my parents died, I came to Danvarr to start a new life with my aunt and niece. It was really hard to limatize to my new life, especially given that I was still grieving and wouldn¡¯t open up to my aunt or cousin. I spent my days mourning my old life so when Charlie showed up, it helped. I didn¡¯t feel so lonely anymore and instead of thinking back to my past life with pain, Charlie helped me navigate those hard emotions." I peer up at Ashley whose face is set in a hard line.


    "He¡¯s a good friend to me, Ash. Was I supposed to cut him off simply because of our marriage? He and Anna are all the friends I have made that have doggedly stuck beside me. They¡¯re my constants. I need them. I needed them when I was thrust into this new life with you to help me make sense of everything. I still need them. I only ever see them during my lunch break. That¡¯s the only time I can spare. The secret meetings at the book store and the restaurant wasn¡¯t because I was trying to hide an illicit affair but because I was being careful so the paparazzi don¡¯t capture us and write some false article about me again." I drop my head in my hands and sob softly. "When is it ever going to end? How long do I have to endure the distrust simply because I am new to your family?"


    Ashley steps back and eases a hip on his drawer. I can tell he is struggling to believe my story. For the final performance, I take out my phone, unlock it and chuck it at him. Liam had already informed me that they nned to tap my phone. I can¡¯t act like I¡¯ve got anything to hide, especially not in front of Ashley who has been tasked with the job.


    "There. You can check for yourself or call him if you must. I..." The sobs threaten to wrack through my system again but I get a grip on myself. Ashley¡¯s facial muscles are yet to rx even with my tear-stricken face. I never thought he could stick to his guns for this long. He must truly be riled up. I wipe my tears dry and get on my feet, ready to leave. Ashely straightens and picks up my phone.


    "You can¡¯t me me for being like this. Justst night you..." He stops himself from reliving the embarrassment for both of us. "I¡¯m sorry. I know I promised to let it go."


    "It¡¯s fine. You¡¯re still hurting. I understand." I fold my arms across my chest and look away while he silently goes through my phone. My texts with Charlie are very few and friendly. There are no other suspicious texts messages between me and any strangers. Sighing, he returns my phone. When I try to leave, he blocks my path.


    "Demi."


    "Please, not right now." I beg him with red-rimmed eyes.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I am an idiot." He runs a hand over his face. "You¡¯re right. I should have asked first. I didn¡¯t mean to make you feel hurt. I was blinded by angerbined with the shock fromst night. I didn¡¯t handle this well. Please, forgive me." He takes my head and cradles it on his broad chest while I cry softly.


    "Is this what we¡¯ve be. Ash? Suspicious and distrustful of each other? It¡¯s all my fault. I ruined a good friendship. I am so sorry."


    Ashley whips out a scented handkerchief from the pocket of his pants and carefully wipes my tears. "It¡¯s not entirely your fault. I also yed a part. I am also sorry, for the contract and the vile usations. Please, let me make it up to you." My face all dry now, he tugs at my cheeks and stares intently at me. "Whatever you want, you tell me and I¡¯ll make it happen."


    To my surprise, his eyes aren¡¯t glistening with lust as he looks at me. I am equally relieved and sad to realize this, sad because his lustful eyes are a good indicator of lingering interest. If he somehow loses the desire that keeps himing back to me, I might have a problem reading Ashley or predicting him.


    "I don¡¯t want anything." I tell him, pulling away with a weak smile. "I know I¡¯ve hurt you and I have a long way to go to win back your trust. That¡¯s all that¡¯s important to me right now." My words finally strike a chord with him as his tough demeanor wavers a bit. "Goodnight Ashley." I step around him and leave his room.


    I barely have time to exhale in relief when I run into Ashton just outside Ashely¡¯s door. We¡¯ve not had a chance to speak to each other since the night he found the red jacket in my room and stormed away. He¡¯s been cold and distant towards me ever since.


    My cheeks flush red as I realize how this must look. Ashton must also be aware that Ashley passed the night in my room recently. He did give the former my passcode after all. I can¡¯t even be mad at him right now for sharing my passcode without my consent. I am more focused on the disinterested look on Ashton¡¯s face as he walks right by me.


    <i>Nothing?</i> I can understand not saying a word to each other given how things ended thest time we spoke. However, I was hoping for some tacit acknowledgment or the briefest sh of emotion on his face. <i>Nothing.</i> He might as well have just passed an uninteresting wall. How does he do it? How can he flip from passionate lover to a stranger after everything we¡¯ve shared?


    By the time I get to my door, genuine tears are rolling down my cheeks. I take one look down the hallway where he had gone and wonder if he¡¯s putting up an act for my best interest. I need to believe it. Ashley and Asher have both insinuated that Mr. Rollins would give Ashton a tough time if he ever notices our rtionship. What exactly could that mean?


    Ashton doesn¡¯t pop out from the corner to wink at me as I silently hope so I turn back to my door. I guess this is it. Liam did say Ashton voted to have my phone tapped. I think he¡¯s eager to get over me. The old Ashton is back and there¡¯s nothing I can do. I have no one now to make me feel like I am special. I dry my eyes.


    "Look on the bright side, Demi. At least this way, you won¡¯t have moral scruples or guilt when you achieve your goals."


    Before going into my room, I set up a new passcode.


    ***


    The next few days are hard. I am unable to contact Liam or have any real conversation with his alias, Charlie, because I know my phone is being tapped. Even my calls to Anna are robotic and rehearsed. It¡¯s mostly lunch ns.


    Work bes my therapy because I can¡¯t stand being at home. Seeing Ashley is ufortable. Though he¡¯s sticking close to me and acting like a gentleman, I know it¡¯s all his tactic for keeping a close eye on me. Luckily, I usually wriggle away from his ns with the excuse of still feeling hurt by his recent usations and action.


    I am really d Liam is very proactive and smart. If he hadn¡¯t predicted the recent turn of events, I¡¯d probably be squirming over epting Ashley¡¯s new contract. I don¡¯t know how I would have handled it knowing fully well that divorce is not an option right now. I can¡¯t let anyone kick me out of the mansion before my n is set in motion.


    Ashton is also a prime reason why I hate it at home. Seeing him hurts. I miss him. I wish we could make up without Ashley going crazy. Being in the same room with Ashton is hard because I am constantly forced to avoid his eyes. The few times I get away with staring at him long enough to witness him nce my way, a small tear appears in my heart because Ashton never allows his eyes sit on my face for more than a second. That really hurts.


    So, I cherish my time at work even though my workload has doubled with Nessa¡¯s sudden sick leave. Asher finally makes me eat my words as he forces me to man her desk. My feet hurt from running around in heels all day, getting Asher¡¯s favorite coffee or smoothie, following him to every meeting to take the minutes, keeping track of his schedule and everything else he deigns to toss my way.


    "Why the hell are you panting? Didn¡¯t you use the elevator?" He asks with a small frown. I wait to catch my breath.


    "The elevator doesn¡¯t run from the parking lot to your office. I had to walk a good distance on these heels even with the elevator." I offer him the paper bag with his preferred sandwich and coffee. "Little wonder Nessa fell sick. I can¡¯t imagine doing this all day." When I nce up at him, Asher¡¯s face is a hard rock. He grabs the coffee and takes a sip. Instantly, he spits it out and res icily at me.


    "It¡¯s lukewarm. Get another one and this time, your legs better run faster than your mouth so the coffee remains piping hot by the time you get back here."


    "But sir..."


    "Be on your way, Demi. Don¡¯t test me."


    "Is that any way to treat your stand-in secretary?" Josh interrupts from the doorway. Honestly, I have never been happier to see nosy Josh Randall. Today, his timing is divine.


    "She¡¯s working hard to fill in for Nessa and you treat her so discourteously? Try to recall that she¡¯s also your sister-inw." Josh covers a hand over his mouth. "Oh crap, that must be the reason you¡¯re treating her so badly. You can¡¯t kiss this one, can you?"


    "JOSH!" Asher threatens with hooded eyes. My ears prick at Josh¡¯sst statement. Asher kisses Nessa? Are they a thing? Oh shit. Could Asher be Nessa¡¯s baby daddy? The sweat dewing on Asher¡¯s face and his sudden hurry to excuse me from his office affirms my suspicion. When I shut the door behind me, I continue to gasp in shock. Inside, muffled sounds of raised voices between both men can be heard from Nessa¡¯s desk.


    Why do they hate each other so much? This can¡¯t be a mere office rivalry. What could Josh have against Asher and why does he boldly show his resentment without fearing for his job? Asher is Brett Rollins¡¯ son for goodness¡¯ sake and no matter how fond of an employee the boss might be, he will never favor him over his own son. So, why is Josh able to damn the consequences and proudly be a thorn in Asher¡¯s flesh? Does he have something on Asher or even Brett Rollins? It stings that I can¡¯t talk to Liam right now about all this.


    I think I need to befriend Josh. With a little ego stroking, that man will spill his guts in no time. The door to Asher¡¯s office swings open and Joshes out with a satisfied smirk on his face. I am guessing he won that round. He peers down at me and his smile flicks from proud to flirty. I return a sweet smile his way.


    "Hang in there, kiddo." With a gentle pat on my shoulder, he walks away. I spring to my feet, knock and enter Asher¡¯s office to see if he still needs his coffee. He has his back turned to the door. The second I enter, Asher almost chokes on the water he is using to down a white pill. In his shock, he drops the bottle of water and hisses loudly in anger at the wet mess on his plush rug.


    "What the hell are you still doing here?" He snarls at me, knocking over a drug in his poor attempt to swipe it off the desk and into the open drawer. "GET OUT, DEMI."


    "I¡¯m sorry sir, I thought..."


    "JUST GET OUT...AND NEVER COME BACK IN UNLESS I CALL YOU."


    Scared shitless, I hurry out of the door and shut it. What was that? Why was Asher freaking out so much because I walked in on him taking some pills? He should know that I for one would understand if he needs to take medication to relieve his stress given how much he works.


    Why did he act like he is hiding something? Is he hiding something? My mind reels back to his botched attempt to swiftly knock the drug case back into his drawer. What drug could that be and why is he so testy about it?


    With so many questions in my head, I make my way out to get Asher¡¯s coffee. I¡¯m certain he doesn¡¯t need it but wants some space from me. I could use a break from his erratic mood and his snarling too.


    I manage to get him a steaming cup of coffee. The rest of the day moves in a blur as Asher stays confined in his office, barely calling to ask for anything else. We onlymunicate through ourndlines. I don¡¯tin. I¡¯m grateful to catch a break.


    However, when the time rolls by and working hours are done, I linger a bit hoping to kill sometime before I have to go home. Asher appears surprised when he steps out of his office by eight thirty pm and finds me hunched over my desk.


    "What are you still doing here?" I blink away the mental exhaustion and drowsiness to peer up at him.


    "Nessa never went home before her boss did. I was only trying to emte her exemry dedication to work."


    His frown deepens. "By sleeping on your desk? Nessa never slept on her desk."


    I rub my tired eyes and stifle a yawn. "Like I said, I was trying to emte her. I didn¡¯t say I seeded." My stomach growls loudly. Crap. I skipped lunch. Asher hisses out a breath in frustration at the sound of my stomach.


    "You skipped lunch, didn¡¯t you? Get up. We are leaving. I¡¯ll send Duncan for your car."


    On our way home, he drives quietly while I munch a burrito. I already missed dinner and I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll survive if I have to wait till we get home before eating. When he parks smoothly in the garage, he stops me from getting down.


    Wordlessly, he leans close to wipe off food stains from my lips. In that brief moment with his eyes still t and cold, he reminds me bitterly of Ashton. I turn away to hide the moistness in my eyes, thank him for the ride and make my way inside.


    After getting ready for bed, I struggle to fall asleep. My pillow gets damp with drops of tears falling from my eyes each time I recall the few good moments Ashton and I had. Is he really over me? It¡¯s been days and he just keeps getting colder towards me. It¡¯s almost like he lost every memory of thest few weeks with me. Why am I the only one having sleepless nights?


    I sit up on my bed. I have to know if it¡¯s hopeless thinking we¡¯ll circle back to being friends again. I don¡¯t care that my phone is being tapped right now. I have a good story to dispel the suspicion when those brothers wonder how I untapped my phone. I load an anti-spyware in seconds and have the tapping blocked. Hopefully, I have a few hours before they notice.


    Immediately, I text Ashton through his second phone. I just need to know that the man I like is still in there somewhere. If he¡¯s gone, this will also be the closure I need to move on.


    [Hi Will. It¡¯s Dee. I know I hurt you badly and I¡¯ll never stop apologizing. I just want you to know that I totally understand if you hate me. I broke your trust after all. I still hope you can forgive me someday. P.S Your secret (beautiful, ck and curly hair) will always be safe with me so you don¡¯t need to worry. Goodnight.]


    Eyes misty, I plump my pillows and try not to cry myself to sleep. Why am I being so emotional? It¡¯s so embarrassing but the more I dry my eyes, the heavier the tears flow. My phone beeps next to me. Daring to hope, I make a quick grab for it hoping it¡¯s a reply from Will.


    "Please be Will." I hum a prayer before checking it.


    [I could never hate you, Dee-Will]

 Chapter 49

    <h4>Chapter 49: Chapter 49</h4>


    ASHTON


    [I could never hate you, Dee-Will]


    Why did I send her that? Shit. I wasn¡¯t thinking straight. I can¡¯t have Demi thinking we can ever be a thing. I promised Ashley to stay away. Sighing, I try to chuck my phone into my bedside drawer when another message beeps in. I know it¡¯s from Dee and I probably shouldn¡¯t continue chatting with her. But I am so curious to know what¡¯s been going on in her mind ever since I went cold turkey on her. Hence, I check the message.


    [Thank you. I thought I lost you.]


    I clench my fist and grit my teeth at the crying emoji that pops in after the message. Has she truly been crying? I haven¡¯t really been paying attention to her especially when we are in the same room. I get barely a second to skim my eyes over her face without setting off any warning bells in Ashley¡¯s head.


    During the past few days of actively trying to keep her out of my sight, I havee to depend on other cues like her scent when she enters a room I am in and the way her heels sound over the carpet, tiles and stone steps. I know when she¡¯s in the building and when she¡¯s not. It¡¯s like I went blind and my other senses came alive.


    [Can we talk? Somewhere away from here. I have a lot to say to you.]


    At hertest message, I chuck my phone into the side drawer. Now, it¡¯s getting messy. I can¡¯t encourage her. Putting my phone away is mostly to stop myself from being pulled in by my emotions and reigniting a me that should never have been lit between Demi and I. I have to be in control or both of us will sink and take the family down with us. I can¡¯t allow that.


    Ever since the night I gave Ashley Demi¡¯s passcode and they spent the night together, something died inside me. To cope, I like to imagine that whatever it was that died, it was necessary to awaken me to the danger lurking in the near future if I follow my heart without taking my head along.


    Feeling broken has allowed me to distance myself from Demi like we areplete strangers to each other. It has also allowed me to easily nk out memories of her from my mind and block further fantasies of her in my head.


    I have been leaving for work earlier than I usually do. I returnte hoping Demi isn¡¯t waiting by her door to talk to me and when I don¡¯t find her by her door, I ignore the sharp tug of pain. Demi hasn¡¯t tried calling or texting me either and I am guessing it¡¯s Ashley¡¯s influence. I¡¯m not mad at him. I¡¯d go mad with jealousy if the roles were reversed.


    Despite the days that have passed, I still haven¡¯t been able to wrap my head around things, especially myst night with Demi. In that one night, she literally admitted to being in love with me, lying to me and knowing my biggest insecurity!


    Ashley¡¯s request came at a time when I needed space from Demi because I am not ready to open up and have the tough conversations about the underlying reason behind my secret identity and insecurity with my hair.


    If Ash hadn¡¯t intervened, not much would be different between Demi and I. I would still be keeping her at arm¡¯s length because we can¡¯t move forward in our friendship without opening those cans of worms and I¡¯m not ready for any of that. Hence, I continue to ignore her firstly for my own sanity (even though it makes me look petty) and secondly, to stroke my brother¡¯s ego and stave off further jealousy on his part.


    More messages continue to trickle into my phone till I can¡¯t ignore it any longer. I grab the phone to switch it off when herst message gets my attention.


    [I know you¡¯re not sleeping. I can¡¯t sleep either. Say something, Will. I am losing my mind here. I just really need someone to talk to and right now, you¡¯re the only one I want to converse with. I really don¡¯t want toe knocking on your door tonight. That¡¯s how crazy I feel right now.]


    [Go to sleep, Dee. I¡¯m not doing this with you]


    [Please promise we would talk about everything soon and I¡¯ll try to fall asleep. Please...]


    It takes me a few seconds to think about it. [We will.]


    Finally, the messages end. I am both relieved and worried. Did I just betray my brother¡¯s trust by keeping in touch with his wife? In my defense, I make a mental note to rify things when I see Demi and ensure that I get her to focus on her rtionship with Ashley. That way, I wouldn¡¯t feel bad about our chat tonight.


    The next morning is super awkward. Demi hardly looks forlorn like the past couple of days. She sips her coffee with a small smile ying on her lips. Even mother notices her mood has improved.


    "Nessa will be resuming today." Demi exins. "I get to go back to my lessplicated role as an intern. No offense, boss." She nods to Asher who barely looks up from the stock market reports trilling on his iPad.


    "You won¡¯t remain an intern forever." Father chimes with a dry look. "And if you haven¡¯t learnt anything from this family, then know this; we don¡¯t shy away from opportunities to grow, we embrace them."


    "Y-Yes father, I mean yes sir." Demi nods. Mom closes a reassuring hand over Demi¡¯s fingers and winks at her. Then she looks over at Asher who has barely touched his food.


    "What happened to Nessa?"


    Asher¡¯s eyebrows wing up in surprise.


    "She went on a sick leave." He replies, hastily sipping his coffee and nearly burning his tongue.


    "Oh, why didn¡¯t you get a temp secretary then? Why saddle Demi with both roles?"


    "It¡¯s okay, mother. I¡¯m so wet around the ears anymore. I¡¯ve learnt a lot in a short time. Besides, I offered to handle Nessa¡¯s duties. I wasn¡¯t forced to do it."


    The look Asher gives Demi tells me that that isn¡¯t nearly the case. I know he shoved it down her throat so why is she covering for him? Demi gives him a quick nce and a small smile that I don¡¯t miss. Something ruptures inside me. Are these two friends now?


    When her eyes wheel towards me, I lurch to my feet and grab a bottle of water to go.


    "I¡¯m off."


    On my way to work, I keep trying not to read too much meaning to the small smile Demi gave Asher. Why does it bother me so much? Give how green I feel, I begin to understand what Ashley must be going through and how he must feel like a joke to Demi due to her affections for me. I am not even Demi¡¯s husband and I lost my appetite over a harmless smile she shot at my own brother?


    "C¡¯mon Ashton, this is ridiculous. You have to tame this. It¡¯s not healthy at all."


    At work, I blot out the disconcerting thought of Demi¡¯s affection for me dwindling due to our estrangement and try to focus on my client. The woman justpleted the paperwork for the purchase of a Mercedes G ss. She sits with her legs crossed, silently watching me behind her amber tinted sses.


    Her gold studded fingers taper off with blood-red nails that are like ws. Those ws gently tap my desk in an annoying rhythm while I sign my part of the documents. I try to nk out the childishness especially after she tantly ignores my polite request that she kindly stop the act as I find it distracting.


    "You and your brothers are a sight for sore eyes." She begins with a sultry curl of her lips. "I wonder where you got that from."


    I hate the small talk but Gris will die of second-hand embarrassment if I leave our customer hanging. Like he can read my mind, he tacitly implores me to indulge the olderdy. I stifle a low grunt and beam up at the woman sitting across from me.


    "I guess we have our father to thank for the genes."


    The loud scoff from the woman makes me look directly at her. Gris tenses beside me, knowing how fast my anger can brew.


    "I¡¯m sorry." She says taking off her sses and sitting upright. "The thing is, I¡¯ve seen your father. I mean, we were old schoolmates. I know what he looked like in his hay days and this," she says stabbing the pointy end of her right index finger at me, "...is far from it."


    "Oh, he was much better looking?" Gris asks because I remain silent.


    "Oh no, I wouldn¡¯t say better looking. The quads are handsome in an elegant way. Brett was equally handsome but in a gruff way, you know. While you and your brothers have golden manes for hair and blue eyes, Brett had rich coffee brown eyes and a short cap of ck hair that wouldn¡¯t grow beyond his neck. It literally hugged his head."


    "If you know my father so well, you would also know that he is married to a blond woman."


    "Oh, I do. Barbara is lovely, always looks like a painting in every photograph. But the hair color isn¡¯t the only stark difference between you boys and Brett..."


    I¡¯m done with her. I surge to my feet and shove the papers at her.


    "That will be all, Mrs. Randall. My staff will have your car delivered to your preferred location in the next thirty minutes unless you would rather drive it home yourself. Thank you for choosing Rollins Automobiles. Have a terrific day."


    I can tell from her narrowed eyes that she questions my home training but I don¡¯t give two cents about her opinion. She can retract the deal for all I care. I keep selling out cars even in my absence from work. Her bad review will be like a drop in the oceanpared to the thousands of good reviews our clients have given us over the years.


    Mrs. Randall feigns a smile and grabs her documents.


    "I hope to see you again. There¡¯s still so much we can learn about each other." While she winks at me, she nearly walks into M at the door. Gris dly catches her before she loses her bnce. She mumbles an apology to M and takes Gris¡¯ hand all the way out.


    "Wow. How does it feel to be pulling women your mother¡¯s age?" M chuckles, plunking her bag on my desk.


    "Not exciting, trust me."


    M helps herself to a seat. She looks resplendent in her cropped sleeveless top, high-waisted jeans and sneakers. Her hair cascades around her bare back in bouncy waves. It¡¯s the first stylish and functional outfit I¡¯ve seen her in. I wonder if she made an effort to look this chic andfortable knowing how much I prefer it.


    "You called?"


    I did. I wanted a distraction. If I had known my client will stir the pot, I probably wouldn¡¯t have called M but she¡¯s here now so I¡¯ll just have to entertain her.


    "I told you. I missed you."


    "Yeah, right." She replies, rolling her eyes.


    "Let¡¯s go racing? How about that?" Her eyes light up at my suggestion.


    "You¡¯re dressed for it. A little wind in your hair will give you the blow out you never asked for. Plus, I need a partner to stick her head out of the car and scream out her lungs when I win." M takes my outstretched hand.


    "What you¡¯re getting is apetitor not a cheerleader. I¡¯ll race you and beat you."


    I snort at her confidence. "If I had a penny for every time I heard that one."


    "Loser owes winner two truths and one dare."


    She¡¯s so weird but I shrug in eptance and lead the way to my favorite race track. Two hourster, I am taking off my helmet and struggling not to give my tires a kick. M¡¯s Bentley is already parked ahead of the finish line. She¡¯s perched on the bumper, a goofy smile on her face.


    This is my biggest loss ever. Even Ashal has nevere in at first ce by bloody nine seconds ahead of me. I thought I was fine but my mind is still very crammed. That¡¯s the only exnation for this woeful defeat. It¡¯s either that or M just might give me a run for my money.


    "I am a little out of it today." I say, shrugging off my gloves.


    "Don¡¯t be a sore loser, Will. I am undefeated."


    I look up at her. Addressing me as Will has never been a problem. I do fancy it but right now, it only reminds me of Dee.


    M is still smiling at me. As my eyes skim her beautiful face, it just urs to me that the two women who know my secret identity as Will and my true hair color coincidentally have a crush on me and both promise to keep my secret. I don¡¯t know how I feel about straining both wonderful women along. I don¡¯t want to lose either of them.


    "Something wrong?"


    "No."


    "Would you prefer I call you Ashton?"


    "Either one works. They¡¯re both me." When I start heading back, M¡¯s words surprise me.


    "No. They¡¯re both different versions of you. I call you Ashton when you¡¯re being aloof and serious like your father expects. I call you Will when you¡¯re carefree and wild. For the record, I like Will better. That¡¯s the man I met." Her eyes dip to her hands when I turn to look at her. "That¡¯s the man I like."


    My heart skips a beat when she looks at me with a sultry gaze. I mope at her, unable to form words. "Do me." She says with a shrug. "Do you prefer the professional businesswoman M or thetest race car champion?"


    My tongue loosens up a bit. "Why can¡¯t it be both?" She is stunned by my response. "They¡¯re all you and they¡¯re both amazing. Each onees in handy. There¡¯s no reason to dislike or prefer one to another." A deep blush seeps into M¡¯s cheeks. I look away to give her space for an embarrassed smile. I guess she wasn¡¯t expecting that. I hope I didn¡¯t justplicate our friendship by giving her butterflies.


    My phone beeps in my pocket.


    [You barely touched your breakfast. Don¡¯t skip lunch-Dee]


    My heart gallops just seeing her name.


    "Another date?" M asks,ing up behind me. "I thought you were done going on those." I quickly shove the phone back in my pocket and shoot her a thin smile. "I¡¯m serious. You never told me the details about thest one but I could tell it didn¡¯t go so well. Why do you still keep that number? You really should be done with that."


    "I¡¯ll drop you." I tell her, tugging her hand.


    ***


    Due to Demi¡¯s text, I feel revved up after my sore defeat at the race track. I refuse to question how a simple text can light up my day so bright that losing to a woman in my favorite sport fails to dampen my spirit. I gradually watch the time crawl while Gris handles a presentation amongst our senior staff. When a question is addressed to me, I blink, confused.


    "I¡¯m sorry guys. Can we raincheck this meeting? I¡¯m not feeling my best right now."


    "No problem, sir." Stan, one of my loyal staff answers. As they all file out of the conference room, I get on my feet.


    "Gris, I¡¯ll be heading out for lunch. I might take longer than an hour. Text me if anything urgentes up."


    It only urs to me that I don¡¯t have a fail proof excuse for visiting when I park neatly in the underground parking lot of Rollins HQ. I do a quick sweep with my eyes and spot Demi¡¯s car. Great. She hasn¡¯t stepped out for lunch. I get to see her.


    The story I am going with is that I am here to see Asher and have a private talk with him regarding Iman. That¡¯s a conversation he has been stonewalling for some time now but we are definitely going to talk about it today.


    I don¡¯t n on interacting with Demi for long as my promise to Ashley still stands. However, I n on taking the opportunity to say a few words since I can¡¯t snob my sister-inw in front of the staff.


    "Ashton?" She mutters in surprise as I step through the elevator and make my way to her amidst the gasps.


    "Demi."


    She stutters a bit and I silently enjoy it.


    "Is Asher in?"


    "Um, yes."


    "I¡¯m here to see him." I want to say more but this is as far as I go if I must stay focused. When I turn to leave, Demi¡¯s fingers brush over mine like she meant to pull me back but chickened outst minute. It¡¯s all in her eyes. It takes a lot of willpower to ignore the spark in them and make a beeline for Asher¡¯s office. I knock twice and let myself in.


    Asher appears shocked to see me. "Ash, what are you doing here? You didn¡¯t call."


    "I didn¡¯t want you to make an excuse not to see me."


    Asher¡¯s eyes keep flicking towards his bathroom door.


    "What? Why would I not want to see you? What is this about?"


    I square my shoulders. "Four letters, IMAN."


    Just then, the bathroom door opens. His secretary steps out and is shocked Asher haspany. My eyes catch the pregnancy strip in her hand before she hides it behind her back. I shoot my brother a steely look. Nessa hides the strip in her hand and hurriedly leaves the room. I take one full breath and zero in on Asher¡¯s face. I can¡¯t believe him.


    "She¡¯s not pregnant." He tells me. "I mean, she was but now she¡¯s not. I had to confirm."


    "Really Ash? Your secretary? And you had her abort your baby?"


    Asher scoffs and returns behind his desk. "Can we talk about why you¡¯re here? Iman, right?"


    I can¡¯t believe how casual he is being. He¡¯s right though. I am here for something else.


    "What exactly are you doing regarding Iman? You said you would handle it but all I¡¯ve seen you do is carry on with your life like an attempt wasn¡¯t recently made to end it. What¡¯s going on, Asher? This is unlike you."


    "What¡¯s going on is that I am being careful, Ash. Iman isn¡¯t working alone. You told me someone knocked you out back at his house when you trashed him, right? That someone knows we are vengeful towards Iman. If he ends up dead somewhere, the police wille snooping around us first because we have the motive to exact revenge on him. We will be used of taking thew into our hands and the media will have a field day. I can¡¯t have that."


    "So, what¡¯s your n?"


    "Hit him when he least expects it. His fate will not be linked to us. Till then, let that motherfucker wallow in fear and eventually let his guard down. Don¡¯t worry, bro. I¡¯ll let you take the first punch when I get my hands on him."


    Someone knocks on his door and we both turn as father pokes his head in. My outfit gives me away.


    "Ashton? What a surprise?"


    "Hello father. I just stopped by to see Ash. I was just on my way out."


    "Nonsense." He grabs my wrist. "I came to invite your brother to lunch. He never epts my invitation. I am d I can have another son at lunch. You won¡¯t turn me down, would you?" I am ufortable with this but father has never personally invited me to lunch before. I oblige him because it¡¯s the first time and I don¡¯t want him to feel bad.


    "Mr. Rollins, I..." Josh looks surprised to see me.


    "Oh, Josh,e in." Father urges the young man by the door. "Ashton, you remember Josh, right? Josh, this is my second son, Ashton. He will be joining us for lunch."


    Excuse me? My eyes ask father. What sort of setup is this? I am hardlyfortable having lunch alone with my father and he is going to drag an employee along? Josh shoots out a hand to shake me. I shake his hand. His grip is very firm. His eyes are bright and slightly mischievous.


    "I¡¯lle too." Asher says with his hands in his pocket. Relief floods my heart at the sound of those words so much so that I nearly miss the cold exchange between Josh and Asher. I know they¡¯re not each other¡¯s favorite work friend. I don¡¯t me Josh. Asher is verypetitive and that makes it difficult to build deep connections with colleagues.


    When I suggest that Demi tags along, father and Asher surprisingly reject the idea. Asher insists that Demi has ns with Anna so I don¡¯t argue.


    We all visit a popr restaurant close to the business district. Shortly after we arrive, the paparazzi is tipped off and they cram the entrance to the restaurant. Father urges me to ignore them and focus on my oysters. I flick a nce at Asher who seems to be brooding.


    "You good?" I ask him.


    "Yeah. I guess I am not as hungry as I thought."


    Josh orders the same thing as father, even his drink of choice. I get irritated watching him interrupt every conversation father tries to have with me or Asher. For a good looking and undoubtedly handsome man, he is a shameless brownnoser.


    "How¡¯s thepany?" Father tries again. "Your financial report for thest quarter was impressive."


    "Thanks father. We are working on a new ad campaign for our recent luxury car collection."


    "That¡¯s impressive."


    "If only his clients thought so."


    I turn at Josh¡¯sment. "What was that?"


    He drops his fork and beams at me. "Making a high profit isn¡¯t always the best indicator of a business¡¯ longevity. It¡¯s the goodwill they rack up along the way and such goodwilles from their clients. If you¡¯re rude to your clients, word will eventually spread and the sales will start trickling."


    My mind does a quick run through. "Josh Randall, right? That uncouth woman that patronized us this morning must be your mother. You two are definitely cut from the same cloth." His pained expression gives me sterling pleasure as I match the fire in his eyes.


    "That¡¯s enough." Father intervenes. "Ashton, what is this about you being rude to a customer?"


    "I wasn¡¯t rude, I was direct. Mrs. Randall obviously had a lot of time on hands and preferred to rob me of mine by engaging in idle talk. I wasn¡¯t down for it, especially when she had a lot to say about my father. Was I wrong to have abruptly finished our business dealings and carried on with my day?"


    Father sips his water to hide his embarrassment. I don¡¯t get it. When I turn to Asher, his eyes are t.


    "You better watch the way you talk about my mother."


    "Or what?" I ask josh, dumping my napkin on the table. "Who the fuck do you think you¡¯re talking to?"


    "Asher, talk to your brother." Father orders in a low voice.


    "I think I just got back my appetite." Asher returns, choosing to dig into his food.


    "Mr. Rollins, call your son to order."


    Josh¡¯s audacity makes me snap as I surge to my feet. "Mr. Rollins? Are you kidding me, Josh? What right do you have to address my father so casually?"


    "SIT DOWN ASHTON."


    "TELL THAT TO YOUR ASSLICKING EMPLOYEE, FATHER. HE CLEARLY DOESN¡¯T KNOW HIS PLACE."


    "I KNOW MY PLACE." Josh returns, his red eyes sizzling with rage. Father¡¯s head is already in his hands. Josh ms his napkin on the table and gets on his feet too. "I KNOW MY PLACE, ASHTON. I KNOW THAT I AM ALLOWED TO ADDRESS MY FATHER INFORMALLY TOO."


    "Father?" I scan father¡¯s and Asher¡¯s face over the rubbish this employee just spewed. Their expressions don¡¯t ease my shock.


    "FATHER???" I repeat Josh¡¯s im, pinning my father with a death stare. "WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS BUFFOON TALKING ABOUT, BRETT ROLLINS?"

 Chapter 50

    <h4>Chapter 50: Chapter 50</h4>


    ASHER


    It had toe out someday and maybe today isn¡¯t exactly ideal but Ashley and I have been lugging this secret alone for far too long. My world has been falling to pieces ever since father broke his promise to me. I figured it¡¯s time he feels a few thorns of his own.


    Ashton doesn¡¯t take it well and that is no surprise. He walks right out of the restaurant and knocks down one of the cameras of an annoying guy that got too close to his face to get a shot. The ruckus outside is wild. Thankfully, we are at a distant table from the handful of elite customers in here.


    Father is mad that I could have stopped Ashton but refused to. He isn¡¯t wrong. I need him to see that my brothers and I can very well destroy everything he¡¯s built if he ever thinks of casting us away.


    We helped him build Rollins Empire and with our poprity, we expedited its growth to the top. Blood or not, we¡¯ve earned the right to be called sons. I won¡¯t let father oust us of our rightful positions or snatch my birthright so easily.


    "Did you enjoy that?" Father grunts. I polish off my steak and wipe my oily lips with my napkin before answering.


    "Yeah, the steak was a ten out of ten."


    "Don¡¯t get cute with me, Asher. Why did you just sit there and watch your brother have a meltdown? You could have calmed him but you chose not to."


    "Meltdown?" It¡¯sughable that he doesn¡¯t know what Ashton¡¯s meltdown looks like. "That wasn¡¯t a meltdown, father. Ashton was holding back. If he had had a meltdown, the cops will already be here, as well as the firefighters." I dump my napkin. "You broke your promise to me. There¡¯s no reason for me to keep mine. Enjoy your lunch with your precious son."


    "Asher, please sit down."


    Please? Is father really pleading right now. Did Christmase early? Like my day can¡¯t get any more surprising, father ignores Josh¡¯s nudging and proceeds to bargain with me.


    "Let¡¯s talk, okay? At the office."


    "No. No more empty promises. Put whatever you have to say in writing, preferably in your will. Until I see the changes, I¡¯m going to let Ashton blow hot even if it ends up burning our empire to the ground. You better hurry if you don¡¯t want to lose more than your son¡¯s trust today. Ashal and mom are next."


    The mention of thest two makes father break out in a sweat.


    "Fine. I¡¯ll call mywyer. I¡¯ll adjust my session n back to the way things were."


    "Dad!" Josh pipes in protest.


    "Not now, Josh. This is a serious matter." Father turns back to me. "Everything will be handled before the close of work, that I promise you but for now, I need you to get your brother before he causes far more damage than we can recover from. Please Asher!" I take my precious time thinking about it. "I give you my word. Please, think about your mother." It¡¯s a sweet sight to see father desperate and less in control for a change.


    "Fine, but if you fail to honor your word, then Ashton isn¡¯t the only one you¡¯ll have to worry about." Then in hushed tones, I lean close to him. "My brothers and I have given our lives to Rollins Empire. We¡¯ve been working for you long before we were legally allowed to. We have paid the price with our sweat and blood. I dare you to sit there and tell me that we haven¡¯t earned the right to be called your sons simply because a different blood flows in our veins! We are adopted and just as legitimate as your precious bastard over there."


    When Josh tries to pback, father hushes him. I tug my suit closer.


    "He¡¯ll never understand what we had to go through to get to this point but you do, you made us go through hell in our childhood. If anyone deserves preferential treatment as sons, it¡¯s your quads. You know I¡¯m right."


    Angrily, I make my way out of the restaurant to go find Ashton. There¡¯s only one ce he¡¯ll go to blow off steam. By the time I arrive the race track, Ashton has already crashed his car into a mound of sand and is currently sparring with one of the managers who wouldn¡¯t let him back on the track.


    "ASH! ASHTON, THAT¡¯S ENOUGH."


    A firm fist rams into my face, blinding me for a few seconds. When I touch the sore point, blood trickles from my broken nose. Ashton is still red in the face and heaving angrily. I am not pissed. I expected this reaction. I thank the manager and politely ask him to excuse my brother and I.


    "Stay the hell away from me or the next one will have you t on your back."


    I follow Ashton regardless of his threats.


    "Trust me, I was prepared to be locked away for life when I found out. I wanted to kill father with my bare hands."


    "Oh yeah? Let me guess. You chickened out because you wanted to secure his seat first? Get lost, Asher. You¡¯re just as pathetic as he is."


    I grab his arm and shove him to the ground. "You¡¯re not the only hot head in the family, you know that?" The only difference between us is that I allow myself to think about the consequences before I decide if throwing my fist is the best thing to do. Ashton rarely thinks when his anger takes a hold of him. That¡¯s what makes him more dangerous.


    Ashton dusts himself up. "You want to take me on? Come on then?"


    Before I can say more, he throws me another punch that splits my lower lip. More blood. Just great. He barely allows me to recover before he tackles me to the ground and straddles me.


    "How could you keep this from us? What promises did he make to you to make you hide such a despicable thing from your own brothers?"


    His hand is poised to rain fatal blows to my face but he stops himself. I am relieved he¡¯s fighting the rage. Tears shimmer in his narrowed eyes and my heart breaks as I wonder what he will do when he learns that we are actually adopted.


    "Ashton, calm down."


    "I hate you. I hate you so much right now. How could you condone this?"


    "Why do I condone anything father does? I DO IT FOR MY BROTHERS AND MOTHER! You think I enjoy being hispdog? I¡¯ve got too much pride for that bullshit or can¡¯t you tell? When I learnt about Josh and watched bitterly how father bonded with him at work like he didn¡¯t already have four sons, I worried that Josh and his conniving mother woulde after everything our family¡¯s got; mom¡¯s ce in father¡¯s life and our ce in his. I had to bargain with father to ensure our respective positions in the empire are secured with me at the helm of affairs after his retirement. In exchange, I had to keep his dirty secret. I did this for us, Ashton."


    Ashton¡¯s tears roll down his face as he gets off me. He pulls his knees up and buries his face in his hands.


    "How long have you known?"


    I dust sand particles off my body and hair. "Two years."


    "Fuck."


    "I¡¯m sorry, Ash. I really thought I could keep you guys from learning this ugly truth for much longer."


    "Do the others know?"


    "Just Ashely."


    "Ashley knew and I didn¡¯t?" His temper spikes again.


    "I didn¡¯t mean to tell him. I was drunk and I spilled in front of him. If I had to tell one person, you know it would have been you. I was just afraid that you wouldn¡¯t appreciate my motive for keeping this to myself. If it makes you feel better, I¡¯d just say I was trying to spare mom the heartbreak."


    Ashton shakes his head and wipes his eyes. "Now it all makes sense. That¡¯s why you hate Josh. It was always more than office rivalry."


    "That prick rubs it in my face everyday how ted father is to have him in his life."


    "I don¡¯t get it. Why is father so ted to have one more son though? He already has four of us. It¡¯s not like he was childless prior so why..." Something dark flits across his eyes and I instantly know he has figured it out. Shit. I am not quite ready for the next tranche of usations and punches. Ashton¡¯s eyes flick to my face. His expression is sorrowful.


    "Mrs. Randall, Josh¡¯s mom was at my office this morning and she had a lot to say about father and how we don¡¯t look anything like him in his hay days. The description she gave of father in his twenties just so happens to fit perfectly with Josh¡¯s image." He swallows as he prepares to ask me a touch question. I also inhale deeply. "Are we father¡¯s biological sons?"


    "No. We were adopted at birth."


    Ashton staggers to his feet and pulls at his hair. I quickly go to him but keep my distance. "Ashton, we are still his legitimate heirs."


    "Does Brett know that? Why would he use our inheritance as a bargaining chip to hide his adultery if he considers us his heirs? Shit, Asher, I can¡¯t believe this. I just c...I can¡¯t." I pull him in for a hug.


    "It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m here."


    "Was that why he was so hard on us during our childhood? I didn¡¯t want to question our paternity then but it all makes sense now. He never truly epted us so he tried to mold us into his idealized version of perfect sons. Was he trying to do that so he could feel like he created us?"


    "I don¡¯t know. It doesn¡¯t matter now." I pull back, holding Ashton by his shoulders. "I¡¯ve tormented myself with more questions than you can imagine. You shouldn¡¯t do that to yourself. That hole is difficult to crawl out of, trust me. I just need you to remember what¡¯s important even as you allow yourself to feel. What¡¯s important is preserving our home front and sparing mom¡¯s feelings. What¡¯s important is ensuring father is never swayed by his biological son to dupe us of our inheritance. What¡¯s important is that we brothers remain banded together forever. The second they cause a rift between us, they win. Will you remember that, Ash?"


    "I will."


    "Thank you." I hug him once more.


    "I¡¯m sorry you had to endure so much because of us."


    "I would do it all over again for you guys and mother."


    On our way back, Ashton makes me promise to tell Ashal. He can¡¯t be the only one in the dark. I agree. My phone beeps with a message from father. He sends me pictures of his adjusted session n and signature. My name is boldly written on it.


    "I have to make a quick stop at the office. Father and I have unfinished business." I tell Ashton. He says nothing as he continues to stare out the window of the car. "Let¡¯s go clubbing tonight. We all need a break. We could drink away our sorrows for one night."


    "Whatever."


    ***


    After I conclude my business with father, Ashton sends me the location of the new club we are to meet at. He also informs me that everyone else is already waiting for me.


    [I¡¯ll be there in twenty] I text back.


    The club isn¡¯t too far from where I am cruising right now but I continue ahead and make a quick detour to a small bar in a remote part of town. It had to be this far to avoid suspicion. It helps to know that all my brothers are at a particr location and there¡¯s a slim chance I could be followed.


    I park my car a few blocks away and stroll over to the bar. There¡¯s no one else at the shabby bar when I enter, except for the bartender, an old man with straggly wisps of grey hair on his head.


    My dark shades are on. I walk up to him and order a drink.


    "Where the hell is he?" I mutter silently just before I feel the sharp edge of a knife poke my side. A small smile curves my lips as I finish my ginger ale.


    "You¡¯re one bold motherfucker, you know that?" I ask chuckling.


    "Just so you know, I brought friends in case you think of trying anything stupid." Iman returns. He looks haggard with bloodshot eyes. Good. He hasn¡¯t been sleeping well like I hoped. I toss my head and nce at the hillbillies tagging close to him.


    "Those guys?" Iugh derisively, leaping off my stool. I dig into my pocket and unearth my phone as I approach the guys. "I¡¯ll pay each one ten grand to teach that fucker behind me a hard lesson. First man to draw blood gets double."


    In a sh, Iman¡¯s protectors turn their evil eyes towards him. The bartender disappears behind a door leading away from the bar. Iman springs for a bottle and smashes it on the counter. Iugh at how scared he is.


    No matter what he says to dissuade them, his friends refuse to budge as they advance towards him, brandishing the knives they had hidden in different parts of their bodies. I help myself to some tequ while the trashing continues.


    "Enough." I yell when he lies crumpled on the floor, his shirt stained with blood. "I need him conscious." I swiftly make a wire transfer to the men and watch them disperse. Crouching on one knee, I wave at Iman whose left eye is a swollen purple patch and partially shut. "Friends, huh? Bring as many as you can from your shitty circle and I bet you every time that none of them will be able to resist my money. I¡¯ll have them deal with you every time."


    "Please, don¡¯t kill me."


    "If I wanted you dead, do you think I would have stopped them from finishing you off?" I slice my foot into his side and watch him buckle in pain. When I recall Anna¡¯s immobile body on the cobblestones with blood oozing from her head, the anger triples and I kick Iman even harder. "HOW DARE YOU COME AFTER ME? WHO THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?" He spews blood from his mouth as my shoe connects with his head. "IF YOU DIE BY MY HAND, CONSIDER IT AN HONORABLE DEATH. WHAT YOU SHOULD NEVER DO IS TRY TO GET EVEN, EVER, PIECE OF SHIT."


    "P-please..."


    I stop myself, not because of his pleas but because I have an appointment with my brothers and don¡¯t want to arrive with blood on my clothes or shoes. I lean down again.


    "Get yourself treated. You and I are far from done. I¡¯ll try to forgive your betrayal this one time because I still have use for you but if you ever dare to betray me again, I¡¯ll burn you alive."


    "Lie low." I add on my way out. "If my brothers get their hands on you first, I won¡¯t be able to save you."


    I¡¯m not nearly done with him. I had nned to get even and kill him but that all changed after I found a listening device under a table in the game room. I was utterly shocked that someone had been listening to my brothers and I for God knows how long.


    I have no definite clue who could be behind this but I strongly suspect Demi. I will always suspect Demi. Though we have domestic staff who go in and out of the room more frequently than anyone else while cleaning, I have a strong hunch that Demi isn¡¯t innocent in this.


    I had nned to inform my brothers but I know exactly how that conversation will go. Ashley and Ashton will go to bat for Demi, especially since we didn¡¯t find anything strange when we tapped her phone. I will be made to look like a fool without definite proof of my suspicions.


    However, I n to gather proof. Demi has been to the game room twice now. I don¡¯t know how but she must have nted the device. I feel it in my marrow. She¡¯s definitely not as sweet and innocent as she looks. There¡¯s just an aura about her that no one else seems to pick up except me.


    I had lied to her that day in her house. I don¡¯t have it out for her because of what transpired at the blue cove. I wasn¡¯t even there that night. I met her for the first time when she came into the mansion iming to be married to one of the Rollins¡¯ quads.


    However, I had to throw her off because I suspected she was getting dangerously close to the truth. Somehow, she must have deciphered it and refused to exin what her obsession with finding her real husband is.


    I won¡¯t let her nse to fruition even if it means keeping my assaulter alive long enough to expose Demi¡¯s lies.


    Long after we tell Ashal the whole truth about our adoption and father¡¯s other son, he sits in a pensive silence. The rest of us exchange worried nces with each other. Ashal has always been known for his quiet brooding but something about this one feels eerie.


    "Ashal? Say something man." Ashley urges him.


    "Give me a minute." His eyes are red hot when he finally looks up and skims our faces. "Mom must never find out. I believe everyone has had their fill of throwing punches and swearing. Whatever we do, mom must nevere to know of this." His eyes are moist with tears. I doff my hat to him over his impable control. Ever since he and Olivia refreshed their rtionship, Ashal has been faithful with therapy. I guess it¡¯s working or we could have had a murder on our hands.


    "Understood." I speak for the rest of us. "I¡¯m proud of you, Ash. You took it better than the rest of us."


    I guess I spoke too soon as Ashal¡¯s face darkens with rage. I follow his eyes and that of my brothers to the figure that confidently walks into our private section in the club.


    "Well, I¡¯ll be damned. I couldn¡¯t believe it when the rumor got to me that you guys have managed to end up in my little haven. My apologies, I haven¡¯t had the chance to properly introduce myself to the Rollins quads altogether." He passes his drink to his left hand and shoots out the right for a handshake. "Hi. I¡¯m Josh Rollins, the only biological son of the billionaire and business mogul, Brett Rollins!"

 Chapter 51

    <h4>Chapter 51: Chapter 51</h4>


    ASHTON


    What the fuck is this fool doing here and how dare hee to us like this?


    "You are insane toe here, Randall." Asher quips, dropping his drink on the table so roughly it spills over.


    Ashley surges to his feet "Looks like someone has a death wish." The rest of us follow. Josh retracts his hand with a sly smile.


    "I guess we won¡¯t be having any family reunions anytime soon, huh?"


    "You better get the fuck out of here before you have to be carried out in a body bag." I threaten him, clenching my fist.


    "Woah." Josh takes a few steps back. "Don¡¯t you think your anger is misced? If anything, I should be the one feeling cheated after being fatherless for most of my life while my dad catered to another man¡¯s kids."


    "You bloody..." Asher cuts me off by stepping in front of me.


    "Calm down y¡¯all. He¡¯s ying mind games. He¡¯s trying to trick us into throwing the first punch." Then he turns to Josh who has a lopsided grin on his face. "You didn¡¯t have much to say except whining like a bitch when father signed the papers earlier. Is that why you¡¯vee here looking for someone to give your sorry ass a beating? What? You¡¯re hoping we trash you so you can run to daddy and force his hand in your favor?"


    Asher turns to us andughs. "That¡¯s the only way he ever gets father to do anything for him. He has to resort to emotional ckmail. For a so-called biological son, that¡¯s sad and pathetic."


    Josh sips his drink and tries not to let his anger take him over the edge. "Yeah right, like you didn¡¯t threaten my dad to make you his sessor. You knew I had copped that position just by existing. That¡¯s why you were always threatened by my mere presence."


    Heughs and scans our faces. "That¡¯s all the proof I need to know what a threat I pose to all four of you. As long as you know that I am the real deal and not pawns like the rest of you, I¡¯ll sleep with a big smile on my face."


    He has barely finished talking when Ashal closes the distance between them in one leap and smashes Josh¡¯s face with a hard punch. Asher gets knocked down as Ashal straddles Josh and rains fatal blows on his face.


    "Fuck.You." He chimes with each punch he delivers till I grab his hand and drag him off his victim with Ashley¡¯s help. When he continues to resist and manages to wrench his arm off Ashley, he whacks him across the face so hard Ashley topples over the table. Drink bottles and sses tter to the floor, most of them shattering to pieces. Before he can hit me, I knock him out cold and gentlyy him down on the couch.


    Josh picks himself up and spits out a clump of blood. His face is bruised and bloody. He merelyughs, shing blood-stained teeth.


    "You all will pay for this. Father was right. You are all defective."


    Asher steps up to him. "Apparently, we are not defective enough or you¡¯ll be lying dead by now. You¡¯re lucky we still have a smidgen of self-control. Now, get out of here before we change our minds."


    Josh¡¯s face clouds over dangerously. When Asher turns his back to him, I notice Josh snag a splinter of the shattered bottle on the floor. Without thinking, I lunge forward and block his attempt to stab Asher fatally with my left arm. The sharp bottle pierces my arm deeply, eliciting a low grunt of pain before I kick Josh with my foot.


    Blood immediately starts flowing down my stinging arm, dropping on the floor.


    "Ashton?" Asher shrieks, rushing to check the cut. Ashley hurries to grab Josh but thetter takes to his heels through the door he hade from.


    "How bad is it?" Ashley asks, returning. Ashales around just then. One look at his surrounding and he looks up at us, perplexed.


    "Ashton, your arm."


    "I¡¯ll be fine." I assure Ashal to ease the fear in his eyes.


    His face crumples with nerves. "D-Did I d-do it?"


    "NO." I assure him again. "No, you didn¡¯t. You can¡¯t take credit for every fight." I feign a weak smile because I actually feel my strength seeping away. Slowly, I stagger to the couch.


    "You¡¯re losing too much blood. We have to get you to the hospital." To my surprise, Ashley offers his new, designer muffler and ties my arm to stop the blood flow. "It¡¯s not stopping."


    Asher shrieks. "We need to get him to the hospital, now!"


    He continues to bark orders. Somewhere along the line, my vision gets blurry and the nervous calls to the hospital and for help gets too faint for me to hear. Thest thing I recall is Asher¡¯s face assuring me that I¡¯ll be fine.


    ***


    "Hey champ." Ashley¡¯s face and two exact replicas hover over me as my eyes crack open. I look around the room and realize I actually ended up in the hospital. "It¡¯s alright. The doctor said the wound wasn¡¯t too deep. You¡¯re all bandaged up and, in a few hours, we will be hitting the road."


    They help me up to a sitting position and plump my pillow behind me. I give my bandaged arm a long look.


    "Is that going to leave a scar?"


    "Yes." Ashal answers. "It¡¯ll likely leave a scar but the doctor said it would grow faint over time."


    Asher takes my hurt arm. "It¡¯s alright. We are all going to get simr scars too, like we¡¯ve always done. You just worry about feeling better."


    Since our childhood, we¡¯ve tried to remain as mysterious as possible by making sure none of us has an obvious distinguishing feature. This led us to cutting ourselves in the exact same ce a brother got hurt. We even had to have matching tattoos.


    It¡¯s been a while since we had to clone a brother¡¯s scar. Though I am grateful for their love, I am skeptical about letting them match my scar. I think that practice is getting stale and I love having differences now even though they have to remain hidden.


    "You guys don¡¯t have to. I¡¯ll just wear a long-sleeved shirt in public."


    "You can¡¯t be too careful." Ashley disagrees. "It¡¯s our rule, remember? No distinguishing tattoos or injuries in conspicuous ces, not even birthmarks. We are notining so don¡¯t sweat it, Ash." He gives my shoulder a light punch. The rest of them beam at me and I return a weak smile.


    "On that note, I owe you one of this." Asher jokes, pointing to his sore lip where I punched him earlier. That will heal in time but I get that he¡¯s trying to humor me.


    I feign a small smile that fades the second father walks into my hospital room with Duncan in tow. I am still livid at him, as I am sure my brothers all are. Of course, we should expect this when we visit our family doctor.


    Asher blocks father¡¯s path as he tries toe over to my bed.


    "This is hardly a good time or ce, father. No one wants to see you right now, especially Ashton." Father¡¯s face hardens.


    "You all are my sons and right now, I need to see how Ashton is doing. We can deal with other matterster." He brushes past Asher andes to stand next to my bed. When he tries to touch my bandaged arm, I heft it away from him and pin him with a steely gaze.


    "He is really your son." I begin, brimming with anger. "Both of you like to go to ces where you¡¯re not wanted."


    "I¡¯m so sorry Ashton. I know you hate me even more than you did before. I¡¯ll exin everythingter but let me take a look at you, please."


    "Like you care?" Asher interrupts. "Are you here to make sure he is out of the woods or to make sure his scar is something we all can mimic? YOUR BASTARD TRIED TO KILL ME TODAY WHEN I HAD MY BACK TURNED."


    Asher¡¯s eyes are red at the rims. I know how much this hurts him given that this is the second time in a short space of time that an attempt has been made on his life and someone else paid the price.


    "If Ashton had dyed even for a second, it would have been my funeral."


    "Don¡¯t say that." Father shakes his head. "I¡¯m d you¡¯re fine. I¡¯m d you boys are okay."


    "What you haven¡¯t said is how you intend to make Josh pay for trying to kill one of us." I challenge father. "What? Did you run over here after nursing his wounds? Do you even believe our side of the story or you¡¯re just pretending to for peace to reign?"


    Father runs a hand over his face. "Josh has been suspended from work."


    "Bullshit!" Asher counters. "Is that supposed to appease us?" He chuckles softly. "You¡¯re probably having him treated somewhere, aren¡¯t you? Suspended? Seriously? He just tried to take my life and that¡¯s all he gets?"


    "Calm down boys, please. Josh admits he was slightly drunk and wasn¡¯t thinking straight."


    "Wow. You believed that crap?" Ashley asks him.


    "I wasn¡¯t there but I know both josh and you guys must have said things to trigger this mess. I¡¯ve seen how much you all hate him and how much he hates you all in return. I¡¯m trying my best here to be fair to each side here. He is my son as much as you all are, you have to remember that."


    "If you are done ying father of the year, please leave. Ashton needs to rest." Father scowls at Asher¡¯s bluntness, skims all our faces before heading for the door and exiting with his bodyguard.


    I can¡¯t believe him. How can he try to defend Josh? We¡¯ve been with him all our lives. We made him a father. If he should be partial to any side, it should be ours. I guess he has made his choice.


    After I get discharged, I don a jacket over my back mostly to hide my injured arm in a cast. The whole ride home, I shut my eyes and try to nk out the craziness of the day.


    I had thought my day was going very well after hearing from Demi once more and my fun race with M who is now a fierce contender for my free time. How did all that change and the day go from good to bad?


    "Oh, fuck no!" Asher cusses.


    "What is it?" I ask, my eyes fluttering open in the passenger seat. Ashley and Ashal are driving behind us.


    He sets the car on auto-drive mode to peruse the article. "That bastard leaked the fight at the club to Billion-Err. There are pictures of his bruised and bleeding face. This is no coincidence. I knew he had a n up his sleeve. He wants to discredit us by painting us as bullies. There isn¡¯t a single thing about him stabbing you on here."


    I ball my right fist as the sound of Josh¡¯s name starts to grate on my nerves.


    "Shit. There are so many caustic remarks about us. Some are even calling for us to get cancelled."


    "What?"


    Asher ms his hands severally on the steering wheel in anger. "Fuck. I¡¯m going to kill that bastard."


    "Does father know?"


    "He hasn¡¯t said anything yet but I bet he must be aware by now. I¡¯d like to see him defend Josh now. That fool just plummeted our stocks! Even father can¡¯t forgive the loss of money!"


    Angrily, Asher steps on the gas and gets us home in ten minutes. We all head into father¡¯s study after greeting mum. Father looks up from his iPad as we all file in. Duncan and Seth, his top security detail nk him on either side.


    "Leave us." Father instructs them. Then rising to his feet, he takes off his sses. "Ashton, you should be resting."


    "I¡¯m fine. Did you see the news? The blogs? Josh is calling us bullies and ying the victim card over what transpired at the club. Even the damn club manager is in on it. With his help, Josh has promised to leak the video from our VVIP room. I won¡¯t be surprised if the video has been doctored to present us as bullies of a supposedly innocent employee of Rollins HQ. What are you doing about it so far?"


    Father sinks into his chair. "Josh admitted being at the club with some friends before branching off to go say hello to you guys when he learnt of your presence." He ignores Ashal¡¯s loud snort and continues, "When he returned with a bloody face, he mentioned what had happened in the VVIP section and I guess one of his friends must have leaked it to Billion-Err."


    "You guess?" Asherughs, pressing his hands to his eyes. "Brett Rollins is making guesses when our stock prices are crashing by the minute? Am I to take it that you¡¯ve already chosen to me us for this and not your other son?"


    "Duncan is handling it. Our team will release a statement soon denying the ims. I¡¯ll handle Josh. He won¡¯t be leaking any video. Still, your socials might take a hit but that¡¯s it. It will all blow over in no time."


    "Father..."


    "Please boys, I am trying here. Asher, I did what you asked. Rollins HQ will be yours after my retirement. For the rest of you, you will continue to head the subsidiaries you¡¯re currently handling as long as you keep up the good work. Please, this is the only thing I can do for Josh. I want to validate his feelings of being deserving of his father¡¯s love so he doesn¡¯t feel threatened by you guys. I can¡¯t add insult to injury by throwing him under the bus. That won¡¯t be fair given how many times I have saved your asses from the hands of thew."


    When we all say nothing but continue to re at him, he adds, zeroing his eyes on my casted arm. "I¡¯ll make sure he tenders a proper apology for hurting you. That will never happen again."


    "How can you be certain it won¡¯t?" I ask him with a deeper frown.


    "Josh just wants my eptance. He will do anything to keep me in his life. I¡¯ll keep him in check. You don¡¯t have to worry."


    I make my way to his high desk from where he likes to leer down at others.


    "You better make certain that he never, <i>ever </i>tries to hurt me or my brothers again. If he¡¯s stupid enough to attempt it again, you¡¯ll be back to having only four sons. <i>That</i>, I promise you."


    Father exhales deeply without breaking my gaze. I wheel around and head out of the study with my brothers in tow. We all head for the elevator. When it opens, Demi looks up from her phone, shocked to see all four of us. She stutters through a greeting. Ashley smiles and pecks her forehead.


    "Boys night out." He exins seeing the questions in her eyes.


    "Oh." She steps out of the elevator while we all go in. I continue to mask my injured arm behind the jacket till the elevator doors pull shut.


    I bid my brothers goodnight and retire to my room to end the shitty day. My sore arm doesn¡¯t let me do much in getting undressed. In the bright glow of light in my bedroom, I stare at my reflection in the mirror.


    Below my waist, I only have on red briefs. Using my good hand, I tug the waistline of the brief to expose the tattoo along my pelvic bone. My brothers will go berserk if they saw it and that¡¯s why it¡¯s a secret.


    Ashal calls to ask if I wantpany and I decline. I know today was heavy for all of us. We all need to cope in our own way. Hence, I don¡¯t want to be burden.


    If I wasn¡¯t under strict orders from the doctor to rest my arm, I¡¯d have loved to go for a long, night drive. Just as the thought crosses my mind, M¡¯s calle in.


    "Hey."


    "Hi." I answer.


    "Are you okay?"


    "Why wouldn¡¯t I be?"


    "You guys are trending on the news and blogs. I don¡¯t believe anything they¡¯re saying. You are not bullies."


    "Oh yeah? What makes you so confident?"


    "I actually know you, Ash. You¡¯re a good person. I can¡¯t vouch for your brothers but I believe that they are all principled and won¡¯t go bullying an innocent employee. That¡¯s crass." I stifle my annoyance at the assumptions of Josh¡¯s innocence. "I¡¯m certain everything will blow over soon."


    "Yeah, I hope so too."


    "You owe me two truths and a dare, remember? I¡¯ll be redeeming my prize soon. Keep that in mind." A message beeps into my phone. "Call me when you need someone to whoop your ass on the race track or you know, whenever you want to hang." M says before hanging up. I <i>do</i> want to hang right now but my injury is still a secret from the public.


    With a glum look on my face, I check my new message. The fact that it¡¯s from an unknown number makes me ufortable.


    [If you ever want to know about your biological father, call me.]

 Chapter 52

    <h4>Chapter 52: Chapter 52</h4>


    DEMI


    "She¡¯s workingte? Does she realize what today is?" I scowl at my dad at the breakfast table while he continues to whisk eggs in a bowl. His face is partially covered with white flour. He dusts his apron and sighs.


    "Of course, baby. Mom won¡¯t miss your birthday for anything in the world." I don¡¯t find his smile reassuring so I cast my eyes in a sorrowful droop into my bacon and eggs.


    "Why did she have to take that stupid job? It¡¯s all the way across town. We barely even see her."


    "Danvarr is just an hour¡¯s drive from here and honey, mommy needs the job. I¡¯m between jobs right now and she couldn¡¯t turn down such an opportunity from a bigpany like Rollins Empire. She isn¡¯t happy being away from us most of the time but I need you to remember that she¡¯s doing it for us because she loves us. I promise things will get better. I¡¯ll get a job soon and mommy won¡¯t have to work so hard."


    "You¡¯ve been saying that for months now." I drop my fork with a tter and grab my bag. "I¡¯m off to school."


    "I¡¯ll drop you."


    "NO." I give his apron a onceover. "Thanks dad but William already offered."


    That¡¯s a lie. William is one of the richest kids at my school. He drives a fancy car to school every day. Coupled with the fact that he is a good looking senior, all the girls in school have the biggest crush on him.


    I¡¯ll admit I find him quite attractive too. However, he hits on literally every girl and has a new girlfriend every week. He¡¯s so popr he organizes a spinning wheel game to pick a random girl to date him each week.


    After a year at my school, William¡¯s wheel finally stops at my name but it unfortunately came at a time when I am no longer the giggly teenager that secretly fawns over him. Hence, I declined. It¡¯s the first time any girl at school has declined dating William and that neither went well with him nor my schoolmates.


    They¡¯ve been giving me so much hate for it. I don¡¯t expect my dad to know who William is so I throw in that excuse hoping he allows me find my way to school. I am turning fifteen today after all. I can manage.


    "Who¡¯s William?" He asks.


    "Her boyfriend."


    Dad and I crane our necks to the door to find William standing there looking dapper in his uniform like it is a custom-made suit. I manage to shove him out the front door to his new, shy car parked right in front of my house.


    "How did you find my house?" I bark in anger.


    "Stassie, your neighbor told me." William replies with a smirk as he opens the passenger door for me. "C¡¯mon Denise, it¡¯s just one bloody week. You really want to embarrass me like this?"


    I m the door shut. "It¡¯s Demi, not Denise and no, I don¡¯t mean to embarrass you. I am just not interested, that¡¯s all."


    "No one said you had to be. We aren¡¯t trying to be a real couple in school. It¡¯s all just for entertainment. Everyone loves to see me with a fresh girl every week, especially the ones that guys won¡¯t normally look at. I¡¯m actually helping you here. After this week, all the guys in school will look at you differently, trust me."


    "And who told you I wanted the guys at school to look at me differently? I¡¯m cool with the way things are. Thanks though." When I try to leave, he grabs my wrist. "I said NO."


    "What exactly are you trying to prove, Denee? You¡¯re not half as beautiful as the women I go for. I¡¯m trying to do you a favor and you¡¯re being cocky? Ha. You don¡¯t get to tell me no. What could possibly be the reason for a girl like you to turn down a guy like me?"


    "Reasons." I correct him. "They are more than one. Wanna hear it? Fine! I dislike your poprity with the female folk and how you flirt with everyone in a skirt. I dislike how proud you are because of your daddy¡¯s money and how you rub it in everyone¡¯s faces like it wasn¡¯t pure luck that you were born with a silver spoon. I dislike that you don¡¯t have a personality of your own and keep switching them up ording to what you think people will like. Shall I keep going?"


    His face is flushed with embarrassment now. I guess I hit home with some of my points. I brush past him and take the sidewalk while his fans from school pull up chanting his name.


    When I return home from school, mom isn¡¯t still home. Dad and I sing and dance. We see my favorite Barbie movie twice while we wait for her. Then her calles through and by the sound of it, she is anxious.


    Dad rushes to grab his keys and begs me not to leave the house till he returns. He tries to wave off my concern at how worried mom sounded before he hops into his beatdown Volkswagen and heads for Danvarr. I try my best to wait up for them only to open my eyes the next morning to an empty house and some leftover cake. The knocking on the door is very loud.


    "Demi? Demi??" I jerk awake, a film of sweat coating my forehead and neck. In my dream, the cops are usually the ones outside the door. It¡¯s the day I was informed of the elevator ident involving my parents. Right now, it¡¯s just mother calling for me.


    I crawl out of bed and gasp at the clock. It¡¯s past eight am? How could I have overslept? Asher will be livid. I unlock the door and run a hand over my face.


    "I¡¯m so sorry. I don¡¯t know how I overslept..."


    "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" Mother sings to me. What? How did she know? "It¡¯s okay my darling, you¡¯re wee to rest as much as you like. It¡¯s Saturday dear."


    "It is?" I nce at my phone. Crap. How did I forget? Mother pulls me to a couch.


    "You¡¯ve been working so had you¡¯re starting to forget things, the time, the date and now, your birthday. I was worried this phase will set in. All my boys went through it too but only Asher survived despite putting in more working hours. The rest backed off and now work only as much as their strength can allow."


    "How did you know about my birthday?" I was hoping to keep this a secret during my stay with the Rollins. Since my parents passed, I have never celebrated my birthday. Aunt and Kira also understand this. They wouldn¡¯t tell my inws, would they?


    "Your cousin called to tell me. Thank goodness or I would have beat myself up for missing your first birthday as the daughter-inw of this house."


    "Mother, I really don¡¯t want to celebrate. I don¡¯t want a party or anything. You and I can just hang out in the garden or go shopping to kill time."


    "Nonsense." Mother says, springing to her feet. "Your first party in this house has to be spectacr. It¡¯s what I do. Then you can sleep all day or garden for the other birthdays that follow after this one. Nope." She shakes her head and walks to the door when I begin to protest. "I won¡¯t hear a word. I already made some calls. An event nner is halfway through with the nning. The pool behind the house is being decoratedst minute. We will be having the party there simply because I can¡¯t get a better location at such short notice. All you can do now is tell me who you¡¯d like to see at your party and I¡¯ll arrange for them to be there."


    It¡¯s hopeless reasoning with her when her eyes are fired up like this. After she leaves, I grab my pillow and bite down on it to stifle a wing need to scream. I can¡¯t do this. How can I possibly have a birthday party thrown for me by the very same people who made this day a difficult one to live through?


    Despite all my pleas, mother refuses to cave. Huge vans pull up at the house, offloading equipment for the disc jockey. When I peer out my window at the backyard, I can hardly recognize the pool area. The domestic staff are hard at work, setting up the ce.


    "Nervous?" Ashley asks,ing up behind me on the staircase. I exhale deeply. "It¡¯s going to be okay. Mother can¡¯t be swayed when she¡¯s like this. It¡¯ll all be over in a couple of hours. Just let her have her way today and you can control the rest of your birthdays after this one." The moment he says it, we both stare hard at each other as we realize my subsequent birthdays aren¡¯t guaranteed to happen in the mansion given our contract.


    The awkward moment gets cut off as the rest of the brothers join us, wishing me a happy birthday. I feign a smile and thank them.


    Mother insists they dress very differently today so they can be distinguished by their clothes. Though the outfits will be party appropriate, it will still appeal to their individual tastes. She mentioned to me in passing that the quads¡¯ birthday is the one day they¡¯re permitted to dress exactly the same and that can be very confusing.


    Right now, I am grateful each one is sticking to their individual styles, though in casuals.


    "Aren¡¯t you excited" Asher asks me with a cocky grin on his face,


    "She¡¯s a little nervous. First big party." Ashley answers, throwing a hand over my shoulder.


    Ashton hasn¡¯t said a word to me beyond the collective happy birthday wish. He dons a thick grey sweater with both hands in his pocket. He has been reserved for a while now and barely returns my texts to Will.


    "What do you want for your birthday?" Ashal asks. "Just say it and we¡¯ll do it."


    "I don¡¯t know yet. I¡¯ll let you all know as the day progresses."


    "Demi!"


    I look up to see Anna at the foot of the stairs.


    "ANNA!" I squeal with excitement as I race down the steps to meet her. I m into her chest, my armsing around her neck in a tight hug. "I¡¯m so d you¡¯re here. I was losing my mind." I finish in a whisper.


    Anna understands everything. She flicks a quick nce up the stairs and waves casually at the quads. Then she pulls me a few meters away.


    "You really couldn¡¯t stop it?"


    "No! I tried. Mother is obsessed with throwing parties. I couldn¡¯t stop her." I streak a hand through my hair. "A ton of people will be here by dusk. It¡¯s a mask party too. I just...I don¡¯t know. I want to disappear for a couple of hours. Being here amidst the craziness isn¡¯t helping my nerves."


    "You have to stay calm. Have you been in touch with Liam?"


    "We have been keepingmunication quite low. I think someone found the listening device in the game room. Liam confirms it. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s one of the quads or a staff but I feel like I¡¯m being watched. The heat stirred by Billion-Err regarding the quads being Bullies didn¡¯tst as much as we hoped. Brett somehow managed to make Josh deny everything and tender a public apology to the quads." Sighing, I kindly request Oliver, one of the domestic staff, to bring me a lemonade.


    "Anna, I really don¡¯t feel good about any of this. I dreamt about my parents today. That¡¯s all the sign I need to know that this party could very well be a disaster."


    "Calm down, okay? It¡¯s already happening. We can¡¯t stop it now. All I want you to do is put up a convincing smile and get through it. Try not to think too much about the painful memory of what happened on this day years ago. We can¡¯t have anyone asking questions."


    She¡¯s right. I just have to manage somehow.


    "I¡¯m d you are here." I pull her in for another embrace. "I can¡¯t get through this day without you."


    When I ease back, I am just in time to see Anna tear her eyes off one of the quads staring intently at her above the stairs.


    Asher.


    ***


    The pool is lit up as the waning thrill of dusk settles in. Downstairs, the living room is tastefully decorated and crammed by guests in gold masks. The men don fancy tuxedos and the women are draped in evening gowns that scream of luxury. Just seeing them make my nerves spike with anxiety.


    "You look great." Ashley assures me for the umpteenth time.


    "Thank you, Ash. The dress is beautiful but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s me." The sheer fabric with gemstones hanging like teardrops jiggles with every move I make. Ashley added a pair of rose gold heels and a matching purse. I have no doubt Nic would pull this off but for me, it just makes me feel like a giant disco ball.


    "I¡¯m sorry Demi but you can¡¯t possibly wear a tennis skirt and sneakers to your birthday party here. Father will be affronted in front of his guests."


    "But it¡¯s MY party. Why can¡¯t I wear what I like?" I want to run a hand over my face but there¡¯s so much makeup gunk on it. If I ruin it, the ten grand that mother paid to have it done will go to waste. Ashley tilts my sulking chin towards him. "I just want to have one thing go my way today, one!"


    "You will. Let¡¯s do one thing. Why don¡¯t you wear this for your first entrance and meet our VVIPs tonight. After that, you can change into something morefortable for the rest of the party. Agreed?"


    I join my pinkie with his and nod my head. He kisses my knuckles and winks seductively at me. I justify the blush feverishly spreading through my cheeks as a normal reaction any woman in my position would have. The sex appeal the quads ooze is a given but coupled with Ashley¡¯s charm, it can be insane.


    He walks me down the stairs during my first entrance. I try not to trip on my face as the guests apud us. They all have masks on. Holding him close, I follow his lead as he takes me from one table to the next to exchange pleasantries with some dignitaries at my party. Father and mother also introduce me to their circles too. For the first time, father calls me his daughter-inw. I¡¯m certain he isn¡¯t thrilled to from the fake smile on his face. It¡¯s all mother¡¯s influence.


    Aunt and Kira sidle up to me.


    "Happy birthday dear. You look like a model." Aunt quips.


    I¡¯m still not over their betrayal thest time Asher visited. I rake Kira¡¯s face with my eyes. She isn¡¯t necessarily here for me. I¡¯m certain she pushed mother to throw this party so she can have an opportunity to be in the same room with the cr¨¨me de cr¨¨me of society. Even now, she barely wishes me a happy birthday. Her eyes are scouting my masked guests.


    "You have some nerve toe to MY party without tendering an apology for the mess you caused thest time." I can¡¯t pretend I¡¯m over it. Kira turns to me now. Her mother¡¯s eyes also sh in surprise as I wheel my eyes towards her too.


    "Demi, it¡¯s a happy asion. Why don¡¯t you let bygones be bygones." Aunt implores, tacitly urging Ashley to coax me. He kisses my cheek.


    "Hon, I think I see a good friend of mine that I invited. I¡¯ll just go wee him and be back in a bit." I nod at him before he leaves. Alone with mother and daughter, I cross my arms.


    "If you two don¡¯t want me to have security show you out, you had better tender that apology right now." The annoyance I have been bottling all day just seems ready to spill. My fiery eyes unsettle my aunt. Kira tries to lie.


    "I misread the situation okay..."


    "Like heck you did." I raise a hand and signal a man in a ck suit and shades by the door.


    "Are you really going to have your family thrown out of your party?"


    "My family?" I yell at Kira just a little over the hum of the ssic tune wafting in the air. "You call yourselves my family after what you did? You stood there and lied through your teeth to get me in trouble with the Rollins. What were you hoping for? That I would get kicked out? And you aunt, I¡¯m sure you knew Kira was lying but pigs will fly before you take my side over your lying daughter¡¯s."


    "Demi, is everything okay?" Anna asks, walking up to us. The security detail approaches and asks how he can assist me. Aunt¡¯s and Kira¡¯s faces are flushed with trepidation and embarrassment now. I arch a brow at them.


    "Don¡¯t you have something to say to me?"


    With great hesitation, they both apologize to me. I thank the bodyguard and excuse him.


    "The next time you two connive against me again, I¡¯ll cut you offpletely and assume my fate as an orphan because frankly, I¡¯ve never felt different since moving in with you guys."


    Tears glisten in my eyes at the thought of my parents. Shit. I can¡¯t ruin this night with tears. It only just began. Anna helps me to the guest bathroom downstairs and consoles me.


    "I got you. It¡¯s okay. The night is nearly over. Just a couple more hours of this party and you can cry to your heart¡¯s content behind closed doors."


    We move over to the pool area to cut my cake. The partying continues for the younger folks. With most of the boomers and dignitaries gone (including my inws who retire to their rooms) I make haste to change into somethingfortable. A double pair of sleek men¡¯s shoes lumber into my path.


    "Baby, you can¡¯t believe what I am about to tell you." I look up to find a slightly tipsy Ashley with his arm strewn over a strange masked man¡¯s shoulder. "This is the friend I was talking about. He came from outside Danvarr. We attended the same university and lost touch for a while until recently. This is William Thorpe. Will, meet my wife, Demi..."


    "Branson." Williampletes. Ashley chuckles.


    "Actually, it¡¯s Rollins now."


    "Oh, my bad."


    My jaw drops as he takes off his mask. It¡¯s actually him, the snobbish, cocky William from high school.


    "Pleasure to be reacquainted, Demi Rollins." I stare at the hand he presents for a handshake.


    "William said you two attended the same high school. How crazy is that?"


    "Small world." William concurs Ashley¡¯s words. Inhaling, I take William¡¯s hand and sh my pearly whites.


    "Nice to see you again, William."


    "Will is just fine." He corrects me.


    "William is just as fine." I insist. There¡¯s something unsettling about the look he gives me. When I try to break off the handshake, he intentionally tightens his grip and shes me a sultry smile before letting go.


    We are all distracted by a sound. When we look over, Nic, who was previously dressed to kill, is stripping off her clothes and seductively going into the pool for a swim. Everyone gasps at her amazing curves. When I look at him, Ashley is struggling to look away.


    I make an excuse to go change and walk away from the madness. What are the odds that my husband¡¯s friend who is at my party is a st from my past? What did William mean by that look? Why was my husband¡¯s ex-girlfriend, Nic, invited to my party in the first ce? More questions trill in my head till it thrums with a low ache.


    I hurry, wishing the night to be over already. Where the hell is Anna? I need her to calm me down right now. Just when I think my night can¡¯t get any worse, I turn the corner, enter the mansion and the first sight that greets me is M clinging to Ashton like Velcro by the firece. They look so loved up it makes my eyes sting. Are they really a couple now? Why am I the only one who¡¯s still asking that?


    I take off for the elevator as my tears threaten to spill. My mind is reeling right now. I am not enjoying myself at all. My emotions are all over the ce. Ashley¡¯s ex is at my party dressed to kill and has been seducing my husband all night.


    Though he¡¯s been hanging close to me, I have caught Ashley¡¯s eyes veer towards her direction on multiple asions. I know they¡¯ve been carrying on their rtionship in secret but I had hoped to be spared tonight. It¡¯s my birthday for fuck¡¯s sake. Why is she here? That¡¯s just disrespectful.


    Then there¡¯s Ashton who I have no rights over but still feel a sting each time he is with another woman or ignores me. M is a beautiful woman and single. There¡¯s no reason why Ashton wouldn¡¯t want to date her. Even his father approves of her.


    Yet, the tears blur my vision as I recall his intimate hand cement on M¡¯s waist and her hand in his hair. The way he was looking at her...he used to look at me like that.


    The elevator finally opens to the first floor. Thankfully, there¡¯s no one here.


    I make a dash for my room with no ns to rejoin the party. Heavy footfalls follow after me. Ashton. I hoped he had seen me and woulde after me but the closer I get to my door, the more I realize I can¡¯t deal with him right now. I just want to cry on my bed for a few hours. I key in my code, unlock my door and go in but before I can shut it, Ashton blocks me with his foot in the door.


    I sigh tiredly. "Ashton, I can¡¯t right now. I need to be alone..." My eyes boggle when I look up at his face.


    "Ashton? I¡¯m very sure your husband is named Ashley. Right, Demi?" Finally, he gets my name right for once.


    "What the hell do you want?" I ask, ring at William despite being half scared. How the hell was he allowed up here?


    "I think you know why. You and I have unfinished business, Demi." Chills run down my spine as William shoves me into my room and shuts the door behind him.

 Chapter 53

    <h4>Chapter 53: Chapter 53</h4>


    DEMI


    I¡¯m not having this. It¡¯s one thing to have Ashton in my room. He can figure out a way to save our necks but having my husband¡¯s friend who is like aplete stranger step into my room at my birthday party is really suspicious. Because I know I can¡¯t possibly push him out, I yank my door open and head for the elevator knowing he¡¯ll follow me. He does just that.


    "I don¡¯t know what you think you¡¯re doing but I won¡¯t allow it." I punch the elevator button for the ground floor and step inside. "You want to talk? We¡¯ll do it downstairs where everyone can see." Williamughs softly as he joins me in the elevator.


    "Are you afraid you still have feelings for me?"


    Yuck. Why am I always surrounded by arrogant assholes?


    "You wish."


    "Fine, if you want me to blurt out to your husband, his brothers and anyone who cares to listen that you and I had a thing back in high school, be my guest. I was trying to save your face by being discreet." The elevator opens up and I tear my eyes away from William¡¯s luscious beard that frames his angr face almost perfectly.


    We grab drinks from a servant passing with a tray holding flutes of champagne. I cuss under my breath when I stare at my ss. Thest thing I want to be is drunk at my party with my ex right next to me.


    "We didn¡¯t have a <i>thing,</i> William. It was a fake rtionship, like the others you were used to having."


    "You and I both know that isn¡¯t true. I dated the other girls for a week after selecting their names from a spinning wheel. You and I dated for six months. Yours was the first real rtionship I ever had even though I can¡¯t say the same for you." I stare at him, shocked at his raw admission while he glugs down his champagne. He grabs another from one of the servants and peers deeply into my eyes.


    "Are you shocked? Yes, I am not ashamed to admit that I fell hard for you along the line. I actually thought your feelings for me were real and I stupidly tried to change myself to be deserving of you only to realize that you were ying me the whole time. You used me as target practice for your schemes, right? All that talk about dating a rich snob like me in order to acquaint yourself with the life? Then when you got what you wanted, you jilted me."


    I try to walk away from but he snags my wrist and pulls me back.


    "Don¡¯t touch me, Will."


    "Don¡¯t walk away from me then."


    "What exactly do you want to hear from me? You stubbornly pursued me for your own ego after I said no to being your girlfriend for a week. I lost my parents shortly after and in my messed-up state, I agreed to be your girlfriend for a week. I was emotional and at some point, suicidal. I needed the distraction to cope with my grief. You refused to break things up after a week and that¡¯s how we ended up together for six months. So, maybe I wasn¡¯t entirely honest about my feelings and strained you along but that wasn¡¯t intentional."


    "Damn right, it was." He fires back. "I especially remember the day you told me you loved me. That was after you visited my home and realized my family had ties with the Rollins family. You remember back in my room when you didn¡¯t want to discuss anything other than my summers here in Danvarr and the one time I met the quads? You were so invested you barely even wanted to talk about <i>us.</i>"


    Will chuckles, eyes skirting around. "When I heard Ashely was married, I thought it had to be some model or rich man¡¯s daughter. Imagine my surprise when it turns out to be my self-righteous ex-girlfriend who swore she hated everything a man like Ashley Rollins represents; a rich snob and famous phnderer. Wow, Demi, you¡¯re such a hypocrite."


    I lock eyes with M at the far end of the room. Ashton is nowhere in sight. No one else I recognize is within earshot. I shoot a sunny smile at her to fend off any suspicion and steer William behind the stairs.


    "I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re doing this but this is not the time or the ce. Move on, Will. We were teenagers for goodness¡¯ sake. I was young and dumb, period. You want an apology because I didn¡¯t reciprocate your feelings, fine. I¡¯m super sorry for everything. It was a different life but I am a different person now. Please, don¡¯t stir up trouble in my home because of my poor decisions in my teens." My hands are sped in front of him.


    "Do you love him?"


    "What?"


    "Ashley? I saw how eager you were to leave the party. His ex is also here with her tits and ass hanging out for everyone, including your husband, to see. Everyone can tell he isn¡¯t over her. You¡¯re not even his type. I¡¯m trying to understand why you married him, Demi. Do you love him?"


    My throat dries up as he waits for my response.


    "Did you hear how our marriage came to be? If you did, you¡¯d know that Ashley and I are still getting to know each other. That¡¯s not to say that I don¡¯t have any type of feelings for my husband. He might have a certain reputation but he has been very respectful and loyal to me irrespective of how bold and desperate his ex gets. He cares for me. If he didn¡¯t, I wouldn¡¯t have stayed in this marriage."


    "Demi? There you are. Girl, you might be the celebrant but you¡¯re not allowed to disappear on your best friends like that."


    I whip my head to find one of the guests in a luxurious floor length gown, grabbing my wrist.


    "What...?"


    She looks tipsy and I fear she has me confused for someone else. Sheughs and pouts her lips at William.


    "I¡¯m so sorry but I need to steal her for a couple of minutes. It¡¯s a small emergency."


    Relief floods through me for the interruption. I had no idea how I was going shake William off. I spin to him and give him a small smile.


    "It was nice seeing you again, William Thorpe. Enjoy the party." I ignore the dissatisfaction in his eyes and follow the stranger as she tugs my wrist away, pulling me all the way outside the house. Though I have no idea who the heck she is, I y along just to get away from William. That conversation was too intense and deep to be handled without alcohol.


    "I¡¯m sorry Miss but I think you have the wrong person." We are by the driveway, under the glow of the moonlight. She stops yanking my wrist and turns. Something about the way she spins towards me confirms that she isn¡¯t tipsy after all.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I looked over and it seemed like you were ufortable around him. I thought you needed saving so I pretended we were friends." Her crimson lips splits in a coy smile.


    "Thank you. I did need saving." We share a shortugh. "I¡¯m Demi."


    "Laura." She replies, shaking my outstretched hand.


    "Sick party." She says, then after giving the gigantic mansion a survey, "...and mansion. It¡¯s more like a fortress if you ask me on a deeper level." Moreughter.


    "Um, I¡¯m sorry. I really don¡¯t know you. I wasn¡¯t very involved in nning my own birthday or controlling the guest list so a lot of the people that attended are strangers to me."


    "I understand."


    "I¡¯m d you graced the event, though."


    "Thank you." She replies with a smile. "I¡¯m here with my husband. He is an employee in one of your family¡¯s subsidiaries."


    "Oh, that¡¯s great."


    "So, that guy, is he like a crazy stalker or an ex?"


    "He¡¯s no one important." The night air is chilly now. I rub my hands over my arms. "I should go change. Thanks a lot Laura, for the save."


    "Any time, Demi."


    Laura watches me and waves as I make my way back in. Thankfully, William is nowhere to be seen. He probably went back to the pool area to rejoin Ashley and the others. From the loud shouts and music, I won¡¯t be surprised if Nic is doing more than swimming in front of my guests.


    Feeling a little drained, emotionally and physically, I reach for a flute of champagne at the champagne fountain set up on the ground floor and try to justify having one damn ss at my own party.


    "You deserve it for making it through this hellish night." I mutter to myself before cing the rim of the ss to my lips. Just as I am halfway through the ss, it gets yanked from my hand.


    "That¡¯s enough."


    I nce in shock at the rude man who stands next to me. Why does he have to show up now when I am just starting to feel light on my feet.


    "Where¡¯s your date? She looks really hot in red by the way." I grab another ss and manage a big sip before Ashton wrenches it from my hand. With a loud grunt of frustration, I re at him. "I am a fucking adult. You¡¯re not my dad. Don¡¯t touch my drink again!"


    "You touch that ss one more time and I¡¯ll smack your cheek like the child you¡¯re being right now. How could you even think of drinking after...."


    My feet are badly sore from standing on heels for over four hours. Still, I hold my heavy head andugh. Why won¡¯t they ever let me forget that one night? Am I banned from drinking because I can¡¯t hold my liquor yet?


    "Hmm. How am I supposed to learn to hold my liquor if you don¡¯t let me drink?"


    "You¡¯re exhausted. Go to your room and rest. The party is over."


    "Is it? Because thest time I checked, it¡¯s still happening by the pool. Nic should be giving my husband ap dance in his head by now, if they aren¡¯t already smashing in a dark corner somewhere."


    "That¡¯s not true." His voice is edged with pity. "Don¡¯t do that to yourself."


    "Trust me, it¡¯s easier to think of him and Ni than you and M." I must really be drunk to admit that right now. Yet, instead of cringing with embarrassment, I giggle at the look on his face. "Your face right now. It¡¯s...cute." The ground gives way under my feet and I fall into Ashton¡¯s arms.


    "I¡¯ll just get Ashley to tuck you into bed."


    "W-Why? You don¡¯t know my new passcode? I can tell you..."


    "I don¡¯t want to know, Demi. I¡¯ll just take you to Ash¡¯s room."


    "0-7-0-3-2-3."


    I smile up at him. It¡¯s the date of our botched date as Dee and Will. From the look in his eyes, I think he recognizes it too. My eyes are drooping now.


    "I¡¯m sleepy."


    "Ashton?"


    When I look up, it¡¯s thedy in red.


    "What¡¯s wrong with her?"


    "She had a few drinks." Ashton helps me to a standing position but I continue to cling to his chest. M is clearly ufortable with my wandering hands. "Could you help me go over to the pool and call Ashley. Tell him he needs to put his wife to bed."


    "He¡¯s b-busy." Iugh. "Even if he isn¡¯t, Ni won¡¯t let him leave."


    M inclines her head at my statement. "What was that?"


    "She¡¯s just drunk. You know what? Give me a minute. I¡¯ll help her upstairs and join you soon."


    "Ok. I¡¯ll be by the pool."


    I watch her sashay her way back outside. Ashton picks me up like I don¡¯t weigh more than one barbell and heads for the elevator.


    "You said the party was over. Why isn¡¯t she leaving?" When he says nothing to me, I rest my head on his chest. "You didn¡¯t wish me a happy birthday."


    "I did."


    "You didn¡¯t tell me if you liked my dress or not."


    "I do. It¡¯s beautiful."


    "Just the dress? What about me? Am I not beautiful?" He leans to press the elevator button.


    "You are also beautiful." Hearing those words from his lips makes my cheeks heat up.


    "More than the dress?"


    "More than the dress."


    "More than M?"


    Pause. Tears sting my eyes. Why the pause? Is he unsure? The elevator opens and he heads in the direction of my room.


    "Put me down! I can walk." With a little struggle, I nt my feet on the ground, pping off his hands from assisting me. "Go back to the pool. M and a bunch of other hot women are waiting." Right now, I don¡¯t care how pathetic I sound. Too tired, I trip on my heels and almost sprain my ankle.


    "Shit." I still reject Ashton¡¯s help. Bending, I undo the straps and take off the shoe to massage the sore heel of my foot.


    "Sir, one of your brothers requests your presence downstairs." A servant at the top of the staircase echoes. Ashton turns to him and then back to me, his eyes uncertain. "I¡¯ll help her, sir."


    The servant draws closer and helps me up. "This way, ma¡¯am." While he helps me to my door, Ashton pivots on his heels towards the elevator. I nce once more at the corner and lock eyes with him just before the elevator closes. He¡¯s too far to see the moistness in my eyes.


    I thank the servant at my door. I am not as drunk as I portrayed. The wine wasn¡¯t enough to dull the sharper edges of my senses but I took advantage of the situation to get away with saying or doing certain things around Ashton. If I wasn¡¯t drunk, he wouldn¡¯t havee anywhere close to me or carried me in his arms. If I wasn¡¯t pretending to be drunk, I couldn¡¯t have voiced my thoughts to gauge his reaction.


    Thank you. I can manage on my own."


    He turns to my door and adjusts the mask on his face. From the tiny gesture, I instantly recognize him.


    "Liam?" I utter in shock. How did he sneak in here? "What are you doing here?"


    "Shhh, cameras. Pretend you¡¯re still tipsy and struggling with your door while we talk." I do just that, holding my head while he stands at a fair distance ready to jump in and help me if I need him to.


    "I came for the cake." He jokes. "You look...different." Though I can¡¯t see his face, I can imagine his eyes skimming the snug dress. I¡¯ve had too many people looking at me like that all night. "I thought I would sneak in and try bugging the house myself. The party is a great distraction and dressed as one of the servants with a face mask, the cameras picking my movement wouldn¡¯t matter. They won¡¯t be able to recognize me by morning."


    "Were you sessful?"


    "Barely. Every time I tried going up, I kept running into people asking me for one drink or another. The security guys have been keeping tabs on everyone with this uniform to ensure the guests don¡¯tin. Since the party hase to an end, I finally got a chance to sneak upstairs without getting stopped. That¡¯s when I bumped into you and that guy. Was that Ashton?"


    My breath catches. "Yeah." I deliberately key in another wrong code and watch the light sh red.


    "He looked really concerned about you." Then in a lower voice, "...too concerned, Demi."


    I say nothing in reply but unlock my door properly. "Be careful and leave before you encounter any problems." He nods in agreement and continues to the second floor while I enter my room.


    Finally, back in my room, I shrug out of the dress and hit the shower. While the water sluices down my body, I struggle in vain to fend off thoughts of my parents. What would they say if they saw me now? What would they think about me marrying into the family that ended their lives?


    Would they think it a necessary sacrifice to bring those culpable of their deaths to justice or would they wish I would let things go and lead a normal life? Would they be disappointed by my growing feelings for one of the quads? Will they forgive me for letting that happen?


    Tears flow alongside the water running down my face. To distract myself from drowning in my pain, I go through mental files of my birthday party. Crazy is an understatement at this point. It was wild. However, I am d it is over at least for me. After changing into somefortable sweatpants, I climb into bed and go to sleep.


    ***


    The next morning, I wake up to my ring ringtone. Groggily, I reach for my phone atop the bedside drawer. It¡¯s already past seven in the morning? I don¡¯t panic though. It¡¯s Sunday. I am not in any hurry to leave my bed given the chaotic night I had but who the hell is bothering me this morning?


    "Ashley?"


    "Morning. Could youe downstairs right now? Everyone¡¯s waiting."


    "What?"


    "It¡¯s urgent, Demi. Pleasee down." He hangs up before I can get another word of protest in. Frowning, I groggily head for my bathroom and brush my teeth before going downstairs in my pajamas and flip flops. The house is shockingly squeaky clean again.


    Everyone is gathered at the living room area, including some of the bodyguards in ck suits. I hide my shock on seeing M propped on the armrest of the chair Ashton is sitting on. She¡¯s in a nigh robe that doesn¡¯t seem like hers. That can only mean she spent the night here. Ignoring the fresh tear in my heart, I avoid Ashton¡¯s eyes as the embarrassing details of our little momentst nightes to the fore.


    After greeting everyone, I sit next to mother. Father¡¯s face is set like a rock, as well as Asher¡¯s. Thetter passes me his iPad.


    "Do you recognize the man in that clip?"


    My throat dries up as I watch the video of Liam and I standing in front of my door.


    "That servant is the only one unounted for after this morning¡¯s roll call. He is not recognized by any of the other waiters. We have videos of him trying to ess areas meant for family members only. We have no idea why he was trying to pry doors open or poking around. Did you get a good look at his face?"


    My tongue loosens. "No, I...He was wearing a mask and I was slightly drunk. I didn¡¯t take note of his face."


    Asher holds my gaze as he retrieves the iPad from me. "Are you sure."


    "Yeah, I am."


    "What were you two talking about? He lingered for a bit."


    Massaging my temple in circles with my right hand, I pretend to think. "I think heplimented my outfit and wished me a happy birthday. He wanted to know if he I needed help with anything else. He was...kind. I didn¡¯t have any reason to be suspicious of him."


    "Alright." Asher leans close to father and mutters some words. My phone beeps as father issues instructions to Duncan and his team. M pulls Ashton away. When I catch mother watching me while I was watching Ashton leave with M, I feign a smile and turn away to check my message. It¡¯s from Charlie aka Liam.


    [Olivia Dunn was at your partyst night!}


    What? She was?


    "Good morning, everyone." Someone greets gaily. I stare up from my phone and gasp in utter shock as I find William holding a steaming mug of coffee by the stairs. He is wearing a night shirt and pants. The first three buttons of the shirt are undone, exposing his hairy chest. His defiant eyes locks with my shocked ones and I gulp silently.


    "Morning to you especially, birthday girl."

 Chapter 54

    <h4>Chapter 54: Chapter 54</h4>


    ASHTON


    "You never told me what happened to your arm." M voices as she pulls me away.


    "What?"


    "Your left arm. Did you hurt it two weeks ago? I noticed you grimacing each time I touched it, even while we raced togetherst week. I saw the arm cast in your room too. You didn¡¯t bring it up and I didn¡¯t want to be the first one to ask."


    How considerate of her. I flex my arm. "It¡¯s all good." We get in the elevator. The moment the doors close, she sps both hands behind my neck.


    "You owe me two truths and one dare, remember? Tell me the truth about what really happened to your arm, please."


    "You wouldn¡¯t believe me if I told you."


    "Try me."


    Sighing, I proceed to tell her about the club fight and Josh stabbing me but I leave out details of the bone of contention. She goes pale with shock. The elevator stops and we step out.


    "That snake! He had the guts to call you guys bullies and y the victim. I can¡¯t believe he lied through his teeth. Gosh, I hope he gets fired for that."


    "From your mouth to God¡¯s ears." She chuckles and resumes her walk.


    "Don¡¯t you mean from <i>your</i> mouth to your dad¡¯s ears? Why wait for God to do something you can easily sway your father to do? Josh hurt you and he lied about it! He further attempted to defame you and your brothers. Does Brett know the whole truth?"


    We are on the second floor now. She pauses to look me in the eye with arms crossed on her chest. "There¡¯s no way he would know about it and let that prick off without legal action."


    "It¡¯s fine. Josh already apologized to me so I let it go. He was drunk when he acted. It wasn¡¯t malicious or anything. Besides, other than when he lets himself get lost in a bottle, he¡¯s a fine employee who knows his onions."


    M rolls her eyes. "Whatever you say."


    Where are we going?" She shes me a seductive smile.


    "Where else? My room of course."


    Last night was crazy and we had no choice but to amodate a few personal guests in the spare bedrooms in the mansion.


    "Come on!" She tugs at my arm and pulls me all the way to her room. "Don¡¯t be a prude."


    Inside, I run my hands through my hair and jam them in my pocket. When I turn to face her, she¡¯s locking the door and stripping off her robe. I sh a palm and turn away.


    "M, what are you doing?"


    "Trying to confirm that you¡¯re still THE Ashton Rollins and man enough."


    "Man enough for what? Stop." Her hands are streaking across my body. I can feel the warmth from her naked skin. Her perky boobs are bouncing in hercey bra. "M, seriously, cut it out." Instead, she tries to unbutton my shirt.


    "Why? I get it that you were tiredst night but you look really refreshed this morning. I just want to feel you."


    "STOP!" I grab her hands and gently move her away from me. "Stop it, please. I am not in the mood for this."


    Her sultry eyes fade to bewilderment. She sinks on the bed and shakes her head. "What is it, Ashton? What? Am I not pretty enough for you? You don¡¯t find me sexy?"


    "Of course not. Look at you."


    "Is there someone else?"


    "No."


    "Then for the love of God, tell me why you invited me to the birthday party and couldn¡¯t keep your hands off mest night but when I tried to pull you in here, you imed fatigue. And this morning? What¡¯s your excuse for this attitude right now? Am I a joke to you? Someone you can call on whenever you¡¯re bored or need a woman on your arm to impress your father?"


    That end part snaps something in my brain. "Don¡¯t say that." I grind my teeth in annoyance.


    "Which part?" M asks cockily, crossing one leg over the other and leaning back on the bed to re at me. "Which part, Ashton?" She clucks her tongue. "You¡¯re a selfish prick. You said you just wanted to be friends and I was down with that. Then you switched things up likest night, flirting with me like you were desperate to touch me. Why? Why did you lead me to believe you wanted this?"


    I cover a hand over my mouth and shut my eyes. She¡¯s right. That was selfish of me. To be frank, I did use her. The moment mom decided to throw Demi a birthday party and I caught a glimpse of the dress Ashley had picked for her, I knew I wasn¡¯t going to be okay riding solo for the night.


    I called M to serve as a distraction. Then Demi came down the grand staircase looking so good she knocked the breath right out of me. Suddenly, it wasn¡¯t enough to just unt M. I had to kiss her to forget how good Demi looked and how jealous I felt of my brother.


    I went too far, kneading M¡¯s ass, kissing her face and chest all the while imagining someone else. Then I backed out when she tried to herd me to her bedroom. She didn¡¯t deserve that.


    "I¡¯m so sorry. I had too much to drink..."


    "You weren¡¯t drunk, Ashton. You knew exactly where you were and what you were doing. You also knew exactly who I was but you clung to me wishing I was someone else, didn¡¯t you?."


    "What?"


    "Look, I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re in love with someone else. I¡¯m cool with us being friends and having casual sex like you are used to. I just don¡¯t appreciate being used as the next best thing till you get your dream girl. That¡¯s disrespectful."


    I go to her and crouch on one knee. I cup her face with my hands. "I¡¯m sorry I made you feel that way. I¡¯m an asshole for that. I¡¯ve a lot on my mindtely." It¡¯s true. I¡¯m still grappling with the truth of father¡¯s adultery, having a step-brother and getting stabbed. It all happened in one day! It¡¯s been a lot on me.


    "I promise to make it up to you."


    M holds my hands on her cheeks when I try to pull away. Her eyes stare into mine intensely. "You¡¯ve been apologizing a lot and making promises to me. That¡¯s easy to do. How about you keep your word for a change? I¡¯ve got one truth and a dare." She leans close to my face till our noses touch. "I dare you make love to me, here and now."


    ***


    While M is sleeping soundly, I grab my shirt and sneak out of the room to join my brothers in the gym. When I get there, I find that we are one brother short.


    "Look who finally decided to show up." Asher yells the moment I walk in. Ashal stops doing bench presses and sits up to smile at me.


    "Where¡¯s the fashion wiz?"


    "With the wife, I presume. Demi didn¡¯t take it well learning that Nic spent the night here. She made a small scene when Ni showed up for breakfast. Even mother couldn¡¯t convince her to stay for her meal. Then there¡¯s Will."


    "Will?" I repeat in surprise.


    "Yes, William." Asher continues. "He went to the same university as us but he was a year younger. He and Ashley are close friends. I think our parents and his dad were friends since our childhood."


    I remember William faintly from school. He had sometimes identally mistaken one of us for Ashley. I remember him greeting the family this morning.


    "What about him?"


    "Well, Ashley is the one who invited him here. For some reason, his presence also unsettles Demi. Ashley has been in hell all morning trying to pacify Demi for his guests and also torn between entertaining the three. He¡¯s been shuttling from one bedroom to another and trying to keep each one from running into each other." Asher¡¯s smile turns mischievous as he watches me. "Apparently, you don¡¯t have that problem. You and M were all over each otherst night and this morning, I could clearly see lust in her eyes. Is that why you two disappeared for a whole hour? I¡¯m sure you two weren¡¯t just ¡¯<i>talking</i>¡¯."


    I smirk at him. "You seem to have a lot of free time on your hands which is why you¡¯ve been watching other people a lot. I can¡¯t wait to watch your own show when Demi learns that the reason she couldn¡¯t find her best friend at the partyst night was because you whisked her away to your room to <i>talk.</i>" I end with air quotes around thest word and wink at my brother.


    I stroll to a treadmill and give it a onceover. I am not really feeling up to it right now. My mind has been reeling with thoughtstely. "Can we head to the game room? I need to show you all something, Ashley too."


    Ashley manages to join us in the game room. It¡¯s just as Asher had said, the former¡¯s countenance screams of a person who hasn¡¯t been having a great day. He strolls in with a drink in his hand and plunks on the couch.


    "Is Ni gone?"


    "Nope! Father is having a field day seeing Demi squirm. Ni too." I totally understand him. Father was also d to discover M had passed the night here. It¡¯s all part of his scheme. Bothdies and their well-connected families wille in very handy to him in the future.


    "Do you want Ni gone?" That¡¯s a different question, I think. Ashley¡¯s eyebrow wings up at me. "If father wasn¡¯t interfering to keep Ni around, would you have wanted her to leave still?"


    "Yes, I would."


    "Because of Demi?" Ashal asks.


    "Because Ni and I messed aroundst night while I was drunk and she¡¯s making it very obvious in front of Demi. I dislike how bold she¡¯s being. I suspect she¡¯s trying to find a way to break my marriage so she and I can be official again." He sips from the bottle in his hand. "It¡¯s crazy trying to keep my two worlds from colliding."


    "Tell me about it." Ashal mutters. We all turn to stare at him, me especially. I also need to ask him a few questions.


    "Ashal, I could have sworn I saw you being cozy and romantic with a female guestst night. Care to share with us who thatdy was?" His eyes sh at my directness. We all know that he seldom entertains women since Olivia entered the picture and the few he did allow himself to touch, it was always casual with no ir for the romantic. Asher and Ashley suddenly get my drift and their jaws drop.


    "Don¡¯t fucking tell me you brought her here." Asher¡¯s voice is cold and clipped.


    "Oh, shit." Ashley says with azy smile. I go over and wrench the bottle from his hand before he gets drunk and out of control.


    "Fine. That was Olivia."


    "Are you kidding?" I ask him. "How could you bring her to the mansion?"


    "Why shouldn¡¯t I? You all brought your women; even Ashley¡¯s ex was here at his wife¡¯s birthday party so why shouldn¡¯t I have invited MY wife to a family party? It was a mask party with lots of security. I had my eyes on her too. She was sick of the penthouse and wished for some fresh air. I couldn¡¯t think of a better ce for the two of us to hang out without worrying that someone might see. We both had a swell time before I dropped her off at the penthouse."


    "You had your eyes on her the whole time?" I repeat, recalling Olivia trying to make small talk with mest night. I had suspected that the voice was oddly familiar but didn¡¯t pay too much attention to it. Then, I had seen Demiing in from the driveway and Olivia had been right outside. I have no idea if they had met or spoken to each other.


    "You couldn¡¯t have had your eyes on Olivia the whole time because I recall her trying to make light conversation with me. Coupled with the low hum of the music, the drinks I had had and the face mask she had on at night, I couldn¡¯t ce her voice but I swore it was familiar." I tell everyone about seeing Demi and Olivia outside talking.


    "In that disguise, she could have tried talking to anyone at the party. ANYONE!" Ashal refuses to doubt his wife.


    "I might have left her by herself once or twice to attend to other things but that¡¯s because I trust her. Olivia and I are at a good ce, okay. Even if she tried mingling, I am sure she wasn¡¯t trying to stir up any trouble like you suspect or Demi would have said something by now. She was probably bored of my absence during that time at the party and wanted to socialize. She didn¡¯t do it out of malice."


    "How do you know that?"


    "She told me about speaking to Demi. She told me everything. Why would she if she¡¯s plotting something?"


    Asher runs a hand over his beard. "Look man, we are all happy for where you and Olivia are right now but I think you¡¯re being reckless by trusting herpletely so soon."


    Ashal scowls up at him and Asher lifts both hands in surrender.


    "Just hear me out. When you talked about Olivia agreeing to give your rtionship a shot, I naturally assumed that she did it to resign to her fate since her <i>Asher</i>" He says with air quotes, "had disappointed her and broken her heart. She turned to you, the next best option. You can¡¯t be sure she¡¯s genuine about her feelings andmitment to you as Ashal until you test her."


    "Test her?"


    "Yes." Asher concurs. "Show up as me and give her a convincing lie about why Asher denied her thest time. Show her a glimpse of hope of the two of them having a good life together because his ns for them have finally crystallized. With Asher as a viable option, let¡¯s see if Olivia will stick to Ashal or wee Asher back into her life. You¡¯ve got to know the truth man especially since you trust her so much. That only seems fair."


    It¡¯s strange hearing Asher talk about himself in third person but even worse realizing that he has a point.


    "Think about it, Ashal. He has a point." I concur. Ashal reaches for Ashley¡¯s drink and guzzles some.


    "With all that out of the way, I do have something to show you guys. I¡¯m sorry I haven¡¯t brought it up since the night I was stabbed. I didn¡¯t take it seriously buttely, it¡¯s been on my mind."


    I have their attention now. Wordlessly, I forward the strange message I got about finding our biological father to them.


    "Did you have the number traced?" Asher asks with a scowl.


    "I just told you I didn¡¯t take it seriously."


    "Who could have sent something like this?" Ashley shakes his head in wonder. "Could they really know about our biological parents?" Something in Ashley¡¯s eyes is hopeful like mine have been for some days now. Asher recognizes this and leaps to his feet.


    "This could be Josh trying to throw us off his scent long enough for him to manipte us."


    "Or, it could be someone with actual intel on who our biological parents are." Ashal adds.


    Asher disagrees. "C¡¯mon now, how did this person suddenly know we¡¯vee to know about our adoption? Don¡¯t you smell a rat here? Why reach out to us now?"


    "We¡¯ll get the answers to your questions if we try to find out if this person really has the information they im." Everyone else aligns with my reasoning but Asher still seems skeptical.


    "I don¡¯t like this."


    "We¡¯re checking it out." I decide in favor of the majority. Asher drops back in his seat in resignation.


    I know it¡¯s typical for him to be skeptical of things like this. Still, I can¡¯t get over the hump of suspicion in my gut. He kept huge secrets from my brothers and I for years. It¡¯s not abnormal for me to suspect he might know who our biological parents are.


    I just found out recently and I am burning with desire to know the whole truth especially given how badly our father has failed to execute his parental role. Asher must have been curious at some point.


    "Asher?" He wheels his eyes towards me. "This is purely out of curiosity and not distrust. I just want to know if you have any idea who our biological parents might be. Did you ever try to look into them? Do you know anyone who might know?"


    Ashley and Ashal also turn to Asher with keen eyes. Sighing, Asher sits up.


    "Honestly, I have no idea. I¡¯ve never tried to look for them. You know me, I am more concerned with the future, <i>our</i> future. I didn¡¯t think it was worth looking into the broke bums that possibly sired us. Why else would they give up four healthy baby boys for adoption if they had the means to raise us?"


    He exhales in frustration. "What¡¯s the point of finding them, really? Are you guys feeling hollow and need validation from our biological parents that you¡¯re worth it? Is that it? I really think we should move on. We are Rollins now, legally. Thatst name is tied to everything we have right now. We can¡¯t afford to lose it or bring into question our worthiness of it. How do you think mother will feel about us digging into our birth parents? Huh?"


    "We are not doubting who we are. We just don¡¯t want anymore surprises and want to know something as basic as the identities of our birth parents. We have no way of knowing how far Josh would go to expose this truth and get the public eptance he desires from father. We can¡¯t afford to be in the dark about anything anymore."


    Asher shrugs his shoulders. "It¡¯s not being in the dark; it¡¯s not giving a fuck and moving on with the life we have now."


    I can tell from Ashley and Ashal¡¯s faces that they are starting to see reasons with Asher.


    "He¡¯s right. It¡¯s not the worst thing to be adopted. If anything, we should be grateful for father and mother for taking us as their own. I don¡¯t think now¡¯s the time to start snooping around for answers. Our parents might take that to mean we don¡¯t think they¡¯re enough." Ashal says. "Mother has been exceptional. She doesn¡¯t deserve this."


    Ashley concurs. "I am also getting the feeling that the texter might be Josh looking for a way to lure us into this mission so he can prove to father that we don¡¯t consider him our father and have been digging into our birth father."


    "Exactly. And what if we don¡¯t like what we find or worse, the ugly truthes to the light?" Asher joins me in the center of the room. "It¡¯s just too risky, Ash. Please, let it go. I¡¯m certain that the majority is now against this idea. Please drop it and let¡¯s focus on saving our family from the outside forces trying to tear us apart."


    He is right. They¡¯re all right.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ve been overthinkingtely. You¡¯re all right. I¡¯ll just ignore it."


    "That¡¯s better." Asher pats my shoulder. "We¡¯ll pull through. We always do."


    To clear my head, I make a beeline for my room to change and go for a drive. I n to take M with me if she¡¯s up for it. After changing, I grab my keys but I can¡¯t find my second phone. I always have both on me. I start searching around my room when a knock on my door interrupts me.


    "Hey." I say to M once I open the door. I¡¯m d she¡¯s all freshened up and looking radiant.


    "Hi. You were gone when I woke up."


    "Uh, workout with the boys." Her face is difficult to read.


    "Oh. For a second I thought you couldn¡¯t get out of my room fast enough."


    I fluff my hair and resume my search. "I¡¯m off for a drive. You are wee to join me." She stays silent as I open and close drawers.


    "Looking for this?" When I look up at her, she¡¯s holding up my second phone. "You left it in my room."


    "Oh. Been looking all over for it." But she pulls back her hand when I reach for it.


    "A very interesting message popped in for you by someone named Dee. Before you get the wrong idea, I didn¡¯t mean to read it. The notification dropped seconds after I found it while making my bed." I grab the phone from her hand. "She¡¯s the one with whom you had yourst date as Will with, right?"


    "M, we¡¯ve talked about this."


    "Yeah, it¡¯s none of my fucking business because we are just friends, right? I get it and I was prepared to mind my own business but then that message seemed oddly familiar."


    I pull up the message and read it.


    [Will, I am sorry aboutst night at the champagne fountain. I didn¡¯t mean anything I said or did after the drinks. I was out of my mind. Thank you looking out for me and taking me up to my room. I really hope we can move past the awkwardness ofst night. I can¡¯t stand it when you ignore me.]


    M steps up to me. "You are allowed to have as many women as you please, Ashton Rollins. However, please tell me that the woman that¡¯s been stuck in your brain and keeping you from enjoying casual hookups or even touching me despite a dare isn¡¯t your goddam sister-inw! Tell me Dee isn¡¯t short for Demi." My steely stare astounds her.


    "I can¡¯t tell you that." The shock in her eyes fades to embarrassment and then anger.


    "Are you in love with your brother¡¯s wife?"


    "I¡¯m off for that drive."


    She grabs my wrist. "If you don¡¯t want this out, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯re going to fulfil another dare of mine since you refused thest one."


    "Are you threatening me now?"


    "No, it¡¯s just a warning necessary to save you from yourself. Trust me, this is me being nice when I can spin this in a plethora of ways to my own advantage." I can tell she isn¡¯t bluffing. She¡¯s pissed but trying to keep herself from acting like a crazy, jealous wannabe girlfriend.


    "What¡¯s the dare?"


    "You refuse and I won¡¯t promise to keep your secrets anymore."


    "What¡¯s the dare, M? Spill it out!"


    She leans to whisper it in my ear and my hands go limp by my side.

 Chapter 55

    <h4>Chapter 55: Chapter 55</h4>


    ASHAL


    "Are you angry right now, Mr. Rollins?" Dr. Welsh asks. She is a good-looking woman in her early forties with a sophisticated bent. She sits across from me, one leg crossed in front of the other with a pen and book in her hands. Whileying on my back on the tuxedo sofa, I squeeze my stress ball harder and exhale deeply.


    "I think so. A little bit."


    "What are you angry about right now?"


    "It¡¯s not what, it¡¯s who." I shut my eyes to pretend I am talking to myself in an empty room where no one can judge me, hoping that way I can express myself better.


    "I am angry at the woman I love. We um...we attended a birthday party together. Before that, she promised me that she wouldn¡¯t try socializing with <i>certain</i> people at the party. I left her by herself for a few minutes during the party to handle some things and when I got back to her, she was exactly where she said she¡¯ll be."


    "Keep going."


    "The thing is, she broke her promise and did converse with the people she promised to stay away from...and she didn¡¯t tell me about any of it. I had to find out from my brother and it made me look stupid."


    I can¡¯t believe Olivia spoke to Ashton and Demi. I can¡¯t stop myself from wondering who else she must have talked to at that party. Why did she talk to them? Why did she intentionally omit that little detail when we discussed the party afterwards on our way to the penthouse? I am so pissed.


    "Okay." I hear Dr. Welsh scribbling in her notebook. "Have you had a chance to talk to her about this?"


    "I am too angry to. I don¡¯t want to lose myself when I am around her and hurt her and I can¡¯t talk to my brothers either because I lied to them to defend her. That¡¯s why I¡¯m back here."


    "I understand, Mr. Rollins and I am very d you resumed our sessions. Now, let¡¯s circle back a bit. Can you tell me the exact emotions you felt when you discovered the woman you loved and trusted had lied to you?"


    "Anger, obviously. Betrayal. Pain." A little pause. "This doesn¡¯t count as an emotion but I did feel unloved." Thest statement feels heavy in my mouth.


    "Unloved?


    "Yes. I tend to doubt her feelings for me whenever she lies to me."


    "Is this peculiar to your rtionship with her or extends to other people in your life?"


    "I wouldn¡¯t say it¡¯s peculiar to my rtionship with her." I shift ufortably. "It¡¯s a thing with me. I tend to doubt people¡¯s affection for me and it doesn¡¯t help when they lie to me."


    "How long have you been feeling this way? Was it before this rtionship or after it?


    I exhale deeply. "Long before. My brothers and I grew up under our father¡¯s iron fists. He is very good at showing us tough love, as they say. There were four of us with this face and every day, the challenge of being on father¡¯s good books grew steeper. I was also dealing with bullies at school during that period. It was just a lot of pressure for me. Despite being the son of a wealthy businessman, I felt like my father constantly pitted my brothers and I against one another to secure his affection. Then, something happened in school."


    "What happened?"


    "I beat up my bullies in school. I don¡¯t recall how it went down but the boys were deathly scared of me afterwards. My brothers and I even had to change schools because of my action. That¡¯s when my entire family really started to look at me differently. I mean, I always wanted to be a little different from my brothers growing up but that was not what I had had in mind when I thought of making my own mark one day. They all looked at me like I was a freak, especially father. I¡¯ve always felt unloved and unworthy ever since."


    "How has this affected your rtionships with women?"


    "I constantly feel like I have to work twice as hard as my brothers to get a woman to want me for the long haul, you know. This face and body mostly attract women who don¡¯t want me for just me. It attracts women who want to be with me for my name, fame and money. I don¡¯t mind that but then I worry my BPD wills scare them away. Unlike my brothers, I actually want to build a life with the one woman I cherish but my condition keeps driving a wedge between us. I always feel inadequate because of it. I feel unworthy because of it. To make matters worse, she¡¯s in love with one of my brothers." I hate how pathetic my voice sounds at the end.


    "Are you also angry at your brother?"


    "No. He doesn¡¯t want anything to do with her."


    Dr. Welsh continues to pick my mind apart and uncoveryers of hurt I didn¡¯t even realize I had.


    "Do you think your anger might be masking another emotion like fear or shame? Fear that you aren¡¯t worthy of being loved just like your brothers? Shame over the things your anger has driven you to do in the past?"


    I squeeze my stress ball harder and open my eyes. I hate it here. This is exactly why I can¡¯t keep up with my appointments with Dr. Welsh. Though our sessions are helpful, it¡¯s the way I feel leaving her office that makes me ufortable.


    We continue, working on mymunication skills to help me express my anger in a healthy way which is appropriate with the intensity of a particr situation. I agree to take a walk to blow off steam and avoid very intense situations that have the potential to make me snap.


    While I make my way back to work, I ruminate over everything my therapist said. I need to stick with my sessions till I get the results I want. I can¡¯t afford to be flippant about it.


    Asher¡¯s words also hit me back at work. Is Olivia really interested in sticking with me or is she doing it because she thinks Asher haspletely moved on from her? What will happen if he randomly shows up in her life again and tells her everything she hopes to hear? Will she maintain her new resolve to have a life with me?


    I dial Olivia¡¯s number now. Ever since we reconciled, she prefers I call her directly to check on her rather than going through Lily. For this, I got a second phone number that only has her number saved since my major line is still saved as Asher on her phone.


    "Hey, how are you?" I pipe into the phone.


    "I¡¯m great. I¡¯m taking an online cooking ss." Olivia replies with a low chuckle. "It¡¯s not going so well. I keep making a mess in the kitchen."


    "That¡¯s okay. You¡¯re learning. Lily can tidy up."


    "She can¡¯t assist me. She¡¯s been sick all morning. Poor girl."


    "I hope it isn¡¯t contagious? Get Fitz to get her out of there so she doesn¡¯t affect anyone else."


    "No. No. It¡¯s not like that." Then in a low whisper. "It¡¯s morning sickness. I think she¡¯s pregnant."


    That slows my heartrate a bit. Lily practically lives in the penthouse with Olivia and the security team. She only steps out to pick up groceries delivered at the gate. Unless she¡¯s had sexual rtions with any of the bodyguards, there¡¯s no other boyfriend outside the four walls of the penthouse who could be responsible for her pregnancy. If she hasn¡¯t been cozying up to any of the guards, then it has to be that one night when I mistook her for Olivia and slept with her.


    Sweat breaks out of my forehead. "How? Has she been seeing any of the security guys?"


    "Nope." Olivia counters enthusiastically. "She is very professional with them. She already told me it belongs to her lover. She¡¯s only ever been with him. It¡¯s his baby and she ns on keeping it."


    "Her lover?"


    "Yeah. She describes him as the most handsome man she ever met. She¡¯s so in love with him, Ashal. I can see it in her eyes when she talks about him and rubs her t stomach in circles. She¡¯s excited about the little family they¡¯re going to have."


    Shit. How can Lily do this? I can¡¯t let her tear me and Olivia apart, not after everything we¡¯ve been through to get here. I won¡¯t let a nobodye between us.


    "When will you being home?"


    "Tonight. I¡¯m taking you out to dinner. Be ready, okay?" She squeals excitedly and thanks me for spoiling hertely. All I can think of is how she still hasn¡¯t spoken a word about talking to my family members at Demi¡¯s party. I honestly hope she can bring it up before I do. "Okay. See you soon. Bye."


    I rub my aching temples at the thought of Lily¡¯s pregnancy. That¡¯s a mistake I have to rectify at all costs. I need to speak to her first and clear up some things. I dial Lily¡¯s number next and she picks up almost immediately. She greets me gaily and I can tell she¡¯s smiling sheepishly on her end of the line.


    "Liv tells me you aren¡¯t feeling too strong. Are you really pregnant?"


    "Yes sir."


    Damn. "Well, congrats. I¡¯ll send you a bonus so you can have enough to support yourself and your child while I get someone to rece you at the house."


    "R-Rece me?"


    "You didn¡¯t think you were going to be walking around pregnant and barefooted, did you? Need I remind you that you are a live-in housekeeper who is expected to double as a friend to my wife and keep herpany? If you can no longer perform your duties maximally because of your condition, I have no choice but to relieve you of such duties and find a capable recement. I¡¯m sure your baby¡¯s father would appreciate it."


    Lily inhales deeply. "But...<i>you are my baby¡¯s father</i>, sir. The night we spent together..." Her voice wavers with tears. "I haven¡¯t been with anyone else...I am certain it¡¯s our child."


    "You are certain? So, if I have a paternity test der, the DNA match will be a 98-99.9%? Is that what you are saying, Lilian DeMarco? You haven¡¯t had any kind of rtions with any other man in that building? You better think twice before you lie to me. If there¡¯s even a slight chance that someone else could have fathered your child, now is a good time to talk because if you make me go down the path of a paternity test, it won¡¯t end well for you."


    I hear Lily¡¯s breathe out in small gasps. "You are the only one who didn¡¯t use protection..."


    "You are not having the baby in my house! Go figure it out with your child¡¯s father. I don¡¯t want you around Olivia. Please leave my house before I arriveter tonight.."


    "I¡¯m sorry, sir. Please, don¡¯t fire me...I have nowhere else to go."


    "Whose baby are you really carrying, Lily? Tell me!"


    Sniffling, she utters quietly. "It¡¯s Drew¡¯s."


    Drew, one of the guys from the security team.


    "Why would you lie that it¡¯s mine?"


    "I¡¯m sorry. Drew denied me. I thought you wanted kids and would make a great father for mine if you believed you had fathered it. I¡¯m so sorry, sir."


    I end the call and sigh with relief. I do want kids but not with just anybody. I want them with Olivia if she is down. It¡¯s hard enough trying to keep Olivia in the family and getting father to ept her. Father will lose his marbles if he learns I impregnated another nobody. I expel the worrisome thoughts and prepare for my date with Olivia.


    ***


    "Asher?" Olivia pauses while putting on her earrings and slowly rises from her vanity mirror. She looks stunning in the bodycon dress I sent over. She¡¯s is almost ready for our big date and smells so nice. "That¡¯s not possible. How did you get through security? My husband will never let you in here."


    My heart swells with pride as her eyebrows knit with a tight frown. Still, I don¡¯t break character and whip out my ID.


    "I know that. That¡¯s why I swiped his ID when he wasn¡¯t looking and came in here pretending to be him. Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll have it back to him long before he realizes it¡¯s missing."


    Olivia hurries to the window and peers out to see the car in the driveway. I know what she¡¯s thinking. "Yes, I borrowed his car too obviously. I didn¡¯t want the security team alerting him under any circumstances so I left no stone unturned in making sure I pass for him in every way.


    "What the hell do you want from me? We¡¯re done. I am with Ashal now. He loves and cherishes me more than you ever did."


    "Please don¡¯t say that, Liv. You¡¯re breaking my heart."


    "Good. I hope you never pick the pieces. Get out or I¡¯ll scream for help." Her eyes go misty. "Leave!"


    I run my hands over my face and sigh. "You have every reason to hate me, Olivia. I¡¯d hate my guts too but please hear me out before you make me leave. You have everything confused. Contrary to what you thought, I didn¡¯t abandon you or deny you. That¡¯s far from the truth. Liv, I never stopped thinking about you."


    "I don¡¯t care. Get out, Asher or I swear to God..."


    "I HAD TO LEAVE, OKAY? I FELT BETRAYED BY YOU." Her ring eyes dim with curiosity now. "When I came by that day, I wanted to see you. I came to tell you that everything I had been putting in ce for us to have a life together wasing to fruition. I had managed to convince my father that I will be a better match for a strong-willed woman like you. He promised to get Ashal to divorce you and get us married publicly. I came to share the good news with you but I identally bumped into Ashal and mother here."


    I blow out an exasperated breath. "Ashal wouldn¡¯t let me in because he knew how I felt about you. He met me outside and gave me the biggest shock of my life; he told me that you had just epted his proposal to stay married to him and have a family with him. He even said mother was a witness. I couldn¡¯t believe it. I was too shocked and angry to realize that I had put in so much effort for us only to be betrayed by the woman who had imed to be in love with me. When you and mother came out, I knew he wasn¡¯t bluffing. I just had to leave from there given how furious I was. That¡¯s why I left like that."


    I walk closer to her but she only edges backwards. "Then I saw you at Demi¡¯s party. I knew it had to be you hanging by Ashal¡¯s side the whole time. I grew so jealous seeing how affectionate you were being around him. You two looked so happy and in love."


    "That¡¯s probably because we are."


    Pride swells in my chest at how she¡¯s defending our union but I don¡¯t let it show. I have to deliver a sterling performance as Asher. Then I can celebrate her loyalty when we go out on our date.


    "Have you really fallen out of love with me, Liv? So soon? You didn¡¯t even try to reach me once to know why I left the way I did. Are you so confident of your new choice that you were prepared to throw away everything we shared?"


    Olivia moves away from me. "I¡¯m done with your stillborn promises, Asher. For every bogus promise you made to me, Ashal acted. Save for his weakness, he actually does what he says. He showers me with love, gifts and constantly tries to make me feel special. He keeps breaking your father¡¯s rules to make me happy andfortable. He let me go on weekly dinner dates with my friend. He allows me keep a phone and call my family frequently. He takes me on dates and rents out the entire restaurant, cinema, amusement park, water park, aquarium and others, just to give me a special experience outside this house. He kept his word about slowly integrating me with your family and took me to Demi¡¯s party for a fun night despite knowing the risks. He trusts me. I prefer a man who keeps to his word to one who is only good at making promises."


    "He trusts you. I can vouch for that but do you trust him?"


    "Of course I do."


    "Then why didn¡¯t you tell him that you spoke to Demi at the party?" Her face crumples with shock. "Why didn¡¯t you tell him that you spoke to Ashton too and God knows who else? Maybe you should have told him before Ashton did."


    "Ashal knows?"


    "Yes. If he hasn¡¯t brought it up, I am scared to think why." I hate to do it but I prey on the fear in her eyes now and draw closer to her. "Did you omit that detail because you were afraid of how he would react? Then, you don¡¯t really trust him, do you?"


    "I trust him. I just don¡¯t want him to get unnecessarily angry andsh out. Demi was being harassed by a stranger at the party and I just helped her out of the situation as a girl¡¯s girl. I had no ill intent. You are wee to ask her. She doesn¡¯t even know who I am. I wasn¡¯t trying to cause trouble but to save my fellow woman from one."


    "And Ashton?


    "I mistook him for Ashal and tapped his shoulder. When I realized it, I had to make small talk before leaving to avoid suspicion. That was purely idental and I didn¡¯t tell Ashal because I don¡¯t want to trigger his condition. He¡¯s been going to therapy more frequently now and I think he¡¯s making progress. I don¡¯t want anything to affect his progress."


    Tears almost cloud my eyes at her honest admission. I take her face in my hands and smash my lips to hers. Her soft hands shove at my chest and smacks me hard on my left cheek. That¡¯s when I realize I am still ying Asher and deserve the rejection.


    "WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU¡¯RE DOING?" Olivia questions, heaving with breath. Azy smile seeps into my face. Asher was wrong. I have been worried for nothing.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I just..." I dig my fingers in my hair and stare at her beautiful face. Her lipstick will need retouching.


    "Please leave. Ashal will be here soon and I don¡¯t want him running into you and doubting me again." She returns to her vanity mirror and begins to reapply her lipstick. I watched her as she tantly ignores Asher. It¡¯s time for my epic close.


    "So, that¡¯s it? We¡¯re through? Wow. I worked so hard to give you us a better life, to give YOU a life as a daughter-inw of the Rollins family where you can join the mansion and attend events with the entire family with your head held high. What do you do? You betray me and settle for my brother. You bail on me to continue being a secret the Rollins¡¯ family continues to hide." she pauses and stares up at me through the mirror.


    "If you think my family will ever ept you without my help? You¡¯re joking! The only way you can see the light of day as a proud daughter-inw of the Rollins family is with my help. Even Demi wouldn¡¯t have been in her ce if I didn¡¯t allow it. Father listens to me, you know." Olivia dips her eyes and fusses with her makeup.


    "I guess you¡¯ve made your choice. I am happy for my brother nheless. Eventually, I will forget the pain of your betrayal and maybe forgive you. I hope you keep your word to Ashal though. Stay faithful to him this time. I¡¯ll take myself out of the picture now. I only came here to get some closure over what happened between us. I have your unequivocal answer. That¡¯s all I needed."


    I kiss the top of her hair and sniff it. It smells like flowers. "Maybe you¡¯re right. Ashal is a better lover than I could ever be. I like how he¡¯s making you glow. You two deserve the best of each other."


    Then, I turn around and leave. My chest is almost bursting with happiness. I saw that going differently.


    My phone beeps with a message from Asher. Billion-Err just posted a story about me and my mysterious date at Demi¡¯s party. Thement section is going wild with guesses as to who the lucky woman could be that has stolen my heart. Billion-Err challenges the people of Danvarr to guess who my date was.


    When I descend the stairs, I almost bump into Lily on her way up as my eyes are glued to my phone screen.


    "Sir?"


    "It¡¯s his brother, actually." She looks a bit confused, a bit doubtful as she takes in my phone. It¡¯s the exact type I use as Ashal, with a blue pouch. I slip the phone back into my pocket and make my way towards the foyer. Just as I grab the door, hands hug me tightly from behind. I feel her press her face to my back and sniffle. A frown creases my brow at Lily¡¯s audacity. How can she tell it¡¯s me?


    "I¡¯m deeply sorry. Please forgive me. I don¡¯t know what I was thinking." I wrench her hands away from me and turn with zing eyes to reprimand her. She drops to her knees in front of me with sped hands.


    "Please forgive me." She cries bitterly, grabbing my legs. Her face is a mess.


    "Olivia?" It¡¯s Olivia!


    Her tears make her mascara run down her eyes. She leaps to her feet. "Take me back Asher. I still want the life only you can give me. Please, my feelings for you never changed. I epted your brother out of desperation. Could you imagine what my fate would have been if I had turned him down? He could have killed me. Please try and understand. It¡¯s you that I love."


    Before I can process the shock of her heartbreaking confessions, she captures my lips with hers and kisses me passionately.

 Chapter 56

    <h4>Chapter 56: Chapter 56</h4>


    ASHAL


    My heart thumps wildly in my chest as Olivia pours herself into the one-sided kiss. Finally, my hands start to work again and I gently pull her away from me. Her lipstick is beyond smudged now and I am certain parts of it are smeared all over my lips. Tears sting my eyes but the anger swelling within me keeps it at bay.


    "Please Asher, I mean every word. You know me and how I truly feel about your brother. I only settled for that arrangement because I thought you had abandoned me again."


    "You thought..." I can¡¯t even bring myself to reiterate her words. The line between myself and ying Asher are heavily blurred now by my building rage. "So, if you ever doubt my loyalty to you, you¡¯re going to switch to Ashal as a doting wife? Is that what you¡¯re trying to say?"


    "No. No." She frantically grabs my shoulders, shaking her head from side to side. "I¡¯m saying that I have only ever loved you, Asher Rollins. You¡¯re the man in here." She grabs my hand and ces it on her chest, just above her boobs. "Every decision I have taken that runs afoul to this truth has been for self-preservation. You know all about that, don¡¯t you? It¡¯s the reason I forgave you for denying me and pushing me off as your brother¡¯s mistake. Please Asher, you know I¡¯ve been faithful to you all this time. Don¡¯t cast me away like this."


    The tears threaten to fall now. It was all a lie? She is only with me because Asher wouldn¡¯t take her back? I look away as a single tear rolls down my left cheek. When I deftly swipe it off, my eyes alight on Lily¡¯s form atop the stairs. She¡¯s staring intently at the scene unfolding in front of her.


    My face hardens as we lock eyes. I rip my gaze from her pale face and turn back to a weeping Olivia.


    "I can¡¯t deal with this right now."


    She grabs my wrist when I try to leave. "Don¡¯t walk out on me again! Please, you can¡¯t do this to me again." My anger seeps out and clouds my judgement. I wrench my wrist from her grip and re coldly at her. I don¡¯t care if Asher would probably not react this way but right now, I am livid and if I don¡¯t leave now like my therapist warns, I could expose myself by hitting Olivia.


    Olivia sinks to the floor and sobs as I make my way out. I clench my fists in anger while walking back to the car. How could she? I have been working so hard to win her over. I have spent thest few weeks nning dates and trying to ensure that though the country is unaware of our marriage, Olivia gets to enjoy our union. I have given her my heart, my attention, my money and literally everything there is to be given and this is how she pays me back? How could she switch to Asher¡¯s camp under twenty minutes of conversation? Why can¡¯t she just love me?"


    I manage to drive far away from the penthouse and screech the car to a halt at the corner of the highway. My fists beat the steering wheel countless times to channel my anger to something else. I scream loudly in my car and punch the steering wheel some more. Tears run down my face and through the blur, I notice the rain pattering down on my car. I throw my head in my hands and weep.


    I don¡¯t know how long I stayed out here but when I open my eyes, it is dark outside. I don¡¯t recall falling asleep at all. I wipe my puffy eyes and check my phone. The battery¡¯s dead. When I plug it to charge in my car, arge number of missed calls and messages stream in the moment I hit the power button.


    The article on Billion-Err is gathering steam. My brothers sent me steady updates. Asher called a few times then texted to ask how things went with testing Olivia. He had given me most of my lines after all which I used with slight modifications.


    I ignore a slight pain in my chest as I notice Olivia¡¯s desperate texts to my number saved as Asher. She pledges her undying love and loyalty to him in over seven text messages. Her calls to the same number, which I missed, are over thirty.


    I feel my anger growing again and tear my eyes off the phone to take deep gulps of air. When I go back and finish reading her texts to Asher, I suddenly notice she also texted me as Ashal.


    [Where are you? It¡¯s gettingte. I¡¯m all dressed up and ready for our date. Pleasee home soon, my love. I miss you.]


    [Baby, I¡¯m really starving. I gave up dinner for our date. Can you hurry?]


    [Baby, answer your phone! What¡¯s going on? Are we still on for tonight? I am starting to doze off in all this makeup. Please text me back.]


    Unsurprisingly, these messages trickled in ten minutes after herst text to Asher was left on read.


    "Wow, Olivia, just wow. How much of an actor are you?"


    I can¡¯t believe how swiftly she switched yet again and pretended to be on her husband¡¯s side. It¡¯s all a game to her; a battle between brothers. Whoever can grant her wish and make her a part of the Rollins family and society again, she¡¯ll dly swerve in his direction. It¡¯s no longer about love. Asher and I are more like pawns to her now.


    I guess she¡¯s indeed a part of the Rollins¡¯ family after all. She has picked up a bad trait of ours which is the tendency to use people to get what we want. I can¡¯t even be mad at her now as a fresh n to <i>use</i><i>her</i> as well formtes in my head.


    ***


    My bedroom door bursts open and all my three brothers usher themselves inside. I step out of my closet in a custom burgundy tuxedo and strike a pose for them in the light.


    "What do you think?"


    "Woah. Ash, is that you?" Ashton chuckles.


    "Did you really pull this off without my help? I am jealous." Ashley runs a hand down the fabric and approves.


    "What¡¯s the asion?" Asher asks.


    "Date night." Before they can say anything, I preempt them. "I tested Olivia today." With a twinkle in my eyes, I nod at them. "She didn¡¯t disappoint."


    "Really?"


    "Yep. I was almost moved to tears at how she stood her ground and refused to be swayed. She even pped me when I tried to kiss her as you."


    Asher looks surprised. "Even with all the talking points?"


    "They didn¡¯t make any difference. I even went on a spiral and tried to scare her into taking me back. She threatened to alert the security if I didn¡¯t leave her home. Ah, I was so proud of her."


    Ashton proceeds to give me a hug and congrattes me on finally finding the one. I ignore the tug of guilt in my chest as Ashley repeats the same gesture and words. While Ashley adjusts my bow-tie, Asher feigns a smile.


    I can¡¯t discern if the look on his face is that of doubt or of a deted ego. I am certain he was hoping to be right about Olivia just as he fervently tries to be right about Demi.


    "I¡¯m happy for you man. It¡¯s been a long timeing." He shares a hug with me and pats my back. "You deserve all the happiness in the world."


    "Thank you so much guys."


    "You look dapper and all but I¡¯ll advise you be extra careful tonight, okay? Billion-Err fans are eager to uncover your mystery lover. If they see one of us with a beautiful woman that isn¡¯t Demi, Nic or M, they¡¯ll likely take a photo her to win the contest. I hope you made secure ns to dine with Olivia."


    "Sure, Asher. This isn¡¯t my first rodeo. I know how to be careful. Even before this craziness with the blogs, I have been taking extra measures whenever I step out with Olivia to ensure we are alone and safe from the media."


    "Keep an eye on her too."


    "Always." I assure Ashton.


    I arrive the penthouse a little past nine pm. Olivia is already sleeping in the living room. She looks so peaceful and innocent. If I didn¡¯t have the ufortable memory of her desperately begging Asher to take her back, I¡¯d probably have been spurred to rouse her with a kiss. Lily appears by the kitchen door and hovers slightly, a bit unsure of who I am.


    I crouch on one knee and run a hand to smoothen Olivia¡¯s ruffled hair. She stirs in her sleep and her eyes flutter open. She blinks up at me, confused as well.


    "Hey, I am so sorry. Work was crazy. I didn¡¯t mean to waste your time. I¡¯m so sorry baby. We can still go if you¡¯re up for it." Olivia wounds her hands around my neck and leans into my chest with a satisfied yawn.


    "Will you wait five minutes? I need to go retouch my makeup."


    "Okay, darling." I help her up and smack her bum that looks so good in the dress. She giggles before heading upstairs. Lily bows her head to me and echoes a greeting before trying to return to her work in the kitchen. I trail after her and find her wiping the oven.


    "You¡¯re still here. Are you trying to defy me?"


    "N-no sir. I...I can exin." She drops the rag on the top of the ind and dips her head. "I¡¯m sorry sir. I am not trying to defy you. I¡¯d never do that. I tried talking to Drew again but he insisted I take the pregnancy test in front of him. I did."


    "And?"


    "And it came out negative."


    "What are you talking about?"


    "I think my previous test result was wrong. One ought to take more than one test to confirm. I peed on just one pregnancy strip and rushed to a conclusion. Drew made me do it again and he bought three more. They were all negative."


    While I am shaking my head at her, she dips her hand in her apron and pulls out a paper, then hands it to me. "I had to be sure so I went for a test at a nearby hospital. It also came out negative. I¡¯m deeply sorry for dragging you into all of my mess, sir. Drew and I are over and I don¡¯t n on having anything to do with any of the hires here."


    I return the test result back to her. "You better keep to your word or you could be out of a job really fast. I bet you that you would be hard pressed to find anyone who would pay you as much as I do or give you the luxury andfort you¡¯re enjoying here."


    "You¡¯re right sir. I¡¯ve thought about all that and I have realized my mistake. I can never find a kind and loving employer like yourself." She peers into my eyes. The sultry look reminds me of Olivia¡¯s words stating that Lily had referred to me as her lover. "You are such a handsome and loving man. Mrs. Olivia is beyond lucky to have stolen the heart of a gem like you. You don¡¯t deserve her betrayal."


    I back away as she draws closer to me. "What did you say?"


    "Don¡¯t get me wrong. Your wife is beautiful and a sweet soul but sometimes she gets confused. She has trouble recognizing a good man who loves her to bits or maybe her heart just wants what it wants. It wants your brother, Asher."


    "Shut the hell up!"


    "You know I am telling the truth. They keep having an affair behind your back and you pretend not to be aware. He sleeps with her right in this house, in her room where she¡¯s meant to be satisfying your needs. She even got pregnant for him and lost the baby but you refused to believe me still."


    "Lily, you¡¯re overstepping!"


    "He was here earlier today and despite everything you¡¯ve been doing for her in thest couple of days to make her yours, she begged him desperately to take her back. She boldly dered her love for him and denied having any type of affection for you. It was embarrassing to watch." Her voice drops. "But you already know all that, don¡¯t you? You witnessed it all, posing as your brother, Asher. It¡¯s been you all along, posing as the man your wife is in love with."


    My face hardens at her revtion. I did suspect that she was onto me.


    "I¡¯m so sorry you¡¯ve had to work double roles to be worthy of her. You deserve so much better, sir." I catch her hand as it tries to stroke my cheek. "Olivia isn¡¯t the only one that needs to be cared for. You need someone to care for you too. If you keep at this, you¡¯ll break down eventually. I am not asking to take your wife¡¯s ce. That would be worse than a foolish dream. I just want to fulfil my duties maximally by being whatever my employer requires."


    In a weak moment, I let her hand make contact with my face. Her doe eyes pierce my soul.


    "You don¡¯t have to hide yourself from me. I¡¯ll listen to all your stories and thoughts without judgment. I¡¯ll stroke your ego. I¡¯ll ask how high when you tell me to jump. I¡¯ll go on the pill and warm your bed as much as you want me to. I¡¯ll give you a head massage or a foot rub whenever you want. I¡¯ll do whatever it is you want, Mr. Ashal. I just can¡¯t stand seeing you suffer so much for a woman¡¯s validation."


    She quickly pulls her hand away from my cheek and bows her head.


    "I¡¯m sorry sir. I didn¡¯t mean to leave my duties to your wife. I promise never to let her clean up by herself again."


    I am still wondering why she is suddenly being weird when I hear Olivia¡¯s voice behind me.


    "What¡¯s going on?"


    When I turn, she has changed into a dangerously sexy ck dress. It barely covers a good portion of her thighs. There¡¯s so much skin on disy, from her chest to her midriff to her thighs, that my eyes almost pop out of their sockets. She has on a bold red lip and ck gloves on her hands. She¡¯s desperate to seduce me tonight because Asher has gone MIA again.


    "I¡¯m sorry ma¡¯am." Lily begins. "I was just apologizing to Mr. Rollins for not assisting you during your cooking lessons earlier today."


    Olivia sashays her way to me and nts a kiss on my lips. Her hand rests possessively on my chest. "That¡¯s okay. I told you. She was sick or at least she thought she was but she¡¯s done a proper test and it came out negative. She¡¯ll be careful from now, won¡¯t you, Lilian?"


    "Yes, I will, ma¡¯am."


    "Shall we?" Olivia asks, fluttering her thickshes at me.


    "Let¡¯s go then." I take her hand and lead her towards the door. Before we exit the main door, I nce back and find Lily waving at me.


    ***


    While we are having dinner at an underwater restaurant, Olivia keeps trailing her legs up my calf. I sit back, wondering in silence how desperate she is being right now. Does she really think I wouldn¡¯t find her behavior suspicious? She has only allowed me to kiss and fondle her ever since we got back together. Whenever I tried to do more, she alwaysined about us moving too fast.


    Before this afternoon, I would havepped up her sexual advances right now but knowing what I know, it¡¯s difficult to get that image of her betrayal out of my head.


    "Are you okay?


    "Yeah."


    "You¡¯re unusually quiet."


    I allow a small smile on my face. "I am just a bit tired, that¡¯s all."


    "I¡¯ll run you a bath when we get home, okay. I have other surprises if you¡¯re down for the best evening of your life."


    "Really?"


    "Uh-huh."


    "I¡¯d love that."


    She chews her food tentatively and finally drops her cutleries. I can see a small battle brewing behind her eyes. She¡¯s got something on her mind.


    "Is there a problem?"


    "Ashal, I¡¯d like to apologize about Demi¡¯s party. I know I promised I would keep a low profile and avoid your family members." I watch her wring her hands. "I wasn¡¯tpletely honest with you thest time. I did speak to a few people I wasn¡¯t supposed to but it wasn¡¯t to spite you."


    She goes on to recount the circumstances under which she was forced to speak to Demi and Ashton. Again, I doubt the very same excuse I had thoroughly believed earlier. Olivia could be lying about what really transpired. I can¡¯t take anything she says anymore without a dose of suspicion.


    "It¡¯s alright. I trust you. Thank you, for helping Demi." She beams at me before picking up her spoon again. My phone rings in my pocket. I take the call. "Yes, Asher?"


    Across from me, Olivia bursts out in a coughing fit. "Are you okay?" I ask, reaching for her. She epts the water ss from my hands and sips only to snort some out of her nose by ident as the cough persists.


    She gets on her feet and grabs her purse to use the restroom. Her face is flushed red with embarrassment. I nod at one of our bodyguards, Dante, to escort her. While they leave, I return to my call.


    "Why did you call me Asher?"


    "I¡¯m sorry. I was expecting a call from him." I lie to Ashley. I had deliberately done that to see Olivia¡¯s reaction. Somehow, I am eager to see her squirm. She¡¯s entirely toofortable for someone who just stabbed me in the back earlier today.


    "How¡¯s it going over there?"


    "It¡¯s going well actually."


    "I¡¯m d to hear that. Hey, these guesses are getting wild. Someone in thements left a very particr name as a guess."


    "Who?"


    "It¡¯s obviously a fake ount but the person typed in Olivia¡¯s full name and clearly stated that the woman is your secret wife."


    "What?"


    "Take it easy bro. The rest of us are hard at work here trying to locate the IP address to find the person behind this sick joke. I didn¡¯t want you to be shocked when you found outter.


    "Who could have written something like that?


    "Someone who definitely knows about Olivia¡¯s situation. We¡¯re investigating her family at the moment. You know her kid sister is every bit of a strong head like Olivia. I wouldn¡¯t put it past her."


    I recall Olivia¡¯s younger sister whose education is being covered by our parents. Will she really go this far to register her resentment towards us for her sister¡¯s situation?


    "Enjoy your date." Ashely tells me. "We made up an excuse to father and mother that you¡¯re monitoring Olivia at the penthouse and won¡¯t be returning tonight."


    Olivia! My eyebrows wing up. I flick my wrist and note the time on my watch. It¡¯s been almost five minutes. What¡¯s taking her so long?


    "Thanks bro." I hang up the phone and make my way towards the female restroom. Dante is standing outside the door.


    "She¡¯s still inside, sir." He says as I approach him. I can hear the water running. Still, I grab the knob, shove the door open and go in. All the bathroom stalls are empty.


    She¡¯s gone!

 Chapter 57

    <h4>Chapter 57: Chapter 57</h4>


    ASHLEY


    "What do you mean you can¡¯t find her?" I whisper into the phone. Ashal isn¡¯t making any sense right now. "She was just there a second ago. Didn¡¯t you send her off with a bodyguard? How could you lose her, Ash? You said you would be careful!" His raspy voice echoes on the other end of the phone as he panics.


    "My men arebing the restaurant. She couldn¡¯t have gotten far."


    I know he¡¯s trying really hard not tosh out. I hear him kick something.


    "What was that?"


    "Uh, nothing. I identally knocked down the wash hand basin. Fuck!" He cusses loudly. "Ash, I fucked up really bad. You all were right. I shouldn¡¯t have been so lenient with her. I shouldn¡¯t have trusted her. She yed me, man. She nned to escape this whole time and what are the fucking odds that she timed it just when thatment was made on the blog."


    "You think she might have written it?"


    "No. She didn¡¯t touch her phone the whole time we¡¯ve been here but I suspect she knows who wrote it. She must have been aware that such ament was going to be made and lured me out on this date so she could escape. Damn it! Father is really going to kill me now."


    "Calm down, Ash. We¡¯ll figure something out." I am not sure how we can remedy this but I keep my fears to myself to sympathize with my brother.


    "Who knows where she has gone and how far? She would likely attempt to leave the city first. Her family won¡¯t hide her. She..." Sir? I hear someone call his attention in the background. "What?" Ashal barks at them, then everywhere goes silent.


    "Ash? What¡¯s going on?" I inquire over the eerie silence.


    <i>Baby? Is everything okay? The guards are being rough with me. What have I done?</i>


    "Ash, is that Olivia¡¯s voice I hear?" Ashal doesn¡¯t reply. Instead, I hear the sound of movement, then Olivia cries out in pain. Ashal begins to yell at her.


    <i>Where the fuck did you run off to? Huh? </i>


    <i>Ash, you¡¯re hurting me. Please! I didn¡¯t go far. There wasn¡¯t any tissue in the restroom so I asked Dante to help me get some from the men¡¯s room. My mom called me but there was barely any service in the bathroom so I walked down the hall to take the call. She was panicking Ash, something about an article on Billion-Err and your parents calling to threaten mine. I just took longer trying to assure her that you and I are together. I¡¯m sorry. I wasn¡¯t trying to escape.</i>


    Her voice breaks off as she cries harder. I sigh in relief.


    I hear Ashal demand for her phone and possibly look through it. He probably goes through her call log and confirms her words.


    <i>Sir, she did ask me to go get a tissue from the men¡¯s room but I couldn¡¯t find any either. </i>


    <i>You left her by herself?</i>


    <i>I¡¯m sorry sir.</i>


    I hear the sound of Ashal¡¯s fist ramming into something followed by a grunt of pain. It was probably the speaker¡¯s jaw. Olivia is still crying in the background. I cut the call to let my brother get a grip of himself. I am satisfied that the danger is averted and Olivia is still with us. I¡¯ll call Ashter when things have simmered down.


    "Was that Ashal?"


    I whip my head to find mother behind me.


    "Yes mother."


    "Is everything alright over there?"


    "Of course it is." I hook an arm around her shoulder. "He and Olivia are having a dinner date at home. I just called to tell him about the situation here so he can be extra careful and keep close tabs on her. She has no clue what¡¯s going on either. They¡¯re enjoying lobsters."


    Mom¡¯s smile stretches across her face. "I¡¯m d their rtionship is getting better. I just want my son to be happy, ALL of my sons." Mother tugs at my cheeks. "How are you and Demi?" The evasion is so quick I incline my head to stare at her lovely face.


    "We¡¯re good."


    "Are you really? I couldn¡¯t help but notice the tension between the two of you after you invited your ex to your wife¡¯s birthday party without being considerate of Demi¡¯s feelings."


    "Okay. Firstly, I didn¡¯t invite Nic. She must have gotten whiff of the news from her father whom father graciously invited and apanied him. Secondly, Demi has no romantic feelings for me that could possibly have been bruised by Nic¡¯s presence. However, I do ept that I could have handled the situation better and not allowed Nic conduct herself so brazenly in front of my wife, thereby embarrassing Demi on her birthday. I am still making amends for that."


    "So, you two are still fighting?"


    "I wouldn¡¯t call it that but she¡¯s been a bit distanttely. I am working on it, mom. You know I have my way with women, especially strong-willed ones like the one you had me married to."


    Mom smiles. "Don¡¯t act like you don¡¯t find her attractive." She sighs heavily. "She¡¯s guarded because she¡¯s still getting to know you. Women like Demi are like that. I¡¯m certain with time, you two will connect as a couple."


    I say nothing as mother pecks my cheek and returns to the living room where I had left to go answer Ashal¡¯s desperate call. I watch my brothers conversing. Ashton has aptop on his thighs as he rubs minds with Asher about how to handle the Billion-Err problem.


    Father is making calls in his study but it¡¯s not about the same issue. It¡¯s purely a business call with a very important associate. I peer up the stairs. Since her birthday, Demi barelyes down for anything unless mother insists.


    She¡¯s been frosty towards me for obvious reasons. I wouldn¡¯t me her. Contract marriage or not, she¡¯s still entitled to give me an attitude especially when I openly disrespect her in public.


    I shouldn¡¯t have gotten drunk at the birthday party. I let myself be an easy target for my ex and from the stories William has told me, Demi has every right to give me the silent treatment. Ni had gone too far that night. Could Demi have seen us having sex? What if someone else saw us?


    I make my way to her room and rap softly on her door.


    "Demi? It¡¯s Ashley. Do you have a minute?"


    She takes her time to drag her feet to the door and unlock it. "Yes?"


    "Aren¡¯t you going to invite me in at least?"


    Demi tosses her head in a sidelong nce at her messy room. "No. I¡¯m unboxing my gifts and reorganizing my closet. It¡¯s a huge mess in here."


    "I don¡¯t mind."


    "I do." Her clipped response and dry look almost discourage me but I maintain my resolve to apologize to her for the umpteenth time.


    "Hey, I am deeply sorry about Ni at your party. You have to believe me when I tell you that I never invited her. I wouldn¡¯t do such a thing knowing how ufortable she makes you feel."


    "Ufortable?" Demi reiterates with a slight frown. "Are you assuming I feel threatened by your side chick?" Sheughs softly. "That¡¯s cute. I bet she wants to believe that too but no, I am not ufortable having Ni around. Your family obviously cherishes her and father is still good friends with her dad. I just wasn¡¯tfortable with her shameless disy at the party in front of the guests who know the history between both of you. It was embarrassing for the family as a whole and thest thing I want is father ming me for anything that happened at the party, like the secret wife thing we¡¯re facing right now."


    "I understand. I still wanted to apologize though. Don¡¯t worry. None of it wille back to you. I¡¯ll make sure father doesn¡¯t pin any me on you." I angle my head, shoot her a sunny smile and turn to leave.


    "Is it true?"


    "What?"


    "Is it true that the woman Ashal was hanging out with was Olivia Dunn?"


    "How can you believe that? Ashal doesn¡¯t know anyone by that name."


    "I know but it¡¯s just so strange because I am the one she tried to befriend. Why would shee to my party and not try to see me?"


    "Don¡¯t beat yourself up about anything. There was no one by that name on the guest list. Simply because someone dropped a name doesn¡¯t mean there¡¯s any truth to it. Ashal isn¡¯t married as you know. It¡¯s all just clout chasing. Those desperate people will say anything to win the stupid contest."


    "You¡¯re right. I¡¯m so silly for falling for that. Olivia couldn¡¯t have been at that party because I didn¡¯t invite her. I can¡¯t even find her contact anymore." Demi shakes her head. "So, who exactly was Ashal vibing with that night? Come to think of it, I haven¡¯t exactly seen him cozying up to any woman. He also doesn¡¯t have a girlfriend. I am just curious to know who the mysterious woman is."


    "Why? Are you keen on winning the contest too?"


    "Of course not. I am a part of this family. I don¡¯t deserve to be in the dark like all the others out there so tell me, what¡¯s the lucky woman¡¯s name?"


    Suddenly, her mood has perked up with this line of conversation. I am grateful she¡¯s in better spirits but I can¡¯t tell her anything concrete. Olivia is one of the Rollins family¡¯s well-kept secrets that Demi sadly can¡¯t be trusted with, ever.


    "It¡¯s some girl he met at a club a few weeks back. They hit it off really well so he invited her to the party as a plus one. They¡¯re not serious though. It was just a fun night together but I don¡¯t think they n on seeing each other again."


    "Oh."


    "Yeah. She must be mad at the exposure her attendance is garnering. She hates fame and prefers to lead a quiet life."


    "Sounds like she and I are fated to be best friends forever." There¡¯s a wistful look in Demi¡¯s ssy eyes as she finishes her statement.


    I squint at her. "Are you still beefing with Anna? C¡¯mon Demi, did you really expect her to hang by your side all night like a handbag? She¡¯s a young woman. It¡¯s not unnatural for her to want to mingle and make new connections." Demi scowls.


    "I have no problem with her mingling. I¡¯m mad at her for disappearing on me. I couldn¡¯t find her for most of the night and she isn¡¯t telling me the whole truth. She¡¯lle around. We¡¯ll be fine but for now, I just need some time alone."


    She shuts her door in my face. I am not mad. I am actually d that I managed to distract her from her fixation with Ashal¡¯s mystery woman by bringing up Anna. Ashal finally calls me back and I walk away to take his call.


    ***


    "Don¡¯t ignore me, Ashley. You wanted it as badly as I did. Don¡¯t stand there and act like you were actually drunk while you kept hammering yourself inside me."


    "Can you be any louder and vulgar?" I snap at Nic in my office. "Would you like a megaphone to announce to the entire country that I fucked my ex at my own wife¡¯s birthday party?"


    Nic shrugs her shoulders and looks away. I abandon the new fabrics I am inspecting for a new dress I want to create and toss everything aside.


    "I¡¯m sorry." Ni chimes.


    "No, you¡¯re not. We both know that. You came there knowing fully well what a tight spot you¡¯d be putting me in. You also wanted to steal the spotlight from Demi, didn¡¯t you? You just couldn¡¯t help yourself." She leaps up from the couch and walks over to me.


    "I wasn¡¯t trying to steal anything from her. Demi can¡¯t hold a spotlight even if it was beamed on her. It¡¯s not my fault everyone found me more interesting to feast their eyes on, including you." I p her hands off my face.


    "You won¡¯t do that ever again or I will have you banned from attending my family events."


    "You can¡¯t do that."


    "Is that a dare?" My eyes pierce her angry ones. She pulls back with hands akimbo.


    "You¡¯re barking up the wrong tree once again, Ashley. Your wife doesn¡¯t give a shit about you. Plus, she¡¯s not as innocent as she looks. Didn¡¯t you notice the weird energy between her and your friend, William?"


    When I continue to look dumbfounded, Ni shakes her head. "I can¡¯t believe you didn¡¯t notice. There¡¯s definitely something off between them or maybe something happened between them. Demi was very ufortable around Will and he acted very smug around her too. I saw them speaking in hushed tones at the party. I even saw him pull her by the hand once but she fled the scene. I tried using my charm and some alcohol to coax Williiam into spilling the truth but it didn¡¯t work."


    "Now, you¡¯re trying to make things up about Demi? Grow up, Ni."


    "I can¡¯t make this up. You know I don¡¯t tell lies about things like this. Don¡¯t you recall thest time with Demi and the that guy at the bookstore? You also didn¡¯t believe me until you did. I was right, wasn¡¯t I? I am convinced that I am also right about Demi and William even though all I have right now is a hunch. You should do well to pursue this and get to the bottom of it before it blows up in your face." She grabs her bag. "How soon can I expect the dress to be ready?"


    "Five days. These fabrics don¡¯t cut it. I¡¯ll have to ce a new order."


    "Fine. I¡¯ll be back by then, unless you want me sooner." She winks seductively at me before leaving.


    I try to immerse myself back into my work but can¡¯t seem to find my rhythm. Nic¡¯s words keep echoing at the back of my head. I can¡¯t ignore them because I also did see how ufortable Demi acted around William when I first introduced them.


    William is a charming and funny guy. I can¡¯t imagine why Demi would have anything against him. The fact that they had gone to school together makes me even more curious. What could possibly have happened between them that makes Demi want to be anywhere else but in the same room as Will?


    I don¡¯t care if they were old mes back in high school. That was a different time in their lives and long before I came into the picture. I just hate that Demi wouldn¡¯t confide in me about that so I don¡¯t appear insensitive by making her life difficult with William¡¯s constant presence around me.


    Well, I¡¯ll excuse her secretiveness for now because she has legitimate reasons to be pissed at me. We¡¯ll circle back to this issue at ater date. For now, I¡¯ll handle Will and figure out a way to get the truth out of him.


    I call Will to invite him for lunch since he is still in Danvarr. He happily epts my invitation. I settle into work and try to focus. I guess I get carried away because that¡¯s exactly what William walks into when he strolls into my office at noon.


    "Wow, some people really get into their work." He casually utters with a smile as he takes in my crowded desk, the piles of fabric on my couches and the mannequin I am currently using to get a rough sketch of my design by pinning fabrics on it. I rise to my feet and take off my sses.


    "Hey man." I greet him, shaking his hand firmly.


    "Nice ce you¡¯ve got here."


    "Forgive the chaos. Right this way." I usher him into a lounge area and while he helps himself to a seat, I offer him a drink and call for our lunch to be brought up.


    "I didn¡¯t like the way things happened back in my home so I wanted to treat you to a sumptuous meal before you leave Danvarr."


    William sips his scotch and reclines in his seat. "Oh, I am in no hurry to leave this beautiful country."


    "Really?"


    "Yep. It¡¯s been wonderful these past few days. I think I might linger for a while."


    I don¡¯t know how I feel about him sticking around when his whole life and business is in a different country. However, I don¡¯t attempt to question the man¡¯s decision or challenge them. Our food is brought and served. William smiles at therge spread of intercontinental dishes in front of us and nods satisfactorily.


    "Why would I leave when people here treat me to the best of everything?"


    "I¡¯m d you¡¯re having a swell time. I couldn¡¯t entertain you properly at my home because my wife also required my attention being her birthday week and all. Plus, she¡¯s not really a fan of yours anymore if you get my drift."


    Will squares his shoulders with a twinkle in his eyes. "Oh, no, I actually don¡¯t get your drift." He sets his scotch aside and stares at me.


    "Demi doesn¡¯t seem to like you as a person anymore. It¡¯s not unnatural to grow apart from people you spent the better part of your formative years with. If I had known this sooner, I probably wouldn¡¯t have invited you to her party. We would have just hung out elsewhere and the awkwardness between both of you at home would have been avoided." Will chuckles slightly.


    "Did she say that?"


    "She didn¡¯t have to say much with her words." I say, using my chopsticks to mix my pasta and the sauce. "I am her husband. I can tell when she isn¡¯tfortable having a certain person around her. In your case though, she actually voiced her concerns. I know you two have some kind of history but she¡¯s moved on now and hates being reminded of that period in her life."


    "I doubt that."


    "Why do you?"


    "Well, she didn¡¯t mention it to me when we talked."


    "You two had a private conversation?" Will smacks his lips as the vors of the meal hits him.


    "Yeah. She needed closure, I guess. Our breakup was emotionally exhausting. I guess I also wanted some things demystified too. It¡¯s all good now. We¡¯re cool."


    So, they did date in high school. For how long? I wish Will would be a fount of information and spill. Why would Demi still be affected by him after so many years? Could she still be nursing a heartbreak? Could she still have residual feelings for him?


    Will eats and watches me in silence.


    "Are you enjoying the food?" I ask him to dispel his suspicion of my difort with his new revtion.


    "Yeah. It¡¯s delicious."


    After he leaves, I struggle to not call Demi and rify some things. William has sessfully raised more questions in my head rather than answer the ones I already had in there.


    Sighing, I return to my office to find a bouquet of flowers delivered on my desk. Wondering who could have sent them to me, I shuffle up to my desk and pluck the card from the fragrant flowers.


    It can¡¯t be Demi. She¡¯s not much of a romantic, especially not from my standpoint. It could be Nic but I doubt she¡¯ll swallow her pride and send me flowers merely hours after we part ways. If she had, she¡¯d be here to make sure I know it¡¯s from her. A few other side chickse to my mind as well as fans and secret admirers as I read the little note attached to the flowers.


    [C¡¯mon boy, you know you liked it all those nights we shared together. I am the reason you¡¯re so good at it with women today. Why haven¡¯t you been sending flowers of gratitude like this one to the early grave you sent me to? Don¡¯t make me expose our little secret- <i>Tobias</i>]


    The card slips from my hand as I stagger backwards in a shocked haze, almost breathless and panting for air.

 Chapter 58

    <h4>Chapter 58: Chapter 58</h4>


    ASHER


    The office has never felt so serene. Thest two weeks of work while Josh¡¯s suspension held were a slice of heaven. I didn¡¯t even realize how much I enjoyed work before that bastard showed up.


    It was utterly refreshing to be reminded just how close father and I used to be. We had our lunch together andughed at our silly attempts at dry humor. For the first time in a long time, I felt like I was enough in father¡¯s eyes. I will forever treasure those days as I hope father will.


    Josh is back now and the stench of his presence is responsible for the big scowl on my face. Why didn¡¯t he get at least a month? I personally want to curl my hands around his neck and snuff the life out of him for attempting to take mine. I will never forgive him for that and for hurting Ashton in the process.


    However, I know father is watching me to see how I rte with his other son, especially given my temperament and Josh¡¯s wrongs against Ashton and I. Father would not be expecting me to be the bigger person. He would expect me to make a move on his ostensibly hapless son but I won¡¯t give either of them the satisfaction.


    Rather than barge into his office and yell expletives at him, I rap gently on Josh¡¯s door and stroll in like the boss that I am. It¡¯s so strange to see him meekly seated behind his desk and working for a change instead of hopping between offices with a gigantic chip on his shoulder and bothering everyone else.


    His face sags when his eyes meet mine. I bet I am thest person he expects to pay him a visit after his suspension. He reclines in his chair and sighs.


    "What do you want?"


    A low chuckle escapes my lips. "I need to take a photo of you behind your desk. It¡¯s rarer than an eclipse of the sun." I take a picture with my phone andugh at the image. "You look like a steaming pile of horse shit trampled beneath the feet of elephants in a stampede."


    "So, you¡¯re here to gloat."


    "Oh yes." I affirm, slipping my phone into my pocket. "It¡¯s amazing how much work I can get done when I don¡¯t have to worry about running into your ugly face. I already cleared my te for a few days toe. With lots of free time on my hands, I figured I¡¯d make your life more miserable than it already is by informing you directly that a two-week suspension is not enough punishment for attempting to take a life."


    My lips curl with mischief. "I¡¯ve retrieved the real CCTV footage of the club, well, mostly the part where you tried to stab me in a murderous rage. Just remember what your fate will be when I decide to release that video. All the money in your piggy bank and your uselessst name will not be able to spare you the trauma of being an ex-convict."


    Josh slowly rises to his feet. His eyes are hazed with shock but he makes an effort to hide the intimidation and dread behind them.


    "You¡¯re not going to release anything! Dad already had this matter handled. The video footage was confiscated and destroyed. You¡¯re bluffing. You don¡¯t have anything and even if you do, you can¡¯t touch a hair on my head." I burst into an animatedugh as his fear seeps through the cracks in his false demeanor.


    "I am Asher Rollins. I don¡¯t bluff, Josh Randall. I¡¯ve been serving under my father since I was eight and I have learnt quite a number of things from him. One of them is to never leave any traces if you¡¯re going to get your hands dirty by running afoul to thew. The second you hurt my brother and fled the scene, I made securing the evidence my top priority. The fact that my brother was bleeding in that room wasn¡¯t the distraction you hoped it would be. I got the actual tape before joining others at the hospital because I knew you would arrange to have it doctored or destroyed."


    "Father won¡¯t let you."


    "And how exactly is he going to stop me? He knows better than toe pleading for your sorry excuse of a life to be spared. I will get my pint of blood one way or another from you, Josh Randall. You have messed with the wrong quads. By the time I am don juicing you of all the potential opportunities that rue to you as father¡¯s son, I will leave you to hang dry with the gem in my possession. Just you wait."


    Josh exhales and dabs his sweaty brow. "What do you want? What will make you stop and destroy the evidence? Out with it!"


    "You must be more stupid than I thought." Ish at him with a fiery look in my eyes. "What could you possibly use a bargaining chip that will top the satisfaction I will get from all the damage I can cause you with the evidence I have in my possession?"


    "You would be surprised." Josh replies with a smug look.


    My phone starts ringing just then. "Get your ass back to work." I order him. "You have a lot to do around here."


    I step out of the office and head towards mine but before I can take the call, it ends. I redial Ashton¡¯s number and he picks up almost immediately. He doesn¡¯t let me say a single word but hurriedly mentions that I abandon everything and head over to Ashley¡¯s. Then he hangs up before I can ask for more details.


    A short message pops in right after and this has me rushing for the elevator. Nessa¡¯s anxious calls and Demi¡¯s surprised stare don¡¯t slow me down. The message had mentioned a name my brothers and I haven¡¯t uttered in years.


    I power through traffic like it¡¯s a Mad Max Fury Road movie, cop a ticket for speeding before arriving at Ashley¡¯s. It¡¯s no surprise that Ashton and Ashal¡¯s cars are already in the parking lot. The elevator is upied so I sprint up the stairs in giant strides of three till I reach the second floor.


    The minute I burst through the door, my eyes scan the room for Ashley. He is sitting on a couch in his office, his hands clenched on his knees. His shoulders are tensed. His eyes are a little misty and it is my guess that a few tears have flowed from them.


    He reminds me of the weepy, whiny little eight years old boy he was years back, too afraid to speak or share the horror being done to him by a man who was meant to protect him. Ashton and Ashal are seated on either side of him.


    "Where is it?"


    With a jut of his chin, I follow Ashal¡¯s direction to the desk where arge bouquet of fresh flowers sits. The moment I draw close, Ashton hovers behind me. I snag the card with a frown and read the words.


    "We already checked the cameras. A courier dropped them off. He kept his helmet on the whole time. I called thepany and they confirmed that one of their messengers reported being attacked and his bike stolen." Ashton fluffs his hair and grinds his teeth in anger. "I killed Tobias." He says in a whisper. "I should be the one being targeted, not him." He nces back at Ashley who is still in shock.


    "They don¡¯t know that." I say, turning to him with a grim look. "But what they do know is what Tobias was doing to Ash. They know it was Ashley that was hurt. For that reason, they me Tobias¡¯ mysterious death on him."


    "Ashal also made some calls regarding Tobias¡¯ family. They left Danvarr shortly after he died. His wife already remarried. He had two sons and a daughter. One of the sons died a year ago from drug abuse. The other two children haven¡¯t stepped foot in Danvarr for over ten years."


    I lower my voice. "Well, clearly, someone who knows everything that happened has and they¡¯re trying to torment our brother. We can¡¯t allow that. Ashley hase a long way from that painful period in his life. We can¡¯t let him go down that rabbit hole."


    "I¡¯m not going to." Ashley says to our surprise. He pulls himself up and wipes his face. I rush to him and take his face in my hands." I¡¯m alright, Asher. I¡¯m much better now with you guys here."


    "I know but we can¡¯t ignore the emotional tumult you just went through. Leave everything to us. We¡¯ll uncover the person or people behind this unfunny joke. I just need you to promise me you¡¯ll talk to Dr. Welsh about it. Please, Ashley. You need to share with someone."


    Ashley shifts ufortably and nods atst.


    "Thank you." I kiss his forehead and pull him in for a tight hug. "You¡¯re getting a bodyguard too."


    "I don¡¯t need..."


    "I wasn¡¯t asking." I reinforce, pulling back.


    "Look, I know I panicked. It¡¯s only normal given the shock of seeing..." He struggles a bit, "...<i>his name</i> again after so long. I have had some time to pull myself together. Whoever did this wanted to scare me. They¡¯ll return for sure to y more mind games. I don¡¯t want to give them the satisfaction of seeing me shaking like a leaf. I didn¡¯t do anything wrong. It was all self-defense. Besides, I doubt they have any concrete proof. This might just be their ploy to get me to admit some guilt over what happened. If I take on a new bodyguard, I¡¯d only be announcing to them that they¡¯ve seeded in scaring the shit out of me."


    My eyes avert to the flowers instantly when Ashal ces a firm hand on my shoulder.


    "I already checked the flower for cameras and bugs."


    "And this room?"


    "I handled that." Ashton assures me.


    "Ash, let me see your phone." I grab Ashley¡¯s phone and do a quick scan. "There¡¯s a fucking spy app in here." I disable it. "Do you know how this could have happened? Who could have done this to your phone?" Ashley blows out a frustrated breath.


    "I don¡¯t know man; I hang around a lot of people. Nic has no reason to. We hang out more often than my own wife and she has epted her ce in my life. Demi barely sticks around me. Plus, she¡¯s not the jealous type to actually go this far. I have no clue who could have installed that."


    I ask to see the footage from the camera. It¡¯s just as Ashton had exined. The messenger keeps their helmet on the whole time as they deliver the flower to Ashley¡¯s office.


    There¡¯s a moment of hesitation and a nervous scanning of the room before the person leaves. His body is fully covered in an all-ck leather pants and jacket. Even his hands are masked by ck gloves.


    I cuss under my breath as I am unable to find any clues.


    "I¡¯ll forward this to Duncan and see what he finds."


    "Hold on." Ashton interrupts me, pulling theptop closer. He rewinds the video and freezes the image at a point.


    "What?" I ask him as his eyes narrow with precision.


    "How did I miss this?" He points a finger at the frozen image of the messenger just when he turns to scan the room. "The jacket is slim fitted. That¡¯s why it¡¯s a little snug on him. Right here, just as he turns, can you see that protrusion?" Ashton ys back the video for us all to watch again and allows it to roll till the messenger walks out. "Notice anything weird about the way he walks without the weight of the bouquet? What does that tell you?"


    "That protrusion is actually a right boob and that walk is indeed feminine." I lock eyes with Ashton¡¯s narrowed one as we dere in sync, "IT¡¯S A WOMAN!"


    ***


    "Don¡¯t start, Ash."


    "I¡¯m just saying we can¡¯t rule them out. Your phone was bugged. These two women are the closest to you and could have had the opportunity to nt that spy app. A woman clearly delivered the flowers. Why aren¡¯t you guys seeing this from my standpoint?" I query Ashley and the rest of my brothers shaking their heads at my theory.


    "This isn¡¯t about me constantly seeking to make Demi a culprit. It¡¯s just fucking obvious that she can¡¯t be innocent in all this."


    "You already called the office, didn¡¯t you?" Ashton asks. "Didn¡¯t Nessa say Demi is in her office? Did you see her leave before you came here? How could she have delivered the flowers and returned back to the office in record time?


    "And what about Nic?" I try again. "She left Ashley just before his lunch with William. She could have returned to drop the flowers off while he was entertaining his friend in the lounge area."


    "Nic didn¡¯t even know I was inviting William over. She left to return in five days¡¯ time to try the new dress I am making. If she had anything to do with this, she would have arranged it to be delivered at a time when I won¡¯t likely be in my office, not when she is certain she would run into me workingte."


    I can¡¯t believe they¡¯re defending these women right now. "I¡¯m just saying both women fit the physique of the courier from the video. Can we just agree to take them into consideration while we are looking into this? Ashley, you literally just got assaulted. We are not trusting anyone right now. It could have been either of them or someone else. Till we canpletely rule them out, they¡¯re culpable suspects."


    I re at anyone bold enough to challenge me. When they all remain silent, I head to the fridge and return with some craft beer for everyone to calm our nerves.


    "Let¡¯s forget this for now and talk about something else." My eyes track towards Ashal. "Did you talk to Olivia about thement on Billion-Err? It can¡¯t be a coincidence that someone meticulously mentioned her full name and the fact that she is your <i>secret </i>wife."


    Ashal sighs. "I grilled her about it but she keeps insisting that she has no idea who could have done that. She admits that her friend Eliana, whom she had been having dinner dates with had suspected she was in an abusive rtionship. However, Liv never rified or even mentioned who she was in a rtionship with, let alone the fact that she is actually married. She doesn¡¯t think any of her family members could have done it either. Father already threatened them and there¡¯s been no admission of guilt."


    "This Eliana, do we know how to reach her?"


    "I warned her to stay away from Olivia a while back. I could get Olivia to reach out to her once more to figure out if she is really behind this mess."


    I run a hand over my eyes. "We¡¯ve been sloppy, guys. Our secrets have never been this close to the surface. We¡¯ve let our guards down and I fucking need you all to see that. I don¡¯t know if it¡¯s the women or the events and shocking revtions over the past few weeks that¡¯s poked holes in our system but we need to fix this mess. If this continues, we will all be ruined."


    My vision blurs and I blink my eyes. My symptoms have been ragingtely.


    "Are you okay, Asher?"


    "I¡¯m fine. I am just really stressed. Josh is back at work trying to garner pity. I just fucking hate seeing his face at work. Father is holding back fromforting him but I know they¡¯ll meet outside of work. Then there¡¯s all these problems cropping up simultaneously..."


    "Hey," Ashton ces a hand over my shoulder. "If you get out of your own way, you¡¯d realize the burden of fixing our problems isn¡¯t your sole responsibility. You take on too much, Asher. You need to take a step back and get the proper rest you need."


    I chuckle at that. "I¡¯ll rest when I¡¯m dead, okay?"


    "Don¡¯t say that." Something about Ashley¡¯s tone has my eyes wheeling towards him. "Not even as a joke. I can¡¯t lose any of you."


    "I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to say such a morbid thing." I down the rest of my beer and rise to my feet. "I should be heading back. It¡¯s almost closing hours and Josh must have a lot to say to father about my absence today. Ashley, you should go home and take some rest. No one here doubts how hard you work and given what happened today, no one can me you for taking a leave if you wish."


    "It¡¯s fine. I¡¯ll just wrap up things here and head home to rest."


    "Maybe you should call Ni." I suggest. "You need someone to distract you for a bit. Who knows, you could also pick up some clues as to whether she knows anything about what happened here today. We¡¯ll tell Demi you¡¯re workingte. Take your time." I give him onest hug before heading out.


    On my way back to work, I forward the camera footage to Duncan and leave an audio message exining why Ashton and I think the courier is a woman. Then I implore him to make his own deductions but most importantly, to find out who the person is. Next, I call father.


    "Where are you?" His brashness doesn¡¯t faze me.


    "Driving back from Ashley¡¯s."


    "You skipped half a day of work. What¡¯s the point of returning just after closing hours?"


    "Maybe you should ask me why I am calling to tell you that I am just returning from my brother¡¯s office first."


    I tighten my grip on the steering wheel and grit my teeth. How clueless and indifferent can a father be? "Contrary to what you might think, I didn¡¯t go over there to chat idly or have drinks with him. In fact, I wasn¡¯t the only one who rushed over there. Ashton and Ashal were there as well."


    "What happened?"


    I inhale deeply. "Duncan is going to send you some pictures and a video. Someone sent a bouquet of flowers and a note to Ashley¡¯s. It mentioned that it was from Tobias."


    "What? How?"


    "We¡¯re still figuring that out. That¡¯s not the only reason I called." Josh¡¯s wordse flowing back to me. Just before I had left his office, he had tantly insinuated that he might have something to bargain with me regarding the incriminating evidence of him in my possession. In hindsight, the import of his words is starting toe to me.


    "Is it possible that you might have shared the details of Ashley¡¯s past to anyone outside our family?"


    "What the hell are you talking about? Of course not."


    "I need you to think, father. Around the time Tobias died, you withdrew for a while. I know he was your friend. The shock of his actions towards your son and his sudden death must have affected you in some way."


    "Asher, I told no one."


    "It had to be around the time you were seeing Josh¡¯s mom, right? Do you think you might have told her more than you meant to in the throes of grief or passion." His brief pause unsettles me.


    "I doubt it."


    "You can¡¯t say for certain that you didn¡¯t."


    "What are you thinking?"


    "I¡¯ll tell you once I have proof. Let¡¯s just pray your other son isn¡¯t behind what happened to my brother today. I hope for your sake that he isn¡¯t. behind this."


    "Josh can¡¯t be."


    His quick defense of Josh¡¯s innocencences my pride. "Did you have him monitored during his suspension? Do you know what he was up to? You better find out." I end the call and huff out a breath.


    If Josh is truly behind this, I won¡¯t spare his life this time. I don¡¯t care if father remains heartbroken. He wouldn¡¯t dare turn me in over the loss of his secret, bastard son. I can bet on it.


    The lights are still on in some floors of Rollins HQ when I pull up. I take the elevator and take long strides towards my office. Nessa dutifully turned off the light in my office. I pull open the door and flick the light bulb on to retrieve my personal effects before going home. The sight of Josh Randall sitting in my chair startles me.


    "WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU¡¯RE DOING IN MY OFFICE?"


    He smirks at me and holds something up in his right hand. I don¡¯t have to squint at it to realize it¡¯s a single white pill, one identical to the ones I am used to taking to alleviate my headaches.


    "Headaches, huh?" Josh turns the pill in between his thumb and index finger. "This isn¡¯t a pill for a regr headache, isn¡¯t that right, Asher?"

 Chapter 59

    <h4>Chapter 59: Chapter 59</h4>


    DEMI


    My birthday was an epic tragedy. Prior to the D-day, I kept having nightmares about my past life with myte parents. Sometimes, the true version of events would y out. Other times, the dreams would get distorted from what actually happened and I would end up orchestrating the act that leads me to lose my parents.


    Then, my birthday rolled by and nobody in the mansion bothered to listen to anything I had to say. I wasn¡¯t allowed to <i>not</i> have a party which was exactly what I wanted. I didn¡¯t even have a say in how the party foisted on me was to be organized or who got to be invited. Even my birthday dress was handpicked for me.


    No offense to Ashley but I have never felt so ufortable in a dress not because of the stitching of the dress but because of the sex appeal it made me ooze. It felt like I was being forced to look like someone else or to be someone else. The guest list didn¡¯t seem like a guest list because everybody seemed to have turned up, even the people that shouldn¡¯t have.


    While my husband¡¯s ex was stripping herself bare for everyone to see and sshing in the pool at my party, the man I have a big crush on was being dry humped by his hot girlfriend.


    I didn¡¯t even get a chance to fume about anything before I was osted by my ex-boyfriend from high school who has reasons to suspect my motives for marrying into the elite family connected to the loss of my parents.


    To top it all, my best friend who promised to stay by my side and help me navigate the crazy world of the rich and powerful, disappeared on me.


    I still can¡¯t get over how fucked up that night was. The party had been organized for me but in so many ways, everyone around me attended to fulfil their selfish ends.


    Like my night couldn¡¯t get any worse, I had to wake up the next morning to realize the very same attendees whose invitations I would never have approved of, had spent the fucking night at the mansion.


    It just goes to show that the Rollins don¡¯t truly give a damn about me, my opinion and especially my feelings. If they did, they wouldn¡¯t unt Nic in my face knowing fully well that she is my husband¡¯s ex, especially after she disrupted my party and even had sex with Ashley that very night! I grit my teeth as the nasty image flits across my mind.


    "Are you okay?"


    I look up from the nk screen of myptop to see Nessa lounging by my door. I didn¡¯t hear or see here in. I run a hand over my eyes and try to banish the thoughts jostling for attention in my aching head.


    "Yeah, just very tired." Nessa edges closer and drops a bottle of Sauvignon nc with a red bow on it. I am not surprised. Since my birthday party was aired on the news, I have been getting random gifts from everyone at work. Someone sent a whole hamper of fruits and beverages. I have enough food trays to keep me satisfied at lunch even without having to go to a restaurant during my lunch breaks. I haven¡¯t even had time to tidy up the gifts in my crammed office space due to my wandering, distracted mind.


    "Happy bted birthday." Nessa echoes with a sweet smile.


    "Thank you, Nessa. That¡¯s very sweet of you."


    "I had no idea about your birthday party. I would have prepared something better but it¡¯s not toote. Maybe we can go shopping sometime, you know, bond beyond the office?"


    "Yeah. Definitely. I¡¯d love that."


    I am down with bonding with her. It¡¯s been a long time since I¡¯ve wanted to get to know her better than just Asher¡¯s pretty secretary who seems to be into him. I wonder what she¡¯s like when she isn¡¯t fussing over Asher¡¯s schedule.


    My eyes absently dip to her stomach. I had seen her with a pregnancy striping out of Asher¡¯s office. That was on the very same day she returned from her sick leave. Since then, I¡¯ve seen her drinking. My guess is that she didn¡¯t keep the baby. Did Asher make her terminate it? I wouldn¡¯t be surprised. He¡¯s a stonehearted human being who is obsessed with work. Aside his immediate family and the business, nothing else matters to him.


    Speak of the devil, I mutter as Asheres strolling towards his office. Nessa winks at me and begins to return to her station when Asher halts in his tracks and stares hard at his phone.


    Together, Nessa and I watch with astonishment as he backtracks and rushes for the elevator. No matter how loudly she calls to him, whatever he had seen on his phone seems far more important.


    "What was that?" I ask Nessa as she grabs her phone to call him. "Is everything okay?"


    "He has an important meeting to chair in less than twenty minutes. The chairman will be there. I don¡¯t know how to exin his absence." Nessa is almost biting her nails. I am not surprised she¡¯s also tensed about father. He has that effect on people.


    "Shit. I can¡¯t reschedule the meeting. I have already been putting it off for a while and most of the heads of departments had to move things around to be at the meeting today. Mr. Asher is ignoring my calls too. He won¡¯t like it if this meeting holds without him because Josh will likely chair it. Why wouldn¡¯t he tell me what¡¯s going on at the very least."


    I go up to her and ce a hand on her tensed shoulder to calm her down. "It¡¯s okay."


    "No, it¡¯s not. Can you try to call him? Get him toe back or at least remind him of the meeting. Maybe he will listen to you."


    I stifle augh at Nessa¡¯s cluelessness. Asher only listens to the thing between his legs and father. If he does listen to other people especially around the office, I won¡¯t even make it to the top fifty on that list, assuming he listens to up to fifty people.


    "I doubt that. Keep trying. I¡¯ll see if I can stall father. The meeting will definitely not hold if father doesn¡¯t attend, right?"


    "Right. Thank you so much, Demi. You¡¯ll literally be saving my life and my job."


    Good. I want to make it into her good books, not just as the boss¡¯ daughter-inw but as a trustworthy friend. If Nessa believes she owes me a debt of gratitude, it could be the start of our friendship and maybe she would eventually open up to me about lots of things.


    I have no clue how to stall father as I make my way to his office with a bottle of red wine I had grabbedst minute from my gifts. I silently hope that Pippa from auditing doesn¡¯t see me.


    This will be a first for me, visiting father¡¯s office that is. His secretary informs me that he haspany. I indicate that it is urgent and pout my lips at the elderly woman who smiles and leaves a message for father. Suddenly, she informs me that I can go in.


    I thank her and reach for the door knob only for the door to swing open. A flustered Josh Randalles out of father¡¯s office, a film of sweat on his face. We lock eyes in that awkward moment but rather than his usual smile, he totally ignores me and brushes my shoulder as he walks away.


    "You¡¯re not the only one having a bad morning, asshole." I mutter under my breath before going in. Father is perched behind his desk. His office is like twice the size of Asher¡¯s. It is tastefully furnished and artfully decorated as a bnced blend of luxury and power.


    "What is this about? I don¡¯t have all day." He snaps at me. From his high-backed chair, he looks very intimidating. My throat dries up and I struggle to form words. "Are you here to waste my time, Demi?"


    "S-Sorry father." I clear my throat. "I just...I wanted to thank you for throwing me a birthday party."


    He scoffs loudly. "I didn¡¯t throw you anything. That¡¯s all my wife¡¯s doing. You should be thanking her not me."


    "I know. I already did but...I feel like I also owe you some appreciation for allowing it." He arches his brows and watches me. "I know this doesn¡¯t mean much but I was hoping you would share a bit of this with me. We haven¡¯t really tried bonding as father-inw and daughter-inw." I take tentative steps towards a cab in his office and pluck two wine sses.


    "You must be silly for expecting me to drink during working hours." The low hum of his voice is both a warning and a threat but I ignore it. I walk brisky to his desk, set the sses and start to uncork the wine. "Are you deaf, woman?"


    "It¡¯s just a toast to us as father and daughter, a small sip will do. Mother and I have grown really close and she hopes that you and I can achieve that as well."


    Throwing in mother¡¯s name makes something warm flit in father¡¯s eyes. If he thinks this is mother¡¯s idea, he might go easy on me. However, the effect doesn¡¯tst as he lurches to his feet and barks at me to leave.


    That¡¯s when I pretend to be startled by his sudden outburst and let go of the cork. The wine spears out from the bottle and sshes right in father¡¯s face, dripping down his chest. His white suit looks like he caught three bullets in his chest. A half scream escapes my lips as the bottle slips from my hand, onto his plush carpet.


    "Oh god, father, I am so sorry." I am deeply scared now with the burning look he gives me. "I...I didn¡¯t mean to...please forgive me. I-I¡¯ll dry clean...." He presses his inte and calls for security. "Father please, I didn¡¯t mean to. I am so sorry."


    "GET OUT!"


    With tears clouding my eyes, I vishly bow to him, spew more profuse apologies before hustling out of there. My hands are shaking when I return to my office.


    Momentster, Nessa rushes in to tell me the meeting has been postponed as father can¡¯t make it. My heart is still racing when I beam up at her in response to her thanks. When she proceeds to ask me how I managed it, I tell her she doesn¡¯t want to know.


    I know I am in a whole lot of trouble so I grab my phone and call mother for emotional support. I y back everything that happened as me trying to have a moment with my father-inw that turned into a huge, red mess. Mother promises to handle father.


    "Thank you so much, mother. I don¡¯t know what I would do without you."


    The entire office is abuzz with gossip about what happened in father¡¯s office because the janitors who cleaned out the ce decided to run their mouth. Spections are also made about me being the culprit.


    I hear my name being whispered everywhere as I go to refill my coffee in the staff kitchen or to use one equipment or the other. Josh Randall even osts me in my office just before lunch break to yell at me for the mess I made.


    I peer up at him for the audacity. His interference is very unprofessional. He is neither my boss nor a family member so the fact that he feels he has a right to register his annoyance over an ident that happened between my father-inw and I is just so confusing. Coupled with his rudeness towards me earlier, I am ready to throw hands. I spring to my feet and jab a finger in his face.


    "I know you¡¯re higher than me on the corporatedder around here but Mr. Randall, you shouldn¡¯t forget who you¡¯re talking to. Beyond our official roles, the chairman is firstly my father-inw and I, his daughter-inw! What happened earlier was nothing malicious but a pure ident while I was trying to thank my father for throwing me a birthday party. I think you¡¯re losing sight of your ce here. You have no right to scold me over that. IT¡¯S A FAMILY MATTER SO BACK OFF."


    I match the fire in his eyes with a heated re that surprises Josh. A storm brews in his eyes but rather than continuing to ingratiate himself to the chairman by stubbornly justifying his reaction, he stalks away from my office. Nessa sidles in just moments after Josh leaves to doff her hat to me.


    "Oh my god, Demi, that was fun to watch. You are such a badass."


    "He had iting. Who exactly does he think he is? The boss¡¯ son?" Weugh together. "Hey, it¡¯s lunch time. Want to grab a bite with me? I have a restaurant in mind. You¡¯ll enjoy their meals, trust me."


    Nessa¡¯s face crumples. "I¡¯d have to take a raincheck. Asher isn¡¯t back yet and I can¡¯t leave my desk. Maybe some other time?"


    "Sure." I say glumly. My mind reels back to Asher. Where could he have dashed off to?


    With the atmosphere in the office ruined for me, I grab my things and head out for lunch. Few minutester, I am parked in front of Anna¡¯s restaurant. I watch her serving customers with a big smile on her face.


    We haven¡¯t spoken much since she ditched me at my birthday party. She has called a few times and apologized but things between aren¡¯t quite the same. I still hold a grudge. I know she¡¯s holding back on me and I just want her to trust me with the truth.


    Sighing, I step out of my car and walk in. She seems a bit surprised to see me and heads over to my table.


    "Hey."


    "Hey" I reply dryly. If Nessa had agreed to have lunch with me, I wouldn¡¯t be here so prematurely, trying to mend broken bridges.


    "Um, what can I get you? The usual?"


    "I think I¡¯ll need a minute or two to make up my mind." I grab the menu and flip through with a t look. Anna exhales deeply.


    "Demi, you already know that menu like the back of your palm."


    "Nope." I counter her. "I thought I knew the menu. In fact, I actually thought I could trust and count on the menu but it tends to disappoint me so, here we are."


    "The menu didn¡¯t disappoint you. There are just some dishes in there that you aren¡¯t prepared to try even if other people definitely enjoy it."


    I m the menu shut and re up at her. "Care to exin?"


    "Exin what? I thought we were talking about the menu."


    "Don¡¯t get cheeky with me, Anna. You hurt my feelings. You promised you¡¯d be by my side the entire night but you disappeared on me. Why won¡¯t you just tell me where you went or...who you were with."


    Anna swallows hard. "I¡¯m sorry Demi. I know nothing will change about how your night ended because I couldn¡¯t keep my promise but that won¡¯t stop me from apologizing. I¡¯m also sorry that my excuse is not good enough for you. You desperately want to hear something else from me..."


    "<i>I want to hear the truth</i>. Just tell me..." I lower my voice as the other customer¡¯s redirect their attention to my table. "I won¡¯t get mad, okay? Just tell me...were you with Asher the whole night?" Anna eyes dte in surprise. "Anna, I saw how he was looking at you. I just need to know."


    "How he was looking at me?"


    "You can¡¯t trust him, okay? He might look good enough to eat but that¡¯s it. Remember everything you went through because of him. You lost your job at Blue Cove because of him. You nearly lost your life because of him. I can¡¯t stress this enough but if you¡¯re nursing any kind of romantic feelings for a man like that, you¡¯ll just be setting yourself up for a heartbreak."


    Anna shakes her head. "Wow, Demi. You really think I am that dense? I am an adult, okay? I can make decisions for myself. You¡¯re not the only one who can. I told you my night had nothing to do with Asher but you keep insisting..."


    "He¡¯s having an affair with his secretary, Anna." I whisper to her, leaning forward. "I think she just aborted his baby recently, at his behest might I add. Did you hear me? That¡¯s who Asher is. Is that the kind of man you want to entrust your heart to?"


    "You¡¯re not even listening to me." Anna shakes her head at me again. "You know what? I¡¯ll get someone else to serve you."


    "ANNA." But she is already leaving. I bury my face in my hands and sigh tiredly. Does she really think she can hide it from me? I know what I saw. There can¡¯t be a better exnation for why she and Asher were mostly missing at my party. Why wouldn¡¯t she just admit it so we can move on?


    I order a simple drink and call Liam. It¡¯s gotten harder seeing him in public spaces because of the magnifying ss on my lifetely. When he picks up, I clear my throat to fend off the urge to cry.


    "Hey. I am at Anna¡¯s."


    "I know. Behind you. Red shirt, white face cap."


    I whip my head and lock eyes with Liam. He¡¯s here.


    "What¡¯s up with you and Anna? That looked intense."


    "It¡¯s nothing, just best friend squabbles. We¡¯ll get over it."


    "You better. She knows everything. You can¡¯t afford to be beefing with your confidante."


    I indulge in a long sigh. "So, I tried talking to Ashley about Olivia Dunn. He denied it obviously. They are still trying to discover who made thement. Are you sure this wouldn¡¯te back to you?"


    "It won¡¯t. Spellman group invests heavily on acquiring the best crop of tech wizards. I went through the program. It¡¯s going to be really difficult for them to find me as the one behind Billion-Err or the one who made thement, unless you talk." A small silence passes between us. "Ashley¡¯s spyware has been deleted."


    "What?"


    "Yes. I can¡¯t get anymore info from him but before that happened, I overheard his calls to Ashal. I think Olivia tried to escape recently but she waster caught. I don¡¯t know. Ashal must have taken her to some restaurant for a private dinner date and when she went to use the restroom, he panicked because she took too long. His men searched for her and eventually, she turned up. I don¡¯t believe her excuse though. I think she actually attempted to escape and changed her mind."


    I am in shock. On one hand, Ashal taking Olivia on a date seems to suggest that he might actually like her even though he hides her. On the other hand, her attempt to escape his clutches can only mean that she fears for her safety with him. Everything is just so confusing.


    "Do you think they might be giving her hell over thement you made? I overheard them talking and it seems her family was threatened right around the same period thement was made. Brett suspects them."


    "Right. Her family. They¡¯re a weak bunch, cowering under the fear or Brett Rollins. I think they¡¯ll be fine. Olivia too but I don¡¯t know for how long. Ashal had manhandled her when he feared she tried to escape. I think he has anger issues. He broke a toilet sink in anger."


    "Ashal? That hardly sounds like him. Asher or Ashton maybe but definitely not Ashal."


    "That¡¯s what they want you to see. The man on the phone with Ashley was breathing heavily like an animal, thrashing around and breaking things because his secret wife couldn¡¯t be found. I wonder what he does to her behind closed doors. We need to find out soon or she might get hurt badly."


    A thought urs to me. "I think I might have an idea."


    "Good." Liam says after I share it with him. "Oh, there¡¯s onest thing. Ashal¡¯sst call before the spyware was deleted today was to Ashton. He sounded really frightened, like one who had seen a ghost, as he called his brother to his office. Did he call or say anything to you?"


    My mind reys Asher bolting out of the office. "No. He hasn¡¯t called me all day but I did see Asher rushing off from work after getting a message on his phone. He hasn¡¯t been back since. I don¡¯t know if those two incidents are rted."


    "They have to be. It was shortly after the call that the app was deleted."


    "What could have made Ashley panic like that?"


    "That¡¯s for you to find out."


    Liam leaves first. I try to linger, watching Anna ignore me as she attends to other customers. Even when I call her attention, she speaks so formally with me it¡¯s annoying.


    "Can we talk?"


    "I¡¯m working."


    "Not right now. Over the weekend. My ce?"


    "And where¡¯s that exactly?"


    "The mansion of course." Something flits across her eyes that I don¡¯t miss. The idea doesn¡¯t sitfortably with her and I think I know why. I just wanted to confirm. "Is there a problem?"


    "We can talk over the phone."


    "No. You and I need to sit down and talk about this. I can¡¯t handle this coldness between us."


    "You don¡¯t have to. If you simply choose to trust your friend, we wouldn¡¯t be acting like strangers around each other. Why are you being so stubborn about this? Even if I deigned to give into Asher¡¯s advances, is this anyway to treat me? I don¡¯t judge you for your own choices, do I? You¡¯re on a mission to avenge your parents. For this reason, you even married one of the sons of the family but falling in love with another?"


    "I am not..."


    "Don¡¯t even try to deny it. I know you have a thing for Ashton as he does for you. I also saw how he looked at you but do you see me giving you grief about where your heart lies?" She smoothens her work clothes. "That¡¯s not me admitting to having anything to do with Asher. I¡¯m just saying."


    "I understand. I just..."


    "Does this reaction of yours have anything to do with the fact that he admitted to being the man you met at the Blue Cove that night? The man you initially married?"


    My eyes sh up at Anna. I have tried not to think about that for so long. It¡¯s nauseating to even imagine what my life would have looked like if I doggedly maintained my stance and insisted on staying married to Asher. I can¡¯t even begin to exin how much the idea sickens me.


    "Of course not."


    My response is weak. Somehow, I am not convinced my reaction to the thought of her being with Asher ispletely devoid of that truth. Maybe that also ys a part in me vehemently trying to keep his ws off my best friend.


    In this moment, I feel rather selfish. I am married to one brother and in love with another which makes Ashley and Ashton off the menu. That leaves Asher whom I was originally entangled with. He¡¯s basically my ex in a manner of speaking and as per girl code, Anna isn¡¯t allowed to look at him but that¡¯s not because I have any feelings for him. It¡¯s just girl code but mostly, it¡¯s me trying to protect my friend from that jerk.


    That leaves Ashal. Ashal would have been a good bet for Anna but given thetest discoveries I have been making through Liam, there might be more to his story than he¡¯s letting on. It frightens me to think just how different Ashal might be from the perception I currently have of him.


    Wow, I guess I am selfish after all. All four brothers are somehow connected to me.


    "Even if it does, you know I am not against you getting with him because I have any type of feelings for him. I just know he is bad for you and I don¡¯t want to see you get hurt again." Anna says nothing to that. "See you Saturday?" Reluctantly, she nods.


    "I can¡¯t make any promises yet but if I can¡¯t make it, I¡¯ll let you know."


    "Thank you."


    My chest feels lighter. I finish my drink and get a few snacks to go. While I am easing my car out of the crammed premises, I identally bump into another smaller car pulling up behind me.


    "Oh, shit. I am so sorry." I apologize, rushing out to check the damage. It isn¡¯t something I can¡¯t handle. Nevertheless, I apologize profusely to the youngdy that steps out of the car. "Are you hurt? I hope you are not hurt." She shakes her head in the negative but her eyes remain trained on me.


    "Demi Rollins?"


    "Yeah?" I don¡¯t get surprised at being recognized by random strangers anymore. She exhales as she steps up to me.


    "I am d we ran into each other. I¡¯ve been meaning to reach you."


    "Who are you?"


    "My name is Eliana. I am a friend of Olivia Dunn."

 Chapter 60

    <h4>Chapter 60: Chapter 60</h4>


    DEMI


    I don¡¯t think I heard her right. "I¡¯m sorry, what was that? You are friends with who?"


    "Olivia Dunn." Thedy called Eliana repeats. "She¡¯s an old friend of mine. Look, it¡¯s a bit of a long story. Can we maybe grab a seat inside and talk?"


    I flick my wrist to check my time. I amte from lunch by ten minutes. It¡¯ll take me another five to seven minutes to get back to the office assuming there¡¯s no traffic. I nce back at the restaurant. It¡¯s so tempting to hear everything this woman has to say but I already got on father¡¯s bad side this morning. If I disappear from work, mother won¡¯t be able to cover for me on that front.


    "Hey, look, I am rushing back to work but I¡¯d love to speak with you about Olivia. Do you think we can reschedule?"


    "This will only take ten minutes." She insists with big eyes.


    Fuck it. "Okay, let¡¯s grab a seat then." We park our cars properly but instead of going back into the restaurant, I insist we sit inside my car and talk. Maybe that way I won¡¯t get too carried away and hurry back to work as soon as I can.


    "So, why were you trying to reach me?"


    "My friend Olivia, I haven¡¯t been able to contact her for some months now. We used to be very close until she started seeing some guy. He seemed to be very rich. I could tell because he would rent out an entire restaurant whenever Liv and I had dinner dates. However, he also struck me as abusive and controlling. Liv always had bodyguards around her during our dates. They even followed us whenever we needed to use thedies¡¯ room and timed us. It was very weird. Aside from that, I noticed some bruises on Liv¡¯s body but she often made excuses about hurting herself in the kitchen or falling down the stairs."


    "Do you know who she was seeing?"


    "No. She never let me see a single pic of him. She talked about him though, babbled his praises like he was an answer to her family¡¯s prayers. Apparently, he¡¯s the one funding her family and sponsoring her sister¡¯s education. However, there was always a sad glint in her eyes like she was afraid of him and felt trapped in the rtionship. I am certain she wasn¡¯t in love with him. I think she had no choice but to be with him."


    "Ok Eliana but where do Ie in?"


    Eli leans close to me. "Once, when Liv was feeling very downcast, I managed to talk some sense into her. I tried to get her to tell me if she needed help. I asked her to blink once for No and twice for Yes so that the bodyguards wouldn¡¯t know. She blinked twice! She whispered to me that if I truly wanted to help her, I should find the new daughter-inw of the wealthiest family in Danvarr."


    "She said that?"


    "Yes. I didn¡¯t understand it but she said you can help her by being her friend. She said connecting you both was the best thing I could do for her. I managed to get your phone number from the bookstore where you used to work and passed it to Olivia. By then, she was back to acting weird and seemed resentful of you. She took your number though. I don¡¯t know what she did with it. A couple of dayster, someone threatened me to stay away from Olivia. I couldn¡¯t reach her phone anymore. I think she might have changed her phone number. She didn¡¯t hang out with me again and I wasn¡¯t sure where she lived." She scoops hair out of her face and shakes her head.


    "I couldn¡¯t reach you either because I lost the paper with your number on it before I could add it to my phone. When I went back to the bookstore, the guy there refused to give me the number again despite how much I pleaded. I think he might have been scolded by his boss for giving it to me in the first ce."


    "What about Olivia¡¯s family?"


    Eli sighs. "Talking about Olivia is like a taboo to them. They act like she¡¯s been ostracized or dead to them. Her sister, Maddie, seems upset and sad whenever I bring up Olivia. I know she knows where her sister is and under what circumstances Olivia is living but she refuses to tell me anything. She pretends Liv is fine. it feels like everyone in that family has been threatened to silence by the rich bastard."


    I think through everything Eliana has told me. Olivia is definitely living in the penthouse and I have to visit that ce one way or another. Still, I check my reaction so as not to give away anything that could reflect my suspicions about my inws.


    "Did she ever contact you?"


    "No. I mean, I¡¯ve had random messages and calls from strangers on my phone but I hardly pay attention to them. I don¡¯t recall anything from anyone called Olivia. If she did reach out to me, she probably didn¡¯t state her name."


    "Yeah, she wouldn¡¯t. I think her boyfriend even bugged her phone. I wouldn¡¯t put it past him."


    My phone starts to ring. I excuse myself and take Nessa¡¯s call. "Hi, Nessa, what¡¯s up?"


    "Hi Demi. Where are you? Lunch break ended thirty minutes ago."


    "I¡¯m sorry. I got tangled in some mini ident situation. I bumped into someone and I am trying to sort it out."


    "Really? Are you hurt? Is it serious?"


    "No. I¡¯m handling it."


    "Okay. Please hurry back before Asher returns. He already called to ask me if you¡¯re in your office. He sounded really serious and pissed. I covered for you and told him you were here. Please hurry back before he returns and finds out I lied. I don¡¯t think it will be good for both of us."


    She covered for me? Are we besties now? A warm smile stretches my lips.


    "I¡¯ll be back in ten. Thank you so much, Nessa." I hang up and face Eliana. "I¡¯m sorry. Work is calling. Let¡¯s do one thing; why don¡¯t we reschedule this meeting and talk somewhere else in detail? I¡¯d really love to help as much as I can. I hate the idea of leaving my fellow woman in an abusive rtionship when I am in a position to help. If Olivia thinks I can help her, we¡¯ll find a way for us to connect so she can tell me exactly how I can free her from that life."


    "Sorry." Eliana apologizes as her phone rings. When she unearths it from her bag, she frowns at the unknown number before taking the call. "Hello? Who¡¯s this?" Her eyes dte in shock as she stares at me. "Olivia? Olivia, is that you?"


    ***


    I mouth to her that she put the call on loudspeaker. True enough, a woman¡¯s voice sails through.


    "It¡¯s me, Eli. How have you been?" Eliana¡¯s eyes grow misty as she struggles topose herself.


    "Liv, what happened? Where have you been? I was worried sick about you. Why did you ghost me like that? I thought something bad had happened to you." Eli chokes back her tears.


    "I¡¯m so sorry, Eli. I lost my phone and your contact. After I got this new phone number, I couldn¡¯t reach you anymore because my contacts weren¡¯t backed up on the old phone. It¡¯s just my luck that I had scribbled down your phone number in my diary. I found it while reading and decided to call to check up on you."


    Olivia¡¯s voice sounds weak. I can sense she¡¯s trying too hard to sound okay and cherry.


    "How have you been? After we lost contact, someone threatened me never to contact you again. I think it was your boyfriend. No one else would have done something like that."


    Olivia chuckles softly. "No, it can¡¯t be him. He¡¯s been trying to help me find you."


    Ask her to meet you, I mouth to Eli.


    "We have a lot of catching up to do. Can we meet up? Your ce?"


    I nod at Eli¡¯s smart ask.


    "Oh, I¡¯m sorry. We¡¯re renovating right now and I am supervising everything. Maybe we can talk in depthter, over the phone maybe?" Eli¡¯s shoulders sag in defeat.


    "Olivia, are you really okay? Why can¡¯t youe to me or let mee to you? It¡¯s your man, isn¡¯t it? He won¡¯t let you keep friends, is that it?" Eli¡¯s temper is fraying.


    "Stop it, Eliana. I already told you why I can¡¯t see you in person right now. You speak like we haven¡¯t hung out before. Stop ming my hus...my boyfriend all the time." Eli is so mad she misses Olivia¡¯s slip of tongue.


    "I called to ask you about thement on Billion-Err¡¯s post regarding Demi Rollins¡¯ birthday party and the secret woman her brother-inw, Ashal, was seen with. Someone seems to havemented my name as a joke. Was that your doing?"


    Eli shakes her head. "Wow. Is that really why you called me? Olivia, I¡¯ve been scared to death thinking something bad had happened to my good friend and you only called to ask me something so silly? I don¡¯t even read Billion-Err, you know that. Why would I go on the blog and leave ament? Why would I leave your name specifically? What has that got to do with finding you?"


    Eli¡¯s eyes sh towards me and firms. "You know what? I¡¯ve been looking for you all this time. The stars seem to have aligned today because not only did you call me yourself but I also happened to bump into Demi Rollins. I am sitting in her car right now and we were just talking about you before you called. You¡¯re on speakerphone. Go on Olivia, tell her how she can save you from that asshole."


    There¡¯s a short pause before the line cuts.


    "Olivia? Liv?" Eli looks up at me in shock. "She hung up! Why would she do that?"


    I lean back on my seat. "She¡¯s either too afraid to upset her boyfriend by trying to get help or he¡¯s there with her, listening to her call."


    "I don¡¯t get it. Why would she call me just to ask me about a sillyment on a blog? What¡¯s it to her or him? Why is it so important that she even had to dig up my number, break her silence and call me to confirm?"


    While she rants, I quickly text Liam of thetest development. Eli gets on her phone too. When I put my phone aside and look up at her, she has a strange look in her eyes.


    "What is it?"


    "Thement...on the blog..."


    "What about it?"


    Eli shoves her phone in my face. "It calls Liv the secret wife of Ashal Rollins."


    I make a good show of not getting the point. "So?"


    "Don¡¯t you get it? Olivia¡¯s boyfriend is stupendously rich and hides her. She broke her hiatus to call me about thisment. She panicked and ended the call when I mentioned that I had finally found the woman she wanted to be friends with and like you said, her boyfriend might have been listening to the call. What if...what if the mysterious man is...Ashal?"


    I scoff at her now. "It¡¯s not. Ashal is my brother-inw, remember? I can tell you for a fact that he¡¯s not married!" I can¡¯t have her running her mouth with this rumor before I can see Olivia. If word gets spread, the quads will be alerted and probably take Olivia somewhere else. I can¡¯t have that.


    "You know he is such a gentleman with less scandalspared to his brothers. People will write anything to stir gossip. Thement is fake."


    "But why does it bother Olivia?"


    "Maybe she doesn¡¯t want her name being mentioned on such a popr blog alongside a very popr celebrity like Ashal Rollins. Look at all the attention thement has already garnered. They¡¯re all demanding that the identity of Ashal¡¯s date that night be revealed. It¡¯s so invasive. I can¡¯t me Olivia for not finding it a funnyment. She¡¯s being dragged into this and her boyfriend might be pissed at her for the attention being drawn to her."


    "She needs help. I need to save her from his ws. Do you think this blog can help? If I post her story here, do you think people will try to help me find her?"


    It¡¯s a great idea but the timing is off. "Hold that thought. Let¡¯s take things slow first. I¡¯ll call youter but for now, I have to head back to work before someone gets fired because of me."


    ***


    Asher never returned back to work. While I make my way home, I give Ashley a call. I want to know if he¡¯s alright since Liam¡¯s words about Ashley going into panic mode has been haunting my thoughts. The call fails to go through as his phone is switched off.


    When I get home, I take cautious steps inside knowing father is still livid over my actions earlier. It¡¯s no surprise when he appears in front of his study just before I can tap the elevator button. I freeze in shock but then mother steps out too, followed by Duncan and the rest of the quads except Asher, I guess, whose car isn¡¯t parked outside.


    There¡¯s something somber about their expressions. Mother¡¯s hand holds Ashley¡¯s in a tight grip. I can tell because Ashley has the coolest outfit on, as usual. His face looks hollow as he feigns a smile at her. The other two brothers are hard to tell apart because they have bright colors in their outfit and Ashton seldom wears anything beyond white and ck.


    Their expressions are both dark and brooding. I feel embarrassed for not knowing what¡¯s going on in the family. The fact that it seems to revolve around my husband makes me feel ashamed of my ignorance.


    I take tentative steps towards them and the duo currently hard to tell apart both nt a nce my way. I helplessly search their eyes for clues till my confusion bes apparent.


    Thankfully, one of them makes a familiar hand signal and I smile at Ashal. Ashton is wearing a multi-colored sweater and dark pants. Ashal is also wearing dark pants but with a id shirt. I nce at Ashton and he offers a thin smile.


    "Mother, is everything alright?" Ashley nces at me briefly. His weak smile is hardly convincing.


    "Yes dear, everything is fine."


    They¡¯re lying to me. Father¡¯s expression is no surprise. He is ring at me. The fact that he hasn¡¯tshed out can only mean mother has managed to pacify him. He signals Duncan and they return back to his study while mother urges Ashley to get some rest. When the boys leave, mother grabs my arm.


    "Demi, could you keep Ashleypany tonight? I think he¡¯ll appreciate that."


    "Why? Did something happen?" She chuckles at my naivety.


    "You two are married. Even if you¡¯re not having any type of romantic rtions at the moment, it can¡¯t be asking too much for a wife to cuddle her husband to sleep, can it? I just think he would appreciate yourpany tonight. He had a stressful day at work. I¡¯m sure you did too. You two can find creative ways to findfort in each other. You¡¯re an adult. You know what I am talking about." She winks at me.


    "You don¡¯t owe me anything for helping you out with my husband today. This is just me asking you to do me a favor. I¡¯d really appreciate it." She squeezes my arm before leaving for her room.


    I stand there perplexed and feeling boxed into a corner. How am I supposed tofort Ashley while I am still pissed over what he did at my party? I don¡¯t think I can put up an act for the whole night.


    Hearing Asher¡¯s car pull into the driveway. I rush towards the elevator and tap the button like a maniac. I zip inside just as Asher¡¯s footsteps draw closer. The silly elevator door starts to close with the speed of a snail and stops midway. When I look down, it¡¯s Asher¡¯s foot in the door. I think he regrets his decision when he spots me inside as he walks in.


    Both of us stand with a reasonable distance between us as the doors draw closed.


    "Is everything okay? You left work in a haste and never returned."


    Asher inclines his head at me. "Is that supposed to be small talk?"


    "Sorry I bothered to be nice."


    He chuckles as we step out of the elevator. "Nice?" He asks in a low, tired voice. "Maybe you should try being nice to your husband for a change."


    Why is everyone asking me to be nice to Ashley tonight? What exactly happened to him today? Too stubborn to let Asher get thest word in, I turn around so suddenly and sharply he almost bumps into me.


    Then I respond in a low whisper. "I¡¯m trying to but he¡¯s being a dick right now."


    He¡¯s eyes grow big as he gets my jibe. Of course, I don¡¯t mean it and only said it to mess with him, knowing how much he loathes me. The look in his eyes makes my skin crawl so I turn back and head to my room to freshen up before stopping by at Ashley¡¯s.


    He is shocked to find me outside his door.


    "I¡¯m sorry. Can Ie in?"


    "Uh, sure." I step in and get settled on his couch. When he offers me a drink, I decline. He is shirtless. The broad expanse of his chest reminds me of Ashton¡¯s. Why do they have to be so simr. He catches me staring before I could look away and smiles thinly. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"


    I surge to my feet. "You look fine to me...I mean, you look like you¡¯re doing okay." I add when Ashley chuckles at the first words that left my mouth. "Mother was worried you might need somepany tonight."


    He joins me on his feet. "You came at mother¡¯s behest to keep mepany?"


    I scratch my head. "I also wanted to know how you were doing. You didn¡¯t look okay to me downstairs. Did...something happen at work? I tried calling you but your line was switched off."


    Ashley draws close enough for me to smell him. He smells really good as usual. He mps both hands on my shoulders and my breath hitches in my throat.


    "I¡¯m fine. Someone yed a rude prank on me but it¡¯s fine. I¡¯d love it if you spend some time with me though. How else would I know if you¡¯ve truly forgiven me for your birthday party?" He¡¯s joking but the mere mention of it reminds me of him and Nic in the act.


    My face hardens as I fold my arms across my chest. "Which part?"


    "What?"


    How can he look me in the face and pretend? "I have forgiven you for not turning Nic away when she showed up at my party and for not stopping her while she was putting on a show but that¡¯s the much I can do. I¡¯m not ready to face other things you did wrong at my party." His hands slip from my shoulders as he understands my drift.


    "You saw that, didn¡¯t you?


    "AT MY BIRTHDAY PARTY? WHO KNOWS WHO ELSE COULD HAVE SEEN YOU GUYS!"


    "I was drunk Demi..."


    "I¡¯m sorry Ashley but being drunk is not a good enough excuse for everything. It doesn¡¯t make this any better." Brimming with anger, I refuse to ept his empty apologies and walk out on him. Despite how livid I am, I remember to end the night ording to my n. I send Ashal a message. Within minutes, he meets me at the drawing room.


    "Hey, are you okay?"


    From my spot on the couch where I am curled up like a cat, I sniffle loudly and wipe my teary eyes. Ashal rushes to sit next to me and take my hand.


    "Demi, what happened? Why are you crying?"


    I lean my head on his chest. "My birthday was a fucking disaster. Nothing went my way. I never wanted to throw a party but mother insisted. Nobody listened to me. Ashley picked my dress without asking what I¡¯d like to wear. Nobody ran the guest list by me. Even if they didn¡¯t, I didn¡¯t expect to see Nic at my party. It was just disrespectful that she had the guts to show her face when everyone knew about her history with Ashley."


    "Hey, I¡¯m so sorry. Everything was rushed. We didn¡¯t have time to pore over the guest list but I promise you she wasn¡¯t directly invited. She came as her father¡¯s plus one."


    "Ashley didn¡¯t stop her when she put on a show at the pool. He knew she was deliberately trying to steal the spotlight but he did nothing to stop her. I was made to look like a fool. I don¡¯t care what they do behind my back. I only ask that they don¡¯t bring it in front of me but they did, and on my fucking birthday!" I cry some more into his chest.


    "Demi, Ashley couldn¡¯t have thrown her out of the party in front of everyone. I¡¯m sure he wanted to but his hands were tied."


    "No, he didn¡¯t." I object, lifting my head. "He was actually enjoying her performance. He enjoyed it so much he hooked up with her that night while I was upstairs, crying myself to sleep. I SAW THEM!"


    It doesn¡¯t hurt me as much as it nauseates me but I keep ying my victim card. Ashal is flushed with secondhand embarrassment for his brother and cradles my head pitifully.


    "Nobody cares about my happiness."


    "No, Demi, you know we do. I¡¯m so sorry you had to go through that. Your birthday was supposed to make you the happiest. I¡¯m so sorry."


    I wipe my eyes once more. "There¡¯s just one thing that will distract me from that messy party and the horrible image stuck in my head."


    "What¡¯s that?"


    "Promise me you¡¯ll help me. You can consider it my birthday wish if you want. You know you still owe me and this way, it wouldn¡¯t even cost you a dime."


    "What is it?"


    "I want us to hang out and y games all day...at your penthouse."

 Chapter 61

    <h4>Chapter 61: Chapter 61</h4>


    ASHAL


    "Please, you can¡¯t say no. I know you said it¡¯s a y pen for you and your brothers but can you make an exception this one time? I¡¯ve already been there once before so what damage can one more visit do? Please Ashal." Demi pleads with me, her teary eyes are piercing and poking holes in my soul.


    "I...I¡¯ll have to ask the boys."


    "They won¡¯t allow it and you know that. I am asking you because it¡¯s your house and you can override their decision. Please, do this for me. I don¡¯t want anything else for my birthday gift."


    I feel cornered. Why didn¡¯t I see thising? There¡¯s no way I can take her over there for the whole day without risking her seeing Olivia? I don¡¯t have enough time to move Olivia to a different ce or hide all traces of her. The weekend starts in two days for goodness¡¯ sake!


    Demi is still waiting for my response with sad eyes. How am I supposed to turn her down in her state? What could possibly be a good excuse right now? If I keep denying her, she¡¯ll only grow more suspicious of me.


    "Can I at least think about it?"


    "Never mind." She says, getting on her feet and wiping her eyes. "I didn¡¯t think it was going to be such a big deal to visit your y pen and y games with you. If you have to sleep on it, you can just forget I asked." I tighten my eyes and grit my teeth as she trundles towards the door. Shit! Shit!! Shit!!


    "Fine!" I echo with clenched teeth. Demi halts by the door and turns to shoot me a weak smile.


    "Really? You mean that?"


    "Yes. I¡¯ll need some time to tidy the ce though."


    "No problem. Thank you so much Ashal."


    "Another thing, the guys are all going toe along."


    She pauses a bit. "Ok. That¡¯s fine too. I just need a change of scenery. Can I bring a friend? Anna was nning on visiting me over the weekend. I promise she¡¯s fun. You¡¯ve met her." There goes those puppy dog eyes again.


    I agree because I wouldn¡¯t want her by herself with all four of us. The games will get tiring and she¡¯ll require a break for some girl talk or whatever. Plus, Anna might keep her distracted around the house.


    Demi thanks me once more and returns to her room. I cradle my head in my hands and try to analyze the potential damage I could be causing myself. I hang back a while longer to think of a viable n to get through this unscathed.


    Naturally, my brothers are not pleased when I break it to them.


    "You said what? How could you agree to take her to the penthouse?"


    "I didn¡¯t have much of a choice, okay?" I reply Ashton. "I found her crying in the drawing room. She was very sad about how her birthday and how nothing went her way. Ashley, she was mostly heartbroken about you hooking up with Ni at the party. The only thing that she could think of to distract herself from it all is hanging out and ying games with me at the penthouse for a change of scenery."


    "With you?" Ashley asks with a weird look in his eyes.


    "She¡¯s pissed at you so don¡¯t me me if she wants to avoid you at all cost. She wanted it to be just us but I insisted that we all go or nothing. You are wee by the way." I lock eyes specifically with Ashley.


    "Gee, thanks bro, that makes me feel chipper." I ignore Ashley¡¯s sarcasm and face my other brothers.


    Ashton rubs his hand behind his neck. "Ashal, this isn¡¯t a good idea."


    "You¡¯re damn right it isn¡¯t." Finally, Asher jumps into the conversation. I know he has a lot to say. "I can¡¯t believe you, Ashal. A woman sheds a few crocodile tears in front of you and you¡¯ll readily give her your organs. How could you have fallen for that? You know the penthouse is off limits for a reason. Were you so worried about hurting her feelings and feeling like a jerk that you were prepared to risk the biggest secrets of your life getting out? How can you trust that woman?"


    "I don¡¯t trust her but I can¡¯t keep turning her down. She¡¯ll be here for another six months, Asher. It¡¯s a fucking long time to have her nurse suspicions as to the real reason why I won¡¯t let her see the house I visit almost every day. Again, we already took her there, remember? If the house is so sacred, she shouldn¡¯t have been taken there. That¡¯s Demi¡¯s reasoning and why she suspects there¡¯s more to the story than ourme excuse of it being our ypen." I hiss out a breath.


    "Look, I am not thrilled about this idea, okay? I just want you all to understand that I am only trying to put her suspicions to rest. I did say I am taking her to my penthouse. I didn¡¯t say which one." They all look at me.


    "I¡¯m not taking her to the house where Olivia stays. I am taking her to my penthouse downtown, the one up the hills that I rarely visit? That¡¯s also my penthouse and Demi can y games all day if she likes. I haven¡¯t told her that I am adjusting the n but I doubt she will protest seeing that the second house is even more luxurious andrger. I doubt she¡¯ll insist on being taken specifically to the other smaller house. What reason could she possibly give as to why it has to be that house and not the one I n to take her if all she wants is a change of scenery?" My brothers seem to get my point. "Once she¡¯s sated, I will be justified in turning down any future requests. I just need your help to make the arrangements."


    "Don¡¯t you think she¡¯s going to keep wondering about the other house though? She¡¯s been there like you said and her suspicions lie there. If you take her somewhere else, she might try to find the other house herself or to gain ess to it to satisfy her curiosity one day."


    "Who cares if Demi suspects that something is going on at the other house?" Asher replies Ashley. "She has no way of proving anything. She can¡¯t even ess the house even if she manages to locate it. No one is going to believe anything bad goes on in there simply because it is heavily guarded by security. All our properties in this country are."


    "Besides," He continues, "...have you all stopped to think why she is obsessed with and strangelyfortable visiting the same house we dragged her to and threatened her? Doesn¡¯t that seem strange to all of you?" Asher looks around at the rest of us. "She can y games here at the mansion. There are enough rooms here to lock herself in if she really doesn¡¯t wish to run into anyone. What sort of silly excuse is a change in scenery if we are all going to be there anyway?"


    "We already established that she might harbor suspicions about what goes on in Ashal¡¯s house. The house is her primary concern." Ashton answers.


    "Exactly. This only means she knows more about Olivia than she let on. Demi¡¯s fishing for evidence. Look Ashal, what you¡¯ve got sounds like a good n but do we really have to cater to Demi¡¯s wishes right now? We have more important things at stake here. We have neither found the person who left thatment on Billion-Err nor the woman who left Ashley that note. That¡¯s what we should be focusing on right now. Thest thing we should bother ourselves with is walking right into a deceitful woman¡¯s plot disguised as her birthday wish, a woman who is a culpable suspect in the aforementioned mysteries."


    "Asher¡¯s right." I whip my head to face Ashton. "Look, I know you believe we can pull this off and we definitely can. However, that doesn¡¯t mean we should. We¡¯ve got too much on our te already. We have to deal with one crisis at a time."


    Hees over to ce a hand on my shoulder. "Demi¡¯s suspicions are just that...suspicions. They¡¯ll go nowhere if we don¡¯t indulge her. Taking her to a different penthouse might only end up fueling her suspicions of the other house. We can¡¯t encourage that. It¡¯s a hard pass."


    "Am I supposed to retract the promise I already made to her?"


    "Precisely." Ashton¡¯s expression is nd as he answers. There¡¯s something off about his indifference today. "I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll figure out a way to make it up to herter." He nces back and our other brothers nod in alignment with his decision. I am outnumbered.


    "Fine. I¡¯ll be the asshole and break my word." I recline on the sofa and rub my eyes angrily thinking how this could have gone differently if my superb idea hade from Asher or Ashton. The duo pat my shoulder before leaving. Ashley remains seated with a faraway look in his eyes.


    "I can go with you to see Dr. Welsh, you know? I can sit in during the session if you want me there."


    "Thanks." He says with a wry smile. "I¡¯ll let you know if I need emotional support." I watch him leave. Something is clearly weighing on his mind but I respect his decision not to share. He¡¯ll open up when he¡¯s ready.


    The next day, I skip breakfast and leave for work earlier than everyone else. I want to get some work done before I head over to my check on Olivia at midday. I hop on a few zoom calls with some of our foreign clients to share with them the progress we¡¯re making with their campaigns.


    Then, I immerse myself into other physical meetings in the conference room with newer clients that require our branding services for their pet projects.


    Listening to them drone on about their vision for selling tech gadgets, apps and even headphones is painful, but I prefer it to availing my memory to all the problems I am not ready to face.


    Elyon appears on the other side of the ss wall and signals to me that I have guests waiting in my office. I give my apologies and excuse myself from the meeting half hoping that Elyon only lied to bail me out of that never-ending meeting.


    However, it turns out that I have three guests seated and waiting in my office indeed. I adjust my neck tie as I walk in, a small apology for the dy leaving my lips. When I proceed to say more, the words get stuck in my throat as I nce at their faces. I don¡¯t remember thest time I saw them. I hurry to shut my door, a frown creasing my forehead.


    "What are you doing here? You know better than toe see me here."


    Olivia¡¯s father nods sagely. "We understand." He nces briefly at his wife and younger daughter to his right. "We couldn¡¯t reach you on phone because Olivia wasn¡¯t sure she was allowed to give us your phone number. On behalf of my family, I¡¯d like to apologize once more for thement on the blog. Please, I assure you none of us had anything to do with it. I implore you to try to convince your father of this truth. I want you to assure him that our agreement still stands and I will never do anything to disrupt that."


    Olivia¡¯s mom stands behind her husband, nodding to every word that falls from his lips. She¡¯s very subservient and timid. In contrast, her second daughter and Olivia¡¯s kid sister, Maddie, stands with her head held up high. She hates me and makes a bold show of it. Maddie meets my eyes and holds my gaze stubbornly. Her parents notice the two of us in a staring contest and Mr. Christian Dunn coughs and stares daggers at his daughter who reluctantly peels her eyes off me to set them on her feet.


    "Please, tell us how we can make this better? Your father seemed very upset thest time."


    "That¡¯s because he is." I go to sit behind my desk.


    "We¡¯re deeply sorry for all the troubles Olivia has caused. She¡¯s still a child and doesn¡¯t realize the good fortune she has been blessed with through her alliance with your family. I¡¯ll talk some sense into her." Behind him, I notice Maddie scoff and shake her head in disgust. She can be very blunt and damn all consequences whenever she has something to say.


    Her father nudges his wife. The fearful woman bobs her head and whispers a small apology. After he gives Maddie a scorching look, she also follows her mother¡¯s example.


    "I¡¯ll see what I can do." I tell them, rising. "Please, don¡¯t evere to my workce like this again. I¡¯ll inform Olivia to pass my number along. Henceforth, you can¡¯t meet me or my family members in person. Is that clear?"


    "Yes. Thank you for your time." The sturdy man begins to herd his family out of my office.


    "Mr. Dunn, if you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯d like a word with Maddie. Could you give us a few minutes?" Uncertainty washes over the father¡¯s face. By his side, his wife tenses up, her grip tightening on Maddie¡¯s wrist. Maddie¡¯s eyes are like ming torches when she sets them on my face. The fire in her eyes remind me of Olivia when we were first forced to be together.


    Mr. Dunn nods and pulls his wife away. Alone, Maddie squares her shoulders and stares at me like she wants to run me through repeatedly with a blunt dagger.


    "Sit, Maddie."


    "It¡¯s Madeline to you, and no, I don¡¯t want to sit. What is this about?" Argh, she hates me more every time we meet.


    "How are your studies going?"


    "It¡¯s definitely hellish but pales inparison to my sister¡¯s life with you." Her eyes darken as she holds my gaze. I let that one slide. "If you have something to say Mr. Rollins,e out with it and stop wasting everyone¡¯s time."


    I lean forward on my desk and steeple my fingers. With a grim look on my face, I moisten my lips before speaking.


    "I don¡¯t know what games you¡¯re ying but I¡¯d advise you to stop, for your sister¡¯s sake. I know you made thatment on Billion-Err or at least you know who did. You shouldn¡¯t y with fire like that. You¡¯ll end up hurting your family, especially your sister. Liv and I are working through our marriage. We¡¯re at a better ce than we started. I don¡¯t appreciate you creating chaos in our lives."


    Maddie scoffs. "Dang it. Now, I <i>really</i> wish I had made thatment. I¡¯d kiss whomever had the balls to write that just for giving me the satisfaction of seeing this look on your face and watching your family squirm." She approaches my desk with a deep frown. "You can¡¯t hide my sister forever, Ashal Rollins. I won¡¯t have to lift a finger before all your family¡¯s dirty secretse to the surface. I only pray that I live long enough to see you guys crash and burn. Karma is at your doorstep. Mark my words."


    She turns on her heels and storms out. I merely shake my head and strap down on the annoyance simmering in my gut.


    Maddie is a thorn in my flesh. I let her excesses slide because her feelings of anger and hatred towards me are justified. Plus, her sister has already suffered enough under my care but I can¡¯t guarantee that I won¡¯t take my anger out on Maddie if she makes the mistake of targeting my family to cause our ruin.


    I agree that my family isn¡¯t perfect and we have done some ugly things to protect one another, but then what family is perfect? What family won¡¯t do the same for the ones they love?


    After finishing up my meetings for the morning, I head over to see Olivia.


    "How did it go with Dr. Welsh?" I ask Ashley over the phone on my way. He indulges in a long sigh.


    "It went well. I am not irredeemable." We bothugh. "Hey, did you tell Demi yet? How did she take it?"


    "Nah, not yet. I¡¯ve just had quite a bit on my mind and I didn¡¯t want to do it over the phone. I¡¯ll tell her when I get home tonight. Will you be there? I was hoping for your presence to diffuse the tension."


    Ashely sighs. "Before her party, my presence might have made a difference but right now, it¡¯ll only make it worse. I fucked up at Demi¡¯s birthday party. I can¡¯t apologize enough for the disrespect. She¡¯s still hurting and hardly wants to be around me."


    "I understand."


    "I don¡¯t get it though."


    "What do you mean?"


    "I don¡¯t know, man. I know. I just...it just feels weird that despite the fact that our marriage is merely contractual, she still gives off mixed signals to me. I know she says she feels nothing for me but it beats me that she still feels hurt by what happened between Ni and I days ago. Maybe I¡¯m just overthinking it though." I imagine him running his hand through his hair.


    "Yeah, maybe. I don¡¯t think it¡¯s just that one thing. I think she¡¯s overwhelmed by a lot of things that happened at the party. She mentioned that nobody listened to her. She didn¡¯t have a say in anything like the guest list for instance. She had no idea who and who were turning up and was mostly surrounded by strangers...including people that had no business being at her party if you get my drift."


    "I didn¡¯t invite Ni. I can¡¯t stress that enough." He sighs tiredly. "And William whom I did invite because he was new in town and wanted to catch up? How was I supposed to know that he and Demi dated in High school?"


    "What? No way! For real??"


    "I can¡¯t understand why she didn¡¯t tell me, especially after I introduced them." He expels a long breath. "Ni told me she saw them conversing in hushed tones at the party, in a secluded area. Will even attempted to grab Demi¡¯s hand. I know Ni obviously isn¡¯t a fan of Demi¡¯s but this isn¡¯t the first time she¡¯s told me something about Demi that turned out to be true. Her hunch that something might still be brewing between them could be right."


    "They¡¯re exes. I am sure it¡¯s nothing more than the awkwardness of seeing each other after so many years."


    "I hope you¡¯re right. I don¡¯t know how I would feel if my best friend and my wife are still...I don¡¯t want to sound jealous but I won¡¯t like it."


    "They¡¯re not. Don¡¯t torture yourself till you have proof." I cut the call and pull into the penthouse. Olivia meets me at the door with a somber expression.


    "I¡¯ve been trying to reach you." She says meekly. When she tries to take my hand, I move it out of the way and start heading upstairs. She trails behind me. "I called Eliana. I wanted to confirm if she had posted thement on Billion-Err." Her eyes light up as I pause atop the stairs and turn to listen to her. "She didn¡¯t. She doesn¡¯t even keep up with Billion-Err. She¡¯s not a fan."


    "Ok? Is that it?"


    "No. There¡¯s more. While we were talking, she told me she met up with Demi Rollins. In fact, she was actually seated in Demi¡¯s car while she was taking my call. She even put me on speakerphone so Demi could talk to me."


    "What?"


    Olivia grabs my hand and shakes her head. "It¡¯s okay. I cut the call immediately before Demi could say a word to me."


    I can¡¯t believe this. What exactly is Demi up to?


    "Baby, just before you arrived," Liv continues with a hand on my cheek. "I used Lily¡¯s phone to call Demi and warn her not to y Sherlock Holmes by interfering with my life. I debunked everything Eliana must have told her. I told her that I am enjoying my rtionship and that we only had a few lovers¡¯ spats. I told her that I will report her to her family if she ever tries to bother me again."


    "You did that?" My eyes stray to Lily¡¯s and she nods to confirm Olivia¡¯s words. "What did she say to you then?"


    "I didn¡¯t let her get a word in. After snarling at her, I cut the call and blocked her." Tears shimmer in Olivia¡¯s eyes as she gazes adoringly at me. She¡¯s desperate to get in my good books again. I want to savor her honesty and support but every time I try, I recall the incident at the door and how quickly she had betrayed me. This isn¡¯t love in her eyes; it is desperation spurred by the need to save her hide.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Ashal." She begins, as though she had read my thoughts. "I¡¯m sorry. Please, believe me. I wasn¡¯t trying to escape." I cover her fingers on my cheeks with mine and gently pull her hand away.


    "Thank you for talking to Demi." I leave her there and head for my room.


    ***


    Alone, I start pacing angrily. This is crazy. It¡¯s one thing to suspect that Demi has ulterior motives. It¡¯s hitspletely different when you have concrete reasons to believe so.


    Demi met up with Olivia¡¯s friend yesterday? She even heard Olivia on the phone and tried to talk to her? I can¡¯t believe it. Everything is starting toe full circle; the sudden mention of Olivia on Billion-Err, Demi hiding the fact that she almost spoke to Olivia yesterday, Demi¡¯s sudden birthday wish to see my penthousest night. She obviously has full-fledged suspicions and just needs hard proof that I am hiding a woman in my house.


    Anger prickles over the shock as I run everything back and forth in my mind. I think of calling my brothers to tell them everything when a thought crosses my mind. They already shut down my idea. I don¡¯t want them robbing me of a chance to get back at Demi for her deceitfulness. Changing, my mind, I call Ashley instead. He is just as shocked as I am to hear everything.


    "It can¡¯t be a coincidence. She¡¯s up to something." I tell him.


    "You have to retract the promise you made to her. It¡¯s clearly a trap."


    "I know but I still n on keeping my word to her."


    "What? Ashal, that¡¯s crazy. Taking her to a different penthouse won¡¯t change anything."


    "Hear me out. Ashton was wrong. Demi¡¯s suspicions won¡¯t remain that way for long. She¡¯s actively trying to get to the bottom of it behind our backs. She¡¯ll only grow more suspicious if her sweet brother-inw keeps denying her a visit to his y pen and we have no idea how far she¡¯ll go to uncover my secret. If Olivia hadn¡¯t called Eliana, we wouldn¡¯t even know how close Demi is to figuring out the truth."


    "What do you n to do?"


    "I am sticking to the original n but there¡¯s a new twist. I n to make her visit so eventful she¡¯ll probably never want to visit any of my properties again." I sink into a couch in my room and cross one foot over the other. "She thinks she¡¯sing to y games but what she doesn¡¯t realize is that she¡¯ll be walking into a trap."


    "You can¡¯t underestimate her."


    "I won¡¯t. I fully expect her to go snooping around for clues but that is going to be a big mistake on her part. I¡¯ll need you to invite William over tomorrow. He¡¯s going to be the distraction Demi won¡¯t expect. Aren¡¯t you curious to know what¡¯s really going on between those two? Well, tomorrow is going to be a movie."


    "Damn, Ash."


    "This way, we¡¯ll kill two birds with one stone. Trust me, after tomorrow, Demi¡¯s suspicions about me and Olivia will not only disappear but she¡¯ll have bigger problems to worry about."


    After the call ends, I look up to find Lily hovering by my door. A small smile forms on my lips.


    "Just who I wanted to see." At the gesture of my hand, she enters my room andes to stand in front of me. "You said you were prepared to do anything I wanted, right?" Lily nods. "Very well. I have a very important task for you tomorrow. Come here." When she leans close, I whisper it into her left ear. By the time she eases back to stare at me, a sly smile seeps into her face.


    "I won¡¯t fail you, sir. It¡¯s a promise."


    I smile satisfactorily. Tomorrow¡¯s going to be fun.

 Chapter 62

    <h4>Chapter 62: Chapter 62</h4>


    ASHER


    I want to be mad at my brothers for doubting me when I kept insisting that Demi isn¡¯tpletely innocent in the recent events that have gued our family. I want to rub it in their faces that I was always right but I strap down on that pettiness and focus as Ashal shares his ns with me over facetime. I¡¯m d he reached me first after Ashley. It¡¯s no surprise anyway. Ashton will have reservations about this n so it¡¯s best to leave him out of it.


    "So, Ashton thinks you¡¯ve called off the n to take Demi to the penthouse?"


    "Yes. I know how he can get. He won¡¯t like the idea of putting Demi in such apromising situation even if it¡¯s for the greater good." Ashal exins. I totally get it. I¡¯d do the same if this was my idea.


    "We¡¯ll have to distract him so he doesn¡¯te anywhere close to the penthouse today." I cast a long nce back at father who is ying golf with M¡¯s father. We are on the private golf course on one of our family¡¯s resorts.


    M stands behind the two older gentlemen, with a golf club in her hand. When she¡¯s not acting as a caddie for our fathers, she pretends to be having a swell time despite the sun.


    "I think I¡¯ll get M on it."


    It was purely a coincidence that we met them here. Ever since we got here and father introduced me to Hugh Spellman, he has been beaming at me with pride every chance he gets and urging M topete against me. Father


    keeps trying and failing to reach Ashton on phone or to sway Hugh in Ashton¡¯s favor. It¡¯s clear that the billionaire prefers me for his daughter.


    M on the other hand has been unusually indifferent. She hasn¡¯t even tried calling Ashton once. I¡¯m guessing there¡¯s trouble in paradise.


    "Ashton will be at the racetrack. Get her to swing by and keep him distracted till we¡¯re finished here. Oh, one more thing. Demi is expecting Anna. Can you do something about that? Anna¡¯s presence will foil everything."


    I recall Anna at Demi¡¯s party. "I¡¯ll do my best. Ash, make sure tonight is a sess. I don¡¯t want any fuckups." I hang up and rejoin my fellow golfers.


    "M, why don¡¯t you y with Asher for a bit." Mr. Hugh quips. Then he turns to me. "She¡¯s verypetitive. Don¡¯t go easy on her." He drags father into the waiting golf cart while M loads up their gold bags. "We¡¯re going to get started on brunch. Take your time,ds." We both feign smiles as we watch the cart drive away.


    "Does he actually think that was being slick?"


    "He is as stubborn as a mule. He knows I hate golf." M tosses the gold club on the grass. "I¡¯m just going to take a walk." I hustle after her, earning a surprised look from her. "Um, the resort¡¯s that way." She says pointing a finger.


    "I know. I wanted to talk to you."


    "About what?"


    "Ashton? Are you guys okay?"


    M chuckles. "You say that like you quads don¡¯t share everything with each other. Have you had a goodughtely about how big of a fool I am for throwing myself at a man who clearly has his sights set on someone else?" When I don¡¯t follow back with a convincing look of shock, M stops to stare at me. "You knew all along, didn¡¯t you?" Do you also know who your brother¡¯s got feelings for?"


    She shakes her head. "What a silly question. It¡¯s so fucking obvious there¡¯s no way you wouldn¡¯t have noticed." Sighing, she paces about. "It¡¯s fucked up. That¡¯s his sister-inw!"


    "He knows that and that¡¯s precisely why he isn¡¯t nning on doing anything about his little crush. C¡¯mon M, my brothers and I have lived alone with our parents in that mansion for years. Then suddenly, we weed a new female member into the family. We see her every day and she isn¡¯t exactly ugly. I¡¯ll admit that we¡¯ve all sexually objectified her at least once but that¡¯s it. We know our boundaries. Don¡¯t give Ashton hell for being a fucking warm-blooded male adult."


    "So, you all have a crush on her too?"


    "I have a hefty crush on you. I entertained some dirty thoughts back at Demi¡¯s party when I saw you in that red dress. What?" I ask as red color seeps into her cheeks. "I bet a lot of guys at that party felt the same even with their wives and girlfriends on their arms. That¡¯s just because you are beautiful, M, and I have no intention of acting on it. Will you give me the cold shoulder from now on?" When she says nothing, I proceed.


    "Give Ashton a break. He was thest one of us to ept Demi into the family. They recently became friendly. Even Ashley knows there¡¯s nothing to it, at least on Ashton¡¯s part. Demi is the one responsible for giving mixed signals and pushing the wrong thoughts in my brother¡¯s head. It¡¯s not love. It¡¯ll pass but how fast you can get your man¡¯s attention fully centered on you will depend on you, M. Distancing yourself from him won¡¯t help. I know you like him and he likes you too."


    "How do you know that? Did he say something?"


    "He has never taken any woman to the racetrack. That¡¯s his escape and the first time you beat him in a race, we didn¡¯t hear thest of it. He went on about you for hours. His face was literally aglow with excitement. We all want you for him, especially father. Ashton just needs to be reminded that you¡¯re the best for him."


    "You better not be lying to me, Asher. I¡¯m not very nice when people mistake me for a gullible person."


    "Give him a call. Go spend the day with him. You two need some time alone."


    I g down an empty golf cart and help M inside.


    "Make me proud." I mutter to her before watching it drive away. With Ashton handled, I head back to the resort to join father.


    On our way back home, father and I share the backseat of a tinted Bugatti.


    "How did it go with Nessa?" Father asks quietly. My face flushes with a little embarrassment as I recall father overhearing my conversation with Nessa the night she had told me she was carrying my child.


    "I took care of it."


    "Good. "I¡¯m going to need you to pay attention and I¡¯m not just talking about golf right now. You will seed me as Chairman of Rollins Group one day. You can¡¯t afford to make such mistakes."


    "I understand."


    He looks out the window. "You should have her fired."


    "I¡¯m not a wild animal, father. I don¡¯t exactlyck self-control. If I did, hiring an old, ugly hag won¡¯t change anything. I can keep things professional with Nessa. She¡¯s great at her job and knows my routine. I don¡¯t have the time to start training a new secretary right now."


    "Do you realize how messy things could have gotten if she had stubbornly insisted on keeping the baby? If someone else had overheard the both of you that night? We already have Olivia on our hands. How can you sit here and defend yourself? I didn¡¯t expect such carelessness from you."


    "You already said that. You¡¯re disappointed, I get it, but you¡¯re not the only one who has been disappointedtely." I re at him coldly. "Josh is back in the office looking like he went on a paid vacation while Ashton¡¯s scar is yet to fade. You haven¡¯t even bothered to try talking to Ashton and Ashal about everything that happened. Do you honestly not care if they hate you? Is Josh the only son whose love you¡¯re willing to work hard for?"


    "Don¡¯t start with this again, Asher. You know brothers and their tempers. It¡¯s useless trying to talk to them. Their minds are made up. I¡¯m just trying to stay in myne and be a good father as best as I can from now on. We¡¯re past the point where my promises mean much to you guys so I prefer my actions speaks for me now."


    I say nothing to that and proceed to ask him other questions. "Did you have Josh investigated? Any leads on the woman who assaulted Ashley?"


    "Duncan hasn¡¯t reported anything new to me."


    "You didn¡¯t answer the first question." I whip my head to look at him.


    "Josh was in our vacation home in Brellis. I¡¯m certain of that."


    I curl my hand into fists. I can¡¯t believe father sent Josh over to our vacation home. By my side, father notices my balled left fist and closes a hand over it. I swallow back my rage as we continue the ride in silence.


    ***


    Anna¡¯s face is a study of shock and surprise when she opens her door to find me behind it.


    "A-Asher???"


    "In the flesh." With a hand, I cup her jaw and help close her mouth.


    "Are you going to let me in?" I try to poke my head in but she gently shoves me back.


    "W-What are you doing here? I wasn¡¯t expecting you." Her nervous eyes flick around the surrounding.


    "Why would you be expecting me?" There¡¯s a flirty glint in my eyes as I edge close to her. "Did you miss me?"


    "Stop it!" She huffs out a breath. "What do you want?" The red blush on her cheeks is reced by a stern look I have only seen on her face once. It¡¯s the evening she almost lost her life because of me. "I told you, there¡¯s nothing for us to talk about. Why do you keep hounding me? Your secret is safe with me. You don¡¯t have to linger around me or threaten me to..."


    "I¡¯m not here to threaten you, Anna." I quickly cut her off, ignoring the urge to touch her face again.


    "Then why are you here?"


    "I just...I wanted to see you."


    Anna exhales. "I¡¯m fine, Asher. I don¡¯t have anyplications from my surgery. Is that what you were worried about? I¡¯m totally fine. I even saw Dr. Ezra today. You can call him to verify if you like." She turns around to go back inside and I put a foot in between the door. "Please leave."


    "Is this about Demi¡¯s party?"


    Her cold demeanor wavers a bit at the mention of Demi¡¯s party.


    "Leave Asher." Convinced that she is being unusually rude to me because of that night, I shove the door open and let myself in amidst her protests. Her ce is small. Still, it seems to have everything that¡¯s important to her. I pick up a picture frame of her and her family. Her dad looked like a very healthy fellow. Anna wrenches the frame from my hand.


    "You¡¯re not wee in here."


    I continue to her bedroom and nce at her small bed to her chagrin. It can¡¯t fit my long legs. She has a dressid out and some shoes to match. It appears she¡¯s preparing for an outing. Anna grabs the dress off the bed and kicks the shoes away with a crimson blush on her face. It makes me smile just watching her.


    "Going somewhere?"


    "It¡¯s none of your business."


    I know she¡¯s preparing to go visit Demi at the mansion. Something warm floods my chest as I imagine she was being careful to pick a beautiful dress I¡¯d notice her in. Why else would she bother so much about what she wanted to look like at the mansion?


    "I¡¯m runningst for an appointment. You really need to leave."


    "Why are you so edgy? It¡¯s just me."


    "I don¡¯t want you here."


    I move close to her and she takes a step back. "I¡¯m sorry about the party, Anna. I wasn¡¯t in my right mind." When she looks up at me, there¡¯s only irritation in her eyes. "I know you don¡¯t believe me but I mean it. I didn¡¯t mean to kiss you without your permission."


    "That¡¯s exactly what you meant because that¡¯s what you are used to getting from women, not so? I admit that there was a time when I was prepared to throw myself at you or your brothers. I kissed you back then because I thought we were having fun but you used it against me and even got me fired from a job I loved. You had us filmed and leaked the video to the media. I was bullied online. Do you have any idea what that¡¯s like for a nobody like me? I couldn¡¯t even get a decent paying job anywhere else until your brother intervened."


    "I¡¯m so sorry, Anna."


    "You¡¯re not. You get a goodugh out of hurting people. You don¡¯t value others beneath you. It¡¯s just a fact. I know you think you owe it to me to be nice because I saved your life but that doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯ve changed. You¡¯re just tolerating me for now. I distinctly remember you threatening my life in your car minutes before Iman attacked us. Please Asher, I don¡¯t need your pity. I don¡¯t want you pretending that I am suddenly visible to you just because of that incident."


    "You think that¡¯ why I kissed you?"


    "I KNOW THAT¡¯S WHY YOU DID IT." Anna swipes off a single tear that rolls down her cheek. "I¡¯m not as na?ve and stupid as you think so don¡¯t ever try to insult me like that again."


    "What would you have me do, Anna? Would you have preferred I carry on with my life Iman never hurt you in my ce? Would that make you happy?"


    "What would make me happy is you not trying to pretend you suddenly have amorous feelings for me just topensate me for saving your life. I don¡¯t want that."


    I get that she¡¯s upset with me over the kiss. Still, the intensity of the anger glimmering in her eyes is shocking to me. She had been a little more receptive to my harmless flirtations at Demi¡¯s party. What could have happened between then and now to make her loathe me so?


    "You are right." I tell her, dipping my eyes. "I shouldn¡¯t have disrespected you like that. I¡¯m sorry. That will never happen again but please, believe me when I tell you that I am not here because I pity you or feel a perfunctory need topensate you for saving my life. I don¡¯t consider you a nobody, not anymore. I will forever be indebted to you for saving my life when my death would have made your life easier. Maybe that incident awoke something inside me but it doesn¡¯t mean my intentions are dishonest. I do care about you."


    Anna doesn¡¯t yank her hands away when I reach for them. "I just want us to be friends, that¡¯s all." I can feel her heart racing as I pull her in for a hug. Somewhere inside her, I know she wants me around. My hope is dashed when she pulls away from me.


    "We can¡¯t be friends." She heads to her small vanity mirror and begins to choose earrings.


    "Why?"


    "Because you are not capable of having female friends, Asher. You just have women you sleep with to dpress. That¡¯s all you¡¯re interested in. Emotions don¡¯t matter to you. Even if it did, you and I can¡¯t have any sort of rtions beyond what we are now"


    "And why is that? Why do you detest me so much?"


    "I don¡¯t detest you; I¡¯m just not interested in a man like you, especially given the fact that you are my best friend¡¯s ex-husband."


    My shocked eyes lock with hers in the mirror. Demi tells her everything? Fuck. That fact isn¡¯t even true. I wonder how many people Demi has shared this lie with. I press my hands to my eyes, unsure how to defend myself now.


    "Anna, that¡¯s not..." Her doorbell chimes. Anna cusses under her breath and rushes to get the door. Is Demiing over to pick her? I doubt it. I quickly text Ashal to know what¡¯s going on at his end while Anna sees to her visitor.


    [I¡¯m with Anna. Demi hasn¡¯t called her yet. Are they still nning to hang out together at the penthouse?] Ashal¡¯s message pops in almost instantly.


    [Demi said Anna already canceled on her. Something urgent came up. We¡¯re on our way to the penthouse now.]


    My eyes dart around the room from Anna¡¯s new dress to her shoes and the jewelry atop her dresser. What could have trumped spending time with her best friend? Why else would she be have set out such beautiful clothes and jewelry? A light bulbes on in my head. Immediately, I rush to the sitting room and surely, Anna is ushering a young guy to a seat.


    He stares at me with shock, and then at Anna who is already mad that I showed my face.


    "Ben, this is Asher Rollins. He is my best friend¡¯s brother-inw. He stopped by at my friend¡¯s behest to drop off some gifts for me. Asher, this is Benjamin, my date." Benjamin stretches a hand out to shake me. I leave his hand hanging to gape at Anna.


    "Your what?"


    ***


    Anna steers me out of the door and to my car.


    "How could you let a stranger into your home as a singledy? You have no idea if that man is a serial killer."


    "Jeez, thanks for the advice, dad but I¡¯m not a child. I can take care of myself. Now, please be on your way."


    "Anna, I can¡¯t leave you with him. I don¡¯t trust him. Look at the shitty car he drives." I say, pointing at the small car parked next to mine. "Where the fuck is that cheapskate going to take you, McDonalds?"


    "It¡¯s none of your business."


    "Wow, I can¡¯t believe how reckless you¡¯re being after escaping the jaws of death. At least let me talk to him!"


    "You¡¯re not my dad! Go away, Asher." She goes back inside and ms her door shut.


    Angrily, I give Ben¡¯s car tire a bad-tempered kick and grit my teeth. What the hell is Anna thinking going out with a bum like Benjamin? I get back in my car but I can¡¯t find the will to leave her with that stranger. Hesitantly, I revise and leave.


    I try not to think too much about all the things Anna had to say about me. She¡¯s not entirely wrong. I don¡¯t expect everyone to find me likeable but for some reason, reliving the moment the words left her mouth by thinking about it stings my pride every time. It stings so badly.


    I redirect my anger at Demi. She must have filled Anna¡¯s head with all that rubbish about me being her ex-husband and a jerk.


    I chuckle softly. "Oh Demi, you¡¯re such a thorn in my flesh. You deserve what¡¯sing."


    My phone res loudly. I rush to answer it hoping it¡¯s Anna calling me back to kick Benjamin¡¯s ass because he turned out to be an ass. I knit my brows in surprise as the caller turns out to be M.


    "Hey, M. How¡¯s it going with Ashton?"


    "I can¡¯t find him. I¡¯ve been waiting at the racetrack for over an hour now. Ashton wasn¡¯t picking my calls at first or replying my texts after reading them. Now, his phone is switched off. I don¡¯t know where he is or what he¡¯s up to."


    My heart thuds in my chest. What could Ashton be up to? Did he somehow discover what we¡¯re nning for Demi? I hope he isn¡¯t nning to show up at the penthouse.


    "I¡¯m sorry M. I¡¯ll try to reach him and get him to call you back."


    "It¡¯s fine. I had a few good races with a couple of guys anyway. I¡¯m headed home now. Bye."


    I hang up and grit my teeth. Ashton¡¯s phone is definitely switched off. I call Ashal, Gris and mom. Ashton is not at the penthouse, at the office or even at home. He isn¡¯t with M for sure. Where else could he possibly have gone to without informing anyone, not even his brothers?


    "C¡¯mon Ash, where the hell are you?"

 Chapter 63

    <h4>Chapter 63: Chapter 63</h4>


    DEMI


    I had thought I would be more excited to visit Ashal¡¯s penthouse but more than anything, I feel a twinge of worry. It started when Olivia called me out of the blues yesterday. I didn¡¯t know what to make of the private number so I took the call.


    "Who¡¯s this?"


    "It¡¯s Olivia."


    My heart leapt. "Olivia Dunn?"


    "That¡¯s right." Her voice sounded firmer and slightly harsh.


    "Hi, Olivia. How are you?"


    "How do you expect me to be when you¡¯ve got nothing better to do than to poke your nose in other people¡¯s affairs." She spat with venom.


    "Woah, watch it. Why are you being so rude? You¡¯re the one who cried for help and asked your friend to find me." I can¡¯t believe her. She might be putting up a brave front to hide Ashal¡¯s wrongs out of fear but that doesn¡¯t make it right for her tosh out at me.


    "Fine, I admit I pranked my friend. I was just having a squabble with my partner back then. Every rtionship has their ups and downs. Couples fight and make up all the time. Eliana was making a big deal out of it so I indulged her and pretended to be a damsel in distress. I tasked her with finding you as a potential savior only because I knew she couldn¡¯t pull it off. I didn¡¯t think she would fall for it. I didn¡¯t expect she¡¯d go this far."


    "She¡¯s a smart woman, Olivia. I don¡¯t think she is incapable of recognizing a joke. If she didn¡¯t think you were in serious danger, she wouldn¡¯t have tried to find me to help you."


    Olivia chuckled. "Danger? And what could you possibly do if I was actually in danger? Are you some kind of police detective or an undercover ninja? Don¡¯t you see how senseless it all sounds? You¡¯re just a woman with no real power or influence. I bet you cower in fright when your inws bark orders. How could you possibly help anyone?"


    "Olivia..."


    "I don¡¯t even know you besides what I read in the news." She huffs out a breath to calm herself. "Listen, I called to tell you to stay away from Eliana. Stop encouraging her to chase shadows. I¡¯m enjoying my rtionship. I am not in any kind of distress. If you¡¯re so bored of your wifely roles, find a hobby. Don¡¯t try to y sherlock Holmes and interfere in other people¡¯s lives. Worry about yours."


    I let her rant, wondering why she was lying through her teeth after we finally got a chance to talk.


    "If you ever try to contact me again or blow up my quiet life by mentioning my name on popr blogs, I¡¯ll make sure I involve your inws and tell them what you¡¯ve been using your free time to do."


    That call still reys in my head. When I told Liam, he merely suggested that I focus on my visit to Ashal¡¯s house.


    While I am getting ready, Anna¡¯s message beeps in. She can¡¯t make it. A new wave of disappointment washes over me.


    I think of giving her a call to convince her toe along but her message is vague. It only tells me that she is still mad at me and isn¡¯t ready to talk. I decide against putting any kind of pressure on her. Maybe this time, I should listen to her for a change. If she has an urgent matter to attend to, I should respect her wishes.


    "Thank you so much for doing this, Ashal. I really needed to get out of the house for a bit."


    "You¡¯re wee. It¡¯s the least I could do to remedy your birthday." I shoot him a thin smile and focus outside, watching the lush green palms and skyscrapers zipping by.


    "What happened to Anna?"


    "She can¡¯t make it."


    "Oh, that¡¯s sad. She would have had so much fun." I nod glumly at his words. "Cheer up, Ashley¡¯s going to be there. I made sure he cleared his schedule for this. I didn¡¯t want you to feel ufortable at the house."


    "Why won¡¯t I befortable with just you?" Something about the face he makes causes me to shift ufortably in my seat.


    "No, it¡¯s nothing like that. It¡¯s just that William is still in town and being an old friend of ours, it didn¡¯t sit right to let him keep staying at a hotel while he¡¯s visiting Danvarr so I invited him to stay at my ce." My eyes are already the size of saucers as Ashal drops the bomb on me. "I thought having Ashley over would make you feelfortable being around him and my other brothers."


    "W-William is at the penthouse?"


    "Yeah, he¡¯s sort of living there at the moment."


    The air suddenly starts constricting in my throat. William is at the penthouse? Oh crap, I didn¡¯t expect this. I take in huge gulps of air and pray I don¡¯t sweat bullets when I get there.


    I can¡¯t trust William to keep his mouth shut about our past and with the quads around, he could try to get back at me for my alleged betrayal. He might give the brothers fresh reasons to suspect me.


    Then again, there¡¯s no way Ashal will let William stay at the penthouse alone with Olivia who is pretty much a secret to everyone outside the family, including me and William. Could that mean he had her moved or does he keep her in a different house? My forehead starts coating with sweat as I wonder what exactly I will be walking into at the penthouse.


    "Are you okay?" Ashal asks, watching me.


    "Not really. Now, I kind of feel like I am crashing a boys¡¯ night. Maybe it was wrong of me to insist on visiting."


    "Nah, it¡¯s fine. It¡¯s just one visit"


    "Anna¡¯s absence is really weighing on me. I don¡¯t want to ruin your fun night with the boys with my sour expression and my low spirits. Maybe we should reschedule?"


    "C¡¯mon Demi, it took a lot to convince my brothers to allow this." I burrow my hands between my thighs and make a good show of my disinterest in his exnation.


    "You were just excited moments ago though. Is this about William? I¡¯m so sorry, Demi. I honestly didn¡¯t know the two of you had history and I didn¡¯t..." My eyebrows sh up at his words. "...Know you were going to ask to visit the penthouse as your birthday wish. I can¡¯t ask him to leave because we are literally the only friends he has in Danvarr and..."


    "How did you know that?" I ask, cutting him off.


    "Um, Ashley mentioned it to me after William mentioned it to him."


    William told Ashley about her past rtionship? What is he trying to stir? Trouble obviously. Now, I¡¯m really ufortable with this visit. It feels like a setup. How long has Ashley known and why hasn¡¯t he brought it up with me even once? How am I supposed to be chill around my ex, my husband and my husband¡¯s identical brothers in one house for over four hours? I clear my throat and scratch my neck.


    "Ashal, I really think we should reschedule."


    "Toote. We¡¯re already here." The long, winding road ends as a huge electric gate opens. Ashal follows a narrow driveway with lush greens by the sides till we stop in front of a mini hill. The ssy penthouse sits atop a rocky path. I blink at the huge house with white and gold ents and ss walls. It¡¯s beautiful but this isn¡¯t the house I remember being dragged to.


    "Ashal turns off the engine and looks at me as he unbuckles his seat belt. "Excited yet?"


    "Ashal, this house is different. This isn¡¯t the same ce..."


    "You said you wanted to visit my penthouse aka my y pen; this is it. Ie over here with my brothers all the time to just chill and have mad fun like we¡¯re teenagers again. Sometimes, adulting gets exhausting. This is my escape."


    I join him to step out of the car. "I thought we were headed to the house..."


    "...where we dragged you off to when we first met?" He chuckles as he leads the way up the rocky steps. "Nah. That house is smaller and desperately needs renovation. This," he says pointing at the house ahead of us, "...is more like it. Isn¡¯t this what you wanted? It¡¯s a confluence of serene nature and opulence. Come on in, you¡¯ll be blown away. I had the house prepped just for you."


    My heart skips as Ashley and William meet us at the entrance. Ashely hugs me. William waves in greeting. How are they so cool around each other if William spoke about my past rtionship with him? Was he vague in discussing it or did he attempt to be a kind human and choose his words carefully so as not to hurt my marriage? Thetter doesn¡¯t sound like the William that osted me at my party but I push back the thought and focus on the present.


    Inside, I stick close to Ashley while Ashal gives me a mini tour of the living area with buttery yellow sofas that are as soft as pillows. Flower pots with fresh nts add to the vibrant pop of colors inside the house. Expensive art collections deck the walls. We take the stairs all the way to the first floor. Beautiful music drifts along the halls.


    I run my fingers over the ss railings upstairs as we peer down at the living room. Ashal pulls my hand excitedly while he takes me around, opening doors and showing me several bedrooms, bathrooms, a gym, a sauna and so much more.


    I feign excitement to mask my nervousness especially given the way William has been staring at me. Ashley tags close, his eyes shuttling between Wim and I. I get tingles every time I try to imagine what could be going through his mind.


    "That¡¯s Lily." Ashal points to a youngdy in a button up shirt and ck pants hunched over what I assume to be lunch in progress, in the kitchen. A small apron is wrapped around her waist.


    "She manages this ce. She¡¯ll assist you with whatever you need." The prettydy beams brightly at me and mutters pleasantries.


    "Where¡¯s everyone else?" I haven¡¯t spotted Ashton and Asher. I don¡¯t care where Asher is and I frankly don¡¯t want him around but having Ashton here might ease my mind a bit. "You said ALL your brothers were going to be here."


    "Asher and Ashton are tied up with other engagements. I don¡¯t think they will be joining us." Ashal replies casually, then pping his hands together, "Ok, what games were you thinking, Demi? I¡¯ve got Basketball, tennis, pool, card games, video games, VR, you name it." They all turn to look at me.


    "Maybe we should start simple with Question tags or never have I ever, you know, to get her feet wet. Charades and card games might be daunting for her."


    Ashley cranes his neck to look at William. "Why?"


    "Well, she isn¡¯t much of a game person." He chuckles lightly but no one else finds anything he said funny. I give him a scorching look while Ashley tries not to be the jealous husband.


    "Years have passed between you two, Will. Things have changed around here. Why else would she specifically request for a game night if she isn¡¯t into games?" Ashley shoots me a sunny smile but it fails to reach his eyes.


    "You¡¯re right. I stand corrected."


    "I can answer my own questions, William Thorpe, thank you very much. I¡¯ll appreciate it if you desist from making assumptions about my life. Like my husband clearly said, years have passed between us. A brief high school rtionship that ended six years ago doesn¡¯t make you an expert on all thing Demi, okay?"


    I didn¡¯t realize how furious his presence makes me till I snapped at him. A moment of awkward silence passes as everyone stares speechlessly at me. A genuine smile crinkles Ashley¡¯s eyes as he takes my hand.


    "What would you like to do first? It¡¯s your birthday present after all."


    "Can we eat first? I¡¯m starving!"


    Ashley looks up at the other gentlemen. "We¡¯re eating first."


    While we have ourte lunch, Ashal breaks the awkward silence by asking William about himself.


    "Uh, I inherited my father¡¯s business, obviously. I¡¯ve managed to scale the business over thest four years. We¡¯ve been setting up branches in different states. I didn¡¯t juste to Danvarr for fun and games, I am also scoping out the business scene here to see if I can set up a branch as well. I¡¯m loving it so far."


    "That¡¯s good. How about the home front? Got a wife, girlfriend, crush???" Ashal winks at him but William¡¯s countenance drops. I try not to choke on my food and politely ept the water Lily pours me from the water pitcher. She stands close by, ready to step in and assist us however she can as our lunch progresses. Ashley polishes of his smoked eel and sips his wine but I can tell his ears are primed for William¡¯s response.


    "Nah, fell in love once and got burned badly. I¡¯m not ready to delve back into the dating scene. It will be bad and distracting for my business right now." His voice drops an octave and his eyes droops as he adds, "I¡¯m not fully healed yet." The fake smile that stretches Ashley¡¯s lips makes me ufortable. "How about you, Ashal, are you seeing anyone? I¡¯m keeping up with the mystery girl talk online. What¡¯s that about?"


    Ashal exhales. "Everyone always wants to get into other people¡¯s business. Well, I am not dating at the moment either. There¡¯s just so much on my te that I can barely entertain amitted rtionship right now. I met an amazing woman at a club recently and we hit it off instantly. It¡¯s been a while since that happened and I wanted to spend some more time with her even though we aren¡¯t serious or anything. Hence, I invited her to Demi¡¯s birthday party. It was perfect to retain her anonymity which she doesn¡¯t y with. I didn¡¯t expect all that ruckus from the media."


    "How¡¯s she taking it?"


    Ashal shes his phone at William. "I¡¯ve been blocked. That¡¯s how." They both chuckle at that.


    "I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll find love, bro." Ashley says, tapping his brother¡¯s hand.


    "I¡¯m assuming you mean YOU have found love, right Ashley?" My fingers curl around the stem of my wine ss as I take yet another sip to distract me from William¡¯s stupid questions. Ashley nces at him with a surprised air.


    "I mean, I read up on how you and Demi came to be married. You know, like you mentioned. I understand you initially kicked against the marriage but she was persistent. Have you guys finally grown on each other and fallen in love?"


    "Do we strike you as a fake couple, William?" Ashley¡¯s face hardens. I watch his fingers tighten around the fork and knife in his hand. The gold rims catch the light and glint dangerously. Williamughs.


    "I didn¡¯t mean that. I just find it weird when love happens too fast, especially between two people that never wanted to be a part of each other¡¯s lives to begin with..."


    "Okay, Will, that¡¯s enough." Ashal tacitly warns him with a look. I can¡¯t believe they invited this guy. What else did hey expect from my ex if not sour grapes?


    "Look, I mean no disrespect guys. You don¡¯t have to be embarrassed."


    "Embarrassed?" I repeat.


    "Yes, Demi, embarrassed. I know you resented everything your husband stands for so I am shocked you expect me to believe you¡¯re head over heels in love with him after what, four months? You¡¯re not even his type but Nic Grey, ooh, now that¡¯s more like it. Right Ashley?"


    "Fuck you, William!" Ashley pushes back his seat as he rises, drops his cutleries with a tter and heads outside. I rush to follow him but Ashal offers to go speak to his brother instead. He gives William a searing look before dashing out after Ashley. I squeeze down on my napkin and re at William who reclines in his chair to sip his Chardonnay.


    "Are you happy?"


    "Are you, Demi? Is that the best you could do? I know what it¡¯s like when a man is in love with a woman and I can say for a fact that Ashley isn¡¯t in love with you. He isn¡¯t even excited by your presence. You¡¯re nothing more than a necessary appendage for the cameras. You know I am telling the truth."


    "You don¡¯t know anything!"


    "I do. He is still very much into his ex. Can¡¯t even keep his hands off her at his own wife¡¯s birthday party." He clucks his tongue in disgust. At the shock in my eyes, he proceeds with a sly smile. "How long have you been enduring them together? Is that what you signed up for, Demi? Why are you clinging to him when he openly disrespects you in full view of the entire fucking country?"


    "Ok, I can¡¯t deal with your crap. I can¡¯t." I turn to Lily. "I need to use the bathroom."


    "The ones downstairs are out of order but you can use the one in the first bedroom upstairs by your left."


    "Thank you." A cold sweat breaks atop my forehead as I take the stairs. William is definitely trying to sabotage my ns and I can¡¯t let him. I have to figure out a way to get rid of him before things spiral out of control.


    Above the stairs, I can see Ashal and Ashley in a heated argument regarding William. What did they expect? If they knew him as well as I did, then they should have expected him to be nothing short of a prick.


    However, their distraction works for me as I make my way to the bedrooms. Maybe this will cut our evening short and I can go home and leave this drama behind but before that, I need to follow my hunch and see if I can find anything that connects Ashal to Olivia.


    I know for sure that Olivia didn¡¯t mean anything she said to me on the phone. I also know Eliana didn¡¯t exaggerate anything. Olivia had sent me that text about me not being the first daughter-inw of the family.


    It was definitely a text from her with the initials, O.D which stands for Oliva Dunn. That message can only mean that she is the first and there¡¯s only one brother who visits one of his properties almost every day, enough for me to suspect that he does so to check on his secret wife.


    I don¡¯t know how much of a fool Ashal thinks I am to buy into that crap about his mystery woman being someone else. Every hair on my body can tell he was fibbing. He has to know where Olivia is.


    I start at the first bedroom, pretending to be wandering around curiously. Though I didn¡¯t see any in the bedrooms while Ashal gave me a tour, I suspect there are hidden cameras and don¡¯t want toe off as one snooping. There has to be because how else would he monitor his property if he doesn¡¯t spend so much time here?


    I admire a portrait on the wall, casually run my hands over the furniture and peek into drawers. If they happen to watch the tapes again, I¡¯ll pass for a harmless guest admiring things in the room rather than a suspicious one frantically going through other people¡¯s things. When I hear footsteps outside the door, I try not to panic.


    "Mrs. Demi, do you need any assistance?" Lily calls out from outside the door. I step into the bathroom and flush the toilet.


    "No, thanks. I¡¯ll be down soon."


    "Ok."


    "Is my husband back in yet?"


    "No ma¡¯am. He and his brother are still outside talking."


    "And Mr. William?"


    "He got started on a video game."


    "Ok. Thanks. I¡¯ll be down soon."


    "Alright, ma¡¯am. I¡¯lly out dessert." Her steps retreat. I whip out my phone, turn on the faucet in the bathroom and call Anna. It¡¯s unlike her to not even check on me once. There¡¯s hardly any service around here. I try her and Ashton¡¯s phones but neither goes through. Must be because we¡¯re so far into the hills.


    Then I hear the bedroom door open.


    "Hello? Lily, is that you?" No response. I turn off the faucet and yank the door open only to find William staring at me.


    "What the hell are you doing in here? Aren¡¯t you satisfied with all the trouble you¡¯ve caused? If you had any pride left, you¡¯d pack up and leave Ashal¡¯s house. You don¡¯t expect him to continue to amodate you after the stunt you just pulled, do you?"


    "Amodate me? Why would Ashal need to amodate me? Do I look like a pauper to you because I am not on Danvarr¡¯s richest 30 under 30 list?" He chuckles. "I just bought a property here. I don¡¯t need nothing from nobody."


    "What are you doing in here?"


    "You¡¯re not the only one who requires bathroom breaks." He puts out a hand to block me when I head for the door. "You can¡¯t keep running away from me, Demi. You owe me a shit ton of exnations and twice as many apologies."


    "I don¡¯t owe you anything Will so get over yourself." His hand snakes around my wrist and holds me in ce. "Get your hands off me!"


    "Why did you marry him? He never even wanted you to begin with. He is a fine, astute businessman but you¡¯ve never been driven by those. I can tell from your bodynguage that you are not into him just as he isn¡¯t into you. Was this a forced marriage or something more?" The look in his eyes as he emphasized thest point makes me ufortable. William still won¡¯t budge when I try to free my hand.


    "Le me go, William. Ashley is mad enough as it is. He won¡¯t take it lightly if he finds you manhandling me like this."


    "You and I both know he wouldn¡¯t give a damn. You are not Nic so he wouldn¡¯t exactly miss you. Tell me, do you let him touch you? Do you let him kiss you with the same lips and tongue he uses to give Nic an orgasm?" I give him a resounding p that fails to faze him but I manage to pull my wrist away and make a run for the door.


    "You¡¯re pathetic Demi. I can¡¯t believe I once thought you were special."


    I ignore the insults he continues to throw at me and try to pull the door open but it refuses to budge.


    "You should be especially ashamed for marrying into that family. You know exactly what I am talking about. Your parents must be rolling in their graves, unless they¡¯re just as avaricious as you are!"


    "SHUT UP! SHUT UP FOR ONE SECOND!"


    "Don¡¯t give me that attitude." He says,ing to m me against the door. "You said you wanted to talk privately so here I am. START TALKING. Tell me what the fuck you¡¯re doing with a man like that knowing fully well that he continues to cheat on you. It¡¯s disgraceful, Demi."


    "What? What do you mean I wanted to talk privately?"


    "Don¡¯t act like you didn¡¯t request Lily to tell me to meet you up here to rify things. Why else would Ie here? Contrary to what you believe, I am not interested in stalking you and your cheating husband."


    My eyes dte in shock. I try to turn and try the door once more but William shoves me back in ce.


    "It¡¯s locked!" I yell at him. "The door¡¯s locked and I never asked for you toe up here."


    The anger in his eyes slowly burns out. He jiggles the knob and confirms it but rather than figure out a solution, something dark flits across his eyes. Chills run up my arms. Nothing good everes from Will having that look in his eyes. He turns to nce across the room till his eyes linger on the massive bed.


    "Well, isn¡¯t that convenient?" He whispers, his breath fanning my neck.

 Chapter 64

    <h4>Chapter 64: Chapter 64</h4>


    DEMI


    I can¡¯t believe what a pile of shit he is. When he leans down and tries to kiss me, my knee slices upwards, connecting with his groin. William buckles and yelps in pain. Immediately, I whip out the cutlery knife I had slipped between my hands when no one was looking and brandish it in front of him.


    "You cunt!"


    "Did you really think I wouldn¡¯t expect you to try something like this, you dipshit? You are so damn lucky there are cameras in this room or I would have cut that thing off and watched you bleed out." I spit in front of him before grabbing amp stand as an extrayer of protection as he starts to regain hisposure.


    "LILY, I KNOW YOU¡¯RE STANDING BEHIND THAT DOOR. YOU BETTER UNLOCK IT OR I SWEAR TO GOD, I WILL MAKE SURE THE WHOLE OF DANVARR KNOWS WHAT YOU JUST DID...." The door unlocks and Ashal enters. He looks confused at the scene in front of him.


    "Demi, what¡¯s going on? Are you guys okay? We¡¯re about to start the games." I throw down my weapons and re at him.


    "What¡¯s going on is that your evil house manager just intentionally locked William and I in this room! Did you ask her to do that?"


    "What? Lily?"


    "DID YOU, ASHAL?" I push back the tears shimmering in my eyes. I can¡¯t believe he would go that far just to throw me off Olivia¡¯s scent.


    "Of course not, Demi. How could you think so little of me? And Lily didn¡¯t lock the door, it gets jammed sometimes, especially when it is mmed shut. Look." He opens the door and ms it shut. When he tries to open it again, it wouldn¡¯t budge. "You just have to give it a minute or two before it will pop."


    He turns back to see my face flushed with embarrassment. "I heard your voice and rushed up here. Ashley already put on noise canceling headphones downstairs so he couldn¡¯t hear the ruckus. What¡¯s going on? Will, why are you also in here?"


    "Lily sent him here. After I left to use the bathroom, she lied to Will that I wanted to speak with him and sent hm up to the same room she directed me to."


    "Why would she do something like that? I¡¯ll go ask her."


    "Wait."


    We all turn to face William who has a film of sweat on his forehead. "I must have misconstrued what Lily was trying to say. She didn¡¯t exactly say you asked to see me privately, Demi. After she witnessed what happened at lunch, she politely told me that I shouldn¡¯t bleed onto others because of the hurt I am feeling. She advised that I try to speak with you privately to gain closure rather than ruining good rtionships. I thought I should get on with it and came here to talk to you since Ashley and Ashal were upied."


    "And that¡¯s what you call talking?" I snap at him with zing eyes. Ashal puts a hand between us and William backs away.


    "I was only messing with you. C¡¯mon, you¡¯re too uptight."


    "Ok Will, I think we should call it a day. Demi, we¡¯re leaving."


    "I¡¯m sorry man."


    Ashal holds up a hand to cut off William¡¯s apology. "I think you should leave, Will. You¡¯ve made it abundantly clear that you harbor ill-will against Demi and you have no respect whatsoever for my brother or his rtionship with her. This way, Demi."


    I follow him out and find Lily downstairs clearing the dishes. Something about her doesn¡¯t sit right with me. Ashal tells her we are not having dessert and goes to alert Ashley of our abrupt change of ns. I walk up to Lily. Her cheery smile seems to sicken me now.


    "Which way to guest bathroom downstairs?"


    "Oh, they¡¯re out of order ma¡¯am..."


    "Which way???" Reluctantly, she points me to the direction. I tell Ashal I forgot something and leave to check out the bathrooms. When I get there, I shove open each of the doors. There seems to be mild renovations going on. Some of themck a wash hand basin. There are broken tiles on the floor and some of the toilets don¡¯t work properly. Sighing, I shut the door and return. Something about today doesn¡¯t feel right but I can¡¯t ce my thumb on it.


    "What¡¯s with the cell reception here? I can¡¯t get a call through. How do youmunicate with your staff here if you can¡¯t call them?" I ask Ashal as he shrugs into his jacket. Ashley is already at the car. Outside, William appears to be tendering apologies to him but Ashley is not having it.


    "Oh, it¡¯s bad up here but it¡¯s not always like this. We get reception sometimes. Since I frequent this ce, I keep putting off the n to get a signal booster up here. We¡¯ve not had any serious emergencies here. However, I¡¯ll eventually get around to executing that n but, in the meantime, I am enjoying the mini digital detox this ce gives me." I mirror the smile he gives me.


    "Hey, Demi, I am deeply sorry today was another shit show. I should have known better than to expect your ex to be civil around you and your new life partner."


    "It¡¯s okay. I knew this day didn¡¯t feel right when Anna canceled on me. We¡¯ll just hang out at the mansion and y games. You still owe me, though." I pat his shoulder as we leave together.


    ***


    My visit might have been a disaster and I may not have achieved my aim but at least, the awkwardness of having William around is over. With the way things went down, I doubt any of the quads will be entertaining William soon. His rtionship with Ashley is as good as over from what I can tell. Phew, good riddance.


    Ashley is still stewing however. When we get home, mother notices because he barely gives her a proper greeting before heading up to his room. Ashal excuses his brother¡¯s behavior and ims we all had a rough day but he doesn¡¯t rify. After he leaves, mother pulls me to the sofa.


    "What happened? Why is he mad?"


    "He had a tiff with a friend. He¡¯ll get over it."


    "You¡¯ll see to it that he does?"


    "I¡¯ll try my best."


    The sound of a car pulling in draws our attention to the door. I instantly recognize him when he enters with the signature frown on his face; Ashton.


    "Asher?"


    "I think it¡¯s Ashton." I whisper to mother. Ashton is dressed a little more formally than he is used to which gets me wondering where he has been all day. He schools his face to emit a sunny smile as he approaches us. It¡¯s been a while since he and I talked properly.


    "Hello mother." He kisses her cheek.


    "Hi, son. How was your day?"


    "Interesting." I dip my eyes and feign a smile. Did he spend it with M? I bet that¡¯s why he bailed on us at the penthouse.


    "We missed you at the penthouse today."


    He quirks a brow at me, slightly confused. "What?" Mom also seems startled by my words. I nce between them, astonished by their reactions.


    "You went to the penthouse?" Mother asks, surprised.


    "Yeah, Ashal took me there today." I retain the smile on my face as theirs wilt and pretend to miss the look exchanged by mother and son. ¡¯Is there a problem?"


    "No dear. The boys rarely ever take a woman over there. I am just genuinely surprised and even happy that Ashal took you over there. Nothing says you¡¯ve been fully epted into this home like the quads sharing their haven with you. I¡¯m d you¡¯ve earned it." Mom squeezes my cheek. When I look up at Ashton, his face is no longer distorted by a frown.


    "I¡¯ll just be upstairs." He says before leaving.


    "Mom, I¡¯ll just go check on Ashley." I lie before dashing for the elevator. By the time I arrive on the first floor, Ashton is a few steps ahead of me on the hallway. He slows his pace like I expect him to and waits for me to catch up. I could tell from his eyes that he had questions.


    "Hey, stranger. Been a while."


    "Yeah, I¡¯m sorry. Been busy." He smiles thinly. "How was uh..."


    "Game night?"


    "Yeah, that."


    "It was a wreck."


    "Why?"


    I suddenly feel embarrassed sharing the details of Ashely¡¯s annoyance with William and the fact that William tried to get too close to me in a locked room. I moisten my lips instead and chuckle softly.


    "Anna canceled on me. That¡¯s where it started going downhill. Ashley had a fallout with his friend, William and tempers frayed. We botched the agenda for the visit and came back home two hours earlier than nned." I shrug my shoulders. "How interesting was your day?"


    He shakes his head. "Nothing as shocking as yours."


    "Shocking?"


    "I mean, eventful. I just had drinks with a friend and talked. Nothing too serious, except the conversation was really eye opening."


    I wish he would tell me if his drinking buddy was a guy or a girl. At the thought, I chastise myself for my immaturity. What right do I have to be bothered about things like that?


    When I look up at him, Ashton is gauging me. With a little smile, he bids me goodnight and continues to his room.


    I want to head into my room and freshen up but I feel guilty letting the night pass without talking to Ashley about William. Tonight was a lot. I know he didn¡¯t get into it the whole ride back because of Ashal. We have to talk about it so it doesn¡¯t keep eating at us.


    "Ashley?"


    He looks up from his work desk as I poke my head into his room. He¡¯s already changed intofy casuals with blue light blocking sses perched on his face, as he speaks with one of his suppliers on video call.


    He wraps up his conversation as I walk in and turns to me. The sses give him a sexy nerd look with his golden mane shagged around his ears.


    "What¡¯s up?"


    "I...I wanted to apologize for William¡¯s behavior back at the penthouse. I had no idea he was going to be there until Ashal and I were almost at the house."


    He takes off his sses and drops them carefully on his desk. "You can¡¯t me yourself for William being a jealous ex. I just wish I didn¡¯t hear it from him first that you two dated in the past. Why didn¡¯t you tell me? It¡¯s not a big deal even though Will tried to turn it into one."


    "I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t expect to see him here after many years and when I did, I just decided to bury that part of my life because it isn¡¯t important to me anymore."


    "You know you can share anything with me, right? I don¡¯t have the prerogative to judge you. I¡¯m not perfect myself. You don¡¯t have to feel embarrassed about sharing your past with me." My eyes nt up as he gets up and ces a warm hand on my cheek. "I¡¯m sorry about Ni. I have no excuse."


    "It¡¯s okay, really. It¡¯s all in the past." His hand still lingers and my breath warms when they start trailing.


    "I can¡¯t believe I know nothing about your life before Danvarr or your parents. What have we been doing on our dates?"


    "Eating expensive food and posing for the cameras? I think it¡¯s not so bad. We don¡¯t need to bug ourselves down with unnecessary details." I don¡¯t like the idea of sharing personal details with him. Hence, my move to shut down the idea.


    "They are not unnecessary..."


    I run a hand over his hair and trap his gaze on my face with a dainty smile. "Aunt and Kira are the only family I know now. They¡¯re my present. We might not always see eye to eye but that¡¯s family for you. I live in the present Ashley, and right now that consists of Aunt, Kira and your family."


    "Is that a No to date night?"


    "I didn¡¯t realize you were asking." I cast my eyes downward like a shy teenager.


    "Well, I am. I want to get to know you a little better, Demi. We might not share a bed but we could be really good friends you know. I¡¯ll admit it hurt my feelings when William appeared to know so much more about you than I do. I don¡¯t even know what you like or the type of games you¡¯re into. It¡¯s embarrassing." Hisughter is low and pleased. "Can we change that? If not your past, we can surely discuss your present. I want to know all about Demi Branson in Danvarr before and after we got married."


    He eyes me. "Will you go on a date with me tomorrow night after work?"


    His puppy eyes make meugh. "It¡¯s a Yes."


    ***


    "Hey, Demi."


    I look up from the expresso machine to find Josh Randall behind me. I don¡¯t know why he gives me chills despite the warm smile on his face.


    "Hi." Seeing him so meek and affable now, I am almost about to doubt he was the same raging bull that stormed into my office days earlier to chide me for the ident in father¡¯s office.


    "I just wanted to apologize for thest time. I overstepped my boundaries and yelled at you over a personal matter that was purely an ident. I shouldn¡¯t have. We are all family after all. If we don¡¯t have each other¡¯s backs, who will?" Hisughter ebbs as I fail to join him.


    "Family?" I reiterate, squinting at him.


    "I mean, we¡¯re all a family here at Rollins HQ. We shouldn¡¯t be holding grudges. I just wanted to apologize for upsetting you thest time."


    "Thank you for your apology."


    "I hope we can go back to being friends and possibly have lunch together soon. It could be a great way to cozy up to the chairman too."


    I think one brownnoser is enough for the HQ but I don¡¯t share this with him. Instead, I nod with a bright smile and wave him goodbye as I bring my coffee to my lips and slurp it. The expresso slides warm into my system, awakening my tired bones.


    Remembering to update Liam on my visit to the penthouse, I whip out my phone to send him a quick text.


    [There was nothing at the house. Let¡¯s meet upter for details]


    Nessa pokes her head in. "Asher¡¯s calling for you. Brace up." Just as I rush after her, Liam replies me.


    [Was that meant for someone else?]


    My eyes bulge in shock as I stare at the message from Ashley.


    [Sorry. I meant to text Anna. She¡¯s been bugging me about game night. I was trying to lower her expectations.]


    [Understood. Are we still on for tonight?}]


    [Yes. 7pm sharp.]


    [See you then.]


    [See you.]


    I gasp in relief. Hopefully he won¡¯t think much of it or bring it up with his brothers. At Asher¡¯s call, I scurry off to attend to him.


    After work, Ashley shows up on time with a bouquet of white roses. I am d that he saves his grand gesture for when I hop into the car next to him, rather than making a show by waiting outside the revolving doors where everyone can see. I ept the flowers and sniff them.


    "They smell great. Thanks."


    "Just tell me specifically what you want and I¡¯ll get it. I don¡¯t want to keep assuming anymore."


    "Works for me."


    Few minutester, we are seated in a fancy restaurant unlike any I have been to. The ambience is calming. The d¨¦cor is picturesque. The service is top notch. The food is so good I would eat the pattern off the te if I could and didn¡¯t care about my self-respect.


    But the best part is that the customers here are all elites so nobody is freaking out over Ashley¡¯s presence. No phones are secretly taking photos of us. It feels like I am having dinner with a regr guy.


    "Ok, next question. It¡¯s my turn." I tell him. "Who¡¯s your least favorite brother. Don¡¯t lie. You might love them all but you can¡¯t like them all the time."


    "Oh shit, you¡¯re going to get me in trouble with this one." He tosses his head back andughs. "I¡¯m going to need alcohol for this." He downs his ss and stares at me with his deep blues eyes. "Promise you won¡¯t misconstrue this."


    "I won¡¯t. I¡¯ll throw this one in for free. Asher¡¯s my least favorite. He is a mean boss and is most unfriendly to me." We bothugh.


    "I could have guessed that. Ok, my least favorite has to be...Ashton. Don¡¯t give me that look before you hear me out. I love that man to bits but sometimes, his confidence in being unapologetically himself can be intimidating. Asher and Ashal are great guys but like me, they are considerate and can bend their will if father wishes it. Ashton doesn¡¯t care about being liked. I think that¡¯s why he¡¯s so cool. No one can make him do anything he doesn¡¯t want to do. Anyone who manages to force his hand will have to threaten him with something he holds dear to make Ashton budge."


    He pours himself another ss of wine. "Being around someone like that who looks exactly like you can remind you of how much cooler you can be if you wanted to, make you feel like you¡¯re being less than and that can be annoying. That¡¯s why he¡¯s my least favorite."


    "My favorite has to Ashal for the fact that he doesn¡¯t intimidate me half as much as Ashton does. Asher is at the middle. I am not interested in his career goals so I don¡¯t give a fuck how many deals he closes." He inhales sharply. "Who¡¯s your favorite?"


    "What?"


    "Who¡¯s your favorite brother? You only mentioned your least favorite."


    How can he ask me that and make everything awkward?


    "It¡¯s okay. I can¡¯t be more jealous of that guy. Just tell me what you like about him?"


    This time, I drink my wine. "It¡¯s like you said, he doesn¡¯t care about being liked. He didn¡¯t cozy up to me because he was expected to. He was real with me from the start so when hepliments me, I know he means every word. Same when he scolds me. He was also the first brother I could recognize from all four of you because of the aura around him. I started off thinking he was the mostplicated of the four. Now, he¡¯s the easiest to read."


    Ashley smiles as I sip my wine again.


    "You said you wouldn¡¯t be jealous."


    "Nope. I said I couldn¡¯t be more jealous but now, I think I spoke too soon." Our desserts arrive.


    "I need to use the restroom. Save me some cake."


    "It¡¯s a bad idea to leave me alone with a slice of yummy, red velvet cake. I could get really ravenous so you better hurry up."


    I pull his hair before shambling across the room to the convenience. Inside, there¡¯s a beautifuldy in a short ck dress retouching her lipstick in front of the mirror. She has dark shades on with full head of hair. Her forehead is fully framed by dark fringes. There is a medium sized gift box next to her on the sink with a bow on it.


    I quickly use the restroom. When I step out to wash my hands, she¡¯s gone. The gift box is all that¡¯s left. How could she have forgotten something right in front of her? I proceed to wash my hand so I can call the attention of a waiter to the forgotten property before rejoining Ashal.


    While drying my hands, I notice a note stuck on the box in fine print.


    [For Demi Rollins]


    Intrigued and a little scared, I sample the box to ensure there¡¯s no explosive inside. It literally feels empty when I pick it up. Gently, I open it. There¡¯s a single note inside that baffles me.


    [You married a murderer. Ask your husband about Tobias Woodley]

 Chapter 65

    <h4>Chapter 65: Chapter 65</h4>


    ASHTON


    I do a couple ofps in the swimming pool to get my mind off things. It¡¯s hardly been a day since I let curiosity get the better part of me and went to see the stranger iming to have credible information about my biological father.


    I don¡¯t know why I am desperate to put a face and name to the truth about my biological parents. I never thought that out of all four of us, I would be the one with a broken, inner child longing for unconditional paternal love. My brothers will find it hard to believe because I always put up a tough front.


    While I do breaststrokes, I relive the previous day I had. It started with the stranger texting me again with a different number. I don¡¯t know how they got my number initially but whomever the person is, I thought the stranger must be very persistent. Why are they so keen on revealing this truth to me specifically? What do they stand to gain from it?


    We mostly conversed through texts. My questions were ignored as I was merely given an address to visit if I wanted to see my biological parents again. I asked if they¡¯re still alive and got no response as usual so I promptly obeyed and visited the address. Now, I wish I had ignored that tug of curiosity because I feel worse than I did when I didn¡¯t know.


    When I finish myps in the clear blue pool, I emerge from the water with my arms on the deck to find two pairs of feet waiting for me. I climb the steps out of the pool and dry myself with a towel. While Ashal takes a seat on the chaise lounge, Asher continues to stand with his shoulders squared and rigid.


    "Don¡¯t you have something to say to us?" Asher asks me. I incline my head and act like I am wracking my brain.


    "Not really. How about you guys? Don¡¯t you have something you need to tell me, like why I wasn¡¯t informed that Demi was going to be taken to the penthouse despite our unanimous decision not to? Did you guys seriously make alternate ns behind my back?"


    "Your questions will be answered as soon as you tell us where you went off to without telling anyone yesterday." Asher quips. I flick a nce at Ashal.


    "Just tell us man. Everyone was super worried when we couldn¡¯t reach you. You know the rules..."


    "For the love of God, don¡¯t bring up the stupid quad codes we made as teenagers. We¡¯re twenty-fiver years old, grown-ass men and I don¡¯t need a babysitter!"


    "Jeez Ashton," Ashal gets on his feet with annoyance sttered across his face. "Cool it down, okay? What¡¯s got you so riled up? You know very well those so-called childish rules have saved our asses more times than we can count. They¡¯re just as relevant today as they were years back so don¡¯t be so dismissive of them."


    I exhale deeply. It¡¯s not a good idea to spike Ashal¡¯s anger. "Fine. The rules might still be relevant but I didn¡¯t exactly break them. I didn¡¯t do anything that could jeopardize you guys."


    "We will be the judge of that."


    I shoot Asher a searing look which he only smiles off. "I¡¯m not in the mood for this." Before I can leave, Ashal grabs my shoulder, forcing me to stop hesitantly.


    "It was my idea to follow through with my original n of taking Demi to my other penthouse. I made the decision after I learnt from Olivia that Demi had met with Olivia¡¯s best friend, Eliana, the same day Demi asked me for the favor." I turn sharply in utter shock.


    "I had the same reaction. Demi and Eliana must have spoken at length. I think they¡¯re working together to find Olivia. When Olivia called, Eliana put the phone on loudspeaker so Demi could listen in on the conversation and even talk to Olivia but Liv hung up before that could happen."


    "Why would you keep something like that from me?" How often have they ostracized me from their ns?


    "That¡¯s not the part we were worried about telling you." Asher rifies, then nods at Ashal to continue.


    "I was very pissed that Demi was so close to discovering my secret and had deceived me into taking her to the penthouse so I made adjustments to my original n. I invited William over to the house as well for the game night. Ashley was there too." When I fail to have any reaction, he adds, "William is actually Demi¡¯s ex-boyfriend from High school."


    If I felt anything following that shocking revtion, I fail to show it facially. "You set her up with her husband and ex-boyfriend."


    "Actually, I set her up with just William." The fact that he is exining everything so slowly makes me worried. "I...uh, I had Lily lock them up in a room together."


    It takes a lot of willpower to keep restraining myself from showing any kind of emotion on the surface as I listen attentively. If I do, I¡¯d only be justifying my exclusion from the n. Ashal appears astonished at my indifference and hurries to finish his words.


    "There was obviously a camera in the room. I just wanted Ashley to know exactly what was going on between them. Someone saw them acting suspiciously secretive at Demi¡¯s party, speaking in hushed tones in a secluded area away from everyone else. Ashley wanted to confirm if there was still something between them and I gave him the chance."


    "And?"


    "Nothing more than a heartbroken man and an ex who never loved him. William seemed desperate to win Demi back or get back at her for jilting him." He shrugs his shoulder.


    "What exactly did you think I was going to do if you told me?"


    "Take the moral high ground because she¡¯s our sister-inw?"


    "Not if you led with her meeting with Eliana. Besides, being in the house with you guys meant William could not have been crazy enough to try and hurt her knowing fully well that he couldn¡¯t get away with it. He might be an ass but he loves hispany too much to risk it crumbling because of a crime." I dry my hair some more. "Don¡¯t keep things from me next time."


    "You are one to talk." Asher butts in. "Your turn, pretty boy. Where did you disappear to?"


    I plunk on the chaise lounge and dry my face. "I went to find out who our biological parents are."


    "After we unanimously agreed not to." Asher says nodding. He jams his hands in his pockets and turns away from me to steam quietly. I face Ashal whose muteness and curious eyes can only mean that he wants to know what I found out.


    "I got another text from the stranger offering to tells us about our parents."


    "I thought you deleted the number."


    "I did." I answer Asher, "but I was contacted with another number. I have no idea how they got my contact in the first ce and why I am the only one being contacted about this but the only way to find out lied with following the bread crumbs left by the stranger. I couldn¡¯t keep ignoring it so I decided to go."


    "What did you find out?" Ashal asks keenly. From the corner of my eye, I see Asher¡¯s ears prickle with suppressed interest.


    "The address I was given led me to a graveyard. There was nothing about any particr names to look out for on a gravestone. All I got from following the text was that our biological parents are dead." I hiss out a breath. "I scoped the area because I suspected whoever must have led me there must have been hiding afar, watching me. I wasn¡¯t wrong."


    I lock eyes with Asher. "I think I saw her, the woman who ckmailed Ashley. It couldn¡¯t have anyone else. She was wearing an all-ck outfit and a nose mask to shield most of her features. She was too far for me to give her a chase and catch up to her but we stared at each other awhile before she left."


    I sigh tiredly. "I feel drained. Not only were my hopes of meeting our parents alive dashed but I also couldn¡¯t get my hands on the woman tormenting Ashley¡¯s life. I needed a win yesterday topensate for deviating from our rules and when I didn¡¯t get any, I was in a sour mood. I refused to take any calls and simply sulked at a caf¨¦ nearby for hours."


    Ashal pats my shoulder. "Your search wasn¡¯t entirely fruitless. Thanks to you, we now know our biological parents are dead."


    "We don¡¯t know that." I counter him. "Even if I had been given names on gravestones, I would still have conducted my own research to ensure that I was mourning the right people. The address proved nothing without direct evidence of who our parents are and proof of their deaths."


    "That¡¯s right." Ashal concurs. "They could still be out there."


    Asher shakes his head. "You are mourning people you never met?"


    "Father makes it really easy for me." I throw the towel across my neck to head back into the mansion when the sound of Ashley¡¯s car screeches to a halt in front of the mansion.


    We all watch him stumble out ahead of Demi as he makes a beeline for the entrance of the mansion while holding a gift box. When he spots us by the pool, he makes a sharp detour towards us. I can tell from the distance his long legs gradually eat up that he is unsteady. Demi trails after him with a worried look on her face.


    "What have you got there, Ash?"


    He merely shoves the box into Asher¡¯s chest and rushes to sit down on the chaise lounge. Only then do I realize he is shaking visibly. While Ashal questions him and Asher gently pries the box open, my eyes find Demi¡¯s.


    "What happened?"


    "I found that," She says, pointing to the box in Asher¡¯s hand, "in the restroom at the restaurant we had dinner. Ady left it for me."


    "For you?"


    "Did you see her?" Asher interrupts me, passing the box to me and Ashal to peruse. Anger wells inside me as I nce at Ashley who continues to sit quietly and even his breath. I head over to him and when I tacitly enquire about his mental state, he gives me a thumbs up.


    "I did but very briefly. She was in the restroom when I came in, reapplying her lipstick but when I came out of the stall, she was gone, leaving the box behind."


    I head back to Demi. "TELL ME EXACTLY WHAT YOU REMEMBER. WHAT DID SHE LOOK LIKE?" I ignore how flustered Demi must feel as she tries to recall. She must find everything very confusing but I don¡¯t have the emotional bandwidth to amodate her feelings alongside Ashley¡¯s right now.


    "C¡¯mon Demi." Asher echoes next to me.


    "She had a little ck dress on and some stilettos. Her ck hair covered most of her face and her eyes...I couldn¡¯t see the color. She was wearing dark shades and I thought it was weird since it¡¯s nighttime. I don¡¯t recall much else." She draws in a sharp breath. "Is Ashley okay? He hasn¡¯t said a word to me since we left the restaurant."


    "Go in, Demi. We¡¯ll handle this."


    "What was that note about?"


    "Inside, please." Asher warns with a low growl. Demi is clearly startled at his reaction. To diffuse the tension, I steer her away from the pool but only a few paces ahead.


    "Someone thinks it¡¯s funny to prank Ashley by making vile usations capable of tarnishing his image. We¡¯ll find them and make them pay. Go get some rest now. Ashley would be fine." She nods at my words before leaving.


    "They¡¯re watching me, aren¡¯t they?" Ashley says with a surprisingly calm voice. Save for the redness in his eyes, he can pass for someone who didn¡¯t just get a huge, traumatic shock tonight. "She was there at the restaurant, watching Demi and I. She knew when Demi got up to use the restroom and waited for her. I don¡¯t understand the need to drag Demi into this? What do they hope to gain?"


    I shake my head. "The message was meant for you. Demi was just a medium despite her name being on the box. If anyone else had been out with you, maybe even Nic or William, the same thing might have urred in the respective bathrooms. I don¡¯t think she¡¯s working alone and from what she did tonight, we know she knew you and Demi were going to be at that restaurant for your date."


    "I did book it early and in my name."


    Asher strokes his beard with a hand. "So, they¡¯re not trying to attack you physically despite having been to your office and now, the restaurant where you were out with your wife. Your life must not be the target right now."


    "They haven¡¯t made any demands of me. Why these scare tactics? Are they hoping I¡¯ll breakdown from sheer torment? What would they do if I carry on with my life like their efforts don¡¯t faze me?" Ashley looks slightly pale now.


    I hold his gaze. "They suspect you fear something worse than death; your sexual assault and self-defense against Tobiasing to the light and destroying the life you¡¯ve managed to build for yourself as a testament to your survival. They want to start with your mental health, wreck your mind, make you lose sleep till you probably confess to a crime you didn¡¯tmit before the entire country. After that, they coulde for your life." I exhale. "Only someone who bears a deep grudge will want to see their enemy go down this way, slowly and torturously."


    "It has to be a family member." Ashal says. "Tobias¡¯ death was swept under the rug, remember? Father dumped his body over the bridge and when he was found, it was ruled as a homicide. Maybe his family always knew ours was behind it even though he was found over the bridge."


    "His family knew exactly how father handled any crisis he didn¡¯t want toe to light. Tobias was his most trusted friend and bodyguard. He knew a lot of our secrets too." Asher paces, punching his right fist in his left palm. "This could get really ugly if we don¡¯t find her and end this once and for all."


    I go to crouch by Ashley¡¯s side.


    "Demi, she must have questions."


    "We¡¯ll worry about herter. Look at me. I won¡¯t let any harme to you. None of us will allow it. I need you to stay focused, okay?"


    "What are we going to do? I just want it to stop, guys. I can¡¯t live like this. I¡¯m scared to think how far they¡¯ll go if I don¡¯t have a trauma attack soon."


    Asheres to loom in front of Ashley. "We¡¯ll figure it out and find them long before that happens. Ashal, please help him inside and see that he takes a sleep inducer and rests for at least eight hours." Ashley¡¯s protest is dismissed with a steely re from Asher and I. "I wasn¡¯t asking you. Go in and rest. That¡¯s an order."


    Ashley obeys but mostly because he needs rest. He has broken out in a sweat now and his face has lost the sheen it always has at the end of every day.


    After I change and Ashley is sessfully knocked out by the pill, the rest of us call father from his room. We meet him privately in his study and show him the box.


    "Why was this addressed to Demi?"


    "I think they suspect she might be clueless about her husband¡¯s past and wanted her to pass the message along to him with lingering doubts. She¡¯s not very consequential here and Ashley remains the main target." Asher moves closer to father. "She¡¯s getting bolder as time passes. We have to nab her now."


    "Duncan and his team have made some progress. I was informed that a member of Tobias¡¯ family has indeed returned to Danvarr. The family probably tried to hide this information to throw us off their scent when they starteding after Ashley but Duncan unearthed it." Father, unlocks his side drawer, digs out a brown envelope and tosses it at us. He stares at me while Asher and Ashal quickly look through the files inside.


    I don¡¯t know what to make of the anger and frustration on his face so I look away. Once they¡¯re done, I retrieve the file and peruse the pictures of Tobias¡¯ daughter, Zoe. She seems like a decent woman in her in clothes going in and out of the grocery store."


    "Who¡¯s the man next to her?"


    "Her boyfriend." Father quickly answers me. "They¡¯ve been spotted severally across cafes, restaurants and whatnot." I focus on the sses perched on Zoe¡¯s face and the slouched shoulders as she walks.


    The height is right but she¡¯s got some weight on her which is slightly more than our suspect should have. However, that can easily be padding and she wants us to rule her out as a culpable suspect.


    Though I can almost guess from the photo that she walks nothing like the woman who delivered flowers to Ashley, I decide to make double sure before ruling her out as a suspect.


    "I¡¯ll have them monitored." Father says, "and interrogated as well if necessary."


    "Can they wrap it up in forty-eight hours? We can¡¯t keep giving Ashley sleeping pills. He needs to be assured that this shit show is over." Father nods at Asher. "Thank you." We bid him goodnight but while we¡¯re leaving, father calls me back. I suspected he would when he kept giving me weird looks that strangely felt guilt ridden. My brothers all give us some privacy.


    "How are you?" He asks to my surprise.


    "I¡¯m good."


    Father fusses with the files and tucks them back into the brown envelope. "We-uh, haven¡¯t spoken since..." His eyebrow nt upwards, half hoping I¡¯ll get his drift.


    "Since you shocked me with a step brother?"


    "You¡¯re still mad at me. That¡¯s justified. Look Ash, I know nothing I say will change your mind or Josh¡¯s existence..."


    "Then why bother? Why are we even talking about this right now?" Angrily, I walk away but freeze at the door after the next few words leave his mouth.


    "Do you hate me so much as a father that you had to go looking for your other one?" Slowly, I whirl back towards him.


    "You had me followed?"


    "I couldn¡¯t reach you and I was desperate to. You kept cutting off my calls. I had your number traced." Instead of the explosion of anger I am used to, hees around his table with a somber expression toy a sturdy hand on my shoulder. "Ashton, YOU ARE MY SON AND MINE ALONE. I DON¡¯T CARE THAT I DIDN¡¯T SIRE YOU. I RAISED YOU AND YOUR BROTHERS. Y¡¯ALL ARE MY LEGACY AND YESTERDAY, YOU CAUSED A TEAR IN MY HEART WHEN YOU WENT DIGGING FOR A DEAD MAN."


    "Why did you keep our adoption a secret? It¡¯s about <i>our</i> lives and we had every right to know. You had no right to keep that from us and let us find out the way we did." I shift my shoulders so his hands slip away. "You actually want me to believe you give a shit about my brothers and I outside of how important we are to your business? If you had been half a decent father, I wouldn¡¯t have doubted you as my father or gone looking for the man who sired me."


    "I understand my parental skills might have been a little unorthodox...."


    "Parental skills?" Iugh in derision. "Feeding and clothing children doesn¡¯t make you a parent, Brett Rollins. You ruined our childhood. I could never call you dad. You made us earn your attention and affection. No true father would do that." I distance myself and suck in a quick breath. "You and I can¡¯t be more than this. Save your affections for Josh, the son you actually love." I storm out of there steaming with anger.


    ***


    Zoe Woodley and her boyfriend stare anxiously at my brothers and I across the living room. Father, Duncan and other security personnel are the only other people around. Father had conveniently sent mother and Demi to have some bonding time at the spa and splurge on luxurious jewelry afterwards.


    "Mr. Rollins." Zoe begins with a faint smile. "I was surprised you wanted to see me. It¡¯s been so long." Father¡¯s frown only deepens at her words. He leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees and res at Zoe.


    "Don¡¯t sit there and pretend like you don¡¯t know why I have summoned you here." The icy edge of father¡¯s voice smokes away the cheer on Zoe¡¯s face. She scans the room and grows nervous. "Why have you been ckmailing my son over your father¡¯s death? Why did you go to his office to nt that note, and why did you leave Demi the gift box at the restaurant? Your father¡¯s death was investigated and ruled as a homicide. What do you hope to gain from this?" He continues to chide her, recounting details of everything that has happened and registers his disappointment in her.


    "What?"


    "Don¡¯t test my patience by feigning ignorance, Zoe." Zoe stutters as her nervous eyes flit across the faces in the room. Her boyfriend closes a hand over her shaky ones.


    "Zoe doesn¡¯t deserve the usations being levied against her. She hasn¡¯t done anything wrong. We just got back in town to shop for our wedding because Zoe was nostalgic. She hasn¡¯t even left my side ever since." Zoe is crying heavily next to him now. "He kicks the gift box at their feet. "There¡¯s no way she could have ridden a power bike to go deliver flowers at your son¡¯s office or left this box at a restaurant restroom while donning a snug ck dress as you described."


    "Oh yeah" Asher interrupts. "And why is that?"


    "Two reasons." The boyfriend says, matching the anger sizzling in Asher¡¯s eyes. "Firstly, Zoe doesn¡¯t know how to drive anything, not a car, a bike or even a bicycle. I mostly do the driving and secondly," He pulls Zoe up with him and lifts up her sweater to reveal a growing baby bump. "She¡¯s six months pregnant! You have the wrong woman!"


    We all stare in astonishment. So, that¡¯s the reason for the additional weight on her. The woman behind this ckmail is definitely not pregnant.


    I turn to stare at Ashley who keeps a calm demeanor as his hope of getting back his peace of mind flies out the window. I wink at him to reassure him that we¡¯ll get to the bottom of it.


    There¡¯s no way I am letting him suffer for something I did. I should be the one being tormented. I can handle it. If the ckmailer ever thinks of hurting a hair on Ash¡¯s head, it has to be mine. I killed Tobias Woodley, and that is why I have made a decision; I am going to switch ces with Ashley till we nab his ckmailer!

 Chapter 66

    <h4>Chapter 66: Chapter 66</h4>


    DEMI


    "You¡¯ve got some nerve showing up here." The sight of William next to my car at the parking lot both frightens and infuriates me.


    I halt in my track and scan the area. There are a few people getting into their cars and speeding off. There are also cameras down here. I continue to survey the ce nheless, ignoring the small smirk on William¡¯s face.


    "C¡¯mon Demi, I¡¯m not a monster. I just want to talk."


    "Talk? You and I might have different interpretations of that word." I stubbornly cement my feet a few meters from him.


    "I can¡¯t talk to you on a private and sensitive matter if you¡¯re standing all the way over there, unless you want me to scream at the top of my lungs how sorry I am for being immature about our breakup and recount how lost and heartbroken I felt when you jilted me. Is that a story you¡¯d like your colleagues to hear?" I shift uneasily before trudging closer.


    "Make this quick, please. I can¡¯t be seen with you and I¡¯ve got ces to be."


    "We could go somewhere more private."


    "No! Here¡¯s fine. Now, talk!" He walks to my side of the car but I refuse to flinch.


    "I¡¯m deeply sorry for everything, Demi. I am appalled by my own attitude towards you ever since I set foot in this country. I should have carried myself better but I guess Lily was right that I was bleeding onto others because I still hadn¡¯t let go of the pain and hurt I felt over our breakup. It¡¯s been six years since west held hands as a couple. I shouldn¡¯t have dragged it on too long. I just want to apologize for everything, from your birthday party to the penthouse."


    I am struggling to believe William is being honest even if his eyes are the least cunning I¡¯ve seen since he invaded my new life.


    "I¡¯ve been a thorn in your flesh ever since I appeared on your doorway that fateful day you turned fifteen if memory serves me correctly. I admit I hade to sway you to be my girlfriend for the week but after we talked that day, I knew you were meant to feature in more than a Chapter of my story."


    "Arrgh, that was so corny."


    "Yeah, it was really hackneyed and cheesy, wasn¡¯t it?" We find ourselvesughing now till our eyes meet and hold. "I¡¯m truly sorry for interrupting the wonderful life you¡¯ve carved out for yourself. I had no right to judge you or your choices. Ashley is my friend after all and I know he has a good heart. I shouldn¡¯t have made such mean spections about your marriage. Could you ever forgive me?"


    I inhale. "What changed?"


    "I¡¯m leaving Danvarr and I want us to part ways better than we did thest time. I¡¯ve finalized the purchase of our new office space. One of our trusted staff members will be relocating toe manage the business here. Who knows? I could visit some other time in the future but that¡¯s beside the point. I truly didn¡¯t want to leave without your forgiveness for my actions in the locked room back in the penthouse. I wasn¡¯t really going to..."


    "I know." I wasn¡¯t sure back then but right now, it¡¯s like I can read him better. "Thank you Will." I ignore how easily the name rolls off my tongue even when I know he isn¡¯t the Will I havee to enjoy texting.


    "And I¡¯m sorry too for not treating you right. My grief at the time was no excuse to treat you like dirt. We met at a time when I wasn¡¯t ready to be loved or to love back. I¡¯m sorry."


    An awkward silence passes between us as I recall his derations of being in love with me. It¡¯s crazy because no other man has ever vocally admitted having feelings for me. The thought of it makes something warm spread across my belly.


    "I guess in another life, maybe we would have a shot." Before I can blink, he pulls me in for a hug. "I¡¯d really miss you. Take care of yourself and Ashley. He¡¯s definitely starting to get warm towards you." He pulls back with a brilliant smile on his face.


    "I hope I haven¡¯t ruined you for the next woman."


    "Don¡¯t tter yourself." He chuckles a bit. "Goodbye Demi not Denee or Denise." That bit makes me smile in return.


    I watch him walk away with a small smile on my face. I am d he is leaving so I can go back to sleeping restfully but a twinge of sadness envelops me as he disappears into a car ahead and drives off.


    "He¡¯s handsome."


    I spin my head, startled to have been snuck up on by the nosy Josh.


    "Friend of yours?


    I don¡¯t dignify that with a response as I head towards the door to open my car.


    "You said we were good, Demi. I thought all was forgiven."


    "All is forgiven sir but I never made any promises to indulge you every time you showed up in front of my face. I had a long day and it¡¯s not over yet. I need to get going. Goodbye Mr. Randall"


    Josh fakes a smile as he gets into the car next to mine. I silently wonder why he is so eager to be friends with me all of a sudden. Thest thing I need right now is him breathing down my neck and popping up with every turn I make at work.


    I head straight to Anna¡¯s ce. I have missed her. Nessa and I might be cool now but Anna is my best friend. I need to mend our rtionship so we can be cool with each other again. When she opens her door, I hold up some takeout in paper bags.


    "Peace offering?" Anna smiles thinly before ushering me in. She looks radiant even in her night dress. Once I settle in, I move the food aside and peer at my best friend.


    "I¡¯ve missed you."


    "Same here."


    "I¡¯m so sorry, Anna. I don¡¯t know why I let my anger fester beyond the night of my party. I had no right to expect you to stick to me like glue. You deserved a good time too and one night without us tethered at the hip shouldn¡¯t have canceled years of dedicated friendship. I was a bitch and I am sorry."


    "Thank you."


    "I am also sorry for not trusting you and making assumptions as to how your night went. It¡¯s literally none of my business who you hung with, unless you make it my business by spilling the tea but until then, I trust that my best friend knows what¡¯s good for her and is very capable of making her own decisions."


    Anna¡¯s eyes go warm as she continues to stare at me. "Thanks for that too." She grabs the paper bag and dives into her dumplings. I have forgotten how exciting it is to watch her eat. "How was the penthouse? I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t make it." I shrug my shoulders.


    "I¡¯m d you didn¡¯t. It was a bust. Ashal took me to a different penthouse he owns. I didn¡¯t even know he had more than one but then, him and his brothers are filthy rich so that shouldn¡¯t havee as a surprise. They all have properties all over Danvarr that they rarely step into all year round."


    I recall everything that has transpired since my party, from befriending Nessa and Josh to meeting Eliana and Ashley¡¯s recent scandal.


    "Oh, Anna, there¡¯s so much I didn¡¯t get a chance to tell you. I have to bring you up to speed."


    Anna sets her food aside as my tale gets juicier by the second. By the time I finish, she remains silent, processing everything. I know she has a plethora of questions.


    "So, what have you decided to do about Olivia? Would you respect her wish and back off?"


    I sigh deeply. "The whole point of saving a rebel like her was to use her to expose the wrongs of my inws. If she¡¯s already tapped out, she¡¯ll only turn on me if I attempt to rescue her. Father won¡¯t spare me. I can¡¯t risk it. Besides, Olivia was just a secondary part of my n. I can¡¯t let her foil my revenge. If she¡¯s been brainwashed to stay with Ashal, sorrows and prayers. I can¡¯t save her if she doesn¡¯t want to be saved."


    Anna nods. "And Ashley? What¡¯s this about him being a murderer?"


    Running a hand over my face, Iy down on my back on the floor. "I can¡¯t quite put my finger on it. Liam had Tobias checked out. Turns out he was a friend and private bodyguard of the quads whoter died tragically. There¡¯s not much about the details of his death. Ashley is a lot of things but a murderer?"


    I recall distinctively how his fingers had trembled on the steering wheel so much so that I had feared for our lives. He had had a surprise look on his face when I returned from the restroom with the gift box and asked cheerily if I had gotten an admirer.


    However, he instantly went pale when he read the note left inside. What followed was an abrupt end to our first, special date night, a hurried departure from the restaurant, and silent treatment ever since.


    "I don¡¯t know what to think when ites to the quads, Anna. The more time I spend with them and think they¡¯re the most humane and nicest guys, the more incidents like this crop up to clear the fog from my eyes. Hence, I am choosing to let the search for proof guide me. I can¡¯t bank on anything the family says. They¡¯ll always protect their own at the expense of others."


    "You¡¯re going to find this ckmailer and do with them what you hoped to do with Olivia?"


    "Precisely." I have no clue where to start but that doesn¡¯t deter me. Liam is hard at work sourcing for details about Tobias¡¯ death and his connection with the quads. I¡¯m afraid of bugging their game room or phones again. Whoever found and disabled the previous one must be on a lookout for them. I need to find some other way to siphon the right information from them."


    Anna sips her juice. "Is there something I can do to help?"


    "Not that I know of. Thanks for asking though." My phone starts ringing. A deep frown creases my brow when I realize it¡¯s my aunt. Why is she calling me now after so long? "Hi aunt."


    "Demi, are you really still pissed at your only surviving family that you¡¯ve intentionally refused to stay in touch with us?" She asks with a low voice.


    "I¡¯m very busy with work, aunt, you know that. Besides,st I checked, your phones still work and you all know the address of the mansion so I don¡¯t see how ourck ofmunication is solely my fault."


    "Of course, it¡¯s your fault. You are the one who threatened to have us kicked out of your party and acted so rudely to us despite our apology. Didn¡¯t you think you owed us an apology in return for your rudeness? Why would we call you first when we¡¯re waiting on that apology?" I gasp in shock at the nerve of my aunt.


    "I owe you an apology for being upset over the way you treated me like scum? Are you being serious right now, aunt Elizabeth? Is this what you called to tell me?" She exhales on her end.


    "Whatever. I didn¡¯t expect you take your correction. You¡¯re married into an influential family now so your arrogance is no surprise to me. I just called to give you a chance to make up with your family so that when you see us at the mansion tomorrow for lunch with the Rollins, things won¡¯t be awkward between us."


    "What? What lunch? Why would you be having lunch at the mansion?"


    "Ask your mother-inw." She says before hanging up on me. A small headache starts to brew behind my head.


    "Is everything okay?"


    "No. Aunt and Kira are the bane of my existence and mother just invited them to lunch tomorrow at the mansion. I think I will lose my mind being at a table with those two." My eyes spark with an idea. "Anna, you have to be there. Please, I need your support. It¡¯ll be less suffocating if you¡¯re there. Please say yes. Please, please, please!"


    I don¡¯t me Anna for not jumping at the idea. If I wasn¡¯t married to one of the quads, I¡¯d probably dislike eating with them for the sheer intimidation and difort one feels being surrounded by sumptuous food and billionaires.


    It¡¯s not always easy for the food to go down the right track when you constantly feel like you are being judged and some people at the table would rather not have you there.


    "Anna hisses out a breath. "Fine. I¡¯ll be there."


    "Thank you."


    On my way back, Ashley calls to know where I am. I tell him I am almost home and stopped briefly to see Anna. Then he mentions in passing that the family requires my presence at a meeting before we all call it a night.


    Though I am a little too tired for this meeting, I distract myself by registering my relief over the fact that Ashley has broken his silence and sounds just like himself again. He assures me he is fine and will not be letting a stranger mess with his mental health before hanging up.


    After the call, I get surprised to receive a message from Will. It¡¯s been a while since he texted me out of the blue. While I wait on a traffic light, I pull up the message.


    [Father is going to make a demand of you. Don¡¯t act rmed or ask any questions. Just go along with whatever he says, please-Will]


    I don¡¯t understand what he means by this cryptic message until I am seated in the spacious living room upstairs and listening to father like everyone else.


    "The recent unfortunate event that has been upsetting our family is Ashley being ckmailed over someone¡¯s death. These usations keep getting ridiculous by the day but in this particr case, we can¡¯t fold our hands and wait for the storm to pass. My son¡¯s peace of mind is being tampered with. His reputation could easily be ruined over a lie. We¡¯ve deployed several measures to get to the bottom of this issue and nab the culprit behind this, a woman for that matter. While we haven¡¯t made much progress and will continue to figure out a solution to this problem, Ashton came up with an idea to lure the ckmailer out and trap them."


    Father¡¯s pauses as his eyes darts around the room. I join him but only to wheel my eyes towards Ashton. His eyes are t.


    "Ashton has offered to swap ces with Ashley until this ckmailer is nabbed. When the ckmailer revisits Ashely¡¯s office, Ashton will be the one she encounters. If Ashley¡¯s movements are followed, which I suspect is the case, then they¡¯ll be following Ashton. If Ashley is to go on another date with his wife to lure the ckmailer to the same spot, it will be Ashton and Demi there. This is only until we get our hands on the woman ckmailing Ashley."


    I have questions but the second I wet my lips to ask, I lock eyes with Ashton and his message reys in my mind. Ashley also nces at me. Why does Ashton have to trade ces with him if thetter is fine? Is there something wrong with Ashley? Why does this family keep giving me nothing?


    "And Ashley?" I blurt before I can stop myself. Everyone turns to me. "Would he be ying his brother too?"


    Father¡¯s thin smile is a little hard to read. "No. Thest few attacks have been mentally tasking for him. He would be resting at one of our family properties for at least a week."


    "What if someone recognizes the fact that Ashton isn¡¯t really Ashley?"


    "Like who?" Father asks me.


    "Nic." I ignore the awkwardness that hangs thickly in the air after I drop her name. "She knows him really well. What if she shows up at his office and..." I trail off. "She might sense he¡¯s...different. And his staff? I have seen Ashley at work. I don¡¯t think his aura is something anyone with an identical face can easily pull off." When my eyes meet Ashley¡¯s, he is smiling at me.


    "You are right." Ashton affirms. "I don¡¯t know much about fashion but that¡¯s hardly a problem. Ashley¡¯s ckmailer hopes to mess with him mentally. I¡¯m going to release a statement that Ashley won¡¯t be attending the Fashion G next week because he wants to focus on working on histest collection due next month. I¡¯ll casually throw in that he¡¯ll be mostly tied up at the office for this reason. Ashley has never missed the Fashion G since his first debut. His ckmailers will be convinced their efforts have finally taken a toll on his mental health and that¡¯s the real reason he is bailing on the G. They¡¯ll target him at his office or whatever public appearance he makes. I¡¯ll be waiting."


    Then after a beat, he continues. "I¡¯ll leave instructions that I do not wish to be disturbed by anyone, not even family members. That should ward off any and all guests, except necessary ones like couriers, janitors, security detail. We¡¯ll be on the lookout for however they want to get to me."


    "And M? Would she be apprised of this n?"


    What if shees looking for him for a date or to go racing?


    "This n stays within these four walls." Father hammers. "Ash, find a way to keep her at arm¡¯s length for now before shees looking for you here." Ashton nods.


    After the meeting, Ashley pulls me aside to put to bed any other worries I might have.


    "You said you were fine."


    "I am but I can¡¯t ignore the fact that I¡¯ve dealt with some mental health problems in the past. I just need to shut out the noise and rest for a bit, maybe speak to a therapist about what recently happened. I trust Ashton on this. I know he will catch the woman trying to bring me down."


    "Ashley." Father calls to him. Before he leaves, Ashley squeezes my hand and reminds me to trust the n. Ashton is still embroiled in a conversation with his mom. He¡¯s probably also trying to convince her about the n so I head for my room. An hourter, I get a call from him as Will.


    "Is there really no other way to nab this...ckmailer?"


    "We¡¯ve tried other things. She is smarter than we think. I can¡¯t think of a better way to get her." He sighs deeply. "Ashely doesn¡¯t deserve to suffer like this. He¡¯s not a killer. If anything, he¡¯s the least likely amongst us to take a life, not because he is weak but because he is very cautious about taking a life. He was the brother that caught bugs and set them free afterwards during our childhood. That¡¯s just who he is."


    "And you? Did you kill the bugs?" I let out a calming breath and ask the real question. "Are you capable of taking a life...on purpose?"


    "There¡¯s very little I wouldn¡¯t do to protect the ones I cherish." His low baritone makes my body tingle with equal parts of fear and lust. I shake my head to refocus on what I am trying to confirm.


    "Ashley was right. You¡¯ve got more spunk than the rest of them and maybe that¡¯s why you¡¯re so intimidating."


    "You discussed me on your date with Ashley?"


    "We discussed almost everything and everyone. Don¡¯t tter yourself."


    He chuckles lightheartedly. "Ashley will be fine. I¡¯ll see to it that we put this behind us soon."


    "Can I ask you one more thing?"


    "Go ahead."


    "Why is the ckmailer convinced that eight years old Ashley killed Tobias Woodley if his mutted body and shed throat was found floating under a bridge, leagues from your old mansion?"


    "You did your homework." His responsees after an awkward silence. I hear the rustling of bedsheets like he is propping himself up on his bed.


    "That¡¯s good. The funny thing is that that particr piece of information is not easily essible to the public except family members and highly influential people who can cut through the bureaucratic tape. How, if I may ask, did youe by that information, Demi?"


    My heart crashes to the floor of my stomach. Shit. I just fucked up.

 Chapter 67

    <h4>Chapter 67: Chapter 67</h4>


    ASHTON


    "Are you still there?"


    "Yes." Demi rifies. Her silence isn¡¯t doing her any good right now. How did shee by such sensitive information? Father had spent a fortune hiding as much information about Tobias¡¯ death as he could to protect my brothers and I.


    He even paid off some of the other security personnel that disposed the body and killed off the ones he couldn¡¯t trust to take the secret to their graves. The ones who survived continue to get hefty checks from father till date.


    "Demi? How did you learn all of this?" I leap off my bed now, dissatisfied with the fact that I can¡¯t even see her to gauge her reaction.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Ashton. I didn¡¯t keep this from the family because of I believe it. I just didn¡¯t want Ashley breaking down even more."


    "What are you talking about?"


    "The box. There were two cards inside. The second one imed that Tobias had been stabbed in his sleep with a pen knife in his neck seventeen years ago and bled to death before his body was dumped over a bridge."


    "What?"


    "When I saw how Ashley reacted over the first card with fewer details, I worried for him and ripped the other to shreds before we came home."


    "What happened to the pieces?"


    "I flushed it down the toilet. I¡¯m sorry Ashton. I should have told you sooner but I didn¡¯t want you, Ashley or anyone else to think I had doubts. Given the seriousness of the issue, it kept reying in my head and that is why I asked. I don¡¯t doubt Ashley. I know him better now. He could never do something like that. I just want to know why this ckmailer is tying the me specifically on Ashley."


    I stay m to let my temper simmer down. "Did you ask me the question about the bugs because you suspect I am capable of stabbing a man¡¯s throat in his sleep, even as a kid?"


    She gasps. "No...God, Ashton, that¡¯s not what I meant. You know it wasn¡¯t." She goes on to mumble apologies for the misconception. I put her out of her misery by telling her I know she didn¡¯t mean it like that.


    "To answer your question, my guess is as good as yours. We as a family have no idea why but we know this is no different from an attack on our family. This person probably knows of Ashley¡¯s mental health struggles since childhood and singled him out as prey. In the end, she wants to cast a slur on our character, reputation and ultimately disrupt our livelihood. We¡¯ve had several flimsy usations thrown at our doorstep but a murder usation takes the cake. Tobias was like family to us. He and father were super close and his death took a toll on father. The gory details of his passing were smothered by father at his family¡¯s behest. The media attention on them was so profuse they even had to leave Danvarr to grieve in peace. Whoever is doing this isn¡¯t just trying to ruin our lives but to disrupt the peace the Woodleys have been enjoying all these years."


    "We¡¯ll do our best to nab this person and put an end to Ashley¡¯s torture." Demi says.


    I¡¯m d she¡¯s genuinely concerned about him. At the same time, I ignore the quiet tug of jealousy. This is the first time she has mentioned Ashley several times in a row while we are talking. Though it makes sense because we are literally discussing Ash, I still feel some type of way especially given her history of babbling my name more.


    "Any more questions about the n?" I ask just to keep her on the phone a bit longer.


    "I¡¯ll let you know during our date, Ashley." She teases me before hanging up. I stare at my phone a while afterwards.


    I did feel fuzzy inside at the mention of us going on a date but the reason I continue to stare at my phone is because of the difficulty I am having reconciling Demi¡¯s sweet personality with that of a person trying to uncover secrets that could easily topple everything my family has struggled to build.


    I wish I can ask her why she spoke with Eliana and attempted to converse with Olivia without affirming her suspicions. I want to believe that her eagerness to see Ashal¡¯s penthouse is far removed from her attempt to rescue the damsel in distress known as Olivia.


    Her question refreshes in my mind. It seems a little too convenient that she flushed the second note down the toilet without showing anyone else, including me. Was there really a second note?


    "M¡¯s calles through, distracting me from my thoughts.


    "Are you avoiding me?"


    "Hi to you too, M." She sighs deeply.


    "Look, I know I haven¡¯t done anything to upset you. If you¡¯re busy and can¡¯t make the time to see or hear from me, a simple text in response to my call and text to tell me so, would do. Don¡¯t treat me like a nuisance."


    "Look M, I¡¯m sorry for ignoring your calls. Asher informed me you waited for me at the racetrack that day. You and I made no prior ns in that regard. I had other personal engagements which I took the entire day to pursue. I don¡¯t appreciate your entitlement to my time. We both know we¡¯re leagues from getting there."


    "I don¡¯t feel entitled to your time, Ashton. I¡¯m only asking that you extend me the courtesy of respect which I do give to you. If you¡¯re sick of hanging out with me, take a walk but until you make that in and clear, I won¡¯t tolerate being treated poorly by you."


    I suck in a breath. Why is she taking this so personally?


    "I¡¯ve got too much on my mind to deal with this right now, M. Can we do this some other time?"


    Is this about my dare? Are you pissed off?"


    "No, just disappointed that my friend thought it funny to dangle my secret in front of my eyes and threaten to expose it if I don¡¯t dance to her tunes. What did you think would be of this friendship after you did that? And don¡¯t give me that hackneyed lecture about insisting on the dare for my benefit. I know my boundaries around Demi and I will never cross them for however long my feelingsst. You don¡¯t have to worry about me."


    "Fine, if you¡¯re certain you know how to tread carefully around her, I¡¯ll drop it. I was really worried about that. I¡¯m sorry for threatening you. I never n on revealing your secrets, pinky swear. Are we good?"


    I exhale quietly as relief washes over me. "For now."


    She chuckles at her own end. "We¡¯ll settle this with a car race then. Good night."


    I spend the better part of the night tossing and turning. Sleep refuses to court my eyes. Tired, I head downstairs to grab a bottle of water from the kitchen. It doesn¡¯t shock me that the light in father¡¯s study is on. Does he ever sleep properly for his age?


    He likes to leave his door slightly ajar unless he is discussing a private matter he doesn¡¯t want just about anyone eavesdropping on. I stare at the door as muffled voices sail through.


    The voices finally ebb but before I can head back upstairs, father steps out with a hand on Ashal¡¯s shoulder. Ashal nods to something father says before walking towards me.


    "Ash?" Father calls to me, slightly unsure. Ashal taps my shoulder and mutters, ¡¯your turn¡¯ while brushing past me.


    I follow father back into his study with a conspicuous frown. I hate it whenever he tries to cozy up to me or do anything to shorten the gap between us. I really wish he would give it a rest.


    "We don¡¯t have to keep going back and forth on this." I begin, expelling a frustrated breath.


    "In other words, you¡¯re never going to forgive me?"


    I lock eyes with his tired ones. "You don¡¯t want forgiveness, father. You want me to ept the kind of parent you are and make peace with it. Maybe I have." From his desk, I notice him gritting his teeth. He scoffs.


    "The truth of the matter is that you¡¯re right about me, and because you¡¯re right about the kind of father that I am, <i>you </i>particrly should be grateful to me for saving your life."


    I still don¡¯t understand him or why he is beating around the bush.


    "You see son, if I had been a dad who picks up his eight years old boys off the floor and bnces them on his hip to spoon feed them, you wouldn¡¯t have had the spunk to end the life of your brother¡¯s assaulter."


    My shock makes him allow a small smile on his face. "If I had been that other type of dad, I probably would have done the right thing and involved the cops to investigate the murder of one of my very close friends and my son¡¯s culpability in his death but no, I am a different type of father who does all the dirty work and shields his children from incarceration. That¡¯s the type of father I am and I am not sorry that I never made enough time to cuddle my boys of tuck them into bed."


    His eyes are zing now. He wrings his hands. "I knew Ashley could not have done that to Tobias. My guess was between you and Ashal because if Asher had done it, he would have announced it to me for bragging rights. As time flew by, I leaned more towards Ashal until I saw what a person looked like after Ashal hits them in blind rage. Tobias¡¯ cut was a little less messy and more fatal."


    I edge close to his desk. "Why are you telling me this now? Am I supposed to pretend I didn¡¯t relish watching that pedophile breathe hisst? I don¡¯t care if you think me a monster. I¡¯d dly slice and dice that motherfucker again if I could turn back the hands of the clock."


    "I don¡¯t think of you as a monster, far from it. I am proud of you for defending your brother. I never got a chance to tell you this because you decided to give Ashley the credit so I yed along with your wishes, thinking you probably became afraid that I would freak out. I wanted you to admit it while growing up but you never did so I couldn¡¯t say anything to you. Now that you¡¯ve owned up to it, I am proud of you, Ashton. I really am."


    Thest words of his sentence continue to y in a loop in my head till I eventually drift off to sleep that night.


    ***


    "I stand in Ashley¡¯s massive closet and gape at his massive collections of designer outfits with my jaw on the floor. There are color coded rows of pants, shirts, zers, suits, belts, mufflers, hats, shoes, and even watches. The y of colors makes my head thrum with an ache.


    Maybe I didn¡¯t really think this through. How am I supposed to coordinate my looks like Ashley would? He already left for Brellis at the crack of dawn. What am I supposed to do with all these options?


    Just as I think of calling a fashion stylist, I recall the n is strictly a family secret and set my phone down. I call Ashley instead.


    "Hey, how are you settling in?"


    "I¡¯m already bored. I miss everyone."


    "You¡¯ll be home in no time. Did you talk to Ni."


    "Yeah, but she didn¡¯t quite take me seriously. I¡¯d advise youy it thick with the security so she doesn¡¯t ost you outside."


    "About that, I¡¯m standing in your walk-in closet right now and I don¡¯t know what the fuck I am supposed to wear. There are four sections of outfits for each color." Ashley bursts out in a boisterousugh. "Is this where you spend all your money? Why the fuck do you have so many clothes, man?"


    "Probably because I don¡¯t repeat clothes? Hey, I knew you¡¯d be dumbfounded so I already organized a week¡¯s worth of outfits for you. It¡¯s the section closest to my watch collection. I tagged your name as well as the dates and events each outfit would be most appropriate for." I follow his direction and find the clothes indeed.


    "Why are there five sets of clothes for a full day?"


    "Two are your mains for the day, one is for dinner and thest two are just to give you more options in case you need a quick change for an impromptu event during the day." I can¡¯t believe he even picked clothes I am to wear at dinner with our family.


    "I don¡¯t need dinner clothes at home. I¡¯d be Ashton by then."


    "Whatever. Make me proud. I have a reputation to protect, okay?" Someone interrupts the call to speak to Ash. "Hey, I¡¯ll speak with youter. The doctor is here. Best of luck."


    I hang up and scratch my head as I sample the clothes. This isn¡¯t going to be as easy as I thought.


    Demi¡¯s aunt and cousin show up early to have lunch with our family. Mom wees them with a huge smile and ushers them to the living room to entertain them while the table is being set.


    Father waves in greeting to our inws. I know he doesn¡¯t care for them but he doesn¡¯t want to embarrass mom in front of her invited guests.


    "It¡¯s been weeks since Demi¡¯s party and I thought it weird that we haven¡¯t all had a meal as one big family. I hope you can forgive me for not nning this sooner."


    "Oh no, Mrs. Rollins." Mrs. Elizabeth says with an ingratiating smile. "We are d to be here at all. We know how busy you all are. nning this to work with everyone¡¯s schedule must have been a difficult task. We thank you nheless."


    The elevator dings open and Demi emerges. Mother beckons on her to say hello to her family and I watch Demi¡¯s expression dampen. Kira and her mother also shift ufortably. Mother ignores the awkwardness between them as Demi takes a seat.


    "Wee aunt. Hi Kira."


    "Demi, you look good." Kirapliments with a forced smile. Demi mutters her thanks. Both women ignore each other while the mothers catch up.


    When the doorbell rings, Demi leaps to her feet and dashes towards it. She returns with a big smile with her hands interlocked with that of her best friend, Anna.


    "Mother, I invited Anna to join us. I hope you don¡¯t mind."


    "Of course not. Anna, you look resplendent in that sundress."


    Anna smiles coyly. "Thank you, Mrs. Rollins, for thepliment and for having me." Demi¡¯s mood seems fully perked up with Anna¡¯s arrival as they huddle close to each other and immediately start chatting. Kira rolls her eyes at them before focusing on her phone.


    My brothers finallye down the stairs and join me by the antique bar.


    "Anything?"


    "Not yet. The official statement has been released on all of Ashley¡¯s socials. Ashley even specifically mentioned that the only person he would be willing to share his time with is his new wife, Demi. I¡¯m sure that bit was more for Ni than the ckmailer." Ashal chuckles before adding, "We just have to bide our time now"


    I turn to Asher who is uncharacteristically quiet. His eyes are fixated ahead of us, a little to the left where Demi sits with her friend. There¡¯s a weird look in them that I can¡¯t quite ce.


    "Asher"


    "Mmhmm?" He answers without breaking his gaze from Anna. Before I can say more, mother ushers everyone to the dining room after being notified that lunch has been served.


    "Ashley is working so hard." Demi¡¯s aunt begins as she folds her napkin and ces it on her thighs. "I saw his official statement. He must be at work." Mother nods at her. "Strangely, I think he gives me an idea of how much of a workaholic my Kira is going to be when she is fortunate tond a decent job in the fashion industry." Her eyes settle adoringly on Kira who beams up at us all. "Kira loves all things fashion and entertainment. She has been making alterations to her own clothes from scraps of fabric lying around the house since she was seven."


    "Yes." Kira confirms. "I love fashion and media entertainment. It¡¯s the air I breathe. I have a whole blog dedicated to fashion, beauty and lifestyle. I admit I am still wet around the ears and have a lot of learning to do but in my own little way, I have been very hardworking and taking little steps towards the actualization of my goals."


    I can¡¯t believe they¡¯re trying to worm their way into the family business over a family lunch meant to bond both families. Father is clearly upset over their boldness. Mom nces at him and feigns a small smile.


    "Mr. Rollins?" Kira calls quietly as father chews his food. "Forgive my boldness but no one can really get ahead in life without a little dose of bravery, right?" Her nervousugh is only reciprocated by her mother. "Mr. Rollins, I was hoping you could help me out the same way you helped my cousin. Unlike her, I actually have the skills to back it up." She ignores the hot re Demi shoots her and keeps her eyes trained on father¡¯s hooded ones.


    "I¡¯d love to work for Ashley or Ashal. My content creation and social media marketing skills will be properly harnessed in either of theirpanies. I won¡¯t let you down."


    "Yes, she won¡¯t." Her mother chips in with a big smile.


    "Uh, why don¡¯t we just focus on lunch." Mother¡¯s words fall on deaf ears.


    "I¡¯m sorry Mrs. Rollins but things are a little bleak for my future as an uing celebrity." Kira drops her cutlery and slouches in her seat with a glum expression. "I just quit my recent job because my employercks vision. I can¡¯t stand working with people who don¡¯t mentally stimte me or have the wherewithal to bring my creative ideas to life."


    "You quit your job?" Demi asks rmed. Her eyes track to her aunt¡¯s whoys a protective hand over Kira¡¯s. "Why did you let her do that? She just got employed."


    "She deserves better than that shitty job." Mrs. Elizabeth returns with an indifferent stare. Demi shakes her head. I know she¡¯s sorely embarrassed over her family¡¯s behavior. I would be too


    "Thank you for your interest, Kira but we are not recruiting right now." Ashal rifies with a warm smile.


    Asher sips his wine, sick of the dry conversation at the table.


    "We are not looking to hire amateurs." He says, staring pointedly at Kira. "Here in our family, nobody gets handed down opportunities they didn¡¯t work hard to earn. If my father doesn¡¯t think I am a formidable chief operating officer, I wouldn¡¯t be upying that position. My brothers and I are the best at what we do. We are not at the helm of affairs in our respectivepanies because we are the sons of the chairman of Rollins Group."


    Kira and her mother twitch in their seats as Asher put them in their ce.


    "As for Demi, she actually has a good degree to back up her inclusion in the business. Even with her certifications, she was only admitted as an intern and is currently still undergoing the training to refine her and better position her for future integration into the business. I hope you get the point I am trying to make."


    "Do you, Mrs. Collin?" Father cuts in, wiping his lips. "If you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll dly go over it again as much as required so you and your daughter get it."


    His smile unsettles them. They shake their heads and return to their meals. Asher briefly exchanges nces with Anna who continues to lower her eyes at the table.


    "I¡¯m sorry, father, if they upset you. I am sure they didn¡¯t mean to." Father continues to enjoy his food despite Demi¡¯s apologies so mother gives her a reassuring smile.


    "That¡¯s okay dear. Now, let¡¯s all just enjoy our food."


    Kira res at Demi for some reason. It¡¯s utterly ridiculous how much she detests her cousin.


    "Mmmm, this meal is really delicious, Mrs. Rollins." Kira speaks up again after a few minutes."


    "Did you just realize that?" I ask her casually. "You¡¯ve been eating it for a while." She blushes as she whips her head towards me.


    "I know. I¡¯m so silly." She smothers augh behind the hand covering her mouth. "I just...it reminds me of my shitty date foods. The guys never take me anywhere fancy with a sumptuous meal like this one. They¡¯re all cheapskates."


    Sheughs again and takes a sip of water. "That reminds me. Demi, how was your date with Mr. Fantasy? You never shared the details with me."


    My fingers freeze around my cutlery. Demi¡¯s eyes grow big with shock as everyone at the table turns to look at her, even father.


    "What?"


    "Your date with the guy you begged me to give you his contact details, Mr. Fantasy."


    I re at Kira now. She¡¯s intentionally trying to get Demi in trouble by bringing this up. The girl is more devious than I thought.


    "What date?" Mother asks in surprise. Kira turns to her and father with a huge smile.


    "Oh, she came visiting home a few weeks back and we got talking about some guy who ims to look just like your sons. Spinsters in Danvarr are so convinced he is a spitting image of the Rollins¡¯ quads so they topple over each other to snag a date with him. If they get picked, he goes on this date with them and does impressions of any brother they fancy. Example, I wanted to go on a date with him so he could make impressions of Asher or Ashley, my top two favorites. He fulfils women¡¯s fantasies, hence the name, Mr. Fantasy."


    She turns back to Demi who is already pale with worry. "When I told Demi about it, she begged me to pass me his number so she could go on a date with him instead. I didn¡¯t understand why she would want to date a fake when she was surrounded by the real deals and even married to one but I chose to mind my business and gave it to her." She sips her drink and watches father over the rim of her ss.


    "What?" Asher¡¯s interest is clearly piqued now. "What is she talking about, Demi?"


    "Mr. Fantasy?" Ashal reiterates.


    Mother ignores Asher¡¯s question and stares at Demi. "Demi, did you go out with that stranger? When did that happen?"


    Everyone waits for Demi to reply to their growing questions while Kira smirks in her chair. A coat of sweat is starting to dew on Demi¡¯s face as well as mine. She¡¯s going into a panic. Father leans forward on his seat.


    "DEMI, ANSWER THE QUESTION, NOW."

 Chapter 68

    <h4>Chapter 68: Chapter 68</h4>


    DEMI


    My legs are shaking nervously as everyone fixates on me. Kira is so evil to do something like this. I try to catch my breath and think.


    I can¡¯t even nce at Ashton. I don¡¯t want to give him a look that could easily be misconstrued at the table so I let my eyes droop to my sweaty hands. When father orders me to respond, my heart gallops. How am I supposed to get out of this now?


    Anna¡¯s hand reaches under the table to grab mine.


    "I¡¯m sorry Mr. and Mrs. Rollins, there seems to be a misunderstanding. Demi didn¡¯t take the number for herself; she did it for me." She dips her eyes in shame. "Like most women in Danvarr, going on a date with the Rollins¡¯ quads is a bucket list of mine that will never see the light of day. Most of us have nursed silly crushes for your sons since they became famous but it¡¯s nothing obsessive like a stalker or crazy." She rifies. While father¡¯s frown only deepens, mother¡¯s tensed face breaks into a small smile.


    "I also heard of Mr. Fantasy but I could never get his number. I have mentioned it to Demi quite a few times so when Kira told her she actually had his number, Demi only took it for me. She brought it to me. I was the one that went out with Mr. Fantasy."


    "You¡¯re lying." Kira counters her. "Demi took the number for herself. That¡¯s what she told me. Why wouldn¡¯t she just tell me that she¡¯s taking it for her friend if that was the case rather than letting me suspect that she¡¯s nning on cheating on her husband?"


    "Because she knows I wouldn¡¯t appreciate it if she tells other people about my silly crush. She intentionally kept my name out of it but you wouldn¡¯t understand that kind of loyalty. You hate your cousin. You¡¯re also jealous of her. No one here is surprised by how shamelessly you are trying to put her down."


    "What exactly is your problem with your cousin, Kira?" Ashton questions her angrily.


    She turns to him and her ring eyes simmer down to painful embarrassment at his chastisement.


    "You appear to be all smiley and nice on the outside but getting to know you, I¡¯ve realized you are a bully and a mean girl. Family should seek to protect each other not try to tear each down. If you weren¡¯t sure of what your cousin¡¯s intentions for the date were, you could have asked her or given her the benefit of the doubt. It¡¯s the bare minimum." He turns to her mother. "Mrs. Collin, you will have to do a better job teaching your daughter some manners so she doesn¡¯t embarrass herself and your family bying off as crass in public."


    "I will never understand what I have done to deserve your hatred, Kira. You¡¯re family to me but you consider me some kind of threat. And aunt, you always choose to be silent when your daughter is being rude, disrespectful or unfair towards me. You never caution her even when she makes ridiculous usations against me. What have I done to you two?" Tears roll down my eyes as I interrogate them further while Anna and mother try to console me.


    "ENOUGH." Father is up on his feet now. "This was supposed to be a simple lunch but you all have ruined my appetite with your family drama. Don¡¯t ever bring this feud in front of me again or I¡¯ll have to rethink inviting you to our future events to save face."


    While aunt tries to apologize, he storms away. Kira is beyond mortified now as mother sits with her head in her hands.


    "Are you happy?" Ashal asks Kira, surging to his feet and dumping his napkin on the table. He goes over to help mom up andforts her.


    Father will me mom partially for inviting my aunt and Kira over. If she had bothered to ask me first, we could have saved ourselves this embarrassment. Asher wipes his lips with his eyes trained on me before rising too.


    "We¡¯re very sorry." Aunt repeats for the umpteenth time but he only gives her a cold look and stalks off. Kira is crying now. "Please," Aunt begs mother, "We are deeply sorry. I¡¯ll make sure Kira never repeats this behavior again."


    "Mrs. Collin, if your daughter bears a grudge against Demi, I can¡¯t possibly allow them to share the same space. You shouldn¡¯t have let her carry on like that. She was going off the rails and you sat back and enjoyed the show. Didn¡¯t you promise me that you would treat Demi better after her marriage was epted? She is your niece for goodness¡¯ sake. Should I have to tell you to treat her well?" Mother shakes her head and gestures for me. Anna helps me up.


    "You are wee to finish your meals. The security will show you out afterwards." I take mother¡¯s hand and follow her after hugging Anna goodbye.


    "Why exactly does your aunt and cousin treat you so badly?" She asks me after I¡¯ve settled in her room with a ss of water in my hand. I sniffle and set the ss down.


    "Frankly, I am at a loss as well. At first, I thought it was just a normal rivalry between rtives. Over time, it¡¯s grown into pure hatred. Aunt used to take my side sometimes back when I newly moved in with them but she eventually stopped. It¡¯s gotten worse now. They don¡¯t care for me at all." I lift my eyes to stare at mother. "I¡¯m sorry about the date thing. I just wanted to do something special for Anna. I don¡¯t expect anyone to get it but she¡¯s like a sister to me and the only true friend I¡¯ve made since moving here. She has never asked me for a penny. I wanted to make her dreame true by helping her bag a date with Mr. Fantasy."


    "About that," Mother leans forward. "Did you ever get to see this person or did Anna talk about her date? How simr is he to my sons?"


    "Not very. He¡¯s great at making impressions of them but it takes more than a blonde wig and a great ent to pull off the Rollins quads to perfection. Anna wasn¡¯t too impressed but she was d she had some fun with the make-believe."


    "And which of my sons was Anna trying to fake a date with?" Mother¡¯s face is not exactly bursting into a smile right now but beyond the in lines of her face, her curiosity in the matter shines through.


    My mind wheels back to Anna¡¯s words. She had lied so convincingly that I almost thought she meant every word. I know she has always fancied the quads. She doesn¡¯t exactly have a particr favorite but I can¡¯t tell mother that and make my friend look cheap to her.


    "I¡¯m so sorry mother but like Anna said, she doesn¡¯t like her private business being discussed with others."


    "I understand."


    "I¡¯ll go see if aunt and Kira have left."


    "And if they haven¡¯t? Don¡¯t put yourself through that. Just let things die down. I¡¯m sure they¡¯lle to their senses and offer you a deserving apology." I nod to her.


    "Thank you for having my back, mother. I¡¯m grateful to this family for filling the void that¡¯s always gued my life; a family to call my own." We share a hug before I leave her.


    Downstairs, aunt and Kira are surprisingly lingering. One of the quads is talking to them in hush tones. When I draw closer and he whips his head, I stifle the urge to roll my eyes.


    "Are you feeling better?" Asher asks me. I shrugzily in response. Aunt and Kira step forward, their eyes mellow with meekness.


    "Don¡¯t." I say, stopping Kira as she cracks her lips to talk to me. "We both know this isn¡¯t going to be thest time you verbally attack me. We also know that your feelings towards me are set in stone. Henceforth, I am not going to delude myself into thinking things can ever be fine between us. We just have to tolerate each other whenever we find ourselves in the same room. Save the false appearances for my inws."


    Mother and daughter excuse themselves and exit the mansion with their tails between their legs.


    Asher continues to watch me out of the corner of my eye. I recall his visit to my aunt¡¯s and Kira¡¯s exact words about how he wanted their help to get rid of me.


    "If you¡¯ve got something to say to me, just say it."


    "Mr. Fantasy, have you still got the dude¡¯s number?" I am not surprised he¡¯s asking.


    "Why? Didn¡¯t Kira give it to you? If she has lost it, I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll be more than d to ask around for it again. She¡¯ll do anything to please her crush, just like she and aunt tried to talk me into divorcing Ashley to help you get rid of me as you kindly requested of them. They¡¯re yourckeys so put them to work." While my eyes are burning with anger, he maintains his smirk. I watch it grow cockier on his face.


    "Tone it down, Demi Branson. You¡¯re being crass, just like the rest of your family."


    "Get a girlfriend, Asher, a real one that you would be proud kiss in front of the camera and have babies with. You clearly still have too much time on your hands despite work. Do some good for yourself. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s a woman out there who wouldn¡¯t be put off by your ck heart because of the golden cage around it."


    His smirk is totally gone now and in its ce is a look of pure shock. He didn¡¯t expect me to know about Nessa or the pregnancy. I hate that I had to let it out in other to win a stupid pissing contest. Hopefully, he won¡¯t take it out on Nessa.


    ***


    Ashely calls me every lunch break to remind me to have lunch.


    "How¡¯s it going?


    "It¡¯s been silent so far. Ashton¡¯s been to your office twice this week but there¡¯s been no sign from the ckmailer. Mother wants to believe it¡¯s over but it¡¯s too soon to celebrate. How are you? Mother mentioned you were having nightmares."


    "I¡¯m fine. The nightmares are nothing serious. I want toe home. I am sick of feeling like a coward who ran away from his own problems. I¡¯ll call this off and return tomorrow."


    Tomorrow? Ashton and I are thinking of scheduling a date to hopefully lure the ckmailer to us. I want to see how that goes even if it¡¯s shameless of me. Beyond that, Liam is working on a piece to get to the bottom of Tobias¡¯ murder. I can¡¯t let Ashley return so soon.


    "You are not a coward, Ash. You are being smart. If you don¡¯t take care of your health, you won¡¯t be able to take down this woman. Let Ashton figure it out. I was truly scared after you opened that box. Nobody deserves to suffer like that over something they didn¡¯t do. We¡¯ll get to the bottom of it, just have some faith in your brother." He pauses briefly.


    "Thank you."


    "Anytime."


    "Ashton mentioned that there were two cards in the box." My heart gallops at his words. "I never knew."


    Why would Ashton bring it up with Ashley? Does he doubt me?


    "He shouldn¡¯t have brought that up with you."


    "Yeah, you should have. I would have preferred you told me, especially before I came over here. I¡¯m not so weak, okay? It might be a little tough at first but I would have been able to handle it. I don¡¯t want you treating me like I¡¯m a weakling."


    "I¡¯m sorry. I never meant to make you feel that way." He epts my apology, reminds me to have a great day and tells me how much he misses me before hanging up.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Ashley but your secret isn¡¯t safe with me. I¡¯ll have to use it to weaken the link and push closer to uncovering the truth about my parents¡¯ death. I hope you can forgive me one day." I mutter under my breath.


    "What did you say to him?" Nessa asks, osting me next to the coffee maker in the staff kitchen.


    "What?"


    Her eyes are red at the rims and she looks forlorn. She sniffles and fusses with her hair when one of our colleagues enter. I watch Nessa¡¯s eyes twitch the whole time till we are finally left alone again.


    "What did you say to Asher? Why is he being so mean to me today?" I don¡¯t have to think about it.


    "I¡¯m sorry Nessa, it just slipped out of anger. I don¡¯t mean to put you in a bad spot with our boss."


    "You knew? Demi, even if you did, I hoped you¡¯d exercise some discretion as a fellow woman. You know how hard that period was for me. I¡¯ve put everything behind me to face my duties because I really need this job. As my friend who lives with my boss, how could you have put my job at risk like that? He thinks I told you. You know how he gets when he¡¯s mad. I don¡¯t¡¯..." She buries her face in her palms and moves away when I try to console her.


    "I¡¯ll go rify everything and apologize to him right now."


    "Forget it." Nessa stops me with teary yet steely eyes. "It¡¯ll only convince him that I report everything to you. I¡¯ll fix this mess myself. For now, please mind your business and let me mind mine." She dries her eyes and storms away.


    Shit. I can¡¯t lose her. Our friendship has only just begun.


    Nessa ignores me for the greater part of the day, even while we share a desk at a meeting with all team leaders on our floor.


    After the hour-long briefing, I follow her to the snack table. She samples the treats disyed and settles for a slice of pizza and some chamomile tea.


    "Nessa? Please don¡¯t be mad at me. I literally have no friends here. Who am I supposed to talk to?"


    "I¡¯ve managed by myself just fine for years before you showed up. You were also doing alright before we became close. I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll both survive."


    "C¡¯mon Nessa...


    "Demi Rollins?" A stranger interrupts us. She¡¯s an olderdy in her fifties with hair cropped short around her ears and a nicely fitted skirt suit on her body. "I am Amanda Regan. I supervise the facilities management team."


    I take her hand and shake it firmly though unsure why she¡¯s making this introduction with deep eyes that seem to be searching my soul.


    "I¡¯m not sure I recognize you."


    "You don¡¯t. I¡¯m sorry for staring it¡¯s just, you remind me so much of a colleague of mine that passed years back. The resemnce isn¡¯t at the level that it is uncanny but it¡¯s there quite alright." My heart thuds in my chest as I flick a nce at Nessa. "You two have to be rted somehow. Do you know Camille Branson? She¡¯s a colleague of mine that passed some years ago in a work-rted ident. Does that name ring a bell?"


    Mom. She knows my mom? I strap down the tears threatening to spill as Asher makes his way towards us. Nessa is also staring at me curiously.


    "No, doesn¡¯t sound familiar except for thest name. I don¡¯t know her." I turn my face to hide the pain in my eyes for denying my own mother. I hope she can forgive me but it¡¯s too risky for our rtionship toe out right now. I grab the same thing Nessa is having and beam up at her.


    "I¡¯ll just leave you be." Thedy walks back to rejoin her group of friends. She mutters something to them and they shake their heads sadly while stealing surreptitious nces at me. Do they all know my mom?


    Asher reaches us and brushes past me to grab a bar of chocte. Nessa tries to protest over his choice but he shuts her down with a stern look. I feel awkward standing between them. When Nessa retreats, I turn to Asher.


    "You shouldn¡¯t me her unfairly. She has never said a word to me about anything. I found out all on my own and no other person will hear it from my lips, but that¡¯s only because Nessa is my friend now and I respect her privacy. It wasn¡¯t my ce to judge and I am sorry for speaking to you the way I did. Please..." I emphasize with sad eyes, "Punish me if you want someone to me, not her."


    I locate Nessa in the crowded room looking forlorn. Asher follows my gaze too and Nessa dips her head. "I can tell she¡¯s still fragile from everything that happened. Don¡¯t make things worse by giving her the cold shoulder. Poor girl needs this job and your kindness."


    Without waiting for him to speak, I walk away. The olderdies continue to watch me from all the way across the room. Sometimes, they¡¯d whisper to themselves. I was d the meeting finally came to an end and we all dispersed to our various departments and offices.


    After work, it starts raining heavily. I sit in my car and cry a bit in front of St. Lucy church where I had wedded Asher. My n had been to go in and pray for forgiveness for denying myte mom.


    I feel so guilty about it, especially given the way thedies had been staring at me. Do they suspect I lied? Did mom ever mention me to her friends? I continue to cry as the rain pours down heavily.


    "I¡¯m so sorry." I croak in tears. I would never deny her. I have every n to reveal my identity at ater date but I never envisaged that I would run into anyone who would ask me about mom here. I mostly look like my dad with sparse features of my mom. My heart continues to break as I recall my old life.


    The next thing I hear is someone tapping my ss. I jerk awake. The rainfall has ebbed. Outside, a familiar face stands with an umbre in his hand. He is the same man that chaired my wedding with Asher. He gestures for me to roll down my window.


    "Are you okay, Miss?"


    "Yes." I wipe my face and fake augh. I¡¯m d he doesn¡¯t recognize me. "I¡¯m so sorry. I pulled over to rest while it was raining. I must have dozed off. I¡¯ll just be on my way."


    "Are you sure you don¡¯t want toe in to offer supplication? I can tell your heart is heavy." The offer is tempting. No matter how long I cried, I still don¡¯t feel like I have satiated my guilt. My eyes stray to the door.


    "Don¡¯t overthink it, Demi, juste in. It wouldn¡¯t be the first time." He smiles warmly at me.


    "You remember me?" I ask in surprise.


    "I remember a lot of the people I join in this church. I am not as old and forgetful as I look." He chuckles a bit. "Besides, the Rollins family is special to me. I consider myself fortunate to have chaired two weddings in your household, even if the first remains our little secret." He winks at me.


    Two weddings huh?

 Chapter 69

    <h4>Chapter 69: Chapter 69</h4>


    ASHAL


    The post on billion-err regarding my mystery woman hasn¡¯t blown over like I hoped. A lot of people have even started specting about my sexuality.


    Unlike Asher who has had exes, I haven¡¯t really dated anyone publicly until Olivia came into my life. I see why everyone is so intrigued by the woman who managed to steal my heart.


    There are threads and sub threads on different tforms dedicated to uncovering my secret girl. More articles keep popping up about spective guesses as to who she is. Though it¡¯s ttering to see how invested people are about my life, it¡¯s also annoying and intrusive to have your personal life under a magnifying ss.


    The only upside is that the attention on Olivia has dwindled. Olivia. She has been differenttely. Whenever Ie around the house, she always has a pot of something aromatic going. She has poured herself into her cooking sses to ensure she makes me all the best meals I am used to having at home. I literally don¡¯t have to beg for her attention. She always clings to my side while I y my games or work from my office at the penthouse.


    Thest time I visited days ago, she set up a candlelight dinner just for the two of us. After the meal, she lured me up to her room to show me her new collections of lingerie in dangerously sexy colors of red and ck.


    She mentioned leaving some in my room too and that¡¯s how she pulled me away to my room as well. Her new purchases were everywhere like she was a new girlfriend trying to put ideas into her man¡¯s head that she was ready to move in with him.


    I ran my hand over her sexy night dresses neatly arranged in my closet next to my clothes. That¡¯s when I felt her hands crawl up my chest from behind me. She smelled so good and it felt really nice to have her do that all on her own.


    "Do you have to leave tonight?" She whined like a petnt child. Her hands moved to trail up and down my torso and when her fingers snaked under my shirt to tease the buckle of my belt, my breath clogged in my throat.


    "You don¡¯t have to leave, you know. I¡¯d love it if you spent the night with me." Her hands descended to cup me. Gently, she stroked my hard shaft. I moved away, all flushed in the face, towards the bathroom door.


    "You don¡¯t need to do this to prove anything to me." I said with my back still turned to her. My voice came out a little breathy to my chagrin. I whirled to face her and was shocked to find that she had stripped down to reveal the sexy red lingerie she had underneath her robe. My eyes raked her body ravenously, like I hadn¡¯t had her before.


    "I want this." She said, drawing closer to stroke my face. "I want you, Ashal. I don¡¯t know how else to show you." Her eyes were almost pleading. She took my hand and guided it to her rotund ass cheeks. Her skin felt extra soft like a baby¡¯s and slick with oil.


    "Say you want me too, please." She begged,ying her head on my chest and inhaling deeply. I sniffed her fragrant hair and wrapped my arms around her too.


    It felt nice. It felt really nice.


    We had sex that night. I found myself watching Olivia¡¯s face contort with every orgasm that quivered through her. She moaned loudly with every stroke, deep and shallow.


    Every few minutes, she grabbed my face to ask me if I was close, if I wanted her in a different position, if I was enjoying her dirty talk or wanted her to be more aggressive. My body was enjoying everything thing she was doing to it but my mind chose to nk out her face because the emotions disyed on them didn¡¯t feel right to me.


    When we used to have sex as Olivia and Asher, Olivia glowed with a sheen of sweat. Her entire body opened up to me (as Asher). Our hearts melded and over that period, I came to know what a pure look of sexual satisfaction looked like on Olivia Dunn. It wascking while I rode her as Ashal, no matter what I did.


    Grossed out by her fake screams and moans of ecstasy, I pulled out andy spent on the bed, trying to catch my breath. Olivia craned her neck with a hint of worry on her face.


    "Is something wrong?"


    I gently took her hands off my chest and headed for the bathroom, mumbling beingte for an appointment. When I came out with a towel hanging on my waist, she was fully robed on the bed. Her eyes were downcast.


    "You¡¯re leaving? It¡¯s past one am."


    "I know that." I rifled through my clothes for a fresh set. The sight of her dresses grated on my nerves but I ignored them.


    "Did I do something wrong?"


    I didn¡¯t know how to answer that. How was I supposed to exin to her how I knew what she was like in bed with my brother whom she loves?


    "I told you, I¡¯mte."


    I couldn¡¯t even be mad at her. I hadn¡¯t been fullymitted to the act either. I kept torturing myself with images of she and Asher and imagining them together. Like that wasn¡¯t enough, I madeparisons of my own sexual prowess.


    Was I only good enough when I was pretending to be Asher or did Olivia just respond better when she believed she was with the man she loved?


    She came up to me. "Please, talk to me. If there¡¯s something you like or didn¡¯t like about my performance, share with me so I can continue to improve. I want to be the best for you."


    Apparently, you can¡¯t do better than a robot with your heart still elsewhere, I had thought in my head as I stared at her face. None of it was real, not the cooking or the loving looks and touches. She wasn¡¯t allowing herself to love me. She was ying a script.


    I leaned down to kiss her lips. She returned the kiss with a fierceness that irritated me yet again. Why was she quick to assume I only liked it aggressive? Did it have something to do with her perception of me as someone with my peculiar condition?


    I ripped a shirt in annoyance while tugging it off a hanger.


    "Ooh, it ripped. I¡¯ll have it stitched before you return."


    I tossed the shirt across the room and red at Liv. "IT¡¯S JUST A FUCKING $400 SHIRT. I HAVE TONS OF IT IN DIFFERENT COLORS. I DON¡¯T NEED YOU TO STITCH ANYTHING FOR ME."


    Though she remains standing, her eyes go wide with shock at my outburst. She swallows hard and mumbles an apology.


    "Don¡¯t be a fucking robot, Liv. I don¡¯t know who this person is but I don¡¯t like her. I don¡¯t need you pretending to be everything I ever wanted. That¡¯s not what I want."


    The spark in her eyes were gone. The strength of her will too. She was an empty husk with bouncy books and a good backside. That was not the Olivia I fell in love with.


    "Then what do you want?" She croaked out with a glimmer of tears in her eyes. "How much more should I change myself for you? Tell me what you want so I can be exactly that."


    Now she sounded pitiful and made me look needy. Maybe I am. I finished wearing my clothes and grabbed my keys from a tray close to the door. Before heading out, I nced back at her, a quick sweep of that beautiful, sculptured face.


    I want you to <i>love</i> me as Ashal Rollins, while being your authentic self, I reply in my head.


    "Get some rest, Liv. Good bye." I uttered before leaving.


    Elyon¡¯s entrance into my office jerks me out of my thoughts. I didn¡¯t even hear hime in.


    "Are you alright?"


    "Yeah, sure." My eyes dart to the screen of my desktop where the articles about my mystery woman continue to drawments. I frown at one. Elyon wheels the monitor to himself and chuckles.


    "Why do you have that up? You shouldn¡¯t be reading that."


    "I can¡¯t avoid it every time I go online. People are ruthless and I get tagged all the time." I sigh tiredly.


    "What¡¯s the deal though? Your mystery girl wants to remain mysterious or is that just you?"


    "She was just a date to my sister-inw¡¯s party. It wasn¡¯t that serious."


    "You don¡¯t like her?"


    I think of Olivia now. I love her no doubt but right now, I don¡¯t know if I like her. "Not really."


    "Then get yourself a girl you like. It can¡¯t be that hard. You¡¯re Ashal Rollins. You don¡¯t have to do with out of pressure from these useless blogs but if you want one, put yourself out there and go for it. If Ashley can get married, I believe you can."


    "What is that supposed to mean?" I ask with an arched brow. Elyon chuckles.


    "Some men fearmitment, you know. I always pegged Ashely as one of them but then he got married and he appears to be doing a good job so far because his wife hasn¡¯t left him yet. I can¡¯t think of a reason why a decent, hardworking and rich guy like yourself hasn¡¯tnded a wife yet. I know you want one. You¡¯ve always given off family guy vibes to me."


    "Whatever man."


    "Seriously, are you looking for any qualities in particr? Tell me what they are and I can hook you up."


    "Are you pimping on the side, Elyon? God knows I pay you well enough."


    "I have sisters and they¡¯ve got tons of beautiful friends. They relentlessly set me up on blind dates with varying sses and types of hot women before I met Lisa. Just say the word and you can be a happy boyfriend by nightfall."


    I tinkle with the idea in my head. A blind date would mean thedy wouldn¡¯t know it¡¯s me from the jump. That could be interesting. I have always been recognized by most of thedies I interact with at the club and social events I attend. The only thing they fail to guess right is my name as I am often confused with my brothers. A blind date should be refreshing.


    "I know you want to do it so don¡¯t overthink it. Just tell me what you want her to be like; career, height, hair color, size, interests, you name it and my sisters will get you someone very nice to have drinks withter today."


    "Today?"


    "Why not? There are lots of women single and waiting to mingle."


    "It has to be very private, okay? I don¡¯t want anyone taking pictures of us."


    "You got it. Make a short list of everything you¡¯re looking for and I¡¯ll get to work." Elyon beams at me before leaving.


    I don¡¯t know how I feel about the decision I just made. I am not really looking to date. I have Olivia but a fresh face and conversation with a woman that reminds me of the one I fell for might help remind me of everything Olivia could still be.


    I make my list, describing my impressions of Olivia the first time I had met and fallen for her at first sight. To avoid overthinking it, I forward the list to Elyon¡¯s phone and return to work.


    We hit a major sales record hourster. Everyone in the office celebrates with Champagne for a new milestone achieved. I step up in front of the water fountain in the reception area to address everyone.


    "Thank you all so much for your continuous hard work and dedication. I am proud of every single one of you who immersed yourself into this project till we hit our numbers. HQ will be calling soon to congratte our team heads but I want the rest of you to know that the appreciation extends to everyone. Additionally, you will be taking bonuses home at the end of the month."


    Everyone hoots and ps excitedly.


    "Thank you once again, guys. Let¡¯s keep winning."


    I toast to more sess in the business and clink my ss with a good number of my staff. I drain my drink in one gulp as Elyon plows his way through walls of limbs to meet me. He tops off my ss once more and clinks his ss to mine.


    "Cheers." We both gulp down our drinks.


    "Careful. Working hours aren¡¯t over. I can hold my liquor pretty well unlike some people I know."


    Elyonughs. "Work is over for you. Your date will be arriving the Grand Casa Hotel private bar in..." he flicks his wrist to check his gold wristwatch. "...precisely fifty minutes."


    "What? You said tonight. It¡¯s still early."


    Elyon shes his wrist at me. "Bro, it¡¯s four thirty. Work ends in thirty minutes. What are you on? Get out of here and Ashal," he calls to me as I begin heading for my office to grab a few things, "did I mention I secured a backup date?"


    A frown creases my brow. "What do you mean?"


    "My sister found two amazing women that fit your description almost too perfectly and she didn¡¯t feel it was right to deprive you of a chance to meet bothdies before making a choice so...I might have scheduled the second date for two hours after the first, at the same location."


    My head is aching now but I don¡¯t even have the time to be mad at him. I jab a finger at him. "You better be right about this. If things go south, you¡¯ll be looking for a new job."


    Thankfully, the hotel is a few minutes¡¯ drive from my office. With Ashley¡¯s advice and help, I learnt to always keep a fresh set of clothes in my office just in case. We all do it except Ashton and father. They can¡¯t be bothered. Today, I am d I inculcated that habit as it saves me a considerable amount of time in getting to my date.


    The sun is already down when I park in the VVIP lot and hand my keys to the valet. I use the elevator to the fourth floor where my date is awaiting me at the bar. As the elevator opens and I head for the bar, I nod at Elyon¡¯s choice. The area is quite luxurious to my standard and most importantly, the bar has been reserved for us.


    I check my time as I approach the door. I amte by two minutes. If my date is anything like I described, she might be twitching in her seat by now at my tardiness. My hands close around the knob of the ss door but before I push it open, my eyes zero in on my date. She is in a sexy red number with sleek brown hair swept towards the right side of her neck. She ys with the umbre on her mojito and checks her time.


    Just from the side of her face, I immediately recognize her. My eyes dte in shock.


    Maddie?


    ***


    My hands fall from the door. I quickly swerve to tten myself by the door when Maddie¡¯s eyes pivot towards my direction. She¡¯s probably running out of patience with her mysterious date.


    What the fuck? I rush back towards the elevator, tapping on my phone screen to call Elyon and give him a piece of my mind but just as his voice sails through, I remember he doesn¡¯t know anything about my secret marriage. How do I expect him to know that the date he arranged for me is with my wife¡¯s kid sister."


    "Ashal? You there?"


    I hang up and blow a frustrated breath. Seeing Maddie is honestly shocking only to the extent that I didn¡¯t expect Elyon¡¯s sisters to be friends with Maddie. However, I can totally understand why she made the cut. She¡¯s almost identical to her sister as far as their interests, features etc. go.


    When I hear the ck of heelsing down the hallway, I know it¡¯s her. I duck behind a wall and silently watch her leave with a huge frown on her face. She must have a lot to tell Cher about the asshole that stood her up.


    After ten minutes, Elyon calls me to inquire about my failed blind date with the first girl.


    I am inside the bar now, sipping a drink as I await my second date. Hopefully, she doesn¡¯t turn out to be someone I know too.


    "I¡¯m so sorry, man. I had to make a detour along the way. I couldn¡¯t get here on time. My apologies to Cher for the inconvenience, and to my first date. I¡¯m sure she¡¯s amazing. I¡¯ll just wait for the next girl. Hopefully, it works out well."


    My second date arrives an hour earlier than scheduled and looks surprised to find a lone man at the bar. She¡¯s a true beauty with long legs that strut through every floor like it¡¯s a runway. She is wearing a little ck dress paired with a shimmering white and ck purse and red bottoms to match her lips.


    "Hi." Her voice is soft and soothing. I extend my hand to her, noting the recognition in her eyes. "I¡¯m Shay."


    "Pleased to meet you, Shay. I¡¯m Ashal." I pull out a seat for her.


    "Thank you. Wow, you really are the gentleman they say you are." Weugh softly.


    "You¡¯re very early. I wasn¡¯t expecting you for another hour."


    "It¡¯s a habit of mine. Blind dates make me a bit nervous so I like to go earlier, like way earlier to getfortable with the venue, ambience, smell, everything before my date arrives. It¡¯s okay if you find that weird. I do too."


    "What happens when you make it to the blind date after your date arrives."


    "I talk a mile a minute, run out of breath and choke myself with wine. That¡¯s not happening right now because you¡¯re familiar. I¡¯ve heard only good things about Ashal Rollins and it kind of puts my mind at ease." She epts her drink from the bartender and takes a sip. "You were here earlier. Do you own this ce too?"


    Iugh at her joke while I brainstorm a good response. I can¡¯t possibly tell her that I was supposed to be having a date with another woman before she arrived.


    "Wouldn¡¯t that be nice but no, I don¡¯t own this hotel. Mypany hit a huge milestone today and we closed early to celebrate. Since it¡¯s not far from here, I thought I¡¯d stop by and check out this new ce while I wait for you, instead of going all the way home and returning again."


    "Oh, I get it." We hold each other¡¯s gaze for another half minute.


    "What is it? Tell me." I urge her seeing the questions in her eyes.


    "I really shouldn¡¯t."


    "It¡¯s fine. Go ahead."


    She shrugs. "Ok, you asked for it. I am surprised you are here, on a date with a random stranger. Whatever happened to your mystery girl?"


    Argh, that.


    "Mystery girl was just a date to the party. That¡¯s all that was."


    "Is she not your type?"


    "Physically, yes, but that was it. I¡¯m looking for something more than just a pretty face and a glib tongue."


    She stares intently at me. Her eyes are seductive. Her bare part of her thighs are distracting. I sip my drink and order a third round. "What about you? What are you looking for out of this?"


    The light of cheer in her eyes wink out at my question. "Just one thing."


    "Oh yeah? What¡¯s that?" My phone res in my pocket. When I see the caller, I get irritated for the interruption. I want to keep this momentum going with Shay.


    "You can take it."


    "It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m sure it¡¯s just work."


    "It won¡¯t stop bothering us so just take it. Go ahead." She smiles at me as I excuse myself.


    "Elyon, now is not a good time."


    "I understand that you¡¯re pissed. Cher just told me. I¡¯m sorry about ke."


    My eyebrows furrow in confusion. "What? Who¡¯s ke?"


    "ke Hartley, your second date. She had an emergency and canceled for tonight." My eyes boggle in disbelief. When I turn to look at my date, she blows me a kiss.


    "Elyon, what the fuck are you talking about? I am currently on a date and her name isn¡¯t ke, it¡¯s Shay. I am staring at her right now.


    "Shay? That can¡¯t be right. Maddie and ke were the only two women Cher selected for you. There wasn¡¯t even a woman called Shay on the list of five friends my sister personally handpicked for you."


    Shay isn¡¯t smiling or goofing around now as I hang up the call with Elyon.


    "I¡¯m sorry, what did you say your full name was? I didn¡¯t catch it." She smiles mischievously now.


    "That¡¯s because I didn¡¯t give my full name, Mr. Rollins." Rising to her feet, she edges close to me and teases my neck tie. "But since you¡¯re asking so nicely, it¡¯s Shay Woodley, second daughter of thete Tobias Woodley."


    Her eyes are dark and hooded now as she locks eyes with mine. "And what I want is the head of my father¡¯s murderer!" Her hand disappears into her purse seconds before the light from the chandelier above us, bounces off barrel of a gun.

 Chapter 70

    <h4>Chapter 70: Chapter 70</h4>


    ASHTON


    Demi stands in front of a mannequin with different shades of fabric loosely wrapped around it and secured with a pin. She inclines her head as she tries to imagine what Ashley must have been envisioning for the dress.


    I am seated on a couch behind her, raking the opulent space. Demi was right, pulling off Ashley Rollins now runs beyond spiffy clothes and a simr face. He has managed to create a whole world of his own. I can¡¯t even bring myself to feel at home on his desk. Even from the chair, I continue to twitch with difort.


    His space is more cluttered than I prefer. Yet, everything is very organized. His walls are a source of inspiration for his genius. Instead of the award ques to festoon his shelves and walls, he has the portraits of every fashion icon he admires and some upbeat quotes to keep him motivated.


    I have been over here quite a few times but I never really pay attention to his impable d¨¦cor and organization. I usually stroll in to pull Ashley away from work to go out with me. Being here now without him to distract me, I am getting a fresh glimpse of his world and the way he thinks. THIS is intimidating.


    "What was that?" Demi asks, turning.


    I didn¡¯t realize I said thatst bit out loud. I lean back on the couch. "Everything here. How can one person make a ce so chaotically organized?"


    It¡¯s hard to fault it. His office is a study ofplication and beauty. A lot of people could never pull it off. Is this how Ashley¡¯s head is? Is this why he is able to pull himself up despite the storms that threaten to upend his peaceful life? He knows which pins to pull and the dress on the mannequin will take form or fall apart, depending on what he wants.


    Demi chuckles. "You brothers say the nicest things about one another mostly when the person being spoken about is absent. Ashley will give his limbs to hear you admit you find him intimidating." She continues to his desk and eases a hip on it. "The night we discovered the box, he admitted that you intimidate him because of how consistent you are at being your unapologetic self. He finds it annoying sometimes, especially when you still don¡¯t budge at your father¡¯s presence or orders."


    "So, you guys did discuss me."


    "We were ying a game." Shees to sit next to me. "I asked him his favorite and least favorite brothers. He asked me right back. I can¡¯t tell you Ashley¡¯s responses but would you like to know what my answers were?"


    My heart skips a beat as her eyes linger on mine. We are too close, and alone in her husband¡¯s massive office/ work station. I surge to my feet and move to Ashley¡¯s table. "This doesn¡¯t feel right."


    "Ashton, I didn¡¯t mean it like that. It was just a simple question and answer..."


    "Not that, THIS." I say, gesturing everywhere and nowhere. "It¡¯s too fucking quiet. Why has she been quiet? If Ashley were here, she would have left something or done something by now to give him goosebumps. Why is she so fucking quiet? Does she know he isn¡¯t in town? Is there a spy in our midst?"


    "Okay, calm down."


    "It¡¯s been four days already. I promised Ashley he will be back to sleeping without pills when he returns but nothing is going ording to n. Why do you think that is?" Demies to stand by my side.


    "You¡¯re doing the best you can. I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll show up soon. Don¡¯t be too hard on yourself. You¡¯re the brains behind this operation. From the brawn to the brain, stop overthinking." Iugh now at her joke. "What? You don¡¯t believe I am the brawns in this equation? Don¡¯t underestimate me." She bunches up her sleeve to show me her arm muscle. "I can knock you out with a single punch."


    I pull her sleeve down. "Why risk your arm stinging with pain when you can knock me out easily with..." Our eyes meet and hold. Again, we¡¯re too close and very alone. Her hand is still tucked in mine when I look down. I rub my hand over my throat. "I¡¯m parched. Could you..."


    "Yes, um, the lounge." She says, heading for the door. "I¡¯ll be right back with some water. Drinks? No drinks. Okay." She concludes when my eyes widen. We can¡¯t drink a jot here. It¡¯s be the craziest idea. We are on the clock too. We can¡¯t afford to miss any clues or signs of the ckmailer.


    While I wait for her, I flip through the papers on Ashley¡¯s table. A little sound to my left catches my attention. Ashely¡¯s bookshelf is moving. I hear the jiggle of locks that seem to being from inside the wall. The next thing I realize, the shelf that ostensibly holds a collection of fashion magazines shoves open like a full-length door.


    I hide behind it, hoping Demi doesn¡¯t return now and scare the intruder away. My hand tightens in a fist as I prepare to knock out the intruder the second her head bes visible.


    When she steps out, I reel back my arm to strike her the same time she turns to face me. Scared, she doubles over in fright and shields her face as a startled cry of shock escapes her lips. I look closely, stopping myself.


    "What the fuck, Ashley? It¡¯s just me."


    "Ni?" Shit. Nic is here? Ashely never mentioned a secret passage to me. Why would he forget something like that? Nic stands straight and scoops her hair out of her eyes. She¡¯s wearing a trench coat. Her eyes are aze with anger.


    "Nic." I repeat, a bit flustered to see her.


    "Who else were you expecting to pop out of the secret passage you built exclusively for me?" She asks, shutting the door. There¡¯s hardly any trace that a door is even there. She plunks her bag on the nearest couch and scowls at me. "Why are you being so weird like you¡¯ve seen a ghost. Don¡¯t tell me you expected me to fall for that bullshit about devoting your time only to your wife. I don¡¯t see her, do you?"


    Where the hell is Demi with that water? Ni pulls my head with both hands and smashes her lips to mine in a feral kiss. When I gently try to stop her, she only grows more resilient. Out of the corner of my eye, I make out a silhouette by the door and shove her harder.


    "What¡¯s your problem, Ash?" Ni yells before ncing at the door where Demi stands with two cold bottles of water.


    "YOU BITCH" In two leaps, she streams across the room and smacks Nic very hard across the face. Ni staggers backwards. Before she can recover from the shock, I watch Demi force open the caps on the bottles and spritz the cold water all over Nic while thetter yelps in shock.


    "How dare you touch him?" I have to hold her back from wreaking havoc. Ni¡¯s mascara runs down her face while her falseshes droop around her eyes.


    "You wretch. Youe close to him again and I¡¯ll skin you alive."


    The noise attracts some of the staff in the neighboring offices. When one of the managers pokes his head in, I instantly dismiss him and demand for some privacy.


    "Calm down, Demi. Take deep breaths."


    "How the hell did she get in here?" Demi asks angrily, her chest heaving with breath. "Kick her out, NOW! Do it or I will drag her by her cheap extensions all the way through those offices down the hall." Ni curls further away from Demi with frightened eyes.


    I¡¯ve never seen Demi this livid. I wonder if she remembers that I am wearing her husband¡¯s clothes and pretending to be him. This reaction of hers is too passionate for what Ashley is used to getting.


    The wildest part is that Demi isn¡¯t acting at all. She wants to w Ni¡¯s eyes out, for me! I ignore the heady feeling thates with knowing how deeply she cares for me, to steer her away from Ni till I have her seated in a faraway couch.


    "Deep breaths, in and out." Her eyes fixate on mine as she follows my lead. Behind me, Ni lurches to her feet.


    "Why are you falling for her antics? You know she doesn¡¯t love you."


    "SHUT UP NICCI."


    "You saw the video of her with that her secret boyfriend at the bookstore. You also know about her and William. What exactly do you see in this woman that makes you continue to turn a blind eye to her faults? She¡¯s ying you." I give her burning look as my phone begins to ring. "Get out of here. You have ten seconds or I¡¯ll let my wife have her way with you."


    Ni res at Demi and I before plucking her bag off the couch and stomping her feet towards the hidden door. I beat her to it and in a whisper, "Other way."


    "Why are you doing this to me?"


    "The other way, Ni. Leave!"


    Frowning, she storms away with her wet, mascara-stained face. I finally pick up my phone.


    "Yes, who¡¯s this? What? Where?" I grab my keys and gesture Demi towards the door. "I¡¯m on my way!"


    "What¡¯s going on?" Demi pesters me in the car.


    "They found her, Tobias Woodley¡¯s daughter!"


    ***


    Twenty minutester, Demi and I burst through the doors of the elite bar of the Grand Casa hotel to find Asher and Ashal hovering over a beautifuldy seated at a corner table. We rush towards them but I got to Ashal first to check to ensure that he is unharmed.


    "Are you okay?" I ask frantically.


    "I¡¯m fine. I¡¯m unharmed." He gestures to the table where a piece of white cloth covers a gun. "The gun¡¯s fake."


    I pick it up. It¡¯s an airsoft pellet gun.


    "What the fuck is going on?" I ask.


    "Alright. Start talking." Asher yells at thedy who seems surprised at our collective reactions. She turns to stare at Demi¡¯s flushed face.


    "Why are you all being so weird? I already told you everything. I am an uing actor. I got a call toe here and act out a blind date scene that ends exactly the way ours did," She gestures at Ashal." Why don¡¯t you believe me? I already gave you my manager¡¯s number. Call him and you¡¯ll see my story checks out. I don¡¯t know what else to tell you." She crosses her arms over her chest and rolls her eyes.


    "Ashal, what¡¯s going on?" Demi moves to him. "Who¡¯s this woman?"


    "She¡¯s supposed to be my blind date. Turns out the woman I was meant to be on a blind date with canceled but THIS stranger showed up and convinced me that she was my date. We got talking only for me to get a call about my date, ke, being unable to make it here. Then Shay here introduced herself to me as Tobias Woodleys¡¯ second daughter, with a gun to my face."


    Though he appears strong, I can tell Ashal would have been startled when Shay pulled out that gun.


    "I¡¯m not Shay Woodley. My real name is Cree Baxter. Shay is just the character I was paid to portray. Why is no one listening to me?"


    I grab Shay¡¯s chair and pull her towards me. "You better start making sense or I¡¯ll forget that you¡¯re a woman and make you talk." Her eyes flutter in fright as I pin her with an ice-cold look.


    She fits the bill, the height, weight, everything. Ashal confirms that she walked simrly to the woman in the footage from Ashley¡¯s office. Asher already tried her so called manager¡¯s number but it didn¡¯t go through.


    Tobias had only one daughter and we already checked Zoe. Who the hell is Shay Woodley.


    "Who called your manager about the role?" Asher quizzes her as he pulls out a chair and plunks down on it. "What time was this call made?"


    Shay shakes her head. "I don¡¯t know those details. I just know I was contacted a little past four pm today to get myself ready for a scene. Look, I am a struggling actress, okay? I work two waitressing jobs and audition for small roles every now and then. The money can be quite good when my manager drives a hard bargain for me. He wants me to bang him but I keep promising to do so when he helps mend a lead role. That¡¯s why he can get really fierce when negotiating."


    "Cut the bullshit and tell us what we asked." I snap at her.


    She rolls her eyes at me and continues her story. "Said manager sent over a package to my work at a lousy restaurant downtown and called me to find someone to take over my shift. He hurriedly exined the basics of my role over the phone and that everything else I¡¯ll need had been sent in the package. When I opened it, it was this purse." She pats the gold purse on the table.


    "I was in such a hurry to get here given the distance and time crunch. I even did my makeup in the hotel bathroom downstairs. The dress is a gift from Sebastian, my manager. It¡¯s the best thing in my wardrobe. I came here, met him and tried to answer his question as glibly as I could." Her eyes skirt around the room. "I did think it was weird that there were no crew members in sight but I went along with it up until I pulled the gun on him only for him to rudely snatch it from me and use me of trying to hurt him. Then he detained me here. I don¡¯t know what else to tell you."


    "Who gave you the gun?" Ashal asks her.


    "It was in the purse."


    I pull Ashal aside. "Who else knew about your date tonight?"


    "Just Elyon and probably his sister who hooked me up. I already checked with them. They have no idea who this woman is or who hired her to say those things to me. She explicitly said she wants the head of her father¡¯s murderer!" He runs a hand over his brows. "I think it was a message from whomever sent her here. I don¡¯t think Cree is the brains behind all this."


    "Let¡¯s not be quick to rule her out. There are still some holes in her story."


    "Unless you¡¯re prepared to lodge me in this hotel, I have to start heading home now before the traffic hits." Shay echoes. "I don¡¯t live in the upscale part of the city like you guys. If I don¡¯t beat the traffic, I won¡¯t be able to find a cab back to my dingy t." She leaps to her feet and snags her purse. "It was definitely not nice meeting the Rollins quads. You guys are rude as hell and I¡¯ll make sure my circle of friends know this." She turns on her heels and sashays towards the door.


    "Are you just going to let her walk away?" Demi inquires worriedly.


    "Let her go." I tell her. "We¡¯ll have her tailed but I am guessing she and/or whomever she¡¯s working for/with already knows this. I¡¯ll get our men to check out her t, the restaurants she works at and her manager. If she isn¡¯t the woman we¡¯re looking for, then whoever sed her on Ashal must be watching us."


    "They¡¯re closer than we think." Asher adds. "They seem to know our moves before we make them. I didn¡¯t even know about your blind date but this person did and intercepted your date. Someone amongst us is helping them." His eyes intentionally stray to Demi and settle.


    "Oh, you can¡¯t be serious." She sighs exasperatedly.


    "What? I didn¡¯t call any names."


    "Like you have to. You badly want to make me your culprit, don¡¯t you?"


    "Why are you suddenly defensive? Do you have something to hide?"


    "Okay, enough. Asher, seriously." At the steely look I give him, he gets off her back.


    We walk into Ashley when we get home. I am d he¡¯s back to his bubbly self but slightly disappointed that I wasn¡¯t able to make good my promise to him.


    "You didn¡¯t tell me you wereing." Demi quips.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I made the decisionst minute. I feel just fine. I am done hiding away like a scared cat. This is my problem and I want to be here to rub minds with you all and solve it together. Who¡¯s going to give me the progress report?"


    ***


    He remains silent after we finish bringing him up to speed. We are all having a little exercise at the gym before calling it a night.


    "I¡¯m sorry not much has changed since you left. I should have listened to Demi. My n wasn¡¯t the best."


    "It was the best we could think of at the time. Don¡¯t be too quick to assume you¡¯ve failed. Duncan and his men might find a lead. Also, I¡¯m beyond grateful for the time off it lent me too. I was feeling stuck with mytest project but now, I have a ton of ideas." He takes turns to hug each brother. "Thank you all so much for your support."


    While everyone mounts their preferred gym equipment for the evening exercise, I run a small towel around my neck and study Ashley on the treadmill.


    I am ecstatic to have him rejoin us but his sudden return still haunts my mind. The only reason I can think of is probably due to a call from Nic. I bet Ni must have had a lot to say to him about what transpired in his office today. Did Ashley rush home because of the way Demi reacted?


    It sounds too silly to be true so I ignore it.


    I wake up in the middle of the night to my phone vibrating next to me. The call is from the same number that texted me about finding my biological father.


    I¡¯d normally be pissed at this anonymous person because I am still grieving the discovery I made regarding my parents but the fact that he/she wants to talk to me makes me reconsider. It¡¯ll be good to put a voice to the texts.


    When I pick up, there¡¯s nothing from the other end, just a low breathing sound.


    "Are you going to talk to me or what?" I yell at the stranger listening on the other end. Still nothing. "If you weren¡¯t prepared to talk, you should have at least texted like you¡¯re used to. I trusted you and blindly followed you only to end up at a cemetery. You left no clues, not even a name! If you wanted to tell me that my biological parents arete, you could have spared me the trip and told me in one of your short texts. Thanks for nothing. Don¡¯t ever bother me again."


    "I¡¯ll give you a name," the stranger says with an oddly familiar voice. "My name, for now." She inhales deeply. "It¡¯s Shay Woodley, the real one not a hired actor, and yes, biological parents are dead."


    "Shay Woodley?" I reiterate. It can¡¯t be. "Tobias had only one daughter! Who the fuck are you?"


    "I just told you."


    So, it¡¯s some kind of alias. She¡¯s not telling me her real name.


    "You hired my brother¡¯s blind date. Why? You¡¯re not even a member of the family. Why are you tormenting an innocent man?"


    "Innocent?" She scoffs. "Time will tell."


    "You are the same person leaving me texts about finding my parents? What exactly do you want from us? What do you stand to gain by doing all this?"


    "I am not here to answer <i>all</i> your questions, Ashton. Tonight, I only want to talk about yourte biological parents."


    "Fuck you! They¡¯re already dead. There¡¯s nothing else I want to know. I¡¯ll find you and make you pay for the torture you¡¯ve put my brother through."


    "Nothing? Not even whether or not they willingly gave you and your brothers up for adoption?" Sheughs quietly when I fall silent. "Have you ever seen your adoption papers, Ashton Rollins? My guess is no, because there isn¡¯t one. You¡¯re not going to find any no matter how meticulously you search your mansion, brick by brick. What does that tell you?"


    "You¡¯re fucking liar. You¡¯re trying to mess with my head. I won¡¯t fall for this."


    "But you already have. My father was your father¡¯s right-hand man. They shared everything, including their secrets."


    "SHUT UP!"


    "From your mother¡¯s fertility issues..."


    "I¡¯m going to kill you..."


    "To your father¡¯s desperation for an heir."


    "You¡¯re lying."


    "If you didn¡¯t believe me, you would have hung up the phone already. You destroyed my family. Now, I¡¯m going to watch yours crumble till I have you all begging for your lives." The line cuts.


    I didn¡¯t realize I was crying until droplets of tears fall on my palms. She was lying. There¡¯s no fucking way. My brothers and I were properly adopted. I won¡¯t believe anything else.


    My phone beeps with an iing message. It¡¯s from her. Against my better judgment, I open it to find an old Danvarr newspaper cutout about a family whose home was gutted by a strange fire overnight. The husband and wife were said to have been expecting quadruplet sons!

 Chapter 71

    <h4>Chapter 71: Chapter 71</h4>


    DEMI


    "Thank you foring." Aunt says with a ghost of a smile. I am not ready to be around my aunt and cousin yet. My bodynguage screams this fact. However, we might as well get it over with.


    Kira sits across the center table in the small living room. Like mine, her legs are crossed and her back straight. She is looking at me but not contemptibly as usual. There¡¯s a churning mix of shame and envy swimming in her eyes. Her mother nudges her to stop to staring fixedly at me.


    "Demi, we apologize for our poor behavior at your inw¡¯s ce. We agree that sometimes, we cane off as unloving and distant..."


    "Distant? I think the word you¡¯re looking for is hateful." Aunt gulps at my raw correction. Kira¡¯s eyes dips to her hands where she is quietly pressing her artificial nails into her palms. She¡¯s not happy to be in this position but it appears her hands are tied and she has to kiss my ass or they can forget about currying favors with my inws forever. That¡¯s really their motivation for this fake apology meeting.


    "Hateful." Aunt epts my word choice. She wrings her hands with a bowed head. "I want you to understand that I don¡¯t hate you. I don¡¯t wish you harm. You are my sister¡¯s child after all. I could never wish for your death."


    "But you can wish for my downfall, my divorce, my disgrace?"


    "Demi..."


    "I¡¯m not quite finished, aunt Elizabeth!" I fire at her.


    Kira¡¯s downcast eyes flutter towards me. There¡¯s ticking bomb behind them. I am waiting for her to break character and say one wrong thing to me so my exit from their house will be justified. However, aunt reaches for her daughter¡¯s hand and squeezes it to remind her to stay calm.


    "I have endured so much under your roof and I was fine with it. You and my mom weren¡¯t very close. You never sent me any cards for my birthday, no gifts or even calls. I know mother did those things for Kira here even though you never properly acknowledged them. From a young age, I suspected my only aunt might not be a very friendly person but my mom defended you and constantly tried to change my mind about you. She was wrong about you and I was right." I shake my head at her.


    "The first time I stepped foot in your house was after my parents died and even then, you weren¡¯t thrilled to be saddled with the responsibility of taking care of me. The fact that my mom¡¯s death settlement and savings were paid to you didn¡¯t soften your heart. You splurged everything on your daughter while I lived like a pauper. You put me to work and made me earn my keep. THAT was a hateful thing to do to your own niece."


    "I understand why you would see it that way...."


    "That¡¯s the only way to see it, aunt. There¡¯s no other interpretation."


    "But she paid you back everything she owed." Kira interjects, ignoring the sh of warning in her mother¡¯s eyes. "She got you married into the richest family in Danvarr. The life you¡¯re enjoying right now is all thanks to my mom. If she hated you so much, she would have dragged me there in your ce, right? She would have lied that I was the person one of their sons was married to."


    I lean forward and pin her with a piercing gaze. "Your mom didn¡¯t do shit for me, Kira Collin. If I hadn¡¯t got drunk and gone to the Blue Cove, it wouldn¡¯t matter what story Billion-Err coulde up with it. I had a marriage certificate to prove my im. You and your mother never gave two cents about me and whether or not I wanted to go through with the marriage. You only thought of yourselves and how you could exploit the Rollins family at my expense. What you didn¡¯t count on, aunt, was Mrs. Rollins taking a liking to me and Billion-Err fighting for my right. Those two things AND my certificate are responsible for the wedding band on my finger, not you!"


    I lean back and stare at them. "I bet you wish Kira was in my ce."


    "I wish you two would get along. I don¡¯t want your stories to be a repeat of that of your mother and I. I¡¯m ready to end the cycle, Demi but I can¡¯t do it alone. You and Kira have to make peace so we can be one happy family."


    I gasp at how relentless she¡¯s being. She turns to her daughter whose eyes are still fired up at me.


    "Kira, Demi is your cousin. You are rted by blood. Whatever unhealthy rivalry you two have going on, you have to ditch it and make up with her."


    Kira¡¯s eyes soften as sheys it on her mother. "I¡¯m not the proud one, mom. As soon as Demi learns to swallow her pride ande down her high horse, then we can talk like cousins. I am not going to let her treat us like doormats until then."


    "I scoff at that. "Doormats? Asking for the apology I deserve is equivalent to treating you as doormats? Wow. You¡¯ll never learn." I get on my feet and aunt¡¯s eyes widen with worry.


    "You can¡¯t leave yet. You two have to sort this out."


    "Let her go, mom. We¡¯ll survive. And Demi, don¡¯t forget your contract expires in six months." Her eyes twinkle as she stares at me. "You¡¯re not going to be Mrs. Ashley Rollins forever. I might not have the luxurious life you¡¯re enjoying but at least I have a real mom and a family that doesn¡¯te with an expiration date."


    I¡¯ll admit that onences at my heart. Nevertheless, I never went into this to bag the Rollinsst name for a lifetime. I just want to avenge my parents. I don¡¯t think any other regrets after my divorce will trump my failure to do right by my murdered parents.


    "I¡¯ll take that temporal family any day over a lifetime with the likes of you." While aunt continues to call for me, I wrench open the door and m it shut behind me. Then I heave a deep breath. Families are so exhausting.


    "Why did you have to antagonize her? You promised you would keep your mouth shut and follow my lead." I hear aunt scolding Kira in a hushed tone.


    "There was no way I was going to watch her disparage us like that. To hell with her and the Rollins! They¡¯re not the only wealthy family in this country."


    "But they¡¯re the wealthiest with three unmarried sons! How are you supposed to fall pregnant for any of the other three brothers if we no longer get invites to their mansion and events? Use your head, Kira. Demi was our foot in the door. I don¡¯t care what you have to do. Grovel at her feet if you must but you have to get us back in her good graces. Think of the opportunities we would get if you¡¯re the first one to have their grandchild. They¡¯ll throw a big wedding for you and adorn you with diamonds. You¡¯ll have servants at your beck and call. While Demi gets divorced in six months, the entire Rollins Empire will revolve around thetest, pregnant daughter-inw."


    What in the Cindere and her evil stepmother twisted remake is this? I ster my ears to the door to eavesdrop further.


    "I understand mom, I¡¯m not stupid. Even if she continues to give us a cold shoulder, Asher won¡¯t abandon us. He still needs our help to get rid of her. I¡¯ll continue to work my magic on him and make him mine while he still requires our help."


    "We can¡¯t be of much help to him if he realizes that Demi no longer listens to us. He¡¯ll ditch us and find other ways to get rid of her. And frankly, I don¡¯t think you¡¯re experienced enough to seduce a man like Asher."


    "I have a couple of alternate ideas for helping him with his goal mom, even if Demi no longer listens to us. Plus, I don¡¯t need vast experience with Asher. I just need him to spend one night me. I¡¯m sure he wouldn¡¯t turn down a night of fun with me. I¡¯ll be prepared and make sure he fathers my child."


    Oh heavens, I think, rushing to my car. Mother and daughter are mad. They¡¯re both very mad, I keep thinking as I trot to my car parked a few paces ahead. I can¡¯t believe I wasted my lunch break for that rubbish.


    I head straight for Ashley¡¯s to have lunch with him. He has been slightly clingy ever since his return from Brellis. I am not put off by it. I don¡¯t mind being around him, especially since he stopped being awkward about the fact that I like Ashton a little more.


    Ourst date before his travel still crops up in my mind. It was so much fun getting to know his unhinged side and speaking freely about ourselves. Ashley felt more like a cool guy friend rather than a grumpy husband. I don¡¯t mind being around this new version of him. Besides the truth of Tobias¡¯ murder, I am curious to know how this version of Ashley can help propel my ns.


    After we have lunch, I linger a bit to kill time. His office reminds me of thest time I was in here with Ashton. A twinge of sadness curls up my stomach when my eyes fall on the couch Ashton and I had almost kissed in. We hadn¡¯t even gotten around to going on a proper date while he was still ying Ashley.


    "Something wrong?" Ashley calls to me from the mannequin he¡¯s bedazzling.


    "No." I edge closer to admire him doing what he knows best. "Anything on Shay Woodley yet?"


    "Duncan discovered that Cree wasn¡¯t lying. Her story checked out. My ckmailer is still on the loose but I am not going to halt my life while waiting for her next move. I have the support of my family. That¡¯s all I need to get through this ordeal."


    "I¡¯m d you feel that way."


    "Hang on. Almost done here. I just need a minute...done." He gets up from his squatting position so fast I barely have time to shift back. Our foreheads narrowly miss colliding with each other.


    Unfortunately, I lose my bnce in my bid to avoid bumping heads with him and start falling on my back when his deft hands catch me. Breathing heavily, I stare up at his bluish eyes as he stares down into my brown ones.


    "Are you okay?"


    I often forget how daunting being this close to one of the quads can get. Ashley could easily be Ashton in my eyes right now, especially since I already have a clear picture of Ashton in Ashley¡¯s clothes from thetest switcheroo they executed. My throat dries up as I struggle to find the words to respond so I just nod.


    "Mmhmm."


    He breaks into a captivating smile. Absentmindedly, my eyes dip to his pink lips and linger long enough for Ashley to misconstrue the look and lean down to kiss me. The shock of his warm kiss causes me to topple us down to the floor.


    "Oh my god. I¡¯m so sorry."


    Ashleyys on his back and cackles.


    "Are you hurt?"


    "I¡¯m fine. You¡¯re so funny." He stands and offers a hand to pull me up. When I take it, he pulls me close to him till our stomachs are meshed together. My eyes go wide with shock. I thought he wasn¡¯t going to make things weird.


    "Wanna model for me?" I follow his gaze to the dress he just finished on the mannequin.


    "Isn¡¯t that Ni¡¯s job?"


    "It¡¯s her job to wear my designs on a runway. I can pick whomever I want to be the first one to try it. So?"


    "Ash, I have to get back to work."


    "I¡¯ll buy you sometime. Asher won¡¯t refuse me. Is that a yes?" His eyes are hopeful and pleading. I shrug my shoulders since I have no legitimate excuse to make.


    "Great." He eases onto one of the couches and crosses his legs like the boss he is. "Now, strip." His voice is clipped and cold.


    My eyes sh towards him. He doesn¡¯t flinch at the shock in them.


    "What?"


    "Take your clothes off. You have to try it on butt naked so I know it sits right. Go on, strip." Again, his facial muscles are firm.


    I wait for him to tell me he is pulling my legs but there is a cold air around him that makes me feel like it¡¯s Asher on the couch. Just as my heart plummets to my stomach, the long-awaitedughter echoes.


    "That was not funny. I hate you!" I grab my bag and keys while he rushes to the door to block me. "Get out of my way. I hate it when you do that." It¡¯s a new habit of his since he returned, switching between personalities like a psychopath.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m so sorry. Your face...it¡¯s just too priceless to watch. You went pale." Heughs a bit more. "I swear, no more of that shit. Please forgive me. I thought you¡¯d be used to it by now but you fall for it every time so it¡¯s hard to resist pranking you." I let him pull me back towards the couch.


    "I¡¯m sorry about that, and for the kiss. I didn¡¯t mean to make things awkward."


    "Thank you." My mood is ruined for the modeling. "I need to get back to the office."


    "Let me drop you off." He offers with a sweet smile.


    When I get back to work, Nessa is not by her desk. I head to my office and set aside the treats I got her before focusing on work.


    A few minutes go by and I get curious. She wouldn¡¯t leave her desk unmanned for this long with Asher around. Speaking of Asher, I find it weird that he hasn¡¯t called for her like he does every five minutes. I rise from my desk, grab a few papers and head for his office. I knock twice and push the door open. My eyes boggle in surprise to find Nessa inside the office with Asher.


    He appears to be taking some medication with her assistance.


    "GET OUT!" He hollers at me. Nessa rushes to the door and with a strange look in her eyes, nudges me to stay out. She ms the door shut in my face. I stand outside, perplexed. What was that? Why were they being weird? My mind reels back to the pills I had once seen Asher taking and him giving me a simr reaction. Could there be more to it?


    ***


    "There¡¯s definitely more to those pills." I tell Anna as Iy on her bed after work. "Who freaks out like that because someone saw them taking regr pills? Even Nessa acted strange like she knows something I don¡¯t. I tried to siphon the details from her afterward but her mouth was a steel trap. I wonder what the truth could be." I crane my neck when Anna remains unusually silent.


    "Anna? Earth to Anna." I pipe, clicking my thumb and index fingers in front of her eyes. She blinks at me with a small smile. "Where¡¯s your head at? Have you been listening to me all this time?"


    "I heard you. Asher was taking some medication in his office today and yelled at you when you came in suddenly."


    "I knocked twice like I always do. There was nothing sudden about it."


    "You said his secretary was with him?" Her eyes curiously fixate on mine. "She was helping him?"


    "Yeah. She helps him with everything. If anyone knows what he is taking and why, Nessa does." I run circles in my mind. "Is he sick? Well, he works hard enough for ten people so that wouldn¡¯te as a surprise. Still, why would he freak out like that because he doesn¡¯t want others knowing he is breaking down?"


    Anna grabs the remote and cranks up the volume of the movie on her television till it drowns out my voice and messes with my thought process.


    "Why do you care so much about his health? He is a billionaire¡¯s son. He can take care of himself. You should focus on your personal goal."


    I prop myself up on the bed and watch her pretending to be invested in the boring movie while she chucks vored popcorn from the bowl cradled between her thighs. When I continue to watch her, she reduces the volume and turns to me.


    "What?"


    "You¡¯re right. I really don¡¯t care about his health. If he breaks down and gets hospitalized, I¡¯ll be able to search his office or something, maybe even his room. It¡¯s the only room of the quads that I haven¡¯t been to." Anna¡¯s face is hard to read as she shoves more popcorn into her mouth.


    "I know he¡¯s not kind like Ashton but I don¡¯t think it¡¯s nice to wish ill health on someone. You are better than that." She echoes with a mouth full of popcorn. I roll my eyes at her and crank up the volume to drown out her misces sense of pity. I mean, it¡¯s Asher, the thorn in my flesh. What the hell?


    Like Liam promised, he releases the details of Tobias¡¯ murder all over Billion-Err. Hisment section immediately gets swarmed with reactionaryments.


    Liam and I are trying to contact Shay Woodley. We are intrigued by her. It¡¯s a known fact that Tobias only had one daughter named Zoe. We want to know who this other woman is and why she¡¯s avenging Tobias¡¯ death while iming to his child.


    Mainly, we want to work with her because she has a bone to pick with the Rollins, like we do. She lost her dad and I can rte to her pain. We want her to work closely with us to execute out revenge together.


    Things have been really slow with my revenge plot because it¡¯s mostly Liam and I figuring things out. If we happen to band with more people that have been aggrieved like us-like Olivia and Shay- we can all attain our individual goals faster with more help.


    Though the priest at the church helped confirm to me that my theory about Olivia and Ashal are not without merit, I can¡¯t do much with Olivia backing away from getting help due to fear.


    While I am working with Eliana to bring her back on track, I want to see if Liam can get to Shay before the Rollins do. She has to know a whole lot more about the family and their secrets, enough to help me destroy Brett Rollins.


    Shay¡¯s purported father, Tobias, had been like a brother to Brett Rolins. They were best friends. I am certain that they shared secrets. Shay will be a great asset to our little group.


    Father¡¯s paranoia with the release of the details of Tobias¡¯ death keeps him froming to work for a week. The quads don¡¯t take it well either even though they manage to keep their emotions at bay. Everywhere they go, journalists hound them and shove cameras and microphones in their faces, asking triggering questions about Tobias.


    They even hound Rollins HQ to try and snag interviews with Asher and even me. The security have to forcefully chase them away. I keep refilling my coffee to get through each day.


    "I¡¯m justing from the legal department. They¡¯re brainstorming on thewsuit to be filed against Billion-Err."


    "What?" My coffee mug narrowly escapes falling from my hand. "Can they do that? They can¡¯t, right? Whoever is behind Billion-Err is justified to write an article about the details of the death of man. The information is on the public record." Nessa is watching me with arched eyebrows but I fail to pick up the weirdness in her eyes. "I know the information was ssified and strangely leaked but it¡¯s all out there now. Anyone can read it up with a simple google search. Why would the legal team waste their time in scrounging for a frivolouswsuit?"


    "Whose side are you on?" Nessa asks with a slight frown.


    I dab my sweaty brow. The coffee must be making me hyperactive. "Why would you even ask that? Of course I am on my family¡¯s side. I just think with the massive social traction Billion-Err enjoys, mming them with a frivolous and poorly thought-outw suit and losing would make us look guilty in front of the public. Have you heard the wild spections being made against us? People are saying we know more about his death than we are letting on."


    "It¡¯s not about winning right now. Your father-inw refuses to sit back and allow this defamation caused by Billion-Err¡¯s murder suggestive article. It¡¯s about fighting back. Keeping quiet and waiting for this media blizzard to blow over will also make your family look guilty so if you have to pick one, wouldn¡¯t it be better to go down fighting?"


    She leaves me to my thoughts. I empty the rest of my coffee in the sink. I can¡¯t believe I gave her the wrong impression. What if that had been Asher or someone else? What was I thinking defending Billion-Err?


    For the rest of the working hours, I refuse to move from my desk. I stayser focused on myputer screen, transcribing documents, scheduling meetings and preparing slides for presentations that aren¡¯t due for the next three months. After work, I linger a bit even after Nessa leaves.


    Feeling pressed, I shut down myputer, grab my bag and rush to the restroom to relieve myself. Afterwards, I wash my hands in the sink and stare at my face.


    "Get it together, Demi." I reiterate before sshing cold water over my face and pping my face awake. "Get your shit together."


    The office floor ispletely empty when Ie out. I make my way to the elevator. Just before the doors close, I realize my car keys are missing from my bag. I remember tossing them on my desk and head back to my office.


    A small sound draws my attention to Asher¡¯s office. It appears to be muffled sound of a heated argument between him and someone else, a man.


    I sidle up to the door and listen close.


    "You¡¯re out of your goddamn mind if you think you can step foot in the mansion to visit anyone. If the chairman is not taking your calls, take a hint, Josh, HE DOESN¡¯T WANT TO SEE YOU. IT¡¯S NOT ROCKET SCIENCE. Have you seen the newstely or you¡¯re too busy getting your dick wet in a married woman¡¯s pussy?"


    "I DON¡¯T CARE WHAT YOU SAY. I¡¯M USED TO YOUR ACERBIC TONGUE, ASHER, SO GO AHEAD AND KNOCK YOURSELF OUT BUT NO ONE IS GOING TO STOP ME FROM CHECKING ON MY DAD! IF YOU DON¡¯T WANT ME MAKING A SCENE IN FRONT OF YOUR MOTHER, YOU¡¯D BETTER FIND A WAY TO ARRANGE A MEETING FOR ME AND DAD. I WON¡¯T REST UNTIL I SEE HIM, GOT IT?"


    What? Josh Randall is Brett Rollins¡¯ son???


    Just then, my phone starts ringing loudly. Shit!

 Chapter 72

    <h4>Chapter 72: Chapter 72</h4>


    ASHER


    Josh and I turn to the door in sync as a ringtone res in the silence. I could have sworn this floor was empty. Who is that? Is there someone behind the door listening to us?


    Josh trades nces with me before I lunge forward and wrench the door open. I scan the area but there¡¯s no one close by. The ringtone seems to being from Demi¡¯s office. When I check, her phone is lying on the floor next to her chair. I pick it up and realize it¡¯s Anna calling.


    The sound of the elevator opening makes me rear my head up. Josh is already standing outside my office. Together, we watch Demi run frantically out of the elevator and towards her office. She dabs her sweaty forehead.


    "Forgot something?" I ask her.


    "Yeah, um, I think I left my phone behind." She brushes past me and starts searching her desk and drawers. Behind me, Josh leaves. We have nothing more to discuss. His empty threats don¡¯t faze me. He wouldn¡¯t daree close to the mansion knowing how livid father would be if he tried to upend his family life.


    Demi continues to search while I lounge by the door and watch her to discern whether she is avoiding my eyes because she finds me annoying or because she was just in here a while ago. Her phone starts ringing in my hand again. I peer at the screen.


    "Anna must really want to talk." I say, shing the phone with the iing call at Demi. She gives me a frosty look before stepping forward and snatching it from my hand.


    "I can¡¯t believe you. You had it the whole time and you just watched me search fruitlessly?


    I snort at her before returning to my office. It does appear like she did forget her phone. I have to be careful next time with discussing sensitive issues in my office. Thest time, father had overheard Nessa and I arguing about her pregnancy. Now, I am not sure if Demi overheard my argument with Josh. If she did and ran off, then she¡¯s smart and knows to mind her business.


    I meet up with Ashley forte drinks at the elite bar where we had osted Shay Woodley. It¡¯s still upsetting that his ckmailer is still a free bird. Ashley however came back much stronger than he left and for that, I am d. We order our drinks.


    "You look like shit."


    "Wow, thanks Ashley but you are not looking your best either. How long have you been here drinking?"


    I shrug off my jacket and settle into my chair. Though he¡¯s smiling, twenty-five years with him and wearing the same face as him has taught me the telltale signs of a fake smile on our unique face.


    "Out with it. I know that smile¡¯s fake. What¡¯s going on?"


    He presses his hands to his eyes. "Nothing serious, I mean, it shouldn¡¯t be but I can¡¯t get it off my mind."


    "Is this about Nic¡¯s new man?"


    Nic was recently spotted out on the streets with a new man. The stranger is a bigshot in the film and entertainment industry with strong political connections. I¡¯m certain her father made the match as the voting for his reelection as senator wouldmence soon.


    It might just be a stunt to boost her father¡¯s career but I know the photos of their public disys of affection like kissing and intimate hand cements are enough to make even Ashley jealous.


    "Of course not. It¡¯s Ni. I know she¡¯s doing it for her father."


    He¡¯s lying through his teeth. It¡¯s definitely Ni¡¯s new public rtionship that¡¯s eating at him. "Then you also know she¡¯s definitely fucking him too, right? He¡¯s got connections that could keep her father¡¯s political seat. You know she¡¯ll do anything to make sure her father wins."


    "Gee, thanks for the visual, Ash. I¡¯ll sleep better tonight imagining them doing it." He hisses a breath while I cackle.


    "I¡¯m sorry. Ease up. You always said you two weren¡¯t serious."


    "We aren¡¯t but that doesn¡¯t mean I am supposed to feel nothing seeing her clinging to him everywhere. I know she¡¯s doing too much in front of the camera to get back at me."


    "Get back at you for what?"


    "For ostracizing her after my trip to Brellis and favoring Demi over her with that statement I made on my socials. She managed to sneak into my office while Ashton was pretending to be me. It didn¡¯t go so well." He sighs. "Anyway, I wanted to talk about something else. It¡¯s about mom."


    He pauses as our drinks arrive. The server delicately drops them on the table and remains standing. Confused, Ashley asks if there¡¯s something we can help her with. She turns to me with a thin smile on her face.


    "Shay?"


    "It¡¯s Cree, actually." She corrects me. Ashley looks a bit confused as he stares at us.


    "What are you doing here?" I ask in surprise. "Let me guess. Is this another casting gig or are you actually stalking us?"


    "Stalking you? I don¡¯t have that kind of time. I just wanted to say thank you for helping mend a job here." She stares at both of us, a bit uncertain. "Which one of you was my date thest time. Ashal?"


    Ashal got her this job? What the hell was he thinking?


    "Thank you all anyway. I love it here and the pay is unbelievable." She finishes gleefully. We watch her prance away.


    "That was Cree, the uing actor who was hired to pretend to be Shay Woodley." I let out a long sigh. "Why would Ash help her get hired here? He didn¡¯t check with us first either!"


    "We can rify with him when we get back." Ashley nces back at Cree. "If she is indeed my ckmailer or working with her, I don¡¯t think holding down a job at a spot like this and announcing it to us would be her move knowing we can have her watched. Maybe they¡¯re right and she¡¯s just what she says she is; a struggling actor looking to make ends meet while she keeps hope alive fornding a big movie role."


    I don¡¯t agree but I don¡¯t push forward with my reservations. I finish my drink. "You were saying something about mom."


    "Yeah, she and I have been talking a lottely. The Woodley incident has made her very clingy towards me. She¡¯s been asking some tough questions about my rtionship with Demi. She wanted to know if Demi and I have consummated our marriage despite the contract terms."


    "Why?"


    "She¡¯s convinced Demi is perfect for me and is hoping I make an effort to win her heart before the expiration of our contract."


    "What? She wants Demi as a permanent member of the family?"


    What game is mom ying now? Demi is in our lives because of her. One year is enough. Why is she trying to keep Demi longer? Every hair on my body knows Demi isn¡¯t good for our family but I still can¡¯t prove it.


    "Well, what did you say to that?"


    "What do you think I said? I married Demi to make mom happy but right now, mom isn¡¯t the only one who likes having her around. We are all going to get married and have kids someday. For personal reasons, I don¡¯t expect my heart to open fully to any other woman after my abuse and what Nic put me through. The contract I have with Demi works just fine for me; I have a wife mom loves who is good for my image. I also don¡¯t have to give up the life I know because my wife is fine with being a wife on paper only. Where else am I going to find a woman who¡¯s going to check all these boxes?"


    "Are you kidding me right now? There are tons of them around."


    "I think my marriage contract is a sweet deal so if Demi wants to carry on, I¡¯m down."


    "You can¡¯t be serious."


    "Demi is not so bad, Asher. You really should give her a chance." He pays for our drinks and rises. "I know Demi has feelings for Ashton and not me but mom has promised to help me out with that. She calls it my early birthday present."


    "What do you mean ¡¯help you out¡¯?"


    He merely winks at me and stalks off. What was that? Mom¡¯s birthday is around the corner, not ours. Why would she be giving Ashley an early present instead of the other way around.


    I shake my head. I can¡¯t let them do this. Even if my suspicions turn out to be wrong, Demi and Ashton already have strong feelings for each other that don¡¯t seem to be going away anytime soon.


    With Ashley as Demi¡¯s husband, he won¡¯t sit idly and watch their love grow stronger. My brothers might end up fighting amongst themselves over this woman. I can¡¯t let that rift ur. I have to get rid of Demi very soon. Immediately, I make a call.


    "Hey, I have a job for you."


    ***


    "I was really surprised to receive your text." I sh a smile as Anna coyly dips her head and concentrates on the design atop her coffee. It¡¯s a beautiful Saturday morning and of all the ces I thought I¡¯d be, I never envisioned a coffee shop much less with Anna Preston.


    The pressure from the media is gradually ebbing and I desperately needed a break from the tension at work and even at home with Ashley¡¯s ckmailer in the wild. Anna¡¯s call couldn¡¯t havee at a better time.


    "I uh, I just wanted to ask how your health¡¯s been." She actively avoids my eyes. My health? I guessed as much. Demi must have been running her mouth again.


    I conceal a frown working its way up my forehead. Though I appreciate Anna¡¯s concern and would readily have coffee with her for any reason at all, I simply wish my health didn¡¯t always crop up every time we get to talk.


    "It¡¯s been good." The look she gives me tells me she doesn¡¯t buy it. Demi must have definitely mentioned the pills.


    "Have you been to see the doctor? When¡¯s the surgery taking ce?


    "Is that all you want to talk about?"


    "Nothing else is more important, Asher. You¡¯re not taking this seriously and I can¡¯t understand why. I know it¡¯s not my ce to inquire about these things. Knowing about your health was idental. However, I know now and I can¡¯t ignore it. I can¡¯t tell anyone else either and it¡¯s killing me so please, do something about your health. I don¡¯t know how I¡¯d feel if something bad happened to you because of your negligence."


    Her eyes are riddled with fear as she stares at me. When I feel her hand on mine, I look down to admire her fresh manicure.


    "You don¡¯t have to be afraid. I hate hospitals too. Spent a great deal of time there when my dad had to go in for one thing or the other. I¡¯d go with you if you want. Let¡¯s go see doctor Ezra before the tumor worsens."


    I tangle my finger in hers and watch her suppress a big blush. "I¡¯m fine, Anna. You don¡¯t have to worry. I have ns to see doctor Ezra at the end of the month. I just have a few things to get sorted out and then I¡¯d have enough time to lie on that surgical table and let them cut my head open like..."


    She reaches forward to close her hand over my lips. "Why must you joke about everything? That¡¯s not funny at all." As I watch the worry lines spread across her face, something warm and fuzzy fills me. I smile behind her fingers.


    When Anna sees the glint in my eyes, she tries to pull her hand away but not before I grab it and ce a light kiss in her palm. Her hand is so soft and perfumed. Her blush spreads like a blood stain on a white bedsheet all across her face now.


    She grabs her coffee and avoids my eyes again. "What are you doing?"


    "Don¡¯t tell me this is how you react to a harmless kiss on a date."


    Her head shoots up. "This is not a date."


    "No? Why isn¡¯t it a date?"


    "It just isn¡¯t. I only wanted to ask about your health."


    "I could have told you that over the phone but you chose to call me out here." I take her hands again and she makes a weak effort to pull them away. There¡¯s barely anyone close enough to our table but her eyes keep darting around with an embarrassed hue. "Look at me. I know you wanted to see me, as I have been wanting to see you. Don¡¯t bother about other people. They don¡¯t matter, we do."


    "Asher..."


    "What? Is this about that cheapskate? Are you still seeing him? C¡¯mon Anna, you deserve so much better."


    "Benjamin and I didn¡¯t get to go on a second date. He got a job outside the city and I can¡¯t do long distance."


    "Good for him. What then? Mr. Fantasy? Do you have a crush on my doppelganger but not me? Tell me who you envisioned when you went on a date with him. Which brother did you ask him to y?"


    "Let go of my hands first and I¡¯ll tell you."


    "You promise?"


    "Promise."


    I let go of her hands and she burrows them under the table. "It wasn¡¯t you. It was Ashal." I refuse to feel hurt. She might have had a thing for Ashal but he isn¡¯t the one having coffee with her right now.


    "Would you like me to hook you two up? He¡¯s very single." I maintain eye contact. I just want her to admit I am the one she prefers now.


    "No."


    "Why not? Isn¡¯t he your fantasy?"


    "Not anymore." She whispers. The butterflies go crazy in my belly. I reach forward, take her hands and press a kiss to her knuckles. She doesn¡¯t protest but smiles at me.


    "Now, let¡¯s go see doctor Ezra. He is expecting us. Please don¡¯t say no. I¡¯ll sleep better if he can confirm that the situation isn¡¯t dire. Please, Ash." This time, she takes my hand in hers and brings them to her cheeks. "It¡¯ll only take an hour. I¡¯ll be right next to you."


    It¡¯s the way she¡¯s looking at me, the way she¡¯s holding my hand tightly and the lilt of her voice as she begs me. Theybine to crumble the walls of resistance I¡¯ve had up for long.


    Maybe it wouldn¡¯t suck so bad having my brain scanned with Anna by my side. Despite knowing my condition, she doesn¡¯t consider me weak. Her eyes don¡¯t judge me either. Her emotional support is overwhelming to me.


    "Fine. Let¡¯s go." Unable to help myself, I reach across the table, pull her face to mine and give her a sensual kiss on the lips. My insides churn delightfully when she returns the kiss with an equal amount of passion. When I pull back, she¡¯s slightly flushed in the face but holds my gaze with a brilliant smile. We continue to stare into each other¡¯s eyes amorously.


    "Coffee for Nessa?" The salesdy at the counter echoes. My eyes track forward and true enough, Nessa is standing a few meters from our table, staring at us and oblivious of her name being called.


    Anna follows my shocked eyes to the counter and says nothing afterwards. Ipose myself, grab Anna¡¯s hand and make my way out of the shop. Nessa follows us and stares as I open the car door for Anna before getting in and driving away.


    In the course of the ride to and from the hospital, Anna doesn¡¯t bring up Nessa. She might not have recognized my secretary but as a woman, she¡¯d have recognized the look Nessa and I shared momentarily. I also know Demi must have shared a few intimate details about my other rtionship with Nessa. When I drop Anna off at her ce, I walk her to her door.


    "Thank you for today."


    "It was a nice day for me too. I¡¯m d your health isn¡¯t in jeopardy but like the doctor said, an extensive use of the pills mightplicate your condition. You¡¯ll have to schedule the surgery soon. Promise me you¡¯ll do it." Again, those piercing eyes drill holes in mine.


    I don¡¯t want to make her any promise I¡¯d likely break so instead I smash my lips on hers, grabbing her waist and pulling her to myself. The kiss nearly knocks the breath out of us. I wish I can have a night cap at her ce but it¡¯s too early and I desperately want to disappoint the stereotype she already has of me. I stroke her hair.


    "Get some rest. I¡¯ll call youter." That seems to be fine by her as she steps through her door and waves me goodbye.


    When I get into my car, I am shocked to find no missed calls or texts from Nessa. I don¡¯t know what that is supposed to mean. I am certain she knew it was me today. The car, the clothes and especially the knowing look I gave her. Everything pointed to me.


    I want to call her but stop myself. What the hell am I supposed to say? Why should I exin myself to her? I have made it clear to her that we are not an item. It¡¯s her fault for falling in love with me when I expressly told her love wasn¡¯t in the cards for me.


    I spend the ride home justifying my date with Anna. Anna. I have no clue what this attraction will grow to be and frankly, I don¡¯t want to bother myself withbels. I just love the excitement I feel around her and where we are at with our friendship. I¡¯m thrilled to see where this leads.


    When I get home, I make a beeline for father¡¯s office. He has been working from home for some days now. I want to inform him about the threats his other son keeps making and how close I am to punching the daylights out of Josh. I knock and enter almost immediately.


    My lips are poised to speak when I find Ashton hunched behind father¡¯s desk, trying to pry open a locked drawer. There are papers strewn all over the floor and drawers hanging open. I scan the study in shock with a fallen jaw. What the hell is Ashton doing?


    "Ash, what the fuck are you doing ransacking father¡¯s study? Where is father?"


    Ashton¡¯s bloodshot eyes are dangerously narrowed to slits. "Off to see his son. He¡¯s going to be a while." He ignores me and resumes his poor attempt at opening locks.


    "What are you looking for in here? Do you have any idea how mad father would be if he walks in on this mess."


    "He wouldn¡¯t. Thank goodness you¡¯re here. You¡¯re going to help me make sure he doesn¡¯t suspect a thing. I know you¡¯ve memorized where everything is kept."


    Though he smiles thinly, fear crawls up my belly. Ashton might be reckless and known to take risks but there¡¯s something about his behavior tonight that screams ¡¯I don¡¯t give a fuck if I die¡¯. I pull him away from the drawer with great difficulty and shove him up against a wall.


    "Hey! Hey!! Cool it, Ash. Talk to me. What¡¯s going on? This is unlike you. What exactly are you looking for? Just ask me and I¡¯ll tell you where it is." He wipes the sweat off his face.


    "My bad. Why didn¡¯t I think of that." He chuckles. "It¡¯s just...I am looking for our adoption papers. I want to get the names of our biological parents. You know where everything is so just point me in the right direction."


    My face crumples. "This issue again? Ashton, give up already. They¡¯re no more."


    "Where are the papers, Asher? Which of father¡¯s safes did he keep them?" His eyes are pained. His hair is a mess and he¡¯s breathing heavily. It doesn¡¯t make sense to me. Why is he so desperate to see them?


    "What¡¯s going on, Ash? You don¡¯t look well. Talk to me." When I reach to gauge his temperature, he ps my hand off and shoves away from me.


    "I¡¯m fine!" He insists, running a hand to smoothen his hair. "I just want to see the fucking papers. You¡¯ve seen them, right? You know where they are? What are the names of our parents on them? Give me something, Asher. What names are on the adoption papers???"


    I stare helplessly at his dejected face. If there¡¯s a document in father¡¯s possession, I am most likely privy to it. If there¡¯s one document I haven¡¯t found anywhere in all his safes, studies, offices and even those saved in his banks, it¡¯s our adoption papers.


    I¡¯ve never thought much about it but the fact that Ashton risked father¡¯s anger by ransacking his study to find papers that must be old and moldering causes a fresh worry in my chest. Why is it suddenly important that he finds it?


    "Ash, you¡¯re right. I know where father keeps everything but Ash, there are no adoption papers anywhere. I have nevere across them. They probably go lost. It¡¯s been twenty-five years bro."


    "He has papers of properties he acquired since before we were born. Why wouldn¡¯t he have our adoption papers?" Ashton¡¯s question stumps me. He is right but before I can run it in my mind, I note the anger in my brother¡¯s eyes growing. His expression is painfully difficult to put into words. I just know it¡¯s far from good.


    Just then, father¡¯s car pulls up in the driveway. Why is he back earlier than Ash said? Ashton turns on his heel and heads out front with murderous eyes.


    "Ash, where are going now?" But he ignores me and continues to walk like a bull with a red cloth in its path. I skip after him. "Ashton, NO! Don¡¯t do it, Ashton! Get back here! ASHTON!!!!"

 Chapter 73

    <h4>Chapter 73: Chapter 73</h4>


    DEMI


    "She called you to say that?" Eliana asks in astonishment. We are at her dainty apartment downtown which she shares with her boyfriend, Taylor. While we huddle up on the couch, he steps out to go walk their golden retriever, Cash.


    Eliana clucks her tongue. "She can¡¯t mean that. I don¡¯t know what is going on with her but it smells fishy to me. I didn¡¯t misread the situation. It¡¯s like you said. I am grown and I can tell when a woman is feeling suffocated or trapped in a rtionship."


    "What was she like before she met this person?"


    "A wild bird. Olivia clubbed like it was her second home. She was so much fun, very vocal and confident. Whenever she walks into a room, everyone would know her within two minutes. It wasn¡¯t just about her beauty and fashion sense; she was very sociable with a beautifulugh. She makes friends pretty easily."


    Adjusting her reading sses, Eliana¡¯s demeanor drops. "I always hung out with her. The day she invited me to the club where she met her boyfriend, I was sick so I declined. That was thest time I saw Olivia for at least eight months. Whenever I called her phone, it was switched off. Her family weren¡¯t saying anything meaningful too. Once, her dad told me she travelled to further her studies and the very same day, Maddie told me Olivia went out of town for a job. That¡¯s when I knew something was off."


    I sip my juice and drop it ceremoniously on the small table.


    "Has she called you since you spoke to her in the car? Have you two spoken again?"


    "No. I think I am blocked for now. She must be pissed at me for surprising her like that with you on the phone. She¡¯ll probably reach out again when she¡¯s at her lowest or when he pesters her to sift information from me, whichever happens first." She bites down on her lower lip. "Are you still going to try and help her? You know she only said those things because he probably told her to, right?"


    "I don¡¯t know how to help a person who doesn¡¯t want to be helped, Eli. Besides, Olivia is the only one who can tell me how I can help her out. She knows this guy by name and face. We¡¯ve got nothing. I¡¯m not sure how I can be of any help."


    The doorbell chimes and I wonder how Taylor is back so soon and why he would be using the doorbell in his own house when he¡¯s got his keys.


    "I thought about that," Eliana tells me, dropping her ss too and shuffling towards the door. "And I invited someone over."


    "Who?"


    When she wees her guest, the young, bright eyeddy steps cautiously into Eliana¡¯s cozy apartment and gives it a double take. If she is impressed or disappointed, I can¡¯t tell. She tilts her head when her eyes fall on me. They double in size. She recognizes me.


    "This is Demi Rollins." Eliana begins with the introductions, pointing at me. I stand to my feet and beam at thedy. "Demi, this is Maddie Dunn, Olivia¡¯s younger sister."


    Maddie Dunn? Interesting.


    "Hi, Maddie. It¡¯s a pleasure to meet you." Maddie stares at my outstretched before taking it in a firm grip. The corner of her lips quirk up in a half smile.


    I know she recognizes me, not just as the daughter-inw of the famous Rollins family but as the sister-inw of the man holding her sister captive. Her eyes continue to search mine intently. Is she looking for clues to see if I know Ashal¡¯s secret? This might not be fun.


    "You didn¡¯t tell me you hadpany." She says when Eliana ushers her to a seat. Thetterughs softly with curious eyes on her. She also didn¡¯t mention to me that she was expecting Maddie to join us.


    "I didn¡¯t want you to change your mind. I know you don¡¯t like talking about Liv or her boyfriend but you have to hear me out. Liv always wanted me to find Demi here. She told me Demi is one person that can help her. I don¡¯t know what that means. However, when I finally met up with Demi and got Liv on the phone, she hung up the moment I mentioned that Demi was with me. That was very strange."


    Maddie¡¯s piercing gaze continue to study me like I am a mystery novel. "She said that?"


    "She did. It took a lot to finally find Demi and for Olivia to act like that was very strange indeed. Like that wasn¡¯t enough, she called Demi a few days ago and threatened her over the phone, warning her not to bother with our rescue mission. I know that wasn¡¯t Olivia speaking. Her crazy boyfriend must have put her to it."


    Maddie exhales. "If Liv says she¡¯s fine, that¡¯s because she¡¯s fine. Why can¡¯t you let this go, Eliana? What exactly is she going to do?" She asks, jutting her chin towards me. Her eyes wheel to me. "What do you know about my sister beyond what Eliana has told you?"


    She is gauging me now. I am certain she¡¯s unsure if Ashal sent me here as a spy on Eliana or if I am truly clueless about the entire situation and genuinely want to help out however I can.


    "Nothing more than what Eliana has told me."


    "Actually Maddie, we need your help if we must band together to save your sister." When Maddie rolls her eyes, Eliana continues nheless. "Liv is too scared to tell me anything. I am sure you know who her boyfriend is, his name, what he looks like and possibly his address where Liv resides with him. Help us out here. We¡¯re working blind. We just need you to give us those details..."


    "And what exactly do you n on doing with <i>those</i> details?" Maddie fires at me. She¡¯s venting her frustration on me as a representative of the family she loathes to the core. "If my sister was really in some kind of trouble as you say, how exactly are you going to help her?"


    "Maddie, Demi doesn¡¯t really..."


    "Let¡¯s start with who her partner really is. What¡¯s his name, Maddie?" I ask, matching her defiance. If she¡¯s not spineless as she¡¯s trying to prove, then she¡¯ll tell me what her sister can¡¯t.


    "If I know who he is, I¡¯ll figure out how best to deal with the situation. I have very powerful inws as you know. Money and connections are not a problem for me."


    I intentionally threw in thest bit to elicit a reaction from Maddie. I just want her to take the bait and drop Ashal¡¯s name. If she proves to me that she¡¯s willing to work with me to save her sister, then we can discuss next steps.


    Maddie scoffs as I expect. "Inws? Right." She tosses her head back and stares at Eliana. "Your wonder woman here doesn¡¯t have any real power. She¡¯s dependent on her inws. So, what happens if they turn you down?" She asks me. "What if they don¡¯t want to support your charity work or refuse to assist you? What if they order you to stay home or lock you up in your room to stop you from ying detective? What then?"


    More derisiveughter.


    "I have power, Maddie. I may not have my name on important documents or a hefty bank ount but I am surrounded by people who do and I know how to work them. Let¡¯s get something straight however. I am not here because I have a lot of free time on my hands. I am here out of a sense of duty to a fellow woman whom I have reasons to believe needs saving. Are you going to tell me his name or not?" Maddie blinks in surprise at the nasty edge of my voice. She¡¯s roughly a year or two younger than me. I will not take her disrespect.


    "Fine. I will tell you what I can. I won¡¯t give his name though. If you¡¯re as connected as you im, you should have no problem finding that out for yourself." She arches her brow at me, as though asking if I am up for the challenge. Eliana also waits for my response.


    "You¡¯ll only be slowing us down but whatever. She¡¯s your sister, not mine!" Thatst bit gets to her but she feigns indifference.


    "He¡¯s from one of the wealthy families in Danvarr." She begins with a smirk. "He¡¯s the poster boy for the most eligible bachelor. He¡¯s devilishly handsome with a very low ranking on Danvarr¡¯s most scandalous CEOs list. He runs a media and entertainmentpany and is on the cusp of being voted CEO of the year." Her eyes hold my gaze for another testing minute while Eliana watches us, a little lost. "Any guesses, Mrs. Rollins?"


    She doesn¡¯t have to mention his name. Any person who pays the smallest attention to the media and entertainment news in Danvarr will rank Ashal as the best guess but I will not let Maddie hear it from my mouth. I can¡¯t trust her yet and I won¡¯t give her the satisfaction of absolving herself of the me if rescuing Olivia goes south.


    I know Ashal must have her family on a tight watch. Thest time Olivia¡¯s name was mentioned cursorily online, they must have been threatened which is why Maddie is being careful not to be the one to drop any names. She¡¯s smart but so am I.


    "A few powerful namese to mind but like you, I won¡¯t be dropping any until I have them fact-checked. I¡¯ll warn you though that you had better be sure of the descriptions you just gave. If I start poking around the wrong people in the corridors of power, I won¡¯t spare you."


    "I¡¯m sure you won¡¯t. You are a Rollins after all." She sips her juice and watches me over the rim of the ss. "I¡¯m certain of the description."


    "And you say your sister is just his girlfriend?"


    She hesitates now. "Is there a problem with that?"


    "I¡¯m not certain what exactly she¡¯s going through with him, whether it¡¯s a case of domestic abuse or house arrest or worse. However, if there¡¯s more to their rtionship..."


    "That¡¯s for you to find out. I don¡¯t know the specifics. Liv is very private. If their rtionship status has changed, she didn¡¯t tell me." She shifts ufortably.


    I turn to Eliana. "You said she was going to help out. All I see is her dilly-dallying around the issue. I don¡¯t have a lot of info to work with here so this might take a while."


    "Why? Can¡¯t you just pass it on to one of your security personnel to run a probability scan or something with all the high-tech you guys have?"


    "Contrary to what you might think, I HAVE A LIFE too. I am not devoting a hundred and ten percent of my time to a ¡¯maybe¡¯ type situation. I know you know the answers to all the questions we have. If you are not willing to push forward fast by giving me specific details so we can help your sister, why should I care so much how fast I jump on this?" I grab my purse and rise to my feet. She¡¯s so rude and arrogant. Eliana joins me at the door.


    "Demi, I¡¯m so sorry. Maddie cane across as blunt and..."


    "She¡¯s a rude piece of shit, that¡¯s what she is." I cut off her patronage. "How dare she sit there and talk to me so disparagingly simply because I offered to help. Maybe Olivia is doing just fine if her sister isn¡¯t taking any of this seriously. I¡¯m sorry for wasting your time Eliana but I don¡¯t think I want any part of this anymore."


    Then turning to Maddie on the couch. "My best to Olivia and her happy life." I note how the light wanes in her eyes before leaving despite Eliana¡¯s frantic calls.


    I am so pissed at her. She has no right to talk to me like that. She¡¯s no braver than Olivia. She just pretends to be. If she is, she would have boldly dered Ashal¡¯s name. Why didn¡¯t she?"


    When I get into my car, Eliana¡¯s door bursts open and Maddiees jogging after me. She taps on my ss and gestures that I roll down my window. With a silent oath of disgust, I oblige her.


    "WHAT?"


    "IT¡¯S ASHAL ROLLINS."


    I be speechless, not because I didn¡¯t know that already but because I didn¡¯t expect her to be so brave.


    "What?"


    "THE GUY WHO HAS MY SISTER IS ASHAL ROLLINS, YOUR BROTHER-IN-LAW. I SWEAR IT. Now, are you going to help her or not?"


    ***


    Shock waves run down my body as I make my way home. Maddie had somberly brought me up to speed on Olivia and Ashal¡¯s rtionship. The details she shared with me don¡¯t sound anything like the Ashal I know. No, I just can¡¯t reconcile that image with the perception of Ashal in my head.


    If any of the brothers is capable of hurting someone out of anger, I¡¯ll give it to Asher. Even so, he has a great capability for restraint. Unless he can get away with it, Asher wouldn¡¯t risk anything that would put his family and the business in a bad light.


    Ashton might be a hothead but he wouldn¡¯t punch a woman. I just can¡¯t see him doing that. He mostly throws his fist at guys who deserve it. Ashley is not much of a physical brawl kind of guy. He¡¯d rather hire hands to do the dirty work for him than risk sullying his designer clothes or his face and hair.


    Ashal has always struck me as a bit of an open book but one written in Chinese. Though he appears to be harmless, I have always felt there was more to him than he lets on but this? A fucking rage? I just can¡¯t picture him like that.


    "You¡¯re mistaken Maddie, you¡¯ve got to be mistaken." I had countered Maddie.


    "I¡¯m not."


    "Ashal doesn¡¯t even have an official girlfriend. Aside from that, he¡¯s the calmest and sweetest guy you¡¯d ever meet. He can¡¯t beat up a woman to a bloody mess. He¡¯s not got it inside him."


    I couldn¡¯t outrightly jump on her support train and leave my family to hang dry which is why I insisted she was wrong. She would have to give me more evidence or proof to back her im.


    "Those are the most dangerous guys, Demi, don¡¯t be so daft. Your inws are keeping you in the dark about a lot of things. Ashal is married to my sister. He¡¯s been keeping her in his penthouse and hidden from everyone else for two years now. At first, they imed they didn¡¯t trust Olivia not to tell the world what their ostensibly perfect son had done to her. When she tried to convince them to annul the marriage and set her free after signing an NDA, they still wouldn¡¯t let her go. Ashal even started gaslighting her about being in love with her and wanting their marriage to work. That was when his mother made it about Ashal¡¯s desires and demanded my sister stay with him since the chances of getting another woman to marry him and keep his secret would be a long shot."


    I ran my hand through my hair. "I can¡¯t see it, Maddie. I just can¡¯t. Ashal is not a sick person. He¡¯s a lot of things but not what you¡¯re using him of."


    "You said you¡¯d help if I gave you specifics. Why won¡¯t you check it at least?"


    "You want me to run a secret check on my own family? Do you know what you¡¯re asking?"


    "I thought this was about saving a woman¡¯s life? Why do you think Liv asked for your help? You¡¯ve gained traction online ever since your idental marriage or whatever it was. Billion-Err loves to spread news about you. Maybe Liv was hoping you¡¯d use your traction on the tform and your closeness to the family and their secrets to draw attention to the injustice being meted out to her. Please Demi, you have to try."


    "I don¡¯t know how I feel about this. I can¡¯t just trust your word and betray Ashal by suspecting him."


    "Then test him. Go over to the penthouse where he keeps my sister as see for yourself if he¡¯ll let you in. He has never even let us in to see Olivia. We barely speak to her on phone and when we do, she pretends to be fine. Test Ashal to see if my ims check out, and when they do, you have to help me save my sister. Promise me you will, Demi."


    I pull into the mansion after briefing Liam on the phone. When I head for the entrance, father¡¯s cares up right after me. I walk in to go get some rest and figure out what I am going to do with the information Maddie just unloaded when I bump into one of the quads. His hand is reeled backwards to deliver a fatal blow. I lose my bnce and fall on my back with dread in my eyes.


    Ashton?


    Asher runs up behind him, calling his name. Ashton¡¯s eyes are on me but he isn¡¯t seeing me. Asher finds me on the floor and quietly coaxes his brother but his efforts seem futile against the blind anger in Ashton¡¯s eyes.


    "Ashton." I call him softly, getting on my feet. He looks terrible. "What¡¯s going on?" Asher says nothing when I edge close to his brother andy a hand gently on his chest. Ashton¡¯s breath evens and he blinks at me with teary eyes.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m sorry." He repeats before storming up the stairs. As father and mother start to make their way in, Asher grabs my hand and mutters.


    "Go help him. Make sure he doesn¡¯te out of his room until I get there. Please."


    I have never seen Asher beg and never thought he would beg me for anything in this lifetime. It must mean the matter is severely serious and the other brothers aren¡¯t home yet. I nod at him and make for the elevator while he rushes to intercept his parents.


    Upstairs, Ashton won¡¯t let me into his room.


    "Ashton,e on, open up. It¡¯s me." I listen close to the door and make out sounds of someone crying. My heart breaks now as I intensify my knocking and punch the doorbell like a maniac. "Please let me in, Ashton. Talk to me. You¡¯re scaring me."


    Still nothing.


    I relentlessly knock on his door for almost five minutes before I hear him jiggle the lock. I rush in before he can change his mind.


    "Ashton." I moan with tears glistening in my eyes. He looks pitiable. I cup his face with my hands but he moves away from me. "Ash, talk to me."


    "I¡¯m fine."


    "No, you¡¯re not. Look at you. What¡¯s going on?"


    "Leave Demi. I can¡¯t do this right now."


    I can tell he is in a lot of emotional pain. Something is eating at him but he¡¯s not ready to share with anyone, not even his brothers.


    "Just talk to me..."


    "I SAID LEAVE. I DON¡¯T WANT YOU TO SEE YOU OR ANYONE RIGHT NOW. WHY CAN¡¯T YOU GET THAT? USE THE FUCKING DOOR..."


    I cut him off by nting my lips on his. I have no idea why I am taking such a risk but I know it¡¯s not just for Ashton. I also need this. I need him. I grab him by thepels of his shirt and pull him closer to feel the warmth of his body. My mind goes numb following the soft kiss we share. This is the only thing I can think of that will nk his mind of whatever turmoil it¡¯s under, even if briefly.


    Slowly, I feel Ashton rxing into our slow kiss but he still doesn¡¯t wrap his hands around my waist. He¡¯s holding himself back and merely responding to the kiss. When I let him go, I take his face in my hands and wipe the tears off with the pad of my thumbs. He sniffles a bit.


    "You¡¯re okay. I¡¯m here." I mutter softly before touching our foreheads together. Finally, his hands reach for my cheeks as he sighs weakly. He leans forward to brush his lips against mine again. My heart thuds in my chest as he pours himself into this rough kiss he initiated, as his hands scrape my back and fist in my hair.


    "Ashton?" Someone calls behind us. Immediately, the familiar voice snaps him out of his horny state. His hands fall from my face as we both turn to his door.


    "Mother!" Ashton breathes, staggering away from me. Next to mother, Ashley stands with a look of disappointment directed my way.

 Chapter 74

    <h4>Chapter 74: Chapter 74</h4>


    DEMI


    "Ashley, please take your wife away. I¡¯d like to talk to your brother." Mom says icily without breaking eye contact with Ashton. I look over at Ashton. Whatever was bothering him seems to have taken a back seat now. He tacitly urges me to go with Ashley who has already stormed away in anger. I feel bad for putting us in this position.


    When I reach the door, mother refuses to acknowledge my apologies or even look me in the face.


    "You should be apologizing to your husband, not me."


    "This really isn¡¯t Ashton¡¯s fault. I started..."


    "Demi, please," Ashton interrupts me with a mild plea in his eyes. "Go to Ashley. Mother, pleasee in." Mother¡¯s eyes narrow at our boldness. This must alle as a shock to her. I take Ashton¡¯s advice and run after my husband, hoping I¡¯d get the chance to speak to motherter.


    Ashley isn¡¯t in his room when I check. I try his phone but he keeps cutting off my call. He won¡¯t reply my texts either. I rush out of the elevator and head towards the gate in time to see his car leave the mansion. Where could he be off to? This is bad.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" Asheres up behind me. "Was that Ashley?"


    "He um...he saw me and Ashton."


    "Doing what?"


    I bite down on my lower lip and drop my head in embarrassment. "We kissed."


    "Are you nuts? I asked you to watch him till I handled father and you go and kiss him? What in the world were you thinking? What was I thinking sending you off with him? Shit. What are you, an animal? You¡¯re wearing another brother¡¯s ring for crying out loud. Why did you take advantage of Ashton¡¯s condition to realize your sick fantasies?" He goes on to chide me continuously.


    "You can have a field day cussing me out but right now, I need to find Ashley. He just left in anger and he¡¯s not taking any of my calls. Where could he be off to?"


    "Like you give a damn." He tries to brush past me to go check on Ashton but I pull him back.


    "Mother has got him. Ashley is alone and pissed. We know he is being watched by his ckmailer. What if he is being followed right now? He could be in danger. Please, Asher. I need you to help me here."


    Asher¡¯s eyes widen with fear. He begins to dial his brother¡¯s phone but now it¡¯s switched off.


    "If anything happens to my brother, I won¡¯t spare your life. I warned you to stay away from Ashton. You knew this would happen if you got between them and still, you did. And what better timing than on the very week of mom¡¯s birthday while your husband is still coping from a mental assault! Jeez Demi, you¡¯re the worst wife and daughter-inw nobody asked for."


    He starts heading for his car. "You better pray to whatever god you worship that nothing happens to Ashley or you¡¯re dead."


    Tears glisten in my eyes at the insults hurled at me. I deserve them and more. What was I thinking? How could I do that with so many people around?


    "Demi?"


    I freeze at the sound of father¡¯s voice before gradually turning.


    "What happened to Ashley?" He asks with a frown. "Why is Asher so upset with you?"


    My lips twitch as I struggle to find the words to exin how badly I just messed up. Father¡¯s frown only deepens at the growing silence despite the questions he just posed.


    "Are you deaf, girl? What happened?"


    "Demi" Mother calls, stepping out of the elevator. Go wait in my room. I¡¯ll be with you shortly."


    I wipe my moist face, bow my head before leaving while she mutters something to father to pacify him. Upstairs, I stare at Ashton¡¯s closed door. I wonder what mother had said to him, the things he had to hear because of my action. Is he trying to call Ashley too? Have I caused a rift between two brothers?


    I feel worse just thinking about it. I wanted to make Ashton feel better but all I did was pile on his troubles. We didn¡¯t even get to discuss what was really troubling him.


    "Demi." Mother calls from behind me. Flustered, I turn to her. She nudges me towards her room.


    "Where¡¯s Ashley?"


    I wring my hands. "He um, he went out for a drive. He¡¯s mad at me." I strap down on the need to bawl my eyes out. Mother sits in her room with her head hanging low.


    "This is not how I expected to start my birthday week." She mutters. I rush to crouch at her feet but she only moves my hands away when I touch her knees. "I didn¡¯t expect this from you, Demi. I only said you could have one of my boys, not shuffle between them. What were you thinking?" Her eyes are pained now. "You know what Ashley just had to go through. He might be your contractual husband but that¡¯s his brother!"


    "Mother, I am sorry. I wasn¡¯t thinking. It was a spur of the moment. Ashton was feeling very sad and he was in tears. I couldn¡¯t get through to him. I know I have no excuse. I shouldn¡¯t have behaved like that. I¡¯m sorry mother." Iy my head on her knee and sob now. "Please help me talk to Ashley. He wouldn¡¯t hear me out."


    Mother gets on her feet and paces to her window. "How long have you been in love with him?"


    My head shoots up to stare at mother¡¯s stern face.


    "How long have you been in love with Ashton?"


    "I...it¡¯s not really...I wouldn¡¯t call it that."


    "THEN WHAT WOULD YOU CALL IT?" She barks at me. Tears shimmer in her eyes as well. "From what I¡¯ve learnt, you¡¯ve kissed your brother-inw twice on your own volition but the only time you kissed your husband, we had to force you. You even loathed every second of it. I wanted to believe that you had no interest in any of my sons which is why you kept that use in the marriage contract. I chose to respect your wishes Demi. Now, instead of banding my boys together and helping them act right like we agreed, you go and cause such a strain in their rtionship? I am deeply disappointed in you."


    "Please mother..."


    "Ashley is a good man. Do you know how difficult it¡¯s been for him to have you as a wife and not cross your boundaries? He¡¯s used to getting any woman he wants. Marriage was never in the cards for him but after you were dismissed from this house following your marriage ims, he took pity on you and offered to marry you officially. He even cut down on his phndering save for Nic who won¡¯t stop sticking to him like a leech. My point is Ashley has had to make sacrifices for you. Why would you pay him back like this?"


    "I¡¯ll make it up to him, I promise."


    "How? How Demi? You¡¯ve bruised his ego. If you are done with this marriage, he would have dly signed the papers to set you free. Why did you kiss his brother while wearing Ashley¡¯s ring for goodness¡¯ sake?" Mother sinks into the couch closest to the window. "I can¡¯t even defend you anymore. Whenever Ashley woulde to me with questions on how to he can be a better husband for you so you guys can grow closer, it would warm my heart that he wasn¡¯t giving up on you. This is a son who would never be bothered about being liked by a woman but he often came to me to ask about you. I can only imagine what pain he felt seeing you like that with Ashton."


    Ashley did that? I cover my face with my hands. I know I messed up. I just wish everyone would stop apportioning mes and help me reach Ashley.


    My phone starts ringing. Seeing Ashley¡¯s call, I quickly answer.


    "Ashley? Ashley I¡¯m so sorry. Pleasee home." He says nothing on his end. "Ash, are you there?"


    "I¡¯m here, Demi. It¡¯s okay. I just need some air."


    My heart breaks seeing how much he¡¯s pretending to be fine just to set my mind at ease. "Ashley, I want to talk to you. If not here then maybe..."


    "I¡¯ll send you an address."


    "Okay. I¡¯ll be there."


    The minute he hangs up, he pins me his location. Mother nods with understanding as I rush out to go meet with Ashley. I take less than five minutes to get changed from a weepy mess to a decent fit. I have no idea how I am going to defend myself. Truth is, I am not nning to. I am guilty of cheating on Ashley so I am just going to apologize.


    The address takes me to an aquarium. When I go in looking for Ashley, I find him in the empty space, seated. In front of him is a huge ss with ocean blue lights and hypnotic views of the coral reef. asionally, the colorful shells of sea turtles and stingrayse gliding by, even sharks.


    Wordlessly, I join him. We watch the ss together, saying nothing to each other for a few minutes. When he breaks his gaze to stare at me, he finds my eyes watching him.


    Despite the smile he forces on his face, I can tell he isn¡¯t happy.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Ashley. You didn¡¯t deserve that."


    "Shhh." He ces a finger on my lips. "You didn¡¯t deserve the disrespect at your party either." He turns to the ss tank as a white shark floats by. "I am not a saint. I didn¡¯te here because I think I am perfect and entitled to your loyalty. I just wanted to be by myself while I wallow in regret for some bad decisions I¡¯ve taken in the past but none of them involves marrying you."


    He wipes off the single tear that falls from my left eye.


    "I¡¯ve been in love before. I remember a thing or two about how helpless one can be against that pull."


    "You¡¯re hurting."


    "I am, but it¡¯ll pass. I am trying to remind myself that Ashton is my brother and you¡¯re my wife and that the both of you didn¡¯t do that intentionally to hurt me. You both weren¡¯t thinking at the time and it looked like you were in apromising situation." He wipes off my tears again. "It¡¯s okay. We¡¯ll get through this."


    "Why won¡¯t you justsh out at me like everyone else? Get it off your chest, Ashley. I promise I won¡¯t take any of it personally. You¡¯ll be justified to do so. Don¡¯t bottle up your feelings like this. I hurt your pride. You¡¯re human and you¡¯re allowed to vent your frustrations on me. Please, don¡¯t go down a spiral afterwards."


    He holds my gaze. "Is that what you want?"


    "I want you to do what you need to do. Don¡¯t pretend this doesn¡¯t hurt because of our contract. I know how I felt seeing you and Nic and I promise I didn¡¯t do this to get back at you. I just want you to express your feelings and let out the pain."


    "Express my feelings." He chuckles as he stands on his feet. "You¡¯re in love with my brother, Demi. What can I possibly do about that? I have been the nice guy from day one and tried my best to respect your boundaries and treat you well. If you were going to reciprocate my feelings, you would have done that by now but your heart wants Ashton."


    "Keep going." I prompt him.


    "It shouldn¡¯t matter since our contract is one year long but somehow it still stings and you know what¡¯s funny? It stings more because he¡¯s my brother and we literally look the same. I go to bed wondering the same thing in my head every night; if she can catch feelings for a man that looks just like me who barely treats her half as good as I do, why not me? I understand you met me as an infamous lothario but I have cut back on that life far more than you will ever realize. I think I deserve a chance too but what can I do when your heart is set on my brother?"


    "Ashley..."


    "You said I should air my feelings so you¡¯re going to listen, please."


    Slowly, I sit back down and watch him run his hand through his hair.


    "I don¡¯t know how I am feeling, Demi. It¡¯s between a crushing disappointment and frustration in my efforts to win you and deep anger and resentment at myself for even trying, you know. What the fuck was I thinking? It¡¯s just a year. I can survive a year with a woman who wants nothing amorous to do with me but that singr fact felt like a challenge and I ran with it. I got it into my head that you¡¯re perfect for me and I deserve a woman like you. It¡¯s just...it really sucks to be wrong right now."


    "Ashley, you deserve better. I am not perfect myself. Don¡¯t use me as a yardstick to measure a good woman. And you¡¯re not horrible or underserving of pure love. I am sorry I hurt you. Please, forgive me." He pulls me in for a hug and pats my back while I sob.


    ***


    "How¡¯s Ashley?" Anna asks.


    I sigh heavily. "He¡¯s focused on work, leaves super early and returns superte. I barely get to see him at all. The atmosphere at home is so crazy I wish I can stay at work all day. Mother barely talks to me. She wouldn¡¯t even take my input on her birthday ns. I know that if we were cool, she would drag me shopping and run her ideas by me. Now, she mostly has friends over nning everything without involving me."


    Anna cuddles me. "And Ashton? How is he holding up?"


    "He wouldn¡¯t return any of my texts. He and Ashley are like ghosts now. I barely see them even at the dining room. I¡¯m stuck with the rest of the family who don¡¯t like me right now."


    "Have you tried surprising Ashely at work? I bet if you two make up, the rest of the family will have no choice but to drop their grudges."


    "I don¡¯t think he wants to see me."


    "Maybe but putting in the effort might dden his heart. Get him a gift, something he truly values. Go on a special date to his favorite ce and do all his favorite things. Try to restore your friendship. He can¡¯t possibly hate you as he doesn¡¯t consider himself perfect either. I¡¯m sure he will appreciate your effort and cut you some ck."


    "I think you¡¯re right. Oh, Anna, you¡¯re such a perfect girlfriend to have. Why can¡¯t I think like you do?" Annaughs at my statement. "I have to make it up with Ashley. Liam can¡¯t find out or he¡¯ll start doubting me again. I haven¡¯t even told him about josh and Asher¡¯s conversation. He¡¯s upied with trying to get Shay Woodley¡¯s attention."


    Anna¡¯s phone rings just then. She snags the phone before I can make out the caller.


    "I¡¯ll be right back. Get started on the list of Ashley¡¯s favorite foods and things to do."


    I watch her walk away to take her call. She always takes her calls in front of me so this is quite suspicious. When she returns, she has a big smile on her face and a red blush on her cheeks. Despite how much I pester her, she wouldn¡¯t share it with me so I give up. She helps me prepare a small gift for Ashley with a handwritten note expressing my sincerest apologies to him.


    "You have to dress up for this part. You know he¡¯s a fashion lover. He¡¯ll notice your clothes before anything else."


    "Anna, I can¡¯t give the wrong signals. I¡¯m trying to win my friend back, not seduce him."


    "Whatever, but a tee shirt and jeans won¡¯t cut it. Put some effort in it." She goes to her wardrobe and pulls out a crepe dress with a plunging neckline. I keep protesting with every dress she selects until we settle for one that¡¯s not too seductive.


    "When did you get all these?" I ask her. They look really expensive.


    "A friend helped me out. I¡¯m trying a wardrobe overhaul."


    I say nothing over lots of Ashley¡¯s designs featuring in her new collection. Her friend must be super rich to get these for her. Nevertheless, I am happy if she is happy.


    When I get to Ashely¡¯s office, I nervously make my way to his floor. Upon my entrance, his staff treat me to a receptive gaze. Smiling, I head for Ashley¡¯s office. I don¡¯t bother to knock before I step in, as I have done countless times before.


    Ashley is standing next to Nic who is draped in his recently finished masterpiece, the same dress he had wanted me to be the first to try. Seeing another woman in it now makes me wince.


    Nic looks divine in the low back green dress. Her sultry eyes are fixated on my husband. Their closeness instantly makes me ufortable. When Ni spots me first, she nts a soft kiss on Ashley¡¯s cheeks.


    "You¡¯ve outdone yourself once again." She then proceeds to twirl while he watches her, especially her backside where the fabric dips almost to the crack of her butt. I am certain she isn¡¯t wearing anything underneath as her clothes are on the couch.


    My mind shes back to the time Ashley was trying to get me to try the dress for him and asked me to strip. Did he watch Ni get naked in front of him to try the dress? I ignore the sting in my chest.


    "Oh, hi Demi."


    At her words, Ashley turns to the door. I feign a smile.


    "How long have you been standing there?" Ni asks with a cunning smile. Ashley looks surprised to see me.


    "I just got here."


    "You didn¡¯t tell me you wereing." He quips.


    I hide an embarrassed smile. "I was around the vicinity and thought I¡¯d stop by." I notice Ashley take in my clothes which is more put together than usual but he says nothing.


    "You look amazing, Ni."


    "Thank you, Demi but the real credit should go to the designer here. He¡¯s a genius." She sashays to the door. "I¡¯ll let you two talk. Ash dear, I¡¯ll be waiting in the lounge." After she leaves, Ashley eases a hip on his desk and folds his arms across his chest.


    "You look lovely."


    "Thanks. I um...got you a few things." I walk closer to pass them to him. He goes through them with a smile and spends a little longer than necessary reading my card while I try not to die of embarrassment. Typically, I shouldn¡¯t be standing here while he reads the note.


    When he looks up, his cheeks are flushed.


    "I know it¡¯s nothing but are we good now?"


    He straightens his back. "You¡¯re asking to be friends again. Is that correct?"


    "Yes."


    His deep blue eyes stare deeply at me. "I don¡¯t think I can do that anymore."


    "What? Why?" Is he really going to say no after all the work I put in? He rips the card in front of me and dumps them in his bin. "Ashley, why would you do that? I poured my heart into that note."


    "I know. I read it." He edges close to me with a look in his eyes that makes my skin tingle. When his hands go around my waist, I stifle the urge to flinch. His hand caresses the bare skin of my back from the cutout of the dress Anna lent me.


    "I don¡¯t want to be just friends anymore, Demi. Maybe if I had been more vocal about my growing feelings, you wouldn¡¯t have made room for anyone else. I¡¯m changing that now. I want to have you, Demi. Give me a chance to love you for the next six months we¡¯ve got left. If you don¡¯t want me by the end of our contract, you¡¯re free to choose whomever you want. I just need a chance to prove myself to you. What do you say?"


    ***


    Mom¡¯s birthday is five times fancier than mine. I am shocked how she can manage to enjoy so many cameras clicking in her face. News stations mount their equipment all over the grounds, filming the celebrations. The party is outdoors, under the waning sun. Decorations are top notch. If I thought I had dignitaries during my party, I am humbled by the sheer number of celebrities, politicians and even members of royal families outside Danvarr that turn up for mother¡¯s party.


    Father and mother move from one interview to the other, same with the rest of us. Ashely has a hand on my waist as we navigate the questions posed at us. He has been very sweet and affectionate towards me ever since I told him I¡¯d think about his proposal. It¡¯s been lovely having him around.


    The family even started treating me better again. Mother joined me in her nningmitteest minute. Despite the happiness I feel to have everything right with my husband who is basically my link to this family and the only way I can fulfil my ns, it¡¯s been an uphill task ignoring Ashton.


    He is back to having M around him. They look good together while they pose for the cameras. I am sure he¡¯s struggling as much as I am. We never got a chance to speak again after our kiss and everyone has been watching us.


    I watch him from a distance asionally. I am d he isn¡¯t looking suicidal anymore. I truly hope he finds true happiness even if it¡¯s not with me. We were never meant to happen and I am slowly making peace with that.


    We all hit the dance floor to celebrate mother. We take turns with our partners dancing the waltz. While we spin across the floor to switch partners, I end up with Ashal who smiles down at me.


    "Who¡¯s your date tonight?" I ask him. He was the only one who didn¡¯t give me an earful or a hard time during my crisis with Ashley. For that reason, I keep drawing my feet about testing him like Eliana had insisted.


    "Riley Edgar. She¡¯s a real princess, with a kingdom and all."


    "Hmmm, lucky you."


    "I don¡¯t think she likes me though. She keeps looking over my shoulder at one of her father¡¯s royal bodyguards."


    "Scandalous. That will make a good book." Heughs as he shuffles me away and gets M. I stare into Asher¡¯s face and we both frown at each other.


    "Did you get a princess or an heiress of a conglomerate?"


    "Apparently, I am not lucky enough if you¡¯re in my arms."


    I scoff at him. "Nessa is here but I bet you don¡¯t have the balls to dance with her in front of the cameras. I hope she realizes she¡¯s way too good for you."


    He shoves me roughly away as the music changes to wee Anna in his arms. His frown disappears as he gives her a sunny smile and twirls her like a princess. I look up to find the one who had broken my fall is Ashton.


    "Careful." He says tly. I can tell everyone in the family is watching us. Ashley is dancing with Ni and she¡¯s actively trying to steer his eyes away from us. Ashton pulls me to join the dance.


    "How have you been?"


    "Good."


    "I¡¯m sorry about thest time..."


    "It¡¯s fine."


    "Ashley still isn¡¯t talking to you?" He says nothing and my heart breaks for both of them. "I¡¯m deeply sorry, Ash."


    "You two make a great couple. Keep him happy. That¡¯s all I ask."


    "Ashton..." He gently twirls me away to my next partner.


    "Missed me?" Ashley asks with a smile. We¡¯re not supposed to be reunited so fast. I can tell he traded ces with my next partner. Behind us, Ni already ditched the dance floor and is scowling from her seat.


    I return Ashley¡¯s smile just as mother¡¯s cake is wheeled out. It¡¯s already dark and most of her guests came from afar. Father walks mother to cut her cake and make her birthday wish while the journalists jostle with each other to get the perfect cake pictures and videos.


    Mother blows out her candles after shutting her eyes and making a wish.


    "What did you wish for, Mrs. Rollins?" The journalists start badgering her. She waves them to silence. Her eyes track around the crowd till they find me and Ashley. Her smile deepens.


    "I wish to be blessed with a grandchild from my lovely daughter-inw and my son, Ashley."

 Chapter 75

    <h4>Chapter 75: Chapter 75</h4>


    ASHLEY


    The moment mom utters her wish, the lights and camera wheel towards Demi and I. Demi staggers backwards until she ms right into my chest. I hug her from behind to hide the awkwardness from the sharp eyes of the journalists.


    "Just smile. We¡¯ll discuss itter. Everyone¡¯s watching." I whisper through clenched teeth. Sheplies and rxes into my embrace while pictures of us are taken from different angles.


    I can feel her vibrating with tension. She hates cameras and being put on the spot like this is one of the worst things you can do to her. I am just going to assume mother isn¡¯t aware of how badly Demi hates the spotlight.


    I find mom¡¯s eyes in the crowd. She¡¯s smiling gaily at me. Next thing I know, she winks at me. Was this the help she was talking about? Is this the n to get Demi and I to be closer to each other? A BABY? How did she think Demi would react to this?


    "Mr. and Mrs. Rollins, how do you feel about your mother¡¯s wish? Should she be expecting a grandchild anytime soon or is there already a bun in the oven?"


    The enthusiastic journalist shoves the mic too close to Demi¡¯s face. I cup the microphone and push it downward with a stern look at him.


    "My mother¡¯s birthday party is not over yet. Please, let¡¯s not draw the spotlight away from her."


    While most of them back away to refocus on mother, some nasty ones remain to capture every worry line on Demi¡¯s face. I spin her to face me and she buries her face in my chest.


    "Let¡¯s go upstairs." I whisper before taking her hand. At the most subtle of signals, our personal security edge closer and block the paparazzi from following my wife and I till we safely make it across to the mansion.


    I intentionally dismiss guests trying to congratte us too early with a smile and apologies for my abruptness. I manage to whisk Demi all the way to her bedroom where she sinks on her bed looking pale.


    "Here, some water." She takes the ss with trembling hands and sips a little.


    "Thank you."


    "Calm down. Take a deep breath." I stroke some strands of hair off her face.


    "Why would mother do something like that?" she asks me with curious eyes. "And in front of all those people? How could she make such a wish knowing the circumstances of our marriage and without talking to us first?" I take the ss from her hands and carefully ce it on the side drawer next to the bed.


    "I¡¯m sure she didn¡¯t mean any harm. It¡¯s mom, remember? Our marriage might be contractual but mothers will always be mothers and try to convey their silent wishes for their children somehow. Though I don¡¯t support her making it so public, I can understand where she¡¯sing from. Please don¡¯t misconstrue it."


    "It¡¯s just that she was mad at me not long ago and now she goes and makes such a public wish that will definitely trend in the news for the next few days. It feels like she¡¯s trying to punish me."


    "No, Demi, she¡¯s not."


    "People are already specting that I might be pregnant. It¡¯s too much pressure on me, on us. A baby? That¡¯s too much." I take her head and cradle it on my shoulder as she paces her breath. "I¡¯m sorry Ash. I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll make a wonderful dad one day but this..."


    "I know but you also have to remember that those people out there don¡¯t know anything about our contract. We are a real couple to them. We still can be if you wish it." I take her face in my hands. "We can be more if you want it." Her eyes move uncertainly. "I¡¯ll talk to mom. A baby is a giant leap from where we are right now. However, I want you to convey your reservations about her wish with tact. It¡¯s still her birthday. We wouldn¡¯t want to ruin her mood or anything."


    "I understand."


    I kiss the top of her hair. "You can rest if you want. Do you need me to get you anything? Should I call Anna?"


    "Yes. Just Anna."


    I nod before leaving her. While I make my way back to the festivities, I register with a hint of pain that she still didn¡¯t confirm if she wants more out of her marriage to me. It¡¯s taking forever and I know that if it¡¯s taking her this long to give her consent, she probably hates the idea. I bump into Anna running up the stairs with her gown in her hands. I direct her to Demi¡¯s room knowing fully well where she means to go.


    I¡¯m not surprised to find Ashering behind Anna. They have been cozy all evening. He gestures me back up the stairs.


    "What the hell was that? Did you know mom was going to do that?" He asks, vibrating with temper. I don¡¯t get his full-blown hatred for Demi.


    "Of course not. I am just as surprised as everyone else. She never said anything to me in that regard."


    "You said she nned to help you out with Demi. Is that what she meant?"


    "I need to speak to her to rify." I brush past him on thending to head back to the party but change my mind. "You know what? What if this is indeed her n to help me out? I know it¡¯s shocking and a little premature for where Demi and I are right now but it¡¯s not unnatural for a husband and wife to have a baby if they so wish it, whether or not there¡¯s a subsisting contract. Mom might have overstepped by not speaking to Demi and I first but she didn¡¯t say anything wrong. We¡¯re married after all. It¡¯s up to Demi and I to decide what we do about mom¡¯s wish. Don¡¯t make this about you and your unproven assumptions about Demi¡¯s motives for this family. I don¡¯t want to hear it."


    I turn to continue down the stairs and find Ashton at the bottom. My anger boils over. I haven¡¯t spoken more than two words to him since he broke his word to me and kissed my wife like I didn¡¯t exist. I don¡¯t care what the circumstances were. He owed it to me as my brother to keep his word and remove himself from my marriage. It still hurts anytime I see him and remember the emotions he can stir up in my wife.


    As I descend the stairs towards his impassioned face, I can¡¯t help but wonder if Demi would have had a simr reaction had Ashton been in my ce. We lock eyes as I reach him but before I can leave, he closes a hand over my wrist.


    "Let go."


    "You first."


    I shoot him a burning look. "You betrayed me, Ash after making tall ims about your discipline and respect for boundaries. YOU PROMISED ME YOU WOULD REMOVE YOURSELF FROM THE PICTURE."


    "Hey, hey" Ashales up and gently steers us upstairs. "Not here. We still have guests around."


    I shove his hands away. "I don¡¯t have anything to say to him. I am going downstairs to rejoin the celebrations. When I am done, my wife and I will discuss our future together. You had better stay the hell away from her." Every emotion I have been holding back with respect to Ashton starts seeping to the surface. Ashal pulls me away while Asher takes Ashton.


    "I hate him."


    "No, you don¡¯t. If I put a gun in your hand, you won¡¯t pull the trigger even if you saw him and Demi together. Wrong analogy. My bad." Ashal stops to look me in the eye. "You¡¯re still hurting, I get it but sooner orter, you and Ashton will have to bury the hatchet. Remember the quad code; you can¡¯t let a beef between brothers linger for longer than a week. You have roughly two days and a few hours to hash it out with him or Asher and I will step in and force a settlement."


    I push back thoughts of Ashton to the recesses of my mind and go back to rejoin the celebrations.


    That night, so many articles with spections of Demi¡¯s pregnancy start trending as she had feared. Anna even stays back to spend the night with Demi. She has been ovepensating for being MIA during Demi¡¯s party. After having the maids deliver some juice and snacks to them, I bid them goodnight and shut the door. Hopefully, the movie should be enough distraction from the social media buzz.


    My brothers are all in our usual spot. The sight of Ashton grates on my nerves and I turn to leave.


    "Sit down, Ashley, this isn¡¯t about us." Ashton calls out. "I have something important to share with you all."


    Reluctantly, I drop into a seat farthest from him with a frown on my face.


    "Make it quick."


    Asher silently chides me with a look before facing Ashton. "Is this about what happened in father¡¯s office?"


    "It¡¯s about why I went to father¡¯s office and what¡¯s been troubling me the past couple of days." He runs a hand through his hair and leaves his fingers interlocked behind his neck. "I have been making quite a few bad decisionstely."


    "No kidding." I scoff, earning a searing look from the rest of my brothers except Ashton who ignores me and continues.


    "You guys were right. I should have dropped the search for our biological parents. I should have left it at the cemetery. I should have stopped picking up strange numbers calling my phone but I am still hurting from the recent discoveries we made in rtion to our paternity and father¡¯s affair. I don¡¯t even know if I only wanted to find our parents just to spite father but I kept following the trail and after we caught Cree Baxter, I got an anonymous phone call."


    A hush falls over the room as we await histest discovery.


    "What the stranger had to say truly messed with my head. I even wanted to hit father had Demi not gotten in the way."


    When Ashton nces at me to gauge my reaction for the mention of Demi, I keep a straight face. Reassured, he continues. "I won¡¯t saddle you with the details of the nonsense this person had to say. Trust me, I wish I didn¡¯t take that call. I just called you all here to tell you essentially that I wouldn¡¯t be looking into our parents anymore. We have father and mother and I have epted that they¡¯re more than enough. There are no perfect parents out there or perfect children. I¡¯m done with that."


    Everyone remains quiet after he finishes.


    "Did you really have to call us here to pique our interest in the revtion you got only to burst our bubble by refusing to tell us what you actually found out? If you had made the decision not to pursue that matter anymore, you could have just said that and left it at that? Why the buildup of interest?"


    "Ashley¡¯s right." Asher adds. "Now, I want to know more than ever. I saw you, Ashton. You weren¡¯t yourself. No offense to Ashal but you looked like you were in one of those rage moments just before Ashal cks out. It was spine-chilling and if you had lifted a finger to father, I¡¯m not sure we would still have one by now."


    "You have to tell us." Ashal hammers. "I¡¯m sure we can handle it."


    Ashton looks from one brother to the next. "We¡¯ve had too many crises going on all at once. I can¡¯t burden you all with this too. Trust me, it¡¯s best if you don¡¯t know..."


    "JUST FUCKING SAY IT, ASH. WE¡¯RE NOT KIDS. WE DIDN¡¯T DIE WHEN WE LEARNT WE WERE ADOPTED AND HAVE A STEPBROTHER. WHAT COULD BE WORSE THAN THAT???" I snap impatiently at him.


    My fingers are clenched at my sides. I don¡¯t know if I would be able to keep to the quad codes and quash this beef with Ashton. It will definitely take longer than a week to have usughing to each other¡¯s unfunny jokes again.


    Ashton¡¯s red eyes settle on me. "What could be worse is if our parents never gave us up willingly."


    My heartrate slows down as I try to make sense of the rubbish he just spewed. Asher quickly leaps to his feet and scratches his head.


    "You¡¯re right. Let¡¯s drop this now. We can¡¯t fill our heads with that rubbish."


    "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Ashal barks, standing to his feet. "We were adopted. How can you believe that crap from a faceless stranger on the phone?" I continue to watch in silence as Ashal goes off on Ashton. "We were adopted, right Asher? Tell him." Ashton tries to say something and gets shut down by Asher.


    "Yes, Ashal, we were. I¡¯ve seen the papers myself. Ashton is just saying that the stranger was trying to mess with his head. That¡¯s why he¡¯s not pursuing that shadow again. Calm down. You can¡¯t fall for that cheap lie."


    Asher manages to calm Ashal down. I pace my breath. There¡¯s something off about Asher¡¯s damage control. I know for a fact that there¡¯s more to this. Ashton wouldn¡¯t have bought into the lie and even ransacked father¡¯s office if he hadn¡¯t been given proof. Didn¡¯t he find what he was looking for? Could there be a sliver of truth to this?


    When I look up, Ashton is watching me. Tears glisten in his eyes but they don¡¯t fall. I sniffle and look away. I refuse to be tormented by anything more than I am already dealing with.


    "BULLSHIT. You all are so gullible. I¡¯m off to bed."


    The next day, the blogs continue to rage with mom¡¯s spectacr birthday party celebration and her birthday wish. Demi eats very little at breakfast. I have to nudge her every two minutes to remember to put the food shedled on her spoon into her mouth.


    "Demi, are you okay?" Mother asks.


    "She¡¯s still a bit exhausted fromst night. You know your parties can be quite draining, mom."


    Mom smiles. "I¡¯m sorry if I upset you yesterday with my birthday wish. I didn¡¯t mean to put you on the spot like that but I didn¡¯t lie. Nothing will give me greater pleasure than to see you and Ashley start your own family. You two are good for each other."


    "Mom, please" I call her attention to other members of the family at the table. Ashton continues to eat quietly like he didn¡¯t hear mom¡¯s words. Asher and Ashal focus on their phones.


    Father wipes his mouth and gets on his feet. I know he isn¡¯t thrilled about mom¡¯stest stunt. He signals to Asher and Demi joins them too. She barely remembers to kiss me goodbye but I don¡¯t me her. She¡¯s got a lot on her mind right now. Alone with mom and I on the table, Ashal rises too.


    "I¡¯m heading out as well." He gives mom a kiss on her hair. I follow suit and mom¡¯s face crumples at being left alone at the table.


    "Bye. I love you." I mutter before leaving too.


    ***


    "What exactly is your mom trying to do? Why wouldn¡¯t she ask you first before putting on a show like that? She totally embarrassed me, Ashley. How could she ask you for a grandchild with Demi while I was right there? I thought she cared about me."


    "Are you being serious right now, Ni? Demi and I are married if you already forgot. She¡¯s MY WIFE and my mom doesn¡¯t need my permission to convey her wish to see me have kids. Don¡¯t make this about you."


    Ni¡¯s eyes ze over with fear. "Ashley, you can¡¯t seriously be considering making her wishe true. You know very well that Finn and I are not really a couple, right? My father needs all the support he can get to retain his senatorial position and I am just helping him out. I promise I didn¡¯t betray you. You¡¯re the only man that I love."


    "Oh yeah? So, you haven¡¯t slept with Finn?" Her eyes dip to the floor and bile tickles the back of my throat.


    "Ashley, it meant nothing. I thought about you the whole time."


    "Don¡¯t make it gross. I¡¯m disgusted enough as it is."


    She rushes to my side and takes my hand. "I never let him touch me without protection and it¡¯s only been three times. I swear it, Ash. It won¡¯t happen again. He¡¯s traveling for the next couple of weeks and will only be back a night before the election. I¡¯ll find a way to avoid rejoining him in his private suite at Voyage hotel. I promise there¡¯s no other man in my heart but you. You know Demi can¡¯t say the same."


    I wrench my hand from hers and re at her. "Don¡¯t mention Demi¡¯s name. At least she¡¯s not hopping in and out of another man¡¯s bed."


    "How can you be so sure with all the men she entertains."


    "NICOLA" I yell with a threatening look. "Watch that mouth of yours."


    She remains unfazed by my anger. "Can you swear for a fact that she¡¯s a virgin or that she hasn¡¯t been with any man ever since you got married to her? She has to be getting it from somewhere, Ashley. Open your eyes. You¡¯re smarter than this." She grabs her bag and heads for the door only to find mother staring at her. Coyly, she slouches her shoulders.


    "Hello, Ni."


    "Hi, Mrs. Rollins."


    "Your father¡¯s reelection is just by the corner. You should be spending your free time assisting him to rack up votes and support, especially with your fans. I don¡¯t think it will do him any good if your current boyfriend gets wind of the fact that you¡¯re going in and out of your ex¡¯spany even for unofficial reasons. If he pulls back now, your father¡¯s political aspiration will be as good as over."


    Ni¡¯s eyes droop to the floor in embarrassment.


    "Why don¡¯t you worry about that instead of my son and his wife."


    Wordlessly, Ni walks out of my office less confident than she normally does.


    "Why do you indulge her? You can¡¯t let Demi continue to see Ni around like this? How is she supposed to believe that you are a changed man and she can have you all to herself?"


    "I have been the one making all the sacrifices to my time and lifestyle and yet, Demi is nowhere close to seeing me in that light, mom. I can¡¯t control the narrative in her head. Besides, Ni is my business partner too, remember? She has a right toe to this office asionally for our work."


    She rolls her eyes. "I came to discuss Ashton. Why are you still not talking to your brother? Ashley, I can tell you miss him. You have to try and forgive him. You forgave Demi."


    "It¡¯s different, mom. ASH IS MY BROTHER! BROS BEFORE BABES. Besides, Demi might have felt the need to because of the terms of our contract or to get back at me for my affairs with Ni, I don¡¯t know. Ash has no excuse. He shouldn¡¯t have entertained her feelings and broken my trust."


    "You need more time to heal. I get that. Take all the time you need. Ashton is also not doing well either. he has his own battles to fight. You two can take as much time as required as long as you find your way back to each other and sort this out. I won¡¯t have a repeat of your eighteenth birthdays in my house. Got it?"


    This wouldn¡¯t be the first time Ashton and I are fighting over the same girl.


    "Got it."


    "I¡¯m off to see Ashton too. Take care."


    "Mom?" I call when she gets to the door. She turns to stare at me.


    "Yes, son?


    "Am I a horrible person?"


    "Of course not."


    I smile thinly at her. "Thank you again mom, for doing exactly as I asked and making my wish your birthday wish."


    "Anything for you, son."

 Chapter 76

    <h4>Chapter 76: Chapter 76</h4>


    DEMI


    "Are you still mad at me, Demi? I have realized that you¡¯ve been a little withdrawn ever since I made my birthday wish publicly."


    Mother runs a hand over a ck Hermes bag in admiration. I stand behind her, tagging along and mostly disinterested in shopping, even at Ashley¡¯s luxurious mall.


    My life has been crazy ever since she dropped that huge bomb on me. I can barely go out without a horde of cameras on my tail. There are tons of articles being popped out about my spective pregnancy. Some bloggers have even been bold enough to photoshop a baby bump on me. At this point, I can¡¯t even pretend not to be mad at mother. She did this to me.


    "Demi? Are you listening?"


    I retreat to a couch and plunk down on it. Shees shuffling after me. "Are you punishing me for my mistake with Ashton? Is this your idea of trying to get Ashley and I to consummate our marriage?"


    "You consider having a baby with Ashley punishment?"


    "I consider being forced to have a baby without any consideration of my feelings on the matter a punishment. Why mother? Why did you put that idea in Ashley¡¯s head? We are barely friends as it is and you know how I got into his life in the first ce. Why wouldn¡¯t you allow Ashley and I to reach that decision ourselves?"


    "The real question is if you see yourself having a life with Ashley, Demi. I know I brought you into my household to straighten my sons from their irresponsible ways. A baby was never part of the agreement unless mutually consented to by both parties. I have no right to make decisions for you and I wasn¡¯t trying to, honestly."


    She sighs and ces a hand on my thigh. "I have been seeing you and Ashley much closer ever since he forgave you for your involvement with his brother. Ashley has never been happier. Watching both of you effortlessly act like a real couple has brought tears to my eyes and I might have assumed you guys are trying to make this a real marriage. I just thought that a baby would draw you guys much closer and strengthen your bond."


    She takes my hands in hers now. "What I did at my party was merely a suggestion, not a demand. It¡¯s up to you guys at the end of the day. Don¡¯t listen to what the media is saying. They¡¯ll soon find some other piping hot gossip to fixate on and let you two be."


    Her eyes dip to the floor. "I am worried about my boys. They still haven¡¯t made up. Asher and Ashal are also being affected by this rift between Ashely and Ashton. The quads have had fights in the past but it has never carried on for this long."


    She¡¯s right. Asher has been giving me hell ever since the incident. If I thought he was cold towards me earlier, he¡¯s worse now. He makes me work till my feet hurt.


    "I understand why Ashley still can¡¯t forgive his brother despite how much he misses Ashton. It¡¯s an ego thing. Ashley is convinced that you will only ever love Ashton. He sees his brother as a threat to his chances with you. If he believed that you were willing tomit to your marriage and bond with him as a couple, he might be able to forgive Ashton and both men will stop hurting."


    My hands tremble in myp. "What are you saying, mother?"


    "Demi, we can¡¯t ignore the fact that all of this started with you. It¡¯s only natural that it will end with you too. I¡¯m begging you to show Ashley more love. Give him a chance the same way you opened your heart to Ashton. I see the way he looks at you. Thest time he looked at a woman like that was when he fell in love for the first time. His heart got broken and he gave up on love and embraced the lifestyle he is notoriously known for. Today, because of you, I can see slivers of change in my Ashley. He¡¯s opening up his heart again and all I am asking is that you consider giving him a chance. I¡¯m not asking you to sleep with him or do anything you aren¡¯t ready for. Spending quality time with him, not being scared of visiting his room and even holding hands for a start can mean a lot to him."


    "What about me and what I truly want?" I ask as my eyes brim with tears.


    "You¡¯re currently married to one of my sons and Ashton has a girlfriend. Both sons are good men but you can¡¯t have them both. You would be starting a war in my household. I know you feel like you can¡¯t fall in love with anyone else but trust me, that isn¡¯t true. If you allow yourself to be loved by Ashley, I¡¯m certain in time you¡¯ll grow fond of him too. Just give him a chance for the rest of the time you two have together and see for yourself."


    Her offer is very simr to the one Ashley made to me. Did he put his mother up to this? I wouldn¡¯t be surprised. The two of them have been quite closetely.


    Mother dabs my tears with her handkerchief. "Don¡¯t be sad, my dear. I am grateful for your affection for my Ashton but I can¡¯t encourage it while you¡¯re wedded to Ashley. If you two insist, both brothers will be estranged forever. The rest of the family will be torn apart. M will also be hurt. Can you live with that? However, if you give your husband a fighting chance, all will be well. Ashton will get over you with M¡¯s presence. Trust me dear, this is for the best. You will get the love you deserve not one where you have to hide behind closed doors to show affection for the man you love."


    I blush red as I recall kissing Ashton in his room. I understand what mother is saying but I don¡¯t want to sumb to any kind of pressure right now. I know Ashley is a great guy and I don¡¯tpletely feel nothing for him. I don¡¯t admit it but my jealousy spikes whenever I see Nic and there¡¯s only one reason for it.


    However, I don¡¯t want to be forced to start an intimate rtionship with Ashley. That should be our mutual decision. Till then, I¡¯d much rather stick to our bare contract and move on with my life like nothing happened.


    When I exin this to mother, she isn¡¯t pleased but she feigns a smile.


    "I respect your decision. Do well tomunicate this to Ashley as kindly as you can so he doesn¡¯t hurt too much."


    I feel like the bad guy now. Despite all the coaxing, I literally turned mother down for the first time. I hope I am not digging a grave for myself. What if mother asks Ashley to divorce me? What if Ashleyes to that conclusion for himself if he can¡¯t have me?


    These thoughts haunt me at work. I keep trying and failing to concentrate and Asher continues to make my life more miserable than it already is.


    "How can you be this dense?" he shrills, tossing the document I just prepared for him in the air. The papers shower down all around us. "You¡¯re really asking for a negative report from me, aren¡¯t you? If there was a position lower than a damn intern, you¡¯d be demoted already."


    "Asher..."


    "You will address me appropriately at work or you¡¯ll feel my wrath."


    He continues to blow hot over the smallest things throughout the day so I avoid him as much as I can. Surprisingly, Joshforts me when our paths cross at the cafeteria. The rumor of Asher¡¯s temper reached his ears, he tells me.


    "You know you can always switch ande be my intern."


    Iugh softly. "Thank you for your concern but I¡¯ll manage. Mr. Asher isn¡¯t always like this unless I am being terribly slow at my job. I¡¯ve been out of ittely, hence his reaction." Josh gives me a double take.


    "Is it really true? Are you pregnant? Wow. Congrats." He starts pping but I jam his hands together before he can draw too much attention to us.


    "No, I am not pregnant. The rumors are false." I mutter under my breath. "I¡¯ve just been having a rough week, that¡¯s all."


    He nods sagely. "Offer still stands though, if you ever change your mind. I could talk to the chairman on your behalf if you¡¯re worried about Asher refusing to let you go."


    My mind reels back to his conversation with Asher where he referred to the Chairman repeatedly as dad and Asher failed to counter him. It exins a lot now; the lunch breaks they share together, the chairman¡¯s fondness for an employee over his own son and Josh¡¯s arrogance around the office. Does mother know? I doubt she does. She wouldn¡¯t stand for this public disy of infidelity.


    "I¡¯ll let you know." I tell him. He nods before leaving.


    I turn down Ashley¡¯s offer to have a lunch date. Though he¡¯s been extra sweet and kind to metely, I sometimes feel suffocated with all the attention and love I am getting knowing how much Ashton is suffering conversely for something I initiated.


    While I am being doted on and encouraged to tread a new path with Ashley as the subject of my love interest, what is Ashton being coaxed to do to earn forgiveness? What kind of pressure is he under right now from his family, especially from Ashley?


    Guilt curls like a tight fist in my belly now. Is Mom right? Will all be forgiven if I ept Ashley¡¯s love? Will the brothers be reunited if I sacrifice my happiness?


    Leaning by the expresso machine, I let out a frustrated breath and weigh my options. I can¡¯t leave the mansion at any cost until my revenge dish is properly served. Till then, I owe it to myself to do whatever it takes to get to that point.


    Falling in love was never the n. It¡¯s a distraction I have to nip in the bud. However, if I ept Ashley¡¯s love, I might be coaxed to have a child with him which is something I can¡¯t do. I can¡¯t have a baby for the same family that¡¯splicit in the murder of my family. No!


    My phone rings.


    "Aunt?"


    "What is this about you and Ashley having a baby? Are you pregnant? I thought your contract was for a year with no sex implied? Where did this baby talke from? I hope you¡¯re not seriously considering it. What if they cast you away with a baby in hand? What will you do then? You better not fall for their lies." She goes on ranting.


    A small smile tugs my lips as I listen to my aunt being a hypocrite. She doesn¡¯t give two fucks about me. She just doesn¡¯t want me to have a baby for the Rollins family before Kira does. I am certain they were embarrassed to not have received an invitation to mother¡¯s birthday party. That was entirely my doing.


    "Demi? Are you there? Are you listening?"


    I hang up and sip my coffee. When my phone rings again, I cuss under my breath and yell at aunt.


    "I am not interested in your half-baked motherly advice so just..."


    "Are you really having a baby for that family?" The icy edge of Liam¡¯s voice is a low warning. I double check the number before replying.


    "No, I am not. Disregard what the media is saying." I hate how weak and pathetic I sound right now.


    "How am I supposed to do that when my informant gives me less information than the media does? Have you been holding back on me, Demi? Are you growing cold feet?"


    "Liam, don¡¯t start with this."


    "What happened between you and Ashton?"


    "What?"


    "Don¡¯t pretend you didn¡¯t hear me. I¡¯ve got eyes and ears in that mansion, Demi, since you¡¯re obviously losing your way. I warned you about catching feelings for those brothers but you pretended to be superwoman and impervious to their charms. Now, you¡¯re jeopardizing a six years long revenge n for a stupid kiss and a potential fuck? Are you really that daft?"


    "Don¡¯t talk to me like that."


    "I will talk to you exactly like that so you open your fucking eyes to the reality. You think you¡¯re special? You think these people love you? News sh, they don¡¯t! You¡¯re not indispensable, Demi. You think these brothers are fighting for you? Ha! They¡¯re fighting for who gets to bed you first. You¡¯re just a fresh pussy to them, nothing more. How could you forget what Olivia is going through because of that family? How could you forget about Tobias and how the details of his death were carefully hidden away? Those people are pure evil. They¡¯ll stick a knife in your throat and dump your body without anyone knowing if they find out who you really are."


    I tighten my fist around my mug and steady my breath as one of my colleagueses in to grab a candy bar for an energy boost.


    "Those people are using you, Demi. Do you think your mother-inw¡¯s birthday wish was her wish? Let me shock you. ASHLEY TOLD HER TO SAY THOSE EXACT WORDS!"


    "What?"


    "My spy in his office overheard him thanking his mother for doing as he asked. You can¡¯t trust those people. They¡¯re fucking liars and only look out for themselves. You¡¯re just a pawn in their game. For all we know, this ongoing beef between the brothers could be staged to pressure you into doing something you don¡¯t want to do, to box you into a corner."


    I think about mother now, and how she made an offer that was very simr to the same thing Ashley had said to me; to give Ashley a chance for the next six months. Could it all be a lie?


    "They¡¯re using you so USE THEM, Demi. Turn the tables on them. I can¡¯t achieve my goal without you. I need you to be YOU, Demi."


    The phone gets ripped out of my hand. When I turn around, Asher is standing there, staring at the caller who is named Charlie.


    "Asher!" I yell loudly as he ces the phone on his ear. I hope I was loud enough for Liam to hear and disconnect the call. Asher pulls the phone away from his ear and stares at me. Thankfully, the call was disconnected in time. I wipe the small tears in my eyes.


    "Can I have my phone back, sir?"


    "You¡¯re taking personal calls during working hours? Do you think your father owns this ce?"


    At the mention of my dad, hell freezes over in my head. I re up at him with murderous intents. Asher remains unfazed by the look in my eyes.


    "If I see you on one of these calls again, I¡¯m smashing your cheap phone to the ground. I dare you to test me." He chucks my phone on the kitchen table and walks away.


    I want to kill him so badly. I wish someone would. He is such a jerk.


    During my lunch break, I take a drive to clear my head. Everything Liam had revealed to me continue to y in a loop. Ashley asked his mother to make such a demand of me in public?


    I recall with contempt how he took me back to my room and tried tofort me, how he sent Anna over and even tended to us all night. Why would he do something like that? Is he so certain that I wouldn¡¯t give him a chance unless he gets up to dirty tricks like this?


    And mother? Why would she encourage him? She brought me here to straighten her sons but she¡¯s the one encouraging their wicked acts?


    An idea urs to me. I call Ashton¡¯s personal assistant and alter my voice to inquire about a car purchase. When Gris confirms that Ashton is not avable to finalize the paperwork at the moment, I take it to mean Ashton is not in the office.


    With that, I make my way to the race track. I know I am taking a huge risk. I already turned Ashley down for lunch. I can¡¯t get caught around Ashton or it would look bad.


    I park a few yards away before going in. From the tenth row on the bleachers where I slide in, I scan the sparse cars on the racetracks. It¡¯s difficult to tell where Ashton is; if he is racing or merely watching.


    I watch the progression of the race for a while, craning my neck and squinting my eyes to try and make out the face of every driver that steps out or into a car. After thirty minutes of trying and failing to find him, I am done.


    My phone vibrates in my pocket. I ignore Ashley¡¯s call and give Ashton another five minutes of my time. Where the hell is he? Disappointed, I make my way out of there. A loud screeching sound draws my attention to the racetrack where a red Ferrari has just collided with a metal post. Smoke rises to the air from the bumper. A few people rush over and help the driver out. He doesn¡¯t appear badly injured as he refuses first aid.


    It¡¯s the way he wrenches the helmet off his head to ruffle his hair with his hands. The sunray glints on his mane, illuminating the gold tresses. I stand frozen as he strides purposefully away from the tracks and towards the bleachers.


    A woman, M, pulls him into her arms and holds him there a while before passing him a bottle of water. She is dressed like him, in the same muted shades of grey and ck. When did they start coordinating outfits?


    She whispers something in his ear and he nods. Then she whirls to point at something. Unfortunately, it¡¯s in my direction. Immediately, I turn my back to them. I had thought I was far enough but apparently, I measured wrong. If I can recognize them from where I am standing on the tenth row, then surely they can recognize me too from the first row, even if theirs is two columns to my right.


    I am also just realizing that a pink jumpsuit and heels is not the right thing to wear to a racetrack, especially if you¡¯re hoping to keep a low profile and not get spotted by familiar faces. With my back to them, I hastily head for the exit. I am only a few meters away from the parking lot when I see Ashal and Ashley locking their cars and heading in my direction. Quick as a whish, I duck behind a jeep with my heart pounding in my chest. What the fuck?


    "Are you okay?" I hear one of them shout in a loud voice. I dare to raise my head to peep from behind the jeep. It appears to be Ashal skipping towards Ashton and M who must be on their way back to work. Ashton has a band aid on his forehead.


    "He¡¯s fine. Minor scratch." M rifies.


    Ashley reaches them and watches while Ashal inspects the cut.


    "I¡¯m fine." Ashton repeats, moving his head away from Ashal¡¯s concerned hands.


    "You better be." Ashley adds patting his brother¡¯s shoulder. Ashton pulls him in for a hug. M and Ashal trade smiles. All I can think about is Liam¡¯s words. Are they just making up or has it all been a lie to my face?


    Later that night, I keep tossing and turning on my bed, unable to catch some sleep. My mind is in a great turmoil. I have been such a fool. I should have listened to Liam the whole time. These brothers have been lying to my face. They¡¯ve been using me.


    I wipe a few tears from my eyes as I leap off the bed and put on my right robe. I have to ask Ashley to his face about the birthday wish thing. I want to see him lie through his teeth.


    Liam¡¯s information is usually watertight. If he said it, then it can only be true. However, I am willing to give Ashley the benefit of the doubt and onest chance to redeem himself because of the tough decision I am about to make.


    When I reach his room, I don¡¯t bother knocking. I find in writhing in bed, his face coated in sweat despite the chill weather. His window is ajar and the night air is making the curtains flutter.


    Ashley is muttering something incoherent in his sleep as he twitches his bedsheet, tossing and turning. I turn on his bedsidemp and true enough, it¡¯s just as I suspected. He is in the throes of a nightmare.


    "Ashley, wake up!" I nudge him. When my hands make contact with his neck, his temperature is through the roof. I dash into his bathroom and return with some water to ssh him awake.


    "Wake up, Ashley!" he jerks awake, panting heavily and crying like a child. When his eyes find mine, he embraces me tightly.


    "I d-didn¡¯t k-kill h-him. I d-didn¡¯t kill h-him. He¡¯s a-after me." He chants like a mantra. I take his face in my hands and realize he isn¡¯t fully awake.


    "Who? Who didn¡¯t you kill?"


    "T-To-bias. I d-didn¡¯t k-kill T-Tobias."


    "Who killed him, Ashley?" He casts his eyes down but I grab his face roughly and make him look up at me. "Who killed Tobias?"


    Tears stream down his face as he moans in terror. "Ashton. A-Ashton killed T-Tobias."

 Chapter 77

    <h4>Chapter 77: Chapter 77</h4>


    ASHLEY


    The warm rays of sunlight nt across my face, stirring me awake. I rub my aching head and prop myself up on the bed with a small yawn. A little frown creases my forehead at the sight of the brightness of the sun. Despite being my own boss, I still hate goingte to work.


    I barely have time to register my annoyance when a small, purring soundes from my bed. I rub my eyes in shock at the sight of Demi sleeping soundly in my bed. When did shee into my room? What happened between us? Was she really here the entire night?


    Something warm blooms in my chest as I watch her sleep. It reminds me of the first night we shared together in her room months back.


    shes of my night start clouding my memory; the nightmare and the gibberish I can¡¯t recall saying. Bile fills me as my eyes droop in embarrassment. I never wanted anyone to see me like that, after the throes of an intense nightmare, least of all Demi. I feel the tug of shame now. What must she have thought seeing my cry like a wimp?


    Her eyes flutter open, startling me. While I slide off the bed and pull on my robe, she merely sits up and yawns softly.


    "Am I dreaming? This can¡¯t be real."


    My utterance makes her chuckle a bit. How can someone look so cute at the crack of dawn? I think to myself. Shees around the bed to feel the temperature of my neck and stroke my face.


    "You gave me a frightst night. I¡¯m d you¡¯re all better."


    So, that¡¯s all it was? She was only being sweet and nice because of the nightmare I had? I close a hand over hers on my cheek and let my eyes linger on her pretty face.


    "I¡¯m sorry about that. I didn¡¯t mean to scare you like that."


    "You don¡¯t have to feel embarrassed. I hate that you hid that from me. You shouldn¡¯t have to endure that alone."


    She continues to streak her hands across my face while I stifle the urge to pinch myself awake from this good dream. What exactly happened betweenst night and this morning to make Demi toofortable around me? We are in my bedroom and she hasn¡¯t made up an excuse to flee in over two minutes!


    "Forget the rubbish I must have said. I wasn¡¯t in the right frame of mind."


    I wrap a hand around her waist but she doesn¡¯t flinch. Is this an alternate universe where she likes me instead of Ashton? "What and what did I say anyway to make you so receptive this morning?"


    She breaks into a small smile. "I don¡¯t recall much of it. I was in too much of a panic trying to give you a cold waterpress to stabilize your ring temperature." Her eyes soften with concern. "Do the nightmares happen often?"


    Would she spend more time with me if I said yes?


    "Not exactly but they¡¯ve gotten worse and frequent since the Shay Woodley strikes. I¡¯ll be fine."


    She surprises me by brushing the pad of her thumb along my cheek before nting a soft kiss on my forehead. My pulse hammers in my throat at the lustful glint in her eyes. I skim a finger over her ruffled hair.


    My gut churns delightfully when she throws her head back with a soft sigh. Impatient with desire, I capture my lips to hers in a sensual kiss The shock of her returning my kiss sends res of heat straight to my center.


    My hand moves in, mming her body into mine and rocking against the warmth of her. Slowly, the kiss grows rough, almost brutally hot as she kneads the muscles on my back and moans with pleasure. My breath shudders in back in my lungs when she finally jerks back, her face flushed and her lips swollen.


    Panting, I blink to clear my vision. I was seconds away from ripping her clothes and pulling her down to the bed to impregnate her this morning.


    "I¡¯m sorry. Was that too fast?"


    "No, it was just fine." She shrugs her night robe that had almost slid off her body tighter and secures the knot by her side. I can¡¯t tell if she¡¯s shy or pissed with the way she¡¯s actively avoiding my eyes now so I go closer and wrap my arms around her chest.


    "Please tell me that this isn¡¯t a dream."


    "It isn¡¯t."


    I whirl her towards me and cup her chin. Her eyes ze over with something so unholy I have to fasten my mouth to hers again, briefly, teasingly. Again, she wees my touch. It¡¯s not a dream after all. She¡¯s really here in my arms and open to satisfying my craving.


    I remember when Ni had called my phone, screaming obscenities over the way I had treated her in my office because of Demi. I was back in Brellis so I knew she was talking about Ashton. She had used my secret door to get in and he must have mistaken her for my ckmailer.


    What I found interesting about Nic¡¯s version of events was the part where Demi wanted to w her eyes out for kissing Ashton. I didn¡¯t realize her feelings for him had grown that strong so I knew I had to act fast or she could very well cross the line with my brother before our contract is up.


    I am not sure if it¡¯s a matter of pride or jealousy but I can¡¯t stand her yielding to another man (my brother) while she¡¯s married to me. I should be the subject of her affection. I should be the man in her sex dreams. It just seems fair since I was the one forced to marry her when no one else wanted her. Call me petty and insecure but Demi will only be mine as long as she has my ring on her finger.


    I¡¯ve had my fair share of torture from romantic rtionships. I will no longer condone any woman making a fool out of me. I won¡¯t allow Demi call me her husband in public while masturbating to Ashton¡¯s name in private. I can¡¯t take it.


    Hence, I ran my thoughts about bonding with Demi by mother and managed to rally her support for our union. Now, mother thinks it¡¯s all her own idea and continues to do whatever she can in her position to draw my wife and I closer. That was why she did as I asked at her birthday party.


    I hate that I have to use my mom to achieve my selfish dreams but it¡¯s the fastest way I know how. If I am to rely on my personal charm, it would take Demi forever to give me a double take since she¡¯s not like every other girl. Given how deep Demi¡¯s feelings for Ashton runs, I have no choice but to be fast with my ns. That is where momes in.


    I just need her to keep poking Demi and I in the right direction that allows us to enjoy some intimacy in our empty marriage. I am certain that if Demi gives me a chance to be a proper husband, she¡¯ll fall in love with me too and soon, Ashton will be a faint smear in her memory.


    "Is that a yes to my offer? Please say yes and give me a chance to make the next six months unforgettable for us."


    "It¡¯s a maybe."


    I don¡¯t mind the hesitance in her eyes. It¡¯s not a t No so that¡¯s a huge progress. She holds my gaze.


    "I¡¯m willing to give you a chance, Ashley. I really am but I have a condition."


    "What¡¯s that?"


    "Our rtionship initially began with a lie when my marriage im was denied by you all. I want us to start this new Chapter on a clean te. I just need you to truthfully verify something for me."


    "Verify what?"


    "Is Asher truly the brother whom I met at the Blue Cove andter got married to that wild night?"


    ***


    Clinging to control, I watch her curious eyes watching me intensely. Why wouldn¡¯t she let this go? Why is she pressed to find the man from that night?


    I also silently wonder why Asher had lied to her about being <i>the one.</i> What game was he trying to y with my wife? What if Demi truly has a thing for the guy from that night and wants to pursue it. Could Asher have been meaning to manipte her that way by making false ims so she lets her guard down around him? I¡¯ll have to ask him.


    I want to tell her it¡¯s me but that could also backfire. Instead of being swarmed by love, I could be the subject of her hatred for denying her that day.


    "Can I ask why you¡¯re obsessed with finding out this truth?"


    "No, you can¡¯t."


    Fierce, are we?


    "That seems a little unfair. Why are you the only one entitled to ask questions?"


    "I am not entitled to anything. I didn¡¯t say you had to answer. You reserve the right to answer or not like I just did. However, answering is the only way we move forward with our conversation and should you choose to answer, I am particr about your truthfulness on the matter."


    "You wouldn¡¯t believe a word I say anyway. This is merely an exercise in futility."


    "If you give the right name and I confirm it, I¡¯d believe you."


    "Confirm it?"


    "You¡¯re stalling." She slips on her flip flops and tries heading for the door when I grip her shoulder.


    "What happens to us, to what we just shared, if you don¡¯t get the answer you¡¯re looking for?" Mom had already hinted at Demi¡¯s readiness to forego my offer. "What happens to the offer I made to you, Demi, about our future in this marriage? Are you really going to throw all of that away?" I spin her to face me and cup her chin.


    "I know you¡¯re worried and scared of the change. Trust me, I am too but at the same time, I am willing to try, for you."


    "Why? Why do you want a piece of my heart now, Ashley? You have Ni and all the women you could ever want to have fun with. How am I supposed to believe you want to throw all of that away for a few months with me?" Something flits across her eyes. "Did you suddenly realize you want more from this marriage after you saw Ashton and I? Is that where all of this is stemming from?"


    "My desire for more out of this marriage doesn¡¯t stem from anything you had with Ashton. If anything, it¡¯s inspired by it. I was always ready from the outset to give you whatever you wanted from this union. I made a lot of changes you didn¡¯t have to ask for. You were the one who had reservations and restrictions from the jump. I thought you weren¡¯t interested in my brothers and I and you would never allow yourself to feel love for any of us."


    I drop back on the bed with my head in my hands. "I know we don¡¯t exactly have glowing reputations in our different dealings with women and for a conservative bride, I respected your decision. Demi, my feelings for you is not entirely limited to sex. I am not a fucking animal. I¡¯ve always been intrigued by you and wanted to know you better. I just held myself back because I didn¡¯t want to upset your boundaries. Imagine my surprise when I started noticing your affections for Ashton and his for you. I felt like if I had been bold enough to try and tell you, maybe what you feel for him would actually be for me right now."


    "Ashley, there is nopetition..."


    "I know that."


    "Listen to me...."


    "I will but I need you to listen to me first, Demi." Up on my feet, I stare deeply in her eyes. "I want you. I want us. Forgive me if I am not willing to give any name regarding the man you met at the Blue Cove because I am skeptical about how you would react if you knew the truth. There¡¯s already too much tension around the house, around my brothers and I to risk another strain in our rtionship by breaking a promise."


    "You guys made a promise to keep the truth from me?"


    "That night wasn¡¯t just about you, Demi. Do you know why the man you met was in such a bad state that he was getting so drunk? Getting tangled up with you wasn¡¯t something he did in his right senses. If the roles were reversed and the stranger you identally married while wastedes to assert his im over you the very next morning while you¡¯re still nursing a hangover and can barely recall what a wild night you had, how eager would you be to ept him? Have you ever thought about it like that?"


    She hasn¡¯t. I can tell from the way the anger in her eyes lighten to surprise and pity.


    I cup her cheeks. "I am more than prepared to give you everything you deserve. Why won¡¯t you just give me a chance, Demi? Why this steep condition? Can you really not see me as anything more than a phnderer?"


    She pulls away from me. "I have to go."


    I watch her leave and stifle the urge to punch a wall. Did she seriously just walk out on me after everything I just vomited? I literally just wore my heart on a sleeve and this is what I get? Scoffing, I run my hand through my hair.


    "So much for being a nice guy." I mutter irritably. If she likes jerks and assholes, then that¡¯s exactly what she¡¯ll get.


    ***


    This is why I hate ying the nice guy. You get your heart stomped on repeatedly. Your kindness is thrown back in your face. Your respect is elusive even in your own home. Good girls always end up gravitating towards the bad guys. They love them. They secretly pine for them.


    Maybe I should have been gruff from the start. Then an ice queen like Demi might have had her walls shattered around me instead of Ashton. I wouldn¡¯t have been bothered about their feelings for each other if I wasn¡¯tpelled to take her as a wife. I was dragged into this mess and now my ego is suffering.


    I sometimes resent mom for her decision but it¡¯s easier to me Demi for my frustration. Well, I am roped in now but I refuse to be the butt of a cosmic joke twice over. Nic already dealt with my heart and my pride as a man once before. There will be no repeats.


    I am not going to be like Ashal. I won¡¯t beg a woman to stay with me when I can have anyone I want. The only problem is that Demi is the one I want right now. I don¡¯t care if the reason I want to attain her is because I don¡¯t want my brother to take her from me. Like I said, I don¡¯t care. I won¡¯t let him.


    But Demi is more stubborn than I envisaged. I still won¡¯t beg her but I will secretly pull such strings that she¡¯ll be forced to realize that my offer is the closest thing she can get to the whirlwind romance she probably envisions with Ashton, especially while she¡¯s still a member of our prestigious family.


    "What are you going to do now?" Asher asks me over the phone.


    "I don¡¯t know. I really have no clue. I don¡¯t know why she won¡¯t let it go. Why is she obsessed with finding the guy from that night? I can¡¯t tell her anything about it because I am not sure how she means to react. It could be counterproductive to my future with her."


    "I understand."


    I gulp in some air. "Asher, she mentioned that you told her you were the guy from that night. Why did you tell her that?"


    Asher exhales. "I was trying to get her to tell me what she means to say to him. Despite my efforts, she still didn¡¯t budge. She suspected I was lying and refused to say anything to me." He sighs.


    "What would you do if you were in my position and your wife was in love with your brother?"


    "She¡¯s just your wife on paper, Ashley but Ashton is our brother and he will remain so for life. Demi was just a temp n, remember that."


    "I know but what would you do if you desperately wanted her to redirect her affections towards you?"


    "Why don¡¯t you ask Ashal. The two of you are in the same boat after all. He figured out a sick way to win back his wife¡¯s loyalty. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll have some nice ideas to run by you." He hisses out a breath. "I¡¯m sorry man but I can¡¯t in good conscience devise a n for you to keep Demi when that runs contrary to my wish for our family. Look what she¡¯s done to you and Ashton. I can never forgive her for that and I¡¯ll do my best to kick her out. You better have all the fun you want while she¡¯s still around."


    "I can¡¯t fault you for the way you feel. Bros over Babes."


    "Bros over babes." He repeats before hanging up. A gentle knock on my door gets my attention.


    "Sir?"


    "Yes, Levon. Come on in." I wave in the leader of my strategic nningmittee to bounce off some ideas with me regarding our promotion ns. We get to workparing notes. After we are done, Levon pauses by my door on his way out.


    "Anything else?"


    "I¡¯m sorry Mr. Ashley but I couldn¡¯t help but overhear your call earlier. Seems like you are having trouble winning your wife¡¯s affection because it¡¯s already set on someone else."


    My fingers tighten around my pen as I watch him through my sses.


    "You don¡¯t know what you heard, Levon." My low voice is edged with a warning.


    "I understand boss. Mum¡¯s the word but I really want to help. Can I just make a suggestion?"


    My ego wants me to tell him I got it but I am too desperate to ignore help. I gesture him forward and hees over to whisper in my ear.


    "Let me know if you need more help after that." He says with a smile that mirrors the one on my face.


    ***


    "An award ceremony?" Demi asks me in disbelief.


    "Yes. I was nominated. I have to make an appearance. I can¡¯t bail or send a proxy after my unusual absence at the G. People will start talking again."


    "Ashley, this is..."


    "Impromptu. I know and that¡¯s why you don¡¯t have toe with me if you don¡¯t want to. It¡¯s outside of the state. I won¡¯t be back for three days. I also want to go because I have aunching up and I need this to boost promotion for my new collection. I was hinted by a reliable source that I am actually the winner of the award."


    I stop throwing things into my suitcase to give Demi a reassuring smile.


    "It¡¯s too much to ask and too sudden, I get it. I just wanted to let you know so you make your decision rather than assuming you would say no." She bites her lips nervously. I know she¡¯s afraid of sharing a room with me for two nights.


    "Maybe we can go some other time?"


    I chuckle at that. "Maybe. This could have been a fun, getaway trip but we¡¯ll probably be badgered by the media about baby talk. I think it¡¯s best for you stay back too."


    I can tell from the corner of my eye that she¡¯s contemting something.


    "Is Nic going to be there?"


    "Yeah, she also got nominated in a different category. Her new boyfriend might apany her." I pull open a drawer and run a hand over my watch collection while Demi broods.


    "Is mom going to be mad that I let you go off on your own?"


    "She¡¯ll probably be disappointed but I wouldn¡¯t say mad."


    I should probably go with you then. I can¡¯t stand her being disappointed at me again."


    I smile and pluck a few watches to take with me. Whirling, I arch a brow at her. "Don¡¯t force yourself toe along if you¡¯re worried about mom. I¡¯ll just tell her I didn¡¯t inform you because I was in a haste. It¡¯s fine."


    "I¡¯ll go pack my bag."


    "No. It¡¯s fine, Demi. You don¡¯t have to. I¡¯ve been to these events countless times alone. It¡¯s not everyone¡¯s cup of tea. I told you I¡¯ll handle mother so rx." Her shoulders sag with relief at my reassurance. She helps me put my things together and very early the next morning, I leave.


    I didn¡¯t lie, well not about everything. The award show is indeed happening and I was nominated as the fashion icon of the year. I only lied about wanting Demi toe with me and needing the show to promote my new collection.


    Levon was right. I can¡¯t get Demi if I keep fussing around her. I need to give her some space to figure out what she wants while I go about my life and make it painfully obvious that I will still be good without her in it. It¡¯s good enough that I have made my intention clear. The ball is in her court now.


    Women are mostly thrilled by men they can¡¯t have. In my case, Demi considers me within her grasp but Ashton, out of her reach. I have to remind her that she equally has to work for my attention. Hence, I will be with her but I won¡¯t be hers, until she wants me to.


    I took Levon¡¯s idea and gave it a wicked spin. I won¡¯t be giving Demi any unnecessary attention or importance, at least not ostensibly but through my actions, Demi will bepelled to stick to me like glue. That is why I ensured that I show up to the award a loner. I¡¯m going to use the same forces that brought us together to keep us together; media pressure.


    At the red carpet, in my custom-tailored suit, I pose for the cameras with a sexy smile. My hands are in open view where my wedding ring is noticeably absent. I continue to strike poses that will ensure that minute detail isn¡¯t missed.


    That night, the headlines sound like music to my ears.


    <i>¡¯Billionaire and fashion Icon of the year, Ashley Rollins shows up to award ceremony alone and without his wedding ring: Trouble in paradise?¡¯</i>


    <i>¡¯Is Ashley Rollins having a baby or having a beef with his wife, Demi Rollins?¡¯</i>


    The divorce rumors continue to gain momentum across social media. People even pull up clips of Demi¡¯s reaction when mother dered her birthday wish and start reading her bodynguage. There are clips of us leaving the birthday celebration in a hurry too. The reactions and interpretations are wild. I can only imagine how Demi must be feeling reading these. She¡¯s going to have a meltdown for sure.


    I don¡¯t feel bad that I had to resort to this. Demi gave me no choice. Maybe this way she¡¯lle running into my arms to prove to the people of Danvarr that we¡¯re still very much a couple.


    I spend the night smoothing the feathers that have been ruffled by the incident and exining to my parents that forgetting my ring was an oversight. Then I defend Demi¡¯s absence from the event. When I manage to get all that out of the way, I sink into bed and shut my eyes.


    My doorbell chimes as the room service I ordered arrives. After gifting a heavy tip, I sit down to eat. When I uncover my dishes, I notice a note sticking out from under the bowl of soup. Nervously, I reach for it and unfold the paper.


    [Hello, Ashley. How did you like the note in the gift box I sent you? Shall I send another? Shay.]


    I ignore my racing heart to focus on the text. Did she say note, as in one note? Demi said there were two notes!

 Chapter 78

    <h4>Chapter 78: Chapter 78</h4>


    ASHTON


    "Come in mother, please." I told her after Demi raced off to find Ashley. My heart was thumping wildly in my chest as mother maintained her position just outside my door. The disappointment on her face faded to anger as she finally stepped in and shut the door behind her.


    "Don¡¯t." She stopped me harshly with a raised hand when I tried to apologize. "Don¡¯t stand there and act like you weren¡¯t prepared to sleep with your brother¡¯s wife if we hadn¡¯t interrupted you two."


    "Mother..."


    "Ashton, this is a huge shock. I would never have expected this from you. You are not supposed to be <i>that</i> brother!" She leered at me. "You shouldn¡¯t covet any man¡¯s wife, least of all your brother¡¯s!"


    "I am not, mother. I...we just..." I ran a hand over my face and realized my eyes were still moist so I wiped them and sniffled. "I wasn¡¯t in the right frame of mind. I would never intentionally hurt Ashley. I am deeply sorry, please." She looked at me with a churning mix of anger and pity. "Please mom, I wasn¡¯t trying to wreck my brother¡¯s marriage. I wouldn¡¯t. It will never happen again."


    "You can¡¯t love her."


    "I don¡¯t." I tried my best to sound convincing. "That meant nothing. Demi and I are nothing."


    "Does she know that? It didn¡¯t look like it. She appeared to have you confused with Ashely, her <i>real</i> husband!" Mother stressed with piercing eyes, then with a low voice edged with pain. "<i>You promised me, Ashton."</i>


    "I¡¯m sorry. It was a weak moment but it won¡¯t happen again." She didn¡¯t believe me and simply walked out of my room. I sank down to the floor and held my head in my hands.


    That night had been an extremely hard one for me. I had to suffer in silence as I processed my emotions regarding the dumbfounding revtions about our adoption. Coupled with that, I also had to endure the silent treatment from my family because of what happened between Demi and I.


    Once again, I felt depressed and alone but I couldn¡¯t let myself wallow in my pain. Wallowing in my pain led to everything that transpired with Demi in the first ce.


    I shouldn¡¯t have allowed her into my room while I was in such a vulnerable state. I knew the risk and I took it, and ended up breaking everyone¡¯s trust.


    Though a few days have gone by, even mother¡¯s birthday, things haven¡¯t exactly gotten better between Ashley and I. We share cursory greetings and act civil around each other but he declines my calls, texts and invites to talk. ording to him, he isn¡¯t ready to have that talk with me.


    Asher and Ashal have also tried to intervene but for some reason, Ashley isn¡¯t ready to quash our beef. It¡¯s unlike him. I don¡¯t mean to justify my actions but I know for a fact that he isn¡¯t in love with Demi. Dragging out his anger, though justified as he is her legal husband, seems surprising to me and leaves me wondering why he won¡¯t bury the hatchet.


    Everything has just been a lot on me. I wish I can disappear for a few days to clear my head a bit, especially with mother¡¯s birthday wish ringing incessantly in my head. It¡¯s none of my business but I hate that she¡¯s trying to force Demi to do something she clearly didn¡¯t sign up for. Did mother do it for Ashley? I wonder what Demi is enduring because of our kiss.


    She seems fine from a distance but for how long? When mother gets wrapped up in the love life of any of her sons to the point where she tries to forcefully y cupid or force his eptance by the woman such son fancies, it can get messy, like Olivia¡¯s case.


    Olivia refused to give in to Ashal and her life only grew difficult. I am not sure I can stand Demi suffering like that. I need to make sure Ashley isn¡¯t nning on forcing anything Demi doesn¡¯t want.


    When I try to see him, I am informed that he travelled for an award show. I don¡¯t know if I can wait until he returns so I damn the consequences and go talk to mother. One look in my eyes and she dismisses the servants redecorating the second living room.


    "Ashton, are you okay?"


    "I¡¯m fine, mom. I have some questions." I pin her with a firm look while I take a seat next to her. "It¡¯s about Ashley and Demi."


    As expected, a frown mars her face.


    "What do you want to know about them?" Her tone is harsh now. I understand she doesn¡¯t appreciate my fixation with this particr subject matter. I edge close to her.


    "It¡¯s not what you think. I just need you rify a few things for me." I wait till she mirrors my curious gaze. "I have some concerns about your birthday wish. I will be happy for my brother if he wees a child with his wife but mother, I hope Demi isn¡¯t under any kind of pressure to fulfil your birthday wish aspensation for what transpired between us."


    Mom reclines on the sofa. "You think Demi is being pressured to have a baby with Ashley?" A thin smile forms on her lips. "I have forgiven Demi, and so has Ashley. They¡¯re both working together to strengthen their bond. Demi isn¡¯t under any kind of pressure. I merely voiced my wish because I know a baby just might bring them much closer than ever before."


    "Does this mean their contract will no longer hold?" I keep my breath even and my gaze steady as I ask. "A baby is too much reality for a contract marriage." Mother frowns at my outburst and I quickly paraphrase. "I don¡¯t want a repeat of Olivia Dunn, mother. That¡¯s basically what I am trying to say."


    Her eyes widen with shock.


    "I can¡¯t help but see a pattern here."


    "Enough, Ashton."


    I stare at her with red eyes as I utter the next words. "If she wants to be with Ashley, she should. If she wants to have a family with him, she should. But she should not be put under any kind of pressure whatsoever just to gain yours and Ashley¡¯s forgiveness. Remember, we can¡¯t hide her from the people of Danvarr anymore. She¡¯s their sweetheart now so for the sake of the family, let¡¯s treat her that way."


    Mother yells at me as I stand to leave.


    "Did you just threaten me, Ash? Is that what that was?"


    "It was a warning mother. I won¡¯t beplicit in another woman being kept against her will. I won¡¯t let Demi suffer unjustly just to stroke my brother¡¯s ego so whatever you¡¯re helping Ashley do, make sure he genuinely wins his wife¡¯s heart. Trust me, it¡¯ll be best for everyone if he does. If he fails to and resorts to cheap antics to force Demi¡¯s hand, I won¡¯t let it slide."


    Mother knows exactly what I mean. I have tried my best to ignore the guilt I feel over the way Olivia is being treated. She is trapped in a loveless marriage that was forced on her.


    At first, I understood the need to protect the family¡¯s image which she sought to ruin by exposing Ashal¡¯s ailment. But then, she understood how powerful we are and promised not to talk if only we set her free. Mother had refused her because Ashal had professed undying love for her. Olivia has been stuck with him ever since.


    Her family have barelyid eyes on her in two years. I just don¡¯t think it¡¯s fair to keep people against their wish, especially when they have made it abundantly clear that their heart is set on someone else no matter how hard you try.


    I was d to hear that Ashal went on a blind date. Innately, I hoped he would find someone else-preferably a woman from a reputable family who cannot be hidden away in his penthouse without an rm being raised-and fall in love with her.


    I had silently hoped to free Olivia from him. Any kind of love that posits to foist itself on others is an unhealthy obsession. Love should be a choice each partner is entitled to make for themselves.


    When I turn to leave mother to her thoughts, Ashal is leaning by the door.


    ***


    The rumor of Ashley¡¯s divorce fills the news in the evening. I watch the videos of the award show, from his red carpet to him receiving his award and even his interviews afterward. It just seems a little too convenient that he suddenly forgot his wedding band. He always wears it before leaving the house. He is very conscious of the paparazzi hounding him wherever he goes out so why this mistake all of a sudden?


    My mind wheels back to my warning. Mother had had a guilty look in her eyes. Is this what they nned? Are they trying to pressure Demi indirectly? I chuck my phone aside.


    "Ashley, you¡¯re better than this." I mutter. I am disappointed in him for resorting to this.


    Mother is ying her own part by giving Demi an earful for not escorting her husband to the show. I frown at the disy going on from atop the stairs and begin to make my way down when my brothers ost me.


    "Get the fuck out of my way."


    "Best to stay out of it, Ash." Asher tells me, tucking an armpanionably through mine and herding me back upstairs. Ashal is quiet and brooding too as he stands behind Asher with his hands jammed in his pocket.


    He hasn¡¯t said a word to me ever since he overheard my conversation with mother about my disapproval of his rtionship with his wife. I can tell by his eyes that he has a lot to say to me now. For that reason, I let them steer me away.


    "It¡¯s not what it looks like. I¡¯m not trying to interfere because of any feelings I might have for her. Demi doesn¡¯t deserve the mes being heaped on her and I just wanted to point that out."


    "Actually Ashton, it¡¯s exactly what it looks like. You¡¯re trying to interfere because you¡¯re in love with her." Asher counters.


    "Yeah, you sure have a lot of pride for someone who¡¯s harboring feelings for his own brother¡¯s wife!"


    I whip my head at Ashal. "You say something?"


    He leaps up on his feet, ignoring Asher¡¯s advice to keep his temper in check. "You¡¯ve never had to deal with a woman¡¯s rejection, have you? You¡¯ve never had to watch the woman you love nursing feelings for your own brother. How could you possibly understand how desperate that can make a man feel?" He leers at me and Asher. "You two have had better luck than Ashley and I. Not only do we have demons of our own to battle and endless therapy sessions to endure, the women we want don¡¯t even want us back. Instead, they think of our brothers when we kiss them and loathe us for not being the brother they want. DO YOU GUYS KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT KIND OF PAIN?"


    "Ashal"


    "DON¡¯T YOU DARE CALL MY NAME." He snaps at me. Asher is already up on his feet just in case he has to knock someone out.


    "How dare you, Ashton? You are in no position to judge anyone, not me or Ashley. So, what if he had to stage this little incident at the award show just to get his wife to acknowledge their marriage? Did you expect him to sit on his hands and not fight for her? I can¡¯t believe you. I KNOW EXACTLY WHAT ASHLEY IS GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW AND I CAN¡¯T BLAME HIM FOR HIS ACTIONS. He was fine upholding the marriage contract with Demi. They made it to four months until you allowed Demi into your heart and made her believe she had a shot with you. What man can take such an insult to his ego when his wife openly shows more affection for his own brother than for him?"


    "Calm down, Ashal. Ashton realizes his mistake."


    "Don¡¯t speak for him, Asher."


    "I am sorry, Ashal." I quickly intervene. "You¡¯re right, I have never been in that position. I have no right to judge you or Ashley. I am sorry, bro. I didn¡¯t mean it like that." I add, referring to the words he overheard me saying to mother. He backs away when I edge closer.


    "I love my wife dearly. I haven¡¯t let any other woman in ever since we were wed. I am prepared to give her everything, Ashton, everything just to have her genuinely return my affection. I don¡¯t mean to hurt her. You know I can barely control that."


    "I do."


    "We do." Asher adds.


    "Then why am I so wrong for her when the man she wants..." he trails off to stare at Asher, "doesn¡¯t want to give her the love or the home she desires? Why am I so wrong for her when all I want is her happiness?"


    I have a few thoughts on that but I shelve my response and focus on patronizing him. He¡¯s too close to exploding in anger.


    "Back away from me, both of you. I am not a fucking time bomb. I know when I am close enough and what to do to diffuse it so don¡¯t treat me like a fucking trainwreck waiting to happen!"


    We both oblige him and back away respectively. I feel really bad when he storms away. My rtionship with one brother is already in shambles and now Ashal?


    "Way to go, Ashton."


    "Just leave, Asher. I can¡¯t pick a fight with you too." But he lingers still.


    "He¡¯s right, you know. Both of them are alike in their struggles, as we are in ours. Ashley confided in him when you got in a lip lock with Demi and I understand why. Ashal has been in that unfortunate position before. I thought you woulde to me for my two cents as someone who has been the subject of another man¡¯s wife¡¯s affection but you didn¡¯t. No surprise there, really."


    "And your point is?"


    "You should havee to me earlier. I¡¯ve been in your shoes, not the part where you got caught with your brother¡¯s wife but the part where your brother¡¯s wife has made her feelings known to you. Olivia wasn¡¯t very subtle. She kept throwing herself at me and deluding herself with fantasies of our perfect life together. I¡¯ll admit I sometimes got weak in the knees just indulging her fantasies. However, I removed myself from the situation before my feelings could drive me to hurt my family."


    I meet his eyes now, mine a little somber.


    "It was hard but I knew following my heart would be worse so I forcefully turned my back on her and everything she thought we could be. I had to do right by Ashal. Olivia didn¡¯t stop. She continued to resist Ashal but eventually, they worked it out." He draws close to me.


    "I know it will be hard and maybe devastating to let go but you can¡¯t fight your family for this woman. It will never be worth it. You will never be truly happy. You have to let Demi go so we can all be a team again. Cut off whatever ties you have with her. You have to give Ashley a chance with her. Trust me, she¡¯s not the soulmate you think you might have found and if by some stroke of luck, she is, then she¡¯ll definitely be yours someday. That day however, isn¡¯t today."


    I hate to admit that Asher has never sounded more mature and sincere. He is right too. He pats my back and leaves me to my thoughts.


    I am still pondering over everything said to me the next morning when Ashley makes his way into the mansion. Oliver lugs his suitcase behind him. Everyone has gone to work already but I stayed back and so did Demi. I think she¡¯s having a hard time with the media situation and decided to wait on Ashley.


    She avoids my eyes and heads towards Ashley after mother is done hugging me. Her eyes are bloodshot. She probably didn¡¯t sleep a wink the previous night. Bile tickles my throat when Ashley pulls her into his arms and mutters apologies that I know he doesn¡¯t mean.


    "I¡¯m so sorry. This is all my fault. I should have taken you along. I¡¯ll sort out this mess, okay? I¡¯m here now." He rubs his hands up and down her arms while she sniffles.


    How could he orchestrate such a thing against her and pretend to feel sorry for her.? His hypocrisy makes my anger click up a notch.


    Mother¡¯s eyes warn me not to interfere and I heed her. I turn on my heel to leave. I need to talk to both of them but I guess I should give Ashley time to settle in.


    "Ashton?"


    Inhaling sharply, I turn to them.


    "Wee back, Ashley."


    "Thank you." He says while his hand tightens around Demi¡¯s shoulders. Demi eyes are t as they settle on my face. "I¡¯m d you¡¯re home. I¡¯d like a word."


    Now, he wants to talk? I wonder why.


    "Get some rest. You know where to find me when you¡¯re ready." I spin around and continue my climb up the stairs.


    Ashley shows up barely ten minutester, in the game room. He hasn¡¯t changed out of the clothes he arrived in which tells me he is eager to get some things off his chest. He stands with his hands jammed in his pocket. His face is set in a grim line. I continue to poke the fragrant mes from the firece.


    "Mom called. Apparently, you made some threats about how I ought to handle <i>my</i> wife. Is that true?"


    An emotion moves through me that I swiftly recognize as disappointment. I am disappointed at mother for misconstruing my words and passing that along to Ashley whose pride is still sore around the subject of his wife.


    Secondly, I am disappointed at Ashley for feeling the need to stress the fact that Demi is <i>his</i> wife, like he needs to remind himself or me of that truth.


    "I don¡¯t mince words, Ash, so yeah, that¡¯s exactly what happened." I surge to my feet and turn to look at him. There it is; that petnce from his childhood that made him treat everything and everyone like a toy he deserved to own.


    "I told mother that I wouldn¡¯t tolerate any kind of pressure or injustice being meted to Demi, the way Olivia was. Both women deserve to have a choice in their marriage including whom they marry, if they want to stay married, if they want kids and whatnot..."


    "You...."


    "I¡¯m not done!" I snarl with zing eyes that make Ashley swallow the retort on his tongue. Slowly, I walk closer to him. He¡¯s fuming. Steams might as well being out of his ears right now but I need him to hear me out.


    "I didn¡¯t say all that because I am vying for a shot with your wife. I said that because I cannot stomach another situation like Olivia¡¯s. Demi is your wife, Ashley, yours!" I emphasize, stabbing a finger in his chest.


    "I made a huge mistake during a low point in my life. I wasn¡¯t thinking and I took advantage of the situation. You are justified to hate me. I deserve that but don¡¯t punish your wife continuously for what happened. If you im to have forgiven her, let bygones be bygones. Face her head-on and earn her affection like a real man instead of resorting to cheap antics to force her back into your arms. It¡¯s pathetic. What do you think will happen when she eventually learns the truth, huh? You don¡¯t want that on your conscience."


    He brushes my shoulders roughly and scoffs. "Conscience? What do you know about having a conscience, huh? I don¡¯t need any advice from you, Ashton. I can handle my own business and I will handle my wife how I see fit. You¡¯re not going to tell me what to do."


    "You talk about her like she¡¯s one of your ythings."


    "You talk about her like she is your wife and I am sick of everyone tiptoeing around the issue because guess what, it¡¯s not that delicate anymore. You need a fucking reality check, Ashton. You¡¯re delusional if you think you have any kind of right over Demi, delusional I say!"


    My eyes darken at the insult.


    "How dare you, Ashton?" Heshes at me. "How dare you stand there and continue to interfere in my marriage? From day one, you¡¯ve always had an unhealthy interest in my union. I hate to break it to you but DEMI IS NOT YOUR WIFE ASHTON, NOT ANYMORE. YOU DENIED HER CLAIM, REMEMBER? YOU REFUSED TO ACCEPT YOUR MISTAKE AT THE BLUE COVE. YOU STOOD THERE SPEECHLESS AND UNPERTURBED WHEN MOTHER LITERALLY BEGGED ME TO BEAR YOUR CROSS. DEMI IS MINE NOW SO BACK THE FUCK AWAY FROM MY WIFE!

 Chapter 79

    <h4>Chapter 79: Chapter 79</h4>


    ASHLEY


    Finally, it feels good to get it out of my system. I was already sick of lugging Ashton¡¯s secret around. It¡¯s so infuriating to watch him act so entitled around the same woman he rejected months ago. He has no right to disrespect my position as Demi¡¯s husband.


    I don¡¯t care if he regrets his action seeing as Demi somehow fell hard for him. He probably never envisioned that love would blossom between them but that is not my problem. They can¡¯t be together. Demi¡¯s mine now and six months is a decent amount of time to win her overpletely and possibly elongate our contract.


    Ashton remains speechless after my outburst. I meet his cool eyes and note the war brewing behind them.


    "You¡¯re going to stay within yourne and out of my business." I tell him, stabbing a finger in his direction. "How I choose to win my wife over should be the least of your concern. If you try to interfere in any way or sway Demi¡¯s mind, I¡¯ll involve father."


    The slight twitch of his eyebrows can only be because he¡¯s afraid of what father would do to force Demi to do what I want and not because Ashton is scared of him.


    "You don¡¯t love her, do you? All of this is just to spite me."


    "You think you love her? You¡¯re the reason she got stuck with me, remember? You just feel bad right now because the woman you rejected ended up warming her way into your heart and you in hers. Let me guess, you two must think I am in the way of your epic love story." I scoff at him. "This is no love story and if you don¡¯t ept the reality that she isn¡¯t yours, it¡¯s going to be an epic tragedy. Don¡¯t test me, Ashton. I¡¯m not afraid to go as low as possible to keep you away from her just to stroke my ego."


    Ashton chuckles at me. "Damn Ash, I didn¡¯t realize how much you were intimidated by me. This is refreshing." The smile withers from his face. "You¡¯re right. I didn¡¯t expect to have any feelings for any woman, least of all the woman I married while drunk. But you¡¯re dead wrong too. I was in no frame of mind to wee a bride into my miserable life the morning after but you and I know that I was neither speechless nor unperturbed when mother offered her to you on a tter, right Ashley?"


    I swallow a lump in my throat as he approaches me with fire in his eyes.


    "I am not the only one in need of a reality check here. Demi wasn¡¯t tossed into yourp because I couldn¡¯t be bothered to have her<i>; no one gave me a chance to keep her.</i> YOU were the one who sat there speechless and unperturbed when mother made you the offer. Despite my protests, you went along with her idea like you couldn¡¯t have turned her down. What was the kicker for you? The fact that she alluded that Demi might have zero body count? Is that why you broke character and settled for a woman you wouldn¡¯t deign to look at on a normal day?"


    "No! Virgins throw themselves at me all the time, Ashton. I am not starved of them." Our identical faces are within touching distance now.


    "Then you jumped at mother¡¯s offer to..."


    "...spite you? YES." I preempt him. "It felt good for once to snag something from you, Ash. You do that to me all the time and never considered it a big deal. The dopamine hit was a different kind of high, even though I was technically helping you fix the mess you caused."


    "I didn¡¯t need help fixing anything. I was more than ready to handle Demi."


    "You were only ready to annul the marriage. Mother wanted differently and that¡¯s why she roped me in."


    He chuckles now. "Yeah right. She roped in the one son who already suffers from gamophobia, to marry a total stranger and you went along with it just to spite me? I thought you were smarter than that, Ash. Does it still feel like a good decision four months down the line? You don¡¯t have to answer that. I can tell that your ego is bruised given the lengths you¡¯re prepared to go to force Demi to give you a double take."


    My fists clench tightly by my sides. Ashton¡¯s eyes droop to my hands and when they look back into my eyes, they¡¯reced with pity. I fucking hate being pitied.


    "Look, I didn¡¯t call you here to bitch and moan, Ashley. You came here looking for a fight when all I wanted to do was reach an amicable settlement. Asher and Ashal went through something simr to the situation we find ourselves in right now and they never fought with each other like this."


    He grabs my shoulder and holds me in ce when I try to shake his hands off. "Our family is suffering. Our brothers are suffering. We can¡¯t continue like this, Ash. Tell me what I can do to end this strife once and for all." His eyes are sincere enough as they hold my gaze.


    I peer deeply at him. Asher must have given him these lines. It¡¯s the same line Asher used on Ashal when he realized how much Ashal was suffering due to Olivia¡¯s rejection. Ashal had shared same with me. He had told me that sometimes, it¡¯s better for men in our position to be vocal about how we want our brothers to earn our forgiveness rather than leave it up to them to do whatever they feel is enough.


    "Tell me." Ashton reiterates. "How can we move past this? I¡¯m prepared to do anything!"


    He means it. These are not just words. His eyes, they¡¯re bereft of pride and zed over with remorse.


    Gently, I pull his hands off my shoulders. "There¡¯s only one thing I want from you, Ashton. If you can make it happen, all will truly be forgiven."


    "And what is that?" He croaks out, his eyes a little nervous. I only offer a thin smile in return.


    "I¡¯ll let you know soon."


    ***


    I haven¡¯t been able to get Shay¡¯s message out of my head. Despite the frequent public outings Demi and I have staged to dispel our divorce rumors, nothing seems to be enough distraction for me.


    The irony of the situation is that I am more shocked by Demi¡¯s lie than by Shay¡¯s threat. I can¡¯t seem to make sense of it. Why would she fabricate such damaging falsehood and where did she get that peculiar information about Tobias from? I am certain the details of Tobias¡¯ death hadn¡¯t been made public at the time. Has Asher been right about her all this time? Is there truly more to Demi than meets the eye?


    "Want some?" She asks me, offering her bowl of popcorn in the cinema I rented out for our movie date. I smile as I let her stuff some of the vored popcorn in my mouth. While she continues to concentrate on the movie, I silently watch her. How did she know so much about Tobias? Why did she lie about a second note in the gift box?


    My eyes skirt around the dimly lit cinema. Could Shay be lurking around somewhere?


    "Are you alright?"


    I turn back to Demi. "Yeah."


    "There are bodyguards outside and two in here with us. We¡¯re fine." She beams at me. I return her smile. She resumes watching the 90s movie.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I can¡¯t seem to concentrate." I rub a hand over my eyes. "I keep expecting her to do something to scare the daylights out of me."


    "Shay? I don¡¯t think she¡¯s got anymore tricks up her sleeves."


    "The second note you found..." I study her face as it tightens. "What did it say again?" She stuffs some more popcorn into her mouth and shakes her head.


    "Don¡¯t do that to yourself. I¡¯ve tried my best to expunge that memory and you ought to do the same."


    Clever girl, I think. What a smart way to hide the fact that she can¡¯t remember what she had said the note contained.


    My phone rings out. When I check it, it¡¯s Nic. Demi nces at the caller ID and turns back to her movie without saying a word. Since I am trying to get her to ept my offer, I decline the call but I don¡¯t hurry to exin if it was work rted or not. I will no longer be acting desperate for her attention or love.


    "They¡¯re still out there." I tell her after we wrap up the movie and prepare to exit the cinema. It¡¯s a little shy of seven pm and from what our bodyguards whispered to me, there are a few reporters hanging outside and ready to inundate us with nosy questions about our private life and whatever else they can scrounge up.


    "They¡¯ll definitely ask about the divorce rumor. Are you ready?"


    "Why can¡¯t they just give it a rest. We¡¯ve already had a few interviews and rified everything. Why are they still pressing for information when we already answered all their questions?"


    "Let¡¯s just indulge them for two minutes. If we don¡¯t, they¡¯ll go back and write lies. It wouldn¡¯t take long." I swing my jacket over her shoulder and grab her purse to portray the chivalrous husband. I grab her hand and walk ahead of her on our way out of the cinema.


    As nned, we allow ourselves to be osted by the paparazzi who ask for our photos. While we pose for a few, they throw questions at us regarding our divorce rumors and I do my best to reiterate that the rumors are false.


    "What about the rumor that you both are expecting a child soon. Is that also false?" Demi¡¯s grinds her teeth silently next to me. I can feel the tension pulsating through her.


    "My wife and I are in no rush. We are still getting to know each other better and when we feel like we¡¯re ready to start a family, we¡¯ll do so." I pull Demi towards our car.


    "Mr. Rollins, why have you been personally targeted with respect to the death of Tobias Woodley? Did you y a special role in his murder or is it all a coincidence?"


    "What?" I gasp in shock, whirling.


    "Can you confirm if you¡¯ve been the victim of assault from a stranger iming you have personal knowledge of what truly happened to Tobias Woodley and asking for your confession?"


    Time seems to slow down as the shrill voice rings in my head. When I turn to make out the interrogator, I am almost blinded by the white shes from the cameras.


    "Who said that? Who was it? Identify yourself!" Stubbornly, I squint my eyes and search frantically in the small crowd. It has got to be her. No one else will bring up such an impertinent matter. Demi tugs my sleeve when I try to plow through the cameras to find Shay and begs for us to leave.


    "Let¡¯s leave now Ashley. She¡¯s just trying to get to you. Don¡¯t fall for this."


    "She¡¯s here. I can feel it." Though the reporter who admits to asking the question is a middle-aged woman and ims she was tipped anonymously, I am certain Shay is close.


    "You¡¯re not in the right frame of mind to handle this right now. Please, let¡¯s leave." Demi feigns a smile for the cameras while she lightly tugs me towards the car.


    My bodyguards start to back the small crowd away from our car while another helps Demi to nudge me into the SUV. Inside, Demi tries to calm me down. I refuse to tear my eyes off the handful of reporters clustering around the car. Where the hell is she?


    While our car starts to drive away, I spot a woman at the back of the crowd, dressed in ck pants and a ck sweater with a hoodie. Her hands are tucked into her pockets. She lifts her head just as our car moves and in those few seconds, I make out her face.


    Cree Baxter!


    ***


    "Are you sure it was her?" Ashal asks me, perplexed, after I get home and spill everything to him in his room. I stop pacing to re at him.


    "Of course it was. Do you really think I wouldn¡¯t have the face of the woman mistaken to be my ckmailer etched in my memory? I am certain it was Cree."


    Normally, I¡¯d involve the rest of my brothers in this but I am still not cool with Ashton. As for Asher, he is a stark reminder of the reason I despise Ashton right now because of his role in Ashal and Olivia¡¯s strained rtionship. Ashal is the only one I want to speak to right now.


    "What do you n to do? Do you want to confront her?"


    I run the idea in my head. "I have a feeling she would only lie through her teeth like before. However, it can¡¯t be a coincidence that she was there when those questions were posed. I believe she¡¯s the one who anonymously tipped that reporter. She has to be the one ckmailing me under the alias, Shay Woodley."


    I clench my jaw. "Confronting her would be quick but not very effective. I don¡¯t think she realized I recognized her at the cinema. I think I¡¯m going toy low and pretend she¡¯s still mysterious to me while I work on exposing her."


    My eyes nt up at Ashal. "I¡¯m going to need you to help me keep an eye on her."


    "Me?"


    "Yes, you. You got her that job at the hotel, right?"


    "It was just a favor. I was informed that after our date, she kept begging for a job at the hotel. I called in a favor."


    "Whatever man. I need you to pretend to woo her and keep tabs on her. Try to reignite sparks from the date you both had..."


    Ashal shakes his head. "I¡¯m sorry, Ashely but I¡¯m going to pass. I know you¡¯re dealing with a lot here but I can¡¯t help you with Cree. The date I went on with her was a huge mistake. I was having issues with Olivia and thought making new connections with other people would cure the emptiness I feel inside. I only ended up feeling guilty like I am cheating on my wife. I want to try to fix the problems in my marriage and pretending to date another woman will be too distracting right now."


    "Oh, I¡¯m sorry, Ash. I didn¡¯t realize. It¡¯s fine. Ipletely understand."


    "Are you sure you don¡¯t want to involve Asher or Ashton? I¡¯m sure one of them would readily do anything to earn your forgiveness right now."


    I recall Ashton offering to do anything to make peace with me. Frankly, I know he would be a great fit for this role but I have other ns for him. Asher seems promising too but he will get pissed that I hid Shay¡¯s message at my hotel from him. Even worse, he will bray for Demi¡¯s blood when it bes clear that she lied about a second note in the gift box.


    I don¡¯t have the mental bandwidth to argue with his impable logic or stroke his ego for him being right all along. I also want to personally confront Demi on the issue before telling my brothers.


    "I¡¯ll handle it." I say, patting Ashal¡¯s shoulder.


    I refrain from telling Ashal that I n to pretend to be him when I confront Cree. I don¡¯t know how he would feel about it right now being sensitive about his marriage.


    However, I have no choice. I need an in and I suspect Cree would be more receptive to the man she went on a spectacr blind date with whonded her her dream job as opposed to his brother who suspects her of being evil.


    I slug through the rest of my week days, only thinking about meeting up with Cree. Nices by my office running on nerves and caffeine. Her father¡¯s election week kicks off in two days and she¡¯s tensed about it.


    "Finn broke up with me." She whimpers with misty eyes.


    I look up from the magazine I am perusing when her loud sniffles hit the air. Before I can ask why, she preempts me while blowing her nose with Kleenex tissues.


    "Word got out that I spend a lot of time in here. I tried to exin that we work together and that it¡¯s only natural that Ie over regrly. He wasn¡¯t convinced because of our history. He used me of vile things, Ashley. He used me of cheating on him with you." She sobs some more. "I¡¯m afraid for my dad. Finn means to withdraw all his help. Dad won¡¯t spare me."


    So, she¡¯s conveniently going to me me for this now. Typical Nic. I push back my chair ande around the couch. Catching her chin in my hands, I give her a sympathetic look.


    Did word get out or did you spread the word, Ni? I want to ask her but keep my thoughts in my head. Ever since mother chided her, she¡¯s not been happy losing to Demi. This is her way back in; emotional ckmail. She looks up at me with big, teary eyes.


    "Do you want me to talk to him?" Her fingers curl around my wrist.


    "No. That will only infuriate him even more. Plus, he could take your interference as proof of the rumors." She rubs her cheek against my palm. "I¡¯ll be fine, as long as I have you."


    She flicks a sultry gaze my way that makes my groin tighten. Silently, she shoots up to her feet and buries her face in my chest. Behind me, her hands interlock in a vice grip at my back.


    "I only want you, Ashley."


    I unhook her hands and pull her back to look at her face. This would have been music to my ears if Demi had said them. Levon was right. There¡¯s something exciting about a woman one can¡¯t have without a little challenge.


    The thrilling hum of my blood fill my ears as I imagine Demi in Ni¡¯s ce, with her lustful gaze and desperate grip on my arm. Maybe this is why I am stalling with confronting her about Shay. I can¡¯t cast her away yet. I need her. I need to have her, willingly.


    "The election week starts in two days. You shouldn¡¯t be here if you n on winning Finn back." I silence her protest with a finger on her lips, "Shhh, you definitely should work on winning Finn back so all your hard work to secure your father¡¯s political seat doesn¡¯t go to waste." Red tomatoes bloom on her cheeks as her eyes droop in embarrassment. We both know what hard work I am referring to.


    "My best to your father, Ni but I have an important appointment to catch. Feel free to help yourself to anything you may want while I am off and take the secret door on your way out so you don¡¯t infuriate Finn all the more when pictures of you are taken outside here."


    It¡¯s foolish of her toe here at a time when Finn is allegedly mad at her for the same reason. That just tells me that she is lying and set the stage for the breakup just to get back with me. What I don¡¯t understand is why she would be willing to risk her father¡¯s political career over this.


    I slide into my car and head for the Grand Casa hotel to see Cree. I have no idea what I am going to say to her when I get there or how to make a smooth transition from a casual chat to the woman who hired her to ckmail me without risking a frown on her face and the loss of interest. I¡¯ve got to bait her to get the truth out of her. It sucks that I can¡¯t ply her with alcohol while she¡¯s on the clock.


    While I am on my way, I keep thinking of the best way to sift the information I need from her. I don¡¯t have the patience for a long game like I had nned with Ashal. If Cree doesn¡¯t own up, I might have to force it out of her.


    When I get there, I am told it¡¯s her off day. Great, I think. Just great. I leave a message for her as the guy from her blind date before leaving. With some time to spare, I call Demi. Asher wouldn¡¯t mind me stealing her for a bit.


    Her phone rings but she doesn¡¯t pick up. At my second try, she answers and tells me she¡¯s in a meeting and will call me right back. Before she can hang up, a familiar voice echoes in the background; Ashton!


    Are they together right now? I call his phone and he doesn¡¯t deny it.


    "Why didn¡¯t you tell me you were going to have a meeting with my wife? What exactly are you two talking about anyway?"


    Ashton sighs. "Demi asked to see me regarding what happened. I also want to clear the air with her too. We¡¯re just here to do right by you, Ashley, to end this confusion once and for all so you two can live your life. If we had any ulterior motives, don¡¯t you think we would have arranged for a more private meetup? We¡¯re literally in the conference room at mypany. You¡¯re wee to stop by and listen in if you want but we didn¡¯t tell you only because we didn¡¯t want you to misunderstand us."


    I strap down on my anger. Why the hell am I so jealous of him? The worst part is that despite knowing how wrong it is given Ashton¡¯s sincerity, I still can¡¯t shake the way I feel. Ashton is too good at ying both the good guy and the bad. It¡¯s so effortless and clean it hurts my pride. I can honestly see why Demi¡¯s feelings won¡¯t disappear any time soon.


    "Fine. You two get it out of your chest then. I¡¯ll see you allter." I tell him before hanging up.


    I shouldn¡¯t go. Demi will only deem me desperate and distrustful of her. Let them have their talk even though it kills me whenever she spends a second alone with him.


    To distract myself from the tension knotting up inside me, I return to work and bury my head in it. Ashton calls me an hourter to tell me it¡¯s over. Demi is ready to forge ahead with me.


    Again, I feel some type of way. Is she suddenly pliant because he asked her to? I¡¯ve literally been begging her for days! Why does it feel like Ashton is offering her back to me like a brother willing to share his favorite toy with his sibling? I feel slighted that he seems to have the upper hand, always.


    "Did she tell you that?"


    "She¡¯ll tell you everything herself when you see her tonight."


    I swallow hard. The urge to sumb to a petty move overwhelms me. I harden my face. I need a small win for myself.


    "Ash, I think I know what I want you to do to aid my rtionship with Demi."


    "What¡¯s that?"


    I take a bracing gulp of air. "I want you to tell her the truth about that night at the Blue Cove!"

 Chapter 80

    <h4>Chapter 80: Chapter 80</h4>


    ASHTON


    I don¡¯t think I heard him right.


    "What?"


    "Yes, Ash. I need you to tell Demi the truth about that night. She told me she is willing to start afresh with me on the basis of truth. She only wants to know the real identity of the man who denied her after that night. I didn¡¯t think it was my ce to tell her so I kept stalling. I think it¡¯s only fair that youe clean now."


    Bullshit. I know his intentions aren¡¯t as noble as he is trying to portray. He won¡¯t rest until he is able to make Demi feel nothing but hatred for me. Why does he consider me so big a threat that he would go this far? The n was for Demi to never find out until after her divorce. Why is Ashley going back on this?


    "Ashley, why would you ask that of me? You know mother made us promise not to tell Demi the truth about that night until after your divorce. Are you really asking me to go against mother?


    "You said you¡¯d do anything to help me forge ahead in my rtionship with Demi. Why are you hesitating now? This was her specific condition, Ashton. She wants me to reveal your identity before she can give me a shot, God¡¯s truth. Why do you think I resorted to cheap antics to draw her closer to me? I was trying to protect you and keep the promise I made. Apparently, you hate my antics so now, you¡¯ll have to tell Demi the truth yourself and deal with her and mother. The ball is in your court."


    I wipe a hand over my face and gnash my teeth angrily. He¡¯s really going to make me rue my words. I can¡¯t do this. Demi will hate me. Mother will me me. This can¡¯t be the only way to make peace with my brother.


    "I can¡¯t do it, Ashley. There has to be another way."


    "There isn¡¯t. You think I haven¡¯t thought about that?" He huffs out a breath. "I don¡¯t have a lot of tricks up my sleeve, Ashton. How else am I supposed to make Demi want to bond with me? Even our pubic dates are being done perfunctorily by her. This isn¡¯t what I was hoping for when I asked for a shot with her. It¡¯s no different from what we¡¯ve been thesest four months under our contract, except now she pretends to be happy going on dates with me. Ashton, if you do this, she has given me her word that she¡¯ll really give me a chance. You have to tell her."


    "And mother? Why don¡¯t you tell her about Demi¡¯s condition and obtain her consent for the secret to be revealed? You know she only recently forgave me for everything. I can¡¯t dump this on her too soon."


    I don¡¯t want to. I am hoping mother won¡¯t allow this no matter how much Ashley tries to sway her. She¡¯s my mother and however long it takes, she¡¯ll eventually forgive me but Demi? I can¡¯t say for sure what will happen to us. How will she react to the fact that I have been lying to her face from day one? She¡¯ll burn with anger for me.


    "I¡¯ll save you the trouble by telling you that mother won¡¯t like it at all. She has Demi convinced that one of us refused to own up to our action that night at the Blue Cove. What Demi doesn¡¯t know is that mother has known all along which brother denied her or that mother was the one who asked you not to ept her. If you tell mother, she¡¯ll definitely kick against it to preserve her rtionship with Demi. Hence, you¡¯ll have to leave out those details when you tell Demi the truth, for mother¡¯s sake."


    "Are you now asking me to alter the truth so the me is mine alone to bear?"


    He hesitates as the truth unsettles us. "I¡¯m sorry Ashton."


    I lurch to my feet, knocking down a few stationeries on my desk in the office.


    "Is this what you call forgiveness? Your condition for forgiving me is to make me go behind mother¡¯s back, reveal the truth to Demi and suffer under the weight of mother¡¯s anger and disappointment? You also want me to be thoroughly hated by your wife. Ashley, don¡¯t be like this. You¡¯re stronger than your insecurity. Demi can and will be yours. You don¡¯t have to make me suffer like this to attain her."


    "You¡¯re more worried about Demi¡¯s feelings changing towards you forever than mine?" He scoffs at his end. "This is exactly why I find it hard to believe that you¡¯re remorseful, Ashton. You don¡¯t n on dousing Demi¡¯s feelings for you. You¡¯re enjoying this, aren¡¯t you? You love that she loves and will probably always love you even when she¡¯s on a date with me or sleeping in my bed. It makes you feel good, doesn¡¯t it? Well, you asked for a way to end our beef and this is my condition. You¡¯ll have to risk being hated by the women you love so I can have the one I want. You don¡¯t have to though. We can totally live like strangers for a few more years till I can forget your wicked betrayal."


    "Ashley..."


    "Do you ever think about me? Have you ever put yourselves in my shoes, Ashton?" His voice wavers with emotion and my heart breaks at the pain in it. "We might look the same but our realities are very different. With everything I am dealing with because of what Tobias did to me and what YOU did to him, it¡¯s a miracle that I am not powering through each day on hard drugs. I try to distract myself with work and women who throw themselves at me but you know these things will never fill that hollowness inside. It¡¯s different with Demi. Because of our marriage, I got to get a glimpse of the stability and peace thates with having a woman¡¯s unconditional love as a bedrock. I want to have her because of that. I am not ashamed to admit that I am beyond jealous that she skipped me to have that for you and with you despite the legal knot between her and I. Call me petty or insecure but I will do whatever it takes to make her mine, even if it¡¯s for a brief time. Is it too selfish of me to demand that my brother, who has always imed to be my hero, gives up on my own wife? That¡¯s for you to decide"


    Unsurprisingly, he hangs up. The emotions were raw and deep. I believe them. Yet, I can¡¯t help but feel that I don¡¯t deserve this emotional ckmail from Ashley. We don¡¯t have to go down this road for him to feel better about himself. Why is he okay with hurting me so badly just for a temporal thing with Demi. I am his brother. I have been with him all his life and he is going to tear me down to get a woman to be with him?


    "I just don¡¯t think it¡¯s fair. I killed his tormentor and even gave him the credit. I have tried my best when ites to helping Ashley ovee his trauma and for one mistake, he¡¯s going to make me suffer?" I rake my fingers through my hair in my office while Asher and Ashal listen on the phone.


    "Why aren¡¯t you guys saying anything? Do you also think I am overreacting?"


    Ashal clears his throat. "I think Ashley really wants to feel genuinely loved by a woman for a change, now more than ever, given how Shay¡¯s actions have refreshed his trauma in his mind. He¡¯s far more desperate for a woman¡¯s pure love because of the self-doubts about his masculinity wing to the surface. He¡¯s been with Demi for four months and it was never a problem that she didn¡¯t fancy him the way she fancies you. Shay made him this raw. I also think that he doesn¡¯t mean to throw you under the bus. Like he exined, revealing your identity is Demi¡¯s sole condition for giving him a shot. You can¡¯t me him for wanting to take her up on that offer."


    "Ashal¡¯s right." Asher adds. "Ashley requires our sympathy and understanding this trying period in his life. He feels like he¡¯s losing on all fronts; to Shay and to you. It¡¯s too much for him to bear so if he can¡¯t win his war with Shay, he means to win the battle for Demi¡¯s heart against you. Frankly, I don¡¯t see what the big problem is, Ashton. If you are worried about mom, Ashal and I can step in for moral support and make sure she doesn¡¯t give you a hard time. Would you be more willing to restore your rtionship with Ashley by doing his wish after we take care of mom?"


    My throat dries up.


    "So, this is more about Demi¡¯s reaction." Asher clucks his tongue. "You really need to let her go, Ashton. This is ridiculous."


    "Ashley is our brother and he¡¯s married to Demi. You have M who clearly likes you. Can you really not give up Demi to see Ashley happy?" Ashal¡¯s voice is tinged with disgust.


    "Why is no one talking about the unfairness of me bearing all the me for something I never agreed to in the first ce?" I can¡¯t believe they¡¯re both glossing over that fact. "And you¡¯re both wrong. I can stand Demi¡¯s hatred but not mother¡¯s. We only just patched things up and now I am supposed to hurt her feelings again?"


    "It¡¯s mom, Ashton. Sure, she¡¯ll be really pissed at you for a few days but she¡¯ll get over it soon enough. She can¡¯t possibly hate on you." Ashal rifies with a trace of impatience in his voice.


    "FINE." I yell into the phone. "I¡¯ll do it, okay? I¡¯ll tell Demi everything but first, I need some time to sort some things out. I have a major acquisitioning up at work. There are also a few things weighing heavily on my mind." I recall the newspaper cutout and our missing adoption papers that still gives me sleepless nights.


    "I can¡¯t deal with work if I pile on the stress that wille from my confession into the mix. Can you all help me talk Ashley into giving me a few days to clear my head? Please?"


    Asher quickly assures me of his support since he will be working with me to acquire a dealership. Ashal also agrees to convince Ashley..


    After the call, I bury my face in my hands and wonder how Demi would react when I tell her everything. I can¡¯t exin how much losing her will break me.


    Though she and M know most of my secrets, she¡¯s the only one whom I feel most at peace with, the only one I deeply care about. I don¡¯t know if M and I will ever get to that point. Hence, losing Demi seems like a loss of a lifetime.


    I stay back at the office just to avoid going home and running into my family. It¡¯s a bit difficult to face any of them right now. I don¡¯t anyone is prepared to understand my reservations on this matter so I need some time alone to mentally prepare myself for the bleak days ahead.


    I must have slept off on my desk. When I stir awake to the sound of my buzzing phone, it¡¯s past 12am.


    "What?" I ask the caller groggily.


    "Come home, Ash."


    "What are you, my wife?"


    "You wish. She could never be as hot as me." Asher quips. "I hope you¡¯re not drunk. You know what? It doesn¡¯t matter. I will send a driver."


    "I can¡¯t get it out of my head, Asher. Believe me, I keep trying to forget it but I haven¡¯t been able to. It¡¯s just too much on me." When he doesn¡¯t bother to ask me what I am referring to, I connect the dots and realize he must have been thinking about it too.


    "Don¡¯t stop trying then."


    "Have you also been trying to forget that father has no record of our adoption papers in his study?" Asher breathes heavily on his side of the line. "Asher, what if..."


    "I¡¯ll find her, whoever this person is and make her pay for toying with us like this but before that, I refuse to believe the rubbish she is insinuating. I will only care about the beautiful family we have and our sessful businesses. Nothing else matters frankly." He pauses. "I think the person running her mouth about our family tree is also Shay Woodley?"


    "I do too. I think catching Shay will not only end Ashley¡¯s torment but ours too. We have to find a way to get Shay once and for all, Asher." A light bulbes on in my head. It¡¯s a stab in the dark but I am too raw to care about perfecting the n. "How do you think they¡¯ve been getting our private numbers?"


    "What?"


    "Our phone numbers aren¡¯t easily essible to just anyone. How do you think these strangers have been getting our direct lines to call or text us?" Asher remains silent on his end. "They have spies around us, people too close to us with ess to our personal and contact details."


    "Bodyguards."


    "Secretaries."


    "Personal assistants."


    "Drivers."


    "The list could go on."


    "And it should. We¡¯ll start with Ashley. Shay visited his office. Someone had to have let her in knowing Ashley was in the lounge area. I can¡¯t believe we didn¡¯t look into this." I press my hands to my eyes. It will make a lot of sense. "Let¡¯s set a trap. Change our phone lines and tell a handful of people. If Shay reaches out again, we¡¯ll know who and who to round up for questioning."


    "Good. I¡¯ll tell the boys."


    Just then, I hear someoneing up the elevator. "I think my driver¡¯s here."


    "What? Ash, Barry is still on his way. That can¡¯t be him."


    My eyes sh towards the direction of the elevator as goosebumps break out all over my skin. "THEN WHO THE FUCK IS IN MY OFFICE SO LATE AT NIGHT? NO ONE IS SUPPOSED TO BE HERE EXCEPT ME."


    "I just contacted Barry. He is three minutes out. Ashton, stay on the line and tell me what¡¯s going on...Ashton? Hello? You there?"


    I intentionally cut the line to go switch off the light in my office. Secondster, the elevator chimes open and I hear heavy footstepsing towards my office. I bunch my fists and wait for the intruder toe close enough for physical contact.


    The person reaches my door, grabs the knob, pulls it down a bit and pauses. Before the stranger can change his/her mind and leave, I wrench the door open and body m the person to the ground.


    "Gotcha."


    ***


    "Who the hell was that?" Asher asks when I call him back.


    "It was Gris. False rm. He forgot some things at work and came back to retrieve them." I slide an apologetic nce at Gris who is still holding an ice pack against his sore jaw. His sses and his phone screen unfortunately broke upon our contact.


    "Oh. Does he tend to forget things at the office and pick them up in the wee hours of the morning like this?"


    At Asher¡¯s question, I nce at Gris, my scrawny looking, bespectacled personal assistant for three years and counting. Though I haven¡¯t exactly made his life easy at this job, I want to believe Gris wouldn¡¯t stab me in the back like that.


    "I don¡¯t know, Ash but I¡¯ll find out." I hang up and face my P.A.


    "What did you forget, Gris?"


    He squints at me. "The drive with the minutes of the acquisition strategy meeting. I wanted to go over a few points and realized I left it in my drawer."


    I head to his corner office and slide open his drawer. Truly, the sh drive is where he says it is. I hand it over to him and return to my position with a hip against the edge of my desk.


    "Has anyone contacted you to ask for my direct phone number in thest couple of weeks? Anyone at all?"


    "Sir?"


    "Think Gris! I have been getting unsolicited calls and texts from a stranger and I keep wondering how they got my number."


    "No sir. I never pass along your phone number without checking with you first. It¡¯s against ethics."


    I don¡¯t think he¡¯s lying so I let him go. Before leaving, I rehash the n with Asher and get some of our security personnel on board to discover who has been leaking our private lines to strangers.


    ***


    "Are you okay?" M asks me when I can¡¯t concentrate on the game we¡¯re ying. When I called to hang out with her because I need the distraction, I thought we were going to go do something fun like we always to, with just the two of us.


    I didn¡¯t expect her to lure me to a fucking golf course with her dad and his golf buddies present. She doesn¡¯t even y golf so this is definitely a set up with her dad. It just grates on my already raw nerves.


    I nce at her father as he swings his golf club and nails the ball in the hole. I hate golf. I don¡¯t even know what I am looking at right now. I would much rather be behind a steering wheel of a Porsche somewhere, speeding across an unending road nked by tall trees and hills like I have nine lives. M cups my chin and makes me look at her face.


    "It¡¯s okay. No one is expecting you to be perfect."


    I slide a look at her father who has barely talked to me since he mistook me for Asher and I introduced myself as Ashton.


    "I think your father will disagree." I dab my sweaty brows. "Why exactly am I here, M? You didn¡¯t even tell me your dad was going to be here."


    "I was already here when you called and asked to hang out. I couldn¡¯t leave my dad yet and I didn¡¯t want you to head over to the race track days after your collision with the metal post. I want you close, where I can keep an eye on you. Just give him a few more minutes," she says, throwing a cheerful smile at her father who nces our way every few minutes while taking turns attempting to hit an impossible ace with his friends. "Then we can leave."


    "I don¡¯t think I canst that long." I slide my golf club back into the golf bag lying at M¡¯s feet. "I¡¯m getting out of here."


    "Ashton." M calls, a tight grip on my arm. Her eyes are no longer warm and considerate. "What¡¯s up with you? You called to spend time with me and now you¡¯re leaving barely twenty minutes after you arrived? What¡¯s my dad supposed to think of that?"


    "Since when did it matter what he thinks of me?" I return with curious eyes. "Is that why I am here? Is this some kind of test to win his approval of me?" I chuckle softly. "Not slick, M. You know I don¡¯t give a damn about all that. I called to hang out with you at our usual spot doing our favorite pastime, not to stand here pretending to enjoy watching some middle-aged men shoot balls into a hole."


    "Going somewhere, son?" Mr. Hugh asks, leaning on his club.


    "It¡¯s Ashton." I rify. The smile on his face might just be him assuming I am Asher, again. The humor drains from his face at my reminder.


    "I know who you are. You are the one that handles the automobile subsidiary of Rollins Group, the tardy boss."


    He works a muscle on the band of his neck when I only smirk at his words. "I don¡¯t expect everyone to appreciate the game of golf but you are the first guest to openly show your ignorance and disdain for it." His eyes swerve to M who looks at her feet to hide her cringe. "So, Ashton, what pastime do you consider superior to mine?"


    "I never said it was superior to golfing. I just enjoy it more but since you¡¯re asking..."


    "Dad, Ashton and I will be leaving now." M interrupts me, tugging at my wrist. She leans forward to kiss her father¡¯s cheeks before proceeding to pull me away. Her father watches us through the dome of his bushy brows.


    "What was that?"


    "What was what?" She replies, a little unnerved by my question. I yank her hand to a halt.


    "Does your father not know that you love racing in fast cars?" Her eyes are t and cold as she inclines her head towards me, saying nothing. "M, is there a reason you¡¯re keeping it from him?"


    "Can we just leave, Ashton?" She leaves me and keeps walking ahead. I don¡¯t understand why she¡¯s being like this. Ahead of me, she takes a call that leaves her with a deep frown on her face. When I fall into step with her, her eyes darken at the sight of me.


    "Thank you." She replies curtly and hangs up her phone. Before I can ask why she seems so upset, she smacks me hard across the cheek under the blistering heat of the sun. The p is so resounding her father and his golf buddies turn around to stare at us in shock.


    "What was that for?" I ask M who¡¯s vibrating with temper.


    "GET OUT. LEAVE FROM HERE ASHTON. I DON¡¯T WANT TO SEE YOUR LYING FACE."


    "What? What the hell is wrong with you, M? Can you talk to me first?" She backs away from me when I try to take her hand. Her father reaches us and ranges himself between me and his daughter.


    "Maybe you should leave."


    Behind him, M swipes at the tears rolling down her eyes and storms away towards the resort. Who the fuck called her and what did they say? What could have M reacting this way? When it clicks, I curl my fingers into fists and narrow my eyes before leaving from there.


    "Ashley." I mutter under my breath as my temper crescendos with the thought of him. Did he really tell M about Demi and I? No one else would have done this and nothing else will make M feel betrayed enough to react like that.


    When I get home, I barge into Ashley¡¯s room to find him fresh out of the shower.


    "Did you seriously rat me out to M? I asked you for some time."


    "I don¡¯t have any time to give, Ashton. The longer I wait, the less interested Demi seems."


    "How is telling M going to solve anything?"


    "Are you hurt? Does it sting to be unsure of your future with her? Well, wee to my world, Ashton." He brushes past me to fluff his wet hair by the window. "You always acted like you didn¡¯t care too deeply for her and now you¡¯re raging because you might lose your shot with her." He throws me a bitter look. "How are your feelings for her more valid than mine for Demi?" He snorts when I don¡¯t respond.


    "You asked for time? It¡¯s the end of the weekend. You¡¯ve had two days! Demi will be here shortly and you¡¯re going to tell her the truth, <i>the truth</i> as we discussed."


    "And if I refuse?"


    He meets my zing eyes. "Do you really want me to be the one to break it to her? Trust me, you don¡¯t. My version is a little tainted from what really happened. If you don¡¯t do this now, you¡¯re going to regret it big time."


    A small knock on his door is followed by Demi poking her head in. She appears shocked to find me inside the room. Ashley invites her in.


    "Is everything all right?"


    "Come here." He calls to her with an outstretched hand. She takes it nervously and goes to stand by his side. He cups her face and kisses her forehead.


    "Everything is fine. I am ready to start the next phase of our lives together as a true couple but before that, Ashton here has a few things to rify with you. Right, Ashton?"


    Beads of sweat form on my forehead as I re at him.


    "Go on brother, it¡¯s okay. She¡¯s all ears."


    Demi¡¯s anxious eyes fasten on my face. I can tell she¡¯s holding her breath.


    "Go on, Ash. Please. She needs to know."


    "I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ve got some ce to be." I whirl towards the door to exit the room, ignoring the anger that washes across Ashley¡¯s face.


    "THE NIGHT AT THE BLUE COVE," I hear Ashley say in a loud voice. "THE MAN YOU MET DRUNK AND MARRIED, THE MAN YOU¡¯VE BEEN SEARCHING FOR?" I turn back in time to see Demi¡¯s face crumple with tears. "IT WAS MY BROTHER, ASHTON. THERE, THAT¡¯S YOUR GUY, TRUTHFULLY THIS TIME."


    I ignore Ashley¡¯s rant about fulfilling Demi¡¯s condition for his eptance and focus on the pain in her eyes. Tears roll down her cheeks as she advances towards me.

 Chapter 81

    <h4>Chapter 81: Chapter 81</h4>


    DEMI


    I know it¡¯s risky to be seen with him but I just couldn¡¯t handle talking with him over the phone about everything that¡¯s been going on with me. I am also d Anna offered to let us use her ce while she¡¯s at work.


    Liam epts the drink I offer him but sets it aside with a grim expression on his face. I bring my ss to my lips and take a bracing sip of the alcohol.


    "You still have to return to work. Should you really be drinking?"


    I ignore him to take another sip. My life has been crazytely and overwhelming. Sated, I set the ss down and look at him. "Everything is going wrong. I am overwhelmed. There¡¯s just too much to deal withtely."


    My head aches just thinking about Ashley¡¯s proposal, mother¡¯s betrayal and her lies about not knowing how to differentiate her boys, Maddie and Eliana¡¯s incessant calls, Ashton¡¯s weirdness around me and my confusion about how to deal with everyone¡¯s expectations.


    "You didn¡¯t go into this expecting it to be easy. No matter how wild things get, you only have to ask yourself one question before making a decision; what will be the best course of action to advance my revenge plot? That should light your path to victory. Nothing else matters."


    He¡¯s right. I sit upright.


    "Let¡¯s take it one at a time." Liam begins. "Mrs. Rollins. What are you going to do about her? Remember, no sentiments!"


    I nod sagely.


    "I think she¡¯s got a few secrets of her own. She tantly lied to me about not being able to differentiate her sons when I first met her. It took me a few weeks to a month in the mansion to realize she had lied. When they¡¯re all clothed alike or pretending to be another brother, the quads can be a pain to distinguish. However, having gotten to know them up close, I can easily guess which brother is capable of doing one thing or the other. Now imagine a mother who¡¯s been with her sons all their lives and knows some of their innermost secrets. How can she really not know what they¡¯re individually and collectively capable of?"


    I shake my head, more out of disappointment at how gullible I turned out to be. "What I don¡¯t understand is why she weed me into her home to straighten her boys when she¡¯s been the one encouraging their wrong ways behind the scene? Why exactly did she rope me in?"


    "I also felt Mrs. Rollins wasn¡¯t the goody-two shoes she always portrayed herself to be. There¡¯s something sketchy about her too. She likes to make people feel like she¡¯s clueless about what¡¯s going on around her so they can keep their guards down whenever they¡¯re around her. For instance, she might know all about Josh Randall and his mother but keep a smiling face around her family."


    "Yeah. I¡¯ve thought about that too." Mother also knows about Olivia¡¯s situation and yet, she allows the injustice to continue out of blind love for her son. No, she¡¯s definitely not so nice. "I think I am also going to use her game against her. I¡¯ll keep acting clueless about her schemes till I find out what she¡¯s really up to. Hopefully, she doesn¡¯t catch on to me as fast as Asher did."


    Liam inhales. "And Ashton?"


    I hate how unnerving his name makes me feel. I reach for my drink and swish the liquor in the ss. "It was a mistake to get attached. I am gradually detangling myself from him." I sip my drink and look away to signify an end to that ufortable topic. Thankfully, Liam gets my drift.


    "I¡¯ll call Eliana and Maddieter. I don¡¯t expect them to understand that I have my own shit to deal with while they expect me to drop everything and rescue Olivia. I want to deal with Ashley¡¯s crisis first."


    "Ashley." Liam reiterates. "He has been a bit of a shockertely. I could never have guessed he had it in him but there¡¯s very little a man wouldn¡¯t do for the love of a woman. It alwayses down to the love of a woman."


    "He doesn¡¯t love me." I counter him.


    "Maybe not but he clearly likes the idea of it. What are you going to do about him?"


    "Things will only get difficult if I reject him. Good thing he doesn¡¯t know that I am afraid of being divorced by him. Given how desperate he is to win me over, he would have threatened me with that."


    The thought of him scheming with his mother to force me to get intimate with him and the recent stunt he pulled at the award show still pisses me off. Though I find his actions distasteful, I have no choice but to give him a shot. I have to stay by his side to achieve my goals, even if the idea doesn¡¯t cause an excited thrill to run down my spine.


    "I already agreed to ept his proposal on the condition that he reveals to me the name of the brother I married first." I preempt the question in Liam¡¯s eyes as he watches me. "I know how to confirm it. I already ruled Asher and Ashley out of the equation. Given how much time I have spent around them, I havee to the conclusion that neither of them fit the bill. It¡¯s between Ashton and Ashal. I¡¯m certain of it."


    "And what do you n on doing if Ashley truly unveils your mystery man?"


    My breath hitches. At first, I was certain that the man from that night would know more about what happened to my parents because of his whiskey addiction. My mom had made some entries in her journal about her boss¡¯ son who thoroughly enjoyed whiskey. Sadly, it turns out that all the brothers love whiskey. That will lead nowhere.


    Now, I want to know him just to satiate my curiosity. I don¡¯t know what I would do after that.


    "What would you do when you unveil him, Demi?"


    Liam¡¯s voice echoes in my head as I advance towards Ashton with teary eyes. Why did it have to be him and not Ashal? My heart clenches with pain. I always knew it could be him so why does it still hurt this badly?


    His heavy eyes stay with me as I reach him. The words get lost in my throat.


    "I¡¯m sorry." He mutters with red eyes. "You deserve better." He nces at his brother behind me. "So much better."


    "What was the color of the pants I wore at the club that night?"


    "Demi..."


    "Answer me." I croak out with quivering lips.


    He pauses to stare into my teary eyes. "You didn¡¯t wear pants. You wore a purple, sleeveless dress that skimmed your knees." He runs his hands through his hair and exhales. "You reeked of alcohol but your breath was clean. You had your hair in a ponytail until I tugged off the hair band because I thought you¡¯d look less miserable with your hair down. You tasted of candy and breath mints and after our first kiss, I sipped whiskey and made sure you tasted it on my tongue the second time we made out."


    Tears track down my face with every minute detail he recaps. I back away when he tries to blot off the tears and ignore the quick tug of sadness over the remorse in his eyes.


    "Demi please, I am so sorry."


    I wipe my tears and turn to Ashley who stands with a cid look on his face. The first hint of disappointment at my calm reaction spears across his face. He was probably expecting me to hurl abuses and bawl my eyes out.


    "Thank you, Ashley, for being truthful. Please, could you ask him to leave us?" Instantly, I feel Ashton¡¯s hand on my shoulder. They feel like ice ciers, making me flinch at his touch. His eyes look hurt and broken over my reaction.


    "Don¡¯t. touch. me!" I growl angrily at him, partly to give Ashley the satisfaction he desires. Thetter steps between us and gently steers his brother away while I watch them with blurry eyes. When Ashley returns, his face is mired with sadness. He grabs my shoulders and pulls me into his chest as I sob.


    "I knew this was going to be hard and that¡¯s why I stalled. I¡¯m so sorry, Demi. Don¡¯t be hard on yourself. I¡¯m sure my brother regrets his behavior. We all do. Things were different back then and we thought it was for the best to keep our brother¡¯s secret. I am sorry we hurt you." He pulls me back to stare into my eyes. "I am really sorry."


    At this point, I don¡¯t know if he is being sincere or just enjoying the show. I ease away from his grasp and dry my eyes, suddenly irritated by him.


    In one breath, he throws his brother under the bus to achieve him aim and in another, he pretends to be sympathetic towards me, about a messy situation he was privy to. I have no idea what version of Ashley this is but it¡¯s certainly not the jovial one I went on a date with before Shay invaded our lives.


    "You held up to your end of the bargain. I guess we can officially kickstart the next six months of our lives as a couple, properly so called." I utter dryly, earning a small frown from Ashley. When I try to leave, he holds my wrist.


    "Are you mad at me? You were the one who set such a condition, Demi. I only did what you demanded of me to pave the way for our future together. Why are you mad at me?"


    "Look Ashley, I am a little out of it right now, okay? Did you expect toe out of that little episode unscathed? Ashton wasn¡¯t the only one who lied to me this whole time. You also kept me in the dark for months. Am I supposed to throw myself into your arms and forget that bit just because you threw your brother under the bus to please me?"


    "Woah, hold up a second. I didn¡¯t throw my brother under the bus to please you, Demi. Let¡¯s get that straight. It was about time Ashton came clean about the little incident at the club anyway. I only urged him to admit it himself because you ced such a steep condition for us." He chuckles and shakes his head, spritzing little droplets of water. "Maybe I did hurt my brother to give you what you asked for. That¡¯s how much I want you in my life. Ashton gets that but apparently, you don¡¯t."


    "You know what?" He adds when I cross my hand over my chest. "It¡¯s very rich of you to be so distrustful of me." He steps up to me. "I haven¡¯t given you any reason to doubt my intentions but you¡¯re so rigid about your feelings for my brother that you¡¯ll readily pin mes on me just to get out of upholding your own end of the deal."


    My eyes narrow in anger. "I can think of a few reasons why I am skeptical about giving you a chance. Why don¡¯t we start with why how you forgot to wear your wedding ring at the award ceremony." His eyes boggle with surprise. "I¡¯ve lived with you for four months and there was never a day you forgot to slip on that ring, even without anyone reminding you. I can¡¯t wrap my head around how that particr day just happened to be an ident."


    "You think I did that on purpose? What could I possibly gain from doing that?"


    "We did go on countless dates while being hounded by reporters taking photographs of us and interrogating us. Ashley, I smelled a rat. I don¡¯t want to believe that you staged all that but a lot of it just doesn¡¯t make sense to me. You can¡¯t be that desperate to get into my pants."


    "Wow. Demi, wow." With a pained look, he brushes past me towards his walk-in closet. His fingers stay poised by the doorknob when he turns to me. This time, his anger is evident.


    "I¡¯ve also had instances when a lot of things stirred some doubts in my head too, Demi. A recent example is the story about a second note being found in the gift box."


    My eyes dte in shock as I wasn¡¯t expecting him to say that. Quickly, Ipose myself.


    "I¡¯ve tried to run it in my mind but it still makes no sense. The moment you found the box, you brought it out to me and showed me the note inside. I am certain I didn¡¯t see a second note in the box and I only felt flustered after reading the first note. You panicked after you saw my reaction to the first note. ording to what you told Ashton, you destroyed the second note only after you saw my reaction to the first. So, I don¡¯t understand where a second note came from and when you had the time to return to the bathroom to dispose it before we left the restaurant together."


    Dang it. How long has he been pondering on this?


    "Yet, I didn¡¯t nitpick or hassle you for the fine details. That¡¯s because I trust you, Demi. I choose to trust you even when a lot of things aren¡¯t clear. That¡¯s how rtionships survive. I guess ours have never and will never mean more to you. I will never mean more to you that the guy trying to get into your pants because apparently, I have a hard time getting women to sleep with me, right?"


    He shoves the closet open and ms the door behind him so hard the sound startles me. I sink down on his bed and cradle my head in my hands. I messed that up. I have to make it up to him. I have to clear his doubts so he doesn¡¯t cast me aside.


    Ashley looks surprised to find me waiting for him. He¡¯s all changed into a snazzy outfit. The sight of him makes my heart skip a bit. Slowly, I surge to my feet with a somber look on my face.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to take my anger out on you. I¡¯m just very mad at Ashton and you remind me of him and I just..." With a deep sigh, I frisk my hair with my hands. "You didn¡¯t deserve that. Can we have a do-over?"


    "What exactly do you want from me, Demi? What would it take? You clearly don¡¯t mean to give me a chance and I don¡¯t want it if you¡¯re only doing it out of pity orpulsion. If it doesn¡¯te from here," he says, jabbing a finger at my chest, "then Ashton can have you. I¡¯m good."


    Thatst part stings more than I care to admit. Something about Ashley¡¯s derision makes me feel some type of way. I grab his finger, guide it to my face.


    "I liked the Ashley I went on a date with before the gift box happened. I truly enjoyed our time together, getting to know you and vice versa. Promise me you¡¯ll keep that energy up. Nothing felt forced when I was with that guy, not my smile or the urge to kiss him." Ashley¡¯s face remains rigid. "You¡¯re very lovable, Ashley. You just have to be your cool self and I am sure we¡¯ll do great together."


    I pull his head down and kiss him like my life depends on it, because it actually does.


    ***


    When I check my phone and fail to find any message from Ashton or Will, I ignore the twinge of sadness that fills my chest. It¡¯s probably for the best that we both move on in our lives. I am still mad at him but my anger seems to waver whenever I see him.


    The truth is that I am not as shocked as I im to be. I have always nursed the idea that my mystery man could be Ashton since Asher came into my room pretending to be him. Every shock and pain at the cold reality has been expended that day.


    What I am feeling right now are residual feelings of disappointment at his rejection, especially when I remember how he dissed me that day and watched me getting kicked out of the mansion.


    I have decided to keep my distance from him for real this time. I need to keep my head on straight and stop getting sidetracked by feelings that won¡¯t amount to anything in the end.


    It¡¯s a public holiday today. Ashley and I have ns to go bowlingter but before that, I already agreed to see Eliana and Maddie. They¡¯ve been leaving me lots of texts and in Maddie¡¯s case, angry voice notes. Ashton steps out of the elevator just as I am approaching it. Wordlessly, I turn around and head for the stairs.


    "Demi! Demi!!"


    I ignore him as I descend the steps. I can¡¯t deal with him right now. I drive over to Eliana¡¯s home and find Maddie scowling as usual the second I walk through the door.


    Eliana wees me with a soft smile and ushers me to a seat. Her boyfriend, Taylor is out with friends. Her dog Cash is having his lunch by a corner of the kitchen. Maddie says nothing to me but her eyes which her trained on me speak volumes.


    "Do we have a problem?" I ask her bluntly.


    "She¡¯s a little upset, that¡¯s all. Olivia called her two days ago, weeping."


    "Weeping?" I repeat, turning to Eliana. "Why? Was she hurt?"


    "What do you care?" Maddie finally snaps. "After making tall ims about being willing to help my sister and setting out a condition which I fulfilled, you went MIA. Now, I am hearing that you¡¯re trying to start a family with those bastards you call inws."


    "Watch it, Maddie."


    "Why should I?" She yells at me, throwing away the small pillow nestled on the couch. Her eyes are sizzling with anger. "I trusted you. You said if I dropped a name, you¡¯d help Olivia. After talking big, I trusted you and told you exactly who is hurting my sister but you just ignored it."


    I re at her. "You honestly expected me to take your word for it?"


    "I expected you to fact check my im. I expected you to test Ashal. You didn¡¯t go through with either, did you?" She scoffs at me. "I am not surprised really. You were too busy partying and trying to get your husband to impregnate you so your mother-inw will be pleased, right?"


    "Maddie, calm down." Eliana chides her but she pays her no heed.


    "I have my own life too, remember?" I match the fire in Maddie¡¯s eyes as I recall my new arrangement with Ashley and Ashton falling out of my good graces. "Though I am still interested in helping her, my world sadly doesn¡¯t revolve around your sister. I told you I¡¯d test Ashal but I haven¡¯t gotten around to it yet. I need a few more days. Once I do and your story checks out, we¡¯ll discuss next steps."


    "Bullshit. You want proof? I¡¯ll give you one right now." She slides her phone out of the back pocket of her pants and dials a number. After the fourth ring, someone picks up the call which Maddie has already put on loudspeaker.


    "Maddie, what do you want?" I hear Ashal ask her curtly.


    "Mr. Ashal Rollins, I miss Olivia a lot. Could you possibly arrange a dinner date for my sister and I? I promise I¡¯ll be good." Maddie doesn¡¯t break eye contact with me for the duration of the call.


    "I¡¯ve told you not to call me, Madeline. Don¡¯t call me again, ever." He hangs up on her.


    Maddie and Eliana stare at me.


    "There. You¡¯ve got your proof that your family knows about my sister and your brother-inw has her trapped in a forced rtionship and in his house. Now, are you going to help my sister or not?" A small chuckle escapes her lips. "Oh, and before you think of going back on your promise, I have every intention of paying your inws a visit and telling them everything what we¡¯ve been up to. I have photos of us together, screenshots of our texts and recordings of all our calls and conversations till date. There might not be anything incriminating in them but if you know your inws as well as I do, they only need to see us together to peg you a traitor. You might even have it worse than Olivia."


    I trade an anxious nce with Eliana. "Did you know about this?" Eli shakes her head apologetically.


    "Don¡¯t look at her. I also have evidence incriminating her too." Maddie reclines on the sofa with a devilish smile on her face. "So, Demi Rollins, you¡¯re going to do as I say from now on or you can consider your days numbered in the Rollins mansion!"


    "Bitch." I mutter under my breath while leaving Eliana¡¯s ce. Maddie is such a pain the ass. She never trusted me from the onset and she probably never will until Olivia is out of Ashal¡¯s clutches. Why did I underestimate her? I knew she was the type to try to implicate me so why didn¡¯t I prepare for this?


    A pair of male shoes lumbers into my path while I am walking towards my car with my head down. When I look up with a petnt air at the mannerless stranger, I gasp quietly.


    "Ashton." I mumble breathlessly. Did he stalk me? Does he know I came to visit Eliana and Maddie?


    "We need to talk." He says, his tone clipped and cold.

 Chapter 82

    <h4>Chapter 82: Chapter 82</h4>


    ASHTON


    "Ashton." Demi repeats nervously. I didn¡¯t realize how ufortable I make her, since I came clean about our meeting at the Blue Cove, until now. Could Ashley have instilled more fear and hatred in her towards me? She casts sidelong nces, scanning the area, especially the apartment building at the end of the street.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to stalk you like this but I needed to meet with you alone. I have a few things to rify."


    "I don¡¯t need rification, Ashton. That Chapter of my life is over." She begins to walk hastily away from me but my fingers grab her wrist in a vice like grip. She shifts ufortably. Again, her eyes keep skirting around like she expects Ashley or someone else to pop out and give us a hard time. "Let me go."


    "Are you okay? You¡¯re sweating bullets." She ps my hand from touching her face and dabs away her own sweat. At the sound of a door cracking open behind me, I follow Demi¡¯s shocked eyes back to the apartment building behind us but before I can make out the faces of the women stepping out, she yanks my arm towards her car.


    "Fine! Let¡¯s talk."


    "I drove here."


    "Then lead the way and I¡¯ll follow behind."


    I ignore her weird behavior, get behind my wheel and guide her towards a familiar ce. Minutes after we park in front of the building, Demi and I fail to step out of our cars. My phone buzzes with her iing call. With a ghost of a smile, I take the call while removing the straps of my seatbelt.


    "Is this your idea of a joke? You didn¡¯t have to bring me here. I clearly remember everything that transpired that night." Her voice is thick with emotion which tells me she¡¯s still hurting. My heart splinters at the sound of a sniffle.


    "I don¡¯t mean to regurgitate sad memories, Demi but this is the one ce I can be sure we won¡¯t be interrupted. Like I said, I have some exining to do. It may not change anything but it will help me sleep better at night knowing you have the full version of events. Can we go in? The owner lent me the space for an hour. There¡¯s nobody inside."


    Like I suspected, she pauses, breathing heavily.


    "It¡¯s alright, Demi. You know I would never do anything to hurt you. I just want to talk."


    I hang up, get down from my car and go around to hers. She deigns to look at me when I tap on her ss before taking the back door into the Blue Cove, straight to the VVIP room where I met her for the first time almost five months ago.


    The furniture has been changed but everything else is pretty much the same. Demies in behind me just as I frown at the bottle of Whiskey Donna left for me.


    Demi¡¯s face flushes with anger when she spots the drink.


    "You¡¯ve got to be kidding me. Are you trying to reenact that night?"


    "It¡¯s not what you think." I hurriedly exin as she whirls to leave. "I never asked for this. Donna must have left it out as a gesture of goodwill. We are not drinking."


    Quick as a whish, I snag the tray and set it at the far corner of the room. Demi takes a seat, deliberately avoiding the spot she sat on that night. She¡¯s very ufortable, I can tell. To help, I also take a different spot.


    "Comfy?"


    "Not really." She responds with a small shrug. "Well, you have my attention. Talk."


    I shift my weight, trying for casual. "I had a pretty rough day that day. I fought with my family. I was reeling with shock and despair over the scars of an incident that happened years ago. Couldn¡¯t forgive myself for it." Just the thought of it makes my voice shake. Demi¡¯s eyes are fixated on me.


    "What incident?"


    I have never seen her more curious.


    I shake my head. "We haven¡¯t got the time to dabble into every small detail."


    I have no desire to share my dark past with her but this is better than bluntly refusing to share the truth with her. From the look in her eyes, she isn¡¯t satisfied with my answer but thankfully, she also doesn¡¯t make a fuss about it.


    "I was brimming with rebellion and wanted to get back everyone, the world, for the shitty way I was feeling. I came down here without my brothers and ordered a drink I had sworn never to touch again."


    "Whiskey? Why?" Demi interrupts me again. "Why did you choose to stay off whiskey out of all other alcoholic drinks?"


    Why is she nitpicking my story? The curiosity in her eyes will make her excel in a journalism career.


    "I just did. No epic story behind it." I lie with my eyes down. "Anyway, I was determined to get so wasted my brothers would be called toe haul my ass out of here. Donna, the owner of this club is an old client of ours. I was counting on her alerting Asher. I don¡¯t think there was anything I wasn¡¯t prepared to do that night just to spite my family."


    That¡¯s not true at all. The truth that I keep from Demi in my head is that I wasn¡¯t pissed at my entire family. I was mostly pissed at Asher. Coupled with the emotions I was feeling from the incident that led to the loss of lives years ago, I had just discovered what a douchebag Asher could be.


    I had just learnt the truth about him and Olivia, how he was responsible for the incident that brought Olivia into our lives and how he intentionally plotted to dump her on Ashal, our sick brother. It was so cruel of him to use Ashal¡¯s condition against him and watch him get med for everything. I was hurting for Ashal too.


    So, I went to the Blue Cove dressed like Asher and ordered whiskey knowing my entire family will not suspect me since I had sworn to stay off whiskey. I nned to impersonate Asher and do such crazy things that will make the news so the position he covets in Rollins HQ as well as his reputation will be tainted. For once, the meeting at the living room downstairs would be called because of him.


    I thought he deserved it for his selfish act against Ashal. He had betrayed his own brother to protect his precious reputation before father and the world. I went to Blue Cove to sully his reputation as payback for what he did to Ashal.


    When Demi, a nobody, came in drunk, I figured I would go big and marry her too. That way, Asher will be stuck with a wife he never nned for just as Ashal was. I was prepared to do some damaging things just to deal with Asher. If Demi hadn¡¯t showed up at the house to make her ims, I was going to leak the marriage certificate anyway.


    When Demi showed up and mother intervened, my ns fell through. Demi was supposed to be settled after the annulment while Asher fell out father¡¯s good graces for a while but things didn¡¯t go so smoothly.


    Mother won¡¯t let Demi get an annulment and passed her to Ashley instead. I was prepared to own up to my mistake and give Demi a quick annulment so she could go back to her life. Things got messy as Ashley and mother refused to listen to me.


    Asher didn¡¯t butt in. I think he suspected that I tried to tarnish his image. He has never said anything to me along those lines but sometimes I see it in his eyes; Demi is your mess, Ashton. You didn¡¯t get me. It¡¯ll all be your fault if she harms our family.


    Since Demi married Ashley, things have been topsy-turvy, and here we are.


    Sighing, I continue the abridged version of my story. "When you came in that night, I was inebriated. Still, I remember being mesmerized by you. One look and I knew you were ill-fitted for the environment. You didn¡¯t belong here. Your story about your shitty boyfriend¡¯s betrayal only lent credence to that fact. I could rte to your pain and misery not because I had been cheated on before but because I was dealing with a different permutation of anger and betrayal too. One thing led to the other and we kissed, and kissed again." I stare into her ssy eyes now. "And I liked it."


    Demi sniffles and looks down at her hands.


    "You suggested the church." I tell her. Her head rears up. "You said it was close by. I was whipped after our kiss and on cloud nine and I figured, why not make it official? It was silly. We went there in my car and said our vows while I pretended to be sober. I think the priest suspected us but he was far more excited to join us because he recognized me."


    "Yeah. He wouldn¡¯t stop smiling at you. Called you Ash Rollins the second he saw you."


    "He wasn¡¯t sure which one I was and I didn¡¯t think it was worth rifying. We were just having a fun night." I mirror the small smile on Demi¡¯s face.


    "I don¡¯t remember dropping you home."


    Demi¡¯s lips quiver slightly. "You were too drunk to make the long drive so I called an Uber for myself and I think I called one of the contacts on your phone."


    "Ashal. He came running. Kept my secret after I told him everything."


    After I told him why I tried to trap Asher, I mutter in my head. I am grateful Ashal was thest person I spoke to that day before hitting the club. If Demi had called anyone else, Asher especially, my game would have been over.


    "I am sorry about the next morning. I was still hungover and barely recalled much of the previous night. I barely recognized you in the in, lengthy clothes. Your aunt was talking too loudly and pissing me off and my family...I wasn¡¯t ready to admit I had done something so crazy the previous night so I denied you. I am sorry, Demi. You didn¡¯t deserve that."


    Demi wrings her hands. "It¡¯s all in the past. Thank you for your apology. I¡¯m with Ashley now. Maybe I was always meant to end up with him."


    That hurts my feelings.


    "You two look happy. I¡¯m d it worked out fine."


    "You and I could have been happier." She blurts out, then regrets the hasty reply the second it leaves her lips. The awkwardness hangs thickly in the air between and around us. She shuffles to her feet, a bit anxious. "I¡¯m sorry. That came out wrong. No, I mean, I didn¡¯t mean to say that."


    I grab her as she tries to leave.


    "I believe it too, but our paths are different now. We have to forge on and make happy memories with the people we have been blessed with." My finger brushes off a single tear that slides down her face. "In another life, Demi. Maybe you and I will be together."


    Sheughs. "Yeah. Maybe." Eyes dry now, she gives me a meaningful look. "M is great. At least she knows more about cars than their names, knows how to race in a fast car and doesn¡¯t make sillyints about the way the car tyre looks or how the engine sounds when buying cars."


    With moist eyes, I pull her in for a hug and kiss her forehead. Her hair smells like flowers.


    "Your petnce was always cute to me."


    While we make our way down the stairs towards the exit, Duncan calls me.


    "Yes Duncan?"


    "We ran the checks with your secretaries and personal assistants and found something." I signal Demi to wait for me by the cars while I listen to Duncan exin.


    "Shay targeted the males alone. They have recently been wooed by her and believe themselves to be in a rtionship with a hot new girl. After a few night drinks, she disappeared on them. I believe she managed to get into their phones first to extract the phone numbers of their bosses."


    "So, that¡¯s how she got our numbers."


    "Yes, sir."


    "And Cree Baxter?"


    "We¡¯ve been tailing her too. Nothing much to report. Routine is pretty much a straight line; work and then home. The only recent development is that Ashal has been over to see her."


    "Ashal?"


    "Yes. I think he¡¯s developing a soft spot for her."


    I don¡¯t know what Ashal is thinking trying to date a culpable suspect while married.


    "Thank you, Duncan. How are the arrangements for a change of phone numbers going?"


    "I¡¯ve spread the word to a few persons about it. Asher is taking care of purchasing the new temp lines. When it gets active, we¡¯ll circte the new lines, double down on our investigation and produce the traitors working with Shay."


    A littlemotion outside draws my attention.


    "Duncan, let me call you back."


    I dash outside as the voices grow louder in time to see M p Demi hard across the face.


    "MILA!"


    Her fiery eyes lock with mine but only grow hotter. Demi still holds her sore cheek when I reach her.


    "Is this where you bring her to have your affair? How shameless can you both be?"


    "SHUT UP. YOU DON¡¯T KNOW WHAT YOU¡¯RE TALKING ABOUT."


    "I have eyes, Ashton and I know how to use them. You¡¯ve insulted me and I won¡¯t let this slide. What the heck am I to you? I have been there for you. You know how I feel about you and yet you choose your own brother¡¯s wife over me? How could you? I don¡¯t deserve this insult. I won¡¯t take it."


    While I try tofort Demi, M only gets further enraged.


    "Why are you acting crazy like a hurt girlfriend?"


    "What am I if not hurt <i>and</i> your girlfriend? I warned you not to toy with my self-respect and my feelings Ashton. I told you not to give mixed signals if you only considered me a friend but you didn¡¯t listen. Now, I will assert my right over you. Your father clearly approves of me. I won¡¯t let her take you away from me." Her eyes glisten with tears.


    "M, it¡¯s not what you think. We just came here to talk. There¡¯s nothing going on between us."


    "Oh yeah? Nothing? And yet you kissed her!" She tugs at her hair. "How could you still stand there and lie to me, Ashton? What did I ever do to deserve the worst of you?" Her eyes wheel towards Demi. "You greedy bitch. You¡¯re married to Ashley and you¡¯re still trying to get your fangs into MY man?"


    "ENOUGH." Demi yells with murder in her eyes. "I didn¡¯t let you hit me because I am weak or feel guilty about anything. I haven¡¯t done anything like you suspect but if you don¡¯t watch your mouth M, I¡¯ll have to teach you."


    M shakes her head. "It¡¯s true what they say about you. You look so innocent on the outside but you¡¯re so rotten on the inside. How could you not feel ashamed of being passed around four brothers?"


    This time, Demi delivers a resounding p on M¡¯s face.


    "Demi, please." I implore her, reaching to hold M who shoves me away from her.


    "You are the desperate bitch, M. I¡¯ve never had to throw myself at any man, least of all the one who doesn¡¯t want to be romantically involved with me. You¡¯re the ssless one here for throwing a hissy fit over a man that¡¯s just a friend to you. FYI, Ashton and I aren¡¯t an item. Whatever confusion has emanated from our friendship has been resolved by our family and I love my husband, Ashley. I trust him as much as he trusts me. Trust M, that¡¯s the lifeblood of every romantic rtionship. You should look it up especially if you hope to be taken seriously and dated by a man that looks like that."


    M watches with ire as Demi gets into her car and zooms off.


    "I didn¡¯t expect this from you, M."


    "Are you kidding me? I just saw you..."


    "Doing what? What exactly did you see here, M? The security tapes are upstairs. Do you want to go watch what Demi and I have been doing for thest forty-five minutes? Knock yourself out. I admit we made a mistake once before and kissed which has hurt our rtionship with our family. THAT was a mistake. I wasn¡¯t in my right senses and I have spent thest few days atoning for it. My family has moved past that but I still feel guilty. I called Demi out here to avoid stirring further misconceptions. I needed to apologize for all the trouble she¡¯s been through because of me and to let her know that my feelings will nevere in the way of her marriage. THAT was all we were talking about in there." I yell, pointing at the club.


    "You showing up here and acting like a lunatic is just unbing of the amazing person I thought you were." M¡¯s eyes soften with embarrassment. "How did you find us?"


    "Ashton..."


    "How?"


    "I tracked your phone."


    "You what? Why the fuck would you do that?"


    "You haven¡¯t called me since the golf course."


    "YOU PUSHED ME AWAY WITHOUT SO MUCH AS A WORD. WHAT THE HELL WAS I SUPPOSED TO DO?"


    "I¡¯m sorry. Ashley filled my head with some hurtful things about you and I went crazy. I didn¡¯t mean to. Please forgive me, Ashton. I¡¯ll apologize to Demi if you want me to." She embraces me and sobs. "Please, I am sorry."


    For Demi¡¯s sake, I wrap my hands around M and console her. I can¡¯t have her on a revenge spree against Demi if she feels like she has lost me.


    M pulls away to stare into my face.


    "I love you, Ashton. I might act or say crazy things but it¡¯s only because I love you. I need you to always remember that." She returns her head to my chest and sniffles quietly while I hold her.


    In another life, Demi Branson, I think quietly in my head. In another life.


    ***


    I spend half the day with M just to pacify her. Her mood perks up within minutes with me.


    "I am not going topete with your affection for her. I know what lost battles are. I just...I only wish you would also consider my feelings, Ashton. I¡¯ve tried to do this whole friendship thing but it isn¡¯t working. I clearly want more."


    "I can see that but it¡¯s difficult for me to make the switch, M, especially given your penchant for making threats whenever you don¡¯t get your way." I lean over the table. "Now seems like the perfect time to tell you that threatening me with my father is futile. No one can make me do anything I don¡¯t want to do. Ask father if you will."


    She winces at my words. "I¡¯m sorry."


    "You apologize a lot but never take correction."


    "I¡¯m working on it." Her hands reach for mine across the table. "Will we ever be more? Can you really not see me as anything more than a racing buddy?"


    My eyes slide down her face and intentionally linger on her boobs. "Make me see more." I hate the cheesy line but I might as well distract myself from my unofficial breakup with Demi. I need to get her out of my head and my thoughts for this decision to work.


    M¡¯s face breaks into a sultry smile as her fingers speedily work the top buttons on her shirt.


    "Oh, for fuck sake." Someone growls,ing up behind me. M quickly locks her buttons with a red blush on her face.


    I crane my neck and frown when Asheres to our table. He leans towards me.


    "You¡¯re so rusty. What the fuck was that? <i>Make me see more."</i> He says, mimicking my voice which ironically sounds just the same as his. Turning to a blushing M, he inclines his head. "Does thatme pickup line work for you? Really? You are about to get himid over that trashy line?" He cackles loudly.


    "What do you want, Asher?"


    "Yeah, you¡¯re kind of interrupting us here." M adds, shifting ufortably. I can tell she¡¯s pissed Asher came in at the worst possible time.


    "I¡¯ll leave you two amateurs to your business. I am waiting on someone."


    "Who?" I ask him.


    "Kira Collin."


    "Kira? Why?"


    "She¡¯s supposed to help me with the contact details of Mr. Fantasy."


    I gulp in shock. M trades worried nces with me.


    "Why are you still bothered about that guy?"


    "It¡¯s not just me. Father is upset too. If there are people who can imitate us very well, they could go about ruining our reputation. We have to nip that in the bud. Oh." He exims as he gets a message on his phone. "Kira just sent me his number ahead of schedule."


    "What are you doing?" I ask, sitting up when he ces his phone on his ear.


    "Dialing."


    My heart plummets when my second phone starts to ring in my breast pocket. Asher stares at me suspiciously. He cuts the call and redials the number. This time, his doubt is cleared. When I cut the call, he grabs my phone andpares the numbers and then shoots me a narrowed re.


    "Ashton Rollins, how in the fucking hell do you exin this???"

 Chapter 83

    <h4>Chapter 83: Chapter 83</h4>


    ASHLEY


    "How¡¯s everything on the home front?" Levon mutters to me after we wrap up our board meeting. I survey the thinning room till my assistant, Lexi, shuts the door behind her and sigh exasperatedly.


    "Good. Thanks for thest time. Turns out I was worried for nothing."


    "Really?"


    "Yep. Wife was a little stressed and confided in my brother. Paranoid, I misconstrued the situation. We¡¯ve managed to work out our issues. It¡¯s our five months anniversary in a few days and she¡¯s excited to celebrate our love."


    Levon nods with a smile. "Amazing. Happy for you."


    "What about you, Levon? How¡¯s the girlfriend or wife?"


    "Girlfriend. She¡¯s great. Got a new job. Coupled with the hours I spend here, we barely see each other now but when we do, fireworks." He finishes with a dramatic sh of hands. "I¡¯m really happy for you, boss. Love looks really good on you."


    "Thanks, Levon."


    "Can I expect to be a godfather soon with rumors in the air?" The nasty wink he gives me makes me chuckle.


    "Very confident of you to assume you¡¯ll be my kid¡¯s godfather. I¡¯ve got three brothers that¡¯ll jostle for that position in a bloodbath. Thanks for the thought though. Now, get back to the job I hired you for while I am still being nice." We exchange smiles as he makes his way out of my boardroom.


    With him gone, I shut my eyes and sigh. Demi and I are indeed nning a little private dinner to celebrate our fifth month of marriage and the new era in our lives. She doesn¡¯t want anything borate. We are in a good ce right now.


    After we made up following Ashton¡¯s confession two weeks ago, she spends some nights in my room and vice versa. I understand the switch to sharing a room can¡¯t happen overnight so I am letting her take her time.


    She was right. Being the Ashley that took her on that date before the gift box incident is a surefire way to touch her heart. It¡¯s been paying off. Without being made to feel pressured or love bombed, Demi has been easygoing and loving towards me.


    The best part is that I didn¡¯t have to shed my dignity by groveling at her feet. I go about my life, working hard. I don¡¯t act insecure when she gets a call or text in my presence or when she¡¯s around Ashton. She quickly clears the air even when I never nned on asking questions.


    It¡¯s been great. She is indeed making efforts to fulfil her promise while I readily reciprocate every affection thrown my way. I think it¡¯s a win in the end.


    The only upsetting thing is that Ashton is still angry with me for everything that happened. I could go on just fine ignoring him but my other brothers keep pushing for our reconciliation. Now, I am forced to seek Ashton¡¯s forgiveness. It sucks.


    Mother didn¡¯t take Ashton¡¯s confession to Demi lightly. Despite our collective plea on Ashton¡¯s behalf, she¡¯s still upset with him for telling Demi the truth and has been giving him the silent treatment ever since. Mother¡¯s anger and watching Demi and I thriving as a couple are part of the reasons why Ashton can¡¯t stand me.


    Adding to the fray is the fear of Shay¡¯s next move. My brothers and I have all gotten new phone numbers but Shay has yet to take the bait by calling or texting any of us. That bit is what has got me anxious right now. It¡¯s never a good sign when Shay stays silent.


    I don¡¯t even know why I haven¡¯t shared her recent escapades with my brothers. I think we are just too divided right now. Ashton used to be the captain of my ship and the most determined to capture my ckmailer.


    Though he is heading the new operation to catch Shay, he¡¯s more interested in capturing her because he suspects she¡¯s the same person toying with his head regarding the identities of our biological parents. It¡¯s not just about me anymore.


    With everything that¡¯s happened between us and his past failures, it will be foolhardy for me to count on him to win my battle. Hence, why I am taking my fate in my own hands.


    I check my time. My next meeting won¡¯t start for about two hours. With time to kill, I resolve to scope out Cree¡¯s apartment and her job. She hasn¡¯t called me back after I left her a message at work. I want to head over there once more to talk to her. Afterwards, I¡¯ll tail her to her apartment and we¡¯ll see from there.


    I also believe that Cree and Shay are one and the same person. Before my brothers unmask her, I want to get to her first. I have a few things to say to my ckmailer. If I can get her to spill the truth, I will soon be rid of this Shay problem before she ruins everything I have worked so hard to build from the scraps of my life years ago. I can¡¯t let that happen.


    Demi¡¯s calles through on my new phone line.


    "Hey, I was just thinking about you."


    "Liar. You would have called first then."


    I chuckle at that. "Are you saying you were thinking about me and that¡¯s why you called first?"


    "Maybe."


    Her response makes something warm blossom in my chest. "I miss you too." I can imagine a small blush seeping into her cheeks now. "What¡¯s up?"


    While I listen to her, the sound of locks jiggling behind me makes me crane my neck towards my bookshelf. A small wave of uneasiness settles in my gut as I realize who my unwanted guest is. Nic enters with a face smeared with tears and mascara. I hold up a hand to stop her when she tries to walk towards me to cry in myp.


    "Alright hon, I¡¯ll talk to you when I get home." The term of endearment makes Ni snort loudly as she plunks down on the sofa.


    "You havepany?" Demi asks me.


    "Nah, it¡¯s Lexi. She and Levon have been butting heads all morning. Talk soon."


    I wait for her to hang up before swiveling my seat to face Ni. "What the fuck was that? Could you be more obvious?"


    Ni¡¯s response is to curl into a fetal position on the couch and sob quietly. Seeing her so sad douses my anger. Her father lost the election and has been just as miserable. He took out his frustration on her by ming her for fumbling her rtionship with Finn who had been his golden ticket to the political position.


    The media has been brutal towards her family. Nic has been sneaking in and out of my office for sce andfort in my arms. She has managed to convince herself that she is entitled to my attention andfort because my name yed a key role in bringing about her condition.


    Though I can easily fault her logic, I refrain from doing so out of empathy. I mean, I used to be whipped for this model. The feelings have ebbed since her betrayal but I can¡¯t say everyst dreg has left my heart. I feel sorry for her.


    "She¡¯s trying too hard. That¡¯s because she¡¯s pretending to be in love with you." Nic sniffles. "That sort of thing doesn¡¯t just happen overnight, Ash. I know she¡¯s ying you."


    "You¡¯re not allowed to talk smack about my wife simply because you¡¯re sad. Still, I¡¯ll let it slide this once." I trail a hand down her cheekbone. "You have to rise above this, Nic. You¡¯ve turned down three modeling offers in two weeks. This kind of behavior will harm your career. You know how the industry works. You can¡¯t let them deem you receable."


    "I can¡¯t walk a runway right now, Ash. Look at me. I am aughingstock. There are memes about my father and I everywhere online. I¡¯d slip and fall if I try to walk a show right now." She yanks a Kleenex tissue box and blows her nose into a tissue. "Everyone¡¯s abandoned me, even my own father. After ming me for everything, he took off to Croatia. I don¡¯t know when he¡¯sing back. I¡¯m all alone, Ashley."


    Her hand grapples mine. "I keep slipping in and out of depression. Two nights ago, I contemted doing drugs."


    "Ni!."


    "I don¡¯t want to but I just...it hurts. It hurts and it sucks to feel so miserable and alone. The one good thing I had going for me was snatched by Demi. I¡¯m slowly losing the will to live, Ash. I¡¯ve got nothing if I don¡¯t have you."


    My heart hammers in my chest. Is she really going to consider self-harm?


    "Snap out of it, Ni. Don¡¯t say shit like that. Your father only lost a political position. People have lost worse and you don¡¯t see them trying to self-harm or sabotage their careers. Grow up."


    I move away from her to my desk to pour myself some water to drink. I won¡¯t let her charms work on me. How convenient. The first time a woman (Demi) decides to give me what I have always silently craved for-true love-my ex who has hit rock bottom suddenly wants me to believe that she feels that way for me.


    "You have concrete reasons to doubt me, Ashley but I swear to you, I did all that because my dad forced me to." Shees to stand next to me. With teary eyes, she starts to take off her shirt.


    "What the hell are you doing?"


    Her hands close over my shaky ones that try to stop her.


    "It¡¯s not what you think. I need to show you something." When she turns her bare back to me, there are red and purple welts across her back. "For every time I refused to heed his orders to seduce or sleep with one big shot or the other. I can¡¯t model when the marks are fresh." Ni¡¯s whimpers as I trace the scars. Anger arrows through me.


    "Croatia, huh?"


    "No, Ash, let it be. He¡¯s not worth it." She says, spinning back to face me. Her hands cup my face. "You¡¯re all I need." I stare into her blurry eyes and lose myself to the pain, fear and hope glistening in them.


    "I¡¯m so sorry, Ash. My dad made me me you and end our rtionship because it no longer served his purpose. I couldn¡¯t tell you how miserable I was. I miss you so much. I miss us. Please tell me there¡¯s still a real ce for me in your heart. I¡¯d die if..." I shut her up with a fierce kiss, unsure of any other moves.


    ***


    I want to regret it but I can¡¯t. It¡¯s true what they say. Women fuck you differently when they really like you. Every pore in my skin and every nerve in my body can feel it.


    I know Demi is trying but no matter howfortable I get around her, there will always be that nagging feeling that she secretly wishes I was Ashton. Like my feelings for Ni, hers for Ashton are only dormant notpletely doused.


    I try to justify my fling with the idea that the inadequacy Demi will always make me feel will bepensated for by Nic¡¯s enduring affection. I need both women to keep me from being the asshole I¡¯ve beentely towards my brother when I felt I was losing on every front.


    The glow is back on Ni¡¯s eyes as I help her put on her shirt.


    "Feeling better?"


    She nods vigorously before nting a soft kiss on my lips. Just then, Lexi knocks twice on the door and walks in.


    "Um, so s-sorry sir." She stutters with an embarrassed look on her face. Nic bids me farewell and uses the secret door out while Lexi tries to look less judgmental.


    "Lexi?"


    "I didn¡¯t mean to..."


    "I know."


    "My lips are sealed."


    "Bet they are." A fond image of Lexi and I in the lounge area makes a small smile tug at my lips. Lexi seems to be recalling the same thing as she avoids my eyes. "Come here, love." Cautiously, she edges close to me. I trail a finger down her face.


    "I mind my business, sir."


    "I know, else you wouldn¡¯t work for me. How¡¯s Gabe?" The mention of her husband always spikes her nerves because her extramarital affair with mees to the fore of her memory.


    "He¡¯s fine."


    "Well, let¡¯s keep it that way."


    I hate to be such a jerk sometimes but I don¡¯t have Ashton¡¯s aura that makes people dread getting on his bad side even without him threatening them. I actually have to threaten people to remind them not to get any ideas about betraying me.


    "You smell really good." It¡¯s an old perfume of mine that I introduced her to. I know she clearly loves the fragrance but I indulge myself with the thought of her wearing my signature scent for other reasons just to enjoy a heady feeling.


    "Thank you, sir."


    With an hour to spare before my meeting, I drive over to the Grand Casa hotel. I am certain Cree should be at work. When I get to the bar, I scan the area but can¡¯t find her anywhere. I walk up to the bartender to ask about her.


    "Wee back, sir."


    "What?"


    "I wasn¡¯t expecting you to return so soon." His eyes dart around. "Where¡¯s Cree?" I adjust my face not to look too lost at his words.


    "She¡¯s waiting in the car. I, um, I forgot something, I was hoping you saw it. A ring."


    "Oh. I didn¡¯t find any missing ring" He starts giving the counter a quick search.


    "Can you ask the waiters? Maybe they can search the table."


    "Why would it be on a table? You and Cree shared a drink here at this bar, like you did on your first date. If you dropped your ring, it has to be here somewhere."


    Ashal is with Cree? Why? He had tantly turned me down when I suggested he woo her and tail her to get some answers. What¡¯s up with him?


    "Is that the ring on your finger?" The bartender asks, staring at my hand. "A wedding ring?" The suspicion starts to build in his eyes as he looks at me. "I¡¯m sure you weren¡¯t wearing one earlier."


    "Oh no, no, it¡¯s decorative. Makes people assume I am my married brother. Keeps desperate women away." I lean forward to whisper in his ear. "The whole mystery girlfriend thing hasn¡¯t really subsided so..."


    "Oh, I understand. So sorry."


    I quickly leave from there and call Ashal in my car.


    "Hey, are you at work? Wanted to stop by."


    "Oh, crap, I am not there currently."


    "No? Where are you? Can we grab lunch?"


    "Sorry man but I rushed over to the penthouse. A little emergency. I¡¯ll call you when I am free."


    "Okay. Take care."


    When I set the phone down, I grit my teeth at the boldfaced lie. What the fuck does Ashal think he is doing?


    ***


    It¡¯s been five days since I confided in Asher about Ashal¡¯s romance with Cree Baxter who is suspected to be my ckmailer or at least working with her. To my surprise, Asher didn¡¯t explode like a cannonball. Instead, he asked me to give it a few days before we confront our brother. Then there was more talk about the sensitivity of Ashal¡¯s condition, h, h, h.


    I swallowed my pride and informed Ashton. To my shock, he already knew and never told the rest of us. Like Asher, Ashton was wary about confronting Ashal and asked for my understanding as well.


    He imed to be waiting for Duncan and his team to apprehend the culprit leaking our phone numbers to Shay/Cree. After we have solid evidence on Cree, we will confront Ashal but not before then so we don¡¯t stomp all over something that might be good for Ashal.


    "Earth to Ashley." I blink out of my consuming thoughts and refocus on Demi¡¯s beautiful face sitting across from me while we are having a candle lit dinner. It¡¯s our five months anniversary and this is all she wants to do; a little dinner, lots of talking, little alcohol and movie night.


    "How¡¯s the food?"


    "It¡¯s delicious."


    She shakes her head. "How would you know? You¡¯ve barely even touched it."


    I stare at my steak. "I¡¯m sorry. I just have a lot on my mind. This is all great by the way." She watches me with a t look as I guzzle my champagne. "I am a party pooper, aren¡¯t I?"


    "Pretty much."


    "I¡¯m sorry." And because I know sorry isn¡¯t going to cut it given the resignation that washes across her face, I add hesitantly, "Shay uh, reached out to me again."


    "What?"


    "Yeah but you can¡¯t tell my brothers. They¡¯ve been working really hard to nab her. I don¡¯t want them getting stressed out even more. She didn¡¯t hurt me or anything."


    "When was this? What did she say or do?"


    "When I travelled for the award show. The night before the red carpet. She sent a note to remind me not to get toofortable with her silence. I was so disoriented the next day that I forgot to wear my ring. Actually, I forgot a lot of things on my way to the show; socks, mints, the time for the show. I was more focused on the antidepressants in my pocket."


    Gradually, the sympathy returns to Demi¡¯s face. "I¡¯m so sorry. I didn¡¯t know. I feel like an idiot for using you earlier."


    "No, no, I wasn¡¯t ready to share with anyone at the time." I reach forward to take her hand. "It¡¯d not your fault. I am not holding any personal grudges. You had a good reason to doubt me." I kiss her knuckles as the candle me illuminates her smiling face. Blushing, she grabs her wine and drains the content.


    "Wanna dance?" She asks gleefully.


    "Lead the way."


    We sway to some ssic music and rock to some hip pop for about fifteen minutes. Demi¡¯s head starts to spin. Sheughs hysterically.


    "You can¡¯t be drunk. You only had two sses."


    "I¡¯m a lightweight. Why do I keep forgetting that?"


    I stop her from trying to pour herself another drink.


    "Ok, we¡¯ve still got movie night, remember?"


    She sleeps on my shoulder throughout the car ride back home. I don¡¯t feel bad that movie night that is a bust. I know she nned to make us watch another one of her 90s movies. Frankly, I don¡¯t get the fascination. I only wish we could have cuddled under the nket so I can feel her body heat against mine.


    I try and fail to ignore the tug of guilt as my ongoing secret fling with Nic flits across my mind. Tonight, I was overwhelmed by guilt. I pushed Demi to give me a chance and tormented Ashton for being the subject of her affection.


    Why am I screwing it up by entertaining Nic? Why can¡¯t I shut down that little voice that keeps telling me to hold on to Nic¡¯s love because I will never truly have Demi¡¯s heart? It¡¯s infuriating.


    "Ok, settle down." Gently, I take off Demi¡¯s high heels andy her down on her bed. This is not how anniversary celebrations should end in my head. Whatever happened to steamy sex in the shower? Demi has a sloppy smile on her lips as she battles against the drowsiness.


    "Did you have a good time?" She slurs. I take a seat by the side of her bed and stroke her cheeks.


    "Yep. Best anniversary yet." She chuckles at my sarcasm. I hold her gaze for a moment longer. Her eyes are ssy or maybe dreamy. I watch it till the lust swells inside. Her hand reaches up to stroke my face.


    "You¡¯re so freaking handsome."


    "I know." I lean down to kiss her goodnight. Her lips are soft and yielding so I linger just a bit, tasting her, teasing. A small, sexy moan erupts from her when I begin to trail slow, open-mouthed kisses down her throat. Her groping hands desperately try to get through my silky shirt to my biceps.


    I know she¡¯s drunk and not thinking straight but every touch of hers kindles tiny, erotic fires all over my body, snapping every control. I crave the taste of her so much I can¡¯t see myself walking away from this.


    "You want me?"


    "Yes." She pants. I tug off her top till her hardened nipples gape at me. My mouth fastens on them, sucking. Demi eyes ze over while her fingers scrabble the sheets. A wave of pleasure arrows through me when she reaches between us to my hard center and strokes it.


    With the plea in her eyes, I hastily remove the rest of the fabric on us till our naked bodies slide warm against each other. It takes a lot of willpower to not straddle her and satisfy my craving. I have dreamt about this for months and in no hurry for the moment to end.


    I smother her protests for me to hurry with a long, rough kiss. "I want to taste you." I tell her in a raspy breath before going down on her. I watch with glee as the pleasure quivers through her center till her body shudders, implodes after a small scream. Dazed and disoriented, she goes limp. I crawl up to plunder her mouth once more. She can barely open her eyes.


    "Please. I need you now."


    "Ok." I reach for my pants and pull out a condom.


    "Ashton, please hurry."


    My body freezes midway through biting open the condom at the sound of that name. While she strokes my shaft, all I feel is anger. All this time and she¡¯s been thinking about my brother? That nagging feel was right after all. My fingers squeeze the condom. In a split second, I change my mind, chucking the condom at a corner of the room.


    Her body arches fluidly as I straddle her. I capture her lips in a ferocious kiss while her hands race through my body. Then I lever her hips high and position myself at her center.


    "It¡¯s Ashley. Say it."


    "Ashley" She hums with a sultry smile.


    Her eyes flutter half closed when I plunge myself inside her.

 Chapter 84

    <h4>Chapter 84: Chapter 84</h4>


    DEMI


    I wake up to Ashton smiling beautifully at me as he ys with my hair. He looks so good. When my eyes slide down his bare chest, thoughts of our passionate night together cause a crimson blush to spread across my face.


    I recall his face contorting as he moved over me, our tangled hands, our synced breaths. My body never felt more alive, more sensitive. He outdid himself and shattered all my sexual fantasies about us, filling my head with new, graphic and sensory images. It¡¯s too good to be true.


    "Good morning, beautiful." His fingers trace my jaw. "How was your night?" Mischief twinkles in his eyes.


    It¡¯s too good to be true, I repeat in my head as memories of my anniversary dinner with Ashley overshadows my passionate sex memory. Eyes wide with shock, I look down at my naked form underneath the nket and swallow a heart wrenching scream. Did I really sleep with Ashley? How drunk was I? How could I go so far?


    "Are you okay?"


    I flinch at his touch now, fully aware of who is in bed with me.


    "Mmhmm." I avoid his eyes and the shock welling up inside me when I take in our clothes littered on the floor.


    The memories areing back now. I wasn¡¯t that drunk and though I knew Ashley had brought me to my room, I did imagine he was Ashton. I desperately wanted him to be with Ashton so he could satisfy the need inside me.


    I should have pretended to drift off to sleep. I shouldn¡¯t have reciprocated the kiss. I kept giving him all the wrong signs while my body ached for Ashton whom I have missed terribly.


    Somehow, my desperation to feel his touch convinced me to pretend it was Ashton in my room. The alcohol made it easy. I gave myself willingly as though Ashton had done all of that to my body. But it¡¯s morning now and reality has struck. I can¡¯t even look at myself or Ashley who is trying to understand my coyness.


    "It¡¯s a little toote to feel shy." He says, still ying with my hair. He isn¡¯t wearing anything either.


    In my head, I am off the bed with the nket bunched around me, screaming bloody murder to be left alone and sobbing as a misced sense of guilt for betraying Ashton overtakes me.


    In my head, I am cussing, throwing things at and screaming at Ashley for yielding to me while I was notpletely sober but who can me him? I have been very cozy around him for thest few days. One would almost think I no longer have a problem being intimate with my contract husband. He had every right to not doubt my willingness share that special moment with him under the circumstance.


    I only have myself to me for this. What hurts the most is that I can¡¯tsh out. I can¡¯t have Ashley doubt me again or question my loyalty. Regrettably, I have to stay in character to keep the steam rolling on my grand n. So, as much as it kills me inside, I allow him kiss me hard on the lips.


    "Thank you. Last night was magical."


    All I do is beam up at him.


    "Wish I didn¡¯t have so much work today. I would have loved to stay in bed with you."


    "I have to get ready too." I mumble, then clear my throat. "Lots to do too." With onest kiss on my forehead, he leaps off the bed. The sight of his ass cheeks has me looking away sharply. There¡¯s only so much I can take. He chuckles at my reaction while he shrugs into his clothes.


    "You hungry?"


    "Yeah. I¡¯ll be down soon."


    "I¡¯ll be waiting." He flings his shirt across his shoulder while his pants ride low on his waist. After winking seductively at me, he exits my room. Can he be more obvious we just had sexst night?


    I didn¡¯t realize I was holding my breath until the door clicks shut. I cradle my head in my hand and bite down on my lips. What the hell have I done? How could I have let this happen? I mean I always dreamed of doing this with a face like that but not with Ashley! I wanted to do it with Ashton. I brush off the moistness in my eyes and harden my face. I can¡¯t get emotional about this. These sentiments will onlye in the way of my ns.


    "Suck it up, Demi Branson. You enjoyed every bit of itst night. The same way you pretended you were doing with Ashton, keep that narrative going in your head if it makes you feel better. No sentiments, remember? Ashton isn¡¯t yours. Keep your head in the game."


    Despite how much I repeat that, my hands still tremble. I still feel nauseated and want to p myself repeatedly on the face for everything. I allow myself to wallow in regret and self-pity for ten minutes just to purge myself of the emotions flowing through me so I can get on with my day.


    After a few more tears, hair pulling, pillow tossing and gritting of teeth, I roll off the bed with the nket wrapped around me. My morning face is further crumpled by a conspicuous frown at my messy room.


    I shake my head every two seconds so the vivid images fromst night will fizzle away. I walk into the bathroom to have a bath. Done, I return to my room, fully dressed for the day, slicked in a basic outfit because I don¡¯t think I can pull off one of Ashley¡¯s daily selections for me. I am in no mood to look corporate and sexy.


    While I brush my hair in the mirror, I recall his fingers tangling in them during the energetic moments of the night. The brush tters to the floor as I grip my dressing table and suck in a breath. The memory is too fresh. I can¡¯t stop them from flooding my head. How am I supposed to work like this? What do I do if I see Ashton? How do I keep pretending I am fine with what happened when Ashleyes close to me?


    Speaking of the devil, Ashley messages me on my phone.


    [Youing? Your breakfast is getting cold]


    I toss the phone to the side and try to calm myself with breathing exercises. When I bend down to pick up my fallen hair brush, something catches my eye.


    "Oh my god." I exim at the sight of the unused condom under the table. Anger prickles through the shock. Did Ashley not use a condom? Did he seriously....? My trembling hands drop the condom as I stagger backwards. How could he? I wouldn¡¯t even indulge Ashton like this. How could Ashley do such a reckless thing?


    I am still reeling from the shock when Ashleyes looking for me.


    "Hey. What¡¯s taking so long?" He is impably dressed for work as usual. I shove him back when he tries to give me a peck. The cold fury on my face smokes away the cheerful smile on his. "What¡¯s wrong? Demi, are you alright?"


    I toss the condom on his chest and watch him catch it. Like I suspected, his eyes tell me all I need to know.


    "Why would you dispense with a condom, Ashley? How could you?" I hate the pathetic whine of my voice and the tears that blur my vision.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I was in the throes of passion and I forgot..."


    "You¡¯re lying. I was the only drunk one. You always carry enough condoms on you for obvious reasons and I¡¯m certain you use them with Ni so why would you conveniently forget to strap one on when we¡¯re having sex for the first time, Ashely? Is this how you n to give your mom her birthday wish? By tricking me?"


    "Woah, calm down. You¡¯re doing it again." He tosses the condom aside and winces when I refuse to be touched by him. "It¡¯s not what you think. I promise you it wasn¡¯t deliberate. We were all over each other and impatient. You wanted me inside you faster than I could strap one on. It kind of slipped in and so I dispensed with it. Besides, I didn¡¯t think it would be such a big deal since we¡¯re married."


    "Are you kidding me?"


    "I pulled out just before. I am not an amateur, Demi. You don¡¯t have anything to worry about, trust me."


    With a hint of shame, I remember desperately begging him to insert himself into me when I thought he was Ashton. However, I don¡¯t remember him pulling out. My heart is thudding in my chest. I have to get out of here. I can¡¯t even look at him.


    "Demi..."


    "Don¡¯t." I snarl angrily when he tries to grab my hand. "I amte for work." I pluck my bag from the bed and walk out.


    Ashley trails after me with more excuses till we get into the elevator. I refuse to listen to anything he has to say. Before the doors can click shut, someone¡¯s hands block them. The leather watch strapped to the wrist makes my heart plummet to my stomach as Ashton pulls the door open. His eyes widen in surprise at the sight of us.


    "Oh, sorry, I didn¡¯t know anyone was in here."


    My eyes blur with tears as I hang my head low.


    "I¡¯ll use the stairs." He adds.


    "Yeah. Sure." Ashley replies, shifting closer to me. My hands tighten around my bag when he holds my waist. He leans close to my ear but echoes in a voice loud enough for Ashton to hear. "I¡¯m truly sorry aboutst night. I¡¯ll use a condom next time."


    The blood drains from my face as I re up at him. Ashton retreats with an embarrassed hue on his face to take the stairs. Alone in the elevator, I bite back the urge to p my husband.


    "What was that?"


    "An apology?" He replies, pretending to be clueless.


    "Do you have to stoop so low every time you see him? It¡¯s been weeks, Ashley. Let it go. Trying to make Ashton jealous only makes you look insecure. It¡¯s embarrassing at this point but mostly for you."


    When the doors open, I storm out. Mother intercepts me to ask why I am skipping breakfast and I mumble an excuse to her. To ease her worry, I grab a croissant and thank her before hurrying into my car to head to work.


    ***


    "Are you okay?" Nessa asks me for the umpteenth time.


    "Yeah. Why?"


    "You keep zoning out, Demi. I¡¯ve been standing by your door for thest three minutes and you didn¡¯t even notice."


    I run a hand over the ache behind my neck and sigh. "Just got a bit on my mind."


    A courier arrives with a colorful bouquet to my office and asks for my signature. Anger surges within me when I realize they¡¯re from Ashley, again. He has already sent a box of chocte and expensive jewelry earlier. An envious gasp escapes Nessa¡¯s lips after the courier leaves. I refrain from tossing the bouquet into the trash bin like the rest of the gifts since she knows it¡¯s from Ashley.


    "You¡¯re one lucky woman, Demi. I truly envy you. Your man is smitten. What else could a woman ask for?"


    I feign a smile till she leaves. When Ashley calls, I decline yet again. I am not ready to talk to him. With a tired sigh, I press my hands to my eyes to try and focus.


    "Are you okay?" This time, it¡¯s Anna asking while I visit her restaurant for lunch. I keep poking my food. I couldn¡¯t wait tillter to tell her how badly I¡¯ve screwed up.


    While she¡¯s working, she stops by my table every few minutes to snap me out of my forlorn trance and ask how I am doing. Worry lines are etched on her face and multiply with every new stop.


    "I¡¯ll be fine." I tell her even though I don¡¯t believe that myself.


    She squeezes my hand and dashes through a door near the kitchen. When she returns, she¡¯s all changed into her casual fit. "Let¡¯s go. I got someone to cover my shift. It¡¯ll be fine." We head to her house where she watches me binge on a bucket of ice cream.


    "Don¡¯t be too hard on yourself, Demi. You were drunk."


    I shake my head. "Not that drunk. I should have stopped it but I let him carry on because when I looked at him, he easily passed for Ashton...and I was craving a man¡¯s touch, Ashton¡¯s touch. I am so stupid."


    "No, you¡¯re not. You¡¯re just human."


    "I¡¯ve tried so hard to get Ashton out of my mind, Anna. It doesn¡¯t help that I live in the same house with him, see him every day, have breakfast and dinner on the same table..." I shove more ice cream in my mouth. "Then there are three other brothers that look just like him. Sometimes it gets hard to not distract myself from the sadness of not being with Ashton by pretending Ashley is him. And now that coping mechanism has made me do something I never nned on doing with Ashley until it was necessary to save our marriage. I feel terrible."


    Anna pulls me into her arms. "It was one night."


    "He didn¡¯t use protection."


    "I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll be fine. We¡¯ll get you on birth control just in case."


    "IT¡¯S NEVER HAPPENING AGAIN."


    "Not even with Ashton?" Anna asks with an arched brow. I hate that my response doesn¡¯te with the speed of light.


    "No. I can¡¯t get distracted."


    "Then you have to stop sulking. Shake it off. You¡¯ll have to be much stronger than this if you must seed."


    "Yeah. I am. I just need to get the shock and pain out of my system so I can forge ahead." I shove the ice cream bucket into Anna¡¯s hands and wipe my eyes. "Liam can¡¯t find out, not about the sex with Ashley but about how weepy I got because it was with the wrong brother. He¡¯s got minions in the mansion. They¡¯ll probably convey everything to him after my room is cleaned. I just need him to believe that I am doing what I can to stay in the mansion."


    "I¡¯m sure he will understand."


    "I have to speed things up. I need to get into father¡¯s study, Asher¡¯s office and other sensitive areas to get my hands on real information. The sooner I get Liam hard evidence to work with, the better I¡¯d feel about myself and mymitment to my mission. I have to take Olivia¡¯s rescue more seriously. I have to onboard more people with grievances against the Rollins family so Liam and I can have more helping hands. It¡¯s time for all the dirty, nasty secrets of the Rollins family to be public!"


    I suddenly feel revved up. Anna smiles thinly at me.


    "That¡¯s the spirit."


    ***


    "I am surprised to see you, Demi." Josh quips while ushering me to a seat in his office.


    Ever since his return from his suspension, Josh has really kept to himself and his office. I have actually missed him walking about arrogantly and snooping on others.


    Save for his asional spat with Asher, every other person seems to have faded around him. I am here to make him see the invisibles again, to stir up his quest to be known publicly as one of Brett Rollins¡¯ sons.


    I smile while helping myself to a couch. "Thank you, Mr. Randall. I know this is a surprise. I won¡¯t take much of your time. I¡¯m just here to apologize for my poor conduct and tant disrespect of our corporate rtionship over the past few weeks. I overstepped. Despite the fact that the bone of contention was a family matter, I shouldn¡¯t have been so tactless. You were only looking out for my father-inw who no doubt treats you no different than a son. In hindsight, I now understand why you did what you did. I¡¯m sorry for talking back."


    Josh¡¯s face warms. "Thank you, Demi. That¡¯s...nice to hear."


    "You know, when I first joined this office, your rtionship with father struck me. He is mostly all professional and serious even at home but around you, he¡¯s carefree, jovial and funny. You bring out a side of him that most people can¡¯t, not even some members of his family. It was and continues to be a nice thing to watch and I thank you for bringing out that version of him. If I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d think you¡¯re one of his sons. You¡¯re just like family."


    "Family." Josh repeats, sampling the bait. "Yeah, in many ways I am. Father and I..." His eyes sh at me for the slip of tongue.


    "Go ahead. You¡¯re no less than a son to him. I¡¯m sure he will smile just hearing you call him father." I chuckle to ease the tension in his eyes.


    "Yes, I bet he wouldn¡¯t mind. Father and I have a special rtionship. Our bond can¡¯t easily be cut off. It goes beyond my employment contract."


    "Everyone can see that. <i>Everyone,</i>" I stress, "should see that because it¡¯s so beautiful. You and father are beautiful together and if people could see the version of him that only you bring out in him, every publication on Brett Rollins will bring happy tears to the faces of the masses because they¡¯ll recognize that beyond his professionalism lies a simple, loving father."


    Josh¡¯s eyes are glowing with imagination. He bobs his head as a big smile spreads across his face.


    "Hey, maybe you can join father and I on one of our lunch trips at Soul Foods."


    "I¡¯ll love to if Mr. Rollins and Mr. Asher have no problem with that."


    "Don¡¯t worry about father. He won¡¯t turn me down. Asher¡¯s not a problem either. He never eats with us."


    "Oh."


    "Yeah. He¡¯s not very fond of me and I can¡¯t me him. He covets what I have with father."


    "Well, he is always working. I¡¯m sure if he tries to invest in some quality time with his father, he¡¯ll start seeing that side of his dad too."


    Josh shakes his head. "Like I said, my rtionship with father runs deeper than you think. It can¡¯t be formed even from a thousand meals shared with father."


    I pretend not to understand the cryptic message and focus rather on how the word, father, keeps rolling off Josh¡¯s tongue, like he is excited to finally address Brett as father around someone who wouldn¡¯t shut him up. I rise to my feet and shake his hands.


    "It¡¯s a date then."


    "It is." I reply him.


    When I get home after work, I dread the sight of Ashley. I am thankful for finding the condom and using it as an excuse to stay away from Ashley. If I didn¡¯t find it, I¡¯d have to endure him sticking close to me like glue or even wanting to have sex with me again. I can¡¯t even bear the thought.


    When I get into the house, mother notices the dull pallor of my face and sympathizes with me.


    "Do you really have to work, Demi? Look how stressed you are."


    "I¡¯m fine mother. I just had a really long day."


    I swallow a shocked gasp when I catch my reflection in the ss table. Was my hair this ragged the whole day? I have dark circles around my swollen eyes. There are some ink stains on my cloth. Mortified, I hurry to get to my room.


    Even though I am mad at Ashley, afraid of running into Ashton whom I have feelings for and generally don¡¯t give two cents about what the other quads think of me on a normal day, I still draw the line on how bad I am allowed to look in a house full of gorgeous men.


    The moment the elevator opens, my worst nightmare stands before me. Ashton and M! M is dressed to kill in a blood red mini gown with her hair cascading down her shoulders.


    She and Ashton are holding hands. They¡¯re even wearing the same expensive perfume from what I can sniff. I on the other hand look homeless and ragged. I wish the ground could open and swallow me.


    "Demi." M breathes, stepping out in all her beauty to stand as a contrast against my Cindere as a maid appearance. Ashton stays mute behind her. I am too embarrassed to read his eyes.


    "I¡¯m sorry about thest time. I didn¡¯t mean to hit you. Ipletely misconstrued the situation. You were right. Trust is very important. Thank you. Ashton and I have resolved our differences now and we¡¯re closer than ever."


    "Good for you." I shuffle past them into the elevator and smash the button for the first floor.


    M hooks an arm around Ashton¡¯s hand and smiles sweetly at me. Why isn¡¯t the stupid door closing?


    "I hope you and I can be friends, Demi. I just moved into Ashton¡¯s room for a week-long stay here in the mansion so we will be seeing a lot of each other. Looking forward to being house mates." She hurries to add as the door starts to click shut. My eyes finally nt upwards to meet Ashton¡¯s impassioned ones before the door closespletely.


    M is staying here with Ashton for a week???


    .

 Chapter 85

    <h4>Chapter 85: Chapter 85</h4>


    It felt good to be reminded of who Olivia was when we first met and all the qualities I admired about her. The blind date with Cree awoke those memories in my head. Despite how badly the day ended, I still recall fondly the earlier bits before Cree got all crazy and pulled a gun on me.


    Despite the fact that she admitted to ying out a script, I like to tell myself that herughter and smiles that day were all real. We did have a connection. I felt the sparks and if she¡¯s being honest, she¡¯ll admit it too.


    Elyon has been trying to get me back out in the dating scene since that fiasco but I keep turning him down.


    "Come on, you can¡¯t just back out because thest date was a shit show. You have to go on several dates to find <i>the one</i>." Elyon pressed every day at work.


    "I don¡¯t have time for that."


    "Yes, you do. This isn¡¯t the HQ. We have time to breathe here and you are our boss. Of course, your time is more flexible to amodate important matters. Dating is important too. Look, ke is avable to go out with you. She¡¯s sorted herself out. Your first date, Madeline, is still a bit pissed but I am sure my sister can convince her to give you another shot but you¡¯ll have to aim to impress this time around, especially with Madeline. Cher has added five more girls to the list that urately fit your description. I have seen thesedies and I can tell you that the beautiful ones have indeed been born. Please say yes and I will handle the rest."


    Elyon¡¯s pressure got worse with each passing day till I finally gave in. I had a nice time with Cree before the glint of the fake gun. Maybe I can still meet someone else and strike a connection like I did with Cree.


    "Okay, her name is Amber and she works in an insurancepany." Elyon fills me in while I put on my neck tie. I am feeling nervous putting myself out there again.


    The date is scheduled for 7pm but I am going in two hours earlier like Cree had mentioned she did to get over the jitters and scope out the venue. Though the venue is still the same hotel bar as thest time,pletely rented out again, I still want to go over and be there when my date walks in.


    "No, no." I cut Elyon off. I can¡¯t speed date. Let¡¯s leave at one girl per date."


    "Fine. I¡¯ll reschedule your date with Lorraine." He flips his phone closed and stuffs it in his pocket just as my phone starts to ring on my desk. "Ooh, Olivia¡¯s calling. Who¡¯s that?" He asks, passing the phone to me.


    I abandon my askew neck tie and snatch the phone from his hand. "No one."


    "Woah, do you mean to tell me you have other chicks? And here I am worrying about your single status when you apparently have a woman. You¡¯ve got to fill me inter. I¡¯ve earned the right to know about your extracurricrs with the opposite gender."


    I don¡¯t acknowledge his dry attempt at humor and decline Olivia¡¯s call.


    "Seriously?"


    "There¡¯s nothing to talk about, Elyon. Give it a rest."


    "Okay, sir. It¡¯sid to rest. Now, are you sure you want to go sit at the bar so early? Your date is by 7pm."


    "I¡¯m sure."


    "Alright then. All the best, boss. I promise this time everything will go smoothly."


    When I get to the Grand Casa hotel, I head straight to the bar. A table has been tastefully decorated just for my date and I with roses and a bucket of ice cradling a bottle of white wine.


    I find it impressive. Yet somehow, I keep eyeing the stools at the bar where Cree and I had sat. That would have simpler. The bar tender wees me and I echo his pleasantries.


    I take my seat and expel a deep breath. While I wait for my date, memories of my time here with Cree keep surfacing in my memory. I struggle to keep them at bay so I would enjoy my new date with an open mind. Amber arrivester, wearing a ck and red ensemble. She looks gorgeous. Her curvy body makes my heart race.


    "Amber Knightly." She says, offering a hand.


    "Ashal Rollins." I reply, shaking her soft hands. "You have very beautiful hands." I add, then hate myself for the awkward observation.


    "Thank you." Amber sits and crosses her legs. "This is a beautiful spread." She gestures to the table.


    "Yeah. I¡¯m d you like it."


    Our entr¨¦e arrives. We get talking. She¡¯s a smart talker with a beautifulugh. I genuinely find a lot of her jokes funny. Amber turns out to be more than a pretty face. We have such a wonderful time going through our second and third courses. We even share our desserts like a lovestruck teenage couple.


    "That was great." I tell her, helping her put on her jacket.


    "I thought so too. The media doesn¡¯t do you any justice. You¡¯re so much fun in person."


    I hide a small blush at herpliment and steer her our of the elevator which opens up to the reception hall on the ground floor.


    "Can I see you again?" Amber asks with a huge smile. I look atop her head to the far end where the receptionist watches with disdain as the security escorts ady out of the premises. I recognize the strut. Cree. She¡¯s yelling expletives at the management as she leaves on her own steam.


    "Ashal?" Amber calls me.


    "Oh, um, I¡¯ll have to check my schedule. It took a lot to move things around so I could make it to this date. You know how crazy busy my life is. I¡¯ll let you know but thank you for a wonderful evening." I lean down to kiss her cheeks. "I¡¯ll have someone drop you home. ept the little token I have arranged for you."


    Amber¡¯s face falls at my indirect rejection. Wordlessly, she turns and leaves. Two minutester, the driver I instructed to drop her off calls to tell me that Amber refused the ride in the limo and thrashed the flowers I got her. However, she grabbed the diamond ne and earrings I got for her and hightailed out of there.


    I ignore everything and make my way to the receptionist. Upon enquiry, I learn that Cree has beening over and asking about job vacancies in the establishment since our blind date happened. After she watched someone get hired with the aid of nepotism, she caused a ruckus thest time and used profanenguage on everyone within earshot at the reception.


    Today, she came in with dark shades, strutting like a model to hide her identity since she is banned froming back to the hotel except as a guest. She was discovered while trying to bribe one of the guards to help her and was kicked out as I just saw.


    I rush out but I can¡¯t find her anywhere. My driver informs me that she got into a cab and left. I return to the receptionist and ask to speak with the hotel manager. She dly puts a call through to him. Rather than talk to me over the phone, the manager chooses to make an appearance and tries to coax me into going with him to a VVIP lounge to talk.


    "Thank you for the hospitable thought, Mr. Rupert but this won¡¯t take much of your time."


    "If you say so, sir."


    "I want you to hire someone for my sake. It¡¯s a young woman who is in need of a job as a waitress here, particrly at the bar on the fourth floor. She might not be refined enough for your taste but I am hoping you will be willing to groom and train her to fit into your esteemed establishment."


    Mr. Rupert gives me a benign smile. "A rmendation from you, Mr. Rollins, is weighty around here. I¡¯ll look into it. What¡¯s this woman¡¯s name?"


    "Cree Baxter, I believe. Consider it a favor for me. I gave her a hard time thest time we met. I just want to help her out. My ountant will be in touch with you. I want you to top her sry with my quoted amount. The extra pay will be handled by my firm. Of course, you will be generously rewarded for your discretion, Mr. Rupert."


    Now, his smile widens and a hoot ofughter ensues. "Thank you so much, Mr. Rollins. I¡¯ll personally see to it and expedite her employment."


    I pay attention and make sure Cree is contacted and hired the next day.


    ***


    Ever since she resumed work at the bar weeks ago, I have avoided drinking there. My other dates with the women Elyon picked for me doesn¡¯t pan out well because of my fixation with Cree. Thedies always keepining that I don¡¯t allow myself to be present during the date. Elyon has been frustrated as his efforts have been going to waste.


    "Is this about the woman that called you thest time?" He asks me as I prepare to go on yet another date with a stranger just to convince myself that I am trying to forget about Cree. "If you¡¯re already in love with someone..."


    "I¡¯m not. Can we just get this over and done with?" I snap impatiently at him.


    I¡¯ve been on edgetely. Why can¡¯t my own love story ever have a happy ending? First, I got stuck with Olivia by Asher¡¯s doing. Despite falling for her, she never reciprocated my feelings genuinely. The second woman I think I might be crushing on is a suspect in my brother¡¯s ckmail which makes our romance doomed before it can start.


    Why can¡¯t I be happy and in love like my brothers? Olivia is head over heels in love with Asher who also has Nessa pining for him. Ashton has Demi¡¯s heart and M¡¯s too. Ashley has Nic and now Demi too who has been working hard to make their marriage sessful. Why am I the only brother whose love story has no happy ending? Why can¡¯t I find a woman that wants me, ws and all?


    I keep pondering these thoughts while I wait for my date who is running veryte. I check my wrist watch. It¡¯s been over an hour. Indifferent, I down the rest of my bourbon and wipe my lips. Oh well, I guess that marks the end of the dating nightmare.


    "You have got to be kidding me."


    I look up to find Maddie staring daggers at me. What the hell is she doing here? Oh fuck. I forgot to tell Elyon to scratch her off the list.


    "Which brother do I have the displeasure of meeting right now?" Here eyes narrow at me as she tries to guess. "Well, are you going to tell me which Ash Rollins you are???" Her voice is bitter, her face pinched with rage and disgust. She hates my family so much she can¡¯t even pretend.


    I lurch to my feet and take in her mini dress. Did she reallye out here to seduce her date in such a skimpy outfit? When she notices my eyes identally lingering on her cleavage, she snaps two fingers in my face and scoffs when I look away, embarrassed.


    "I don¡¯t expect any less from the Rollins¡¯ quads. Your promiscuity precedes you."


    Her insult hits the wrong nerve. "And you? What precedes you, Maddie? Angst? Frustration over your family¡¯s condition?" I let my eyes rake her exposed body. "Desperation?" Her eyes dte in shock.


    "Mr. Ashal?"


    It¡¯s toote to deny it. I am the only one who calls her Maddie. My brothers always call her Madeline.


    "You¡¯re my date??? Wait, you¡¯re on a date???" She plunks her bag on the table and crosses her arms. "How could you even think of cheating on my sister after everything you¡¯ve done to her? You¡¯re a heartless bastard."


    "Shut up, Maddie. I wouldn¡¯t be here if I knew you were my blind date. What the hell are you even thinking going on a blind date with strangers? Are you that desperate to throw yourself at any man that will have you? What right do you have to judge others or call them promiscuous?"


    Isn¡¯t she like twenty-one? What¡¯s her hurry? Then I remember she¡¯s practically Demi¡¯s age but with a smaller statue.


    "My personal life is none of your business so don¡¯t evade the topic. How could you think of cheating on my sister? You¡¯re the worst! If you¡¯re tired of her, LET HER GO." Tears shimmer in her eyes as her voice wavers. "Divorce and send her back to us. My family is not the same without Liv. Please..." Her hands are sped before me.


    I ignore the tug of guilt at her words and brush past her to make my way out of the bar. Long after I am back in my car, I wait till Maddiees out. I don¡¯t know why I can¡¯t let her go back home all by herself.


    "Get in."


    She snobs me and continues walking down the busy road while I follow her closely in my car.


    "Get in, Maddie. Don¡¯t be stubborn. You can¡¯t walk around like that. There are bad people everywhere and with what you have on, they¡¯ll just think you¡¯re asking for it. GET IN."


    She shudders at my tone, then begrudgingly gets into the back seat. We say nothing to each other even after I drop her off at her friend¡¯s house.


    ***


    "Thank you so much for getting me this job. I was really shocked to get their email." Cree says while we share her break together. I couldn¡¯t hold back anymore. I had to see her, meet her and talk to her.


    "It¡¯s the least I could do for everything you went through thest time. I am sorry about my brothers and I. We mistook you for someone else."


    It¡¯s yet to be proven that she¡¯spletely innocent of the usations levied against her but I don¡¯t care about that right now. If my brothers find out about this, I¡¯ll justify my action as a pretense to keep an eye on her and investigate her connection to Shay, just like Ashley had proposed.


    "Are you still acting?"


    "Not right now. This job pays me way higher than I could have imagined. I have no need to jeopardize it by juggling an acting career that¡¯s yet to take off." She sips her drink and slurps, just as I remember Olivia doing.


    This woman is her normal self around me. She isn¡¯t fazed by my business portfolio or bank ount or even my family name. It¡¯s refreshing to be around someone who is their real, goofy self for once. I like them with what society will call ws because I am not perfect myself.


    "I felt like you¡¯re really passionate about acting. I have a few friends in the film industry. I could put in a good word for you if you ever want to try again."


    Her head snaps up, eyes brightening with understanding. "It was you, wasn¡¯t it? The high sry. I know this hotel is top tier but twenty grand is way too much to pay a rookie waitress with no real experience working in a ce like this. You did that for me and now you want to help me with my acting career. Why?"


    I stare into her beautiful eyes while resisting the urge to stroke her cheek.


    "Because I can. Is that good enough?"


    Cree blinks back the tears in her eyes. "Even though I am totally kissing you senseless in my head right now, I¡¯ll just say thank you out loud to preserve my job." She had meant it on a light note but my breath catches still. Her smile wilts as she notes the look in my eyes. "Too much? Too blunt?"


    "No. I am totally kissing you in my head too."


    We end up kissing in my car after her shift hourster. I drop her off at her new apartment which I also got her before heading home smiling like a clown.


    The next day, my brothers burst into my room first thing in the morning.


    "What the hell are you guys doing?" I grumble as Ashton opens my blinds and bright light washes in. I was just enjoying another kiss with Cree in my dream. Ashley yanks my nket off my body while Asher tosses his iPad next to me on the bed.


    "READ IT." He roars. They all stand around my bed, frowning.


    My heart thumps in my chest before I even pick it up. It¡¯s never a good sign when one is asked to read a new article. What else has been written about me this time?


    I let out an angry sigh as I see a bold picture of me kissing Cree outside the Grand Casa hotel after her shift. She has been tagged my mystery girlfriend and details of my influence in getting her the job and even her sry hike are all spelt out.


    A couple lines of text grab my attention. Billion-Err goes on to tag it as adultery and hammers heavily about my rumored marriage to a woman named Olivia Dunn. Olivia¡¯s picture is even sttered across the blogs. My fingers curl into fists as only one culprites to mind.


    Maddie!


    ***


    While I manage to convince my family of the lie about my rtionship with Cree being a ploy to unmask Shay, I secretly call Cree to calm her down and ensure she gets a paid leave from work to avoid the paparazzi hounding her.


    Olivia has been enraged since she heard the news.


    "How could you? How could you betray me like that? You promised you would love me and give me all the happiness I want if I gave you a chance, Ashal. I¡¯ve changed myself for you so much that I don¡¯t even recognize me anymore and you suddenly found someone else to love? What have I done to deserve all this betrayal from your family?" She breaks down in a crying mess. I feel guilty over the pain she¡¯s feeling now. It¡¯s all my fault.


    She¡¯s right. How did it get to this? I made a promise to her and she has fulfilled her end of the bargain. The problem is with me. I betrayed her.


    Seeing her now, I am starting to think whatever I am feeling for Cree might be fleeting because I only wanted someone to fill the void left by the loss of Olivia¡¯ authentic self. I created this hollow shell of a woman with all my steep demands from her. How could I abandon her now? She doesn¡¯t deserve the pain I have brought to her.


    "I¡¯m so sorry, Liv. I went down a spiral and made some mistakes. I promise you that I haven¡¯t slept with her. I¡¯ll end it."


    She shoves my hands away. "You¡¯re only saying that because your family wants me to make a public video denying our rtionship, right? You ruined my life and trapped me in this godforsaken fortress. I have dumbed myself down for you, changed everything to suit you and this is what I get?"


    She stumbles backward with a hand on her belly. "Go away. I don¡¯t want to see you. I hate you." Her breathes out in hitching gasps. I reach for her but she ps my hand away again. I can tell she¡¯s feeling dizzy.


    "Liv, are you okay? OLIVIA!" I scream when she passes out cold. Lily hastens to attend to her. "What¡¯s wrong? Why isn¡¯t she opening her eyes?"


    "She¡¯ll be fine, sir. She¡¯s just stressed out." Lily bites down on her lip. "Stress isn¡¯t good for the baby."


    My hands turn to ice. "Baby? Is she pregnant?"


    "Yes sir. She took a test a week ago and has been trying to call you to inform you but you never answered or came by. She wanted to tell you in person. I hope she can forgive me for ruining the surprise."


    Tears cloud my eyes. I should feel happy but guilt and shock overrun every other emotion flowing through me.


    I spend an hour looking down at Olivia as she sleeps soundly. She¡¯s pregnant with my child and I didn¡¯t have to pretend to be Asher. It should be great news but with my betrayal, I fear I might have lost her again. How can we rise from this? What if she can¡¯t forgive me?


    If I had taken her call, I wouldn¡¯t have pursued my feelings for Cree. I would havee home to talk to Olivia about how I was feeling. Maybe she would have understood and returned to her old self while we prepare to wee our first child together. We could have been happy.


    If my fling with Cree wasn¡¯t publicized, I still would have ended it after realizing Olivia¡¯s condition. I would have returned to fix our marriage and prepare for our child. That chance was ruined by the whistleblower; Maddie. She has ruined things for me. She shouldn¡¯t have done this.


    Boiling with rage, I head out to find Maddie.


    She refuses to pick up my calls which only confirms the guilty role she yed in bringing about the negative press I am getting right now. I wait for her to shuffle outside her dorm room and pull up next to her. It takes a lot to rein in my anger.


    "Thanks to you, Olivia is angry at me. She¡¯s been crying non-stop. I need you to help me calm her down."


    Maddie only scowls at me. Her eyes are rife with suspicion. "Maybe you should have stayed loyal to your wife, Mr. Ashal. You can¡¯t eat your cake and have it. Divorce my sister and you can sleep with everything in a skirt for all I care."


    So, I was right. She¡¯s behind it all. My fingers curl tightly around the steering wheel.


    "Is that a No? Fine. Suit yourself." I prepare to drive off when she stops me.


    "You¡¯re really taking me to see Olivia?"


    "Where else would I take you? I wouldn¡¯t be here if I wasn¡¯t worried about her state right now. I can¡¯t stand you because of the damage you¡¯ve caused. I¡¯m just here because you¡¯re the only one that can pacify my wife."


    Sighing, she gets into the passenger seat and straps on her seatbelt before I drive off.


    We sit in an ufortable silence for the first sixty seconds. Maddie keeps stealing surreptitious nces at me. Finally, my control breaks. I shake my head and pull the car off the road, screeching to a halt.


    "You really had to go and whine to Billion-Err, didn¡¯t you?" The fire in Maddie¡¯s eyes doesn¡¯t flicker at the rage in mine. "I have always tried to treat you like a little sister. I warned you not to do anything regarding your sister¡¯s situation that will put my family in jeopardy but you just couldn¡¯t help yourself, could you?"


    "Your family? So, your family is worth protecting but mine can burn in hell?" She scoffs. "I may not have the money to sweep evil deeds under the carpet but thankfully, there are honest blogs and reporters who can¡¯t be bought. They stand for helpless people like myself and Olivia, and thrive to stomp out injustices and evilsmitted by morally decadent devils like you and your family."


    I grit my teeth hard. "Devils? You want to watch your mouth, Maddie."


    "Or what? Are you going to beat me to a pulp? You better kill me if you do because unlike my sister, I¡¯ll expose your demons to all of Danvarr. You¡¯re a beast, Ashal. You should be chained and locked up in a forest somewhere."


    "Shut up."


    "And the keys ought to be tossed into an ocean."


    "Maddie..." I growl dangerously.


    "No woman will ever love you. You aren¡¯t fated to find true love. I think you know that and that is why you captured and trapped my sister in your house, begging for her love while using her as a punching bag. It¡¯s pathetic. YOU¡¯RE PATHETIC, ASHAL."


    "SHUT UP!!!" I roar with a flying fist. The car is finally quiet again. Rain drops start falling outside. I pace my breath and when my vision clears, I turn to Maddie. My eyes boggle in shock. Her head is tossed to the side of her door with her hair strewn all over her face.


    "Maddie?" I nudge her. Why wouldn¡¯t she respond? She was just fine a moment ago. All I did was yell at the top of my lungs to shut her up. Did I hit her when Ished out? I part her hair from her face and emit a shocked gasp at the blow to the side of her head from where blood dribbles down her face.


    "MADDIE!"

 Chapter 86

    <h4>Chapter 86: Chapter 86</h4>


    ASHLEY


    "Wait, what? You finally fucked little miss perfect?" Asher shakes his head and stares at me with incredulous eyes. "What did you do? Chain her to the bed? Threaten her? Ply her with alcohol?" His eyebrows sh up at thest bit. "Alcohol. It has to be. I still doubt she would give into you sober. Ashton maybe but not you."


    "Wow, thanks bro." I recline on the sofa in our game room and swirl my ss of brandy.


    "No offense but I can¡¯t believe Demi somehow fell head over heels in love with you less than a month after you caught her smooching Ashton. Come on, she¡¯s only ying nice. Face the facts. I bet she considersst night an ident between you two. The alcohol probably dulled her senses and she let loose. Try to make love to her again tonight and see if she¡¯ll be willing."


    "I don¡¯t have to try. I know she wouldn¡¯t let me anywhere near her but it¡¯s for apletely different reason, not becausest night was a mistake."


    "Enlighten me."


    I hate to share my business with Asher like this but I am dying to talk to someone about the challenge I am having in my rtionship with Demi right now. Ashal was my first choice but he is yet to return home and hasn¡¯t returned any of my calls. Ashton is upied with his new house guest, M. They both stepped out for a date or something. Asher is the only one with time to spare so I figured, why not.


    The twinkle in his eyes and some of the judgmental looks he shoots my way as I share what really happened and why I dispensed with the condom makes me regret not waiting for Ashal.


    "You what? How could you do that, Ashley? Are you really trying to start a family with a woman whose love for you can¡¯t be vouched for? A woman who has clearly expressed her feelings for your brother?" His eyes are sizzling with so much disappointment and anger as he scolds me.


    "I didn¡¯te here to share this with you just to get yelled at, okay? I need some helpful advice so Demi doesn¡¯t hate me."


    "She already fucking hates you. Why don¡¯t you get it? Even with the alcohol, she spread her legs for you only because she thought you were Ashton and you went ahead and fucked her without a condom? That¡¯s pathetic, Ashley. I know you didn¡¯t pull and pray. Don¡¯t even try to deny it. How is having a baby with a woman who doesn¡¯t love you payback? Can you even hear yourself?"


    Now that he spells it out, I do feel foolish for what I did. I should have walked away when Demi called Ashton¡¯s name. It was all the proof I needed. She¡¯s still very much in love with him. Her feelings for me are no where close to letting me between her legs.


    I admit she has every right to be pissed about the condom situation but I suspect she ns to use this to keep me as far away from her as possible.


    I rake my hands through my hair and drain my ss of brandy in one gulp. Asher is still vibrating with anger.


    "Alright. I fucked up big time. I admit it. You can spare me the lecture."


    "Why exactly are you still with her, Ash?" Asher asks with a scowl on his face. "Is this really what you want to settle for? You can literally have any woman of your choice. Why is it so important to you to beat your chest and rub it in Ashton¡¯s face that you got the in jane he wasn¡¯t allowed to keep?"


    I shift ufortably. "You have it all wrong."


    "No, I don¡¯t." He counters firmly. "I know you guys. You¡¯re my brothers and I have been in your lives for all twenty-five seasons of it. I know how he intimidates you and the lengths you will go just for a chance to say you bested him at something but isn¡¯t your fashion business enough to do that? Does it really have to be Demi?" FYI, you can¡¯t win at this game because she already gave her heart to him."


    His words cut deep inside me. "You and my therapist should form a club." I reply, lurching to my feet."


    "Ashley, do not ruin your life by choosing the wrong woman all over again. <i>Demi isn¡¯t the one</i>. Stick to your fucking contract and be done with her."


    With my back turned to him, I grit my teeth angrily and dig out my ringing phone.


    "Finally, look who has time to return my calls." I snarl at Ashal to vent some of my frustration over Asher¡¯s judgement at him. "What? Ashal...slow down, I can¡¯t understand what you¡¯re saying...Madeline? What happened?" Asher is already up and next to me, trying to ascertain the damage Ashal must have caused.


    "WE¡¯RE ON OUR WAY." I echo as Asher and I rush out.


    On our way to the hospital, we keep praying that Olivia¡¯s sister, Madeline, pulls through. Ashal didn¡¯t make much sense on the phone. I can¡¯t help but wonder why he was with Madeline in the first ce and what must have triggered him to hit her. Isn¡¯t he seeing Cree and married to Madeline¡¯s sister? What otheryers of sick and twisted is Ashal yet to exhibit?


    When we get to the hospital, we burst through the door to find Ashal hunched over the hospital bed where Madeline sits with a bandage tied around her head. The doctor is muttering a few things to her to which she nods. When she sees using in, she frowns. We rush to Ashal first.


    "Are you okay?"


    He nods grimly, then nces at Maddie with remorse.


    "What happened?" Asher asks him.


    "I think you both know." Madeline spits with fire in her eyes. We all turn to her. The hatred burning inside her is no surprise to any of us. She¡¯s just like her sister; she¡¯s trouble. Why did Ashal go after her when he was livid over the role she yed in leaking his affair and secret marriage in one move? He knew exactly what his condition could make him do. It was foolish of him to hurt the younger, crazier sister of Olivia while we still have Olivia to deal with. Didn¡¯t we all agree to handle the issue together? Why did he go behind our backs?


    Asher is clearly displeased at Ashal but he reins in his anger and walks over to doctor Ezra.


    "How is she?"


    "The blow to the head only caused a minor concussion. She¡¯ll be fine with a little rest." He pats Madeline¡¯s shoulder.


    "Thank you doctor." She says before he leaves.


    Alone with us, she leaps off the bed and grabs her things. Asher blocks her path when she tries to leave the room.


    "Get the hell out of my way!"


    But Asher doesn¡¯t budge. With hands jammed in his pocket most likely because he doesn¡¯t want to give in to the temptation of smacking her face, he leers down at her.


    "Madeline Dunn. Hmm. I guess foolishness does run in the family." He yanks her arm and pulls her back when she stubbornly tries to brush past him. I also cage her in by standing by the end of bed with a look of pure murder on my face. Though anger shimmers above all else, I start to see the first traces of fear in Madeline¡¯s eyes.


    She nces at Ashal whose face is still marred by guilt. "Are you just going to stand there and watch them harass me like this? I already got hurt in the head. I just want to go home so tell yourckeys to back the fuck off!"


    "Snap out of it, Ash" I yell at Ashal. "I don¡¯t care what she must have said to you but don¡¯t let it get into your head. You had every right to hit this one. She deserves it since her mother clearly didn¡¯t whoop her ass as a child, or her sister¡¯s. They¡¯re both rude with half-baked brains."


    Madeline¡¯s brows furrow in anger. "And you four? Did your mother leave your upbringing to your ass licking nannies who let you do and say whatever you wanted? Or, is there a better reason why you all are morally bankrupt and pretentious assholes?"


    When Asher lunges forward to deal with her for the insult, Ashal grabs his elbow and shakes his head. His eyes are bereft of emotion now and his face is set hard as a rock. He pulls Asher away and steps up to Madeline.


    The look on his face must scare her too as she backs away from him. He reaches her and cradles her face in his hands.


    "I¡¯m d you¡¯re fine. Tonight was purely an ident but I know you won¡¯t settle for that truth. You deem me a monster. You¡¯re free to have your own opinions of me, my brothers and my family. However, I¡¯ll have you know that you won¡¯t go free after what you did to my family with respect to the post on Billion-Err. I warned you not to cross the line despite how much you hate us but you didn¡¯t listen. I¡¯ll have to teach you a lesson for this."


    Madeline wriggles away from his hold. "You would do the same if you were in my shoes. You would do worse to protect the people you love." There are tears in her eyes. They dte in shock when her parentse rushing into the room.


    "Maddie?" Her mum croaks in fear as she sees her daughter with a bandage on. While mother and daughter hug it out, her father stands still, eyes apologetic as he nces at us. I am certain he knows what Madeline has done.


    "I believe you know what your daughter here did." I begin. "Didn¡¯t you promise to put this one on a leash?"


    He sps his hands in plea. "I apologize on behalf of Maddie. She acted without thinking. Please forgive her. She¡¯s still a child."


    Asher scoffs. "God, don¡¯t you evere up with better lines? Madeline is NOT a child. She¡¯s a grown up who knows about actions and consequences. She knew exactly what she was doing when she leaked sensitive information to Billion-Err. She wanted and clearly still wants to bring my family into disrepute. That will not go unpunished even after she is forced to remedy the situation."


    Mr. Dunn turns to his daughter with angry eyes.


    "Dad, he is cheating on Olivia. I saw him out on a date. I got mad."


    "Shut up! Have you learnt nothing from your sister¡¯s mistake? You don¡¯t mess with..." he trails off with heavy eyes. I can tell what he couldn¡¯t bring himself to say; you don¡¯t mess with people you can¡¯t fight. "I¡¯ll deal with youter."


    "I am revoking her schrship!" Asher blurts out. The family turns to him in shock. I bet there is no way they can afford to shell out eighty-five grand in a year for her tuition fees. Madeline¡¯s eyes blur with tears as her mother cries. Her father battles to stayposed.


    "That¡¯s fair. I nned to pull her out of school anyway."


    "Daddy!"


    "Shut up Maddie. You brought this on yourself."


    Madeline streams across the room and grabs Ashal¡¯s hand. Her knees hit the floor. "Please, I am sorry. I will do anything to fix the mess I caused. You can punish me however else you deem fit but please don¡¯t revoke my schrship. School is the only thing that keeps me sane."


    Tears flow heavily down her face which only infuriates me. I am certain she¡¯s putting on an act.


    "Apparently, it¡¯s not doing a very good job since you entertained the insane idea that you could poke holes in my family¡¯s sterling reputation and get away with it." I snap at her. "The schrship revocation is only Asher¡¯s punishment." I turn to her parents. "I am cutting your monthly allowance by seventy-five percent. You¡¯ll have to foot the rest of your bills."


    Now Mr. Dunn¡¯s face crumples with pain. I guess a monthly stipend of thirty grand was heaven to them. They¡¯ll surely have to move into a smaller apartment now.


    "No! Please, I am sorry. Don¡¯t punish them like this. Punish me." Madeline continues to beg Ashal, hoping to reach through the murk to find a redeemable quality inside him.


    "Ashal, what¡¯s your punishment for her?" Asher asks him. Madeline¡¯s eyes stay on Ashal, thick with emotion and plea.


    "Olivia will have to pay for her sister¡¯s wrongs!"


    A smile creeps into my face as Madeline¡¯s shoulders sag in defeat. That¡¯ll teach you, I echo in my head. She continues to cry on the floor while her parents scold her till her head starts hurting again and doctor Ezra rushes in to attend to her. Wordlessly, my brothers and I leave from there.


    ***


    Anna smiles when she finds me parked outside her work ce just as she¡¯s done with her shift. She skips towards me, throws her arms around my neck and hugs me passionately.


    "I missed you."


    Shocked and silent, I don¡¯t hug her back. Instead, I gently nudge her away but she ms her body back on mine. "Woah, Anna..." Her lips capture mine in a hurried kiss. Instantly, I shove her away from me and wipe my lips. "What the hell? It¡¯s Ashley, not Asher! Jeez, woman."


    The surprise and disappointment that colored her face at my rejection fades to shock and embarrassment after my exnation.


    "Oh my god. Oh gosh, I am so sorry." Her eyes wheel to my car which is only simr to Asher¡¯s in color; white. "Oh goodness, I wasn¡¯t thinking. I am deeply sorry sir." Dying of embarrassment, she starts trotting away when I pull her back.


    "Hey, it was an ident. It¡¯s fine. I actually came to talk to you. Can I give you a ride home and we can talk on the way?"


    I can tell she¡¯s notfortable with the idea. Nervously, she gets into the car with me and we begin the ride to her house. I feel her difort around me with every toss of her head, every flick of her gaze. I bet she¡¯s worried about kissing her best friend¡¯s husband.


    "Calm down Anna. You didn¡¯t betray your best friend by kissing her husband. It was purely idental. You thought I was Asher, whom you¡¯ve recently be close to, and you did what you did. Don¡¯t overthink it." Anna exhales deeply.


    "What did you want to talk about?"


    "Demi. I¡¯m sure she¡¯s told you everything."


    She nces out the window. "Of course she has. What you did...it was wicked."


    "Is that how she feels?"


    "No, that¡¯s how I feel. Why would you not use protection knowing fully well that Demi doesn¡¯t want to have a baby right now? It just seems rather convenient that you did it while she was inebriated despite knowing that she would never have let you inside her without one if she was sober."


    I hiss out a breath. "I messed up. I admit that. I have begged and groveled but she still won¡¯t look at me."


    "You betrayed her trust, Ashley. She is afraid of being vulnerable around you again given what you did. Can you me her?"


    I can see why Demi won¡¯t let this go. Anna hasn¡¯t been helping at all. She¡¯s been fueling the fire. How can I expect her to talk to Demi on my behalf when she clearly can¡¯t stand me.


    "I was hoping you could talk to her on my behalf, make her give me a chance to redeem myself. Anna please, she¡¯ll listen to you. Demi and I just fixed our rtionship. We can¡¯t be fighting already."


    "You set that in motion. It¡¯s all your fault. That¡¯s my stop." She gestures to the side of the road. I pull the car over but don¡¯t unlock the door. A frown creases my passenger¡¯s brow as she tries the door to leave but it doesn¡¯t budge.


    "Open the door."


    "You are her best friend." I begin, sliding Anna a deep gaze. "You know everything about her. You also know all about her little crush for my brother." Anna doesn¡¯t deny it. She stares back, her face firm. "I bet you prefer he was in my ce. You don¡¯t like me very much, do you Anna Preston?"


    "Sounds like YOU are quite insecure in your marriage, Mr. Ashley Rollins."


    "I am not, but I see where my wife¡¯s been getting her doubts from."


    Sheughs at me. "What are you going to do? Demand that she cut ties with her best friend. Way to win brownie points with your new wife who¡¯s currently mad at you, Mr. Ashley. Be a man. Go home and beg for your wife¡¯s forgiveness. Be patient for as long as it takes her to stand the sight of you again."


    I unlock the door. "Get out."


    She gets down and ms the door. "FYI, I do wish Ashton was in your ce. I prefer him for my friend. He makes her truly happy and unlike some people, at least with him Demi won¡¯t worry about him sticking it on other women while they¡¯re still married."


    "You¡¯re very bold for a woman who literally just kissed her best friend¡¯s husband." The worry line on her face gives me sterling pleasure.


    "That was an ident."


    "Was it? You know there are four of us that look exactly like this, don¡¯t you? You also know that one of us is married to your best friend. If you n on having a secret affair with Asher, shouldn¡¯t you be more prudent to avoid such mistakes? My car is clearly different. My fashion style too. I have a fucking gold stud on my right ear. I say it was no ident and you meant to taste my lips. There are different ways our kiss could be interpreted and it will prove it was no ident. Demi might buy into the ident crap for our kiss but what about your secret affair with her least favorite brother-inw" I restart the car. "Talk to her, Anna. You¡¯d be smart to do so."


    She remains on the same spot, speechless, while I drive off.


    When I get home, I still have a head of steam going from my conversation with Anna. If anything was clear, it was the fact that Demi is still very much in love with my brother and her friend is rooting for them. Am I a joke to all of them? How far back does this thing with Ashton go? Do Demi and Anna talk smack about me while doing pedicures?


    My ego keeps taking a hit every time I hear about Ashton and Demi¡¯s love. Seriously, when did they even start growing feelings for each other behind my back?


    "Sir." A maid calls, offering me a tray of brandy and a snifter. I remember her name. She has an umonly pretty face and pride herself in mastering the favorites drinks of every brother, our cars, our demeanors. She rarely gets us wrong.


    "Thank you, Hailey."


    "It¡¯s Halle, sir."


    "Halle." I correct myself, taking the drink from her hand and pouring a little in the snifter. "Is my wife home?"


    "Yes sir. She¡¯s in her room."


    "And my brothers?"


    "Upstairs. Game room. Just two of them. I think one of them, Mr. Ashton, is in the gym with his girlfriend."


    "Thank you." I gulp my drink before sprinting up the stairs. When I get to Demi¡¯s door, I try her passcode which she shared with me after upholding her promise to give me a chance. I am not surprised to realize she has changed it as the door doesn¡¯t budge. She¡¯s locking me out now? I knock on the door twice but she doesn¡¯t open. It¡¯s like that, huh?


    Too tired for drama, I continue to go chat with my brothers. I am already close to the door when I hear something that makes my spine stiffen.


    "Why would he do that?" Ashal asks.


    "I don¡¯t know what he was thinking." Asher responds. "I honestly worry about him. He¡¯s messed up in the head with everything that¡¯s been unfolding; father¡¯s affair, his forbidden love with his sister-inw, our adoption. I¡¯ve tried to get him to talk or go to therapy but you know he¡¯s as stubborn as a mule. He¡¯ll only race himself to death."


    "And M?"


    "She did a bad job of pretending to be shocked. I can tell she knew about it the whole time. I wonder if that¡¯s how they met, through his alter ego, Mr. Fantasy or Will. I can¡¯t believe she knows about his dark hair. Who knows what else she knows about his secrets or ours. Damn it, Ashton slipped up."


    I lever a hand on the wall. Ashton is Mr. Fantasy? My heart thunders in my chest as I recall Kira using Demi of going on a date with said Mr. Fantasy. Anna¡¯s response seems like a cover up for Demi in hindsight.


    Did Demi really go out on a date with Ashton as Mr. Fantasy? Is that how they started their affair? How much is Demi not telling me? What other secret is Ashton keeping from me? I ball my hands into fists and grit my teeth. This is thest straw.


    Father looks up from his files when I barge into his office. His sses are perched on the bridge of his nose.


    "Can I help you, boy?"


    My eyes are thick with emotion. I trudge forward to stare deeply into father¡¯s eyes. He¡¯s the only one that can help me turn my situation around so all the parties involved are reminded that I am not to be trifled with.


    "I need your help, dad. Please."


    Addressing him as <i>dad</i> for the first time in my entire life and as the first quad to utter that word disarms father momentarily. He takes off his sses and stares at me.


    "Talk to me."

 Chapter 87

    <h4>Chapter 87: Chapter 87</h4>


    ASHAL


    I thought I had it under control. Actually, I did. I am not a ve to my health condition as much as I would like to believe. Before the disaster strikes, I usually have an option; flee or fight. The wise thing to do is usually to flee, to leave from the environment or leave the person triggering my anger.


    It¡¯s usually easier to do with my family, especially my brothers. With strangers, I tend to ignore the smart choice of fleeing and skip straight to fighting.


    I knew the consequences when I got into my car and went to find Maddie while seething with anger. I could have stopped myself instead of entertaining the delusion that I could have a talk with her and get her to admit her mistake.


    Maddie is not built like most girls. She is very defensive, foul-mouthed, rude, bold, fearless most times, annoying and so much more. She is the type to defend her mistake not own up to them. I should have avoided her and let my brothers fix the mess she created in solidarity to her sister but I didn¡¯t. I didn¡¯t listen. I acted and almost maimed Olivia¡¯s sister.


    It¡¯s been two weeks since Maddie was discharged from the hospital but I can¡¯t get that day out of my head. How would I have forgiven myself for ruining the lives of the daughters of the Dunn family? How would I haveyered my betrayal to Olivia with the maiming or even death of her sister all in one day?


    The guilt has been eating away at me. I feel terrible. I feel like a monster and a cheat at the same time. That¡¯s part of the reason why I can¡¯t face Olivia. Her family has not mentioned anything about Maddie¡¯s ident so Liv is only pissed at me for betraying her trust but when I look at her remorsefully, I am loathing myself for everything that transpired with Cree and Maddie.


    "How is she?" I ask the doctor after he has examined Liv. "How is our baby?"


    "Mother and child are both fine. You have to keep her away from anything that induces stress, both physical and emotional. This is a crucial stage of her pregnancy."


    "I understand."


    Olivia nces at me from her bed with dull eyes. I thank the doctor and have one of my security personnel see him off. When I edge close to her bed, Liv puts up a weak hand.


    "Don¡¯t."


    "Olivia, please, I am sorry."


    She shoves the nket off her body and climbs down the bed to walk away from me and out of the room. She has been avoiding me like this ever since my pictures with Cree leaked. I haven¡¯t been able to get through to her. My apologies, gifts, promises etc. no longer move her but I don¡¯t n on stopping anytime soon. I messed up.


    When I was the perfect husband, Olivia never wanted anything to do with me. She betrayed me by cheating. When she flipped and became the model wife, I lost my way and betrayed her trust. It just seems like we are in an endless cycle of fate where we keep missing each other and never truly align.


    I find Liv nestled by the indoor pool, stroking her legs in the water. Her face looks cid but pain lies within her eyes.


    "I did the press thing, told everyone that we are not married, neither have we even met. What else do you want, Mr. Ashal? Would you like my organs? Would that please you and your family?"


    "Liv, don¡¯t say that." I crouch next to her. "I swear on my life, I only kissed Cree. Nothing happened between us. I know that doesn¡¯t exonerate me from beingbeled as a cheater but I just thought I¡¯d rify. I was lost, Liv. I couldn¡¯t reach you. I couldn¡¯t find the Olivia Dunn I fell hopelessly in love with. You...changed."


    Tears form in her eyes. "<i>You made me do it</i>."


    "I know. I didn¡¯t realize the amount of pressure you were under to prove yourself to me. I just...I¡¯m so sorry Liv. I should have talked to you about how I was feeling instead of shutting you out and seekingfort elsewhere."


    Olivia shakes her head. "You¡¯re so good at this. You know how to string up the right words to exin yourself but that¡¯s all they¡¯ll ever be; apologies and exnations. You never make good on your promises and frankly, I am starting to see that it¡¯s a family trait. I can¡¯t do this anymore Ashal. Let¡¯s face it. We were never meant to be."


    I wipe the tears rolling down her face. "Don¡¯t say that, Liv. I know you and I have been through a lot to get to this point of understanding but I believe we can do it."


    "I can¡¯t do it." She whimpers with a hand on her stomach. "I don¡¯t want to bring my child into a dysfunctional home." My fingers freeze on her hair. "If you truly cared, you¡¯d set me free, Ashal. You¡¯d divorce me." She grabs my hands. "We can co-parent. We will both be in our child¡¯s life but not as a couple. That¡¯s the only way this will work out for our innocent baby."


    Flustered by her suggestion, I lurch to my feet and look away to hide the moistness in my eyes. Lily hovers by the door, a pale shadow in a white apron. I walk up to her.


    "Make sure she eats and has her medicines on time." She nods firmly.


    "Ashal" Olivia calls out before I can leave. I hesitate by the door. "Maddie. She leaked the story to Billion-Err and you know it." Her blurry eyes meet my face. "I did the best I could to salvage the situation. My family...Maddie...please spare them your family¡¯s wrath. I am already sacrificing my life here. No one else has to suffer. Punish me instead."


    Her broken voice and the pain in her eyes shatter something inside of me till my guilt looms like a tidal wave, hard for me to ignore. My eyes droop to the floor as I walk out.


    "Where are you?" Mother asks on the phone just as I get into my car. "We can¡¯t bete for the function."


    "I¡¯m on my way."


    One of father¡¯s biggest business associates and close friends, Mr. Vincent Baker, is throwing avish wedding for his daughter and has invited our entire family to grace the event. Father has been stressing everyone out, demanding we be on our best behavior. Given the negative press we¡¯ve recently received on my ount, we are making more public appearances to give people less reasons to suspect us.


    Thankfully, we all get to the wedding thirty minutes earlier. With the exception of Asher and I, the rest of my brothers have dates. I nce from my pew towards Ashley and Demi.


    Demi is beautifully draped in a gold body sculpting dress. I can tell Ashley influenced her fashion choice. Behind them, M is helping Ashton with his tie. She seems to be the one who coordinated their outfits, like she has been doing since her stay with us.


    She was meant to stay for a week but it¡¯s been two weeks already. I am notining but I think Ashton misses his privacy. We all love M but she can be a leech most times. These past two weeks, I¡¯ve barely seen much of Ashton since his girlfriend won¡¯t let him take a piss alone.


    Everyone rises as the bride starts to walk in, apanied by her proud father. I remember her. Stacy Baker. Father had set up a blind date for me and Stacy months after I got with Olivia but I stood her up. I¡¯m d she found someone that makes her happy if the big smile on her face is any indication.


    "Remorseful yet?" Father whispers to me. "She would have been walking to you a year ago if you had stuck to the n."


    I can tell he is fuming at missing out on a lifelong alliance with Mr. Vincent. Mother shushes him. We go through the rest of the church ceremony in silence.


    At the reception, I hang by myself, sipping champagne while my brothers dance with their dates. Asher somehow managed to get Stacy¡¯s younger sister to dance with him. She rocks to the music passionately, grinding on him. Father sidles up to me.


    "See that? Asher is indeed the son after my heart. He always knows how to please me." His smile deepens as Asher and Emily Baker start kissing each other. "She¡¯s clearly smitten by him."


    "I can see that." I reply with a scowl before downing the rest of my drink. "You clearly have a lot to say to me so why don¡¯t you juste out with it."


    Father nudges me to a corner and hardens his face. "You assured me you had your situation with Olivia under the control. You told me you are in love with her and that¡¯s why you wouldn¡¯t let her go. Then I wake up to pictures of you kissing a strange woman, another nobody, and your secret marriage to Olivia trending on the news. Do you have any idea how much we lost in the business following your slip up?" He breathes heavily.


    "Asher filled me in. I¡¯m sorry."


    "Sorry doesn¡¯t cut it." He snaps at me with icy eyes. "I am sick and tired of you being a nutcase. You have used up all of my patience. I¡¯m taking back control of that situation. I won¡¯t let you drag this family down!"


    "What do you mean by that?" The shock in my eyes fizzles away as I clench my fist and glower at him.


    "She already denied any rtionship with you publicly. This is your out, Ashal. That sham of a marriage has outlived its usefulness. She¡¯s got no fire left in her and even if she tries to bark now, no one will listen to a word she says. I could easily make her out to be a loony, unless she poses more of a challenge and requires a more permanent solution."


    "You¡¯re not going to hurt a hair on Olivia¡¯s head nor will I let you separate us."


    "Oh, yeah? Remember who you are talking to boy."


    "I know exactly who I am talking to and that¡¯s why I haven¡¯t mmed my fist into your face. Olivia is carrying my child. She suffers as much as a scratch and I¡¯ll sink your empire to the ground faster than you can call Duncan."


    Father is unfazed by my threat and we indulge in a staring contest that gets cut off by Ashton.


    "Everything okay over here?"


    We both turn to Ashton who stands with a drink in one hand and the other hand buried in his pocket. His firm eyes stay on father, a small warning in them.


    "Yea. Everything¡¯s fine." Father replies, patting my shoulder with a hand. He locks eyes with me. "I trust you¡¯d do the right thing for our family." His eyes skirt briefly to Ashton before he walks away. I immediately reach for the ss in Ashton¡¯s hand and gulp it.


    "Hey, don¡¯t let him get to you. Can he really shock you at this point?"


    "He¡¯s just such a crappy parent I want to hit him sometimes."


    "I can guess what he pulled you away to discuss." With a loud hiss, Ashton shakes his head. "I can¡¯t believe I am about to say this but for the first time in my life, I understand where father ising from."


    "What?"


    "What are you doing, Ashal? Here you are defending Olivia as the love of your life after the whole disaster with Cree. CREE. What were you thinking going back to that woman? You do know that she could very well be Shay, right? Look, I am not a saint and I don¡¯t judge you for wanting to explore again but not Cree, man."


    "I know. I don¡¯t know what I was thinking. She reminds me so much of the Olivia I fell in love with. I was so starved of that version of my wife that I went looking for her in other women when I should have just opened up and had a conversation with Liv. It was a mistake, Ash. I¡¯m ending it."


    Ashton nods at me. One of our security men plows through the crowd in the reception hall to get to us. He bows.


    "Yes, Cyril?"


    "We¡¯ve got a lead on Shay. We found the aplice leaking the new phone lines."


    ***


    When I walk into my office the following Monday, I am still a bit shocked at the discovery. Oliver is one of my favorite servants in the mansion and much too innocent looking to be a back stabber. Well, ording to what he exined, he didn¡¯t have any malicious intent when he passed along our phone numbers toplete strangers a for a hefty sum online. ording to him, he always altered one figure or two for every rando he sold to until he met a girl online and started chatting nonstop with her. She only agreed not to block him if he passed along the real phone numbers of his young bosses.


    I am not surprised Oliver fell for that. I read their chats. Thedy knows her way with words. She even gave him several nicknames such as boo thang, stud muffin, Mr. Big D, Hunk and even Tony Stark. If Oliver wasn¡¯t already drooling for this woman he was only allowed to jerk off to under his nket at night, he would have realized that she didn¡¯t think his wire thin body and small statue as his profile picture showed fit any of those descriptions.


    I know how heady it can be when a woman strokes a man¡¯s ego like that. For men like Oliver, it¡¯s ten times harder for them not to take the bait especially when a hot chick they never dreamt they could get starts giving them the attention and nicknames. Oliver indicated that his favorite was Mi Rey which trantes as my king in Spanish. Shay only had to call him this and his head will swoon so much he would damn the consequences and do whatever she asked.


    Elyon pokes his head in.


    "Yes?"


    "Um, that girl you said not to let into your office is still waiting at the downstairs. She¡¯s been there for three hours, won¡¯t leave."


    A frown creases my forehead.


    "I could have security show her out."


    "No. Thank you Elyon. Send her in."


    I sigh tiredly when Maddie walks through my door.


    "You can¡¯t keeping here."


    "You refused to see me. I need to talk to you."


    Hesitantly, I usher her to a seat. "If you are here to talk about Olivia..."


    "My dad wants to get me married off."


    That was thest thing I expected her to say. Her eyes cloud over with tears.


    "What?"


    She sniffles. "He can¡¯t afford my school fees and he is too mad at me to stand living with me so he spoke to one of his friends and they¡¯re going to have me wed his friend¡¯s son." Maddie has never looked more disgusted and scared. "I¡¯m not here to ask you to revoke the punishments on my family. I brought that on them, on myself. I just need you to help me dissuade my dad from forcing me into this marriage. I can¡¯t do it. I¡¯ll run away if I could but mom won¡¯t survive losing Liv and I. Please Mr. Ashal, help me."


    What the hell is Mr. Dunn thinking? Is this the best solution? I clench my fist.


    "I¡¯ll talk to him. You have nothing to worry about." Her eyes flicker with hope.


    "Thank you."


    I am not surprised she doesn¡¯t feel the need to further apologize for the Billion-Err post. She still believes she did the right thing. That¡¯s just Maddie. She lurches to her feet.


    "I¡¯ll leave now."


    "Maddie." I call when she gets to the door. She turns to me. "You¡¯re not leaving school. I¡¯ll reinstate your family on the initial allowance and you can keep your schrship." Her hands trembles by the door. I can tell she¡¯s fighting back her tears. "Don¡¯t thank me. I¡¯m doing it for Olivia. I don¡¯t want her to suffer anymore."


    Maddie nods and leaves quietly.


    I follow through with my promise and go to visit Cree after work. Her new apartment has been decorated to her taste. Since the Billion-Err incident, she has been on a paid leave and recently just resumed work. As expected, she¡¯s delighted to see me and throws her arms around my neck.


    "I was afraid you weren¡¯t going to make it." I stare into her eyes and wonder how the light in them will go off when I tell her why I am actually here. She drags me across the room to the dining table where a little feast has been spread. "I am not sure what your favorite food is so I ordered a bunch of stuff. Hopefully, they¡¯ll taste as good as the food you¡¯re used to."


    When she notices my awkward silence, she moves in and kisses me. Gently, I nudge her away.


    "We can skip to the main course."


    "Please Cree, I came to talk."


    Her face falls. "I don¡¯t want to talk." She insists, rubbing on me. I move away from her. Why wouldn¡¯t she even ask me about my rumored marriage even if the air has been cleared? She never brought it up once. It seems weird.


    "What¡¯s wrong, Ash? Did I do something wrong?"


    "No, you didn¡¯t. You¡¯re amazing and I haven¡¯t felt so thrilled by anyone in so long. I just...I can¡¯t do this, not right now. I hope you can understand."


    "I don¡¯t. Are you breaking up with me?"


    "Yeah, precisely."


    She throws her head back andughs.


    "What¡¯s so funny?"


    "Oh Mi Rey, you¡¯ll have to date me first before you can break up with me. Don¡¯t get ahead of yourself. Nice try though." She dips her pinkie into a sauce andps it up with her tongue in a sexually arousing way. My head fails to register her seductive techniques. All I can think of is the name she just called me.


    She just called me Mi Rey, just like Shay calls Oliver.!

 Chapter 88

    <h4>Chapter 88: Chapter 88</h4>


    DEMI


    "I can¡¯t believe the Shay saga is finally over." Ashley quips, rubbing his hands on his eyes.


    "Yeah. Thank God." I reply, studying him.


    This period has really been stressful for him. He rarely slept without popping sleeping pills. His nightmares got more intense and frequent. While I sit across from him on the couch in his room, all I can think about is his PTSD and what caused it.


    He has never bothered to talk to me about his childhood or Tobias. I didn¡¯t ask the burning questions on my tongue because of everything he was going through at the time but now that it¡¯s over, I need answers.


    What exactly happened with Tobias? Why would Cree go to great lengths to torment him in particr if him and his family are innocent as they im? Why was Tobias¡¯ autopsy and police reports stowed away? I have a hunch that the Rollins family just managed to silence another of their victims.


    When Cree was apprehended, Ashley asked to have a private moment with her. I tried to coax him into letting me stand and watch while he questioned her but he was adamant about speaking to her privately. His eyes had shed angrily at me when I made a fuss. It was weird. His brothers had also banded to dissuade me from stubbornly insisting. That¡¯s how I know there¡¯s more to Cree/Shay¡¯s usation and I am determined to unearth it.


    "So, what did Cree say?"


    "What?"


    "What was her reason for attacking you? You didn¡¯t let me go in with you."


    "She kept denying being Shay of course. She¡¯s a pathological liar. I¡¯ll make sure she pays severely for everything she¡¯s put me through," he throws me a soft nce, "everything she¡¯s put us through."


    Vague. He didn¡¯t even answer the question. I expected as much.


    "And Ashal? Is he doing okay? Do you think he was starting to have feelings for her?"


    Ashley shakes his head. "He¡¯s fine. He is d he figured it out and had her nabbed. He wasn¡¯t exactly trying to date her. It was all part of the n. We knew Cree was a prime suspect with a glib tongue and decided to sic Ashal on her to find out information or dirt on her. He went along, pretending to be interested in her. It was never real so he¡¯s fine."


    I dip my eyes.


    "What?"


    "I find it weird that Olivia¡¯s name keepsing up against Ashal¡¯s. I get that people would always like to find something scandalous to pin on a celebrity with less drama than most but it¡¯s just weird that the same woman and the same allegation keeps cropping up in Ashal¡¯s case."


    "We¡¯ve got lots of enemies like Cree out there; relentless, reaching, creative. Don¡¯t let it bother you. We¡¯ll always win the fight no matter how long they persevere."


    I keep the rest of my questions for Liam since Ashley is a good liar. This is the longest we have spoken to each other behind closed doors since the condom incident weeks ago. I can tell from the surreptitious nces he keeps sliding my way that Ashley is still unsure about intimacy with me. I allow him to torture himself by walking on egg shells around me, dreading the idea of bringing it up first.


    When he slides close to me on the couch and ces a hand on my thigh, my fingers tighten on the couch while I bite down on the urge to move away from him.


    "Thank you foring to check on me." His eyes dip to my lips. His head starts leaning towards me, his lips slightly puckered. Just before they touch my lips, I turn my cheek. Ashley is clearly disappointed by my reaction but says nothing to the effect. "Up for a night cap? I¡¯ve missed you."


    Everything inside me rejects the idea.


    "Ok."


    My answer catches him by surprise. I don¡¯t want to cuddle next to him tonight but I have no other choice. I can¡¯t continue to keep away from him. It¡¯s been weeks. It sounds like ame excuse now to hold the same thing against him after so long.


    Besides, I need him to not suspect my intentions ever again like the issue of Shay¡¯s second note. So, I¡¯ll cuddle and maybe kiss him while fermenting a n to get to Cree and unveil the truth about Tobias¡¯ death and his true murderer.


    "You¡¯re glowing." Mother tells me the next morning at breakfast. It feels good to finally eat with just the family. M finally went back home. I hated everything about her stay at the mansion. I had to get Ashley to style me everyday just to match up to her stylish outfits. It was too much pressure silentlypeting with her. When she wasn¡¯t spilling her drink (identally as she imed) or oversharing about Ashton¡¯s sexual prowess, she was watching me like a hawk to make sure my eyes don¡¯t linger unnecessarily long on her man¡¯s shadow. It was ridiculous.


    "Oh, thank you, mother. I¡¯m trying out a new body lotion."


    Mother smothers a chuckle behind her napkin. "Not that kind of glow dear, the other kind."


    A huge blush colors my cheek as the quads, with the exception of Asher, share a meaningful look. Ashton, who is finally back to being cool with Ashley, munches his food quietly after shooting Ashley a smile.


    Liam¡¯s voicee rushing back to me. <i>They don¡¯t love me. They¡¯re onlypeting to be the first one to get into my pants</i>. I allow the thought to y in a loop so I don¡¯t feel bad about all the ways I am prepared to expose this family, even if it¡¯ll hurt Ashton too. I dip my eyes coyly and continue with my meal.


    After a few hours of work at the office, I head to the restroom, ensure that all the stalls are empty before turning on the faucet and calling Maddie.


    "You¡¯ve been a hard woman to reach, Madeline."


    "What do you want?"


    Her curtness is nothing new to me. "Going straight to the point, are we? Works for me since I have a job to get back to. I want us to meet. I want to watch you delete all the recordings and evidence you have of our conversation, meetings, the whole thing."


    "And why would I do that?


    "Excuse me?"


    "You promised you¡¯d help me get my sister out of her horrible situation. You haven¡¯t done that yet. Liv is still trapped in there and until we get her out, the evidence remains!"


    I stare at my fuming reflection in the mirror, unable to decide if I want to pull my hair out of my scalp or punch my fist into the ss mirror.


    "What do you mean? I helped you the best way I could. I leaked what you said to Billion-Err. Your sister was the one who made a whole ass video with a full face of makeup and denied ever meeting Ashal, much less dating him. How is that my fault? She ruined everything. It was <i>your</i> job to ensure she wanted to be saved and followed through with our n but <i>you</i> failed. You owe it to me to delete that evidence." I wish I was close to her so I can strangle her neck and release her just before death¡¯s icy hands can take her.


    "Don¡¯t tell me you believe Liv¡¯s video. I am certain your family forced her to do that. I saw her eyes; they were afraid. I can¡¯t leave her there, Demi. I have to find a way for Ashal to divorce my sister or to burst her out of there so more people can rally around to hear her story, support her and prevent the Rollins family from harming her."


    "Maddie..."


    "This isn¡¯t over, Demi. Please, I still need you. Can¡¯t you see how powerful and maniptive your family is? How do you even sleep at night, in the same house as those people? Every day, they do something wickedly evil and sweep it under the rug. How long before they hurt you too?"


    I rub a hand over my forehead. "Maddie..." The line cuts off. "Maddie? Madeline?"


    I stare at my phone. Did this bitch just hang up on me? I turn off the faucet and suck in a breath through my teeth while pacing the bathroom. I still feel like punching my fist through the ss but I take calming breaths instead. I¡¯ll find a way to delete the evidence myself and stay away from the Dunn sisters. They¡¯re too fickle. Cree should be a better ally.


    My head spins when I head for the door. I hold the wash basin and give myself time to feel steadier.


    "Are you okay?"


    My eyes flutter open at the sound of someone¡¯s voice.


    "Yeah. Yeah, thanks."


    I recognize the olderdy as Amanda Regan, the same woman who must have been friends with myte mom and had recognized me at a meeting of team leads months back.


    I spritz some cold water from the faucet on my face and pat it dry with my handkerchief. Amanda washes her hands next to me, watching me through the mirror. Feeling better, I start for the door.


    "Why¡¯d you lie?"


    "What?" I ask, turning.


    She shakes water off her hands and pins me with a look of disappointment.


    "Did you think Camille never showed us a picture of her teen daughter? She could never go a day without bringing you up. Always missed you at work and worried that her job was affecting her rtionship with you. So, why did you lie about your rtionship with your mother, Demi Branson???"


    I gasp in shock as my heart thunders in my chest.


    ***


    "Where have you been?" Asher snaps at me when I return to my office. I tuck my hands behind my back to hide the tremor in them.


    "Bathroom break."


    "That¡¯s a lot of bathroom breaks for one morning. Did you swallow an ocean?" His humor is lost on me. Quietly, I slide into my seat and exhale with relief when my wrist watch shows it¡¯s barely ten minutes to my lunch break.


    "Forget about going to lunch. You¡¯ll stay back and catch up on all the work you¡¯ve been cking off this morning."


    "I¡¯m afraid that will have to wait till after lunch."


    Asher and I look up as Josh makes his usual unexpected entrance. He looks dapper in his hippy jeans and jacket. Leave it to Josh to break the dress code every now and then. Asher¡¯s frown deepens as he sets his eyes on his least favorite colleague.


    "And why is that?"


    "Because she has a lunch date with the chairman and I to get to." I concur with a nod and a smile when Asher turns to me with widened eyes. "The chairman is delighted to have you join us, Demi. We could use a woman¡¯spany as a buffer for all the ser and work talks."


    I relish the constipated look on Asher¡¯s face while I clear up my desk.


    "Since when did you start going to lunch with father?" He asks, hunched over my desk after Josh leaves.


    "I don¡¯t get what the big deal is. I eat with father at home every day. Josh invited me to join them at soul foods and I said yes. Was I supposed to decline?"


    Ites as no shock to me when Asher insists oning along. We all make it to soul foods and ce our orders. Father is anything but thrilled by my presence. I know he wishes he only had his sons with him.


    "So, Demi, how has the internship been so far?" Josh breaks the ice.


    "Good. Informative. Refining."


    "I am d to hear that." Josh replies, ignoring Asher¡¯s snort at my response. "Keep up the good performance streak and you¡¯ll soon be on your way to joining a department of your choice."


    Asher sips water from the ss in front of him. "One would think she works under you." He scoffs. "I am the judge of her performance and I can tell you for free that she still has a lot of work to put in if she ever wants to bump up her position from intern to staff."


    Josh shakes his head. "She has paid her dues and you know it. Can you not even pretend to like your own sister-inw for one minute? What is it about her very existence that you find so triggering."


    Father shifts ufortably as both brothers exchange heated res.


    "I¡¯m d you noted that she¡¯s part of <i>my </i>family so why don¡¯t you do me a favor and keep my family matter out of your fucking mouth, Mr. Randall?"


    "ASHER!" Father chides him. He doesn¡¯t back down but turns his fiery eyes in his father¡¯s direction, as though throwing a challenge to his father to try and defend his bastard son in my presence. My insides churn with excitement at the drama unfolding but my face contorts with worry and guilt for being the subject of the fight, as expected of me.


    "That¡¯s enough. Don¡¯t disrespect each other." Father chimes vaguely. Josh reaches across the table to squeeze my hand and mouths that I shouldn¡¯t mind Asher.


    Our meals arrive. Asher clearly isn¡¯t interested in the food. He only came over to watch me and make sure I don¡¯t figure out the truth. He keeps poking at his food and staring daggers at everyone else on the table.


    I notice him because I am barely eating myself. I can¡¯t seem to find my appetite with all the burning looks father and Asher throw my way even though the food looks yummy. When Josh excuses himself to go use the restroom, Asher drops his cutleries with a tter and gives his father a burning look.


    I am guessing he wants to know why his father let me join his lunch date with Josh. Father wipes his mouth with a napkin and locks eyes with me. I almost choke on my carrot, the only thing I can stomach since every other thing tastes funny.


    "You¡¯ve caused enough trouble between my boys at home." Father starts, referring to the recently settled beef between Ashley and Ashton. "Now, Asher and Josh can¡¯t even stand each other because of your presence. If you had any shame left, you¡¯d leave from here, Demi. And don¡¯t ever ept josh¡¯s invitation to have lunch with me again. Have I made myself clear?"


    I didn¡¯t expect them to act any differently. I already got what I came for; the chance to see them shake in their boots over my presence and how close I could be to learning the truth about Josh. If only they knew. I try to stall to give Josh time to return.


    "I¡¯m sorry father. When he asked, I thought it would be weird to turn him down. That¡¯s the only reason I epted."


    "Be on your way, Demi. All that work on your desk won¡¯t take care of itself." Asher snaps.


    Slowly, I polish off my lips with my napkin and grab my purse. When I rise from my seat, my vision wavers a bit and I lose my bnce unintentionally. Hands break my fall and catch me midway. I stare up at Josh¡¯s face.


    "Are you okay? Where are going?" He helps me up and keeps a protective hand on the small of my back while I blink my eyes to clear them.


    "I¡¯m fine, thank you."


    Father and Asher grit their teeth at me. I wish, like they must be thinking, that I am faking my dizziness.


    "Thank you for inviting me to lunch. I have to rush back to work ahead of you all. I have tons to get done today."


    "Are you sure?"


    "Yes, I am." I hug him. "Thank you." Then nod briefly at father before leaving. On my way back to work, I call Liam to tell him about Josh Randall but I instruct him not to let the secret out of the bag just yet.


    "Josh is just starting to like me. If we blow the lid off his paternity, we won¡¯t do much damage. Brett could easily deny him. We need hard evidence that proves Brett is Josh¡¯s father; birth certificate, DNA report, admissions from Brett and Mrs. Randall, pictures of Brett at Josh¡¯s age and so on. The evidence has to be irrefutable."


    "I like the way you¡¯re thinking, Demi. I¡¯ve missed this version of you."


    "Thank you. I¡¯m sorry it took so long to find my way back to my purpose; ending the cycle of evil wrought by the Rollins family."


    Liam pauses briefly. "And Ashton? I hope he¡¯s no longer a weakness strong enough to stomp out this fire in you."


    My breath shudders. "I still like him but not enough to put off avenging my parents."


    I recall Mrs. Amber Regan in the bathroom and the fresh onught of pain over the death of my parents that stemmed from the conversation Mrs. Amber and I had had.


    "Why¡¯d you lie, Demi? Did you really hate your mom that much?"


    "NO!" I countered her speedily, stumbling forward. "I loved my mom. I could never hate her." Tears clouded my eyes despite my best effort to keep them in. "I missed her terribly because her job kept her away from me. We barely saw much of each other and as a teenager, I misconstrued the situation and doubted her love for me. It took getting older to understand that she didn¡¯t have a choice and did it to give me a better life."


    Mrs. Amber exhaled. "You clearly love her. Then why did you...."


    "Her death..." I paused to check what I was about to share and if I could trust Mrs. Amber. "I kept thinking that my parents didn¡¯t die a natural death."


    Mrs. Amber didn¡¯t seem rmed by my insinuation but she stayed on the course as a concerned friend of my mom¡¯s who didn¡¯t want me to keep suffering thinking that my parents were murdered. She drew close to me.


    "It was an ident, Demi. Don¡¯t go down that route. You¡¯ll only hurt more."


    I shake my head. "You¡¯re right. I¡¯m probably still feeling guilty because we didn¡¯t get to mend our rtionship before she passed. I¡¯m sorry I lied earlier. The mention of my mom¡¯s name always causes a fresh stab of pain so I don¡¯t like to hear it. I am not fishing for pity around here either so I¡¯d appreciate it if you don¡¯t mention this to anyone else."


    "I understand dear. Feel free toe to me whenever you want to talk or learn more about your mom as a corporate employee. I have a lot of stories about her life here at the HQ which she probably didn¡¯t get to share with you."


    "Really? I¡¯d love that." "I hugged her. "Thank you, Mrs. Regan."


    "You¡¯re wee."


    "Demi? You still there?" Liam repeats over the phone.


    "Yeah. I¡¯m here. Sorry, I zoned out." I am not ready to tell him about Amber yet until I get as much information as I can.


    "Okay. Let me know what else you find out. I¡¯ll work on getting to Cree before your inws make her disappear off the face of the earth."


    I slug through work, tuning off Asher¡¯sints. After work, I head straight for Anna¡¯s.


    She waits by her door and wraps me up in a warm embrace when I reach her.


    "Poor thing, you look so pale."


    I tell her about meeting my mom¡¯s friend in the bathroom at work, going to lunch with father and Asher, how Asher tormented me the entire day.


    "Nothing unusual. However, I do think I might being down with a fever soon. I¡¯ve been exerting myself these past couple of days and now my body can¡¯t take it anymore. I almost fainted at the restaurant, in front of father and Asher. Josh, bless his heart, was just in time to catch me." I run my hands over my face and expel a deep breath. "I still feel woozy every time I stand on my two feet. I need to get some medication."


    Anna shifts ufortably. "And this started today?"


    "Not really." One look at her and my eyes sh with denial. "NO. Hell no. It¡¯s not what you¡¯re thinking..." I trail off as I suddenly recall my period is runningte this month. Heat res inside me. "No. I am not pregnant. I am just stressed."


    "Demi..."


    "I¡¯M NOT. DON¡¯T EVEN THINK IT." But my mind is on fire right now. I can¡¯t be. Ashley said I¡¯d be fine. He promised that he pulled out. No. I can¡¯t be. Anna¡¯s hands wrap around my trembling body.


    "Calm down. It¡¯s ok. We don¡¯t know for sure. I¡¯ll just suggest you take a pregnancy test just to rule out the possibility, okay? Just so we know."


    My eyes go misty. A pregnancy test? I am not mentally prepared to go through that.


    "Anna, I..."


    "I¡¯ll be here with you. Don¡¯t worry. You are not alone."


    Ten minutester after I pee on a pregnancy strip in Anna¡¯s bathroom, I bury my face in her shoulder and sob softly.


    "This wasn¡¯t the n. I messed up big time."


    Anna rubs my back. "It¡¯s going to be fine, Demi."


    But I doubt she believes it too. My contract with Ashley is supposed to be for one year. I was supposed to get my revenge and walk away from the Rollins family. Procreating more of them was never the n.


    What would Liam think? Ashley will never let me go if he finds out. His family will make me their prisoner forever because of the child in my womb. I am so scared right now.


    "You can¡¯t tell anyone, Anna, not yet. I need to think."


    "I got you."


    I get home, worn to a frazzle and looking sad, just after nine pm. Father steps out of his study, swirling a drink in the ss in his hand. I nce up, too tired to entertain whatever he has in store for me.


    "You¡¯rete."


    "Sorry, father. I stopped by a friend¡¯s. She was having a rough day." I mean that for myself though. Is this still about lunch? I wonder as I study father¡¯s face while he watches me. "I¡¯m sorry about lunch. I didn¡¯t mean to be an inconvenience."


    "You have lots more to be sorry for, Demi Branson." He corrects dryly. "However, we will revisit the subject of you toying with the affections of my two sons and causing a rift between them at ater date. That¡¯s not why I called your attention."


    I feel a retch crawling up my gut as I wait out his suspenseful beat. My vision swims momentarily.


    "You just missed a major family announcement." He blurts cockily. "Ashton and M are getting engaged!"


    Before I can stop myself, my body jerks and I throw up my gooey lunch on father¡¯s face and clothes!

 Chapter 89

    <h4>Chapter 89: Chapter 89</h4>


    ASHTON


    Thest two weeks have been very hectic for me. At home while M was still a guest in the mansion, she had been very clingy and in constant demand of entertainment. I barely saw much of my own brothers because she was always pulling me away to check out a new club, attend a concert or a friend¡¯s party etc.


    There was always something to do and somewhere to get to. If I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d say she was very ufortable being at home with me with Ashely¡¯s room (where Demi had to sleep in most nights for the duration of M¡¯s stay) being close to mine.


    She wouldn¡¯t admit it but I sensed that M was still very wary of and insecure around Demi. I noticed how she switched up on her fashion style from thefortable and chic to trendy and sexy. Everyday, she looked so good she turned heads wherever we went.


    I indulged her because I needed to distract myself from feeling bad about losing a woman that was never mine to begin with. While I immersed myself in M¡¯s world and vishly followed her itinerary, the distance between Demi and I started to widen and I realized I could go a day without thinking about her.


    At work, Asher and I finally finalized the acquisition of a car dealership. I didn¡¯t think the deal was going to span weeks to conclude but I am grateful it was sessful. I have never been prouder of Asher. He handled the process with admirable finesse.


    I understand why father keeps him close. Asher is a ruthless negotiator and businessman. I just like cars, man. The business side of it all sucks to be honest. Thankfully, I have astute people just like Asher on my team who help me keep the automobilepany running smoothly.


    M is finally back to sleeping in her own bed now. I am grateful to have my room to myself but there are still traces of her everywhere, especially in my bathroom. Her scent still lingers on my pillows and bedsheets. Her lingerie and some of her clothes are still in my closet. I sometimes imagine her fingerprint on the steamy ss in the shower from when we got kinky in the bathroom. There¡¯s also her toothbrush, hairbrush, makeup kit etc. all over the bathroom sink. I tried to ignore the clutter for a few days but finally gave up and called the maids.


    "Thank you, Halle." My room is squeaky clean after Halle and her team finish with it in under an hour. The bathroom is spotless, like it is used to being.


    "You¡¯re wee, sir. Let us know if you need any more assistance."


    I shut my door after they leave and sigh deeply. It feels great when I fall asleepter. The next morning after a good night rest, I wake up refreshed and ready to restart the daily grind. Gris is pleased when I make my way into the office bright and early. ording to him, I am in time to meet my guest.


    "A guest in my office? It¡¯s not even eight in the morning yet." I mutter irritably. When he tells me who the guest is, my frown only deepens.


    "Good morning, Mr. Spellman." I greet M¡¯s father. The elderly man isfortably seated on my sofa with a steaming mug of coffee in his hand. He sets his coffee down as I join him on the sofa. I have a slight idea what he is here to talk about.


    "You¡¯rete, again" He utters dryly with a look of pure dissatisfaction etched on his face.


    "It¡¯s two minutes past seven am and you didn¡¯t inform me you wereing."


    "It doesn¡¯t matter. What matters is that I was here before you, the boss of this establishment."


    I shrug my shoulders, lean back on my seat and cross my legs. "Fine. Two points for punctuality goes to you. So, are you going to tell me why you are here? I know it has nothing to do with the services we offer here."


    Mr. Hugh regards me with disdain through his piercing eyes. I don¡¯t care what he thinks of me. I won¡¯t cozy up to him just because I am with his daughter. I don¡¯t even do so with my own father. He has to ept me just as I am.


    "What exactly are your ns for my daughter? She spent weeks at your mansion. At this point, I am afraid it¡¯s a little more than a fling."


    I want to believe that neither M nor father is behind Mr. Hugh¡¯s visit today. Just the thought of it pisses me off.


    "M and I just started dating officially, Mr. Hugh. I am in no hurry whatsoever. Did M say something to you?"


    "She has no idea I am here right now. I am only asking as a concerned father. I do not want rumors to spread or her reputation nearly tarnished if you mean to use and dump her. She won¡¯t be like that model your married brother uses."


    "I beg your pardon?"


    "Don¡¯t get defensive, Ashton. We both know the truth. Anyway, back to my question. You didn¡¯t answer me."


    I rise to my feet. "I did, clearly might I add. I am still getting to know your daughter. We are in a good ce right now and I¡¯d appreciate it if our parents cut us some ck and stop meddling with our private matters. When we are ready to take our rtionship to the next level, we will do well to inform you guys but not before."


    "If you don¡¯t n on having a future with my daughter, do well to let her down easily and quickly. I won¡¯t let you strain her along and choose someone else over her after breaking her heart." His voice has a fine threat in it.


    "Thank you for stopping by, Mr. Spellman."


    He stands up as well, our eyes level. "Here¡¯s a thought. You can back away and let your brother, Asher, date my M. At least with him, I will worry less about him being erratic and impulsive. With him, I can be certain that he will fulfil his responsibility towards her irrespective of how he feels."


    I smirk at him. "I¡¯ll be sure to pass along your wishes to Asher."


    Mr. Hugh clenches his fist before storming out of my office. Gris rushes to me.


    "Sir, you shouldn¡¯t have spoken to him like that. You know who he is. You should have been more respectful to him."


    "He shouldn¡¯t have spoken to me so condescendingly knowing who I am either! Trust me Gris, I handled that as best as I could. If I didn¡¯t check my temper, he would have left here with a broken nose."


    I give it thirty minutes tops before father¡¯s calles ring on my phone. Two hours go by and I am surprised at Hugh¡¯s restraint in conveying his displeasure to my father. Even M doesn¡¯t call or text me. It¡¯s strange. When I finish up with myst meeting before lunch break, I settle back in my office and put a call through to Cyril.


    "How is she?"


    "She still hasn¡¯t said anything new. She maintains that we have the wrong person." I sigh deeply. "We can torture her..."


    "No, I mean not yet. I¡¯ll be stopping byter today. If she still refuses to open up to me, I¡¯ll leave her to your methods of persuasion."


    "Alright sir."


    My brows knit in a frown when an unexpected guest causes an uproar in the building. The hurried shuffling of footsteps, the ass slicking and babbling of praises have only ever been spurred by one man.


    Gris holds the door open with a low bow as father walks into my office. With a raised hand, he stops Duncan and three other security personnel from joining him inside my office.


    "I¡¯ll talk to youter, Cyril." I hang up the call and stand to my feet while father¡¯s eyes take in my space.


    "You should have called me to the HQ. Why did you take the trouble toe all the way?"


    From the look on his face, I can tell he isn¡¯t impressed by my minimalistic design. His office and Asher¡¯s are a statement of opulence. Though Ashley¡¯s and Ashal¡¯s offices are tastefully furnished and bigger in space, they have a stroke of personality about them. My office is almost a blur if you squint your eyes given my belief that less is more.


    "Why are you still upying this small space? Is there a problem with the bigger office reserved for the CEO?"


    "I like this view better." Father is not convinced but moves on. "What brings you here? This is such a surprise." He nts a cold re my way.


    "Don¡¯t act like you weren¡¯t expecting my call at least. You know exactly why I¡¯vee."


    "Hugh."


    "Yes, Hugh called." I join him on the sofa and subdue a grunt of annoyance when he turns down the drink Gris rushes in to offer him with a dismissive wave. He exhales. "What exactly are you ying at here, Ashton? I came all this way to ask you what game you¡¯re trying to y with the Spellmans."


    "I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re talking about."


    "M. She isn¡¯t like the nobodies your brothers are used to going for. She is Hugh Spellman¡¯s daughter! I needed to look you in the eye when I reminded you what a deadly game you¡¯re ying by ruffling her father¡¯s feathers with your arrogance. M is a beautiful and sessful woman whom you¡¯ve been unting for the world for thest couple of weeks. Is it so unbelievable that her father would want to know what your intentions for his daughter are?"


    "No, it¡¯s not. I told him exactly how I feel."


    "And how do you feel?"


    "Like it¡¯s too early to put pressure on my rtionship with M just to please our parents! We just started dating officially. Give us a break."


    Father bites down on his lower lips. "I need you to promise me you won¡¯t screw this up because of whatever negligible feelings you might nurse for any other woman. YOU CAN¡¯T FUCK THIS UP, ASHTON."


    I fully understand his silent message. "I was wondering when you were going to bring that up."


    "I wanted to give you the benefit of doubt. I am impressed that you are moving on from that disgraceful act with Demi and choosing a future with M but that doesn¡¯t mean that I am over your betrayal towards Ashley. I thought you were better than that."


    I scoff at his judgement. "I am a Rollins son. If memory serves me correctly, the men in our family are not better than betraying their loved ones."


    Father matches the heat in my eyes at my snide reply. That one must have hit a nerve or two. How dare he talk to me about betrayal when he has been the one championing it in the family.


    "Demi is to me for all of this. She seduced you."


    "Don¡¯t start this again."


    "She¡¯s ying my sons like a fiddle."


    "You¡¯re so predictable." I hiss.


    "Good. Then you know how badly I am prepared to screw up her entire life if you don¡¯t prove to me that you¡¯re over whatever you thought you felt for her. She is married to your brother, Ash. YOUR BROTHER! You should never have fallen into that slut¡¯s trap."


    "I didn¡¯t fall into anyone¡¯s trap. I felt something for her but I¡¯m over it now. Can we all just move on instead of branding me with that one mistake?"


    "If you truly had moved on, you wouldn¡¯t be ying games with M Spellman." I watch father lean forward with cold fury in his eyes. "You¡¯ve known M for a sufficient period of time. Her feelings for you are not in doubt. Her family is a well known and respectable one. If you¡¯re not still sulking over your brother¡¯s wife, you would get engaged to M."


    "What¡¯s your hurry?"


    "You¡¯re clearly never going to win her father over with your stubbornness so before M¡¯s doubts as to your loyalty and affection matches her father¡¯s apathy towards you, we need to lock this union in with a promise of marriage."


    I surge to my feet, brimming with anger. "You came here to remind me that I am just another pawn in your game. Ha. Just my luck."


    "I came here to help you secure your future before you ruin it over faux feelings of affection for a woman you can never have, Ashton." Father says, rising as well. "Look at Ashal. He had the opportunity to wed Stacy Baker and botched it. Today, he is stuck with a woman in a loveless, secret marriage. Is that what you want? Do you want to lose M and your family¡¯s trust over your lust for your brother¡¯s wife?"


    "Watch it."


    "Then prove me wrong. Agree to get engaged to M. Her father won¡¯t make a fuss once I talk to him. We also have M¡¯s obsession with you in our favor. No one says you have to get married now. Couples get engaged and get married muchter nowadays. You could wed her in a year or two if you wish. If you do this, you won¡¯t only be insuring your rtionship with M but Ashley¡¯s with Demi. She needs to realize you¡¯re off the market so she can focus on her marriage with your brother."


    Oh, so Ashley had father do his dirty work. "Ashley set you up to this?"


    "I had a worse n in mind for Demi that you would have really hated if Ashley hadn¡¯t talked me out of it. That¡¯s how livid I was after learning of his wife¡¯s feelings for you and her shameless acts around you. It¡¯s just shocking to realize all she has done after insisting on inserting a no sex use in her contract with Ashley. Talk about double standards." He shakes his head. "Do as I say and I won¡¯t punish her brutally for her role in all of this."


    I clench my fists by my side, mad that Demi is still a weakness of mine.


    "Fine. I¡¯ll do it."


    ***


    "This is no prison, at least not what most people conceptualize as a prison." Cree says stuffing a slice of pizza in her mouth. "Is there a particr reason why I am being held in this beautiful house instead of a cell?" She wipes her lips with a napkin and slurps her orange juice.


    I jam my hands in my pocket as I approach her. She¡¯s a cheeky one. "Are you in a hurry to be behind bars? Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯ll still end up in prison. I just need you to answer my questions first. This is thest time I¡¯ll ask them. Once I step through that door to leave, you¡¯ll be on your way to a correctional facility. Mark my words."


    She sighs and dumps her pizza. "I already told you, I¡¯m not Shay. Why isn¡¯t anyone listening to me? How can you honestly use me of being someone simply because we call our men simr nicknames? I could have called you Mi amor, pooh bear, Tiger or whatever else I wanted. Would you also round up every other woman in the world who uses simr nicknames? Whoever this Shay is, she¡¯s still out there and you¡¯re punishing the wrong woman." She bites her food again. "This aspect of my punishment is delicious by the way." She adds, pointing to the pizza.


    My mood isn¡¯t the best right now given father¡¯s visit and his demand. With a feral cry, I flip over the table, throwing the juice and pizza box on the ground. Cree is already on her feet, eyes wide with shock.


    "You¡¯re not Ashal, are you?"


    "Let¡¯s try that again, princess. Why were you tormenting my brother? You had better not try to lie to me or you will be wheeled into a hospital with broken bones."


    Fear finally glistens in her eyes. My brothers and I have been lenient for days and she has been abusing the privilege by stalling. I am at my wits end. I don¡¯t care what I do now. I¡¯ll make her talk one way or another.


    "You won¡¯t hit a woman." Her voice is shaky. Good.


    "No, but Cyril can. He¡¯s paid ridiculously high to inflict pain on others till they beg for a quick death. He won¡¯t stop until he gets the truth. Would you like Cyril to take over here or are you ready to start talking?"


    Cree trembles as Cyril steps up next to me, his eyes bereft of emotions.


    "We might not have enough evidence to lock you away for a really long time but that¡¯s no problem at all. Incriminating evidence can easily be nted. If you continue to piss me off, you could go in with higher charges. Don¡¯t force me to make that decision, Cree. Tell me what you know!"


    "I already did!" She cries with misty eyes.


    "It can¡¯t be a coincidence that you match the description we have of Shay. Everywhere I look regarding the case of ckmail, you feature prominently. You showed up as Ashal¡¯s blind date and brandished a gun while uttering the name, Tobias. You were there outside the cinema when Ashley was questioned about Tobias. Your whereabout isn¡¯t ounted for on the day a courier deposited a flower bouquet to Ashley¡¯s office and on the day his wife was left a gift box in a public bathroom. These cannot be coincidences. Start talking Cree!"


    Something flits across her eyes. I wasn¡¯t sure before but right now, I feel less bad for the way I am trying to sift out information from her.


    "I don¡¯t have all day, Cree Baxter. We still need to cover your text messages to me regarding my other parents. Yes, I know you know something about that too." She doesn¡¯t deny it and my resolve is further strengthened. "CYRIL, MAKE HER TALK."


    Cyril brings out a small metallic box from a backpack that contains varying sizes of sharp objects, including syringes. He begins to strap ontex gloves.


    "Ok. Ok. I¡¯ll tell you what I know but please, ask them all to leave, especially the crazy one." She screams, staring fearfully at Cyril. I have the room cleared.


    "You have five minutes before I lose my patience."


    Cree slides listlessly to the ground. "You¡¯re not going to believe me anyway but this right here is the truth." She burrows her hands between her thighs and avoids my eyes. "I am behind the text messages regarding your biological parents. I chanced on some information about your adoption. I was strapped for cash so I thought I¡¯d find a way to extort you. It was stupid of me. I am sorry. I thought you¡¯d pay heavily to learn the truth if you didn¡¯t already know. If you did, I nned to threaten you with exposing it to the world."


    "Why me? Why did you only contact me?"


    "Yours was the only phone number Shay agreed to give me for my own ends."


    "Where¡¯d you get the information about my adoption from?"


    "I¡¯m sorry but I can¡¯t implicate anyone else. Whatever you want to know, you can ask me. I know far more than you can imagine." She gets on her knees. "Please, don¡¯t hurt me. I¡¯ll cooperate and help you find the answers you seek. You won¡¯t even have to pay me. I have earned more than I hoped for from the job Ashal helped me secure."


    "You know the names of my biological parents?"


    She nods grimly. I inhale and struggle not to digress. I did promise my brothers I was going to stay off this hunt but it¡¯s so tempting right now. Curiosity battles with pride and pride wins.


    "Shay. Tell me about Shay."


    "I am not Shay. I just...I owe her a debt and helping her with ckmailing your brother was the only way she wanted the debt paid."


    Keep going."


    "She just tells me when and where to appear and what to do. I don¡¯t ask questions. I don¡¯t know anything about Tobias or why she believes using his name will torment your brother, Ashley. She told me to deliver the flowers to his office and to show up at the blind date with Ashal, as well as other sightings too, like the cinema. She tells me what to write in the notes I leave. I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean for this to go so far."


    "Who is Shay?"


    Cree breathes heavily and hesitates slightly. "I told you I didn¡¯t want to implicate anyone else. I can only tell you that she knows a great deal about this Tobias incident."


    "I NEED HER NAME, CREE OR CYRIL TAKES OVER!"


    "Nic! Shay is Nic Grey!"

 Chapter 90

    <h4>Chapter 90: Chapter 90</h4>


    ASHTON


    "What did you say?"


    Cree shakes her head. "I told you. You wouldn¡¯t believe me." She hisses a breath. "Ni and I go way back. We met while auditioning to be the poster girl for an ad back when we were teenagers and became good friends. Something happened between us and we lostmunication. I stumbled into one of her loyal friends during one of my audition gigs and he sent my contact to Ni who called me. I guessed she wanted to gloat over how sessful she¡¯s bepared to my own shitty life. She promised to forgive and forget the wrong I did to her and even help me out with a good job if I was willing to loan her my acting skills. The rest is history."


    Nic is responsible for tormenting Ashley? How did she know about Tobias and for how long has she known? The second I ask myself the question, the answeres flooding in. She was with Ashley for years as a couple. He waspletely smitten by her.


    Their rtionship coincidentally kicked off during the peak of Nic¡¯s career. At that time, Ashley was still dealing with major PTSD while building his brand as a fashion designer. I can only imagine that he must have identally mentioned Tobias while spending the night with Ni as a result of his nightmares. I have been around him when his sleep is gued by a nightmare. He blurts out A LOT and most of what he says are supposed to be secrets.


    How could Nic hurt him like this? What does she stand to gain by torturing the man she ims to love?


    "Why would Nic do such a thing to a man she ims to love?" I ask Cree.


    "I told you. I didn¡¯t ask questions. That was Ni¡¯s one rule."


    I guess I¡¯ll have to leave it to Ashley to figure that out himself.


    "Cyril is going to give you your phone and you¡¯re going to call Nic. I want you to call her and talk to her about her schemes as Shay. I want to confirm your little story." Cree sighs as her phone is brought to her. She quickly dials Ni¡¯s line. "Turn on the loudspeaker, please."


    "She must be pissed at me. I have been avoiding her calls due to the Billion-Err incident." Nic finally picks up and Cree clears her throat nervously. "Hi Ni."


    "Where the hell have you been?"


    "I¡¯m sorry. I meant to call you but with everything on the media, I¡¯ve just been dealing with a lot."


    "What¡¯s this story about you and Ashal? You¡¯re going off the rails here, Cree. Your instruction regarding him ended with the blind date. Are you seriously seeing him?" I can¡¯t believe I am hearing Nic¡¯s voice.


    "He¡¯s been helping me Ni; the job, the apartment. Was I supposed to say no to all of that?"


    "I paid you well enough."


    "Yes, but he is willing to set me up for a lifetime. I am not stupid. I know what I am doing. Once I get enough resources to set myself up, I¡¯ll end it." Cree avoids my eyes as she exins. I can¡¯t tell if she¡¯s telling the truth or telling lies. Nicughs derisively.


    "No, you won¡¯t. Women hardly walk away from the quads. Don¡¯t think you can lie to me. I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re desperate to taste one of them. Do whatever you want to do as long as he¡¯s not my Ashley and you don¡¯t fuck up my ns. If you do any of the aforementioned, I won¡¯t spare you, Cree Baxter. You have no idea what I¡¯ll do so it¡¯ll be in your best interest if you don¡¯t test me." Cree gazes up at me.


    "I hear you loud and clear, Nic Grey. You¡¯re not to be trifled with." Ni hangs up on her. "Was that enough proof for you?"


    I close a hand over my mouth.


    "You have Shay. I¡¯ll do whatever I can to get you as much proof as you deem necessary."


    "Now, you¡¯re ready to implicate someone?"


    "That bitch yed me. She left clues just so fingers will point inevitably in my direction as a culpable suspect. She used me to distract you guys from ever suspecting her. Now that I think about it, she told me about Mi Rey as a term of endearment and imed it never fails to weaken you quads. She insisted that whenever I showed up to deliver a note to do any of her dirty work, I should make sure I am seen. It never made sense to me why she wanted that, especially when I could easily have delivered her message and made a clean exit. She told me to seduce a bunch of guys who Iter came to realize work for you and your brothers. I had no idea about that Oliver guy or Ni chatting him up. She wanted you all to have a culprit as far removed from her as possible. I was such a fool not to ask questions but not anymore." Her eyes narrow angrily. "I¡¯ll help you take her down. Just tell me what you need."


    Wordlessly, I turn around and start heading for the door.


    "Hey, wait! What about me? You promised you wouldn¡¯t harm me. ASHTON!!! YOU NEED ME TO LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR REAL PARENTS. YOUR REAL FAMILY IS STILL OUT THERE!!!!"


    I freeze by the door.


    "Your real family," Cree continues breathing heavily, "they¡¯re not all lost. You have a sibling out there! Someone who has the same blood running through your veins! Someone who can share stories about what your real father was like."


    I grit my teeth. She¡¯ll say anything at this point to save her skin. She¡¯s contradicting herself. How can I have a sibling if my biological parents died right after having my brothers and I? I don¡¯t bother to rify with Cree. I am mentally exhausted and too emotionally drained to entertain more of her crap.


    "Cyril, shut her up."


    "NO! WAIT! I¡¯M NOT LYING!"


    I block out her lies and don¡¯t look back till I get to my car. Rather than going home directly, I take a few turns, driving around just to let off some steam. Why do our loved ones have to be the ones that cause us the most pain? How is Ashley supposed to take this shocking revtion? He will be in denial at first for sure but after he lets the truth sit for some time, he¡¯ll also realize, like I have, that the truth was staring us in the face this whole time.


    Why were we quick to rule Ni out? She was there all along. She had to know his deepest secret. She could have easily gotten our numbers from Ashley¡¯s phone. She¡¯s desperate enough to toy with him, especially if she feels jilted by him as a result of his marriage to Demi. Her career is almost up in mes due to her rtionship with him. Everyone calls her his side piece and attributes her sess in the modeling industry to nothing more than her illicit affair with Ashley. She must be vengeful.


    How could we not see right through her? She had the motive all along!


    When I finally make it home, it¡¯ste. I trundle into the mansion and find Demi and father talking near his study. It¡¯s a strange sight. Even through the haze of anger, my curiosity heightens. What does he want with her? I already agreed to do his bidding. Is he seriously going behind my back to threaten her?


    The surge of anger inside me shatters the restraint I¡¯ve had concerning Demi in thest couple of weeks. My emotions get the best of me and I make my way towards them only for Demi to shudder and throw up in father¡¯s face.


    "Oh my god. I¡¯m so sorry, father." She pleads frightfully, staring around helplessly for assistance. Her eyes meet mine. Immediately, I rush forward just as father wipes his face with his handkerchief. While Demi isn¡¯t looking, his hand reels back to p her face but gets stopped midair by me. Demi turns to see father¡¯s reaction and my response.


    "Don¡¯t get involved." Father breathes through clenched teeth.


    "It was an ident. Don¡¯t hit her." I reply with a deep look he understands as a reminder of our agreement earlier today. He drops his hand and glowers at Demi. "No one throws up at people intentionally." I turn to Demi who is shaking with fear. "Are you okay?" She¡¯s so emotional right now.


    "I am so sorry, father." She pleads with folded hands. "I must have had something to eat that didn¡¯t sit well with my stomach. I didn¡¯t mean to throw up on you."


    "You¡¯re always full ofme excuses. You always have something to dump on me every time we meet. Thest time, it was wine and now..." He scrunches his nose irritably.


    "Go get cleaned up, father, and please, forgive her." I implore him. Father retreats to use the bathroom in his study. Alone, Demi continues to shake in my arms. "What¡¯s wrong? Are you feeling sick?" She looks pale. She pulls away from my grasp and dries her eyes.


    "I¡¯ll be fine. I¡¯ve just been stressedtely. Thank you for helping with father. I really appreciate the timing." She withdraws towards the elevator while I watch her go, her shoulders sagged with exhaustion. It feels more mental than physical. "And Ashton, congrats on your engagement." She adds tly before using the elevator.


    My walls start to crumble but I struggle to keep them up. I can¡¯t go back on my word. I am not like father. With anger still pumping hot in my blood, I text my brothers on our group chat. Thankfully, they¡¯re where I need them to be. I take the stairs all the way to the second floor and find everyone kicking back on the sofa, listening to music and drinking.


    "Congrats on getting engaged." Asher quips with a dash of sarcasm in his tone.


    "Father¡¯s nning yours next." I return but unfortunately, the light of cheer in his eyes don¡¯t go off. Wow. Hugh was right after all. Asher will literally do whatever it takes to keep father happy even if it means marrying a bride rmended for him. Maybe I should take Hugh up on his offer and set Asher up with M.


    "I was just about to call it a night. What¡¯s up?" Ashal asks. Ashley stops ying pool and stares up at me. I have their undivided attention.


    "Cree finally talked."


    "She did?" Ashley¡¯s eyes brighten with curiosity. "I knew she would eventually. She would have owned up to her crime earlier if you hadn¡¯t insisted on ying the nice guy and having her held up in that house instead of a holding cell." He returns to his game of pool. "Inform the police. Have her transferred first thing tomorrow."


    "She¡¯s not Shay!" I burst his bubble. "She was only paid to do Shay¡¯s bidding and cover Shay¡¯s tracks."


    "Cut off the suspense, Ash, you¡¯re not in a theatre production." Asher snaps impatiently. "Who the fuck is the real ckmailer? Tell me you got a name." I ignore him to watch Ashley¡¯s face when I say it.


    "Shay...is Nic!"


    A silent hush falls on the room at first as everyone takes their time to process it. Everyone turns to Ashley.


    "That can¡¯t be right."


    "I thought so at first but it makes perfect sense now."


    "No, Ashton, it can¡¯t be." Ashley insists.


    "Why can¡¯t it? Can you say for certain that Nic has no idea about Tobias, the reason for your struggle with PTSD?" Ashley¡¯s lips move but he fails to find the words to contradict me. "Your nightmares. You must have had them around her. You must have said things that didn¡¯t make sense to her, admitted to things, called a name as strange as Tobias Woodley, your dead childhood bodyguard."


    Ashley holds his head in his hands and staggers backwards.


    "This is no spection, Ash. I made Cree call Ni right in front of me and from the tenor of their conversation, everything Cree admitted checked out. Ni used your weakness against you."


    "But she loves me. Why would she do such a thing?"


    "You¡¯re right. She loves you and wants to be with you but then you got married and made her settle for being the sidepiece. That downgrade from being a girlfriend was damaging to her career. She has multiple reasons to be spiteful of you. She might still love you but she might also be hurting and eager to make you feel a few thorns of your own."


    Asher snorts. "This is why I don¡¯t keep the same woman around for long. They start to feel entitled."


    "Cut it out, Asher." Ashal chides him. "This is hardly the time to get cocky."


    Ashley grabs his keys. "I have to talk to her."


    "No!" I reply, blocking his path. "Not right now. Not like this. You¡¯re going to take a deep breath and sleep on it. You only need to remember that we finally caught the true culprit. Tomorrow, invite her over to your office and make sure the cameras are rolling when you confront her. We need her admission on tape."


    "On tape? Are you nning to arrest her?" He leers at me. "This is a personal matter, Ashton. I¡¯m sure whatever her reasons are, they aren¡¯t as malicious as you all think. No one isying a finger on her."


    "Ashley! Asher calls.


    "No! That¡¯s enough. She¡¯s lost everything, don¡¯t you get it? Her career is as good as over if I don¡¯t step in. Her father has abandoned her and she just opened up to me about how he hits her. She¡¯s depressed over losing me as a boyfriend too. I can guess why she did what she did but I can¡¯tyer this on top of everything else. She¡¯ll contemte suicide. I can¡¯t live with myself if she hurts herself because of me."


    He sighs heavily." The thought did cross my mind that she could be culpable but I chose to trust her."


    "Keep talking." I prompt him.


    "Back when we were together, my nightmares urred almost every night, especially when Ni wasn¡¯tying next to me. She helped me get over the worst of them. She was very sweet and understanding. She asked me about it and I confided in her. It was a long time ago and I was blindly in love with her. I trusted her. She taught me the affirmations I use today to quell the fear after a nightmare." He sinks into the nearest couch.


    "Why do you think she went back on her word to keep your secret and hurt you like this?" I try steering him in the direction I need.


    "My trauma always drew me back to her. Even after she hurt my feelings publicly, lied and levied the me on me, I ran to her whenever my nightmares began. She nursed me. We...bonded. Lately, with Demi in the picture, I have been drifting away from her. She keptining that she felt like she was losing me to Demi. I didn¡¯t do anything to ay her fears. That must be the reason she resorted to this. She must have hoped that, as usual, I¡¯ll run back to her arms."


    "Why didn¡¯t you?" I ask the question on everyone¡¯s minds. "If you aren¡¯t running back to Ni, who¡¯sforting you through...oh fuck me!" I cuss loudly as it dawns on me. "DEMI?"


    "Tell me you didn¡¯t open up to Demi about Tobias." Asher asks with a fake smile. "Tell me you didn¡¯t fall blindly in love with your sketchy wife and offer our family¡¯s secret to her on a tter of overrated marriage trust."


    "I haven¡¯t told her anything, okay? I told you the affirmations and working out helps." He avoids our eyes which tells me he is still hiding something.


    "How about your nightmares? Have you had them around her?" I intentionally refrain from being specific about the nights they¡¯ve been sharing together. Frankly, it¡¯s still a little hard for me to digest. Ashley¡¯s silence makes me throw my hands in the air.


    "So, Demi might know about Tobias. Is that right?" Asher asks. "Great. Just great."


    "If there¡¯s something else,e out with it now, Ashley." I persist, seeing his eyes droop to his feet. "Don¡¯t hold anything back."


    "There¡¯s nothing else. She might know, okay? I had a fit one time and woke up to find her in my room. She told me she gave me a coldpress and nursed me the entire night. When I asked specifically about saying anything weird during the night, she called it gibberish. I don¡¯t know what she heard but she hasn¡¯t asked any questions since then."


    "I vote we interrogate her." Asher suggests.


    "That will just be affirming whatever suspicions she might have." Ashal counters. "I vote we don¡¯t hassle Demi. Like I did with the penthouse, we have to assuage her doubts somehow. She has dropped the suspicions about my penthouse, don¡¯t you see? We have to find a way to exonerate Ashley of any link to Tobias¡¯ death."


    Everyone concurs to his n. We reschedule ater date to brainstorm on how to execute Ashal¡¯s suggestion.


    "What else did Cree say? Is Ni also responsible for texting you about our biological parents?" Ashal asks. The room goes still. Briefly, Cree¡¯s outbursts as I left the house where she is being held at flits through my mind.


    "No. She knows nothing about it. I don¡¯t think Ni is behind it either."


    "What are we going to do about her?"


    "She¡¯s doing time of course." Asher replies Ashal.


    "If Ni isn¡¯t going behind bars, I see no reason why Cree should." Ashal counters. "Let the poor woman go. She clearly did it to pay her bills. Life isn¡¯t all rosy for everyone out there if you couldn¡¯t already tell."


    "I agree." I support Ashal.


    Asher trades nces with Ashley and shrugs his shoulderszily. "You all will never learn. Loose ends alwayse back to bite you in the ass." He finishes his drink and sets the ss down on the pool table with a flourish. "I guess we¡¯ll have to settle for today¡¯s win; unmasking Shay. Let¡¯s call it a night, brothers."


    He and Ashal give Ashley a reassuring pat on the shoulder before retiring to their rooms. I linger because I have something more on my mind to discuss with Ashley.


    "Save the gloating for another day, Ash. I need to be left alone."


    "I know that but I am not staying back to gloat." I edge close to him. "I just wanted to throw it out there that you didn¡¯t have to go behind my back and get father to force me to get engaged to M just so you can feel secure in your marriage. Ashley, when will the distrust between us end?"


    Ashley¡¯s red eyes lock with mine. "Maybe when you and Demi stop keeping secrets from me like I am the third wheel in your rtionship." He lurches to his feet and heads for the door.


    "What are you talking about?"


    "Why don¡¯t you ask Mr. Fantasy."


    My shoulders sag with shock as he walks away. Damn you, Asher, I mutter under my breath.


    Before calling it a night, I call Cree.


    "Thank you." She starts. "Cyril dropped me off in my apartment."


    "Don¡¯t thank me yet." I rub a hand over my face. I can¡¯t believe I am going down this road again. "I spared you for a reason."


    "I know."


    "You lie to me once moving forward and you¡¯ll be rotting in jail." She says nothing to that but breathes heavily on her end. "This stays between us. You can¡¯t tell anyone else what you know about my biological parents. I¡¯ll give you a sign to know it¡¯s me whenever I bring up the topic."


    "Understood."


    "If my brothers ask..."


    "I¡¯ll y ignorant. Got it."


    She¡¯s quick. "What you said about me having a sibling, was that true or did you say that to save your own skin?"


    "It was both true and said to save my skin. That was my trump card. You do have a sibling."


    "How can I? You said my parents died."


    "They died in the fire but the news article altered the real facts a bit. Your parents didn¡¯t die shortly after having you and your brothers. You were all a few months old when they considered giving you up for adoption. They didn¡¯t have much and taking care of four babies was challenging for them. Their home was in a dpidated condition. Your father, Brett Rollins, gave them shelter in his old mansion andter offered to adopt you and your brothers for a hefty sum. Though they needed the money, your parents felt guilty about giving you all up so they dragged their feet for a few more months. Later, your mom fell pregnant again."


    "What happened?"


    "Your father tried to convince your parents that they could keep the new baby and give up the quads. He doubled the amount he was offering. When your real father refused, they were kicked out and sent back to their old home up on a hill. Brett didn¡¯t stop however. He kept pestering them and even resorted to threats. Shortly after your mom gave birth with your father¡¯s inexperienced assistance, she passed away due to their poor condition. Brett sent his men at night to abduct you and your brothers. Your father was helpless against them so he took the baby and fled. Shortly after, the news aired of the fire. Brett did it to bury the story so no one will suspect his wife¡¯s sudden birth of quadruplets. He hunted your father for years to hide the secret forever."


    I didn¡¯t realize I was crying until my tears hit my chest.


    "The baby?"


    "Last my source heard, you father passed away when she turned sixteen. She went into foster care till she clocked eighteen. Nothing¡¯s been heard of her ever since. I guess she got the memo and kept herself off Brett Rollins¡¯ radar for self-preservation."


    My voice shakes with emotion. "It¡¯s a girl?"


    "Yes. You have a little sister!"

 Chapter 91

    <h4>Chapter 91: Chapter 91</h4>


    ASHAL


    "Are you okay?" Asher asks when he finds me in the gymte at night after we all decided to hit the sack. The fact that he is not dressed for a workout tells me he is strictly here to check on me before retiring to bed.


    "Yeah. I thought you would be asleep by now." I check my watch. It¡¯s fifteen minutes past two in the morning. "Don¡¯t you have a big day today?" He shrugszily and sits on the floor next to me.


    "Every day of work is kind of a big day at the HQ so it¡¯s nothing new." His eyes narrow with concern. "How are you? How are things with Olivia? I¡¯m sorry we¡¯ve been so carried away with Cree that nobody remembered to ask how you¡¯re faring in all of this."


    His raw admission and the concern swimming in his eyes disarms me. "Thanks Asher. I¡¯ll be fine."


    I am not ready to share Olivia¡¯s pregnancy news just yet. Liv and I are still trying to work out our differences and now won¡¯t be a good time to share such a news in a household where most people don¡¯t like her. When she forgives me and I am certain that we¡¯re back on the same page, I¡¯ll let my family know.


    "Liv is hurt. She um...she isn¡¯t speaking to me right now and I honestly don¡¯t me her. She has every right to be. I betrayed her trust." Olivia¡¯s sad face flits across my memory and I wonder how long it¡¯ll take before she gets excited to see me walk through the door of the penthouse again. "We¡¯ll be fine. We always find a way to circle back to each other no matter how lost we get."


    "The thing with Cree..." Asher sucks in a cautious breath. "What was that about?"


    "I love my wife, okay? I always will. We were in a really bad ce and I missed her. Cree reminds me so much of Olivia when we first met; the fire, the carefreeness, the vibrancy. I shouldn¡¯t have gone looking for Liv in some other woman. It was a mistake." Asher nods with understanding. "I love Olivia." I repeat.


    "I know you do. Does Olivia feel the exact same way?"


    My head rears up at his question.


    "Is she in love with Ashal Rollins and feeling betrayed because of your kiss with Cree?"


    "Of course she does. Why would you even ask that?"


    Asher continues to regard me with suspicious eyes. I am so sick of my family always assuming that my love for Olivia will always be unrequited. It¡¯s even worseing from Asher who used to or probably still is the subject of Olivia¡¯s unwavering affection.


    I¡¯ll admit that Olivia¡¯s feelings for Asher aren¡¯tpletely gone. I remember distinctly how she dropped on her knees and tried to beg me (while I was pretending to be Asher) to take her back. That memory still gues my sleep and brutalizes my ego.


    However, unlike before, I know for a fact that Olivia feels something for me now. She calls only my name when we sleep together, even when I ask her while she¡¯s in a deep sleep. It¡¯s a huge winpared to Ashley¡¯s situation if you ask me. So, yes, I believe Olivia loves me too.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m just looking out for you. I see how tormented you feel for kissing another woman. I just hope Olivia factors your suffering into consideration and forgives you soon so you two can be happy again."


    "Thank you."


    "Although, I sincerely don¡¯t think you should deny yourself any chance of finding true and unconditional love from a woman just because you feel guilty about Olivia." He puts out his hands as a gesture of peace when my eyes fasten on his with a hint of annoyance. "Hear me out first, Ashal. I am sorry it has taken me this long toe clean about Olivia. I know you know where this is going. I was the one who got with Olivia that night at the club. I was a dickhead and offered to be your wingman and get you the woman you were ogling from across the room but then Olivia refused to be swooned by a guy who didn¡¯t have the balls to walk up to her and make his move. She insisted on hanging out with me that night."


    I can¡¯t believe he is finally talking about this. How long has he known that I know? His face contorts with painful embarrassment.


    "The right thing I should have done as your brother was to turn down her advances but I didn¡¯t. She and I got talking. I saw why you liked her. She was more than a pretty face. She was also sexy and fun. The rest is history as you know." He trails off to leave out details that no married man will want to hear his brother say about his wife. "I am sorry I med it on you. I thought everyone would go easy on you, especially father. I didn¡¯t think Olivia will be such a burden."


    "Speak for yourself, Ash."


    "Ashal, hear me out, okay? Ever since you were forced into a rtionship with Olvia because of what I did, you¡¯ve been trying nonstop to prove yourself to her. I know there are times when she has obliged you but, in her state, I find it difficult to fully ept that her feelings for you are real, not when she doesn¡¯t have a choice. You will never know for certain that she¡¯s prepared to give you the love you deserve until she has the option to leave you. If Olivia could walk away from your marriage and be certain that our family will never bother her again, will she still choose to stay with you? That¡¯s the question you need to answer before youmit your whole life to her."


    The air in the gym suddenly constricts in my lungs. All I see when I look at Asher is Olivia¡¯s face begging me for a divorce so we can co-parent.


    Asher ces his hands on my shoulders. "What you felt for Cree, what you refuse to allow yourself to feel for other women that have and cane into your life, Ashal, I don¡¯t want you to be in a hurry to give that up. It kills me to see you suffer like this to gain Olivia¡¯s affection when you could find someone that won¡¯t make you sweat so much or work for their love like it¡¯s a sport. The woman that will love you regardless of your condition is still out there, Ash and I don¡¯t want you to give up on finding her."


    My darkened eyes dart back to his face. "Did father put you up to this?"


    "What? No!"


    I lurch to my feet. "It¡¯s just seems convenient that shortly after he threatened to cut Liv out of my life, YOU show up with a heartfelt speech about how I deserve true love from someone other than Olivia. How do you expect me to believe that some woman out there will love me for me, ws and all, and not just because of who I am? Heck, even my family failed to love me unconditionally. Since I attacked those bullies in boarding school, you all have never looked at me the same. You constantly treat me in a way that reminds me of the one thing I try to forget about myself and you sit here and tell me to ditch Olivia?"


    Asher stands with empathetic eyes which further aggravates me. "You¡¯re wrong. We all love you."


    "No! I¡¯m not. There¡¯s no fucking love in this house. Everyone is selfish, beginning with father. We are not united at all. We stab each other in the back to have our way. We betray our loved ones. We cheat and lie all the time. There is no familial love, not even amongst us brothers. Don¡¯t act like I am not saying the truth."


    I pace the floor. "Based on that, I fail to see how any stranger can love me any better. Olivia is not to me for being hesitant about giving her heart fully to me. Our family is the bane of her existence. She¡¯s been estranged from her loved ones because of us. Why the fuck will she love me like in a fairytale when her life is an unending horror movie? Huh?" I finish with a shortugh. "Why would she? Would you love someone who is the reason for your unhappiness? Would you Asher?"


    He says nothing in reply, only watches me with that stupid concern and rm in his eyes like I am in a spiral. So, what if I am? Why can¡¯t I explode like everyone else? Why does he have to look so sick with worry like he wishes he had a sleep dart to knock me out?


    "I¡¯m sorry. You love Olivia and want her. That should be good enough."


    "Whatever I felt for Cree, maybe I let it go because I don¡¯t want to have to imprison another woman in my house till the me inside her goes off and she bes an empty husk that¡¯s resigned to her fate."


    "Okay, Ashal, I hear you."


    I step up to his face. "It ends with Olivia. I won¡¯t stop until I make up for the wrongsmitted against her and if after everything, she still doesn¡¯t choose me, then I¡¯ll dly consider a divorce if she wishes it. Tell father to stay the hell away from my private life!" Angrily, I storm away.


    I am still simmering with anger the next day at work. I can¡¯t concentrate especially because I can¡¯t forget everything Asher had told me. I might have been very defensive but it wasn¡¯t because I was so certain that he was wrong.


    Somewhere deep in my gut, I don¡¯t find the idea ridiculous at all. I have imagined it sometimes. What if there¡¯s really someone out there that would love me the way Olivia loves Asher and Demi loves Ashton? What if Olivia never truly epts me? Am I prepared to live with that truth for the rest of my life?


    "Hey?"


    I look up as Elyon enters. "Got a sec?"


    "Sure."


    He slides into a chair. "So, I realize it¡¯s too early to talk about it but I just can¡¯t help myself. Your new girl, Cree, is that still going on or has the spotlight doused the mes already?"


    "Take a guess." I wish he wouldn¡¯t bring up Cree. I don¡¯t want more reasons to think about her. She must hate me for turning her over to my brothers. We haven¡¯t spoken ever since. I don¡¯t even know how to find closure from that brief thing we had.


    "Damn." Elyon sighs. "That¡¯s sad." He moistens his lips. "The rumor about Olivia though," My eyes sh up at the mention of her name and Elyon sees it. "That¡¯s not true, is it? I mean I know you¡¯re not married but are you involved with the Olivia girl? I recall seeing her iing call on your phone once. If you have a girl..."


    I m a hand on my desk, startling him. "You¡¯re buying into rumors now, Elyon? What? Did your sisters and her friends ask you to get the tea from me for them?"


    "C¡¯mon man, I¡¯m just here as a friend."


    "No, you¡¯re here to pry. I don¡¯t owe you any exnations. You¡¯re wee to believe the tabloids for all I care because of course they only speak the truth, right? Do whatever you want on your own time, not during work hours. I have apany to run and if you¡¯re no longermitted to assisting me with the skills I hired you for, then let me know."


    "Take it easy, sir. I apologize. I didn¡¯t mean to offend you." He leaps to his feet and I suddenly feel bad.


    "Elyon, I¡¯m sorry man. I¡¯ve been targeted by the wrong side of the media yet again and I am just sick of defending myself to people. They¡¯re wee to believe anything they want at this point."


    Elyon winces. "That was dumb of me. I should know better. Besides, it¡¯s your private life. You¡¯re free to be with whomever you choose. I¡¯m sorry for prying."


    "And I¡¯m sorry for being a mean boss."


    He chuckles. "Nah, doesn¡¯t suit you. You¡¯re right though. I have a job to do so on that note, you have a guest waiting, the same one you don¡¯t like to see. She¡¯s back again. Do I send her in here?"


    "Madeline?"


    "That¡¯s the one."


    What does she want now? Can I just go a day without being bothered by the Dunns? "Send her up."


    When Elyon leaves, I pick up my phone to find Asher calling and ignore it. His message seeps in momentster.


    [Whatever I said this morning had nothing to do with father. That¡¯s just how I feel when ites to your rtionship with Olivia and it hurts my feelings that you¡¯d question my love for you and use me of being father¡¯s spy. Call me back. We need to rehash that conversation.]


    Maddie enters. "I know what you¡¯re going to say," she immediately utters, cutting off my protest. "I just have a few questions. Five minutes is all I ask."


    "I don¡¯t have that kind of time, Madeline." Her full name sounds weird on my tongue and she notices with a cringe. "Don¡¯t you have sses to attend? Don¡¯t make me regret your schrship so soon."


    "Why?"


    "Why what?"


    "Why did you spare my family after all the trouble I caused you? Why didn¡¯t you take out your anger on me at the very least, or on my sister?"


    "How are you certain Olivia isn¡¯t suffering the consequences of your actions in ce of your parents?" Something flits across her eyes so fast I couldn¡¯t discern it. Her eyes warm up as she stares at me.


    "I am not but somehow, I feel Olivia isn¡¯t being punished for my wrongs." She edges close to my desk. "I don¡¯t know why but I feel like you didn¡¯t make good your threats about her too."


    I lean back in my chair. "I spare you once and you suddenly think you have me figured out?"


    "It¡¯s a gut feeling, Mr. Ashal, and my guts are hardly wrong about a person." She pins me with a deep, meaningful look that almost chips away my gruff exterior to expose the inner child yearning for eptance. "I guess I just wanted to say thank you once again for saving me from that marriage. Mom and Dad are super relieved too for the financial aid."


    Is Maddie really cozying up to me right now? She has never been thisfortable around me before.


    "Is there something else?" I ask when she avoids my eyes and bites her lips.


    "Mom¡¯s sick with worry over Olivia. I have done my best to convince her that Liv is fine but she won¡¯t stop worrying. If only I could see Liv...Mr. Ashal, you were going to take me to see her before, right? You said she was in a bad state because of what I did. I can help youfort her. I really want to see Liv too. It¡¯s been so long." Tears fill her eyes. "Please, I know I shouldn¡¯t ask anything more from you but I beg you to take me to see my sister once. If you want, I¡¯ll debunk everything Billion-Err used you of."


    "It¡¯s a little toote for that. I already confessed to Liv that the kiss was real. She hates me but that¡¯s music to your ears, right?" I turn back to myputer. "Thank you for stopping by, Madeline. Please leave my office now."


    "You confessed?"


    Her shocked tone makes me look at her. "It¡¯s none of your business but I never did more than kiss that woman. Liv knows that but it still hurts her. We are working through it. I guess I should thank you for helping me get back on track with my wife before doing more things I¡¯d only regret. I just wish Liv had heard it from me first. Cree was a mistake I never nned to continue making."


    Maddie continues to stare at me in shock like she¡¯s listening to a totally different person. I understand. She has never bothered to know me beyond the freak that almost ended her sister¡¯s life. She has maintained that one narrative in her head and hated me ever since.


    "I¡¯m so sorry. Please, let me make it up to you. Liv listens to me. I can talk her into giving you another chance. You two don¡¯t have to suffer because of my hasty action. Let me do this for you, Mr. Ashal, please. Just take me to see her once."


    "I don¡¯t want your favor. If you really want to see your sister, just face time her."


    "But I can¡¯t hug her or smell her over face time." She counters. "I can¡¯t hear her heartbeat or touch her hair. If you don¡¯t want to do it for me, then do it for Liv. How do you think she¡¯ll feel if you take me to see her right now? Do you still think she¡¯ll stay mad at you? It¡¯ll be the biggest surprise. She¡¯ll be grateful to you. Please sir."


    She isn¡¯t wrong. The frostiness around Olivia will fizzle away the instant Maddie walks through that door. I can imagine Olivia¡¯s face splitting in a big smile, her hands syed apart to embrace her sister for a minute or two, the tears between them, the whimpers and trembling bodies. The reunion and long list of things they¡¯ll try to catch up on.


    Few minutester, I am driving Maddie to the penthouse. I am doing this for Olivia as seeing her sister will help perk up her mood and keep her health and the baby safe. I know I¡¯d probably regret it because Olivia will want to make this a routine and I can¡¯t allow that yet. I just hope Maddie doesn¡¯t have something up her sleeve as usual.


    "This isn¡¯t going to be a routine, Maddie and you better not do anything stupid to make me regret it. Just remember how easy it is for me to cut you and your family down to size. You try anything stupid or say anything wrong to turn your sister against me and I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re marrying an old geezer somewhere so far away you will never be able to see your loved ones again."


    The smile on Maddie¡¯s face pisses me off. "What are you smiling about?"


    "You¡¯re back to calling me Maddie again." She sighs. "I didn¡¯t realize the difference in tone till now. Madeline is so awkwarding from you."


    Did she not hear the threats I just spewed? I go on to ask her the exact thought but she merely shrugs her shoulders.


    "I heard you, sir. I don¡¯t know if I believe you but I heard every word. It¡¯s the gut feeling. It just tells me that you¡¯re a good man underneath this fa?ade." She turns to stare out the window while I swallow hard. Did she just say that to me?


    Before leaving the office, I had ordered some delicious meals to be delivered to the penthouse since Lily won¡¯t be able to cook enough food for the sisters before I arrive with Maddie. Lily calls to tell me she has taken delivery of the food. I text her to set the table.


    I finish the security checks with Maddie looking perplexed and pull into the garage. I know she has questions about the tight security detail but rather than ask me about it, she gapes at the house with her jaws on the ground. I watch with a smile as she takes in the view.


    "Olivia lives here?"


    "Correct."


    "Maddie?"


    Our eyes stray to the front door where Olivia stands, physically shocked to see her kid sister. Tears fill her eyes.


    "Am I hallucinating?" She asks, turning to me. Maddie bolts across the distance to hug her sister. They both hold each other like I had imagined, crying, wiping off each other¡¯s tears, feeling each other¡¯s hairs.


    I remain by the car while they mutter to each other for over a minute, then Maddie turns to point at me. Liv abandons her sister and shuffles towards me. Her arms wrap around my neck. When she pulls away, she smashes her lips into mine and kisses me passionately.


    "Thank you so much." She croaks in tears. "You have no idea what this means to me." Behind her, Maddie looks up from her phone and smiles at us. Maybe I did make the right call after all. My wife literally just treated me like a human being for the first time in days. I hook an arm around her shoulders and escort her back to her sister.


    "You two have a lot of catching up to do. I ordered enough food. Eat. Party. Gossip. Whatever works for you."


    With excited shrills, they both scurry off with Liv leading the way to give Maddie a tour of the house. I retire to my own room to work from there and get updates from Elyon while the girls are upied. Asher continues to call me but I keep ignoring his call.


    An hourter, I check the house cameras to find the girls. They¡¯re done feasting and are now lounging by the indoor pool with music serenading them in the background. It warms my heart so see Olivia so lively like her old self.


    One of my security men calls me.


    "Yes?"


    "Sir, there¡¯s someone at the gate asking to be cleared inside."


    "Who?"


    "Mrs. Demi Rollins."

 Chapter 92

    <h4>Chapter 92: Chapter 92</h4>


    ASHAL


    I leap to my feet like my chair is on fire.


    "What did you say?"


    Your sister-inw, Demi Rollins is parked outside and requesting clearance, sir."


    This has got to be a joke. Demi doesn¡¯t know this ce. She couldn¡¯t find it without my help. How is she outside my house right now? The same house Olivia is in? My blood chills with dread. Did she tail me? I thought I managed to quell her suspicions with myst penthouse trick. How is this even happening?


    "Don¡¯t let her in!" I shriek. "You hear me? Don¡¯t let her in here!"


    "Yes sir."


    "What the hell?" I blurt out after hanging up. "How the hell did she find this house?"


    "The house guest."


    I whip my head up to find Lily hovering by the door. She¡¯s taken off her apron and looks graceful in a simple top and pants.


    "What was that?"


    Lily helps herself into my room without bothering to wait for an invitation. "Don¡¯t you find it strange that the very moment you allowed a guest-your wife¡¯s sister-into this home, your nosy sister-inw shows up unannounced to the very penthouse you¡¯ve sworn to keep her away from because of who lives here?" She folds her arms across her chest and faces me with square shoulders. "Maddie has been texting someone nonstop on her phone since she got here. I found it strange and grew curious to know who she deemed more important to chat with than her sister whom she hasn¡¯t seen in long time."


    Anger res inside me as I recall Maddie texting in the car while I was doing the security checks and then just outside the house when Olivia was thanking me for the surprise. I don¡¯t want to believe it. Could Maddie really be behind this? Heck, has she been nning this with Eliana and Demi? How long have they been seeing each other.


    I clench my fist and breathe heavily when Demi¡¯s calles through my phone. Lily¡¯s hand to my chest quells my racing heart.


    "Breathe. Calm down. You can¡¯t let the anger win. You¡¯re stronger than it."


    I know how dangerously I am teetering betweenshing out and backing away right now. This is the pivotal moment where I decide if I want to follow through and hurt somebody or walk off the steaming rage. Damning the consequences, I ignore Lily¡¯s warnings and go to find Maddie.


    She and Olivia are still by the pool. The minute I burst through the door, I note the look on both women¡¯s faces. Maddie doesn¡¯t look as surprised as Olivia. I march towards Maddie whoys still while her sister jerks up with panicked eyes and pull Maddie up by her hair.


    "Ashal, what are you doing?" Olivia shrieks as her sister moans in pain.


    "Let go of me." Maddie struggles.


    "Fine." I reply before pushing her into the swimming pool. Before Liv can jump in after her, I grip her arm and together, we watch her sister thrashing about in the pool.


    "Ashal, she can¡¯t swim! What are you doing? HELP HER!" Tears roll down Liv¡¯s face as she tries to break from my grip and save her sister but can¡¯t. I make her sit down and go to yank Maddie¡¯s head up. "Please help her out!" Liv screams.


    "I will...AFTER she tells me why she invited Demi to my house!" Maddie spurts out water and stares up at me. Fear glistens in her eyes now. I lean close to her. "It¡¯s going to be Olivia¡¯s head in the water next if you don¡¯t tell me EVERYTHING.


    When I pull her out, Maddie is shaking like a leaf but I can¡¯t be bothered. Olivia wraps a towel around her sister and crouches next to her. They both look afraid of me but I am more concerned with getting the truth out of Maddie. When Lily brings a cup of hot chocte at Liv¡¯s instruction, I flip the tray, spilling the chocte on the floor.


    "That¡¯s it. You better start talking Madeline or I will make good my threat. WHY DID YOU CALL DEMI HERE?"


    "I didn¡¯t..."


    I grab her phone and force her to unlock it. I thought I couldn¡¯t get angrier until I saw her text to Demi where she pinned the location of my house.


    "How long has this been going on? What did you tell Demi about me and Olivia?? What is Demi here for??? SPEAK UP!" Rather than Maddie, Liv is the one who shudders at my tone.


    "Lily, take Olivia to her room and see that she gets some rest."


    "Yes, sir."


    "NO! I won¡¯t leave my sister. Please Ash, please spare her. Maddie, apologize to him. Whatever you did, tell him everything so he can fix this. Talk Maddie!"


    Madeline stares up at me with red rimmed eyes. I can¡¯t believe I almost thought she was starting to see some good in me, to trust me. I can¡¯t believe I believed her when she spoke about having a gut feeling that was never wrong about people. She was intentionally messing with my head the whole time.


    "Is this really why you pressed me toe visit your sister? You wanted to bring Demi here?" I run my hands over my face andugh bitterly. "I am such a fool! I have been so lenient with you, so forgiving and every time you make me look like an idiot for giving you another chance."


    "I¡¯m sorry." Maddie cries. "I thought Liv was in a bad state in here. I thought..." her eyes drift to her sister¡¯s tearful ones. "I thought she needed help getting away from you. I didn¡¯t expect that you¡¯d treat her with any kind of courtesy or care."


    "And what exactly was Demi was supposed to do if Liv was in chains, huh? Blow the whistle? Send the calvary? WHAT???"


    "Nothing like that. I met her a few weeks back at a restaurant. She seemed really nice and good hearted. I hypothetically told her about my sister¡¯s condition and she was sweet enough to offer to help save my sister. I didn¡¯t mention your name, Mr. Ashal. Demi wouldn¡¯t even have taken me seriously if I dared to use her family of something like this so I gave her a fake name and altered Liv¡¯s situation to be a case of an obsessive boyfriend. Demi promised to get the help of your family to rescue my sister. I sent her the location of this house thinking Liv wasn¡¯t faring any better than thest time I saw her over a year ago but I stand corrected."


    Tears brimming down her eyes, she cups her sister¡¯s face. "I know she¡¯s only sad because she misses her family but she¡¯s alright. Mom will be happy to know." Then turning to me. "I¡¯m sorry Mr. Ashal. Demi doesn¡¯t know any more than what I told her. She¡¯s probably surprised to realize that this house belongs to her brother-inw but I¡¯ll just tell her I got the address wrong."


    She picks up her phone to text Demi but I snatch it and chuck it into the pool. The sisters echo a shocked gasp.


    "You expect me to believe the liesing from that deceitful tongue of yours, Madeline? Everything you ever say is a fucking lie. You mentioned my name to Demi, didn¡¯t you? I know you, Madeline. You don¡¯t mince your words. You say what¡¯s on your mind faster than you can think to alter anything. You ratted out my marriage to your sister, didn¡¯t you?"


    "Ashal, please believe her..."


    "SHE¡¯S LYING!" I tell Olivia. "Your sister is a pathological liar! Demi has been asking all sorts of questions about my penthouse and pestering me to bring her here. It all makes sense now. She was curious to confirm everything Maddie told her." I give a pool chair a bad-tempered kick startling everyone except Lily who doesn¡¯t flinch.


    "Did you know about this?" I ask Liv.


    "What?"


    "Did you know about your sister¡¯s little game n? She must have shared this with you over the phone at least once." Olivia¡¯s lips keep shaking as she locks eyes with Maddie.


    "Really Liv? You too? After everything?" I stumble backwards, devastated by the betrayal. Olivia surges to her feet and draws close to me.


    "I talked her out of it, Ash, or I thought I did. I told Eliana..."


    "Eliana is in on this too? Good to know."


    "Ashal, wait!!!"


    "Don¡¯t touch me!" I bark at her with a narrowed re. I need to leave now before I hurt both of them. "You made your point, both of you. I will never be good enough even if I forgive your wrongs for a million times. I am just so slow I keep hoping that you and I..." My voice splinters with emotion. Why did Olivia keep this from me? Why did Maddie stab me in the back like this after everything I have done for her and her family?


    Olivia cries with me and begs me.


    "Maddie shrugs off the towel. "I¡¯ll make this right, Mr. Ashal. I promise I can. Please."


    "SHUT THE HELL UP MADELINE. YOU¡¯VE DONE ENOUGH ALREADY! GET YOUR THINGS. YOU¡¯RE LEAVING MY HOUSE THIS INSTANT."


    Back in my room, I kick things around, throwing things off my drawer, knocking downmps and shredding pillows. My room is a hot mess in a matter of minutes. Why can¡¯t I be enough? Why does everyone around me keep betraying me?


    After a few more minutes of breathing exercises, I grab my phone and redial Demi¡¯s line, eager to learn what she knows. Is she also going to start seeing me as a monster now? She was the only one at home that didn¡¯t look at me like a charity case.


    "Hey, I¡¯m sorry I missed your call. Something urgent?"


    "Oh, no, not really. I was in the neighborhood and was surprised to learn that the beautiful penthouse close by belongs to you. I tried calling to see if you were around."


    "Oh. I am still at work."


    "I didn¡¯t know you had more than one penthouse."


    I grit my teeth. "I have tons of properties all around the country, as do the rest of my family. It¡¯s impossible to keep track of them sometimes. Anyway, you didn¡¯t ask. Do you want to visit all my properties in Danvarr?" She chuckles lightly.


    "Of course not. I¡¯m just pleasantly surprised. Sometimes I forget how insanely wealthy my new family is. I¡¯m sorry for bothering you like that. See you at home?"


    "Sure."


    "Ok. Take care."


    "Bye."


    I stare at the phone wondering if Demi is as clueless as she just sounded.


    "I called her." Madeline reads my thought from the doorway. "I told her it was a false rm. She already knows about Olivia so I sent a picture Liv and I took earlier today in the dining room. Told her Liv is doing great with her boyfriend and being treated better than I could have hoped. I apologized for defaming you and exined that both of you aren¡¯t actually married. She understands that Liv wants your rtionship to remain private for now and that is why you¡¯re keeping it a secret for now."


    I scoff at her. "It¡¯s very bold of you to think I¡¯d believe a word you say ever again."


    "Please forgive me. Olivia is hurt. I hate that because of me, you two have drifted farther apart from each other. That¡¯s not why I came here."


    "That¡¯s precisely why you¡¯re here, Madeline."


    "It¡¯s Maddie."


    "SHUT THE FUCK UP." For the first time, she flinches at my voice. "You came here to find a way to separate your sister and I. You¡¯ve never epted me for Liv and you never will. I will never get that mixed up again."


    "Please, Liv told me about the baby. Please don¡¯t harm her because of me." She falls to her knees. "Just give me a few days and I will make everything right. You have my word, Mr. Ashal."


    "You won¡¯t have a few days. You¡¯d be married and long gone by then."


    Her eyes boggle with shock. "What?"


    "This time, I¡¯d make sure you suffer so much that you learn to think thrice before trifling with me or my family ever again. Don¡¯t worry about Olivia. She¡¯ll be well taken care of after the move to a different house. You can forget about seeing her or your family ever again."


    Through her eyes, I can tell she expected no less. She dabs her tears dry. "As long as Liv and my parents are taken care of, I will be fine. I did all this knowing the consequences of being wrong. You don¡¯t have to worry about me running away. I¡¯ll be here when my groom is ready. Till then, I¡¯ll keep working Demi till everyst shred of doubt against you leaves her system."


    I feel nothing hearing the pain in her voice. "You can¡¯t escape me even if you tried. I dare you to try and see. Now, get out of my house this minute because if I give into the rage and hit you, there won¡¯t be a need to rush you to the hospital." She nods at my threat and leaves.


    I stand on my balcony and watch Olivia shedding tears as her sister hugs her goodbye. Madeline looks up at me for a few humming seconds before getting into the car meant to drop her off at her dorm. Before she reaches, there will be a letter confirming the revocation of her schrship and her expulsion from the school.


    After the car leaves, Liv sinks to the ground and cries even more while Lily tries to take her inside. She is still there when I get into my car and drive away.


    ***


    Day drinking is a habit I want to stop but my life is such a shit show I keep finding my way back to bars. When my bourbon is served at the bar, I guzzle it and ask for another.


    Throwing a sidelong nce, I watch Cree moving seamlessly from one table to another, serving guests, smiling beautifully and assisting them in one way or the other like a trained waitress. She¡¯se a long way from thedy hurling abuses at the hotel receptionist for not letting her in while being dragged away by security. I am d her life turned out better than mine at least.


    She has been avoiding me since I got here, barely ncing my way. The few times we have locked eyes, she waits a beat for some reason and then returns to her duty. She must hate everyone with my face now, especially me.


    Ever since she met me in this very bar, she has been falsely used of one thing or the other and treated poorly because of it. If I hadn¡¯t stepped in to get her this job, she¡¯d probably have it worse especially after the media outed my fledging rtionship with her.


    I drain my ss and demand a refill.


    "Easy sir. That¡¯s the fourth ss in twenty minutes. Are you okay? You shouldn¡¯t drink too much. It¡¯s not even 3pm yet."


    I smile at the bartender. "It¡¯s 3pm somewhere, right?"


    His eyes stray towards Cree. "I¡¯ve been seeing you staring over there. Would you like me to call the youngdy?"


    "No."


    "What can I do to assist you?"


    "You can pour me the drink I asked for."


    "That¡¯s enough." Cree says,ing over to the bar. She stares at me with a dry look. "You drove here. You shouldn¡¯t be drinking this much. Do you need me to call someone, your brothers maybe?"


    I chuckle at her attempt at showing concern. In the end, nobody really gives a shit about anybody but themselves.


    "I bet you hate me, don¡¯t you? You hate that you ever called me <i>Mi Rey."</i> I slur.


    "You¡¯re drunk." She turns to the bartender. "I¡¯ll help him to a private suite and call his brothers for assistance."


    "Ok. Thank you. I¡¯m sure the manager will appreciate it."


    She helps me up and watches me shrug on my jacket. Slowly, I follow her out of the bar to a higher floor where she converses with housekeeping. She unlocks a door that opens up to a ptial suite and helps me to the living area.


    "Why won¡¯t you say anything to me? Why are you so formal?"


    "You should rest, sir. I¡¯ll get one of your brothers on the phone." She shrieks when I pull her down on the couch with me and turns her face to avoid my kiss. "You¡¯re drunk. Stop it." Angrily, she writhes out of my grip and adjusts her uniform and hair. "Someone will be here to take you home shortly."


    "I¡¯m sorry, Cree." I let out before the drowsiness can overwhelm me. "I should have trusted you. You didn¡¯t deserve to be treated like a suspect. I understand why you did what you did. I probably would have done the same if I was in your shoes, I guess. Please tell me you forgive me. I hate that things ended the way they did between us." I pull myself up to my feet but stagger back down.


    "It¡¯s alright, Ashal." Cree replies, rushing to help me to the bedroom to get a proper rest. When my back hits the bed, I know I have a minute or two before my bodypletely shouts down.


    "You didn¡¯t say you forgive me."


    "I forgive you, Ashal. Our encounter wasn¡¯t all bad. You gave me my two biggest aplishments in life. I will forever be indebted to you." I feel her warm kiss on my forehead. "Now, stop talking and go to sleep."


    She takes my hand and rubs gently while I give into the sleep with a contented smile on my face. Just before it all goes ck and quiet, I hear one of my brothers rush in.


    "How is he?"


    "He¡¯s fine, just a bit drunk and tired."


    Who is it? I can¡¯t tell the subtle difference in our tones because my head is mushy right now. Asher? He¡¯s been trying to reach me all day. Ashton? He¡¯s been withdrawntely because of his unnned engagement to M and disappeared on us this morning. Ashley? He¡¯s got his back stabbing girlfriend and deceitful wife to deal with.


    Who could M have called so fast? How did she even get their new numbers? She couldn¡¯t have used my phone because it¡¯s tricky to unlock and I didn¡¯t feel her try to get my thumbprint or eye scan. Even if she did, my passcode will give her a tough time. Could she have snagged the numbers from Shay?


    "Did he ask any questions about..."


    "No." Cree replies.


    My curiosity gets the best of me and I struggle back against the pull of the alcohol. When my eyes open, I¡¯ve been knocked out for roughly twenty minutes. I reach for the ss of water by the bed and guzzle most of it before sshing some over my face.


    Beyond the door, I can hear movement and voices. Is my brother still here? When I stand, I feel so much steadier even though my head still hurts.


    The bedroom door is slightly cracked open. Through the crack, I find Cree in the living room with Ashton. They¡¯re conversing in a low tone but given my ce by the door, I can make out what they¡¯re saying.


    "Any idea what her name was? Did you check with your source?"


    Cree sighs. "I told you everything I know."


    "You can give me the contact of your source so I can speak with the person directly, you know. You have a busy job. I hate to drag you further into this."


    "I can¡¯t do that. He wouldn¡¯t like it."


    What in the hell are they talking about?


    "Then you¡¯ll have to help me out here. I can¡¯t go about searching for my little sister if I don¡¯t even have a name to begin with."


    Little sister? What is Ashton talking about? What little sister?


    "The news article even used fake names for my parents. I checked and it was a dead end." He rubs his hands over his hair. "I can¡¯t believe how far my father was willing to go to bury the truth. Cree, you led me to the graveyard once. You must have known my real parents are buried there. Just tell me what their names were. I have no other person to ask. If you don¡¯t know it, ask your source somehow. I just really need to find my little sister. She could be anywhere in the world, alone. I don¡¯t want her to feel alone."


    With my head splitting between a massive migraine and confusion, I shove the bedroom door open, startling Ashton and Cree. He lied to us? Cree knows about our biological parents and he lied that she didn¡¯t? Everyone is a fucking liar today!


    "Ashal." He breathes, rising up. His eyes dart between me and Cree who also stands nervously.


    "YOU LIAR. YOU SAID SHE KNEW NOTHING! WE HAVE A LITTLE SISTER AND YOU DIDN¡¯T TELL US?"

 Chapter 93

    <h4>Chapter 93: Chapter 93</h4>


    DEMI


    Mrs. Amber Regan¡¯s home is a quaint radiance along the highbrow area called Alpha district, a gatedmunity of pricey homes affordable only to the extremely rich.


    ording to her, her husband¡¯s parents who are wealthy folks gifted them the home. Amber and her husband live in the duplex with their daughter Katherine and get visited frequently by their son Maddox.


    "Please, make yourself at home. My daughter is out with a friend. I would have loved to introduce you." Amber tells me. I smile back and recline on the sofa, my feet angled towards the fragrant heat from the firece.


    "I¡¯ll surelye around again. I can¡¯t wait to meet her."


    My eyes dart around, admiring her home. I have been so spoiled by the opulence of the mansion and literally every building owned by the Rollins family that I have forgotten what beauty simplicity can hold.


    "You have a beautiful home, Amber." I repeat, mirroring the warm smile on her face.


    "Thank you. I¡¯m not much of a decorator but Kat loves it. She tries to redecorate this home every time my back is turned but I always end up putting things back the way they were, especially here in the living room. This ce holds a lot of memories for me and I feel like redecorating will cause me to lose those memories."


    "I can understand."


    She smiles at me. "Your mother usually paid me a visit. She loved that very spot on the sofa you¡¯re sitting on right now. You remind me so much of her with your quiet curiosity and understated charm."


    "Thank you. That¡¯s really good to hear." I drop my juice and sit up. "Tell me more about her. What was she like at work? I never knew that side of her."


    Amber tosses her back and inhales. "Camille was a breath of fresh air. Before she joined my department, she also interned like you. She was a workaholic and constantly tried to prove herself as being worthy of a ce at the HQ. She couldn¡¯t be med. She waspeting for the same spot with another formidable intern. Your mom spent long nights at HQ. She didn¡¯t do it to get noticed by upper management unlike herpetition. She was only trying to push herself to be excellent."


    I blink away the tears forming in my eyes and continue to give her my rapt attention.


    "She finally made it through her internship and was fortunately picked to join my department. We were very d to wee her. She and I grew close because of her impressive work ethic. You see, normally, new recruits lose their fire after they get hired. Your mother was different. She only got better, learnt the ropes faster than anyone I ever had to supervise. We grew to be friends."


    "She makes me feelzy as an intern right now." I chuckle. Amber nods sagely.


    "Imagine how I felt. I felt bad going to the restaurant or the cafeteria for lunch because your mom had hers handy and worked while she ate in her office. She started winning titles like employee of the month, most punctual, most innovative and many others. She grew popr not just in our department but in the entire HQ because her erged portrait was put up almost everywhere tomemorate her awards."


    "That must have been tough."


    "Your mother shared the same sentiments. Despite being married, she started getting approached by some of our male colleagues. She handled herself with grace and politely declined the advances." Amber pauses to sip her juice. I have a feeling that the story is set for a dark turn and grab my ss as well. Mom¡¯s life couldn¡¯t have been all rosy if she died the way she did.


    "What happened next?"


    "One day, the chairman asked to see her. No, it¡¯s not what you¡¯re thinking. I also feared the same but when Camille returned, she told me he only called to personallymend her for her sterling performances in the HQ and to hint at an early promotion if she keeps up the good work."


    "Amber, I really appreciate you telling me about my mom like this. I just want you to know that you don¡¯t have to sugarcoat anything or hide anything from me. My mom¡¯s dead. Her memories are all I have. Please, don¡¯t hesitate to tell me everything you remember, how you remember it. I can handle it."


    Amber exhales deeply. "Your mom made a few more trips to the chairman¡¯s office and after some time, she grew wary of visiting him. She wouldn¡¯t tell me anything but she made excuses not to go to his office. Later, she told me she was thinking of switching offices to the fashionpany, particrly the Rollins mall. She loved clothes and essories as you know and she felt she would excel there too. I was in support of her decision. However, her application for a transfer was constantly declined. She grew frustrated as she didn¡¯t want to quit working at the HQ when a job at the Rollins Mall wasn¡¯t guaranteed."


    "I knew she loved fashion but I didn¡¯t think she wanted to work in a mall."


    "She didn¡¯t. she just felt suffocated at the HQ in her small office and the pressure of work. The burnout finally got to her as she exined to me. Though the pay at the HQ was very high, she wanted to switch to the mall and have shifts so she would have more time to spend with you and your dad. It worried her that she was missing out on your childhood. She wanted to fix that by working under the Rollins Group with their good pay structure but in an environment that would allow her time for her family."


    "My guess is that never happened because she never had time for me till she died."


    I remember my missed birthdays. She was even absent when I got my period for the first time. It was so difficult having father-who was super clueless- assist me through it all.


    "No. After several declines, your mom gave up and remained in the HQ. Things seemed fine for a bit until one of the quads started getting death threats at the office."


    "At the office? Wait, the quads all used to work at the HQ?"


    "Of course. That¡¯s where they got their basic training and did their internships too before they all went on to head other subsidiaries. Ah, it was a difficult time. Most of them were difficult to work with. One in particr, he was known as the crazy one for a reason. The chairman put him under your mom¡¯s supervision and he got her into trouble all the time. He snuck whiskey to work almost every day and would get drunk before lunch. The chairman med only your mother for his behavior even though he couldn¡¯t handle his son either."


    This is fresh. I never knew the quads once worked at the HQ. That¡¯s certainly something I should look into more. It would hold answers to a lot of my questions.


    "You mentioned death threats?"


    "Yes. One of the quads was getting death threats for murdering the chairman¡¯s former bodyguard who passed on when the boys were very young. I wasn¡¯t surprised that someone would stoop so low to attack the young boys in that fashion because a lot of people tend to be jealous of the golden boys. I felt really bad for them. The one being attacked suffered major PTSD. It was difficult watching him react to the threats like a bloody knife on his desk in the office or being delivered the bodies of lifeless chickens all stabbed in the neck. It was gruesome."


    Ashley, I think.


    "Was the culprit found?"


    "Muchter. It happened to be one of our male colleagues in the office. He was the first son of the murdered bodyguard. His name was Samuel Woodley. He bore a grudge against the Rollins family."


    "You said ¡¯was¡¯. What happened to Samuel?"


    "He was arrested and locked away for months. His brother and sister kepting to the office to beg the chairman to free their brother but got chased away by security. They were relentless and always returned. One day, your mom tried talking to the chairman. He warned her not to interfere. I told her to let it go but she was adamant, iming that she had a gut feeling that Samuel was innocent. That¡¯s when she started making secret ns and phone calls to leak the matter to the press so a more thorough and fair investigation would be conducted and Sam set free. She didn¡¯t necessarily believe Sam¡¯s usations against Ashley Rollins, she just wanted Sam set free. He was still grieving histe father and was in bad state which led to his poor decision. That¡¯s how your mother felt."


    My fingers curl tightly around my ss. Amber eyes me suspiciously.


    "Are you okay?"


    I force a smile. I am just shocked at how simr mom and I are. I always thought I was more identical to my dad but it turns out that mom and I share simr traits and think alike. I would have done the exact thing if I was in her shoes.


    In a manner of speaking, I am doing the same thing in my own way. The only difference is my motive for doing it. Mom¡¯s reason was more honorable but if I have learnt anything about the Rollins¡¯ family, they¡¯re anything but honorable. Hence, chills run down my spine as I wonder how badly things panned out for my mom.


    "I¡¯m okay. Please go on."


    Amber doesn¡¯t look convinced. "You said you could handle it."


    "I can. Carry on."


    Sighing, she sips her drink one more time. "Your mom called and spoke to journalists. Back then, we didn¡¯t have blogs like Billion-Err where one can anonymously leak information. Your mom also made the mistake of using thepany WiFi and herputer to conduct research about Tobias Woodley. I begged her to stop but she refused to stand and do nothing. The chairman allowed his son, the one being attacked, to transfer to the fashion subsidiary. He began working at the mall as the manager of the mall and soon found his rhythm again. Everything seemed to have calmed down until the news about Ashley and Samuel Woodley aired. The whole of Danvarr started taking Samuel¡¯s side and giving Rollins group hell for unjustly arresting the poor man. Thepany stocks crashed badly. Ashley went into a spiral once more, especially as Samuel¡¯s release was demanded. Samuel got out."


    "He did?"


    "Social currency is a different kind of power here in Danvarr. If utilized well, even billionaires can¡¯t always have their way. Your mom knew that. The atmosphere at work was hellish. Everyone was on edge. There were massive staff cuts, threats against the whistleblower and rewards for anyone who had any information regarding the whistleblower. Everyone walked on eggshells. I thought of quitting out of fear but Brett Rollins would have pegged me the whistleblower and locked me up as a scapegoat so I stayed."


    "And my mom?"


    "She also carried on for the same reason as me. Then one day, the crazy quad who was still working at the HQ with Asher even after his brothers had been sent to other subsidiaries, found the business card of a major news reporter on your mom¡¯s desk under a stack of papers. He went on to search herputer and her research was gged. I think he had one of his father¡¯s men tail her and got pictures of her speaking with reporters and Samuel¡¯s siblings. He was very disappointed in her and felt betrayed. You see, your mom had been instrumental in helping him mend his ways. He had gone from being regarded as a joke and a failure by his father to being one of the top performing junior workers in the HQ. He was even far more impressive than Asher, all thanks to your mom. Their bond was like that of a mother and son. Even his mom grew jealous seeing how he interacted with Camille."


    Ashton and my mom? There is so much to take in here. My heart starts pounding in my chest. Mom had written fondly about Ashton and then there were bits in her journal where she described him as irrational, hot-tempered and other bad words. It was almost like she was describing a mixture of the other three quads. Her entries about him stopped without giving more detail about what happened between them.


    "My mom kept a journal but she was terrible in making entries. I don¡¯t think she understood how to chronicle one¡¯s experiences in a journal. Her entries were mostly terse. However, she mentioned the crazy quad, Ashton but these details were left out."


    "Intentionally. I told her not to empty all her thoughts in one book, especially anything to do with what she had done at work so she leaves no clues in case someone found her journal. She tried to write as little as possible, enough to help her to personally recall details of the events but to a stranger, the info would seem harmless. She thought she had covered her tracks but forgot about the business card. Ashton isputer savvy so he was able to uncover what research she had done using herputer. Do you need a refill?" Amber asked, pointing to my drink.


    I look down at my empty ss. "I do but I¡¯d prefer something stronger at this point." With a small smile, I follow her to the kitchen and watch her mix me a drink.


    "Ashton got into it with your mother that evening at the office. It was a shouting match. He used her of betraying his family and biting the finger that fed her. She tried to defend herself but he only grew madder and stormed away. Your mom was very scared. I think that was on your birthday because she nned to go shopping at the departmental store for your present. After the fallout with Ashton, she grew scared. I hid under my desk the whole time so I could understand how she felt. Still, I encouraged her to get you the present she had been saving up for. As a staff under the Rollins Group, we get shopping vouchers at the departmental store so your mom nned to utilize it that night. Here you go."


    I take a bracing sip of my vodka and wince. "That¡¯s really strong."


    "You¡¯ll need it."


    We return to the sofa and Amber carries on.


    "I convinced your mom to go ahead with her shopping as nned, trusting that Ashton will calm down and reason with her. We trusted that he wouldn¡¯t rat her out knowing how his father is."


    "How his father is?"


    "Brett Rollins is a scary man. No one can hurt him, his family or his business and go free. I¡¯ve never heard of anyone surviving that. Ashton knew that and we trusted that he wouldn¡¯t risk your mother¡¯s safety like that. Your mom went to the store to shop by six pm that day. It was almost closed when she got there but she begged for a chance to get you a gift. As an employee of the HQ, they let her in. She called meter that she had gotten lost in there and the mall had been closed. Your father had been calling her nonstop and she wanted to start going home. I told her to give me a few minutes while I tried to call some contacts on my phone. Sheter called to tell me Ashley was still in his office and she would inform him so they could let her out."


    I take a longer sip of my drink, hoping to be drunk enough for the rest of the story which I know doesn¡¯t end well.


    "Thest call she made to me, she was in a panic because Ashton and his family came to the mall that night. This was after she had spoken to Ashley about leaving and he directed her to an alternate exit. Brett Rollins ordered your mom toe to him in Ashley¡¯s office and she knew Ashton had ratted her out. She tried to escape but when she got to the exit, it had been locked. She was on the phone with me, scared shitless." Amber sighs. "It got worse when she saw Samuel Woodleye out of hiding in the store and head for Ashley¡¯s office with a knife. There was no way she could warn the family in time. Everyone had dispersed to look for her leaving Ashley and his father in the office. Your mom overheard themotion upstairs and identally screamed when..."


    "When what?"


    "When Samuel was thrown off the railing from the second floor. He broke his neck on impact. Brett saw that your mom had seen everything and ordered his sons to catch her."


    "Oh my god." I close a hand over my belly to hide the tremor.


    "I am only giving you what I know Demi but I trust you¡¯d be smart and not make the same mistake your mom did. I am telling you all this because I feel like I owe you the truth as far as I know. Don¡¯t be stupid and try to do anything about parts of this story that hurt you. It¡¯s not a battle you can win. If your mom was here, she¡¯d tell you to let sleeping dogs lie. She wouldn¡¯t want you to follow her footsteps, trust me."


    "I understand." I reply with a shaky breath.


    "This also happened a long time ago. I wasn¡¯t physically present but I could have misheard or misunderstood things. I am still alive because I didn¡¯t insist that I knew exactly what had transpired that night. Please, don¡¯t make me regret telling you all this."


    "You won¡¯t, Amber. It was a long time ago. People make mistakes and learn from them. I am not here to reopen old wounds. I just need to find closure to the death of my parents. It might take me some time but I¡¯ll get over it and the part my inws yed. They¡¯ve been nothing but kind to me."


    "I¡¯m d you¡¯re thinking that way." Sighing, Amber struggles to keep her tears at bay. "I bet they just wanted to exin that what happened to Samuel was self-defense. They were prepared to forgive her for leaking information to the press but your mom was too scared to listen to everything the chairman was telling her over the megaphone. She cut the call on me to call your dad who had been calling her nonstop. I don¡¯t know if she exined the situation to him. She never called me back to share how everything went down. The next morning, the elevator ident was aired and I recognized your parents."


    At this point, I am crying a bucketful of tears, and so is Amber.


    "The family met with me before the police did and confided in me about what truly happened. Your father had showed up at the mall and he was let in to help find your mom. Brett assured your father that he wouldn¡¯t take drastic actions against Camille for being the whistleblower and hoped your father would lure her out so he could talk to her. Your mother found a way tomunicate with them and asked to leave with your father and never return to Danvarr. She was prepared to leave her job but Brett wasn¡¯t satisfied with that n. Your father managed to escape them and soon, he was reunited with your mom. Ashton ran into the couple and tried to convince them to trust him and that no harm woulde to them but they refused. Instead, they got into the closest elevator hoping to get to the ground floor and use the door that was still open. Ashton kept warning them that the elevator was out of order. There was even a tape across it but your mom was willing to take her chances because she couldn¡¯t trust him. The rest is history."


    I wipe my eyes. "What is it? Why do you look uncertain?" I ask Amber.


    "When talking to the Rollins family, I omitted some of the details your mom shared with me, like the fact that Samuel Woodley was there that night." She threw me a heartbroken stare. "Your inws never mentioned anything about Samuel or his death. They only said your mom had been so scared of being punished for leaking information to the press that she became irrational and dragged your father into the faulty elevator to escape. Months after, Samuel was reported to have died of a drug overdose."


    "They lied about Samuel?"


    "If they lied about him, I hate to think they also lied about the elevator and everything else that transpired after your mom hung up on me."


    "My mom would never have put my dad¡¯s life at risk like that. She knew I was home alone. If anything, she would have sacrificed herself just so I could have a parent to grow up with."


    "I think so too." Amber sets down her ss andes to wrap her arms around me. "Whatever the true story is, I want you to move on and believe thest thing your mom would want is you sniffing around like she did with the same family that may or may not have ended her life. I understand why you kept your rtionship a secret now. I fear how your family will react if they knew you were Camille¡¯s daughter." She cups my chin. "You can¡¯t let them suspect that you know more than what the police said or that you¡¯re holding grudges, Demi. Promise me!"


    "I promise."


    She hugs me tightly, sobbing softly. "Camille would want you safe and happy above all else. If you¡¯ve found love with Ashely, please forgive and savor your new rtionship. Revenge is never as satisfying as it is made out to be and don¡¯t feel like your parents would have wanted you to avenge them. I am a mother and if I had been in Camille¡¯s ce, I know I wouldn¡¯t want Kat and Maddox risking their lives to execute some revenge plot. I would want them to move on and live their lives to the fullest. That¡¯s how I know Camille would want the same."


    I get Maddie¡¯s text just then. It¡¯s the address of Ashal¡¯s penthouse. I pull away from Amber¡¯s hug and wipe my eyes.


    "Thank you so much, Amber. You¡¯ve cleared a lot of the doubts I had. I think I can finally move on. I won¡¯t make the same mistake my mom did." I won¡¯t get caught; I add in my head while smiling at Amber.


    Of course, Ashal refused to let me in. I expected that. Maddie¡¯s follow-up call seems a bit strange too. Olivia seems happy from the pictures sent by Maddie and thetter¡¯s exnation about her sister¡¯s rtionship with Ashal would have been believable and watertight except that I have already confirmed their secret marriage. Maddie lied about Ashal and Olivia not being married.


    "Did he also threaten you, Maddie? Why did you change your mind about rescuing your sister? What¡¯s really going on inside this penthouse?" I wonder as I stare at my phone after she ends the call. I must admit that the quads are scarier than they look. I have to pretend to be more na?ve than I am to y this game safely.


    I call Ashal like Maddie would expect and try my best to quell his suspicions. Hopefully, he believes me. I won¡¯t pester him about the penthouse anymore. That would be too obvious and risky for the sisters. I¡¯ll find another way to expose him.


    My brows knit in a frown at Kira¡¯s call. What does she want now?


    "What is it, Kira?"


    "Demi??? Please help me." She whimpers frightfully. What new drama is this?


    "What the hell is going on, Kira? I don¡¯t have time for this."


    "Iman. He¡¯s gone crazy. He isn¡¯t letting me go unless you get here."


    "What?"


    "Please Demi,e settle your scores with him. I want no part in this. Oh my god, he¡¯s returning. Please hurry Demi! Get me out of his apartment. I want to go home!"


    I stare at my phone after the line cuts. What the hell? Why would Iman abduct Kira? Is this real? I call aunt but she hasn¡¯t seen or spoken to Kira since morning. She sounds worried because Kira got a call earlier from Iman. I am so sick of Iman¡¯s sorry ass showing up and making my life more difficult. I have to end this. I¡¯m sure it¡¯s money he wants.


    "IMAN? OPEN UP!!!" I yell, banging on his door. Ashton hasn¡¯t replied my text but I am hoping he gets here soon. This will not be a good day to ignore me. Iman unlocks the door and I shove past him. "WHERE IS KIRA? WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HER? KIRA? KI..."


    Kira steps out all dolled up with a smile on her face. There are no traces of tears in her eyes. I clench my fist as she strolls to Iman and pecks his cheeks.


    "She¡¯s all yours, buddy. Make me proud."


    "What the hell is this, Kira?" But she ignores me and walks out. When I try to leave too, Iman ms the door shut and engages the locks. "You¡¯re mistaken if you think I came here alone. Ashton is on his way and a bunch of other people know exactly where I am right now."


    "Was that supposed to be a threat? Tsk Tsk. Poor Demi, when will you ever learn that your new life is an illusion? You didn¡¯t gain a new family; you threw yourselves into a pack of wolves. The quads are noting. You¡¯re all alone, with me. Don¡¯t worry, I have better taste in women now but I have been dying to give you a good beating for every pain you¡¯ve caused me since you broke up with me so dramatically. It¡¯s your turn to feel hurt."


    His right fist rams up my jaw in a sh and sends me crashing on the floor. My head spins. Behind me, heughs maniacally. Blood oozes from my nose just before it all goes dark.

 Chapter 94

    <h4>Chapter 94: Chapter 94</h4>


    ASHER


    [She took the bait. He¡¯s with her now] Kira texts me.


    [Good job]


    [Drinkster? You promised]


    [Fine. I¡¯ll text you the location]


    [No need. My mom will be away all night. We can hang out at my house. More private]


    This bitch is bold, I think. Is she really suggesting what I think she¡¯s suggesting? I bet her mom is in on it too. Where could she possibly be going tonight? I shake my head with augh. Whatever.


    [Sounds good]


    The door in front of me swings open and I tuck my phone away.


    "Hi." Anna¡¯s surprise turns to a slight frown as she sees me. "You¡¯ve got to work on your excited face when you see me. If I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d think you were expecting someone else."


    "How did you know I was home? You didn¡¯t call."


    "Yeah, I stopped by your work ce and was told it¡¯s your off day. I thought I¡¯d surprise you." When I lean down to peck her cheek, she moves inside. What¡¯s with the attitude? "Were you really expecting someone else?" I ask, trailing after her.


    "Demi. She should be here by now but she¡¯s not taking her calls or texting me back. We nned to spend the day together."


    I incline my head. "I¡¯m guessing I am not wee here then."


    "No." She plunks down on her couch and blows her hair out of her face. "I didn¡¯t mean it like that. I am just worried about her. She was close to her phone a few minutes ago, and read my text. I don¡¯t know why she hasn¡¯t replied yet. Her phone was ringing earlier but now it¡¯s switched off. Don¡¯t you find that weird?"


    I edge close to her. "I¡¯m sure she¡¯s fine. Maybe she wants to spend the day in bed with her husband and doesn¡¯t know how to cancel on you." Taking her hands, I pull her up. "If you¡¯re smart, you¡¯d take advantage of my presence here given how much I had to move things around to be here with you." This time, she allows me to relish her lips and returns my kiss with fervor.


    "You should have called. Demi could walk in any minute. She might see you here."


    "No, she wouldn¡¯t." I say emphatically.


    "What? How are you so sure?" She asks, easing back.


    "I mean, she wouldn¡¯t see me even if she arrives. I¡¯ll just hide or something."


    "And your car?"


    "Parked down the street corner like you always ask."


    "Your perfume. It won¡¯t leave my house or my body for at least the next three hours. Demi will know for sure that I¡¯ve had a man here, YOU. She knows your scent." She moves away from me but I pull her back.


    "What¡¯s going on? Did I do something wrong? Why the cold shoulder?"


    I can tell she¡¯s keeping something from me. My phone beeps and when I check, it¡¯s a photo from Iman. Demi is sprawled on his carpet with a broken nose. I slip the phone back into my pocket and face Anna. "Nothing important." I tell her when she eyes me suspiciously. "Tell me, what can I do to make up for whatever I¡¯ve done to upset you?"


    "You can go visit doctor Ezra right now."


    Oh crap. I guessed as much. She won¡¯t let this go.


    "I will. I¡¯m handling it."


    "No, you¡¯re not. You keep avoiding it despite my promise to be there with you through it all. Clearly, you¡¯re prepared to lose your life. I am not going to force you anymore, Asher. You¡¯re grown. You can do whatever you want but I don¡¯t want to be around when it gets worse and the consequences start ying out. I won¡¯t be able to stand it. I already went through that trauma with my dad so forgive me but I won¡¯t be around you then."


    Her words have never hurt me until now. "Is this reverse psychology? You¡¯re trying to pretend like you wouldn¡¯t care about me dying but it¡¯s toote for that. I know you care."


    She ps my hand away when I try to touch her hair. "I¡¯m not pretending not to care. I care and that¡¯s why I am telling you beforehand not to expect me by your side when your tumor bes malignant. I won¡¯t go through that with anyone else. Once is enough for anyone, Asher. I won¡¯t." She leaves me to go to her bathroom.


    Why is she saying all this to me right now? I leave her to text Iman.


    [What¡¯s going on over there? Anything yet?]


    [She¡¯s knocked out cold. I only hit her once]


    I grit my teeth. The fool. I didn¡¯t ask him to beat her up. I asked him to get her to confess her true intentions for my family. I have to resort to such drastic measures to expose her before Ashley decides he wants to keep Demi for life or even have babies with her. I can¡¯t have that.


    I frown at Iman¡¯s tactics. Couldn¡¯t he have found a way to get Demi to talk without throwing his fist at the weak woman? What if he kills her?


    [You better pray she¡¯s okay. I never asked you to hit her like that. She dies or suffers major health challenge as a result of your action and I¡¯ll make sure you go down alone]


    When I head towards the bathroom, Anna opens the door and frowns at finding me outside her door.


    "You have to tell me what¡¯s really going on. You¡¯re not making a lot of sense right now..."my eyes stray behind her and catch a glimpse of her trash bin. Is that what I think it is? When my eyes return to her face, it dims with understanding. Now, I get why she¡¯s being like this. "You didn¡¯t have to go through all thisbor to kick me out of your life, you know. You could have just been straight with me. I am not desperate."


    "What are you talking about?"


    "I¡¯ll let you be but first, I¡¯d like to know who the father is."


    "What?"


    "Enough, Anna. We¡¯re adults here. No need to get weird about it. You don¡¯t want to talk about the pregnancy, fine but let me know if you need my help getting the father to take up his responsibility. It¡¯s the least I can do for old times¡¯ sake." Anna whirls towards the bathroom and her eyes double in size at the sight of the pregnancy test strips with two bold lines in her trash bin.


    "No. no. It¡¯s not what you¡¯re thinking, Asher. I¡¯m not pregnant."


    Why the fuck is she still lying? It¡¯s in as the nose on my face. "Whatever you say." She grabs my arm when I head for the door. Now she¡¯s acting desperate.


    "I¡¯m not pregnant, Asher. I mean it. I can take a test right now and prove it to you."


    "I think two tests is enough proof..."


    "No, whatever you saw, that¡¯s not mine." She bites down on her lips. "It¡¯s my colleague from work. She wasn¡¯t feeling well and came to spend some time with me. I am trying to make more friends for times like this when Demi can¡¯t be bothered to return my calls. So, She my friend was here two nights ago andined of feeling dizzy and nauseous. We wanted to rule out the possibility so we got the test strips for her to take the test and it was confirmed positive. It¡¯s not mine, I promise."


    "It¡¯s okay. I wouldn¡¯t have judged you if it was yours, unless you allowed yourself get knocked up by that dumpster fire I met here weeks ago."


    She chuckles. "Ben¡¯s not so bad."


    I trail a hand down her chin. "And what about me? Am I bad? Is that why you keep pushing me away?"


    Her breath catches in her throat. Before she can respond, I capture her lips with mine and pull her down to the couch.


    An hourter, I am waking up in bed with Anna. My buzzing phone thankfully doesn¡¯t wake her. I shrug on my pants and head to the living room to take the call. Iman had better have good news for me.


    "What? Is she awake?"


    "Yes."


    "Did she say anything on record?"


    He huffs out a breath. "She didn¡¯t get to. Your crazy brother got here somehow while I stepped out and rescued her. I thought you handled him. You said he wouldn¡¯t show up. Apparently, she texted him beforeing to my ce. What have you been doing?"


    "Hey, don¡¯t you dare question me as a way of evading the subject of your ipetence. What the fuck is wrong with you? My brother clearly didn¡¯t get there on time because I had him held up so why couldn¡¯t you achieve anything in forty-five minutes? Why are you such a failure?"


    "She passed out and you said not to hurt her further..."


    I peek into the bedroom to ensure Anna is still fast asleep before responding. "I said not to kill or injure her fatally, you moron! There are so many ways to siphon information from a stubborn woman like that. Why did you hit her so hard in the first ce? Couldn¡¯t you have threatened her? Do you seriously have nothing on her? Couldn¡¯t you have stripped her naked and made some kind of video? If you couldn¡¯t get any information from her, you should have improvised and gotten something dirty of her to use in future. Do I have to think for you too?"


    "I¡¯m sorry."


    "Sorry my foot. You¡¯re not getting a farthing from me until you fix this mess. You better hurry out of there and go hide in the house I got you because Ashton will be back for your ass and this time, he won¡¯t spare your life. IDIOT!"


    I don¡¯t know why I am still working with a moron like Iman. Maybe I¡¯ll have to hire his friends from the bar that tried to assault me on hismand. I think three idiots should be more productive than one, with the right pay.


    My heart plummets to my stomach when I look outside the window and see Ashton¡¯s car pulling up in front of Anna¡¯s apartment. Demi is on the passenger seat next to him with a small band aid on the bridge of her nose.


    What the fuck are they doing here?


    ***


    Anna found a way to stall them while I hurried out the back of the house. When they asked, she merely exined that I stopped by to check on her as I normally do since the incident with Iman. That¡¯s why my perfume was still lingering in the house. I warned her not to let Demi into the bedroom as she would have a hard time exining way more than the perfume in there.


    I needed that before I faced my ugly schedule for the day; a visit to Josh¡¯s home. This is all father¡¯s n. After my altercation with Josh at the restaurant thest time we sat for lunch at Soul Foods, he has been devising ns to try and make Josh and I get along.


    Today, we are to hang out for the afternoon and get things off our chest. Father insists because he knows that if I can ept Josh as my half-brother, then I can get the rest of the quads to ept him too. I know this n will be a bust but I don¡¯t mind giving father the satisfaction of thinking his n for a wholesome family that involves Josh can ever be a reality. It will NEVER happen but what¡¯s the harm in letting the old man think it can?


    I am not surprised to find Josh living in fancy duplex in Brix estate, another luxurious part of town close to the HQ. Father obviously got it for him to ovepensate for his absence in his life. However, I am surprised to find his mother living with him. Then again, they practically live in each other¡¯s pockets so it shouldn¡¯t have surprised me.


    Mrs. Randall smiles gaily as she wees me to her home. Josh walks up to me, a cocky grin on his face.


    "I didn¡¯t realize your mom lives here too."


    "You live with your mom, don¡¯t you?" He replies.


    "Yeah, I do. My mom AND my dad. My dad likes to keep his family close you see." Mother and son grit their teeth in silence but I am hardly done with them. "I was just asking because I was worried for your mother here. Did you at least get her noise canceling headphones? I bet that¡¯s the only way she can rest her old bones in peace when you sneak in your whores at night."


    Josh gives a sly smile. "Forgive him mom. He¡¯s jealous he¡¯s not allowed to indulge himself as much as he would love to, especially at the mansion. There¡¯s only one real woman at the mansion after all and she¡¯s already married to Ashley so all Asher can do at night is jerk off to his secretary¡¯s picture on his phone."


    "Enough boys." Mrs. Randall pretends to not enjoy her son¡¯s pback.


    "Real woman?" Iugh. "Do you think yourte father considered the wife who fucked another man, bore his bastard son and lied to him for years about your paternity a real woman? No, I bet he¡¯s still rolling in his grave and cursing himself for marrying a whore."


    Mrs. Randall ps me hard. "You will note into my home and disrespect me like that!" She fumes.


    I rub my cheek with a cocky smile. "It¡¯s really bold of you and your bastard son to think you¡¯re deserving of anyone¡¯s respect given all the shameless things you¡¯ve done to get where you are. My mom is the REAL woman, the WIFE, the MATRIACH of the Rollins empire and that will NEVER change. You can build castles in the air for all I care. My father will NEVER ditch my brothers and I because of this thing you bore for him. He doesn¡¯tck heirs and you will never take my mom¡¯s ce. You try it and my brothers and I will bury you where you stand. Don¡¯t make the mistake of underestimating us or our mother!"


    When Josh tries to say something, his mom puts a hand in front of him.


    "Good boy. Listen to your mom and go lick a whore¡¯s pussy. That¡¯s apparently the only thing you¡¯ve been taught after all." With a big smile, I bow deeply. "Thank you for having me in your home, Josh Randall¡¯s mom. I really enjoyed my stay. Let¡¯s do this again some other time." I walk away, enjoying their heated res. Word will reach father and I don¡¯t give a fuck.


    Ashton¡¯s calles through.


    "Where are you?"


    "At Josh¡¯s ce. Why?"


    "Josh Randall? What the fuck are you doing at his ce?"


    "Ask your father. He¡¯s cooking up some twisted plot to get me to see his bastard son and not feel like plucking out Josh¡¯s eyes. It will never work but I enjoy making father think he¡¯s winning. I gave Josh and his mom reasons to wet their pillows tonight though, got a few things off my chest. You want something?"


    "Demi was attacked by Iman. Tell me you don¡¯t know anything about that." His tone is low and dangerously so.


    "Why would I know anything about that? What are you using me of here, Ashton? Did Demi put the me on me?" I match his rage through my tone. "How convenient. I am not a fan of our sister-inw so if anything untoward happens to her, even a st from her past, I must be behind it, right?"


    I don¡¯t know if Ashton believes me. "Demi didn¡¯t say anything but I me you regardless. You¡¯ve allowed that punk to roam free ever since he attempted to take your life. It never made sense to me because you¡¯re not the most forgiving man I know. You would never let Iman see the light of day unless you had some other use for him. Consider this a warning, Asher. Whatever your reason is for letting Iman get away with what he did, I will find out and I will find him. If he everys a finger on Demi again, you¡¯ll have me to answer to!"


    "How is she?" I chime in before he can hang up. I bet my question flusters him. "How¡¯s Demi? Is she badly hurt?"


    "Like you care."


    "Believe it or not, I do, Ashton. Simply because I am not in love with her doesn¡¯t mean I wish her harm, okay? Whether I like it or not, she¡¯s still a part of our family and will be for some time yet. So, how is she?" Ashton breathes heavily.


    "She¡¯ll live." He replies after a brief pause. "He broke her nose so that equals 300 broken bones as payback."


    "Woah, human adults don¡¯t even have that much in their body."


    "Exactly. He¡¯s going to lose even the bones he doesn¡¯t have." He hangs up before I canment on that.


    I sigh tiredly. "Oh Ashton, you fool. You¡¯re so smitten by the wrong woman. You¡¯ll only end up hurting yourself." I call Iman.


    "Get the hell out of there and send me the numbers of your henchmen, the same ones you hired to beat me up...that¡¯s none of your concern. Send their numbers or I¡¯ll find them myself and have them bet you for fucking this up. Head over to the house downtown andy low till I send for you again. There¡¯s enough food and cash tost you at least two months. If you must go outside, wear a disguise so the street cameras don¡¯t pick up your face. That¡¯s the only way you can escape Ashton. Don¡¯t say I didn¡¯t warn you." I hang up just as father¡¯s calles through.


    Shit. How many more people are calling to threaten me? Pick a number and get in line, I mutter to myself. With a long sigh, I take father¡¯s call.


    Despite giving back enough biting remarks to justify what I did at the home of his other family, I feel too angry and frustrated to make it through the rest of the day sober. My deal with Iman fell through and now I have to get a new bunch of fools to do the job and pray they don¡¯t mess up too.


    I can¡¯t even feel good about mocking Josh and his mom because father is sorely disappointed in me. My thing with Anna is on a shaky ground because she can¡¯t get past my health condition. I don¡¯t need any reminders. I just need some more time toe to terms with my health situation and right now, denial is blissful.


    I head into a random bar for a quick drink. I don¡¯t even bother with sunsses or any kind of disguise. I am pissed off enough to rearrange the jaw of any motherfucker that won¡¯t respect themselves by being a nuisance to me.


    The usual shocked stares follow as I make my way to the bartender. There¡¯s a blondie at the bar, examining a shot of tequ. Her friend sits next to her, convincing her to drink and make merry.


    I ce my order. At her friend¡¯s open-mouthed gasp on seeing me, blondie turns to look at me.


    "Hellodies." I work my most charming smile onto my face.


    "Asher Rollins." Blondie breathes with a frightened stare. How the fuck can she tell? She slides off the stool and grabs her purse hurriedly before weaseling out of the bar amidst her friend¡¯s calls.


    "What¡¯s wrong with her?" I ask her friend.


    "I¡¯m sorry. She¡¯s an introvert and very shy. I guess she¡¯s flustered by you. I¡¯m Octavia."


    I take the hand Octavia holds out. "Nice to meet you, Octavia. You can call me Ash."


    I stare back at the door wondering why Blondie¡¯s eyes looked so familiar and how she instantly recognized me as Asher even though we¡¯ve never met before.


    "Your friend, what¡¯s her name?"


    "It¡¯s Skr Sanders."


    "Hmm. Skr." I repeat, sipping my drink.

 Chapter 95

    <h4>Chapter 95: Chapter 95</h4>


    DEMI


    "Are you okay? What happened?" Anna asks after Ashton leaves. Iy my head down on her couch and press my eyes shut.


    "I¡¯ll be fine."


    "But what happened, Demi? I called you countless times and even texted. You didn¡¯t respond and here you are with a broken nose. Who did this to you?"


    Because she won¡¯t stop talking unless I answer her questions, I tell her everything.


    "That bitch Kira. How much lower can she stoop? What exactly is her problem with you? I don¡¯t mind her going for your leftovers. She can have that dickhead for all I care but deceiving you like that and leaving you alone with him? I am going to pay her and her evil mother a surprise visit at night and chuck eggs and tissue papers around their house."


    I know she means it. I hope she does it. With a small smile, I pat her shoulder.


    "Thank God Ashton got there on time. Who knows what else Iman had nned."


    "Yeah. I guess."


    So much happened today that I want to share with Anna. I hate that it ended with Iman and that¡¯s all Anna can fixate on right now given how furious she is. I want to tell her all Amber told me and even what had happened with Maddie.


    If I get talking, I¡¯d probably be too distracted to recall the car ride with Ashton and how livid I felt towards him because of Amber¡¯s tale. It was also awkward because ever since his engagement, we haven¡¯t been able to have a proper conversation, especially with our family and his fianc¨¦e watching us like hawks but the awkwardness was nothingpared to annoyance I felt.


    Would he tell me the truth of that night if I ever asked? Would he tell me if he knew Camille was my mom or would he protect his family first? Because I hate the answers I am guessing, I shake my head to clear it.


    "I went to Ashal¡¯s penthouse today, the one where Olivia stays."


    Anna snaps out of her angry tirade. "Really? Did he take you? Was Olivia there?"


    "No and yes. He took Maddie there and she pinned me the location. However, when I got there, he wouldn¡¯t clear me for entrance but that¡¯s not the shocking part. The shocking part is that Maddie called off the whole save-my-sister mission. Shortly after I arrived, I got a photo message from her and a call. She told me that she had been worried for nothing and that Olivia was doing fine with her boyfriend, Ashal."


    "Boyfriend?" Anna repeats with incredulous eyes.


    "She said they weren¡¯t married and Olivia wanted to keep the rtionship private because of Ashal¡¯s status. That¡¯s why they¡¯ve been hiding it from the media. Then she went on to politely ask me to back off. I don¡¯t know but I strongly feel like something happened in there to make Maddie start sounding like Olivia."


    "Of course something smells fishy. This is the same Maddie who was prepared to ckmail you just to get your help in freeing her sister from Ashal¡¯s bondage. Now, she starts to beat his drums after one visit to his penthouse? Nah, I smell a rat."


    "She has been ignoring my call ever since. I guess she¡¯ll talk to me when she¡¯s ready but for now, I have bigger worries on my mind."


    "Iman?"


    "Hell no, he¡¯ll get what¡¯sing for him." I shake my head. "The quads unmasked Shay. It¡¯s not Cree; it¡¯s Nic, Ashley¡¯s side chick." I allow Anna to pick her jaws off the floor before continuing. "I couldn¡¯t believe it myself when Ashton told me but it makes a lot of sense. I don¡¯t know how we all missed it."


    "That¡¯s unbelievable."


    "This puts a huge dent in my ns. Shay was supposed to join us and help take down my parents¡¯ murderers. She was supposed to be another vengeful addition to the team not some ex-girlfriend feeling jilted. Nic holds no serious grudge against Ashley. She only went so far to get his attention. She¡¯s useless to me."


    Anger swells inside me as I recall everything Amber had said. I have to tell Liam everything. I feel so hurt and betrayed. My parents were murdered!


    At first, it had been a spective guess given the holes in the story aired on TV regarding the elevator incident but it hits different now, having Amber¡¯s raw ount and knowing for a fact that the Rollins aren¡¯t innocent in all of this. Tears blur my eyes the more I think about it. How can I go on pretending around members of the Rollins family?


    I feel Anna¡¯s hand wrap around me.


    "Shhh, it¡¯ll be okay."


    "I have nothing. Maddie bailed and now Shay aka Nic can¡¯t help us. It feels like Liam and I are on a hamster wheel; we keep thinking we¡¯re running so fast but, in the end, we are still in the same spot. I don¡¯t have so much time left with Ashley, Anna. I need something or someone to take these people down! I need help!"


    "Hey, did something else happen? Tell me!"


    I tell her Amber¡¯s tale and she is just as shocked as I was to hear it.


    "Have you told Liam?"


    "Not yet. I just need a moment to take it all in." I inhale deeply. "I don¡¯t want to tell him over the phone; I need to see him."


    I end up calling Liam over to Anna¡¯s ceter in the day. He remains quiet as I narrate my entire day to him. If he was surprised to learn about Amber and the spine-chilling details of my mother¡¯sst night alive, his only reaction is an arched brow. When I tell him about Nic being Shay however, his lips tighten.


    "What do we do? We¡¯ve got nothing and I am almost halfway through my marriage contract. Ashal is now onto me too, like Asher. I can¡¯t get to Ashton anymore. Whatever we had has been severed with his engagement to your sister." It takes a lot of willpower to not roll my eyes. "Seriously, M is messing up our ns. Can you really not get her to take a chill pill?"


    Liam and Anna stare at me for some reason.


    "And why exactly would I contact her and ask her to back away from the man she loves whose family our father approves of? If I had such an influence within my family, I wouldn¡¯t need you." He runs a hand over his face and blows a frustrated breath. Now, I know he is angry. "Maybe now¡¯s the time to run the story about Josh Randall."


    "NO!" I shriek.


    "Why not? Why exactly are you holding back?"


    "You do it now and they¡¯ll be able to deny it. I already told you, we need hard evidence, Liam. Don¡¯t be impatient and throw away the only gem we have right now."


    "Then get on with the evidence because I am losing my patience."


    "What about Tobias Woodley¡¯s other children? Won¡¯t they be willing to talk given the injustice done to their father and brother?" Anna asks. "I think you guys should at least ask for an interview. You just might be shocked at what they know and how willing they might be to help you."


    "Brett must be keeping an eye on them and even if he isn¡¯t, I think they would have done something by now after all these years if they meant to. That just tells me they¡¯re too afraid to and prefer to move on with their lives."


    "I¡¯ll still look into it." Liam counters me. "They might not have the courage to fight the Rollins by going public. I¡¯ll see if I can contact them and ask to interview them anonymously."


    "Brett would know if certain details are leaked to Billion-Err. He¡¯ll trace it back to them and hunt them. Look, Shay fooled the quads for a while and the first ce they looked was the Woodley family. Now that Nic has been unmasked, pushing forward with this story will turn the magnifying ss back on the family. No one else in that family deserves to get hurt."


    "Then what do you suggest, Demi? We are running out of time here. We have toe up with a solid n before your time at that mansion expires, unless you n on making Ashley fall harder for you or having his baby to elongate your stay in that household."


    He doesn¡¯t mean it but I am too shocked to react any different. Liam, being as perceptive as he is, nearly clues in.


    "Are you thinking about those options?"


    "No! Of course not." I shake my head. "There will be no need for that. If we feel like we have more time, we¡¯ll start cking off. We need the pressure of racing against time to execute this fast." I expel a long breath. "I might be able to get Josh¡¯s hair sample for the DNA test but Brett...I don¡¯t think he¡¯ll let me anywhere near him right now." I recall spraying red wine on father and throwing up on him. He is avoiding me like a gue right now.


    "If you can¡¯t get DNA samples for Brett and Josh, how about DNA samples from the quads to prove that Josh is their sibling? Can¡¯t that be done?"


    "I think so." I concur with Liam¡¯s idea. "One more thing, Josh¡¯s mom might be willing to help if she is convinced a couple of strangers are willing to help prove that her son was fathered by none other than Brett Rollins himself. I¡¯ve heard quite a bit about her and if she¡¯s anything like her son, she¡¯ll bite the bait. I¡¯ll see if I can get Josh to convey the message to her."


    "I like the way you¡¯re thinking. However, mere thoughts won¡¯t get us anywhere so let¡¯s try to get our hands on some hard evidence before our next meeting, okay?"


    "Okay."


    I don¡¯t celebrate over our new ideas after Liam leaves. Instead, my wheels start spinning and I try toe up with more ideas on how to uncover more secrets of the Rollins family. I have never been more determined and I have Amber to thank for rekindling the fire on my tail.


    While Anna and I spend some more time in her apartment, I ignore the fact that her whole body smells of Asher¡¯s perfume, more pungent than would be expected if they had only hugged briefly as she imed.


    ***


    "I fell and broke my nose." I tell everyone who asks about my sore nose. Nessa hustles to my desk every thirty minutes to an hour with a look of pity on her face as she drops off more work on my desk. It¡¯s all Asher¡¯s doing. Since my internship is wrapping up, he¡¯s been finding creative ways to break my fingers and bones. I put up a brave face and do the best I can so he doesn¡¯t get the satisfaction of seeing me break down.


    "I¡¯d help but Asher requires my assistance."


    "It¡¯s okay, Nessa. Maybe you can make it up to me over lunch?"


    "Sure. I can spare some time." With a spring in her step, she shuffles back into Asher¡¯s office. Though she doesn¡¯t know it, Nessa has a distinct glow on her face when she¡¯s excited about something. I can¡¯t quite fathom what it is. Surely, she can¡¯t be that excited about work.


    "Need some help?"


    I look up to find Josh by my door. Surprisingly, my smile is sunny and genuine towards him.


    "If it won¡¯t get me in trouble then yes, I¡¯d love as much help as I can." He strolls in and goes through the files on my desk. To my shock, he hefts them on his arms. I shoot up to my feet. "Josh, I can¡¯t possibly let you take everything off my hands. You have your own tasks to see to..."


    "It¡¯s ok. I¡¯m not doing them myself. I have a new intern of my own that has too many free time on her hands and is desperate for work. My secretary won¡¯t mind helping too. You carry on and check back in an hour. They will have everything ready."


    I pout my lips. "You¡¯re like the brother I never had. I wish I could swap you with my arrogant brother-inw Asher." The reply is intentional.


    "You don¡¯t have to, Demi. We are family. Don¡¯t ever forget that."


    "My mother-inw would love you. She loves anyone who looks out for me and makes my life easier."


    Take the bait, Josh. I think in my head as I sh him my pearly whites. I don¡¯t want to be direct and invite him over to the mansion but if he¡¯s smart, he¡¯ll jump at the opportunity. "I¡¯ll mention your kindness towards me to her. I¡¯ll tell father too but he¡¯s already super impressed by you to be surprised."


    "Thank you, Demi. Mrs. Rollins is an amazing woman."


    "You¡¯ve met her?"


    "Yeah, once. We had lunch together with father and Asher."


    "Really?" I pretend not to recall. "I hope we can have that again someday as one big family."


    Then the twinkle slides into Josh¡¯ eyes. "Why someday? I¡¯d love to visit the mansion for lunch or dinner over the weekend whenever I¡¯m invited. Everything pales in significance to an opportunity to spend quality time with the people I consider family. Would you ask your mother if she¡¯ll love to have me over? I¡¯d ask father but his wife¡¯s word is more powerful than his." He chuckles at that.


    "I¡¯ll ask her and let you know." Beaming, he nods at me before leaving.


    My eyes stray to Asher¡¯s door. Did he hear any of that conversation? I guess not because he would have popped out like he always does whenever Josh is around. I have to find a way to bring Josh to the mansion to stir some drama without being med by Asher.


    If I go through mother, Asher will suspect I know about Josh and intentionally led him to the mansion but if I manage to sell the idea to father and make him take the decision, no one will fault me. Father would never give me credit for something he considers his idea.


    Just to be certain that Asher doesn¡¯t suspect me, I rece the files Josh just carried away from my desk with old ones I have finished with and go over to Asher¡¯s office. After two knocks and no response, I walk in. To my surprise, there¡¯s no one inside. That can¡¯t be right. Asher had been in here and I watched Nessa go in too. Instantly, my eyes stray towards the bathroom door. It can¡¯t be!


    Quietly, I walk to the door and press my ears. Like I suspected, there are muffled sounds of intense moaning seeping through. How could Nessa do this after everything she went through with her pregnancy for Asher?


    Beyond my disappointment in her and my disgust for Asher, I turn to the office space and recognize a golden opportunity. The cameras are on but if I am able to get to his drawer and naturally pretend to search for something, no one would suspect me as his intern and sister-inw. With what I can hear through the door, Asher is still very engrossed in the act. I have a minute or two before they find me here.


    I walk up to his desk and rifle through a couple of files. Then I circle to his drawer and pull. It¡¯s surprisingly unlocked. I yank it open and find an almost empty case of his special medicine. Quickly, I unscrew the cap, pop a pill in my hand and screw the cap back on.


    Suddenly, I hear movements in the bathroom like the couple are finished with their business. Outside the office, father¡¯s voice echoes with annoyance as he finds my office and Nessa¡¯s empty. Josh moves to defend me, citing a possible bathroom break. Asher¡¯s bathroom door cracks open just as father turns the knob on his main door. Standing by the drawer, my blood goes cold.


    ***


    It takes me a few seconds to skip across the posh carpet to swing open the door ande face to face with father. I move aside to let him through while Asher and Nessa step our hurriedly wearing their rehearsed calm faces and wee father into the office.


    From the timing, it¡¯s safe to think that they assume I just came in to help usher father and Josh in. There¡¯s nothing more than suppressed dread on their faces at the sudden influx of people seconds after they finished their business.


    "Wee, father." Asher utters. Nessa stands spine straight with a clipboard in her hand where she normally reels off Asher¡¯s itinerary. I can¡¯t believe she took that to the bathroom.


    Save for me who just overheard her shuddering as an orgasm ripped through her, there¡¯s nothing suspicious about her right now. Even her makeup and hair are still in ce. Her lipstick isn¡¯t smudged so they must not have kissed.


    I give a low bow before leaving. Shortly after, Nessaes out too. I avoid her eyes because I know she¡¯d want to study my reaction to decipher whether I suspect a thing.


    "Hey, how¡¯s it going over here?" She asks with a cheery smile. Before I can stop her, she picks up some of the files and flips through them.


    "Don¡¯t tell on me but I got some help."


    "Oh. My lips are sealed."


    "Thank you." I can smell Asher¡¯s perfume on her and it makes me recall Anna. I¡¯ve got to talk to her. Whatever she¡¯s got with Asher has to end.


    "Are we still on for lunch?" I ask Nessa.


    "Oh crap, I don¡¯t think I can do lunch today. Asher just threw more work my way. I¡¯m so sorry, love. I promise there¡¯ll be no excuses next time." She sps her hands and pouts at me.


    "Fine. I¡¯ll make alternate ns." I watch her return to her office before opening my palm and staring at the white pill on it.


    When fatheres out with Josh, I rush towards him. He shoots me an icy look to keep my distance but I edge closer anyway. Josh is by his side and there are many workers all around us. He wouldn¡¯t hit me or say something demeaning in front of them. I can¡¯t get a better chance than this.


    "Don¡¯t you have work to get done?"


    "I do, sir, but I couldn¡¯t in good conscience fail to mention this to you."


    He halts his steps and turned to me. "Mention what to me?"


    I stare adoringly at Josh who waits with bated breath. "I know none of this wille as a surprise to you but Mr. Randall here has been an exceptional leader and helper to me since I resumed work here. Though I am not his intern, that didn¡¯t stop him from gently and patiently showing me the ropes where he could. Because of him, I have learnt quite a lot. Asher is a strict boss and that cane in handy but a friendly boss who treats you like family is every intern¡¯s silent dream. He is a remarkable young man and I wanted you to hear that from me."


    Father¡¯s surprise at my profuse praise for Josh chips his hardened face.


    "I see that he gets that from you, his impable work ethic, just like the rest of your sons. In fact, he¡¯s almost like your son. Josh, your father must be very proud for raising such a hard working and kind human being like yourself. I apologize heavily for ruining your lunch thest time at soul foods. I look forward to having you over at the mansion someday for lunch or dinner. My mother-inw would absolutely love to share a meal with a gem like you, especially after I tell her all the help you¡¯ve rendered to me as a rookie intern."


    "I¡¯d love that, Demi. Family is very important to me and I¡¯d appreciate any opportunity to share a meal as one big, happy family with the amazing Rollins." Josh adds, stealing nces at his father. From the corner of my eye, I see that a picture is being painted in father¡¯s mind.


    "What do you say, Mr. Chairman? Would you invite me to have lunch or dinner with your family?"


    Father stares at Josh, lost for words.


    "Why wouldn¡¯t he? It won¡¯t be the first time he¡¯ll be eating with you, and the mansion is grander than soul foods. It¡¯s a great idea." I leave that to steam in father¡¯s mind and return to my office.


    After sending a picture of the pill to Liam to confirm, I get home a bit early since Anna took the night shift to cover for a colleague at work. I rescheduled my visit to her ce because I can¡¯t discuss Asher with her over the phone. It has to be in person.


    "Demi,e over here and say hi to my friend." Mother calls to me. I force a smile and go over to greet the woman regarding me with curious eyes. I recognize her from mom¡¯s extravagant birthday party. The woman has such smooth skin that puts mine to shame. She looks incredibly good for her age, just like mother.


    "This is my friend, Greta. She is the wife of the minister of finance here in Danvarr. Greta, you remember my daughter-inw, right? Her name is Demi." Mother utters proudly.


    Greta takes my hand and rakes me with her eyes. I want to feel offended over her ufortable stare but there¡¯s nothing condescending about it.


    "I remember Demi. Ever so pretty." She continues to stare and smile at me. "She¡¯s glowing too."


    "Glowing? She just got back from work and is tired." Mom counters with a smile.


    "No, it¡¯s in her eyes. It¡¯s a pregnancy glow. I was a midwife during my thirties before my husband got his break in politics. I know it when I see it. Congrats Barbara. You¡¯ll be a grandmother soon!"

 Chapter 96

    <h4>Chapter 96: Chapter 96</h4>


    ASHAL


    I have not been able to think of anything else. After I listened to what Cree and Ashton had been keeping from me at the hotel, I was at a loss for words. I know father has his faults and sucks at being a loving parent but I just can¡¯t believe he can be so callous and evil. Everything Cree had exined regarding my biological parents made father out to be a coldhearted killer and selfish home wrecker. I just couldn¡¯t believe it.


    That day, I lurched to my feet and scratched my head.


    "There has to be a misunderstanding. The man you¡¯re describing can¡¯t be father. Tell her, Ash. Tell her she¡¯s dead wrong and needs to check her facts." But Ashton only came to stand next to me with a forlorn look. "Don¡¯t tell me you believe that crap hook, line and sinker. You said it yourself that it was a bad idea to ever listen to her and that she was messing with your head. LOOK AT HER. She has no reason to help us. She clearly bears a grudge against us for all the inconvenience we¡¯ve caused her. SHE¡¯S GOT TO BE LYING." I barked angrily.


    "Calm down, Ashal."


    "No, don¡¯t expect me to calm down. She literally just defamed father. She has no right to speak so ill of him."


    Cree surged to her feet. "I think I should return to work."


    "Who the hell is your source?" I quizzed her before she could turn around and return to the bar. "Why can¡¯t you drop his name? See Ashton? You can¡¯t go about trusting everything people tell you without hard proof. You should know better. We have a lot of haters. Peoplee up with the craziest lies nowadays to tear the fabric of our familial rtionship just for the satisfaction of seeing us crash and burn."


    "Okay, I¡¯m leaving." Cree echoed and turned on her heels. I beat her to the door and watched her eyes re up in anger. "Look, you asked me what I know and I told you. You don¡¯t believe me? Fine. Continue living in your false sense of truth. Can I reveal my source? No! Is he legit? Damn right he is. If not now, the truth of everything I have just said will be revealed some day and you will remember this every moment here when you blocked my path because you¡¯re in denial."


    I couldn¡¯t believe her guts. Then again, I did because she¡¯s Cree. Behind her, Ashton streaked his hand over his blond mane and sighed softly.


    "You will not repeat this horse shit to anyone else! If I catch a whiff of these unfounded lies from anyone else, you¡¯lle to know a side of me that no woman wants to meet in her lifetime. HAVE I MADE MYSELF CLEAR, CREE BAXTER?"


    She remained unflinching in her stare. "Crystal. Now, get out of my way!" When I moved aside, she threw Ashton a heated re before brushing past me and mming the door behind her. I turned to face Ashton. I couldn¡¯t believe how easily and quickly he wanted to buy into any rumor that satisfied his loathing for father.


    "Ashal..." he began.


    "I can¡¯t believe you, man. How could you fall for that hogwash? Father is a heartless killer? We have a sister out there? Are you kidding me? What exactly is going on in that head of yours?"


    Ashton snapped. "Is it truly unbelievable that father would do whatever it takes to get what he wants, Ashal? Are you really shocked that he kills? This is father we are talking about and you and I both know what he is capable of so don¡¯t stand there and pretend he is a saint."


    "You¡¯re right. Father is not a saint but he is also not the devil. I get that we are adopted and you¡¯re naturally curious about our biological parents but you can¡¯t go around believing just about anything and anyone. If Cree¡¯s source is so reliable, why won¡¯t she let you meet him to confirm his facts? Who exactly is he and how does he know so much about father? Have you asked yourself those questions?"


    "Of course I have. I have every intention of sniffing him out but for now, I¡¯m focused on getting as much information as I can from Cree before pursuing other sources. Look, Cree knows not to mess with our family. If she was lying through her teeth about father, she wouldn¡¯t stick around. She¡¯ll take to her heels. Also, she would probably have billed me in exchange for any information on our biological parents by now but she hasn¡¯t. It¡¯s either she¡¯s confident that her source is legit and means to make up for the part she yed in Shay¡¯s torment or she¡¯s stupid enough to make up damnable lies about father and still stick around to get caught. We both know she¡¯s anything but stupid."


    I didn¡¯t know what to say to that. Ashton was already sold on the lies and it was no use going back and forth with him.


    On my part, I was barely recovered from Maddie and Olivia¡¯s acts of betrayal. Maybe that might have affected my standpoint on Cree¡¯s story because I couldn¡¯t bear another loved one betraying my trust and causing me pain but whatever the case, I was not ready to digest such ridiculous revtions about father.


    "You promised you wouldn¡¯t pursue this matter again." I tried reminding my brother.


    "I know and I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t resist the temptation. I kept it a secret because I wanted to be sure of everything before sharing with you guys. If there¡¯s any chance our kid sister is out there, I have to know. I want to find her, to see and know her."


    "Why? Are we not enough family for you, Ash? Three brothers? What other sibling love are you so desperate to feel?"


    "It has nothing to do with sibling love. I have nevercked any of it from you guys but if we do have a kid sister, I feel like I owe it to our real parents to find and protect her, even if it¡¯s from a distance. She¡¯s been through foster homes, Ashal. I can¡¯t imagine what her condition of living might be. Aren¡¯t you the least bit curious?"


    "I¡¯d have to believe Cree¡¯s story to work up any kind of emotion or concern for a stranger who may or may not exist. You want to believe Cree, knock yourself out but spare Asher and Ashley the torment. We all have so much going on in our personal lives already. Don¡¯t pile on them with this...whatever you want to call it." With that, I walked out on him.


    I¡¯ve had more time to think about all he said and I still don¡¯t believe it. I won¡¯t believe it until he gets irrefutable evidence to back up Cree¡¯s ount of events.


    "Thank you for seeing me." Mr. Dunn says. If I wasn¡¯t desperate for a distraction from everything I have recently just learnt, I wouldn¡¯t be in Olivia¡¯s home, listening to her dad try to cate me on Maddie¡¯s behalf. Just the thought of Maddie and what she did makes bile rise in my throat.


    Why didn¡¯t I do more than revoke her schrship and convince her father to marry her off to the first buffoon he finds? Why didn¡¯t I cut back their monthly allowance or threaten to move them out of the city? Do I trulyck spunk like the rest of my brothers?


    "Spare me the niceties Mr. Dunn. When¡¯s the wedding taking ce? Who¡¯s the groom? I hope he¡¯s capable of taming Madeline where you failed."


    "Arrangements are being made. My friend was hurt when I called off the engagement thest time based on your instruction. He refuses to ept Maddie as his daughter-inw now. I am still making some calls..."


    "Forget it. I know someone who can arrange a groom in a short time."


    Elyon found me dates in a short time. I am sure he can find potential grooms. The elderly man¡¯s face cracks with worry but he maintains a benign smile.


    "Tell me what qualities you wish him to have and I¡¯ll personally interview the eligible bachelors."


    "I¡¯ll let you know."


    When I follow his eyes to the door behind me, Maddie¡¯s mom stands with a heartbreaking look on her face. Her eyes are misty. I tear my eyes away from her. I won¡¯t be falling for those crocodile tears.


    It¡¯s their fault Madeline is such a handful. They skimped on her discipline and now someone has to teach her. Marriage isn¡¯t exactly effective in transforming a person¡¯s character but I am insisting on it because Maddie dreads it. It¡¯s the only punishment that will make her rue her actions.


    When I leave their apartment with Mr. Dunn¡¯s list of qualities for eligible bachelors, I text Elyon, offer him the job and send him the list with a few alterations. Maddie won¡¯t know what hit her.


    ***


    Elyon has a disturbed look on his face when he meets me hourster.


    "So, did you find eligible bachelors?" I ask him. Hesitantly, he bobs his head. "Very good. How soon can I meet them?"


    "Hold up. Why exactly are you doing this again? Why are you the one helping Madeline find a husband and why is she looking for one so urgently? She never even mentioned to my sister that she was getting married so Cher had a few concerns."


    "What concerns?"


    "She wants to know if anything happened between you and Madeline. Do you guys have some kind of romantic history?"


    "What? Of course not! Why would she even think that? I happen to know her father and he asked my help in getting an eligible groom for his daughter to wed soon. I¡¯m just keeping my promise to the old man here. This has got nothing to do with me or the fact that Maddie and I went on one unfortunate blind date together. That was a bust. I told you, didn¡¯t I?"


    Elyon arches a brow at me. "So, I am to believe you¡¯ve got absolutely no qualms with how she treated you thest time and you¡¯re doing all this out of the goodness of your heart? "He clucks his tongue. "I don¡¯t know man, I just can¡¯t believe it. You seem like you¡¯re enjoying this a little too much. Did you read this list of must-haves? Did Madeline truly demand that her potential groom be short, 24-29 years of age, earns less than $50k a year, must be bald, nerdy, bespectacled...."


    "It was her decision, okay?" I interrupt him. "Not every woman wants a tall, rich and conventionally handsome stud. Besides, guys that arecking in that department are humans too and deserve a chance too. What matters is the quality of their character, their heart and values. Can we get on with the interviews already?" Elyon shrugs his shoulderszily and takes me through the list.


    "We¡¯ll meet them at La Maison theatre. Cher surprisingly found fourteen willing to apply. They were initially twenty-one but the rest left when they saw a picture of Madeline because they couldn¡¯t believe a woman like that would want to marry a man like them."


    "Are we talking about the same picture I sent?" It was a fairly decent picture of Maddie in sses in her first year of college. Why would they leave?


    "Uh, no. Cher wasn¡¯t too impressed with the picture so she went on Maddie¡¯s Instagram and got a more recent photo." Elyon taps on his phone and shows me the new picture. I lose my breath for a few seconds just staring at Maddie posing in a bodycon dress that entuates her curves so conspicuously. She looks like she could fit on the cover of a yboy magazine; hot with disarming siren eyes and a model pose. The Maddie in the picture distorts the decent image of Olivia¡¯s sister that I¡¯ve had stuck in my head for ages.


    "Why would she use a photo different from the one I sent? Now, you¡¯ve got a pack of wolves hungry to devour an innocent girl!" I find myself snapping at Elyon throughout the car ride to the theatre, especially after I also learn that Cher allowed four guys that don¡¯t fit the list to attend the interview session.


    "I gave a simple instruction. Why couldn¡¯t she just stick with it? Why does she always feel like she knows best?"


    "Maybe because she does." Elyon replies. "She¡¯s a woman herself and she probably believes that a woman as beautiful as her friend, Madeline, wouldn¡¯t naturally gravitate towards the guys on your list. In fact, Cher believes the list of features and qualities to be possessed by the potential grooms are fake and made up by a jealous, vengeful ex or something and since you brought the list, she suspects you. Madeline has always been into guys that are theplete opposite of that list and it just beats her that Madeline would want a poor, ugly ass man to be her lifepanion."


    Jealous, vengeful ex? Why the hell would Cher think like that? What¡¯s wrong with my list?


    We get to the venue a bit early and Elyon sets up everything. I am still stewing over the unsanctioned alterations made to my n, especially when the guys starting in. Most of them are hardly short and none of them look like they earn poorly given their outfits.


    I grit my teeth as a trio of good-looking guys with lots of charm answer my questions. On even has a French ent. Women trip for that kind of stuff. Whenever I move to cancel them out, Elyon arches a brow at me.


    "Why did you rule him out?"


    "Too proud."


    "Dude, you asked how much he makes in a year and he told you. How was that being proud?" Elyon questions me with a frown. "Is pride now equivalent to a man¡¯s financial standing? How about you? You¡¯ve got to the proudest one in this room then."


    "I never argued that I am not. The thing is that unlike him, I am not on the other side of this table auditioning to marry Madeline so I¡¯m good."


    I frown as a guy who looks like a hero in an action movie steps through the door. He¡¯s about my height with dark hair, sexy green eyes with what appears to be six packs underneath his shirt.


    "Who the fuck is this guy?"


    "That¡¯s Maddie¡¯s ex. When she loved him, he dated her briefly while hiding a rtionship with another. When he became smitten by her, she was already done with his lies and dumped him. He¡¯s been trying to rekindle their rtionship for month. He begged Cher for a chance topete for Maddie¡¯s heart and she didn¡¯t see any problem with it."


    Cher needs to watch herself, I think in my mind. Before the young man can take a seat, I strike him off.


    "What was that for?" Elyon grunts.


    "Her father doesn¡¯t want any exes?"


    "Since when was this about what her father wants and not Maddie¡¯s choice?" He whispers to me. Frustrated, Elyon walks over to Madeline¡¯s ex who goes by the name Carter and mutters something to him. The young man excuses us briefly.


    "Ok, we need to talk. Clearly, there¡¯s something you¡¯re not telling me here. Why are you trying to sabotage Maddie? You told me you had nothing against her but here you are, trying to weed out every guy that looks very good for and with Maddie. If I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d say you¡¯re jealous, bitter and want to get back at her for some reason."


    "You¡¯ve got it all wrong. I¡¯m just following her father¡¯s instructions."


    "Her father? Did he make that list? What father would want his daughter married off to a guy whose financial standing leaves much to be desired?"


    I force open my bottle of water and chug some down.


    "Ashal, what exactly are we doing here? What¡¯s with the bad blood against Maddie? She¡¯s a sweet soul and deserves the finest and the best crop of men to do life with."


    I belt out a shortugh at Elyon¡¯s glowing review of a woman he hardly knows. "Yeah, right. Madeline is truly an angel, a saint even."


    "What¡¯s with the sarcasm?"


    I surge to my feet, brimming with anger. "You have no fucking idea who Madeline is and for you to stand there and reel out her praises is justughable. That woman is the most annoying, ungrateful, ill-mannered, lying bitch you¡¯ll ever meet and that¡¯s just me putting it mildly." I add, stabbing a finger in his face. "If you think any differently, then you don¡¯t know her well enough."


    "And you do? How so? If memory serves me correctly, you two barely know each other from everything you¡¯ve told me. Is there more to the story than you previously let on? Please, do enlighten me."


    His cheekiness and my impatience are a very badbo right now so I clear my things from the desk. "We¡¯re done here. I¡¯ll send what I have to her father and he can make the final choice. You can tell tall, dark and handsome outside to keep searching because Maddie isn¡¯t the one." Elyon inclines his head at my harsh words.


    "Yes, Elyon, Maddie and I have met outside of our botched blind dates and I will tell you for free that she¡¯s the pr opposite of what you¡¯d expect. Even her father is in a hurry to get her off his hands due to her impulsiveness and stubbornness. I am d she¡¯s not my problem." I brush past him as I leave.


    I don¡¯t care what anybody thinks. I am turning off my emotions andpassion till I see that Maddie gets a dose of the shock and pain she¡¯s caused me. She dared to deceive me twice. She lied to my face multiple times. She¡¯s on a quest to separate Olivia and I. I have to be rid of her.


    "Maddie is getting married?" Olivia asks in shock the second I step through the door. Her father must have called to inform her. "How? To whom? I don¡¯t understand. She doesn¡¯t even have a boyfriend."


    "Is that what she told you?" I ask, hanging my coat while the image of Carter crosses the fore of my mind. "You should learn to take your sister¡¯s words with a grain of salt, Liv. She is a habitual liar."


    Olivia trails after me as I take the stairs. "You¡¯re still mad at her, I get it. In time, I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll find it in your heart to forgive her but please Ashal, if this marriage is arranged as your way of punishing Maddie, I beg you to reconsider."


    I whirl towards her so suddenly she flinches and almost loses her bnce. My hands catch her waist and hold her to firm her grip on the railing.


    "Careful."


    "Sorry."


    "You shouldn¡¯t worry too much about me or our baby will also be affected." I release and continue towards my room but she follows after me.


    "Maddie did a terrible thing. She has learnt her lesson, Ashal. She pleads for your forgiveness. I am also begging you. Marriage shouldn¡¯t be rushed into if one can help it. She hasn¡¯t even dated anyone properly and to be plunged into marriage like this..."


    "ENOUGH!" I bark angrily. Through the red haze of anger, I watch Olivia take two steps back, as she should. "ENOUGH ABOUT MADELINE. Everyone wants to defend her. Everyone wants to gloss over the damage she¡¯s caused me. If you all cared so much about her, you should have steered her to the right path. She has threatened my peace and sanity not once but twice and I am the one who¡¯s overreacting? Fuck that. I will teach your sister a lesson she won¡¯t forget in a hurry. The next time she tries toe for me or my family, she¡¯ll shudder from nightmares in her sleep. I don¡¯t give a fuck who she ends up marrying. Left to me, I will trade her for a pair of new Nikes. She¡¯s not worth my time. Don¡¯t think for one moment that you can change my mind about how I feel towards your sister. If you continue to pester me about this issue, I¡¯ll have no choice but to vent my frustrations on you so stop it!"


    Olivia is in shock at my reaction. I bet she wasn¡¯t expecting me to explode like that. I am just as surprised too at how angry the subject of Madeline gets me. My outburst was even a lot more Asher than Ashal but I really don¡¯t give a fuck right now.


    There¡¯s something beyond Olivia¡¯s blurry eyes that I can¡¯t fathom. More than the clear shock, she looks like she¡¯s studying me. I leave her and enter my room to freshen up. My phone rings a bit while I am bathing.


    When I step out of a hot shower, wiping my face with a small towel while another bigger towel is wound around my waist, I am not surprised to find Olivia sitting on my bed with the same shocked, teary eyes. Why can¡¯t she get it? I am done with that conversation.


    "Don¡¯t test me, Liv. I am not falling for your tears and calling off Madeline¡¯s marriage!" My phone starts ringing again. I stroll to the top of a drawer and pick it up. Shock sizzles through me when I find it¡¯s Olivia¡¯s call.


    Turning to her, I see that her phone is in her hand too. She keeps redialing Asher¡¯s number while my phone rings loudly. How the fuck did I forget to undo this?


    "I always felt something was off about you but I never wanted to believe that you would stoop so low to impersonate your own brother. You yed me this whole time, Ashal? All the time I thought I was with Asher, that was you?" She croaks in tears.


    "Liv, I can exin..." but she chucks her phone in my direction, narrowly missing my right eye. Thempes next and I quickly duck to save myself.


    "Olivia! Listen to me please!" Crying, she races out of my room.


    Fuck!

 Chapter 97

    <h4>Chapter 97: Chapter 97</h4>


    ASHLEY


    I don¡¯t know how I have been feeling ever since Ashton dropped the bomb on me about Nic being Shay. I wasn¡¯t entirely surprised by the revtion. Yet, it still hurts to confirm my suspicion. It still stings to know how selfish her love is.


    I have given her everything once and it was never enough for her. She wrecked me emotionally and that¡¯s suicidal given my traumatic childhood. She defamed me publicly and left me to crawl my way out of a dank pit of misery and self-loathing.


    Foolishly, I let her back into my life after years of therapy and self-branding. I me my desperation to prove to myself that I am worthy of being loved or at least lusted after.


    Ni has been my longest rtionship despite ourplications. She knows me better than any other woman I have been with. I know she can be selfish but to be so selfish she didn¡¯t mind using my darkest secret against me is just heartbreaking.


    I have been avoiding her calls and wondering how to confront her about everything. I don¡¯t know how I want to handle this. Do I officially end our rtionship even if it¡¯ll wreck her right now? She did the same to me and I probably shouldn¡¯t care but deep down, I don¡¯t think I can go through with a break up. It¡¯s partly for Ni and partly for me because I can¡¯t let go of her when I am still unsure of Demi¡¯s heart.


    I think about ghosting her but that seems like a weak move. I want to confront her, hear her admit her heartless betrayal to my face but not today. Today, I just want to forget how much my love life sucks and focus on the one thing I don¡¯t have to beg people¡¯s admiration for; my fashion business.


    I am currently working from another spare office because mine is being worked on. I¡¯ve got someone getting rid of the secret door I built for Ni to sneak into my office years back, to avoid the paparazzi. Now, it¡¯s just going to be a wall.


    "Mr. Ashley?" Levon calls my attention for the third time.


    "Yes?"


    "Your phone¡¯s ringing."


    I look down to find my phone buzzing loudly on my desk. Why is mom calling? I take the call. "Yes mother?" She continues to rant and go in circles while I massage a brewing headache on my left temple.


    "Mhmm, I remember the finance minister¡¯s wife. Lovelydy." I lie so her chitchat can progress. Then the shock hits me. My eyes double like the size of saucers. "Demi is what?" I am already siting up in my chair. Demi is pregnant or rather, could be pregnant?


    "I know, right. I was just as shocked and so was Demi. She quickly countered Greta, citing that she isn¡¯t pregnant or she¡¯d know but the thing is Greta is hardly wrong about these things. She has a keen eye for sniffing out a woman in the early stages of her pregnancy. I haven¡¯t been able to suppress my hope so I wanted to ask you if...you know, both of you have ever..."


    Ever slept together? That¡¯s what mom is trying to confirm.


    "Yes mom. Demi and I have consummated our marriage."


    A small gasp of excitement escapes her lips from the other end of the phone.


    "Really? And did you...never mind. If you did, there¡¯s a chance Demi could be wrong. She¡¯s confusing work stress with the difort that a first trimester brings. Oh Ashley, could you confirm with your wife? If Demi is truly pregnant, we have to take better care of her and the baby, cut back on her working hours and all that stuff. It¡¯s too risky moving on without knowing for sure. Please make her take a test or go see a doctor at our family hospital. Can you do that for me?"


    I am too flustered right now. Demi could be carrying my baby? I may be a dad soon? The possibility and the change are both scary and exciting. Scary because Demi might not be ready for this and loathe me for putting her in this position. Then Asher¡¯s prediction wille true and I¡¯ll be forcing a woman who isn¡¯t fullymitted to me to have a baby. That would be a different kind of hell.


    It is exciting because there¡¯s a slim chance Demi will forgive me and focus on having our baby and preserving our marriage. With Ni¡¯s betrayal and losing our rtionship, I won¡¯t feel so terrible because I am starting my own little family. The fear of being alone or feeling unlovable will be greatly reduced.


    "Ash, did you hear me? Will you ask Demi to confirm?"


    "Yes. Yes, mom. Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ll get back to you on that."


    When I hang up, Levon eyes my smile with a suspicious air. "Good news?"


    "Kind of."


    I slip my phone into my pocket and surge to my feet like a new man. No more sulking and stayingte at the office to avoid home and the pitiful looks on my brothers¡¯ faces. Nic can wait. I¡¯ll deal with herter. I need to see my wife right now and know if we have cause to celebrate or a major fight to settle.


    "Levon, let¡¯s call it a night."


    "Ok." He clears his papers from my desk. "Good night, sir." The moment he leaves, I dial Demi¡¯s phone.


    "Hey, are you home?"


    "Yeah. Why?"


    "Mom was worried you looked really stressed out. I was thinking maybe I could run you a bath, massage your feet. Do you want a day off or a paid leave from work so you can rest? Just say the word and it¡¯s done. I am leaving work now. What can I get you on my way home?"


    "Woah, Ashley, calm down, okay? Mom already called you about her friend¡¯s prediction, didn¡¯t she?"


    A small invisible blush creeps into my cheek. "I¡¯m sorry about that. You must have felt really awkward at that moment."


    "A bit. I¡¯m not pissed though. I just wish she hadn¡¯t heightened mom¡¯s hopes. I am not pregnant, Ashley."


    She can¡¯t be too sure. "But you can¡¯t be too sure. We should probably do a test or something. I¡¯ll get a pregnancy test strip on my way. Cool?"


    "Even if I am not sure, you should be. You assured me you pulled out, right? Was that a lie?" An ominous silence ensues. My heart thuds in my chest as Demi awaits my response. "Ashley, you pulled out, didn¡¯t you?"


    "Yeah, I certainly did." I hate how feeble I sound. "But sometimes, these things happen. Even condoms aren¡¯t a hundred percent secure." Her silence makes chills run down my back. "Are you still there?" She waits another beat before responding.


    "Get the test strips. I¡¯ll be in my room."


    I don¡¯t know what to make of that frosty response as I stare at my phone. On the bright side, I got her to agree to do the test. We¡¯ll handle whatever follows after the test results. I grab my keys and head for the door. When I swing it open, Nic stands on the other side of the door, her hand poised to grab the knob. We stare into each other¡¯s eyes.


    "Ashley?"


    I can¡¯t. I just can¡¯t do this right now. I brush past her but she grips my elbow.


    "Ashley wait, what¡¯s going on? You haven¡¯t been taking my calls or replying my texts. Youpletely shut me out. Did I do something wrong? Why is there a man blocking off the secret door you made for me in your office? What¡¯s going on???"


    I can¡¯t believe she¡¯s still pretending to be clueless. On second thoughts, maybe I should just deal with this right now. I yank my hand free of her and stare daggers at her in the hallway.


    "Really? You¡¯re still going to stand here and pretend you don¡¯t know what you¡¯ve done? LOOK ME IN MY FUCKING EYES AND TELL ME YOU HAVEN¡¯T DONE ANYTHING TO WARRANT MY HATRED RIGHT NOW." Ni¡¯s eyes cloud over with tears. "Maybe I should call Cree over and ask her the same thing, see what she says."


    "C-Cree?" She stammers.


    "I didn¡¯t expect this from you, Nic. I thought we had something special. I thought you had evolved from a selfish and greedy bitch to a more humane lover. I forgave you after everything you did to ruin me. I got your career back on track and used my influence to speed up your sess. I have literally gone over and beyond for you and the first chance you get, you stab me in the back with my deepest secret?"


    "Ashley, please, hear me out..." When she tries to take my hands, I move them away and give her a warning look.


    "You were there. You saw me go through the worst phases of recovery from a past trauma. You have to be a spun of the devil to use such a devastating experience to have me running back to you. You¡¯re despicable, Nic. I am not surprised you keep losing people in your life. You are an evil person."


    "No, Ashley, please forgive me. I did it for love. You know how much I love you. Demi could never..."


    "DON¡¯T YOU DARE MENTION MY WIFE¡¯S NAME WITH YOUR FILTHY MOUTH!"


    Her eyes droops with shame and sadness.


    "This is who you are, Ni. You think you did anything out of love? No, you don¡¯t love anyone but yourself! You don¡¯t care about anyone but yourself! You use people for your selfish end. That¡¯s the only reason why you keep people close."


    "Please Ash, I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m truly sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have done that to you. Please, give me a chance to make it up to you." Her tears and words only serve to annoy me further. Angrily, I wrench her hands away from my cloth.


    "Stay the hell away from me! If you dare toe close to mypany or my house, I¡¯ll have you disgraced publicly and thrown out." While she is still sobbing and begging, I leave her and walk away.


    I thought that would feel liberating but instead, I just feel hollow inside. Hearing her indirect admission hurt more than I care to admit. Why do I keep living in denial? The truth is always staring me in the face but I continually choose to ignore it.


    I have always known Ni¡¯s ws but I keep hoping she¡¯d spare me from her selfish inclinations. The same goes for Demi. It¡¯s the worst kind of delusion to expect her topletely forget Ashton and swerve towards me with an affection that rivals the one she has for him.


    I distract myself with other thoughts as I arrive home after buying the test strips. My anxiety goes through the roof now. What if Demi is indeed pregnant? How will she feel? What will father and my brothers say? Will Demi want to keep the baby?


    What if she isn¡¯t pregnant? How will mother feel? Will Demi be willing to let me close to her again after a pregnancy scare? These thoughts flood my mind as I make my way into the mansion.


    Mother hustles towards me from the dining table where she¡¯s supervising the maids setting up dinner.


    "Ashley?"


    "Yes, mother. I am home." I hug her briefly and she caresses my face.


    "You look pale. Is everything okay? Did you and Demi talk? What did she say?"


    "She believes she isn¡¯t pregnant but agreed to take a test." Mom¡¯s face breaks into a smile. "Mom, lower your expectations, okay? I don¡¯t want Demi to feel any kind of pressure from your end. There¡¯s a chance the test might be negative too, remember that. I want you to be prepared for that. You can¡¯t go around looking dejected if it turns out to be negative. Demi won¡¯t like it."


    "I won¡¯t, okay. I am just hopeful. If you¡¯re truly going to be a dad, you know what that means. No more sneaky links. The contract will have to be revisited. There¡¯s a lot of changes to be made, conversations to be had and preparations to do. A kid is no joke, Ashley."


    I can¡¯t believe mom is already in that headspace. She already thought so far ahead.


    "What kid?" Father asks, stepping out of his study. There¡¯s a conspicuous frown on his face. "What are you two talking about?" I grab mom¡¯s hand when she whirls to tell him the truth but she ignores me.


    "Ashley is a married man. Is it unnatural for him to want to start a family?"


    Father¡¯s eyes wheel towards me, a confused look on his face. "You¡¯re having a baby with Demi?"


    "I¡¯m not certain." I quickly rify. "She might not be pregnant."


    "Might?" Father repeats coldly. He turns to mother. "Did you bring that pauper here to bear my grandkids? That was not part of the agreement! How could you put such ideas in his head? Demi was clearly a mistake we nned to rectify in a few months¡¯ time. Procreation was never part of the n."


    "Well, ns change, Brett. Sometimes, the universe has bigger ns for us."


    "The universe didn¡¯t sleep with Demi unprotected; your son did so spare me that universe crap." He fumes.


    "BRETT." Mom snarls at him.


    "I¡¯m not pregnant!"


    We all turn to find Demi atop the stairs in a floor length dress. Her hair cascades messily down her shoulders. Slowly, she descends the stairs andes to stand next to mother.


    "Greta was mistaken. I¡¯m not pregnant, mother. Father is right. Procreation isn¡¯t part of the contract I signed so please, stop having these dreams. You¡¯ll only be hurt when they don¡¯te true."


    "I¡¯m a mother, Demi. It¡¯s next to impossible for me to not want my son¡¯s happiness," She turns to shoot me a warm smile. "Ashley wants kids even though he¡¯s too nice to admit it. He¡¯s very considerate of your feelings. I know you two have a contract but that doesn¡¯t stop you from altering it if you so please. You only have to want a life with Ashley, the same long-termmitment he silently pines for with you and the contract can be rescinded."


    "I don¡¯t think so, Barbara."


    "It¡¯s up to them, Brett." Mom counters father. "Let the kids make their own decisions for once."


    "I could say the same for you. Let Ashley think for himself instead of foisting your silent wishes on him. He¡¯s a free-spirited young man, a free bird by nature. He¡¯s thest of our sons to crave maritalmitment. Let him live a little and when he¡¯s ready to settle down with a worthy woman, we¡¯ll be here to celebrate that too."


    "Father please, Demi is standing right here." I caution him. Demi says nothing.


    "I¡¯m not blind, Ash." Father replies.


    I hate that everyone is fighting because of me. "That¡¯s enough now. No one will say anything more about my marriage. Whatever decision has to be made will be done by Demi and I." I edge close to my wife. "I¡¯m sorry you had to hear all of that. Please don¡¯t take it personally."


    "It¡¯s fine." She epts the hand I hold out for her and follow me up the stairs while my parents watch, mother with a warm smile and father with disdain.


    I sit on Demi¡¯s bird and wait with bated breath as she goes into her bathroom to pee on the sticks. I got three! My hands are mmy with sweat.


    Right now, I don¡¯t know if I want the result to be positive or negative. Just the idea of her being pregnant is already making my parents argue. I don¡¯t know how to feel right now. When shees out holding the sticks, I slowly rise.


    "What does it say?" I ask, taking them from her with shaky hands. My eyes alight on the single line. Negative. I check the next two. It¡¯s the same thing. The sadness that overwhelms me confirms my anticipation for a positive result.


    "I told you." Demi utters.


    "Yeah, I had doubts too because I pulled out as I told you. This was just to satisfy mom¡¯s curiosity." I lie. Demi continues to watch me with curious eyes.


    "Are you sad? You don¡¯t look relieved."


    "I am relieved. Did you see the ruckus downstairs? I didn¡¯t think the idea of you being pregnant was going to cause such differences."


    "That¡¯s why we should stick to the contract, Ashley. Every time we try to deviate from it, it never bodes well for us."


    What is she trying to say right now? "Stick to the contract? Are you indirectly asking me to stay the heck away from your bed?" My tone spikes up an octave. "Is that what you¡¯re trying to say?"


    To my surprise, Demi hardly flinches. She continues to stand with her hands firmly nted on her waist.


    "I¡¯m a mistake, remember? One to be rectified in a couple of months."


    "Demi..."


    "No, I don¡¯t feel bad at all when someone is merely stating a fact. Ash, don¡¯t delude yourself. This was never meant to be forever. Your father is right. One day, you¡¯ll find a worthy woman to do life with, one your entire family will approve of. My path will lead somewhere different too. Maybe I¡¯d find love again somewhere far from Danvarr. There¡¯s no reason to feel sad about it."


    I dump the test strips on the floor. How convenient. "Everyone around here seems to know what¡¯s best for me except me, right? Do I get a chance to speak for myself? Is anyone ready to hear what Ashley has to say about his ns for the future or whom he wants to spend it with?" I belt out a shortugh. "You¡¯re not relieved that the result is negative. I bet you¡¯re happy. You wouldn¡¯t even let me into your bed until you were drunk and even while we did it, you kept calling me Ashton." I watch her eyes boggle with shock.


    "Just admit it, Demi. You would probably have prayed for a positive result if you had indeed slept with my brother."


    "Ashley, don¡¯t start with this again."


    "What? Am I wrong? Do you really mean to give me a chance? Then why won¡¯t you let me touch you again after that one time."


    "You know why."


    "No, that condom excuse is stale. What¡¯s your excuse now?" I ask, edging close to her. "I want you, Demi. It¡¯s you I want to do life with, have kids with so yes, I am a little sad that the result is negative. Does that change anything for you?"


    Her eyes darken. "Was this what you were hoping for when you nutted inside me? I knew you were lying about pulling out. See? This is why I can¡¯t trust you, Ashley. Call it whatever you want but there will always be this friction between us. You will always torment me with my feelings for Ashton and I will never believe you can let it go and genuinely try to be friends again. I do feel relieved that I am not pregnant. I wouldn¡¯t want to have a baby with an insecure man like yourself. You need to fix that so you don¡¯t keep ming everyone but yourself for every inconvenience in your life."


    I shake my head. "Good night, Demi." With a look of disappointment, I walk out of her room.


    Outside, my anger surges. I fling my jacket in the hallway and sprint down the stairs, making a beeline for the door. My parents are still conversing in the living room. Mom¡¯s head rears up at the sight of me but I don¡¯t break my stride to answer the questions in her eyes.


    "She¡¯s not pregnant!" I put her out of her misery, still walking to the door. I bet her face crumples with disappointment.


    "Where are you off to?" Father calls out.


    "TO BE A FREE BIRD." Before I step through the door, I hear father chuckle satisfactorily.


    ***


    Last night was mostly a blur. I remember drinking and ending up on Nic¡¯s doorstep. I woke up in her bed and spent most of the day with her. I haven¡¯t forgiven her but she was eager to please me and make it up to me. I stayed because I felt wanted. When I made it home this afternoon, Demi didn¡¯t say a word to me. I¡¯ve been giving her the silent treatment till I can wrap my head around her wordsst night.


    Mom has been preparing a special lunch. There¡¯s an extra te set on the dining table.


    "What¡¯s the asion?" I ask when we all settle down for lunch. My brothers are just as curious.


    "We are having a guest over. I need you boys to be in your best behavior. That¡¯s a clear warning." Father hammers, his eyes darting from one brother to another.


    At the sound of the doorbell, a maid scoots to answer the door. We all turn to watch as the guest enters with a meek bow.


    "I hope I am notte." Josh echoes with a patronizing smile. How the hell is he in our house right now?


    I turn to father, irate. My brothers all surge to their feet.


    "YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME." Ashton and Asher respond in unison. I tear my eyes away from my angry brothers to stare at father¡¯s firm face, mother¡¯s confused one and Demi.


    Demi¡¯s expression makes me arch a brow. <i>She is smiling malevolently</i>.

 Chapter 98

    <h4>Chapter 98: Chapter 98</h4>


    ASHTON


    I can¡¯t believe father. What sick joke is he trying to y with us right now? He really invited his bastard son to our mansion? How dare him bring Josh in here to have lunch with our mother?


    Father ignores our death stares and waves Josh in.


    "Barbara, you remember Josh, right? He works with us at the HQ."


    "Yes. Hello Josh." Mom beams at Josh as he edges closer. "Who can forget this hardworking young man? Josh Randall, right?"


    "Yes ma¡¯am."


    "Hi Mr. Randall. Nice of you to join us." Demi utters with a smile.


    "Thank you, Demi."


    "I think I met your mother at thest AGM. Kristy Randall." Mother adds.


    Beside her, father almost chokes. Good for him. He wants to y dirty? Four can y that game. I give my brothers just one look and we all return to our seats. I¡¯ll handle this.


    Josh offers mom an expensive bottle of wine as a token of appreciation for being invited to eat with us. Oliver¡¯s recement, a new face in a clean-cut suit, epts the drink and disappears into the kitchen. Josh slips into his chair and nods at father.


    "I¡¯ve met Kristy too. She came by my office to buy a car a while back."


    "Really?"


    "Yes mom." I exchange looks with Josh and father. "She had A LOT to say to me about my looks and how she doesn¡¯t think they match up with father¡¯s looks in his hay days."


    Joshughs. "My mom likes to make small talk every chance she gets. Where there isn¡¯t anything to be discussed, she has a penchant for making things up." He ces his napkin on his thigh and steals a nce at father who is busy watching me.


    "I met Kristy at the AGM too. I recall the long, nasty red nails." Asher quips with a sly smile. "In fact, father recently demanded something of me. He requested I go over and have lunch with..."


    "BOYS, SHALL I HAVE A WORD?" Father asks, leaping to his feet. He leans down to press a kiss to mother¡¯s forehead. "We¡¯ll be brief, darling. Do keep Joshpany in the meantime. Josh, consider this your second home and help yourself with anything you like. I¡¯ll just be back."


    I drop my cutlery with a loud tter, re at father before joining my brothers to his study. Inside, father shuts the door so no sound can escape.


    "YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO BRING HIM HERE!" I begin impatiently. "How could you think to disrespect our mother like that? Do we look like a joke to you? It¡¯s bad enough that you cheated on her with Josh¡¯s mom and even sired a son. You know how much that would crush her and yet you bring Josh in here for what? How do you think she will feel when she finds out the entire truth eventually and remembers this day?"


    "The least you should have done is keep the product of your disgraceful act as far away from my mother as possible." Ashal blurts out with red rimmed eyes. "Don¡¯t delude yourself by thinking we can ever ept Josh as part of our family. We will never hold hands around a fire and sing kumbaya, you get it?"


    Father sinks into his chair and regards us with a hand under his chin.


    "What are you going to do next? Invite that cheap whore who birthed your son to share a meal with our mother too?"


    "Watch your mouth, Asher. This is all thanks to you. If you had done as I had asked and had a simple lunch with Josh and his mother instead of insulting them badly, I would have had the heart to turn down Josh¡¯s request to have lunch with us like this."


    "Are you kidding me?" Ish at him. "That¡¯s your grand excuse for breaking your promise to us by bringing Josh in here?" I m my hands on his desk. "You have two minutes to make him leave or I will personally reveal what a cheating, lying scumbag you are to mother!" My heated re cuts through father¡¯s defensiveness and I watch his shoulders sag.


    "You wouldn¡¯t dare, Ashton."


    I scoff at him. "Mom¡¯s going to find out anyway, right? How about today? How about now?" I turn and head for the door. "LET¡¯S ALL BE MAD TOGETHER."


    "ASHTON! GET BACK HERE. YOU THREE, GET YOUR BROTHER!"


    But nobody moves to stop me. Father rushes out of his chair as I yank the door open and head for the dining area. With father and my brothers on my tail, I circle the table to go stand next to Josh who is smiling gaily as mother regales him and Demi with a few stories. They¡¯ve barely touched their meals. The trio look up as the table is surrounded.


    "Something wrong?" Mom asks, looking around.


    I incline my head. "Are you going to ask him to leave or do I spill?"


    "Ask him to leave?" Demi repeats, standing nervously. "What¡¯s going on, Ashton? Who wants Josh to leave? He hasn¡¯t done anything wrong and he barely just arrived."


    "Stay out of it, Demi, please." I tell her as politely as I can manage. She stubbornly remains standing.


    "Sit down, Demi." Ashley yells at her. Surprisingly, she plunks down on her seat with folded arms.


    "What exactly is going on here?" Mom asks, rising. Father looks defeated as he nces at Josh who gets the message and stands up.


    "I¡¯m sorry if my presence has ruined everyone¡¯s appetite. Mrs. Rollins, it¡¯s lovely as always to see you. I hope we get to meet again. I¡¯d love to hear more stories about the quads in their adolescence and all the shenanigans they got up to while switching ces."


    I pull away his chair so he can leave unfettered. "Good bye, Randall. Don¡¯t ever stop by again."


    "Ashton!" Mother chides me before turning to Josh. "I¡¯m sorry about my sons. I have no idea why they¡¯re behaving like this. I deeply apologize for the embarrassment."


    Josh nods his head at her before turning to give Demi a peck on her cheek. She also apologizes to him. After he leaves, she res at my brothers and I. Father angrily abandons lunch to retreat to his room.


    "What the hell was that?" Mom thunders. "How could you all band together to embarrass that young man like that? What has he ever done to you? Asher, is this about the office rivalry between you two? How could you act so immature because he¡¯s your biggestpetition at work?"


    "This isn¡¯t about work, mom." He tells her but she cuts him off with another question.


    "Then, what is your justification for acting so mannerlessly? You all aren¡¯t twelve anymore and filled with childish mischief. How can you possibly defend yourselves right now?" Mom is very pissed off. We didn¡¯t think or at least I know I didn¡¯t. I was too focused on getting Josh out of the mansion.


    "I¡¯m sorry mom. This is probably the best time to tell you that Josh Randall is not the sweet and kind gentleman he ims to be. Have you forgotten so soon how he lied against us over the incident at the club few months back? That punk lied about getting beaten by us when that wasn¡¯t true."


    "How am I supposed to believe he was lying? I have seen firsthand how you guys behave around him. It isn¡¯t far fetched that you all can gang up and beat the young man."


    Ashley crosses to take mom¡¯s hand. "We are not animals, mom. If we can¡¯t stand that man, trust that it¡¯s because he is a very bad person. He didn¡¯t just lie about us and try to tarnish our image, he also hurt Ashton back at the club."


    "What?"


    "You might not remember but Ashton secretly wore an arm cast under his jacket for days. He hid it from you so you wouldn¡¯t get worried. Josh had stabbed his arm with a shard of broken ss. He bled out badly. The scar is still there. If you doubt me, ask father. He visited Ashton in the hospital that very night when he was admitted."


    Mom rushes to me and grabs my hands. "Is that true? Where is it? Where did you get hurt? Why would you hide such a thing from me?"


    "It¡¯s okay, mom. It happened a while back. I¡¯m fine now. Do you understand why we loathe Josh now? He pretends to be a saint in front of people he hopes to impress like you and father but underneath, he¡¯ll bury a dagger in our chests if he could get away with it."


    "Don¡¯t say that."


    "He hates us, mom. He feels intimidated by all four of us. I can¡¯t pretend to gloss over the evil in his heart. Please, make sure father never invites that man back into this house or we¡¯ll do worse than throw him out. We¡¯ll make sure he is rushed to the hospital from here, like I was rushed from the club. That¡¯s a threat."


    Mom bobs her head. She kisses my cheeks and goes around my brothers to do the same.


    "I¡¯m sorry I misunderstood you. I had no idea."


    "It¡¯s alright." Ashal goes to her and kisses her hair. Hooking an arm over her shoulder, he escorts her to her room. The rest of us are left with just Demi who is still reeling in shock over what Ashley just revealed.


    "Ashton, I apologize. I didn¡¯t know Josh hurt you so badly in the past."


    "Why exactly are you feeling guilty?" Asher interrupts, edging close to her. "Did you have something to do with Josh being here?" He narrows his eyes at her. The rest of us also turn to Demi. Asher had mentioned that Demi might have overheard him talking to Josh in his office and deduced that Josh is father¡¯s son too. If Demi knows, that will be bad.


    "I didn¡¯t even know Josh wasing until he walked through that door. How exactly am I supposed to invite someone to have lunch with our family when I don¡¯t own the mansion? I can¡¯t even invite Anna unless mother approves it." She shoves her seat back and tries to walk out but Ashley blocks her path. What is he trying to do right now?


    "Josh is bad news, Demi. Stay away from him at work if you can help it, okay?"


    "He¡¯s a senior colleague of mine and has been more helpful and friendly towards me than my own brother-inw and boss. Besides, if he was truly the devil as you all make him out to be, father would probably not be fond of him. I¡¯m sorry but I won¡¯t refuse his friendship or give him the cold shoulder simply because you all hate him. Whatever issue you¡¯ve got with him stays between you all. Don¡¯t drag me into it." With that, she walks to the elevator and gets in.


    Twenty minutester, my brothers and I are in game room. Ashley is still sulking.


    "I confronted Nic about being Shay. We broke up." He blurts out. We all wait a beat for the information to sink in. "I went back to her cest night. That¡¯s where I spent the night."


    "What?" We all gasp.


    "Why would you do that? That woman is bad news too, Ashley." Asher utters.


    I think Asher is focused on the wrong thing here. How could Ashley do that? He literally gave me hell over my feelings for Demi and kept chanting about wanting a shot with her. I finally removed myself from the picture and he decides to keep his side chick and disrespect Demi after she gave him her body?


    He just proved to me that he only wanted to sleep with her. He never nned to make a life with her. While everyone cautions and chides him over his poor decision to keep Ni in his life, Ashley doesn¡¯t break his gaze which is trained in my direction. I also pin him with a hot re.


    "I didn¡¯t n to. Demi made me. Mom suspected that Demi was pregnant so Demi took a test." My anger fades to surprise at his words. While Asher grits his teeth and Ashal keeps a straight face, my mind reels back to the time when Demi threw up on father. Is she really pregnant?


    "The test came out negative." Ashley continues, still studying my face. "I thought I would be relieved but instead, I felt a bit sad. I didn¡¯t realize I was silently hoping she would bear my child."


    "And why would you do that? She¡¯s just your contract wife and she clearly doesn¡¯t have feelings for you. Why would you want to start a family with such a woman. Ashal, can you talk to him? I am done trying to convince him not to ruin his life because of his differences with Ashton. This is just insane."


    "Asher¡¯s right." Ashal takes over. "I don¡¯t think you should pursue a family with Demi." Something drifts in his eyes. "You have to divorce her after the contract ends. Having a baby doesn¡¯t guarantee the love of your partner. Where the love is unrequited, you two just bes bitter parents to an innocent child. Think about our childhood. Don¡¯t you want your child to grow up in a loving family with two parents that cherish each other? Don¡¯t do it, Ashley, especially not for bragging rights." As he finishes, Ashal steals a nce my way.


    "What do you have to say, Ashton?" Ashley asks me directly. "Should I keep trying to win Demi over and have a baby with her or should I give up and divorce her in six months?"


    He¡¯s baiting me.


    "Maybe you should ask Shay. I wonder what ns she¡¯lle up with next to keep you tied to her for life."


    Ashley¡¯s eyes darken.


    "You¡¯re a very confused man, Ashley. One the one hand, you are trying to start a family too early with a woman you just got to give you a chance at love. On the other, you¡¯re still sleeping with your ex who, might I add, was just uncovered as the mastermind behind your most recent traumatic experience. I don¡¯t care what decision you take for yourself. It¡¯s your life, not mine."


    "You¡¯re no better, you know. Aren¡¯t you marrying a woman you don¡¯t love just to prove you are capable of moving on from my wife? The love in your rtionship is also unrequited and if M ever wants a baby, you¡¯ll give it to her just to douse any suspicions about your loyalty. Ashal, you¡¯re very much in the same boat as me. Asher, you¡¯ll never marry for love because you don¡¯t believe in it. You¡¯ll marry whomever father asks you to onmand and make babies if need be. If you all can do that and not be made to feel like crap about the tenor of your rtionships, why can¡¯t I? Why is everyone pushing for me to end MY rtionship with Demi?"


    No one says anything in response.


    "That¡¯s what I thought." Ashley tucks his hands in his pocket. "Like I told father and mother, every decision to be made regarding my marriage with Demi, whether we remain together or divorce, have babies or not, will be made exclusively by Demi and I. I don¡¯t appreciate anyone dumping their opinions about that particr matter on me. As for Ni, consider it as me upholding the wisdom nugget that says keep your friends close and your enemies closer. She still has her uses, thanks to Demi¡¯s indifference to my manly needs." He sweeps the room with his eyes.


    "So, who still has stones to throw my way?"


    ***


    While my brothers converse, I excuse myself to go handle some private matters. Ashal notices my exit andes rushing after me. I already know what he wants to say.


    "Look, I am not telling them anything, okay? You have my word. I just want to get to the bottom of you know what so I can nip it in the bud. I really can¡¯t ignore it however I try."


    "Fine, do what you have to do." He hesitates. "Be careful." He murmurs before returning to the game room.


    Cree has been avoiding my calls ever since Ashal treated her discourteously. I need to get her back on my side. I still need her to find my sister whom I believe is out there somewhere. I call Cree but it goes to voicemail.


    "Cree, call me back. You and I have unfinished business. I know you¡¯re mad at me but I really need your help. Call me." I hit send. When the elevator opens, father is on the other side, his face set in a grim line. Did he hear me? It takes a second for me to realize I hadn¡¯t said anything that would rouse his suspicion.


    He is clearly still angry over how Josh was treated but I hardly give a fuck.


    "Ashton!" He calls me when I brush past him and head for the door. Hesitantly, I pause and turn to him. "Tell me you were bluffing when you made that threat earlier today." His voice is low and dangerous.


    "I think you know the answer to your own question, father." I reply before turning on my heel and disappearing out of the door.


    Father¡¯s hardened face remains on my mind as I take a drive to find Cree. Ashal sent me the address of her new apartment. While on the way, I notice I am being tailed by a particr vehicle. To be certain, I keep making sharp turns and following short cuts but with every new turn, the car is difficult to lose.


    I allow the SUV get a tad bit close and try to make out the te number. When I spot the customized te number, a huge frown seeps into my face. I pull over by the corner of the road and jump down from my car. While the SUV tries to dodge me, I stand in front of it till the driver is forced to stop. I go around but he won¡¯t roll down his window.


    "STOP FOLLOWING ME, DUNCAN. GO BACK TO FATHER AND TELL HIM YOU LOST ME. I WON¡¯T WARN YOU AGAIN."


    When I get into my car and leave, the SUV does a U-turn and goes away. I can¡¯t believe father had him tail me. That¡¯s bad. Is he onto me? Not now. I can¡¯t have him watching my every move while I am searching for my biological sister. Father will do everything to keep me away from her just so his brutality towards our biological parents will never be exposed.


    Does mother know about his cruelty? Is sheplicit in his crimes? I don¡¯t want to believe it. I decide to focus on finding my sister and worrying about other thingster.


    Before I get to her ce, Cree texts me an address.


    [This is the best I can do. Go to this address. It¡¯s thest foster home your sister was in. Try to get as much information from them about her whereabout. Good luck]


    [Thank you]


    I take a U-turn and head towards the address. It¡¯s a quaint home on a small farm far from the bustling city. When I pull into the property, an elderly man looks up from milking a cow and stares at me as I get out of my car. Horses neigh from a nearby stable. On the porch, a woman who looks like his wife suspends her knitting to study me too. I bet they don¡¯t have visitors like me stopping by.


    "Hello. I¡¯m Ash Rollins."


    "I know who you are." The elderly man replies with an ingratiating smile. He wipes his hands on his apron and leads me towards the house with a big smile. "Please, right this way. This is my wife, Collette. Dear, please get some tea brewing for our guest." On cue, his wife beams at me before heading to the kitchen. I try to hide my difort over their niceties.


    After we are settled in their living room and I exin why I havee, the man, Paul, sighs.


    "That was a few years ago. Why are you interested in finding her?"


    "I made a promise to find and take care of her. I¡¯m ready to settle you adequately if you can provide me with good information on her whereabout. It¡¯s kind of urgent. Please tell me what you know."


    "She was a quiet child." Paul begins. "I wouldn¡¯t call her shy but she preferred to study people rather than talk to them. She was very paranoid too and trusted no one. No matter how my wife and son tried to incorporate her in our family, Zoe kept her distance. She never unpacked her bag from the day she joined us till she left us. She barely spoke at all. Always rad a book to pass time."


    "Do you have a picture of Zoe?"


    "She hated having her pictures taken and when she discovered that our son, Keith, had taken some of her while she was unaware, she ransacked his room, stole his camera and destroyed it." Collette exins with a sad expression. "She was one troubled child."


    "Was that her name? Zoe?"


    "No." Collette answers. "That¡¯s the name we chose to call her after she arrived because she kept forgetting the fake names she gave us. We don¡¯t know what her real name is. Even after she went off to college, my family and I tried to stay in touch but when we called the school, we were told that there was no one by Zoe Grayson enrolled there. Zoe lied about the school she got admitted to. She didn¡¯t want to keep ties with us so we gradually tried to forget she was ever a part of our family."


    How am I supposed to find her if she keeps changing names?


    "Finding her will be more difficult than I thought." I mutter. "You¡¯ve got no picture of her. Her real name is unknown. How am I supposed to find her?"


    "Keith. He was very fond of her. He drew her while she slept one time and hid it from her. I think I can find his drawing book somewhere in the basement." Hope blossoms in my heart at Collette¡¯s words.


    "Collette, if you find it, I will reward you with $250, 000. Please make sure you do."


    Husband and wife exchange shocked stares. Paul jumps to his feet and offers to give his wife a helping hand. They take their time. While I keep checking my wristwatch and tapping my foot impatiently, a strange guy strolls into the living room. He is a spitting image of Paul but about my age.


    "You must be Keith. Ash Rollins." I say, extending a hand but his remain in his pocket.


    "What are you doing in my house, Mr. Rollins?" He asks rudely. His parents reenter with a page from his drawing book.


    "Keith, don¡¯t be rude to our guest. He came to enquire about your sister, Zoe. He wants to help find her and give her a better life." Keith¡¯s eyes dte in shock as he recognizes the sheet in his mom¡¯s hand. "Mr. Rollins, here is the drawing of Zoe Keith made. This should help with your search...Hey" Collette yells when Keith wrenches the sheet from her hand before I can take it, shreds it to pieces in front of everyone and chucks the pieces into the firece.

 Chapter 99

    <h4>Chapter 99: Chapter 99</h4>


    DEMI


    I was right to have made Anna give me her urine sample in case of an emergency. I nursed a suspicion that mother or someone else in the mansion might suspect my pregnancy and demand a test. I¡¯m d I was able to dispel their suspicions for now but I don¡¯t know for how long.


    In a few months, my pregnancy will start showing and there won¡¯t be a way to hide it then from the people I live with. I just have to make sure that my ns are in full swing by then. If the Rollins familye to know about my real identity and true intentions to avenge my parents, my baby will be my insurance n, hopefully.


    I rap on the door in front of me. When the door swings open, the woman scrunches her nose in surprise.


    "Hi, Mrs. Randall, I¡¯m Demi. Is Josh home?"


    "I know exactly who you are, Demi Rollins. I also know what your family did to MY son when he stopped by at the mansion recently based on Mr. Rollins¡¯ invitation so you understand why seeing a member of that household isn¡¯t thrilling."


    "I understand, ma¡¯am."


    "I appreciate that you stood up for my son but it¡¯s still too early to entertain anyone who reminds me of the embarrassment my son went through."


    I can tell she is still very upset over everything that happened but I can¡¯t leave without talking to her. I need evidence of Brett being Josh¡¯s father. If I can work this woman, she¡¯ll definitely give me everything I need.


    "Please Mrs. Randall, I know your anger is beyond justified. Josh is such a sweet and kind man. Father loves him like a son and I honestly see why. I don¡¯t get why the quads loathe him so much. He didn¡¯t deserve the humiliation he got." I offer her the basket in my hand. "A little peace offering from me. I hope you, Josh and I can still be friendly towards each other. I don¡¯t want to lose such kind people over the impulsive attitude of my husband and brothers-inw."


    I linger by the door, hoping she would look past everything and let me in. Kristy stands, contemting.


    "Josh has helped me a lot at work." I continue. "When I first joined the HQ, I heard stories about Josh, both good and bad. Everyone seemed to want me to form a negative opinion about him and for the first few weeks, I was wary of him. Then I realized that whenever he came around, he was always looking out for me and very friendly. I realized that I was holding onto the wrong notions about him based one what everyone had told me. I had to shed all of that and allow myself to form an objective opinion of Josh and I wasn¡¯t wrong. He has been nothing but good to me. I have no reason to hate him and so I don¡¯t. I won¡¯t."


    Kristy Randall hides her blurry eyes as she waves me into her beautiful home.


    "What¡¯s your poison, Demi?"


    "Um, I¡¯ll prefer a ss of water. I¡¯m parched."


    "Nonsense. This is your first time in my house and I am a better host than Barbara will ever be. You¡¯re going to leave with a belly full of sumptuous food and expensive alcohol."


    She goes into her kitchen to start rustling up some food. I can¡¯t have alcohol and Kristy seems like the type to stubbornly insist so I try to think of something.


    "I have a few errands to run today so I won¡¯t be able to stay longer than an hour."


    "I don¡¯t need an hour to make a good pot of food for a special guest."


    "Mrs. Randall..."


    "Please, call me Kristy. Enough with the formality."


    "Kristy, why don¡¯t we just have a simple dish for now. I have every intention to visit your home regrly from now on, to see you and Josh. If you make an extremely fancy dish, I¡¯d feel like you¡¯re treating me to a farewell dish and don¡¯t n on seeing me back in your home anytime soon." Kristy pauses while slicing greens.


    "Now, why would you say that, huh?" She asks, running the curved tip of her long, green-coated nails down my jawline. "You¡¯re wee here, Demi. You saw my son for who he truly is rather than the lies people made up of him. I appreciate such sensibility in young people as such is in heavy decline nowadays."


    I smile at her. "Need help with anything?"


    "Oh no. I have a system. You¡¯ll only slow me down. Go get yourself a ss of water in the fridge. There¡¯s good alcohol at the antique bar in the living room."


    "I¡¯m not much of a drinker, Kristy so I¡¯ll settle for this can of juice right here." I wave the water and juice at her and sheughs and calls me lightweight. "I¡¯ll be in the living room." I add.


    When I get there, I text Liam to tell him I am at josh¡¯s home and mean to find some evidence to prove Brett sired Josh. Then, I ask him about the drug I found in Asher¡¯s drawer. He texts back to tell me he hasn¡¯t heard back from his friend, a doctor, and would get back to me soon.


    I turn on the television and crank up the volume so Kristy can believe I am just watching TV. When I peek at her, she¡¯s swaying to the music from the TV. I take that as my cue and head upstairs to find the bedrooms.


    I move fast, opening and closing doors. I find the first one but it appears no one sleeps in it. There are so many empty rooms here. Finally, I find Josh¡¯s. I go through his drawers filled with unfolded freshundry. Ashley would freak at such a disorganized room.


    I find photo albums of him and his mother with what appears to be histe father. As I flick through, the father ceases to feature in the photos as Josh gets older. When Josh bes a man, Brettes into the picture.


    Thest few photos are of Josh and father in different locations bonding as father and son. I never knew they met up outside of soul foods. There are photos of them scuba diving, ziplining, wall climbing and so on, things I am certain father has never done with the quads. I wonder how the quads would react to these photos.


    I whip out my phone and take snapshots of the photos. I also take pictures of Brett and Kristy in what appears to be their dates. Some appear more recent too.


    I find Josh¡¯s hairbrush in his bathroom and take some strands. There¡¯s a weird stash of used lingerie in one of his cabs. I gently close it because I don¡¯t even want to imagine why he stores such things as a keepsake.


    Armed with enough samples for a DNA run, I step out of the bathroom only to find Josh in his room. He is in the process of changing his gym clothes and stands butt naked in front of his drawer.


    "Oh my gosh." I panic, turning away with a hand over my eyes. Josh drops his phone identally and rushes to cover his dick with a cloth.


    "Jeez, Demi, what are you doing in my room?"


    My heart pounds heavily in my chest. How did I not hear hime in? How did he not hear me in the bathroom?


    "I¡¯m so sorry. I was looking for the bathroom and when I came in here, I realized it must be yours and wanted to leave."


    "There are tons of empty guest rooms on this floor. Why didn¡¯t you use the first one you found?" He snaps a bit rudely. I continue to stand with my back to him, my chest heaving with deep breaths. I hear some sounds behind me like he is quickly putting on some clothes.


    "It¡¯s fine. You can turn around now."


    Slowly, I turn to look at him. A huge blush colors my cheek as I dip my eyes. "I¡¯m so sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to intrude on your privacy like that. I should have just asked your mom what bathroom to use but she didn¡¯t want to be disturbed while cooking. She¡¯s on a time crunch, you see. I thought I could figure it out myself."


    "She didn¡¯t hear mee in, either. Perhaps she would have warned me that we havepany. I just came for a quick change of clothes before meeting up with some work friends." His awkward face breaks into a small smile. "Are you here to apologize on behalf of your family? You know you don¡¯t have to do that, right? I don¡¯t want you here if you¡¯reing to plead on their behalf but you¡¯re wee here to just hang with my mom and I as Demi herself."


    I smile back. "Good. I¡¯m done with the apologies, then." I head for the door.


    "Hey, Demi?"


    "Yes?"


    "Didn¡¯t you have to pee or something?"


    Crap, I already forgot. "Oh, I got so startled I don¡¯t feel pressed anymore. However, I¡¯ll just try to use one of the guest bathrooms as you suggested. I¡¯ll be a few minutes though since my body needs time to loosen up again." Joshughs with me.


    "The bathrooms are down that way." He points.


    I battle the urge to find Kristy¡¯s room and get my hands on some evidence but eventually decide against it. Josh already found me in his room and with some luck, he barely suspects me but if he happens to find me in his mother¡¯s room instead of one of the guest bathrooms, the excuse of getting the rooms mixed up again won¡¯t cut it. Hence, I make my way down after two minutes to find Kristy setting the table. Josh alsoes down and joins us in the meal.


    The Randalls seem like normal people who are fun to be around. After I leave their home with promises to return, I drive to Anna¡¯s ce to drop off the things I just picked up from Josh¡¯s ce. Liam will get them from Anna¡¯ster.


    "They made you take the test? Oh my god. What if you didn¡¯t have my sample of urine?"


    "Don¡¯t even go there, Anna. That thought scares the hell out of me." I press a hand to my eyes. "His father was disgusted at the mere thought of me carrying his grandchild. He scolded Ashley and called me a mistake. His mom, she tried to be kind and defended me. Ashley stood there and said nothing. I could tell that there were a lot of questions in his eyes but he never uttered his thoughts. I don¡¯t know if he wants a baby to please his mom or because he wants a family with me. Whatever the case, I am fairly certain that a lot of people won¡¯t appreciate the bun in my oven."


    "What are you going to do?"


    "I¡¯m going to hide my pregnancy and focus on my mission to achieve as mete out as much punishment as I can until I can¡¯t hide my baby anymore. With some luck and a sprinkle of a miracle, my inws won¡¯t bray for my blood when they unmask me, at least until I give birth. I know," I add when Anna fails to look convinced. "It¡¯s not a solid n."


    "It¡¯s no n at all." She corrects me. "Luck? Miracle? Since when did you start leaving things to chance and fate? Demi, you have to have a solid backup n for when shit hits the fence. These people killed your family. You think they¡¯ll think twice about punishing you simply because you¡¯re carrying Ashley¡¯s baby? Ashley doesn¡¯t even know if he wants the baby or not. He doesn¡¯t seem like the type to insist that no harme to you because of his baby. Ashton might have done that but not Ashley. I don¡¯t want anyone harming you and covering it up like they did with Tobias¡¯ death."


    "You¡¯re right. I can¡¯t get sloppy. I¡¯ll think of something but for now, I am starving."


    "Didn¡¯t you have some food at Josh¡¯s ce?"


    "I did but now I am hungry again. Please make me some pasta. Please." Anna rolls her eyes and drags herself up to go to the kitchen. "Hurry up before I start craving something else."


    While she is making the food, someone knocks on the door. Is Anna expecting anyone? I go to answer it. I frown at the sight of Asher holding some flowers.


    "Demi." He utters quietly, shocked to see me. I shut the door behind me so Anna can¡¯t hear us and re at him.


    "What are you doing here holding flowers? Do you think Anna is so gullible and stupid you can juggle her with Nessa? How heartless can you be, Asher? I won¡¯t let you do this to either Anna or Nessa so get the hell away from here!"


    "Anna can speak for herself. You don¡¯t get to decide who she hangs out with simply because you¡¯re her best friend!"


    "No, I am not just her best friend, I am like a sister to her and vice versa. Get out of here Asher unless you want me to tell Anna all about your affair with Nessa, especially how you were grunting while cumming into Nessa in your office bathroom." His eyes darken as he chucks the flowers on the ground.


    "So, you did spy on us that day." He scoffs at me. "You¡¯ve got some nerve."


    "You shouldn¡¯t have been doing that in the first ce, boss, not at work! Does father know you¡¯re still sleeping with Nessa? Does Nessa know Anna is now in the picture? Does Anna, the woman who literally saved your life, know that you¡¯re fucking your secretary during weekdays and bringing her flowers during weekends? Would you like to see how she reacts to this truth?"


    Asher closes a hand over my neck but before he can apply too much pressure, Anna opens the door.


    "Asher! You¡¯re here?" His hand drops from my neck and I make a show of coughing loudly. "What were you doing to her?" Annas asks, rushing to hold me. "Demi, are you okay? Asher, did you try to strangle my friend?"


    "No, it¡¯s not what it looks like."


    "It¡¯s exactly what it looks like." I counter him. "Anna, I¡¯m not stupid. I know he doesn¡¯t juste here to check on you. There¡¯s something going on between the two of you. If he was half the decent man he ims to be, I would have overlooked my reservations towards your rtionship but Asher here is a scumbag. He is still fucking Nessa at the office. I bumped into them in his bathroom days ago." My heart breaks as Anna¡¯s eyes dte in shock. Asher clenches his fist and grits his teeth while I continue.


    "Anna." I say, taking her hand. "You deserve better. This man is not the one for you. He is only interested in warming your bed. He can¡¯t have a life with you. His father will never allow it nor can Asher change his promiscuous ways. He just gets girls to sleep with and keeps them on rotation. You are not special to him. Go ahead, ask him."


    Anna¡¯s teary eyes wheel towards Asher.


    "You¡¯re always going to believe her over me so there¡¯s no point in defending myself. I¡¯ll save you the trouble. I still see Nessa. I don¡¯t believe in being exclusive to a woman who still keeps her options open."


    "What are you talking about?" Anna asks him.


    "You lied to me about your colleague at work who took a pregnancy test in your apartment. Turns out there¡¯s no waitress called She at the Honey Pot where you work. I didn¡¯t go asking. I checked for you and was told you called in sick. I asked if She could help serve me because I wanted her opinion on some flowers but the manager didn¡¯t know anyone by that name. YOU LIED, Anna. That only tells me that you¡¯ve been sleeping with another man, might be pregnant with his child and lied to my face about it."


    I can¡¯t believe it. Asher found my test strips and thinks they belong to Anna? Anna cries when he turns to leave. I grab her before she can go after him.


    "Asher! You¡¯re mistaken." She shouts while he leaves. Then, she turns to me, begging frantically. "Please Demi, help convince him. I am not pregnant. I love him. I love Asher."


    Thest three words undo me. What? How long has this been going on? How could she be in love with a man like Asher? The moment my grip weakens, Anna breaks free from me and runs after Asher. I stand outside her door and slide to the floor, next to the flowers.


    How could Asher entrap my friend like this when he knows he¡¯s got no intention of giving her the life she wants? It¡¯s just cruel. Anna has been through a lot and doesn¡¯t deserve the heartbreaking her way. Tears roll down my cheek when I watch her desperately begging Asher. He strokes her hair and kisses her on the lips. While he ravishes her lips, his right eye strays to me and unbelievably, he winks at me.


    Oh god.


    ***


    "I don¡¯t know what to do, Liam. Anna is in love with Asher, ASHER. She wasn¡¯t even ready to listen to anything I had to say. She even asked me to give them some space. I had to pack my things and leave. What if she opens up and tells him everything about our ns? How can she reasonably sit by and allow our ns unfold when it will hurt the man she ims to love? Can¡¯t you see the problem here?"


    "How could I not?" I hear him knock something over. "I really don¡¯t know what it is with you women. How do you tend to fall in love so easily with those crappy brothers? I warned you about the dangers of entering their lives through marriage. We could have found a different way to get through to them. Now, you¡¯re in love with one brother, married to another and Anna is also sleeping with your biggest threat in that house." He smashes something again. "How could she be so daft? He clearly doesn¡¯t love her. She should know better than to settle for that loser."


    I get that he is angry but something about the way his voice wasced with annoyance at the mention of Anna and Asher gets to me. Does Liam have a thing for Anna? I banish the thought.


    "We don¡¯t have time to fixate on all the things that already went wrong. Let¡¯s focus on you getting josh¡¯s samples from me. You can start reaching out to Kristy Randall about helping her son get the acknowledgment he deserves. I can¡¯t think of a bigger scandal than irrefutable evidence that Josh is Brett¡¯s son right now. I¡¯ll find a way to get father¡¯s hair sample. It won¡¯t be easy but I¡¯ll try."


    "Don¡¯t get yourself killed too early. You owe it to me tost at least the next six months." Before I can hang up, he mentions that his doctor friend just messaged him with the result of the pill.


    "What¡¯s it for?"


    "Damn. Demi, it¡¯s a brand of drug that helps alleviate severe headaches and migraines. It¡¯s mostly issued for patients with cancer."


    I don¡¯t know what to feel. Asher has cancer? How? He looks very healthy. Does Anna know? Does his family? My guess is that they don¡¯t given the way he hides the pills. Why is he keeping it a secret from them though? Is there a big reason behind it?


    On my way home, I try to imagine why Asher wouldn¡¯t want to share this with his family or get admitted into a hospital to start treatment as early as possible. Is there a gem here I could use against him for the way he has brainwashed my friend?


    An hour after I get home, Asher returns too. He has a satisfied smile on his face as he walks with a spring in his step. I wait for him to get into his room before calling him on phone.


    "What sick twisted game are you ying with Anna? How could you toy with her emotions like this after everything she¡¯s done for you?"


    "Why are you so worried, Demi? Are you afraid I just might be able topletely fill your friend¡¯s head with thoughts of me and make her fall so deeply in love with me that she¡¯ll share everything with me, even your secrets?" Heughs at my silence. "Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯ve got nothing to hide, right? Anna and I just enjoy each other¡¯spany. Don¡¯t condemn our rtionship because I can¡¯t be bothered to put abel to it."


    "Speaking about secrets and things to hide, don¡¯t you have something to share with your family? Say, a life threatening, medical emergency?" This time, Iugh at his silence. "Stay away from Anna or I¡¯ll go straight to father and tell him about your medical condition as well as your illicit affair with Nessa and Anna. Let¡¯s see what he thinks of you then." I hang up and sink down on my bed. Hopefully, that deters him.


    Someone raps loudly on my door. What the heck? How did he get here so fast.


    "Go away!" I yell at him.


    "It¡¯s Ashley. Open up."


    I unlock the door and Ashleyes inside. I don¡¯t know what he wants now.


    "What can I do for you, Ashley?" I ask, crossing my arms on my chest. I haven¡¯t gotten over the fact that at the slightest disagreement between us, he ran back into Ni¡¯s arms despite everything she¡¯s done to him. He can keep her for all I care.


    He narrows his eyes at me and shoves his phone in my face. I gasp in shock at the picture taken of me.


    "What were you doing at Josh Randall¡¯s house earlier today?"

 Chapter 100

    <h4>Chapter 100: Chapter 100</h4>


    DEMI


    "You had me followed?" I ask him as my eyebrows knit in a frown. "Is that what we¡¯re doing now, Ashely? You¡¯ve got someone tailing your wife now?"


    "Don¡¯t evade the topic. I didn¡¯t have you followed. Someone saw you and sent me this picture?"


    "Who? Why would they care that I visited a colleague from work if you didn¡¯t put them up to it?" Who could have taken this photo? What else did they see?


    "You¡¯re stalling, Demi." Ashley growls angrily. "I need to know why you had the guts to go pay Josh and Kristy a visit after everything that happened here when Josh visited. I told you to stay away from Josh, told you what he did to my brother but you disregarded everything and went to pay a visit to our enemy. WHY?"


    "I also told you not to drag me into whatever issues you all have with Josh. I bear no grudge against him. He¡¯s been nothing but kind towards me. He¡¯s helped me a lot to navigate theplexities of my role at work while Asher drives me crazy every day in the office. I went over to Josh¡¯s ce to apologize again for the humiliation he suffered here. I wanted him to know that I wasn¡¯t in on it nor did I enjoy watching that shit show."


    Ashley narrows his eyes at me. "What exactly is going on between you two, Demi?"


    "What are you insinuating?"


    "I saw you. You were smiling malevolently when Josh showed up for lunch. It was almost like you knew how much it would upset us to have him here and was excited to see everything unfold."


    He saw me? Does he think I know the truth about josh¡¯s paternity? I move to clear his doubt.


    "I smiled at seeing my work friend, Ashley. Since when did you be an expert at reading people¡¯s smiles or facial expressions?" I sigh tiredly. "You¡¯re still mad over the test results and now you¡¯re resorting to making things up just to make me the bad guy. I also watched you that night when your father called me names. You stood there and didn¡¯t bother to defend me. It was almost like you agreed with everything he said about me. I chose to give you the benefit of doubt rather than reading meanings into your nk face and inaction. I guess I was a fool to not pick a fight first."


    Ashley slips his phone in his pocket.


    "You went over to Ni¡¯s that night, didn¡¯t you?" I try to distract him from his suspicions towards me and Josh.


    He straightens his shoulders. "Yes, I did."


    I shake my head from side to side. He didn¡¯t even try to deny it.


    "You must really love her."


    "Maybe I do. You make it really easy for me to desire her, Demi. At least with her, I can be certain that I am wanted, appreciated. I have cut ties with her and pushed her to the back burner all for you and what did I get in return? Nothing! You say you¡¯re willing to have a life with me but at the first chance you get, you push me away. You constantly remind me that I am not my brother. Why should I stick around you like glue, waiting and praying that you would one day not mix my name up with Ashton¡¯s or desire me instead of him?"


    "I agree that I haven¡¯t been easy to deal with but running back to your ex? The same woman who tormented you as Shay? That¡¯s more than desperate, Ashley. That¡¯s pathetic." When I stand to go into my bathroom and freshen up, he grabs my wrist. There¡¯s murder in his eyes. "What are you doing? Let go of me!"


    "You will stay away from Josh Randall and his mother! That¡¯s an order!"


    "And if I don¡¯t? Would you hurt me?" My eyes sh angrily at him. "Would you also hurt your father too? Last I checked, he also doesn¡¯t consider Josh an enemy of this family so why is no one giving him grief over their closeness?"


    Ashley¡¯s grip loosens and I wrench my wrist free. "For thest time, Ash, don¡¯t drag me into your war. Josh is my friend. I won¡¯t desert him because you hate him, not unless he gives me a personal reason to."


    "It¡¯s already personal. He tried to kill Ashton. Do you really not care even for him? I thought you loved him?"


    My hands freeze on the door knob. Why is he so desperate to make me desert Josh that he is even willing to use my weakness for Ashton?


    "You¡¯ve got to stop doing that. I am not a fool that will not stick to my guns just because Ashton is mentioned. I¡¯ve told you, Ashton and I have moved past that. Stop trying to use him to get me to change my mind about things. It¡¯s not going to work. Onest thing, tell your informant or private investigator to stay the hell away from me. I don¡¯t have anyone following your every move even though it hurts me where you end up going most times. You are already cheating on me. The least you can do is not treat me like a fucking property by having me followed!"


    I leave him and m the bathroom door behind me. A long sigh escapes my lips. I can¡¯t wait for this night to end.


    My frustrations really begin as the new week ushers in a swing of preparations for Ashton and M¡¯s engagement ceremony. Father is having the event at one of his biggest hotel chains, Rollins Towers. Every day, I lose track of how wealthy my new family is. Keeping up with their assets is a full-time sport. I try to distract myself with work and keeping in touch with Liam.


    Asher hasn¡¯t said a word to me since I threatened him on the phone and I am afraid of guessing why. He isn¡¯t one to easily back down because of a small threat, unless my threat wasn¡¯t as small as I thought.


    He has been going about work like a robot. Even Nessa shuffles to my office to ask if all is well with Asher as he refuses to open up to her. I assure her that nothing has happened to the best of my knowledge that would warrant his moodiness and leave it at that. Inwardly, I am happy he fell for my trap, until Anna calls me.


    I rush into the restroom and ensure all the stalls are empty before taking the call. This is the first time she is returning my call after she walked me out of her house to spend time with her new boyfriend, Asher. I have a few things to get off my chest but as I prepare tosh at her, her teary voice scares me. She¡¯s crying?


    "Anna, slow down. What¡¯s wrong?"


    "Asher won¡¯t talk to me. He thinks I divulged the secret of his medical condition to you and refuses to talk to me."


    "Wait, you knew about that? Anna, why didn¡¯t you tell me?"


    "Because I don¡¯t believe in using people¡¯s ailments against them like that, Demi and that¡¯s all you would have done. He has a brain tumor and he¡¯s scared of getting treated. I know how he feels. My dad was equally terrified about it. It¡¯s one of the reasons why I bonded with Asher because I saw a different side of him that he hides from the world. He isn¡¯t all bad, Demi. He¡¯s my friend whom I eventually fell in love with. I know this wasn¡¯t the n but I can¡¯t help it."


    "Anna, he can never be loyal to you." I remind her with a hand to my chest.


    "You think I don¡¯t know that? I am not foolish. I know about Nessa. I don¡¯t expect him to marry me ever, Demi. I know the reality of our situation. I just love him and I am okay with him loving me back."


    "You can¡¯t change him, Anna. I know you believe you can change him one day but you can¡¯t. You risked your life for him and he didn¡¯t change. Helping him to save his life won¡¯t do that either. He has a single goal; to please his father and protect his family. He will never factor you in one day."


    "I have made peace with that, Demi, just as you have epted that you and Ashton can never be together the way you want. I simply enjoy the time I spend with Asher and the version of him that only I get to see. Nothing else matters. I can protect myself. I¡¯d probably get sick of him one day or find someone I can do life with but till then, I want to promise you that my rtionship with Asher will neverpromise the promise I made to you. Your secrets will always be safe with me. You have nothing to worry about."


    I want to believe her but I can¡¯t. She withheld information that could have been useful to Liam and I. Who knows what other secrets she¡¯s keeping.


    "I don¡¯t know if I can believe that, Anna. You¡¯re head over heels in love with the man who poses the biggest threat to me in that family. What if he threatens to leave you if you don¡¯t give him some incriminating evidence against me? You literally just called me to convince him to keep seeing you, right? You want me to assure him that you didn¡¯t betray him. Who¡¯s to say you won¡¯t throw me under the bus the next time he ys mind games like this with you?"


    Anna hisses a breath. "I don¡¯t know how else to convince you. If it makes you feel any better, I will report back whatever information I can siphon from him which can be useful to you and Liam."


    "No! He¡¯s very smart. If he suspects you¡¯re working against him, he could hurt you really bad. Don¡¯t do anything. Have your fun with him and keep my secrets to yourself no matter what. That¡¯s all I ask." She thanks me. "I¡¯ll go talk to him and make sure he gets the facts straight. Stop crying for him. He is not the catch in this rtionship; you are. Don¡¯t you ever forget that!" Annaughs before I hang up.


    With a long sigh, I barge into Asher¡¯s office, startling Nessa who is hunched over his desk, showing him something on an iPad.


    "Don¡¯t you know how to knock?" He snaps at me.


    "It¡¯s urgent sir."


    "The next time you want to enter my office, knock and don¡¯te in until I tell you to."


    "Yes sir." I continue to stare at him and Nessa.


    He seems to understand my eyes and asks Nessa to excuse us. There¡¯s a hint of worry in her eyes as she leaves the room. I edge closer to his desk.


    "And they say women are the dramatic ones. Did you seriously have to put up this act and give Anna the silent treatment just to get back at me? She never told me anything about your..." He nces at me when I hesitate. Maybe I do feel a bit sorry for him.


    "If she didn¡¯t tell you, how did you find out?" His eyes narrow to slits. "Nessa. Of course she did."


    "Nessa would quit her job and move out of Danvarr before she betrays you." I shake my head. "Word of advice? If you don¡¯t want people clueing in on something you want to keep a secret, don¡¯t make them suspicious. I have walked in on you taking pills more than once and though I didn¡¯t think much of it, your reaction every time gave you up. I found one of the pills lying on the floor and did my research. Vo. There, I said it."


    He leans back on his chair. "Thank you for your honesty."


    "Call Anna. Don¡¯t y with her emotions like that."


    "You¡¯re right. I am bad news for her. I probably should end things."


    The bastard. Now, he wants to end things when she¡¯s desperate for him? The cocky grin on his face affirms what a jerk he is.


    "Whatever. She¡¯ll get over you in a week or two. I never liked you for her anyway." And just like I expect him to, he calls Anna before I can leave.


    "I¡¯m so sorry, baby, I should have trusted you." He gives me a dismissive wave when I turn back to re at him. Of course he wouldy it thick now to spite me. He¡¯s so predictable sometimes. I knew he would do exactly the opposite of what I want. Knowing I¡¯d prefer Anna be rid of him, he sumbs to dating her. Asshole.


    Heter texts me not to divulge his secret but instead of a backup threat, he leaves it at that to my surprise.


    I have my lunch in the cafeteria with Amber. She is happy to see that I am doing okay after everything she shared with me. Josh alsoes over to join us to Amber¡¯s surprise. I make the introductions and we all have our meals. Shortly after, Amber leaves us to return to her office.


    "Aren¡¯t you having lunch with the chairman today?" I ask him.


    "Not for a while. I have other friends that deserve my attention too."


    I can tell he is still mad at father for not defending him. This is my chance to swoop him.


    "I¡¯d be mad too if I were you."


    "What?"


    "I get it. If I spent that much time with the chairman to the point that people mistake us for father and son, I¡¯d expect he would defend me against his sons in the face of humiliation. I also think father could have done more than watch you leave." Josh remains quiet by my side, brooding. "Did you get a chance to ask him why he didn¡¯t stand up for you?"


    "No. I haven¡¯t been taking his calls. He has called me to his office but I refused to discuss anything that isn¡¯t work rted. I need some time."


    "I understand. Take as much time as you need. That must have been hard to endure."


    "Thank you so much Demi. You don¡¯t know how much your words mean to me."


    "Don¡¯t worry. You¡¯re not wrong for giving him the cold shoulder. He has to realize you¡¯re just as valuable as his sons too. You are just as deserving of respect. He invited you home. It was his duty to protect your honor. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll make it up to you soon."


    I pat his hand and we exchange smiles.


    After work, I pull up at a gas station to fill my car. After filling it, I am about to leave when I spot Maddie getting down from a taxi cab a few paces behind me. She looks forlorn as she makes her way into a nearby store.


    I park my car properly and go after her. She hasn¡¯t said a word to me since that weird phone call where she imed Olivia is doing perfectly well with her boyfriend. She has been ignoring my calls too.


    I find her at an aisle at the back. When she spots me, she starts walking away.


    "Really?"


    "Stay away from me, Demi Rollins."


    "Why? Don¡¯t you have some exnation to do?" She halts in her tracks and samples a bag of onion vored chips. "You literally gave me hell over finding your sister. You told me you were beyond certain that she was trapped in a forced rtionship with none other than my brother-inw, Ashal. Somehow, you even threatened me with exposing our alliance to set your sister free, to my family, if I failed to help you free your sister. Against my better judgment, I vishly kowtowed to your n. We get to Ashal¡¯s penthouse and the next thing I get is a phone call telling me you were wrong? You expect me to forgive and forget after everything you literally put me through?"


    "I wasn¡¯t wrong about Ashal. I was just wrong about the status of his rtionship with my sister and how he treats her." She doesn¡¯t meet my eyes while she talks. "For that, I am sorry."


    "Why won¡¯t you look at me? What really happened in there? You¡¯ve shut me out ever since. We never got to discuss what happened when you visited."


    Maddie turns to me now. "What were you expecting to happen? My sister was delighted to see me as I was to see her. Ashal got angry when he learnt I thought he was a monster that hurts my sister. He was disappointed in me and I felt bad for misunderstanding him. He put the pieces together and realized I invited you to his penthouse to expose his secret rtionship and didn¡¯t take it well. I didn¡¯t discuss any of this with you because I don¡¯t want you confronting him about keeping Olivia a secret from you. Like I said, they¡¯re doing well. He loves my sister and takes really good care of her. I couldn¡¯t ask for anything more so please Demi, it¡¯s time to stop ying detective. I mean it. I don¡¯t want to cause my sister any more trouble."


    Despite how convincing she sounds, I can read something else in her eyes; pain. Though I want to press further, I refuse on the ground that Maddie has mentally checked out of our mission. It was one thing having Olivia drag her feet about being rescued but for the two sisters to resign to fate, I can¡¯t deal with all that.


    "Fine. I won¡¯t bug him. I just wanted to hear you say it. I knew Ashal couldn¡¯t be the devil you painted him out to be." Maddie says nothing and whirls to face the shelf again, sampling another bag of chips.


    "You didn¡¯t have to cut me off like that. We still have unfinished business." I take a bracing gulp of air. "You promised to delete the incriminating pictures and recordings of us. My family will be very upset if they find out and think I went behind their backs to snoop on Ashal. Please, you have to delete it."


    Maddie whips out her phone, unlocks it and passes it to me. "I never had anything on you. You are wee to search my phone. I just said it because I needed you to not take your foot off the gas after the promise you made to me. I¡¯m not that callous, Demi. I wouldn¡¯t wreck your home after all the help you rendered."


    She¡¯s right. There¡¯s barely anything on her phone. I give it back to her.


    "Thank you." If that is all, then I guess my business with her is done. When I make my way towards the front, Maddie calls me.


    "Thank you, for everything." She says with a wistful look in her eyes. "I am getting married soon. I wish you could attend."


    I gloss over the shocking news. "Why can¡¯t I?"


    "It¡¯s a very private ceremony." She hugs me. "You are a good person, Demi. Don¡¯t ever let anyone corrupt you."


    I don¡¯t understand why she¡¯s speaking so strangely. I feel her tuck something into my bag before pulling away.


    "Be careful. They¡¯re smarter than you think. You¡¯re being watched. We¡¯re being watched."


    Chills run down my spine as she uses the back door and leaves. I dig out the stuff she hid in my bag and unfold theminated paper. It¡¯s the marriage certificate of Ashal and Olivia at St. Lucy¡¯s church. Behind the document, there¡¯s a small note from Maddie.


    [He clearly loves her but she isn¡¯t in love with him. She wants out but he refuses to let her go. He¡¯s got a personality disorder that makes him very violent when angry. He might hurt her badly if she tries to escape him or your family. Her safest option is for us to stop poking around their rtionship. Olivia has resigned to her fate. Keep this certificate safe. Maybe it¡¯lle in handy one day]


    I hiss a breath. Why would Maddie give me this? How did she know I¡¯d find her and keep this for me? Did she say I was being watched?


    I stare out the window. There¡¯s a car parked outside, right behind mine. I can recognize that car any day because I bought my car on the same day and from this samepany as the car owner who is watching the store behind the tinted ss.


    It¡¯s Ashal.

 Chapter 101

    <h4>Chapter 101: Chapter 101</h4>


    ASHAL


    I haven¡¯t been able to cate Olivia¡¯s feelings. I¡¯ve managed to rack up a lot of hate points with respect to her. She had barely recovered from my affair with Cree when I shocked her by punishing her sister with a forced marriage. Now, she has learnt that I have been ying her by pretending to be Asher. It¡¯s a lot, I¡¯ll admit. I am indeed an asshole.


    The worst part is the timing of it all. It¡¯s such a bad time for her to find out given her pregnancy. I would hate for anything untoward to happen to her or our baby.


    She has been keeping to herself in her room and left instructions that she doesn¡¯t want to see me at any cost. Each time I call her phone, she doesn¡¯t take my calls. She neveres downstairs when I arrive the penthouse. All she does is cry in her room all day, ording to Lily. I am getting very worried over her condition.


    Lily returns with a tray of untouched food. I grit my teeth. She can¡¯t starve, not now. I sprint upstairs and knock on the door.


    "Olivia, I want to talk. Open up. This is about Maddie." Hopefully, she¡¯ll take the bait.


    There is a little movement on the other side of the door and surprisingly, Olivia cracks the door open a notch. She looks like hell. Her eyes are all red and swollen. Her face is puffy from not getting enough sleep. She doesn¡¯t appear to have showered in over a day.


    "Liv, what are you doing to yourself? Punish me all you want but not like this. Don¡¯t hurt yourself or our baby. Please."


    "What about Maddie?" She asks weakly, her eyes drooping.


    "Open up then. Let me in. I promise I¡¯ll fix things with Maddie." Her eyes struggle to stay on mine. I don¡¯t think she¡¯s sleepy. She¡¯s probably woozy. I gently pry the door open as she is too weak to stand a chance against me and catch her before she falls.


    "Liv, you¡¯ll be okay. I¡¯ll do whatever you want, okay? You want me to forgive Maddie? It¡¯s done. You don¡¯t want her marriage to take ce? It¡¯s cancelled. Please, I need you to take care of your health. That¡¯s my condition. Eat. Freshen up. Rest. I¡¯ll give you all the space you need. You need your energy if you¡¯re going to scold me for my actions. Please Liv."


    Thankfully, she lets Lily bathe and dress her. I watch Lily feed her some food. Whenever Olivia wants to stop eating after a few bites, I insist she finishes her te or we have no deal. She finally finishes everyst bit of food and gulps some water.


    "Lily, you¡¯ll stay in this room with her. Under no circumstances should she be left by herself for too long. If you have to cook or do something else around the house that requires a good time investment, Olivia wille downstairs to the living room where other eyes can watch her. Is that clear, hon?" I ask, turning to my wife.


    She wipes her lips. "You promised to help Maddie."


    "I did and I will." When I go close, she tucks her hands away so I can¡¯t hold them and turns her cheek when I try to kiss her. She hates me. Lily clears the tes and leaves us.


    "I never cease to disappoint you, do I?"


    "Keep your word, Ashal. Don¡¯t let my sister¡¯s life be ruined through marriage. I will harm myself if she has to suffer the same fate as I did by being stuck in a loveless marriage." Tears fill her eyes. "She might have hurt your pride and reputation but remember she was doing it to help me. Maddie sees what you keep turning a blind eye to; a fancy house,fort ang good food isn¡¯t enough to win a woman¡¯s heart if you take away her choice to stay with you or not." She sniffles and props herself up. I hate where this is going.


    "I¡¯m afraid we can never be more this, Ashal. I know you desperately want to believe in a future where I would love you as much as I once loved Asher, your brother. You must have noticed the difference when you pretended to be him for weeks. Is that why you did it? You wanted to see what it was like when I am in love with you?"


    "I don¡¯t know what I was thinking when I did that."


    "Do you regret it?"


    My silence tells her all she needs to know.


    "You don¡¯t. You loved it, didn¡¯t you? But you don¡¯t need to pretend to be him just to feel a woman¡¯s love. You could find true love of your own out there, Ashal. I don¡¯t think I can find the energy to love another Rollins brother ever again. Asher was a mistake and a lesson. I can never give you what you want. Why won¡¯t you let me go?" When she tries to take my hand, I lurch to my feet.


    "You don¡¯t have to be afraid that love will never find you. At first, I thought you were a monster because of how you hit me but you¡¯vee a long way from that mindless freak. You have better control of your temper now. I don¡¯t think you have anything to worry about. Go out there and try again. Find love."


    "STOP IT."


    "There¡¯s no future for us here, Ashal, not even this baby can unite us as you hope. Things will still be the same between us or even worse. Would you also keep the baby trapped in here with me? Would you hide the baby from the world too? Think, Ashal. What kind of home would you want your child to be born into? What we have is too depressing to allow a child grow in."


    I can¡¯t believe she is still going on about this separation. Why is everyone telling me to try and find love again? Can¡¯t I just have the woman I am with? It hurts to hear the same harsh truth from Olivia as it is proof that she has given up on us too.


    "I¡¯ll go to your father and have Maddie¡¯s wedding cancelled, as promised." I utter in a low voice before leaving Olivia to herself. I can¡¯t bear to spend another minute with her telling me we can¡¯t work out. I¡¯ll rather find someone else to vent my frustration on and right now, Maddie doesn¡¯t seem like a bad idea. Her recent actions have influenced Olivia¡¯s decision no doubt. At least with Maddie, I can scream obscenities at her without worrying about the health of an unborn child.


    Mr. Dunn isn¡¯t happy when I show up to tell him I¡¯ve had a change of heart. I can understand why he¡¯s frustrated. It can¡¯t be easy to keep making promises to young men and their families only to renege on such promises a few dayster.


    "Mr. Ashal, I don¡¯t understand why you want me to cancel this wedding. It was your decision to have me arrange my daughter¡¯s wedding. You even handled the selection of the groom to sift out the most eligible and though I had concerns, you assured me the young man is a good choice. All the arrangements have been made between both families. What am I supposed to tell them now?"


    "Tell them the wedding is off. It¡¯s as simple as that." I snap at him.


    "No, it¡¯s not that simple for folks like me. You have enough money to buy your way through anything and anyone. For a man like me, my word is my bond. If I keep going back on my word and canceling Maddie¡¯s weddings like this, word will spread and soon, nobody will take me seriously when I propose the marriage of my daughter and their son. I might be stuck with Maddie for the rest of her life unless she elopes with a man and does one of those hasty court weddings that young people do."


    He throws an apologetic nce my way as he recalls my wedding with his first daughter was as distasteful as what he just described. I bet he wants a proper wedding for Maddie.


    "I¡¯m sorry but I can¡¯t cancel the wedding. I have given my word. Maddie will wed Hunter as scheduled."


    I rise on my feet. I can appreciate Mr. Dunn¡¯s reason for turning me down. My decisionstely have beening off as fickle and just because I happen to be wealthy and influential doesn¡¯t mean I get to y with a young woman¡¯s life like that. I am left with onest option; to pay off Hunter so he cancels the wedding from his own end. Mr. Dunn might get upset when he learns of it and he will definitely know I have a hand in it but we can discuss thatter.


    "Thank you for your time." I tell him.


    Hunter is an easy man to find. I use the address he gave during the interview process as Maddie¡¯s groom to be and trace his home. It turns out to be much nicer than I thought. His red car is also parked out front, indicating he is home. He does very well for himself as a banker.


    I almost went with another guy but Elyon had managed to convince me to pitch Hunter to Maddie¡¯s father as he was a decent young man who had the wherewithal to give Maddie a good life. His looks might be average but he looks like he can build a good home and raise a lovely family with her. Hopefully, Maddie will find love with Hunter one day.


    I approach the door and knock. It takes a minute before an elderly woman opens.


    "Hello." I greet her.


    "Can I help you, sir?"


    She doesn¡¯t recognize me. Refreshing. "I¡¯m looking for Hunter Cummings. I¡¯d like a word with him." A wave of confusion washes over the woman¡¯s face.


    "Hunter? Is there a problem?"


    "Mom, who¡¯s at the door?" A young woman asks from within. Her mom repeats my enquiry and shees to the door to see me. Her eyes dte in surprise.


    "Ash Rollins, pleasure to meet you again. It¡¯s Octavia."


    "Meet me again?"


    "Yeah. We already met at the bar on Foxton Grove. My friend whom you called blondie saw you, freaked and left the bar? Skye Sanders? You were quite taken by her." She leans on the door. "At least I thought you were but here you are on my doorstep. This has to be fate. We¡¯re meant for each other." A seductive wink follows.


    "None of that rings a bell. I think you must have met one of my brothers." Her face assumes an embarrassed hue.


    "Oh, I¡¯m so sorry." She tucks her hair behind her ears. "You are looking for Hunter, I gather?"


    "Yes."


    "He doesn¡¯t stay here."


    "Why¡¯s that? Isn¡¯t this his home?"


    Octaviaughs. "Why would you think that? Sure, he does some work around the house every now and then but that doesn¡¯t make him part of my family. He¡¯s just a hand we hire to fix the plumbing issues, mow thewn, that kind of stuff."


    What? Hunter lied?


    "And the car?" I ask, pointing outside. "Whose car is that?"


    "That¡¯s my brother¡¯s. Hunter also helps maintain it when Jackson isn¡¯t home. Why?"


    I am speechless right now. If Hunter lied about his house and his car, then he must have lied about everything else; his job as a banker, his earnings, his family, his intentions for Maddie. I excuse myself and jump back in my car.


    "Mr. Dunn." I say the second he picks up. "That wedding is not taking ce. Hunter is a pathological liar. I have just been to his house. It¡¯s not his. It belongs toplete strangers. He lied about his assets. He¡¯s not even a banker. He¡¯s an errand boy for the family that owns the house he ims as his. Are you listening to me?"


    As I take a moment to breathe, I start to wonder. Why am I so bothered that Maddie is about to end up with a bum? Shouldn¡¯t that excite me? That was the n after all when I altered her father¡¯s list so why does this trouble me so much? Maddie¡¯s father¡¯s response cuts through my thoughts.


    "Will you really stoop this low to tarnish the young man¡¯s reputation just to get me to back out of this wedding? Why are you doing this, Mr. Ashal? I know Maddie wronged you but this is pushing it too far."


    He doesn¡¯t believe me. Typical. "Where is Madeline? I want you to call her and get her exact location and then text it to me. I¡¯ll be seeing you soon, Mr. Dunn. Maddie¡¯s address. Text me now. Don¡¯t forget."


    It takes him a few minutes but he texts me Maddie¡¯s location. I immediately follow her to the store where she told her father she is headed in a taxi. I keep calling her but she doesn¡¯t take my call. When I see her alight from a taxi cab in front of me, I want to honk at her. I know she knows my car is right behind her cab but before I can honk at her, Demi hastens into the store after Maddie.


    My eyes drift to the car in front of me. How did I miss it? I stare at the store. Are those twodies seriously still meeting up? Maddie promised me she would handle Demi. Could Demi still nurse suspicions about me?


    I haven¡¯t had a chance to iron out things with are. I have been waiting for her to make the first move bying up to me and asking the burning questions in her heart. If I try to defend myself before she asks, I¡¯ll only look defensive and fuel her suspicions all the more.


    I contemte going into the store and confronting both women together. They¡¯ll feel like they were stalked. Demi will believe the worst of me. Maddie won¡¯te with me. The confusion about what to do continues to gue me until Demi walks out alone, eating chips she just got from the store. Where¡¯s Maddie? Is she still inside?


    I shift awkwardly. She¡¯d recognize my car the moment she sees it. Before she can suspect that I followed her, I get down to fill my tank. Demi¡¯s eyes spot me and a smile stretches her thin lips. It looks genuine. There¡¯s no trace of shock or surprise which I find weird considering she was just with Maddie inside the store. I can¡¯t keep pretending I don¡¯t know the two of them linked up.


    "Hey, fancy meeting you here." Demi throws more chips into her mouth.


    "Yeah, needed some gas." Ie around and start filling my tank. "Was that Madeline I saw you running after earlier?" Demi arches a brow at my bluntness. "It¡¯s okay. I know you two have met. We probably should talk about it."


    "Yeah. We should. I¡¯m sorry I haven¡¯t brought it up. It¡¯s just being crazytely and I didn¡¯t think it was my ce to bring up your personal life. Maddie exined everything to me. You have a right to your privacy, Ashal. I understand why you kept your rtionship with Olivia private. Your brothers have had some tough run with their rtionships out in the open. No one can me you for wanting to deviate from that path."


    I sigh tiredly and lean on my bumper. "I guess there¡¯s nothing left to hide. I have only ever loved one woman and that¡¯s¡¯ Maddie¡¯s sister. We¡¯ve had lots ofplications in our rtionship which led us to seek a private, almost secret one. Even then, I couldn¡¯t guarantee the happiness I craved."


    "What do you mean?"


    I slide a sorrowful look her way. "Liv wants to break up with me. Given everything we¡¯ve been through, I am deeply hurt by how easily she wants to end things. She does this all the time. When the going gets tough, she demands to end our rtionship and when I give her a few days to her thoughts, shees to her senses and begs me not to leave her." I indulge in a long sigh. "I love her to bits but she drives me crazy most times."


    "I¡¯m sorry to hear that. What are you going to do?" She asks,ing to join me on my car.


    "We are going through a rough time and as always, she is afraid of change. I¡¯ll give her a few days to cool off. We always manage to pull through times like this. After a few days, she¡¯ll be clinging to me again and begging me not to leave her."


    Demi only nods her head while munching her chips.


    "I want to believe that there¡¯s still hope for us even though Olivia sounded very resolute this time."


    "And what if she really wants to call it quits this time? Will you be able to let her go?" The keen edge of Demi¡¯s voice makes me tilt my head in her direction. Is she asking what I think she is asking? Is this some kind of confirmation that I am more humane than Maddie must have described? In response, I simply feign a smile and head back into my car. I honestly don¡¯t have that answer yet.


    "Madeline already left, didn¡¯t she?"


    "Yeah."


    "See youter, Demi." She stands by her car with a hand dipped in her chips and watches me drive away while I watch her through my rearview mirror in return. I don¡¯t know where we stand now and what she thinks of me. I only know that the look in her eyes have be one I never wanted to see; fear.


    I track Maddie¡¯s phone through the waning light of dusk and when it takes me to a strip club, I barge in with a deep frown. I don¡¯t know what is going through her head. She used to seem like a rather sensible youngdy. It beats me how quickly she changed and how fast she¡¯s been making one bad decision after another.


    Is this the next best thing after getting kicked out of school and being forced to get married to a stranger? I would have expected that she would have eloped by now. It seems far more honorable than having to watch her on a table with half of her clothes on, drunk and teasingly stripping off the rest of her clothes in a bid to entertain a bunch of horny, screaming dudes.


    I plow through the meshed, sweaty bodies and semi nude waitresses to get to the table.


    "Maddie, get down from there, NOW."


    Maddie blinks down at me and her eyes pick up my face. Sheughszily.


    "Ash Rollins is in the house everybody! I guess it¡¯s my lucky day after all."


    When I try to reach her hand, she moves back. Thankfully, most of the customers here are dead drunk and will barely remember this until after tonight. A few sober onese up to me and try to make conversation. I dismiss them and climb up on the damn table. Maddie is singing tone deaf to the music in the background with her back turned to me. She only has her lingerie on with some pieces of jewelry.


    She yelps in shock when I sweep her off her feet and throw her over my shoulder. I ignore her screams, kicking and scratching as we make our way through the hooting, drunk crowd.


    "Put me down!"


    "Shut up, Maddie."


    Sheughs drunkenly. "You¡¯re such a fun killer. The night is young and it¡¯s my bachelorette party. Can¡¯t I have one thing for myself?" I reach my car, shove the passenger door open and help her inside.


    "Seatbelt."


    "I¡¯m not leaving." She stubbornly argues. She bites my ear while I strap her in.


    "Stop it!" The bite isn¡¯t very painful but I can¡¯t stand her being so naughty. My phone buzzes with calls from Mr. Dunn. I look at Maddie¡¯s state and realize she can¡¯t possibly go home like this. Her father will throw a tantrum and give her a hard time when she gets sober tomorrow.


    "Where¡¯s hunter?" Maddie asks when I get behind the wheel. "I need to ask him if he thinks I¡¯m hot. I need to ask a few other questions too. Ashal, do you think Hunter will be good to me? I don¡¯t care about his looks or his money anymore. I just want to cherished, not tolerated." Her weak slurs fade out and she starts crying.


    "Hey, Maddie, you¡¯ll be fine. You are not getting married. The wedding is canceled."


    Her cries only intensify. "No one wants to marry me. How am I supposed to find true love if nobody wants me, not my parents or Carter. Everyone hates Maddie¡¯s guts. Everyone."


    I lean over to wipe her tears. "Don¡¯t cry, please. They don¡¯t hate you. They love you. Stop crying."


    She turns to me with sad eyes.


    "You hate me. You hate me the most."


    "I don¡¯t hate you, not anymore."


    I¡¯m being honest. I feel bad for her. My decisions have drastically affected her life and I don¡¯t know how to pull her out of this depression. Tears stream down her face as she stares at me with half-closed eyes. Did I manage to ruin the lives of the Dunn sisters? How will I sleep at night knowing all the damage and pain I have caused them?


    Maybe Olivia is right. She and I were doomed to fail from the start. She will never love me and I can¡¯t me her. I shouldn¡¯t hold onto her simply because I can¡¯t find love. I should let her live her life free of me.


    I have seconds to react when Maddie closes the distance between us and brushes her lips against mine, almost like she wants to taste them. Then she gets into it, kisses me sensually with a hand tangled in my hair. My insides explode with heat before I pull away from her, wide-eyed with shock. She slumps back on her seat, her hair over her face and drifts off to sleep with a smile on her lips.


    With my heart still thumping wildly and the hardness in my groin dulling my senses, I touch a hand to my throbbing lips.


    <i>She is drunk. She didn¡¯t mean to. It was a mistake</i>. I continue to chant these words in my head, more to keep my own sanity, while I watch her sleep.

 Chapter 102

    <h4>Chapter 102: Chapter 102</h4>


    ASHTON


    "Where are you? I am sorting out flowers and interior d¨¦cor with your mom and a horde of her friends. She¡¯s sweet but I really wish you were here with me to take the edge off. It¡¯s our engagement party tomorrow, Ashton. Can¡¯t you try to be more present?"


    I turn around and nce at Keith who is stroking a horse in the stable. "I¡¯m sorry, M. I know I promised to help but I¡¯m a little tied up handling some business. I¡¯ll try to swing by as soon as I can."


    "Ashton, your noticeable absence during the preparations isn¡¯t scoring you any points with my dad. Do you really have no n to try to be friends with him, even for me?" I only exhale tiredly. "I made dinner reservations for the three of us at the underwater restaurant here in Rollins Towers. It¡¯s by seven pm. You can¡¯t bete. I¡¯ll inform Gris too so he can remind you. Promise me you¡¯ll be here."


    "I promise." I reply before she hangs up.


    I return to Keith who continues to pay attention to his horse like I am not here. Paul and Collette, his parents are inside the house.


    Keith hadn¡¯t wanted to grant me this audience. After he tore up Zoe¡¯s picture and threw it into the firece during my first visit, he demanded I leave his family alone. He was very vulgar with hatred glistening in his eyes.


    I found it interesting given that we had never met before that day yet he oozed such anger and contempt for me. That can only mean that my little sister might have shared some of her horrible past with him. He knows something about father and his treatment of my biological family. I intend to sift out that information as well as a way of identifying Zoe from her over protective foster brother, Keith.


    "What do you want with my sister?" Keith asks dryly, turning to me. "The only reason I granted you this audience is because I want to know that much."


    "I think you already know." We lock eyes for a moment.


    "No, Mr. Rollins, I don¡¯t. I don¡¯t know why an heir of the Rollins Group woulde to my parents¡¯ farmhouse to ask questions about my foster sister. What are the odds that a billionaire wille here looking for no other than Zoe, a nobody." He quits brushing his horse¡¯s mane and dusts his hands. "Mom mentioned that you made a promise to find Zoe and give her a better life. I¡¯d like to know more about that. Who did you make the promise to? How are they rted to Zoe? Why do you want to help Zoe?"


    So many questions, I think to myself.


    "You¡¯ll get all the answers you want once you get me another picture of Zoe, Keith or at least tell me why you tore up thest one the second you saw me." I edge close to his horse, admiring it. "I¡¯m fairly certain you did that because you know something your parents don¡¯t."


    "Something like what?"


    "That¡¯s for you to tell and for me to find out."


    "You¡¯re wasting your time, and mine. I don¡¯t have the information you seek. My sister was a very private person even amongst our family. She kept to herself most times. We gave her grace about it because she had had a rough childhood."


    "That doesn¡¯t exin why you don¡¯t want me to see what she looks like."


    "I don¡¯t want you putting your men to work to find her when I don¡¯t know why you want to. Wherever Zoe is, I know she just wants to lead a quiet life without looking over her shoulder every two minutes. My sister has suffered too much to have a powerful man like you bothering her with your charity which she clearly wouldn¡¯t be interested in so if that¡¯s the reason you¡¯re here, again, you¡¯re wasting your time."


    "Was that what she was like while she lived with your family? Was she always looking over her shoulder?"


    My sincere question catches him off guard. If he felt Zoe was afraid of something or someone, then maybe he might have tried to dig around for more information about her, information she wouldn¡¯t share with him, so he could better protect her. Did he find out about father? Is that why he loathes me?


    "Yes. Zoe was always tense and paranoid. She wouldn¡¯t say why. She lived like someone on the run."


    "What did you do when she refused to share?"


    "What could I have done? I let her be and hoped she was overreacting."


    "I doubt that. You seem very protective of her. You don¡¯t strike me as a brother who would have sat idly by while his sister lived like that. Even after she destroyed the pictures you took of her, you drew her in her sleep so why am I to believe that you simply sat on your hands when Zoe refused to share anything about her troubled past?" Keith¡¯s eyebrows knit together in a frown. I got him with that one.


    He peels off his gloves. "You also appear to know more than you¡¯re letting on, Mr. Rollins. This social call is more than a charity case, right? You¡¯re not here to assist an orphan. There are so many orphanages that would worship the ground you walk on if you make a generous deposit but you prefer to be here on a sunny day, away from the multiple businesses you run, asking dumb questions about a young girl." His eyes darken. "What exactly is it about Zoe that¡¯s got you so invested? You can fool my parents with the charity crap but not me! Why Zoe? Why are you looking for her?"


    "You know where she is!" I decipher from his eyes. "You¡¯ve been keeping an eye on her!"


    "WHY ZOE???" He repeats firmly.


    I can¡¯t tell him the details of how Zoe and I are rted. Even my brother, Ashal couldn¡¯t believe that story so I am refraining from sharing the details with just about anyone. I don¡¯t want father to get a whiff of it either.


    I stare into Keith¡¯s eyes. If he knows the truth, then he must be worried that I am working with father to find and harm Zoe. He must think that I am not aware that Zoe is my biological sister. Is he trying to test my loyalty to my kin before divulging more information? It¡¯s hard to tell.


    I back away from him. "If I told you, would you help me find her?"


    "No! I¡¯ll never betray Zoe like that but I may be able to answer some of the questions you might have."


    "Only Zoe can answer the questions I have so how does that work for us?"


    "Good bye, Mr. Rollins." He eyes me and makes a beeline for the house.


    "Keith, wait!"


    "What?"


    I exhale deeply as I catch up with him. I don¡¯t want to regret this. He is the surest link I have to Zoe and I am running out of time here. If things go south after I tell him the truth, I¡¯ll have to resort to threatening him with the lives of his parents even though I¡¯d hate to do that.


    "What?" He repeats.


    "Don¡¯t make the mistake of going back on your word after I share this secret with you, Keith. I can be a very dangerous man if I please. This stays between us." He doesn¡¯t flinch at my threat. I exhale deeply. "I have reasons to believe that your foster sister, Zoe, is rted to me."


    "Rted in what way?"


    "She¡¯s my sister."


    For one humming minute, Keith stares at me quietly. He doesn¡¯t look surprised. He already knew. He keeps staring into my soul. Finally, he breaks the awkward silence.


    "Care to borate how Zoe is rted to Danvarr¡¯s wealthiest family?"


    "No." I reply stiffly.


    He continues to the porch. "That might be a snag. You don¡¯t expect me to share personal details of my sister¡¯s life with any stranger who walks in here iming to be her kin, do you?"


    "No but I can¡¯t share more at this time. I need to find Zoe and confirm the truth myself."


    "You want to find Zoe, you go through me. To go through me, you¡¯ll have to answer my questions satisfactorily and convince me that I am not putting my sister at risk by helping you disrupt her life. Are we clear?"


    "Look Keith, I pose no threat to Zoe. If I wanted to find her the easy way, I¡¯d have you begging for the lives of your loved ones by now. I have the money, the means and the men to get the information I want out of you faster than this song and dance we¡¯re doing here."


    "Why aren¡¯t you?"


    "Because I don¡¯t want to hurt anyone. I just want to find my little sister and end her loneliness in this world. I just learnt of her existence and it¡¯s killing me that she¡¯s been living such a rough life all alone for years. I want to reunite with her."


    "Why aren¡¯t you here with your brothers and your parents then?"


    "I don¡¯t want to involve them until I know Zoe actually exists and is safe. I was worried about raising their hopes too early. Once I am reunited with my sister, I¡¯ll make the reintroductions into my family."


    Keith stares at me for a bit.


    "That¡¯ll be all for today, Mr. Rollins. I know I promised to answer your questions but I have exhausted my quota for today. We¡¯ll pick up this conversation muchter. I¡¯ll text you." At the sight of my dissatisfied expression, he smirks. "You¡¯ll work with my schedule if you want to know more about Zoe. I am not one of the men on your payroll. Don¡¯t expect me to kowtow to you." With that, he walks into the house and shuts the door, signifying an end to the conversation.


    While I drive back, I don¡¯t know what to think. It doesn¡¯t feel like I have made much progress in finding my sister. Another thought crosses my mind. Can I protect Zoe from father if I find her? What if I am putting her life in danger by looking for her? Duncan might be on my tail. Would father really hurt my sister again? I wish my brothers were all in on this. We¡¯ll stand a better chance at protecting our sister.


    While on my way, I spot Demi¡¯s car parked in front of St. Lucy¡¯s church. What is she doing back here? I wonder as I pull into the church as well. This was where we had our drunken, night wedding. I know I shouldn¡¯t have pulled over but this nostalgia hits different because of my engagement that¡¯s happening tomorrow. Hopefully, Demi doesn¡¯t see through my excuse when I tell her I stopped to see if the priest would be avable to officiate my wedding ceremony with M.


    I almost stumble into her at the entrance. Her eyes double in size at the sight of me. I bet I am thest person she expected to see here.


    "Ashton." She breathes softly.


    "Hi." We are caught staring into each other¡¯s eyes for a few seconds longer than okay. I tear my eyes away from hers. "I uh, saw your car. Wondered why you stopped by." A nervous chuckle follows. "How are you? Does your nose still hurt?" My fingers touch the tip of her nose before I can stop myself. She gives me a radiant smile in return.


    "It¡¯s all healed up."


    "Well, that¡¯s good." Another awkward silence wears on.


    "So, what brings you here? I thought this would be the one ce you¡¯d hate to be reminded of."


    She nces back at the church. "Not necessarily. I thought so at first but then I was driving by and...I couldn¡¯t continue without stopping." Her wistful eyes find mine again. "I guess I needed some kind of closure. Don¡¯t you? Isn¡¯t that why you are here?"


    My heart beats rapidly in my chest. "Actually, I wanted to see if the priest would be avable to officiate my wedding ceremony."


    I hate the embarrassment that washes over her face following my exnation. I could have thought about a million other nicer things to say but it wouldn¡¯t help either of us in carrying on with our very different paths.


    "Oh. I¡¯m sorry. So silly of me. Of course that¡¯s why you¡¯re here." She avoids my eyes. "I should get going."


    "Yeah. Drive safely."


    She shuffles to her car and I watch her till she pulls away. I hate that I did that to her. She must have felt stupid.


    "Two Rollins in one day, I must be blessed."


    I whip my head ande face to face with the priest."


    "Hello. I¡¯m Ashton. It¡¯s been a while." I bet he doesn¡¯t know thest Rollins wedding he officiated was mine.


    "Did your wife leave without you?"


    "Oh no, she¡¯s not my wife but my sister-inw." I correct him.


    "Sorry, you boys all look the same. She¡¯s a good woman. Comes here every now and then."


    "Really?" I ask in surprise. I thought this was her first time since after our wedding.


    Heughs. "The house of the lord is open to everyone at any time, Ashton. Your sister-inw finds some kind of peace here. She has been faring better ever since I found her parked outside here under the rain, crying in her car. Whatever pain she felt that day has been lifted."


    Demi was crying out here?


    "What brings you here?" The priest asks.


    I struggle topose my thoughts. Demi was crying. That¡¯s all I can think about.


    "Thank you, priest. I will be on my way. Have a lovely day." I dash into my car and drive off. Demi mustn¡¯t have gone far. She isn¡¯t much of a fast driver. I need to find her. I don¡¯t know what I¡¯ll say when I do but I just need to see her. I try calling her phone but she doesn¡¯t pick up. Where is she?


    Finally, I spot her car parked in front of a pharmacy. Is she still sick. I pull over but before I can go in, I notice that she hasn¡¯t left her car.


    "Demi?" I rap on her ss, startling her. Her face is pale. Her eyes are drooping. She rolls down her window. "Are you okay? What¡¯s wrong? You look pale."


    "I¡¯m fine." She utters weakly. "I just feel a little bit tired."


    I don¡¯t believe her. She¡¯s definitely hiding something. I reach through her window to feel her neck with my hand. Her temperature is normal. She flinches at my touch and stares at me with wide eyes. "Get down. I¡¯m taking you to the hospital. You don¡¯t look fine to me."


    "Ashton, I¡¯m fine, okay? I guess I have been stressedtely."


    "Get down from the car, Demi. We¡¯re going to the hospital."


    "NO!" She yells at me when I insist. Her eyes re with anger. "I said I¡¯m fine and even if I wasn¡¯t, I am an adult. I can take care of myself. My health is none of your business, Ashton. You¡¯re not my husband!"


    Did she really just say that to me? The temper in her eyes cool off briefly to allow guilt seep in. She rolls up her window and drives away. What was that? Why was she making such a fuss about a quick hospital visit? Does she hate hospitals like Asher does or is there some other reason she isn¡¯t willing to go?


    Then it clicks. No! Ashley said the tests came back negative. What are the chances that three tests came out all wrong? My eyes drift back into the distance where the dust raised by Demi¡¯s zooming car has barely settled. Did Demi lie to Ashley about not being pregnant?


    While I poke my food at the dinner with M and her father, I keep thinking about Demi. I have to find out the truth somehow. If she is indeed pregnant, why is she keeping it a secret even from Ashley?


    M nudges me. "What?"


    "Dad asked you a question."


    I look up at Hugh Spellman who is staring at me contemptibly.


    "I¡¯m sorry sir. I didn¡¯t catch your question."


    "I am not surprised. You¡¯re hardly present at this dinner." He eyes his daughter who dips her eyes to her food. "Why exactly are you marrying THIS brother again, M?"


    "Dad! Please. I¡¯m not going over this with you again."


    They¡¯ve been discussing me? Interesting.


    "Fine." Her father says. "Ashton, that brings me back to you. Why are YOU marrying my daughter? I know you don¡¯t love her so spare me thatme lie. Did daddy threaten to cut you off if you don¡¯t put a ring on it?"


    I drop my cutlery. "Love? I didn¡¯t think that mattered to you, Hugh." Beside me, M¡¯s eyes widen in shock at the way I addressed her father on first name basis. "You are so eager to pass her off to my brother, Asher, even though you know he doesn¡¯t love her. You are okay with him marrying her because he was asked to so why do you have a problem with me obeying orders too?"


    "The problem is that you don¡¯t obey orders like Asher. You obey orders UNTIL you don¡¯t feel like it anymore which can be five minutes, five days or five weeks after the order. That¡¯s the difference."


    M brings her wine ss to her lips. I can tell she¡¯s very ufortable right now. I feel her hand on my thigh, trying to urge me to back off this fight with her dad.


    "I am marrying your daughter, Hugh. Try to make peace with that. You might not like me but she does and I like her too. Love isn¡¯t everything. We have both consented to this union and we aremitted to making it work. That should be enough." Hugh grits his teeth.


    "Since I have answered your question, how about you answer one of mine?" I lean back on my chair. "Why exactly are you not okay with M doing car races?" Hugh¡¯s face hardens. "Do you know what an exceptional car racer she is? Have you met that version of your daughter?"


    "Ash, stop it." M begs in a low voice. Her father turns his dark eyes to her.


    "You¡¯re still doing that?"


    "It was just one time!" She lies to him, lurching to her feet and dumping her napkin on the table.


    "MILA SPELLMAN, SIT BACK DOWN!"


    I crane my neck at Hugh¡¯s tone.


    "I need to use the restroom." Another lie. What the hell is going on with these two?


    I jump to my feet. "Dinner¡¯s over. I¡¯ll drop her off." I grab M¡¯s hand and steer her towards the elevator. She remains mute till we get to the ground floor and all the way to our cars before she yanks her hands free and res at me.


    "Ok, what was that in there? Why did your dad freak out over you racing?"


    "What was the need to bring it up, Ashton? The two of you are already at loggerheads and you thought it was cool to drag me into it?"


    "What are you hiding from me, M? Just tell me. Why does he stop you from doing something you love?" I ask, grabbing her shoulders. She looks away, tears coating her eyes. "It¡¯s okay. I need to understand. Please tell me."


    She shrugs and reluctantly shares.


    "I had a half-brother. He didn¡¯t always see eye to eye with our father. They fought almost all the time about everything. He was kind of the ck sheep of the family. He was big on racing and spent a fortune of ourpany¡¯s money sponsoring such events. Dad hated him. He called him a loose cannon and nned to cut him off. When my brother found out, he got into an argument with our father and almost crashed the car they were driving in. My dad barely survived. He denounced and disinherited my brother ever since." M sighs. "Dad hates anything that remotely reminds him of my brother."


    "I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t know there was a painful memory behind his reservations. I feel like such an idiot now."


    "It¡¯s okay."


    I pull her in for a hug. I didn¡¯t know Hugh had a son.


    The next day, my engagement party ns are being finalized. The house is quite chaotic with mother in her full element as a party nner making calls to ensure everything is in order. My brothers have all dispersed to attend to their own private businesses for the day before returning in the evening to dress up for my engagement ceremony at the Rollins towers.


    I swirl my bourbon and watch father chat excitedly while following up on the VVIP guest list. Everyone is pretty upied but Demi seems to be absent.


    Her car is in the garage so I know she hasn¡¯t left the house. She didn¡¯te down for breakfast this morning but had hers sent up to her room. We haven¡¯t had a chance to talk about what happened yesterday and I have a few things to rify. I head to her room knowing I wouldn¡¯t get another chance after tonight.


    She opens up after a few knocks. She looks much better now. The color has somehow returned to her cheeks.


    "What do you want?"


    "I want to understand why you¡¯re refusing to see a doctor when you¡¯re clearly sick, Demi."


    She rolls her eyes. "I told you. I am not sick!"


    "No, you¡¯re not." I concur to her surprise, then leaning forward. "You¡¯re pregnant!"


    Her eyes dte in shock. I am right. Oh God, I am right.


    "No, I am not."


    "No?" I shove my ss of bourbon in her face. "Go on, finish it." She stares at the drink with nervous eyes.


    "I don¡¯t want it."


    "Just drink it and prove me wrong. Go on, Demi. If you don¡¯t, the only other way to convince me is by following me to the hospital for a test. It¡¯s up to you."


    "Ashton, please, just drop it. I already took three tests and they were negative. I am not pregnant."


    "Why are you still lying about it? I am not stupid. I know you are." She looks frightened when I refuse to drop it. "If you don¡¯t want to tell anyone yet, I can understand but Ashley? Why won¡¯t you tell him?" She refuses to meet my eyes. I cup her chin with a hand. "What¡¯s wrong? You can tell me. I promise to keep your secret if that¡¯s what you want."


    Tears stream down her face. When I enter her room to console her, she sinks into my chest and cries harder.


    "Shhh, it¡¯s okay. You¡¯ll be fine."


    "Father had a fight with mother when he thought I was pregnant. He hates the idea. He hates me. He called me names. That¡¯s why I lied to Ashley. I am not ready to tell anyone yet." She looks up at me. "Please Ashton, you can¡¯t tell anyone yet. I need some time to wrap my head around this."


    "I understand." I kiss her forehead. "I¡¯m sorry you had to hear that from father. Don¡¯t let it mess with your head."


    "Thank you."


    When I am certain she¡¯s doing much better, I leave her to go out for some air before my big event tonight. That information is a lot to take in and now that I have to keep her secret, it¡¯s a big burden. I head to the race track to race a bit and get my blood flowing.


    The manageres up to me while I am getting a Porsche checked.


    "Where¡¯s my Ferrari?"


    "I¡¯m sorry. It¡¯s currently being used. I didn¡¯t know you wereing in today seeing as it¡¯s your engagement tonight."


    "Lambert, always keep my favorite car ready even on my wedding night because I just might turn up." Heughs at my joke. We both turn as the red Ferrari makes a record-breaking win. I sigh as the rider jumps out with a smug look on his face. He gives a high five to his opponent. "Who¡¯s the new guy?"


    "Your newestpetitor for the top spot, I guess." Lambert tells me. I snort at that.


    "Has he got a name?"


    "He goes by Liam or simply Mr. S."

 Chapter 103

    <h4>Chapter 103: Chapter 103</h4>


    ASHLEY


    Deep breaths, Ashley. Deep breaths. I need to stay calm. The least I can do is give them the benefit of doubt. Even then, my fingers still curl into fists. I don¡¯t like the picture I am staring at. I fucking hate to see things like this.


    "You took this yesterday?"


    "Yes." Nic mutters, sitting meekly on her couch.


    "Why are you just showing me?" I ask, whirling to her with zing eyes. "What part of ¡¯follow her and report anything suspicious ASAP¡¯ didn¡¯t you understand?"


    "I called you severally Ashley but you don¡¯t prioritize my calls like you used to."


    I scoff at that. "I wonder why."


    I fling the pictures of Demi and Ashton in front of St. Lucy church and rake my hands through my hair. Both of them are going to drive me nuts. What kind of love have they got that just won¡¯t break despite the level of separation they¡¯ve endured? How is it more special than other love stories? At this rate, I don¡¯t think Ashton¡¯s engagement and my marriage to Demi can keep them away from each other.


    Nic rises and tries to hold my hand but I give her a sharp look to keep off.


    "Don¡¯t act like you care. You¡¯re enjoying this. I bet you¡¯re hoping this would have me seekingfort in your arms but times are different now. I¡¯ll much rather find myself a new girl than depend on a backstabbing one." She takes my causticments like a champ and doesn¡¯t shed a tear.


    "I deserve that."


    "Of course you do."


    "I don¡¯t expect you to forgive me so soon but I just want you to remember I am here for you. I¡¯ll do whatever it¡¯ll take to get me back in your good books. You¡¯re all I have, Ash. I deeply regret stooping so low to draw you closer to me but love makes one do the craziest things sometimes." The waterworks start. So much for being a champ. "If Demi is the one you want, I¡¯ll take a step back and allow you to work out your rtionship. I¡¯ll make peace with that, as long as I get to have a piece of you forever."


    I turn to her. "You¡¯re too greedy to be content with a piece of me, Ni. Your tears aren¡¯t fooling anyone so quit acting."


    "No, I am not acting. You¡¯re right though. I will always want all of you and I am prepared to wait for you to want me as much too."


    This conversation is going nowhere.


    "Enough. I didn¡¯te here to do this with you." I pour myself a drink from her bar and drain the ss in a few gulps. "Did they arrive together? Demi and Ashton? Did they arrive the church together or separately?" I suppose it would make a difference if their meeting at the church was idental rather than nned.


    "Yes." Ni replies.


    My heart breaks and I wash down the upsurge of anger with another shot of alcohol. I guess they were nostalgic about their first wedding seeing as Ashton is about to be hitched to another without a contractual expiration date. With both of them being hitched, that must have put a snag in their hopes of being reunited after my imminent divorce from Demi.


    M is not some random chick whom Ashton can kick to the curb when he gets bored. She is the daughter of one of the most powerful families in Danvarr. Her marriage to him puts a nail in the coffin where Ashton and Demi¡¯s love story lies. Did they go to the church for closure or to devise better ns for hooking up secretly while individually married?


    "Enough, Ashley. You¡¯re almost done with the whole bottle."


    Ni snatches the bottle from me while I drop into her couch with azy smile.


    What do women really want, huh? One look at me and one would think I easily get any woman I want but that is hardly the case. I also get stabbed in the back and cheated on despite the good looks, money, fame and power. It just sucks. Nies around to massage my shoulders.


    "It¡¯ll be okay. Don¡¯t stress over it. She¡¯s not worth it. You¡¯re too good for her or me. Frankly, neither of us deserve a man like you."


    "Stop patronizing me."


    She keeps silent and continues to rub her hands over my chest from behind the couch. I toss my head back and admire the soft mounds that are her breasts. My hands cup them, fondle them.


    "Come sit on myp." Obediently, she follows my instruction like a shy teenager. I stroke her hair away from her neck and nibble her throat.


    Her fingers slowly unbutton my shirt and trace my hairy chest delightfully.


    ***


    I arrive the Rollins Towers a little shy of seven thirty. I am notte but I am certain mother will give me a hard time for not arriving with the family or at least, apanying Demi to the venue.


    "Are you sure it¡¯s okay for me to be here? Your brothers all hate me. Ashton didn¡¯t invite me." Ni nervously pulls on the hemline of the dress I helped her pick outst minute.


    "You¡¯ll be fine. If anyone asks, say father invited you. No one can fault your attendance on that ount knowing how close you two are." I turn to her before she can get down from the car. "Don¡¯t get too carried away with the glitz and m. You¡¯re not here to drink champagne and celebrate love. You¡¯re here to..."


    "...keep an eye on Demi and Ashton at all times. I got the memo." She finishes dryly.


    "Good. I¡¯ll go in first. Try to linger at the bar for about fifteen minutes beforeing up to the venue. I don¡¯t want anyone suspecting we came together."


    Ni gets down, adjusts her dress and walks into the hotel. She looks really good tonight. I wonder what Demi will think when she sees her.


    I finally meet up with my family and kiss mom¡¯s cheeks while she makes a fuss about my tardiness. Asher has no date on his arm whiches as a surprise. Ashal is flying solo too which is no surprise.


    Demi¡¯s outfit is nothing terrific. Did she deliberately put no effort in matching my style because her lover is getting engaged? Like she can read my thoughts, she walks away to join Anna at her table.


    "Is everything okay?" Mom asks.


    "Yeah. She¡¯s not happy I¡¯mte. I¡¯ll just go say hi to Ashton and M before talking to Demi."


    "How about you appease your wife first? The other couple can surely wait. Your father won¡¯t be done introducing them to his elite friends for another ten minutes."


    "Okay mom." I kiss her cheek and go after Demi. When I don¡¯t respond to Anna¡¯s greeting, she takes a hint and excuses us.


    "Is that the best you could do? You have a wardrobe full of the best designer clothes, even unreleased collections and that¡¯s what you settle for? If I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d think you were mourning the loss of your lover." Gosh, I can¡¯t even keep my annoyance in for two minutes. Demi res at me.


    "Is that what you have to say to me? You hate my dress and suspect I am grieving for losing Ashton because it¡¯s his engagement ceremony? Really?" She shakes her head. "I can¡¯t do this right now. Stay the hell away from me." I grab her arm before she can leave and identally spill her drink on her dress.


    "Look what you did." She snaps angrily.


    Whatever. I hate the in dress anyway, I mutter in my head.


    "Don¡¯t forget where we are, love. We are surrounded by high profile guests, including the media. We can¡¯t be seen fighting so no, I won¡¯t stay away from you. We can argue all we want when we get back to the mansion but for now, we have to smile for the cameras at all times and look into each other¡¯s eyes like we are smitten with each other. That should be easy for you. You can just pretend I¡¯m Ashton. You¡¯ve had lots of practice there, haven¡¯t you?"


    I suspect she wishes she could hit me right now. Her eyes stray beyond my back and narrow in anger.


    "And you? You shouldn¡¯t have a hard time imagining Ni in my ce seeing as she¡¯s all dolled up for you tonight."


    I turn back and there Ni is, looking stunning as she congrattes the couple of the hour and walks off while chatting with father. Smart girl. When I turn back, Demi has disappeared. She probably went to the restroom to blot off the stain on her dress with water. I grab her ss and finish her drink only to scrunch my face in surprise. Why the hell is she drinking apple juice in here?


    My blood boils hot when I spot Cree Baxter speaking in hushed tones with Ashal. What the hell is she doing here? Is Ashton trying to piss me off? I head over to him and his soon to be bride and give M a kiss on the cheek.


    "You look ravishing as always, M. Congrats on taking this dickhead off the market. Trust me, you¡¯re doing me a solid." M gives me an awkward look.


    "Thanks."


    Thankfully, her friends soone and drag her away.


    "Are you drunk?" Ashton asks with a stern look in his eyes.


    "Are you mad?" I return with gusto. "What the hell is Cree Baxter doing here? You know how much I hate her."


    "Last I checked, it¡¯s <i>my</i> engagement party, not yours." He nces behind me. "Besides, if Shay can confidently attend this function, it only means you invited her which further means that you¡¯re over the whole Tobias torment crap so get over yourself."


    "You and Demi are quite bold tonight. I guess it must have something to do with your little reunion at St. Lucy."


    "What?"


    I pat his shoulder. "Enjoy your party, Ashton and try to keep your eyes on the woman next to you from now on." He continues to stare at me with a confused expression while I go find myself a real drink.


    Throughout the course of the party, I continue to make eye contact with Ni across the room for any updates. Through the tranche of speeches, the special dance between the couple, the cake cutting and pictures, alcohol keeps my temper in check. Demi hangs close to mother and Anna.


    My brows furrow in anger when I notice a guy talking to Ni. Why is sheughing so much? What¡¯s so funny? I immediately text her not to get distracted, especially as Demi and Anna make their way to the restroom yet again. Ni quietly follows them. When I tear my eyes away from the girls and back to the couple, Ashton is staring suspiciously at me.


    I manage to steal a dance with M. She smells so good while we dance.


    "I¡¯m d you¡¯re joining our family as Ashton¡¯s bride. You¡¯re just the type of woman he needs to keep him in check."


    "Excuse me?"


    "Oh,e on, don¡¯t act like you don¡¯t know what¡¯s been going on between him and my wife. Both of them, by no fault of theirs, happen to be attracted to each other. I don¡¯t know how that happened but I¡¯ve learnt to live with that truth. I just thought I¡¯d give you a heads up as a fellow spouse of a partner who is in love with another." I feel her tense up in my arms.


    "Are you insinuating that they¡¯re still seeing each other?"


    "No, that¡¯s not what I am saying. I am saying that their feelings for each other have only grown stronger even while they act like it isn¡¯t there. The sad part is that though they keep away from each other, you¡¯ll always be reminded of the sad truth when you look into their eyes and find no affection for you in there, when they stare at each other across a room full of people and you still see the sparks in them." M follows me to stare at Ashton and it¡¯s just my luck that his eyes are trained on Demi.


    "I really hope he doesn¡¯t call her name when he¡¯s with you. That one hurts the most." M pulls away from me.


    "What exactly are you hoping to achieve by telling me all this?"


    "I don¡¯t mean any harm, M. I like you for my brother. If he wasn¡¯t blinded by his lust for my wife, he¡¯d see what a gem he¡¯s got. I just want you to be prepared. I went into my own marriage blind to the reality I am living today. I don¡¯t want you to do the same."


    "Are you expecting me to break up with him?"


    "Oh, hell no! Far from it. That would only make things worse for you and I. Our love for our partners isn¡¯t wrong. They need us to help them get over their foolishness and find their way back to what¡¯s real and attainable. I am expecting you to fight for your man, M, harder than you ever did while he was just your boyfriend. We¡¯ve both seen how Ashton loves. It consumes him. That should be your rightful ce in his heart." I sigh wistfully. "I don¡¯t know my fate with my wife but I can assure you that Ashton isn¡¯tpletely lost. You can save him, M. You should."


    She nces at Ashton once more. He gives her a sunny smile which she returns.


    "You sound like your situation is hopeless."


    "I want to believe it¡¯s not but how often do you hear of a man winning over a woman that¡¯s already smitten by another. Women like my wife don¡¯t fall for a man¡¯s money, power or sexual prowess. It¡¯s harder to win them over but once you do, they be yours for life. That¡¯s why I am afraid I might not stand a chance now that she¡¯s got another in her heart. But don¡¯t you worry, I¡¯ve got a backup n for that small inconvenience."


    "You do?"


    "Yeah."


    "Can I have my fianc¨¦e back?" Ashton asks, suddenly joining us and taking M in his arms.


    "Sure thing bro."


    He continues to stare at me as I walk away. Behind me, I hear him asking M what we were talking about. Her response gets lost in the hive of sound and movement till I run into Demi.


    "Really? Ni is your little spy? How shameless can you both be, Ashley? You¡¯ve got your side chick who doubles as Shay, your tormentor, following me everywhere for what? What are you trying to prove?"


    There¡¯s no point denying it now. "I wish I was worried for nothing but you and I know I¡¯ve got concrete reasons to have someone on your ass. I won¡¯t let anything or anyone disrupt Ashton¡¯s engagement or his wedding."


    "You think I am trying to foil his engagement?"


    "How do you exin yesterday at St. Lucy, huh?" The shock spreads across her face. "Don¡¯t even bother lying. I know it was no idental meeting. Why did you drag him there, Demi? Are you trying to rekindle old mes and make him back down from his promise to M?"


    "There¡¯s no use talking to you. Ni has filled your head with lies and I honestly don¡¯t care what you choose to believe."


    There are traces of tears in her eyes. Since when did she be such so emotional? My eyes flit around to ensure no camera picks this.


    "Don¡¯t touch me." She mutters when I reach for her arm. "If you don¡¯t want a scene, please stay the fuck away from me and call off your bitch."


    She stalks off. I go after her but along the way, I spot Ni and make a detour to pull her into a corner and knock some sense into her.


    "When I said you should keep an eye on her, I didn¡¯t think I also needed to exin that you shouldn¡¯t make it so painfully obvious that even Demi catches on."


    Ni frowns at me. "Don¡¯t me me. You¡¯re the one who chose this very dress that turns heads everywhere I go. Let¡¯s not forget the heels. If you wanted me to blend in and snoop on your wife with better luck, you should have also factored in the right outfit for the job. Everyone can hear meing from a mile away with the ck of these heels, Demi too. She caught on in the bathroom and confronted me."


    "I know. She just told me." I expel a deep breath. "Did you manage to get anything though?"


    "No. I think they¡¯re being extra careful because there are so many people around. Plus, it¡¯s Ashton¡¯s engagement ceremony. He wouldn¡¯t be stupid enough to be caught alone with her."


    "You¡¯re right."


    "I did hear something. It¡¯s nothing big, just an observation. Anna seems really worried about Demi, like thetter is sick or something. She followed her everywhere and kept telling her not to exert herself. I found it a bit weird."


    "Weird?" I ask incredulously. "They¡¯re best friends, Ni. It¡¯s not unusual or weird for Anna to be looking out for her best friend."


    "I know but..."


    "Maybe you should go home now. Party¡¯s almost over and you already blew your cover. If mother finds Demi fuming and gets a whiff of what you¡¯ve been up to, she¡¯ll have you removed from the premises rather disgracefully. Better hurry."


    With a scowl, she makes her way to the ss doors while I watch. It¡¯s now left to me to find a way to handle my own problems. I never wanted it toe to this but Demi and Ashton have left me no choice. I don¡¯t care what anyone thinks of my next move. They¡¯re wee to call me desperate, pathetic or insane but I refuse to condone the disrespect.


    As the party wraps up, I hasten after Asher who has been slightly frustrated all evening for not being able to pull Anna away and have a private moment with her.


    "Did you hear father¡¯s speech?" I tease him when I find him. "You¡¯re next in line. I wonder how you managed to be thest. We all thought he would arrange your wedding before anyone else¡¯s"


    "Well, technically, Ashton¡¯s wedding is the only one father has arranged so far. The rest were unavoidable train wrecks."


    Iugh at his joke because I am slightly drunk.


    "You¡¯re lucky I am a little tipsy right now."


    "What¡¯s wrong? What did Demi do this time?"


    "She and Ashton had a little reunion at the church they wedded yesterday."


    "Ouch."


    "Yeah."


    He pulls me into a seat. "And this is the same woman you want to raise a family with? That¡¯s just sad."


    "What do you call living to please father so he appoints you and not his real son to take his position after he retires or having secret flings with women you will never be able to marry despite how much you like them?"


    "Don¡¯t evade the topic. Seriously, why do you want to live like this? Why her?"


    I simply smile at him. I still don¡¯t have a better answer than the fact that I don¡¯t want Ashton to have her.


    "Any chance I can hitch a ride with you?"


    "Nope. I¡¯m dropping Anna off."


    "Bye then." I tell him before leaving. While my family stays behind to exchange pleasantries and appreciate the guests that graced the asion, I have a driver take me home so I can catch some sleep.


    The next morning, I am more chipper than even Ashton who got engagedst night. The hangover soup in the mansion is getting better. Within thirty minutes, I am feeling energized and alert.


    At the breakfast table, after mother gives a prayer of gratitude for the sess of Ashton¡¯s engagement and father toasts to Asher¡¯s future alliance, I tap my ss with my spoon to make an announcement.


    "Congrattions once again, Ashton. I know we¡¯ve had our differences and may very well still do but I mean that from the bottom of my heart. M is one special girl. You¡¯ve won in life." I turn to the rest of the family. "With that being said, I have something important to announce. I want everyone at this table to know that I have given this a lot of thought and this decision is not born out of selfishness but for the purpose of preserving my marriage while it¡¯s still in full swing."


    Demi whips her head in my direction, eyes narrowed to slits the second I mentioned our marriage. Ashton too. All around me, everyone¡¯s a little on the edge as they wait for me to make my point.


    "I have decided that my wife and I will be moving out of the mansion!"

 Chapter 104

    <h4>Chapter 104: Chapter 104</h4>


    ASHAL


    A sudden hush falls over the dining room the moment Ashley makes his announcement. Everyone isn¡¯t stunned because my brothers and I can¡¯t leave the mansion. Of course, we can if we so please. It has just always been convenient living together in our mansion.


    However, Ashley¡¯s sudden announcement takes everyone by surprise for certain reasons. Firstly, he didn¡¯t even share it with any of us so I am guessing the rest of my brothers are wracking their brains like I am, wondering what in the world could have made Ashley suddenly want to leave.


    Secondly, Demi looks just as confused as the rest of us. It only means that she is also unaware of the sudden move. I hate where all this is going. It appears there might still some bad blood between Ashley and Ashton because of Demi. I thought they were over it.


    "Ashley?" Demi calls him softly. "What are you talking about? Why would we move out of the mansion? Why would you even make such a decision without asking my opinion first?" When Ashley turns to gaze at her, the cheer in his eyes are gone. Demi notices the difference but awaits his response with a bold face.


    "Did you hear the part where I said I am doing this to preserve our union? That should tell you why we¡¯re leaving."


    "Ashley." Mother calls him sharply. "If this is a prank, I am not finding it funny. What are you saying? How could you make such a drastic decision and not consult your wife¡¯s opinion? And your brothers? Your parents? This is no way to break such news."


    "Ashley." Father finally intervenes. "What exactly is this about?"


    Ash drops back on his chair. "I think everyone at this table knows the answer to that. I could still jog your memories if you want me to but we¡¯re having breakfast. I wouldn¡¯t want to ruin your appetites."


    "Juste out with it already!" Ashton snaps at him. They exchange heated res. "Say whatever the fuck you have in mind."


    ¡¯Fine. I havee to the conclusion that putting some physical distance between you and Demi might be the only way to stop you two from ruining the lives of your spouses."


    "Ashley!"


    "Don¡¯t, Demi!" He yells at her. "I gave you two the benefit of doubt and for a while I even tried to believe that you two had moved on like you led everyone to believe so tell me why you two are meeting up at the church where you had your drunk wedding like long lost lovers or why MY wife calls me ASHTON when we¡¯re sleeping together?"


    Damn. He went there. The silence is beyond awkward now, except for Asher who whistles loudly.


    "Ashley, you¡¯re spiraling." Mother snaps at him. She turns to father who surges to his feet and calls on Ashley to join him to his study. I feel really bad for Ashley. I know how he must feel. Ashton leaves the table angrily and won¡¯t stop even while mom calls out to him. Demi runs up to her room, crying. Asher continues to eat his breakfast like nothing just happened while Ifort mother and reassure her that everything will be fine.


    "This was such a happy asion. Ashton just got engagedst night. Why did Ashley have to ruin everything like this?" Mother looks up at me and then at Asher. "Did you both know anything about this? Why didn¡¯t you talk him out of this?"


    "Ashley didn¡¯t tell us he felt like moving out, mother. We had no idea."


    "Well," Asher interjects. "He didn¡¯t tell us he was moving out but he did tell us how frustrated he was feeling about Demi and Ashton¡¯s feelings and how it was getting in the way of his marriage, mother. Ashley is right to feel concerned. Those two haven¡¯t moved on as they im. We all know it."


    "Asher, you¡¯re not helping."


    "We all need to stop glossing over Ashley¡¯s pain, Ashal. It¡¯s too risky to let him slip over the edge again. Mother," he says, turning to her. "You had your wish. You saw Ashley married. It¡¯s time you really start considering speeding up their divorce. Ashley is clearly frustrated because Demi is in love with Ashton. What¡¯s the point of waiting for the next six months when you can just rid him of his misery?"


    "Is that what he wants?" Mother asks.


    "He is afraid to admit it but he¡¯s blindly trying to stay in this marriage till its contractual end only to please you, mother. You have to show him that his happiness and peacees first before your motherly wishes. You want a daughter-inw for the fun of it, M will be joining us soon. Demi has brought nothing but pain to Ashley and fights amongst my brothers and I. You need to clear the scales from your eyes and let that woman go before she ruins our home further." With that, Asher storms away. Mother remains eerily silent. She feigns a smile at me before leaving for her room.


    I spend my day cooped up in my office, hoping to nk out the drama at home and the war raging inside me ever since I kissed my wife¡¯s sister. I don¡¯t know what to do with myself.


    There¡¯s a part for me that¡¯sden with guilt for betraying Olvia yet again because I didn¡¯t exactly hate the feel of Maddie¡¯s lips against mine. Then there¡¯s another part that¡¯s trying to justify my action because Olivia gave me a hall pass to go find someone else to love. While that might be the case, I can bet a billion bucks Olivia never meant for me to go to her sister.


    Maddie has been avoiding me since we kissed or maybe it¡¯s me who has been avoiding her. We were too mortified to even talk about it or look each other in the eye. I dropped her off at her friend¡¯s dorm that night and never called to check in.


    Mr. Dunn had been pissed since I had the wedding called off. I managed to get a hold of Hunter and paid him off generously to back away. He was shocked at my offer but took it as expected. We had a little chat about his fake life and the lies he had told. I warned him to stay away from Maddie. I hadn¡¯t meant to sound so overprotective but I did.


    Even after I narrated everything to Mr. Dunn, he was still disappointed that once again, I used my money to force people to do my will.


    "What happens to Maddie now?" He had asked with a bitter look in his eyes. "If she can¡¯t go to school or get married, what next step is she supposed to take right now?"


    "She can take a break to figure out what she wants to do with her life, Mr. Dunn."


    "Such things like breaks or gap years are for rich folks like yourself, Mr. Ashal, not people like my family and I. Time is very precious."


    "Then she should get a job."


    "She¡¯s a college dropout. Her options are vastly limited because of that."


    "Fine. I¡¯ll get her a job then, a well paying one if she¡¯ll be interested. You tell her and let me know what her response is."


    Mr. Dunn is yet to get back to me on that. I could just call Maddie to know what her response is or what she wants to do next with all the time she¡¯s got on her hands but like I said, I am avoiding her. No one in our families know about our kiss and it is important things stay that way.


    I take a break from my office to go pay Elyon a visit.


    "Look what the cat dragged in." Elyon sighs as I walk into his space. "I was wondering when you were going to take a break and leave your office before your ass started moldering in that chair."


    I plunk down on a chair, throw my head back and sigh deeply.


    "What¡¯s up with you?"


    "Nothing." I reply.


    "You look downcast for someone who just managed to arrange his blind date¡¯s wedding with the loser he handpicked. I thought you¡¯d be chipper."


    My eyes flutter open. "What did you just say?"


    "Maddie is getting married but you already knew that so what¡¯s with the surprised face?"


    I shake my head. "No, she¡¯s not. The wedding was called off." I refrain from telling him I personally saw to it.


    "That can¡¯t be right. Maddie personally invited Cher and I. She is marrying Hunter tomorrow." Elyon¡¯s face contorts with surprise. "How do you not know this? I thought you are quite close to her dad and all."


    The wedding is tomorrow? They changed the date? What¡¯s with the hurry? Are they trying to have the wedding behind my back as fast as possible so I don¡¯t show up and crash it? What is Maddie thinking? And that asshole Hunter? How could he take my money and proceed with the wedding. I am sure he didn¡¯t tell Maddie about the check I wrote him.


    I leap to my feet and check my wristwatch. "I have to go somewhere. I¡¯ll be back." I dash out before Elyon can protest.


    In less than an hour, I am walking through the front door of Maddie¡¯s father¡¯s apartment. Her mother basks in fear when she opens the door and finds me. Mr. Dunn is not around at the moment. I try to put the woman at ease and ask about Maddie. Before she can tell me anything, Maddie strolls out from her room. Her eyes widen at the sight of me.


    "Mr. Ashal? What are you doing here?"


    "I need to talk to you."


    With the subtlest of hints, I nudge her outside. She takes her precious time ining to meet me in my car where I am parked outside their apartmentplex. She heaves a deep breath and burrows her fingers between her thighs. I can tell she¡¯s ufortable being back in my car so soon after thest time. The memories of that night must have refreshed in her head.


    "Look, I..." We both begin in sync, then blush horribly. I shake mine off. I don¡¯t have much time.


    "Maddie, tell me you¡¯re not marrying Hunter!"


    Her eyes sh up at me. That was probably not what she expected to hear.


    "I am marrying Hunter." She affirms.


    "You can¡¯t marry him!"


    Something flits across her eyes as she weighs my statement. She tears her eyes away coyly and looks out the window.


    "Mr. Ashal, you can¡¯t say such things. Whatever happened...I was drunk...It was a mistake."


    "What? No!! That¡¯s not what I meant." I suddenly feel hot all over. "That¡¯s not why I don¡¯t want you to marry him. Did your father not tell you everything I discovered about Hunter? He¡¯s not who he ims to be, Maddie. He¡¯s a bum and a liar. Is that the kind of man you want to spend the rest of your life with?"


    "What does it matter? It¡¯s my life, right? I am marrying Hunter and that¡¯s final."


    I grab her arm before she can unlock the door. "What has gotten into you? Why are you trying to punish yourself like this? You don¡¯t have to marry Hunter to prove anything."


    "I AM NOT TRYING TO PROVE ANYTHING. I AM JUST SICK OF DISAPPOINTING MY FAMILY, MY DAD!"


    "How is marrying Hunter not a disappointment to them?"


    She blinks away the tears threatening to spill. "Dad told me everything you had to say about Hunter. Not all of it is true. Hunter isn¡¯t a bum. He does well for himself. When he came by yesterday, he bought a lot of things for my parents and I. He even gave dad some money. Dad asked him questions about everything you said but Hunter was able to debunk your lies. The car he rode was registered in his name. He even took me to the new apartment he is thinking of moving into after our wedding. He is not the bad guy you made him out to be so why are you trying to ruin my wedding, Mr. Ashal?"


    I run a hand over my face. That prick used the money I gave him to impress Maddie and her family? Shit. What¡¯s his game n? Why is he hellbent on marrying Maddie when he can just go splurge the money with a bunch of women in clubs?


    "He¡¯s fooling you all, Maddie. That money...the money he¡¯s spending was given by me! I paid him off so he could leave you alone."


    "You did what?"


    "No, no, it¡¯s not like that."


    Maddie unlocks the car and starts heading back inside. I go after her.


    "Madeline, wait! You¡¯re taking this the wrong way."


    She turns sharply to me. Her eyes are burning with anger. "There¡¯s no other way to take this. Why are you doing this? Why are you trying to stop my wedding? I told you that whatever happened while I was drunk was a mistake. I hate myself for doing something so stupid and with you. You¡¯re my sister¡¯s husband and though you might feel nothing about cheating on her, it¡¯s not the same for me."


    "Maddie..."


    "I¡¯m not done!" She snarls. "Don¡¯t act like you care how I end up. I know you¡¯re against my wedding because you want me to end up with a worse groom. I saw father¡¯s list and the alterations you made in the list you sent to Cher." My heart sinks to my stomach as her tears track down her face. "You must hate me so much and want to punish me for everything I did to you. I don¡¯t me you for how you feel but what¡¯s the need to pretend like you¡¯ve forgiven me? Why act like you actually care about me?"


    "I am not pretending or acting. I have forgiven you and I do care about you. This whole mess with Hunter started because I was pissed at you. Please, let me fix it. You¡¯re making a grave mistake, Maddie. I can¡¯t live with the guilt if you let Hunter into your life and he ends up giving you hell. Please."


    For a second, I can tell Maddie desperately wants to believe me. I take her hands in mine.


    "Let me prove it to you. I¡¯ll call Hunter and talk to him. You¡¯re wee to listen in. He¡¯ll admit everything to me; taking the bribe, lying about his possessions, everything. I could also take you to the address listed as his home. You¡¯ll meet the family he works for there. There¡¯s a girl, Octavia, she¡¯ll tell you just who Hunter truly is. Maddie, please don¡¯t punish yourself like this. I forgive you for everything. Don¡¯t go through with this wedding, please!"


    Maddie pulls her hands away from mine. "I can¡¯t back off now. I already gave my word."


    "You can and you will."


    "No, Mr. Ashal, you don¡¯t understand. After you called off the wedding, I called Hunter and promised to marry him. I got everything back in motion. I can¡¯t go back on my word now simply because his bank ount is millions of dors short of what you consider decent. I am not looking for a billionaire. Hunter is kind to me and I know in time, both of us will learn to love each other in the course of our marriage."


    "Madeline, don¡¯t do this."


    "Please, you have to leave. I¡¯d hate for dad to meet you here."


    "Maddie, Olivia will never forgive me." I can¡¯t stand another daughter¡¯s life ruined on my ount. At least with me, Liv never had to want for anything. Maddie¡¯s case is worse. There¡¯s no telling what ns Hunter has in store for her.


    "I¡¯ll be fine. I can take care of myself." She echoes before going in and shutting the door. I strap down on the urge to kick or punch something. What sick twisted game is Hunter ying at?


    When I get back to work, I call his phone. When he picks up, I hit record.


    "What is this I hear? You¡¯re going ahead to marry Madeline? I gave you five hundred thousand bucks so you could stay the hell away from her life with your broke, lying ass. You eagerly epted the money and even groveled at my feet. Why are you going back on your promise now?"


    Hunterughs. "I didn¡¯t n to but Madeline seems to have the hots for me suddenly. It¡¯s either that or she¡¯s desperate to get married as soon as possible. Was I supposed to turn such a beautiful woman down?"


    "Precisely. That¡¯s the whole point of a pay off."


    "Easy for you to say. I bet you get girls like that with the snap of your fingers. The opposite is the story of my life."


    "You don¡¯t love her."


    "Does she love me? We literally just met. If I suddenly professed undying love for me, wouldn¡¯t that be strange?"


    He is being calctive with his responses. Maddie won¡¯t find any reason to back away from this marriage if Hunter doesn¡¯t expose himself. I take deep breaths.


    "So, you genuinely want to marry her."


    "Of course. She¡¯s a lovelydy."


    "That¡¯s good to know. I just have one question. You could have easily disappeared with the money I gave you, gotten yourself the finest things in life, food and wine, women. Why did you use it to impress Maddie and her family if you don¡¯t even love her? What do you hope to gain by spending a huge chunk of the money to marry a middle-ss college drop out? Enlighten me." Hunter falls oddly silent and I instantly get worried. "Hunter? You still there?"


    "You¡¯re invited to my wedding tomorrow, Mr. Rollins. I do hope to see you there." He hangs up on me.


    When I send Maddie the recorded call, I wait with bated breath for her to get back to me. She has to know something is fishy about Hunter. He didn¡¯t answer my question. An hour goes by and still nothing from Maddie. Angrily, I call her incessantly but she refuses to pick up. What the hell is wrong with her?


    I drop my phone and suck in a breath. I¡¯ve tried my best. If she¡¯s desperate to throw her life away, I refuse to take the me for it. God knows I have tried.


    I take a break from the Dunn family to check on my brothers. Ashley and Ashton haven¡¯t responded to any of the messages left for them in our group chat. Asher texts me to say that he is at the race track to speak with Ashton while mom is handling Ashley. I guess it¡¯s all settled then.


    Moments after I drop my phone, a calles through. Maddie. Finally. I grab the phone and answer the call without checking first.


    "Maddie, what took you so long?"


    "Sir, it¡¯s Lily."


    "Lily?" I check the caller ID. "Lily."


    "Yes sir."


    "Is everything okay, Lily? Why do you sound nervous? What¡¯s wrong?"


    "It¡¯s your wife."


    I surge to my feet instantly. Olivia. Damn it. I haven¡¯t checked on her in days after she said those hurtful things to me.


    "What happened to her?"


    "She isn¡¯t waking up!"


    ***


    I have Olivia admitted in a private ward in our family hospital. She has an oxygen mask on which breaks my heart. Though the doctors assure me it¡¯s nothing fatal and that she will be fine soon, that doesn¡¯t put my heart at ease.


    I wait outside her hospital room because I am too conflicted to go in. I dab my eyes when my phone rings. At the sight of the caller, I signal Lily to watch Olivia while I go down the corridor to take the call.


    "What do you want?" I bark into the phone.


    "What did you tell her?" Hunter snaps at me. "What did you tell her to make her call off the wedding AGAIN?"


    Maddie called off the wedding? Why didn¡¯t she get back to me? It¡¯s been hours.


    "I didn¡¯t have to tell her anything. She¡¯s a smart woman. She probably saw through your lies and realized she was going to be wasting her life with the likes of you."


    He chuckles. "You¡¯re right. She¡¯s too good for me but isn¡¯t that the point? Why would a broke guy like me marry a college drop out from an average family if I can¡¯t gain anything from her?"


    "So, why are you hurt that the wedding¡¯s been called off?"


    "Because I do have something to gain from marrying Madeline. I don¡¯t know what your connection to this family is but I can tell you¡¯re very invested. I found that interesting enough to risk marrying Maddie."


    He wanted to use her as a cash cow because of her connection to me? Why the fuck didn¡¯t I realize that? The guys had all been shocked to find me cherry picking Maddie¡¯s groom at the interview Elyon and I conducted. I shouldn¡¯t have showed my face at amoner¡¯s groom selection but I was too angry to pass up an opportunity to choose the worst groom for a woman who had tormented me so much.


    "You nned to use her to milk me financially?" Iugh at that. "She isn¡¯t my family. I was only at her groom selection to assist my friend. She doesn¡¯t mean as much to me as you think so your n would have failed."


    "I don¡¯t think so. You wouldn¡¯t give half a million dors as pay off to a random guy wanting to marry a girl who means nothing to you. There¡¯s more money to be made through your affiliation with Maddie than you care to admit." Heughs malevolently. "Are you in love with her? is that it?"


    "You¡¯re delusional."


    "No, you are for thinking no one sees it."


    I grit my teeth and wish he was close so I can break his jaw. "The wedding¡¯s off, Hunter. I don¡¯t want to see you anywhere near Maddie or I¡¯ll make your life more miserable than you¡¯ve ever thought possible."


    "It¡¯s a little toote for that."


    "What?"


    "I can¡¯t stay away from Maddie since she¡¯s already here with me. She can¡¯t say hello to you right now. She¡¯s still knocked out cold. I can ungag her and send you proof of life when she wakes up in a bit if you don¡¯t believe me."


    "You kidnapped her?"


    "Damn right. You pushed me to the wall by changing her mind on the wedding. Now, I have resorted to drastic measures. If you don¡¯t transfer fifty million dors to the ount I will text you shortly, poor Madeline won¡¯t live to see tomorrow. I don¡¯t bluff, Mr. Rollins. Don¡¯t test me by trying anything stupid. I¡¯ll send bits of her to her family in a gift box if I don¡¯t get my money or you try to involve the authorities. You have an hour! I suggest you hurry."

 Chapter 105

    <h4>Chapter 105: Chapter 105</h4>


    DEMI


    I keep trying Liam¡¯s phone but it only goes to voicemail. Where the hell has he been all morning? I am in a crisis here and need his advice.


    "Liam, I need you to call me back urgently. We have a crisis. It¡¯s Ashley. He wants me to move out of the mansion with him. Call me!"


    Tired of pacing, I slide down to my bedroom floor and cradle my head in my hands. What new game is Ashley ying at? How could he even think of something like that? Is he trying to punish me for identally bumping into Ashton at the church? What lies must Ni have fed him? That bitch, Ni. It¡¯s time I put her in her ce.


    My anxiety consumes me. I can¡¯t leave the mansion. What good will my ns be if I am confined in a house with a cheating husband, away from all the major yers in my grand n? What is Ashley going to do next? Have his father fire me from the HQ so I can be a proper house wife like Mrs. Rollins?


    I close a hand over my stomach and shudder in terror. I can¡¯t believe how far he is taking this. Imagine what he¡¯ll do, what my life will turn to, if he finds out about my pregnancy. The entire family will go berserk with their individual feelings on thetest development and I will crumble under the weight of their decisions regarding how I am to live my life moving forward. I can¡¯t let that happen. I have to stretch this secret for as long as I can.


    I move to call Ashton to reinforce the promise of secrecy he swore to me but decide against it. It¡¯s probably the worst time to be putting calls through to him given the vile usations made against us just hours ago. Sick of feeling judged and trapped in my room, I grab my keys and head out. When I open my door, mother is just about to knock. We exchange somber nces before she steps into my room.


    We sit next to each other on my couch, quietly for about five minutes until I grow impatient of knowing my fate.


    "How¡¯s Ashley?"


    "Not good." Mother states tly. She cranes her neck to stare at me. There¡¯s something bitter in her eyes. "Did you really call him Ashton in bed?"


    My throat dries up as my eyes droop in shame. "I...I don¡¯t know. I don¡¯t remember, mother. I was d-drunk when it happened."


    "That only makes it more sincere, Demi."


    I blot out my tears. "He asked for a chance and I gave him one. I have respected his feelings by burying mine. I broke my rule and weed him in my bed. I have bent over backwards to amodate his feelings and wishes. I have done everything that was expected of me as his wife despite his indiscretions. How is it my fault that my feelings for Ashton haven¡¯tpletely evaporated? Things like that just don¡¯t happen, mother. Do you see me breathing down his neck over his feelings for Ni?" I shake my head.


    "My point is that I am sick of Ashley failing to trust my word that despite whatever I might still feel for Ashton, I will never cross the line and betray Ashley. I wish he would afford me the same trust I have for him so he will stop making up things in his head about his brother and I."


    "Is he wrong, though? You and Ashton at the church a day to his engagement couldn¡¯t have been casual."


    "That¡¯s exactly what it was, mother. It was casual and coincidental. He came by to ask the priest if he would be avable to officiate his wedding ceremony with M. I was just there to retrieve another copy of my marriage certificate so Ashley¡¯s full name can be inserted instead of Ash. I just felt it was weird to still have Ash Rollins on it since all four brothers go by that name. Ashton met me on my way out and we exchanged cursory greetings before I left. Ashley would know that if Ni, the informant he hired to follow my every move, bothered to tell him the undiluted truth."


    Mother¡¯s eyebrows knit together in a frown. "What?" He asked Ni to do that?"


    "She was at Ashton¡¯s engagement party solely for that purpose too. She wasn¡¯t invited by father as she imed. She came in Ashley¡¯s car. Anna saw them." I make a show of feeling hurt and mother ces a hand on my thigh in constion. "He¡¯s been spending nights with her to get back at me for a little tiff we had. Now, he¡¯s having me followed by her. What baffles me is how he can¡¯t see that that raging, psychopathic bitch wants to ruin our marriage and will lie through her teeth to paint the wrong pictures of me in his head. How could he trust her after what she did to him as Shay?"


    Mother¡¯s hand freezes on my thigh. She didn¡¯t know? Ashley protected Ni even from mother?


    "You didn¡¯t know?"


    "Shay is Ni?" Mother asks in shock. Her eyes dart to a wall. I revel in being the one to break it to her. Good. This should have her distracted from painting her son as the only victim here and making me kiss his ass no matter what. He lied to her. That should give her plenty to think about.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I thought you knew. Ni was behind it all this whole time. I honestly don¡¯t know why Ashley is still tethered to her hip in spite of everything she¡¯s done. I guess he does love her deeply."


    "Don¡¯t say that."


    "Sorry, mother." Is this a good time to deviate? "Was father able to calm him down? He hasn¡¯t called or spoken to me since they left for father¡¯s study." I suck in a sharp breath. "Am I moving out with Ashley?"


    Mother pulls herself together. "Ashley is beyond convinced on the matter. He wouldn¡¯t listen to his father."


    "But he¡¯ll listen to you. He can never turn you down." I grab her hands. "Please mother, Ashley and I are not ready to live apart from this family. We constantly have issues that need the help of family to resolve. This mansion is the best ce for us. I don¡¯t want to be away from you. I¡¯d only feel lonelier knowing I don¡¯t even have my husband¡¯s loyalty to begin with. It¡¯s unfair of Ashley to seek to punish me like this."


    "Demi, I know Ashley is going about this the wrong way and that he has faults of his own but that doesn¡¯t stop me from feeling his pain in this. You¡¯re talking about two brothers here who could easily pass for twins. They shared a womb. They¡¯ve been together their whole lives. Having to fight over a woman is killing them both."


    "What would you have me do, mother? Ashley will never stop suspecting me. You asked me to be intimate with him and even that didn¡¯t bring us any closer. I don¡¯t know what else to do to ease his fears."


    Mother clears her throat. "I spoke with Ashley and he is willing to stay back in this mansion with you by his side but he has a condition."


    My heartrate slows down. This can¡¯t be good.


    "What condition?"


    "You¡¯ll have to bear his child."


    ***


    I am not surprised at all. Ashley will demand the craziest things just to flex some testosterone around our marriage. He wants a child with me to put a bigger barrier (somewhat) between his brother and I. I bet he doesn¡¯t give two cents about being a dad. He just wants to saddle me with a baby so I remain stuck with him. I can¡¯t believe how low he thinks of me.


    I lurch to my feet to go stand by my window.


    "He doesn¡¯t want a child. He¡¯s just being maniptive."


    "No, Demi. I asked him myself and he opened up about the heartbreak he suffered when your test results came back negative. He wants a child with you. I for one know how the gift of a child can draw a couple closer. It happened to me and Brett. Our rtionship got strained for a while when we were childless but as soon as we got blessed with our boys, I saw a different side of him. He gave up bad habits to focus on our family and hasn¡¯t stopped loving me deeply ever since. I want that for you and Ashley."


    I don¡¯t give a rat¡¯s ass about what she wants but I rein in my emotions and my thoughts on the issue.


    "But mother, a child wasn¡¯t part of our agreement. Are you asking me to stay with Ashley forever?" She stands up to join me by the window.


    "Has it not crossed your mind once? Do you abhor the idea?"


    "Ashley has never made my heart feel safe with him so no, I never let the idea cross my mind." I turn to her with the most pitiful look I can muster. "I can handle anything from Ashley, from his distrust and emotional neglect to his entitlement but I am afraid of introducing a child in this marriage before Ashley learns how to love me properly. I¡¯m sorry mother."


    "I understand." She replies somberly. "The problem is that Ashley¡¯s mind is already made up. I don¡¯t know how to change his mind."


    You can change his mind but you just won¡¯t. This is all a ploy between you and your son to stroke his ego at the expense of my life. I manage to conceal the anger bubbling inside me over my recklessness. I shouldn¡¯t have let Ashley have his way. He doesn¡¯t deserve to father my child.


    "If he means to separate me from this family, I guess I¡¯ll have to ept my fate."


    I know the emotional ckmail won¡¯t cut it with mother since her precious son is involved. I have to think fast and devise a n to secure my ce in the mansion. If father and mother can¡¯t sway Ashley, there¡¯s one more person who can effectively do so and I happen to have a gem topel that person to keep me in the mansion. I drop him a message that will definitely have him gritting his teeth.


    Liam finally calls me back after I leave the house for some fresh air and to meet up with my n B.


    "Where have you been? Why can¡¯t I get a hold of you when I desperately need you?"


    "I have a life too, you know." He huffs out a breath. "What do you mean by Ashley wants to leave the mansion? How did that happen, Demi? What did you do?"


    Immediately, he mes me. He¡¯s not wrong to but I was hoping he¡¯d circle around the truth for a bit.


    "He made the announcement this morning to the family. He didn¡¯t even inform me about it. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on in his head. I haven¡¯t done anything to warrant this drastic measure."


    "Are you sure?"


    "Of course, I am." I sigh tiredly. "I think I might have a way to change his mind on the issue. If it fails, I¡¯m going to need you to think of something to keep me in the mansion. You know what happens if I leave."


    "I think you¡¯re in the best position to negotiate your way out of this mess, Demi. He¡¯s your husband after all. How difficult can it be to sway the man with all yourdy parts? Except you¡¯re holding back. Is that it? Are you looking outside for help because you don¡¯t want to explore other intimate solutions?"


    "You think I haven¡¯t tried all that? He¡¯s not listening, Liam. Despite weing him into my bed and doing everything expected of me, he continues to doubt me as long as I breathe the same air as his brother. The sight of Ashton and I in the same room reminds him of things he refuses to forget. I can¡¯t help him there. He wants to put a distance between Ashton and I."


    "At least we¡¯ve established that this is all your fault." I snort at him. "If you don¡¯t want to leave, how about you find a way to make Ashton leave with my sister? You can always find a way to sow that seed in M¡¯s head. She will do the rest."


    His suggestion stuns me to silence. It¡¯s a great suggestion and I did think about it. I just don¡¯t know how I feel about it.


    "Why are you silent?"


    "I already suggested that to Mrs. Rollins and she was furious with me." I lie smoothly. "She almost used me of trying to separate the brothers. Ashton wants to live in the mansion when he weds M. His mother isn¡¯t prepared to lose him either so she made me swear not to suggest the idea to Ashley. I am only to try and convince him to stay back at the mansion."


    Liam says nothing.


    "I have to go. I have an appointment. Hopefully, I will able to reverse this nightmare soon."


    I cut the call and exhale sharply. I hope Liam doesn¡¯t catch up with my lies.


    Finally, my guest arrives, slides a chair out and joins me at my table in the Honey Pot. He casually nces around in search of histest, special girl and shoots her a seductive smile over the counter. His eyes harden when they meet my face.


    "You¡¯ve got some balls threatening me like that, Branson."


    "That was hardly a threat, Asher. You owe me one, remember?"


    "Did you intentionally choose this ce hoping to convince me with Anna¡¯s help?"


    "She didn¡¯t even know you wereing. Look, I hate that it¡¯se to this but you would do the same thing if the roles were reversed. You¡¯ve dangled my secrets like a carrot before my face and threatened me several times before. A little dose of your own medicine can¡¯t hurt that much."


    "So, you want me to convince Ashley to remain in the mansion. Why?"


    "Why not? Don¡¯t act like you don¡¯t want him to stay back too."


    "I want him to stay but I also want you gone."


    I ignore the jab to my pride. "You want me gone from his life not just the mansion. That¡¯ll take a few more months." He arches a brow at me.


    "I am right. You don¡¯t give a shit about my brother. Why aren¡¯t you divorcing him then? Why are you desperate to stay with him till the contract expires? Why are you desperate to remain in the mansion?" His eyes dim with understanding. "Ashton. You don¡¯t want to be away from him."


    "If I still cared deeply for Ashton, I would have suggested this move to Ashley to spare me from the torment of watching him carry on with his life being hitched to another woman, don¡¯t you think? This has nothing to do with Ashton. The mansion is the only home I know. Like I exined to mother, Ashley and I are not ready to live alone as a couple. Between his affair with Ni, his distrust in me and my frustration with his insecurity, we¡¯ll be miserable. I don¡¯t want to be miserable for the next six months."


    "Then divorce him!"


    "Is that what he wants? He might not be the best husband but Ashley used to be a great friend to me. I don¡¯t want us to part ways with bad blood between us, not like this. I¡¯d also hate to leave before I fix the strain in his rtionship with Ashton. I know it hurts you to see them like that. Imagine how I feel being caught up in it all. Please, Asher, you¡¯re their brother. I shouldn¡¯t have to convince you to keep your brothers close. Ashley doesn¡¯t want to leave his family. I know it. He¡¯s just hurt. I need you to talk him out of this crazy idea."


    "Or you¡¯ll spill my secret at breakfast like your husband did."


    "Precisely."


    He grits his teeth as he contemtes.


    "Hate me all you want but don¡¯t let that hatred blind you so much you fail to do right by your brother. Don¡¯t let him make this mistake. Being away from the quads, being unable to exercise with you guys at two in the morning or to share drinks at the game room and meals with the entire family every day will wreck him. Do whatever you have to do to change his mind or you¡¯ll live with the guilt if he goes into a spiral."


    "I¡¯ll talk to him but only because I already nned to knock some sense into him, not because of your silly threats. Don¡¯t you ever dare to threaten me again! You want to spill my secret, go right ahead. I wonder what Anna will think of that, what she will think of you."


    "Think of who?" Anna joins us with a big smile, the type that she is fond of showing only when Asher is in the building. She bats an eyelid at him as they struggle not to touch each other in public.


    "Nothing. We were just talking about boring work stuff." I grab my bag and disregard the smirk on Asher¡¯s face. "I¡¯ll stop by your ceter tonight." I kiss her cheek and bid her good bye, then give Asher a stern look to remind him to keep his end of the bargain.


    Unwilling to go home before Asher calls me with some good news, I text Anna and go over to her ce to crash while she¡¯s at work. By the time she arrives at night, I am bored out of my mind and worried too. I haven¡¯t heard a peep from Asher or Ashley and I am too stubborn to call either of them first. Ashley should be calling to apologize to me for the rude shock he gave me earlier. Asher should have the decency to inform me if he was sessful or not.


    "I don¡¯t know what you see in him." I gripe to Anna an hour after she gets home and after I am done exining everything that happened to her. "Why won¡¯t he even text me at the very least."


    "Do you want me to ask him?"


    Ashley¡¯s calles through. I shush Anna and take the call.


    "Hey."


    "Demi, I am very sorry about this morning. I need to see you. Can youe home?"


    Asher must have spoken to him. I don¡¯t n to make things easy for him though. He nearly gave me heart attack.


    "I don¡¯t know, Ash. I was nning on crashing at Anna¡¯s tonight."


    "Please, I am really sorry I upset you. We are not moving out of the mansion. Come home, please."


    I roll my eyes. "I¡¯ll be there shortly." I hang up and expel a deep breath.


    "I have to go. Asher sorted it out."


    Anna jumps to her feet as I gather my things and head for the door.


    "Did Mrs. Rollins really ask you to bear Ashley¡¯s child? What are you going to do about your pregnancy? How long are you going to keep this from them?"


    My fingers freeze on the door. I have been trying not to think about it.


    "I don¡¯t know, Anna. I sincerely don¡¯t know what I am doing or what I am going to do when they find out. Look at the stunt Ashley pulled today. Look what happened when his father thought I was pregnant. He had a mini fight with mother over it. It all goes to show how divided the house will be once my pregnancy is discovered but that¡¯s not what I am most afraid of. I am scared of what they¡¯ll do to me once it¡¯s discovered. What if I am confined to the house? What if my daily routine is regimented and my movement monitored. It¡¯s too much pressure. I don¡¯t know what to do, Anna."


    Anna pulls me into her arms while I sob softly. She pats my hair and soothes me. I dab my eyes.


    "I¡¯ll figure something out." I assure myself.


    "You will. You always do."


    She helps me with the door. With my head lowered, I notice the ck sheen of male shoes first before I lift my head to stare at his eyes.


    "Asher?" Anna and I both chime with shocked stares at the sight of her unexpected guest.

 Chapter 106

    <h4>Chapter 106: Chapter 106</h4>


    ASHER


    I thought I would find him brimming with murderous rage and trying to wreck a car on the race track but to my surprise, Ashton is sitting quietly on the bleachers, watching the race with dark shades on. He looks pretty calm to anyone else watching him but as his brother, I can tell from the way his jaw is set in a tight line that he is anything but calm. I join him on the bleacher but he barely acknowledges my presence.


    "You okay, bro?"


    "I¡¯m terrific."


    I smile at his response. He¡¯s definitely not okay if Ashton is using words like terrific to describe his mood. If he cusses more, my heart will be at rest.


    "Look, you¡¯re the big brother. You know Ashley doesn¡¯t have the best handle on his emotions. He can be very immature, unnecessarily paranoid and very insecure. It all stems from his trauma. We need to remember that and constantly forgive his excesses such as the rubbish he vomited at breakfast today."


    "Is that supposed to make me feel better about being used and silently judged by my loved ones as the brother who is responsible for Ashley¡¯s marriage woes?" He turns to look at me and despite the dark shades, I somehow feel the pain behind his eyes. "Are you here to deliver this perfunctory speech on mother¡¯s behalf because she¡¯s tending to her golden boy?"


    "Ashton, you know why she¡¯s with him. It¡¯s the same reason she pampers Ashal too. She tends to gravitate towards the most broken of her sons, not the stronger ones like you and I. Don¡¯t be a wuss about it. It doesn¡¯t suit you." I exhale deeply and stare at the race. "I am not here because I silently judge you. You keep forgetting that I was in a simr position with Olivia and Ashal. I know how it feels, how much it sucks when no one believes you¡¯ve moved on and wish your brother the best with his girl. I couldn¡¯t have gone to Ashley if mother had wanted to trade ces because I rte more to your pain. I am here to tell you that it gets better..." I stare at him again, "...once you fully let go."


    "You don¡¯t think I have?"


    "I don¡¯t think you have." I affirm. "You¡¯re not like me, Ash. You care deeply. I canpletely ignore my feelings for my bigger goals without caring how the woman I once loved is faring. You can¡¯t watch Demi suffer. You can¡¯t go back to being the icy cold brother that once scared the shit out of her. She won¡¯t buy it for a second. Still, you can¡¯t stop shutting her out of your life even if it makes her hate you."


    "Is this about the church thing? It was purely a coincidence."


    "Maybe but Ashley doesn¡¯t think so and that¡¯s where your problem stems from."


    "What the heck am I supposed to do? He will only believe what he wants to believe. I am done pandering to his every whim and walking on eggshells around him." When he tries to get up, I pull him back down on his seat. "I need to get behind a wheel."


    "Not with that look in your eye. You¡¯re going to hurt someone on those tracks if you insist."


    "Get your hands off me!"


    "I will, just as soon as we¡¯re done talking."


    It was really hard to get through to Ashton. I had to endure his anger, death stares and even him taking out his frustrations on me. Just as I am enjoying myself watching him race after calming him down, Demi¡¯s textes in.


    [I need you to talk Ashley out of this crazy idea of moving out. I know you can convince him so please do. I¡¯d hate to drop another bombshell on the family at breakfast tomorrow on your ount, if you get my drift]


    The bitch. Is she really threatening me? When did she get so bold? I almost chuck my phone in anger. Why did she have to find my pills? Is this what she¡¯s going to be doing now? No way! I won¡¯t be her little errand boy. I have to deal with this before she gets out of hand.


    When I finish my meeting with Demi at the Honey Pot hourster, I am not convinced that she is done exploiting my secret so I beam at Anna who slides into the seat Demi just left. All I can think of as I look at her is how useful she is going to be to me in putting Demi in her ce. I have to find something on Demi. I don¡¯t want Ashley to leave the mansion but I can¡¯t wait six months for Demi to be out of our lives.


    Since Anna was oozing a lot of sexual tension back at the restaurant, I decide to pay her a surprise visit at night to relieve some tension myself. The sight of Demi¡¯s car still parked in front of Anna¡¯s ce makes me steam with annoyance. What is she still doing here sote? She should be home by now. Is she still having a fight with Ashley?


    I quickly dial Ashley¡¯s number. We already spoke earlier where I managed to change his mind about moving out. Why hasn¡¯t he made up with his wife yet? I urge him to call Demi and make here home. I need time with Anna to relieve the stress of the day since micromanaging my brothers can be exhausting.


    [Call her home, Ash. She¡¯s still at Anna¡¯s]


    [Ok. I¡¯ll do that]


    I give Ashley three minutes before walking down to Anna¡¯s door. Demi should be on her way out by now. It sounds eerily quiet so I pin my ear to the door. I hear Demi wrapping up her call with Ashley. Then she starts for the door. Oh good, I think but before I can knock, I hear something very shocking that makes me freeze up.


    Hell no. The pregnancy test strips in Anna¡¯s bathroom. The non-existent work colleague called She whom Anna lied about. How did I miss this? Demi is Anna¡¯s only friend and spends a lot of time at her ce. How did I not put it together?


    My breath clogs in my throat as realization dawns with everything I hear Demi saying. She is actually pregnant and has been lying to our faces? She also lied to Ashley about the test results? My heart palpitates. Fuck no. A baby is too permanent. How is she supposed to be out of our lives if she bears Ashley¡¯s child? How could Ashley let this happen?


    "Asher?" Both girls chime at the sight of me when the door swings open. They appear horrified given the secret they just uttered, the secret they¡¯ve been keeping from my family and I. It takes me a millisecond to adjust my face. I can¡¯t let them know I heard it all.


    "Hey."


    They exchange scared looks.


    "I wasn¡¯t expecting you." Anna utters.


    "Yeah, sorry. I thought I¡¯d surprise you. Is this a bad time? I could leave."


    "How long have you been standing here?" Demi butts in.


    "I just got here. Why? Is something wrong?" There¡¯s something in her eyes. She¡¯s scared. I turn to Anna who feigns a smile and pats Demi¡¯s shoulder.


    "Have a good night, Demi. I¡¯ll call youter."


    Demi snaps out of her frozen stare and staggers to her car. I note the tremor in her hands as she opens the door. She continues to stare at me while I maintain my signature smug face to dispel whatever suspicion she still has. Inside me, my mind is on fire. This can¡¯t be real. Demi shouldn¡¯t be having my brother¡¯s child. That was not part of the contract.


    "Wannae in?" Anna winks at me. I am no longer feeling horny but if I leave now, she¡¯ll only grow suspicious and tell Demi. I pretend all is well and go in with her.


    "What can I get you?"


    "Um, whiskey¡¯s fine."


    Sheughs. "I don¡¯t have whiskey, Asher. I have canned beer though."


    My phone starts ringing. Ashal. I am too disoriented to hear the rest of Anna¡¯s suggestions.


    "Hold on one second, love. Yes Ashal? What?" I grit my teeth as he talks to me. I guess I am not done micromanaging my brothers after all. Ashal has got a new mess for me to fix.


    Anna looks sad when I finish my call and jump to my feet. I go over to kiss her lips.


    "I¡¯m so sorry. My brother needs me. It¡¯s urgent. Why don¡¯t we raincheck?"


    She shrugs weakly with a dull look on her face before I leave.


    ***


    I listen quietly while Ashal exins everything to me in detail. What the hell was he thinking?


    "What exactly is going on with you and Madeline? I thought you had a thing for Cree outside of Olivia?"


    "Why does everyone keep saying that? There¡¯s nothing going on, okay? Cree is stale news, you know that. Maddie just got caught up in a mess I created and I am trying to fix it before Olivia finds out." His voice breaks. "Olivia is in the hospital. She¡¯s not doing too good. She could lose our baby if anything happens to her sister because of me."


    "Wait, what? Rewind. Liv is also pregnant?" I kick my car tire in anger. "WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU ALL? WHY ARE YOU IMPREGNATING WOMEN YOU SHOULDN¡¯T BE HAVING KIDS WITH?"


    Ashal stares at me, confused. "What are you yapping about? Liv is MY wife. Who else is having a baby?"


    I run a hand over my hair and exhale. I should control my temper. "No one." I move to digress. "So, this Hunter guy, he threatened to kill Madeline?"


    "He¡¯s bluffing. He doesn¡¯t have to spunk to draw blood. He¡¯s only after the money. He won¡¯ty a hand on her. He knows he can¡¯t get away with it. I know what he looks like. His pictures will be up on the news by now if I wasn¡¯t worried about revealing Maddie¡¯s condition to her family and ours. That¡¯s the only reason I called you in to help me deal with this quietly. I don¡¯t even want to involve Duncan or any of our men so father doesn¡¯t find out."


    "Where do you think he is keeping her?"


    "I think it¡¯s the new apartment he just got for their marriage. I did some research and found out he signed the lease today, an hour before Maddie called him to cancel the wedding. He has no other ce to take her. I could go in alone but I need someone to get Maddie out while I restrain Hunter."


    Though he is trying very hard to appear calm, again, I can tell my brother is on the verge of losing it which makes me question what¡¯s been going on between him and Madeline. He seems really worried about her, almost as worried as he gets for Olivia. I don¡¯t like this.


    While we drive off to Hunter¡¯s apartment, I try to keep Ashal talking on the phone.


    "What about her parents? Do they know what has happened to their daughter?"


    "Her father keeps calling me to ask her whereabout. I was there to visit earlier and he suspects I convinced Maddie to ditch the wedding tomorrow. I haven¡¯t been able to give him any concrete reply. I just want to get her back before I can tell him the truth about Hunter and what he has done."


    What¡¯s with him calling Madeline Maddie?


    We get to the apartment and take the elevator up to the second floor.


    "How much did you pay this guy again?"


    "Five hundred grand."


    I give him a look he chooses to ignore as he strides purposefully towards Hunter¡¯s door. Why would he give Hunter so much money to keep him from marrying Madeline? Is he stupid? That bum, Hunter, would have licked Ashal¡¯s shoes if he had been given ten grand. Why so much? I need to get to the bottom of this Madeline saga.


    "Open up, Hunter!" Ashal yells while banging on the door. "I know you¡¯re in there. Saw your little new car. If you want to keep your life and your freedom, you¡¯ll open this door right now and release Maddie. If you don¡¯t or you harm a single hair on her head, the police will raid this ce in the next ten minutes and haul your bony ass to jail. The choice is yours!"


    He heaves a breath as he waits for Hunter to respond. I hate the way his eyes are narrowed to slits and dark. Thank God this floor is only upied by Hunter or we would have had neighbors making noiseints. There¡¯s some shuffling sound inside. Ashal¡¯s phone starts to ring but he declines Hunter¡¯s call and continues to bang on the door.


    "You¡¯re down to three minutes, Hunter Cummings. You¡¯ll either be a dead man or a convict soon once your time is up. I am dialing the cops now."


    Thetch unlocks and Hunter cracks his door open. He has a full head of hair with big, round eyes.


    "You promise to pay up what I spent on her family and we can forget this ever happened."


    Ashal jams his foot hard at the door and it bursts open, sending Hunter flying backwards till he crashes on the floor.


    "WHERE IS SHE?" He barks, picking the man by thepels of his shirt and shaking him violently. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO HER? WHERE THE HELL IS SHE?"


    "Ashal, you¡¯re choking him." When I try to intervene, he res darkly at me. Oh no. He is letting his anger get the best of him. "Madeline should be inside. I¡¯ll go get her. Let him go, Ash. Please."


    "GET HER." He replies.


    I race inside and swing doors open till I find Madeline passed out on a bed with a white cloth tied to her mouth. I rush to her and remove the gag and untie her hands and legs. I forcefully rouse her. She stirs awake, coughing. Her red eyes stare adoringly into mine.


    "You came." She mutters in a weak voice before her weak arms wraps around my neck. What the fuck is going on between her and my brother? I gently pry her arms away from my neck.


    "I¡¯m Asher. Ashal is in the living room with your captor. Can you stand? We have to get you to the hospital for examination." She nods weakly and manages to stand on her feet. Her head spins, sending her copsing into my chest. Fuck it. I carry her in my arms all the way to the living room. My heart sinks to the pit of my stomach at the sight of the blood-stained carpet where Ashal straddles Hunter and pummels blows repeatedly into his face.


    Dropping Madeline on the couch, I rush to pull my brother off the defenseless man before he kills him.


    "Get a grip on yourself! You¡¯re going to kill him!"


    Ashal redirects his rage at me but thankfully, I match his blows and knock him off me. He looks like a murderous psychopath. Hunter coughs up blood weakly on the floor. Before Ashal can lunge at him, I swing my elbow and knock him out. When I turn, Hunter has fainted but Maddie is propped up on the couch, staring wide-eyed at Ashal whoys immobile on the floor. When she looks at me, I know she¡¯s afraid for her life.


    "It¡¯s okay, Madeline. He was pissed at Hunter for hurting you. He¡¯ll be fine."


    Tears roll down her eyes.


    "Let¡¯s get you out of here."


    "No, he isn¡¯t awake yet." She gestures to Ashal. I ignore the difort I feel over the intense look in her eyes and go to rouse my brother. He wakes up, holding his head. The sight before him is confusing. Before he can panic, Madeline crawls over. "It¡¯s okay, Mr. Ashal. Hunter isn¡¯t dead. He¡¯ll be fine. Oh, you¡¯re bleeding."


    Ashal frames her face with his hands. "Are you okay? Did he hurt you?"


    "I¡¯m fine. He only tied me up. I¡¯m fine."


    "Guys, we have to leave now." I cut off their weird and misced sense of care. "I¡¯m calling the medic for Hunter. I¡¯ll stay back and make sure he doesn¡¯t incriminate us. Ash, take Madeline to the hospital and make sure she¡¯s examined for internal injuries and concussion before taking her home."


    I¡¯ll talk to him about whatever the fuck is going on between him and Liv¡¯s sisterter.


    He nods at me and helps Madeline out while I stay back to handle Hunter.


    ***


    I can¡¯t believe the crazy day I¡¯ve had, the things I¡¯ve seen and heard. I can¡¯t even rank them on a scale of one to ten. My brothers are going off the rails. Ashley, unknown to him, is about to be a dad to Demi¡¯s unborn child. Demi, the same woman who is in love with Ashton and whom I have never liked for my family. In addition to this madness, Ashley is still seeing his toxic ex, Nic, who tormented our family and him for weeks as Shay.


    Ashal is having a baby with his wife who doesn¡¯t love him and developing a weird fondness for his sister-inw, Madeline whom he formerly couldn¡¯t stand. Ashton is burying his feelings for Demi and pretending to be cool with marrying M, a woman he has never fancied more than a friend. I know if I dig deeper, I will find something crazy that Ashton is getting himself in too, like my other brothers.


    I honestly need to call a meeting. These guys need a factory reset as sisters-inw and toxic exes are quite the rage for them now but when I eventually reach home, I am too tired to do anything other than sleep.


    The next day at breakfast, mother says a simple prayer, thanking God that Ashley and Demi won¡¯t be leaving us. From the corner of my eyes, I can sense Demi watching me. She must still be uncertain about how much I overheardst night. Mother offers a toast and everyone clinks their sses. I stare at Demi. She doesn¡¯t touch her drink.


    At work, I find it hard to concentrate. If I don¡¯t step in, my brothers are going to ruin their lives and take me down with them. They¡¯re too busy chasing clouds and love from women that either don¡¯t want them or women they can¡¯t have while father is trying to make it up to Josh for the embarrassment he faced at the mansion. Father is still pissed at my brothers and I for everything that happened. Thest thing we need right now is to give him more reasons to drift towards his biological son.


    Like my day can¡¯t get any worse, Joshes over to escort Demi to lunch. I have no idea when they started being so friendly with each other. Didn¡¯t Ashley warn her to steer clear from Josh?


    I put a call to one of our men and have him follow Demi and Josh and report back to me. He calls an hourter to inform me about the location of the restaurant where Demi and Josh went for their lunch. The shockes when I check the photo he took of them.


    Demi is having lunch with Josh and his mother???


    Immediately, I forward the picture to Ashley.


    "Let me guess, you already warned her but she didn¡¯t listen? I honestly don¡¯t know why you bother with this woman, Ashley. She doesn¡¯t love or respect you. Even if you spend the next five years with her, none of that will change, don¡¯t you see? She makes you question yourself and your worth as a man. She makes you doubt your own brother who she clearly seduced. She¡¯s caused a rift between us all. Tell me, why is she worth all the suffering she puts you through?"


    "Asher, I can¡¯t do this right now."


    "You might use mother as an excuse but from the picture I just sent, it¡¯s very clear she doesn¡¯t care about mother¡¯s feelings. Mother clearly sided with us about Josh. I am sure she doesn¡¯t know what Demi has been up to. And father? He is too busy trying to please his son that he would look the other way as long as Demi is keeping Joshpany around the office. What will stop Josh and Kristy from revealing the truth to Demi? Why can¡¯t you see that Demi doesn¡¯t mean well for our family or you? You have to do the right thing, Ash. You have to choose between our family and the wife who doesn¡¯t give a shit about you. She¡¯s not worth sacrificing the next six months of your life. She has to go."


    Ashley hangs up. I will make him divorce her earlier than nned. I¡¯ll nt stories in his head if I have to. Demi has to go before her pregnancy is discovered. I don¡¯t mind being the devil here. I have a lot of messes to clean up around my brothers. I have worked too hard to let them screw this family and let the Randalls win.


    Because the devil needs demons to do his dirty work, I put a call across to three of mine.


    "I have a job for you guys. You can¡¯t fail me or it¡¯ll cost you your lives."


    "We won¡¯t fail you, boss."


    "Your predecessor always made the same empty promises right before he messed up every job. I won¡¯t give room for second chances this time around."


    "Understood."


    I forward Demi¡¯s photo to them and give the instructions. After that is done, I ce one more call. If I need to get into Ashley¡¯s head and make him hate Demi so much, he desires to ditch her, there¡¯s one surefire way to get in there, even if I don¡¯t particrly like it.


    "Nic, it¡¯s Asher. We need to talk."

 Chapter 107

    <h4>Chapter 107: Chapter 107</h4>


    ASHTON


    I can¡¯t believe how many times I have lost to the new record holder today. My gloved fingers tighten around my steering wheel as I finish second ce yet again. Racing is supposed to calm my nerves, not kindle the mes of my anger. I think I feel worse than I felt before getting behind this wheel. While the new guy jumps out of his car basking in the euphoria of finishing in first ce, I remain inside mine to take deep breaths and calm myself.


    Ashley isn¡¯t moving out anymore and while that is a relief, I am still royally pissed at his habit of pinning the me of his faulty marriage on me every time he gets bored or frustrated with Demi. I have to talk to him about that. We have to iron out our issues.


    If he is still doing this while I am engaged to M, nothing¡¯s going to stop him from throwing those usations even after I get married and with M¡¯s level of crazy, Demi will only suffer more. I can¡¯t allow his erratic behavior to cause any more damage than it already has.


    Liam starts walking up to check on me. I get down from my car and begin to walk away.


    "Hey." He calls, jogging to fall in step with me. "Your driving skills are amazing, champ. We were almost neck and neck."


    I turn to him. "I finished second. It¡¯s just a car race and I am an adult. Give it a rest, new guy."


    "The name¡¯s Liam."


    "Don¡¯t care."


    "I heard you used to be the reigning champ around here." Now, I halt at his words. "I understand if you¡¯re feeling a bit slighted over the losses today. I¡¯ve been there. It doesn¡¯t mean you¡¯re not as good as you thought. You might just be distracted today. I know distraction is the biggest reason why Ie in second. I Just wanted to put it out there." When I turn to him, he is walking back to his car.


    "Liam!"


    "Yes?"


    "You¡¯re a hell of a driver." I admit to him. "Distracted or not, topping you wouldn¡¯t be a walk in the park even for me."


    "Thanks. Still, I¡¯ll love to race you once you have a clear head."


    "You bet."


    I leave him and while I walk away, a ghost of a smile seeps into my face. Maybe the new guy isn¡¯t a proud prick like I was during my time as the new guy. M offers me a bottle of water and helps me with my gloves.


    "You¡¯ll get it next time."


    Again with the sugarcoated words. I am not down with this today. I guzzle the water.


    "Losses aren¡¯t unnatural. Besides, I do this for fun not for sport. There¡¯s no need to get too upset with losing."


    "Says the guy who was royally pissed when I beat him thrice in a row." Sheughs at the look on my face. "Who¡¯s the new guy?"


    "Why? You want to race him too so you can gloat?"


    "Wow, so much for not being pissed."


    I grab her when she turns away with an angry face. "I¡¯m sorry. My head is aching. I have a lot on my mind. I don¡¯t mean to be an ass." I kiss her neck. "Forgive me. I am not fun to be around right now. That¡¯s why I told you not toe. I didn¡¯t want you to see me like this." She whirls to cup my face with her hands.


    "We are going to be married soon. Whether I like it or not, I¡¯m going to see all the different versions of you. There¡¯s no need to hide the ugly parts from me." She kisses my lips. "Besides, I¡¯ve barely seen you since our engagement party. You¡¯re always busy. I knew I would grow grey hairs if I continued to wait for you toe to me so I decided to track you down and spend the day together."


    "The day?"


    "Yeah, too small?"


    Too much, too soon. I remember the two weeks she spent at the mansion and how it was equal parts fun and draining. Beyond that, I have a lot of things to do and appointments to keep which she can¡¯t be present for.


    "I can¡¯t promise the day. Maybe we can raincheck. I have a lot of things to get done and honestly, you can¡¯t be present for my meetings. Why don¡¯t we reschedule. I promise I¡¯ll treat you to a fun date, wherever you want and whatever you want to do. Please?" She scowls at me. "Come on, you know I wouldn¡¯t bail on you if it wasn¡¯t unavoidable."


    "Fine but I won¡¯t take no for an answer next time though."


    "Thank you." I pull her close to me and take her lower lip between my teeth as a tease before ravishing her lips.


    "It¡¯s all good. I have to meet a wedding nner anyway."


    "A what?"


    She looks up at my startled expression and chuckles. "Why do you look so ashen? What do you expect to follow an engagement party? Wedding prep of course. We have to start making the arrangements super early if we want to have a spectacr wedding as early as three months from now. We have to book our venues, ce our orders before our favorite vendors would be fully booked and busy."


    I tune out the rest of her babblings. What the fuck is she even saying? Father said we didn¡¯t have to have the wedding immediately. That¡¯s the only reason I was down with the early engagement.


    "Slow down, hon, you¡¯re giving me a migraine." I pull her down on a seat. "What¡¯s with the hurry? We just got engaged days ago and now you¡¯re talking wedding nners and vendors. Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s too early?" I watch the smile fade from her face.


    "What are you saying? How is it too early?"


    She¡¯s getting upset. I join her to sit down. "Don¡¯t get me wrong, M. I don¡¯t want to hurry this. You know the circumstances under which we started dating, right? We were forced to jump on that train by our parents. It sucked the fun out of our friendship and made every date seem like a chore. I always felt like we missed out on building our friendship and gradually transitioning to our dating era because of everyone¡¯s influence in the dynamic of her rtionship. I don¡¯t want that to happen with our wedding."


    "Then why did you want to get engaged?"


    "Same reason we started dating; because it was required of me but this time, I didn¡¯t abhor the idea. I want to be with you M. I was going to propose eventually even though my father hurried the process. However, I don¡¯t want our actual wedding to be hurried. I want us to take our time to revel in this phase of our rtionship. Let me enjoy you as my fianc¨¦e and vice versa. Let¡¯s take this time to learn more about each other that we didn¡¯t get the chance to while dating. Does that make sense?"


    M dips her eyes to her Jimmy Choo shoes. "It does but I don¡¯t know if I believe you, Ashton. I¡¯m worried that the longer we wait, the easier it will be for you to slip off my fingers."


    "Not if we¡¯re too busy rediscovering and falling head over heels in love with each other. I don¡¯t want to walk you down the aisle because our families want me to. I want to do it because I can¡¯t imagine anyone else walking towards me. Please M, this is how you¡¯ll get the best of me in this rtionship. If we get married three or six months from now, you¡¯ll be getting a man who isn¡¯t obsessed with you yet. Would you prefer that?"


    She shakes her head. "Promise me you¡¯ll work with me to get there."


    "I promise me."


    I kiss her again, this time slowly, savoring her lips. When I pull away, she¡¯s smiling.


    "I¡¯ll get going. Stay close to your phone at all times. You know how much I overthink when you don¡¯t take my calls."


    "I will." I kiss her forehead and pass her bag to her. "Tell your father I said hi." I don¡¯t mean it but it means something to M whenever I remember to be cordial to her dad. She blows me kisses before leaving.


    The smile remains on my face as I watch her strut her stuff. My eyes wheel to my right where someone stands a few bleachers away watching me everything that just happened between M and I; Liam. He forces a smile when our eyes meet and waves creepily at me. I ignore him and grab my phone to check the text message I just got. Relief floods my chest as I realize it¡¯s from Keith. He drops an address and the time for our meeting today.


    I get there ten minutes earlier and find afortable booth in the caf¨¦. Though it¡¯s a little packed for my liking, I rely on my dark sunsses to help me blend in. Keithes in at exactly two pm, finds me and slides into the booth next to me.


    "You averse to people or something?" He jokes, pointing to my sses.


    "Haha, very funny. You could have chosen somewhere a bit more..."


    "Private? Scanty? Yeah, I could have but I don¡¯t trust you yet, Mr. Rollins. Besides, we agreed to do this on my terms."


    "So, what answers would you be giving me today?"


    "That depends on the questions you ask but before you begin, you should know I intend to ask questions of my own too."


    "That seems fair."


    A waiter brings some burgers and drinks to our table. Keith dives into burger with a big bite. I am not hungry. I just want to learn as much as I can about my sister.


    "I¡¯ll start. How did youe to learn that your lost sister could be my foster sister, Zoe?" He keeps his eyes trained on me even as he eats. He wants to gauge my reaction to better decipher the truth of my response.


    "I got a tip from a trusted friend who knows about my lost sister and the tip led me to your family." I lean on the table. "My turn. "Do you know where Zoe is right now?"


    He shakes his head. "I don¡¯t."


    "Why do I find that hard to believe?"


    "That sounds like a you problem." He sips his drink. "I never know where Zoe is at any given time but that doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t reach out to her if I wanted to see her." He notes how my facial muscles rx at the exnation. "You just asked two questions in a row. Here¡¯s my second question. How did you lose Zoe in the first ce?"


    I hesitate. His questions are calcted, like he is trying to test my truthfulness. Keith continues to watch me. I have a hunch that he knows the answer to this question.


    "Cat got you tongue?"


    "We got separated as kids. She was only a baby. That¡¯s the much I can tell you."


    This time, he pauses his food and watches me silently.


    "My turn. Do you really n on helping me reunite with Zoe or is this just a waste of my time?"


    "Those are two questions..."


    "Just answer me, Keith. I don¡¯t enjoy games. Finding Zoe is very important to me. If you aren¡¯t going to help me, you might as well say it. Don¡¯t waste my time."


    "I¡¯m still thinking about it. I want to be sure that I am not making a mistake or falling for lies. In the end, it all depends on what Zoe thinks. She hasn¡¯t gotten back to me. If she wants to see you, I¡¯ll arrange a meeting. If she doesn¡¯t, there¡¯s nothing more I can do to help you."


    "You told Zoe about me?"


    "I did."


    If he knows what I think he knows about Zoe¡¯s past, then he also knows that telling her that one of her brothers came asking questions will only serve as alerting her to hide even better. She wouldn¡¯t want to see me. She has every reason to be scared of me. Keith must indeed be out to waste my time. I rein in my temper and feign indifference.


    "There¡¯s something you can still do to help me while you await Zoe¡¯s response. I need her documents from the orphanage where she stayed before moving in with your family. Your parents must have those."


    "No, they don¡¯t."


    "Why? Did you also burn those too."


    He smirks at me. "They don¡¯t have them but I do. The papers are carefully stowed away."


    "Are you going to give them to me? I just want to know what her real name was before your parents named her Zoe."


    "You¡¯ll be wasting your time. The orphanage also called her a name because she wouldn¡¯t speak when she was brought in. Trust me, Zoe sounds better than Gertrude."


    "Who brought her in?"


    Keith finishes his burger and downs his drink. "That¡¯ll be all for today, Mr. Rollins." My hand shoots out and mps down on his wrist before he can move. His eyes dte in shock at the sight of mine with my shades off. "What is this? Have you lost it?"


    "I should be asking you that, Keith. Do I look like a joke to you? You brought me out here to munch on a burger and waste my time? How many more of these five question sessions are we supposed to have before I start getting some useful information from you, huh?"


    He wrenches his wrist free. "You¡¯re as insolent as theye. You should be grateful I am even entertaining you. Going by what I have heard, I should have kicked you out of my father¡¯snd the first day we met but I chose to give you the benefit of doubt. I was wrong. You don¡¯t deserve to know the gem that is my sister. She¡¯s better off without you and your family." He lurches to his feet, ring at me. "We¡¯re done with this conversation, Mr. Rollin. Stay away from my home and my family."


    "Toote." I jut a chin in the direction of the door where his parents have just entered. When their eyes scan the booths, I wave a hand to them.


    "You invited them here?" Keith questions me.


    "Can you me me? I also gave you the benefit of doubt and assumed you were a decent adult that I could reason with but apparently, maturity doesn¡¯te with age. You¡¯re just too distracted with ying the big, overprotective brother so you can score brownie points with my sister and convince her she doesn¡¯t need me or her other three brothers. I thought I¡¯d invite other adults to this conversation so we can make some progress."


    Paul and Collette join us. Begrudgingly, Keith returns to his seat. I exchange pleasantries with the couple.


    "Did you bring it?"


    "Ah, yes." Paul responds cheerfully before digging into his satchel and unearthing a brown envelope. I ept it from him and flip through it. A smile tugs at my lips.


    "It¡¯s Gracie not Gertrude."


    Keith¡¯s eyes boggle in shock. "Why would you give that to him, dad? Where did you even find it?"


    "Honey, you hide everything in the basement."


    Keith runs a hand over his hair while I take note of the name of the guardian that brought Zoe to the orphanage. I shut the file and keep it by my side.


    "Thank you, Paul and Collette. You¡¯ve been very helpful." Turning to Keith, I add, "I just had to remind you that you¡¯re not the only way to finding my sister and after everything I have noticed, I¡¯d like to add that I am not a threat to you in whatever shape or form. You were there for my sister when I couldn¡¯t be. I can sense how much you love and care for her. You¡¯re the big brother she¡¯ll always remember from her teens. No one can take your ce in her life. With that being said, can we cut the bullshit and get on with helping me find my sister or would you like me to exclude you from this meeting altogether?"


    Keith stares at his parents. Collette stretches a hand and squeezes his.


    "He¡¯s right, Keith. He means well. I can tell his heart is pure. Don¡¯t stand in the way of Zoe getting reunited with her true family. You know she has never felt like she truly belonged with us. Give her this chance. If she doesn¡¯t want to rejoin her family, she doesn¡¯t have to but don¡¯t take away the option of choosing from her."


    Keith¡¯s red rimmed eyes wheel to me. "Fine. I¡¯ll help you for real this time but keep my parents out of this. Zoe is a very emotional subject for my family. I don¡¯t want my parents reliving the pain of her absence again."


    "That¡¯s no problem at all."


    I watch him kiss his parents before sending them off on their way.


    "We don¡¯t need your money. Stop throwing it in their faces." He mutters angrily.


    "I didn¡¯t give it to them to show off or because they can¡¯t survive without it. It was my way of appreciating their hospitality and the help they offered before we met. They graciously epted it like they would any other gift. Don¡¯t read unnecessary meanings into it. Now, are we doing this or what?"


    He leans back on his chair. "Adriana Hutton."


    "What?"


    "Zoe goes by Adriana Hutton now."


    Something unfurls in my chest. "And you¡¯re beingpletely honest right now?"


    "I gave my word in front of my parents. I am telling the truth!"


    When I return home, my chest is bubbling with excitement. Not only was Keith forting with information about Zoe or Adriana, he even promised to draw me a recent picture of her.


    I find my brothers in the game room. I contemte telling them about our lost sister and the progress I am making so far but decide against it when Asher calls my attention.


    "You¡¯rete!"


    "I didn¡¯t know we were supposed to have a meeting." My mood changes at the sight of Ashley. He hasn¡¯t even deigned to apologize to me even though I have no ns to forgive him easily. He is sulking as usual. Ashal also looks downcast. Am I missing something?


    "You would know if you bothered to check your phone."


    "I was held up in a meeting."


    "Weren¡¯t we all?" Asher rises to his feet. He has his serious business face on. "We haven¡¯t had a meeting in a while and I have seen how badly things have been going wrong on different ends. We are all losing focus of the most important thing in our lives; our familial bond. Without that, everything we¡¯ve built all our lives crumbles; our peace, prosperity, love for each other, happiness, every damn thing that even money can¡¯t buy." He stares across all the faces in the room.


    "I havee to discover a few disturbing facts about each of us in this room. I¡¯ll let you all be men and handle your business but if you disappoint this family and allow anything or anyone to tarnish our image or shatter our bond, I will personally side with father and go to any length to preserve this family and her reputation."


    Despite his cryptic warning, no one challenges him. Somehow, I suspect my brothers know what Asher is talking about. They bob their heads silently while I look perplexed.


    After Asher drops the fatherly reprimand and settles back to his regr self, I decide against telling my brothers about Adriana just yet. I¡¯ll wait till I meet her first. My phone beeps. When I open the message, it¡¯s a picture of my sister, drawn by Keith. She¡¯s a sight for sore eyes!


    Another message pops in.


    [Adriana reached back to me. She will like to meet with you]

 Chapter 108

    <h4>Chapter 108: Chapter 108</h4>


    DEMI


    "Did you hear me?"


    "I heard you, Kira. Your mother is sick. So what? What exactly do you expect me to do about it? Come running over so you can p your hands andugh in my face for falling for another one of your dirty tricks? That won¡¯t happen anymore."


    "I already apologized for that, didn¡¯t I? Iman convinced me that he wanted to make right all the wrongs he hasmitted against you and begged me to help get you to his ce. I thought he was being sincere."


    I can¡¯t believe what a terrible liar she is. "How stupid do you think I am, Kira or are you just so cocky you can¡¯t even bother toe up with a better lie? You expect me to believe that rubbish? You must be more foolish than I thought. Tell your mother to quit acting. I will never sanction your visit to the mansion for any asion so you two can ease up with the theatrics."


    Before I can hang up, aunt¡¯s voice sails through.


    "Demi, is this really all you have to say? I amodated, clothed and fed you for five years and this is the thanks I get? You¡¯re willing to watch me die just to soothe your pride?"


    "Pride has nothing to do with it, aunt. If I was proud, like I should be, I would have demolished the house you live in and sent you to the streets with only the cloth on your backs so no one associates that architectural embarrassment with my past. If I was proud, I wouldn¡¯t even take Kira¡¯s call or yours. I would have you book appointments to see me. If I was proud, aunt, I would have your daughter tender a public apology on national TV for her deception which almost cost me my life thest time and after that, I¡¯ll throw her into jail to rot. I know you know all about it but as usual, you¡¯re ying ignorant. Don¡¯t ever call me again unless you¡¯re ready to tender that public apology because proud is all I am going to be from now on while I remain Mrs. Ashley Rollins."


    I hang up and m the phone on the couch. I am so pissed at those two.


    "Everything okay?" Amber asks, passing me a cup of coffee.


    "Just some pesky maternal family members." I sip my coffee and savor the rich vor. "I can¡¯t believe they¡¯re rted to my mom. She¡¯s an angelpared to them. They drive me nuts every chance they get."


    Amberughs and concurs with a nod. I look up as a dashing young man strides into the living room towards Amber, hunkers down and pecks her cheek like I have watched the quads do to their mother so many times.


    "Oh, hi son. How was your trip?"


    "Amazing." He says without taking his eyes off me. "Demi Rollins." He crosses to shake my hand. "When my mother told me you visited earlier, I thought she was fibbing to get me to shorten my trip ande home to keep herpany. I¡¯m..."


    "Maddox." I preempt him. "Amber never stops gushing about her kids." He shares a sweet smile with me. "Why did you think she was lying to get you toe home?"


    "Because I have had an unhealthy crush on you ever since you made the headlines."


    His bluntness is flustering.


    "Quit flirting with her, Maddox, she¡¯s already married to the ultimate rizz master. You¡¯re toote."


    We all turn as his sister walks in, plunks her bag down on the couch and hugs her mother. Wow. Did Amber inform them I wasing so they could stop by to say hello?


    "Kat, you¡¯re here too."


    Kat rolls her eyes like her mom¡¯s acting is terrible. "Yes mom, I just magically appeared after you left me thirteen missed calls and seven texts about Demi Rollins being here." Amber blushes hard. Her children don¡¯t know the first thing about being subtle. I chuckle at their directness.


    Kat sinks into the couch next to me. "Hi. My mom seems to think we should be best friends because she was best friends with yourte mom, bless her soul. You know, carry on the friendship legacy between Regans and Bransons. What do you think of that?"


    "Um..." I stare at Maddox who relieves me of my coffee to sip out of it, especially from the spot my lip touched.


    "Don¡¯t mind them." Amber intervenes when a red blush creeps into my cheek as Maddox continues to give me nasty looks. "Kat, go upstairs with your brother. You two should freshen up. Demi and I will set the table. Maddox, I asked you to be friendly with our guest, not flirty. She¡¯s married and you know that. Don¡¯t make her ufortable."


    "She¡¯s notining, mom." He turns to me. "Are you, love? Do I make you ufortable?"


    "Don¡¯t mind him, Demi. He thinks he¡¯s all that." His sister cuts in.


    "I am all that."


    "Skr didn¡¯t seem to think so. She was revolted by your advances."


    "She blushed and scampered away."


    "Whose Skr?" I ask.


    "She¡¯s my roommate in school, a very shy and very <i>I don¡¯t like people or talking</i> kind of girl. Easily invisible in a room full of people. If her beauty wasn¡¯t Victoria secret model and Vogue cover-ish, she would easily go unnoticed as she wants. She rejected Maddox like all the other guys that have been drawn to her. Even cutting her hair and dyeing it ck didn¡¯t help. She¡¯s just that gorgeous. I¡¯m living to see the man that finally sweeps her off her feet."


    "Upstairs, now!" Amber chides them. Murmuring, they both heed her. "I¡¯m sorry, Demi. They can be quite loud and overwhelming."


    "And fun." I add, standing to join her towards the dining room. "I love meeting people, rubbing minds. It¡¯s refreshing, especially when they have a different, wider outlook on life than I do."


    I stare at the stairs where Maddox stands to blow me a kiss and blush even harder. He reminds me of Ashley when we first met. I had been repulsed by him given how little I knew of him and my tunnel vision to avenge my parents.


    A few things have changed since then. I do enjoy a bit of harmless flirting now and then and even though Ashley will beat Maddox hands down in that department, I can¡¯t seem to enjoy any from him given all the friction between us.


    It used to be fun when he was content with being my contract husband without putting any pressure on me. Now, we are mostly at crossroads with respect to what we both want out of our marriage. I hate to admit that I miss that version of him that didn¡¯t feel threatened by Ashton.


    I am d Amber and her children helped distract me for a few hours from the fear that has settled thickly in my gut ever since I found Asher outside Anna¡¯s house. Though Anna has repeatedly assured me that Asher seemspletely clueless about my pregnancy, I just can¡¯t bring myself to believe it. Asher must have overheard me. I just know it.


    He is a very smart man. If he hasn¡¯t revealed my secret to anyone by now or even threatened me with it, it scares me to think what his reason is. I know he stands with his father and disapproves of me as the mother of Ashley¡¯s children. He has never been subtle about his utter dislike for me. So, why hasn¡¯t he said anything to anyone? Why hasn¡¯t he even tried to confirm it from me?


    I have thought of confronting him but if Anna is somehow right and Asher knows nothing, confronting him would only expose my secret. It¡¯s such a difficult situation that I¡¯ve found myself. The silent torment is almost unbearable. I try to distract myself as much as I can.


    After Amber¡¯s ce, I have ns to meet up with Kristy but I put a raincheck on it because Ashley has been making a fuss about my fledging friendship with the Randalls. I am trying not to upset him so soon after he threatened to move us out of the mansion.


    "Have you managed to get something from Brett for the DNA test?" Liam asks me over the phone as I wait for the traffic to clear up. He¡¯s always so direct and straight to the point.


    "Not yet."


    "What¡¯s taking so long?"


    "I can¡¯t hurry this even if I wanted to. Brett is not an easy man to get close to even though we practically live under the same roof. I can¡¯t just stroll into his room to rifle through his personal effects or bathroom. If I make a hasty move, I could expose myself and get into big trouble."


    "Your inws haven¡¯t had any major scandal in a long while, Demi. Billion-Err needs juicy content. We need to do this soon."


    "I¡¯m working on it." I hear a familiar sound. "Where are you? I can hear cars speeding by."


    If I am not mistaken, it sounds like a race track but I doubt Liam is the type to indulge in that type of activity for recreation.


    "I¡¯m driving. That¡¯s why."


    "Oh."


    "Get your hands on that evidence. Find a way and get it done." He hangs up. I roll my eyes. He can be rude most times.


    I go through the pictures on my phone and linger at the pictures of father and Kristy. That would make headline news but I am not ready to lose my friendship with Kristy just yet. She can prove very useful in the long run. I flip through and find pictures of Josh and father. I could ruin Asher¡¯s day by sending him these photos. I really want to but again, it wouldn¡¯t be the best use.


    An unknown number calls me and I decline it. My phone rings again and I continue to decline the number. How dumb can people be? Why does this person keep calling when I clearly don¡¯t want to speak to the stranger? A text messagees just as I am about to block the number.


    [Demi, it¡¯s M. I got your number from my fianc¨¦. Can we meet up?]


    After reading her text with a scowl on my face, the only thing I can think about is how she intentionally referred to Ashton as her fianc¨¦ like I wouldn¡¯t know him if she simply called him Ashton. The traffic clears up just as I am typing an excuse with it. Shit. I hiss out a breath. I really don¡¯t want to talk to her, not so soon.


    Reluctantly, I reply M in the affirmative and meet up with her at the wedding shop she texted me. The moment I walk in, an attendant with a patronizing smile offers to escort me to the dressing room where M is waiting.


    M is slicked in a sleeveless, silk wedding dress that sculpts her body like paint and flows down her knees. She looks so divine with the long veil over her face it could have brought tears to my eyes if I liked her.


    Spotting me through the mirror, she turns in all her glory with a beautiful smile.


    "Demi, you¡¯re here." The horde of assistants get to work rearranging her train on the floor with every move she makes. "What do you think?" She cups her boobs that are peeking from the plunging neckline. "Too open? Ashton wouldn¡¯t like me showing too much skin, right? There are more options in the back but I am really feeling this one. What are your thoughts?"


    I am surprised she¡¯s asking me. I decline the offer of champagne from a staff and turn to give M an appraisal.


    "You look absolutely beautiful, M."


    "I know I do, Demi. However, I wasn¡¯t asking for your personal opinion. I called you here so you can help me pick a dress that my fianc¨¦ will love." She inclines her head and a gold earring on her left ear glints under the light of the chandelier. "So, what do you think?"


    Is she trying to upset me?


    "Why would you think I¡¯d know what kind of wedding gown your fianc¨¦ would prefer on you? If you wanted that opinion, why didn¡¯t you call any one of his brothers? They know him better than any of us."


    "I thought about that but it would be weird since they all look like Ashton. It would feel like he is the one looking through the dresses with me. Plus, they¡¯re all super busy and even if they could make the time, I can¡¯t trust them not to give him clues."


    I clench my fist by my side. She¡¯s deliberating trying to get a reaction out of me. This is thest thing I thought she was interrupting my day for. Is the wedding happening so soon? Why is she dress shopping already?


    "Is this why you wanted to see me?"


    With a wave of her hand, she dismisses all thedies assisting her. They all disperse in a flurry of cotton.


    M gives me azy shrug. "Is this beneath you? I figured as the first daughter-inw of the family, you¡¯d know a thing or two about what the Rollins family expect of me and give me a few tips on how to win hearts and immerse myself in my new role after I join the family as Ashton¡¯s wife."


    There¡¯s a spark in her eyes that betray the innocent smile she¡¯s giving me. She means to rub it in my face that she¡¯s getting the brother I happen to fancy. I shake my head at her immaturity.


    "I¡¯m sorry, M but I can¡¯t help you here. I don¡¯t know what you¡¯re trying to do here but whatever it is, I am not down for it. Get your friends to help you pick a dress. I¡¯m sure your future mother-inw will be thrilled to bounce off wedding ideas with you. I have other things to attend to."


    I make it as far as three steps before she yells at me.


    "Why did you refuse to leave the mansion with your husband, Demi?"


    Whirling, I arch a brow at her. "What?"


    She steps down from the tform andes to stand a few inches from my face. Her fake smile is gone now. In its ce is a heated re.


    "Why were you against leaving the mansion when your husband suggested it? Isn¡¯t your home supposed to be wherever he is or is there another reason you¡¯re so fond of the mansion?"


    "Why don¡¯t you stop beating around the bush and tell me exactly what you¡¯re insinuating?"


    "I am not insinuating anything. It¡¯s a fact that you have eyes for my man despite being married to his brother. Tsk. That¡¯s just revolting, Demi. You¡¯re so greedy and morally bankrupt that you won¡¯t even let your own husband touch you without imagining it was my man with you." When my eyes dte in shock, she nods at me. "Yes, I know all about your reluctance to fully ept Ashley as your husband and all the dirty looks and nasty tricks you keep using to distract Ashton. I¡¯m here to tell you that I won¡¯t condone any of that rubbish. You had better back off and steer clear of MY man or we are going to have problems as sisters-inw."


    I toss my head to the side and give her a onceover. "I see the insecure M Spellman came out to y today. As much as I would love to school you on the importance of trust in a rtionship, I think it¡¯ll be a waste of my time. It¡¯ll likely go over your head so I¡¯ll just call Ashton and make him rify your misconceptions once again since you clearly didn¡¯t believe him thest time."


    M snatches my phone the second I whip it out to call Ashton.


    "Give that back."


    "You don¡¯t have to call him. I trust himpletely but you on the other hand..." she shoves the phone in my palm. "You just have to rely on him to do the heavy lifting and defend you every time your character is questioned, don¡¯t you? Why can¡¯t you defend yourself if you¡¯re so innocent?"


    A sly smile seeps into my face as I decipher the emotion she¡¯s trying so hard to mask.


    "He doesn¡¯t know you¡¯re here shopping for wedding dresses, does he? Is that why you don¡¯t want me to call him?" Her eyes bulge fearfully. I chuckle at that. "So, you¡¯re not just insecure; you¡¯re also desperate."


    "Watch your mouth, Demi. I won¡¯t be held responsible for how I choose to react if you keep running that filthy mouth of yours."


    "What are you going to do? Hit me? Am I supposed to be scared of you or something?"


    "You¡¯re supposed to be wary of me, Demi. Trust me, you have no idea what I am capable of and how far I am willing to go to protect what¡¯s mine."


    I know who you are, M Spellman, I mutter in my head. I know more about you than you can ever fathom.


    "Trust me, you¡¯ll always be the least of my problems no matter how much you squeal in my face. Save the crazy fianc¨¦e act for someone who gives a shit. Like I said earlier, I have ces to be. Don¡¯t ever call my number again unless you finally manage to grow the fuck up and be a sensible adult capable of having a proper conversation with your sister-inw to be, got it?"


    On my way to the door, I feel a sharp pain as my hair is yanked back. M¡¯s tangles her hand in my hair and pulls harder.


    "How dare you talk to me like that, huh? Who the hell do you think you are, Demi Branson? You¡¯re a nobody." We struggle against each other until I shove her to the floor. A loud ripping sound follows.


    "You bitch. You tore my dress." She yelps on the floor.


    I blow my hair out of my face and pat it down with my hands. "You¡¯re such a disappointment, M. FYI, the Rollins family hate all things drama and craziness. It just doesn¡¯t bode well for the family reputation and business. They are in for a huge shock when they discover their would-be daughter-inw is a steaming pile of all the crap they hate to deal with. I really feel bad for you. I turned out pretty well despite being an orphan. Conversely, despite your affluence, you reek of daddy, trust and abandonment issues. If Ashton never falls in love with you, just know it had nothing to do with me; it¡¯s all you, M. You¡¯re very unlikable unless you¡¯re pretending to be decent!"


    Tears glisten in her eyes. "This conversation is far from over."


    "Oh, it¡¯s over." I correct her. "Try this again and I¡¯ll be talking to my entire family <i>and</i> your dad about your behavior."


    I storm out with a fine head of steam and make it into my car before my anger explodes. I dial Liam¡¯s number. Again, it goes to voicemail. What the hell has he been up to? Why doesn¡¯t he pick up when I need him to?


    [Liam, you need to talk some sense into that sister of yours. She hasn¡¯t even joined the family and she¡¯s already threatening me. I won¡¯t take it lightly with her. We almost got into a cat fight today. Talk to her or when I do, I¡¯ll be using my fists.]


    I expel a deep breath after leaving the voice message. That bitch. I want to call Ashton to put his fianc¨¦e on a leash and though that would get her off my back, I don¡¯t want M to go crying to her father or Brett about the influence I have over Ashton. I don¡¯t want Ashton and I to be the subject of Ashley¡¯s suspicions again.


    Frustrated, I m both hands on my steering wheel and wish I can kick something. M is going to drive me crazy if she moves into the mansion. I have to find a way to keep her off as long as I can so she doesn¡¯t jeopardize my ns.


    I turn on the ignition, swing my car back on the road and step on the gas. I am so mad right now. With everything going on in my life, thest thing I need is more drama from that insecure bitch. If I wanted her man, I would have had him a long time ago. Ashton was married to me first after all. If I didn¡¯t have my revenge plot to prioritize, I would have been open to exploring my feelings for Ashton and his for me.


    I jerk forward as a car collides with mine on the road. When I check my rearview mirror, it¡¯s a ck sedan. Before I can process what is going on, it bumps into me again and stays on me till my car swerves off the road and rams into a tree. My head starts to hurt. Smoke streams out of my bumper, fogging the view.


    Coughing, I rub the ache on my head ande away with blood on the tips of my fingers. Behind me, I can hear quickening footsteps heading towards me. Someone wrenches my door open. I am too woozy to make out his face or that of the other two men that assist him in pulling me out of the car.


    They toss me onto the ground so hard my whole body starts to hurt. Thenes the kicking. My weak cries and screams go unheard in the empty road. After they take turns kicking me everywhere, especially on my tummy, they race to their car and drive away when blood trickles down my legs.


    I close a hand over the burning sensation on my tummy and sob harder. Whimpering, I manage to crawl over the jagged stones and grime on the ground, to my car to find my phone. It¡¯sying on the floor of the passenger seat, too far for my bruised arm to reach. My head is spinning now. With what little strength I have, Iy on the ground as tears trickle down my face and my sobs die in my throat. Everything goes ck.

 Chapter 109

    <h4>Chapter 109: Chapter 109</h4>


    ASHLEY


    "That wife of yours is very cheeky for her own good." M fumes over the phone. "She fought me, Ashley. She was so shameless about having feelings for my fianc¨¦ and didn¡¯t even bother to defend herself. Instead, she tried to call him in my presence like he¡¯s her knight in shining armor or something. She dared to look me dead in the eye and challenge me, ha. You better call her to order. I only held back out of respect for myself and your family."


    A migraine is starting to brew in my head as she continues ranting over the phone. I have barely had time to distract myself from Asher¡¯s warnings about Demi and now, M has given me more things to think about my wife. How could Demi be so cocky towards M. She should have shown some remorse if she truly wants peace. M has every right to be pissed at her.


    "Calm down, M. You shouldn¡¯t be so surprised. I already told you the dynamic of the rtionship she has with my brother. They¡¯ll go on denying their feelings for each other and im they¡¯ve moved on when their actions and words contradict their ims. It¡¯s frustrating, I get it, but you can¡¯t let yourself get so worked up. You have to be smart about this."


    "What are you suggesting? Was I supposed to smile and pretend I don¡¯t want to rip her eyes out? SHE KISSED ASHTON! Yuck! God knows what else she¡¯s done with him. I can¡¯t even let myself think that far or I¡¯ll turn on my crazy switch and go off on her." She heaves a breath. "How do you tolerate her? Why do you?"


    That¡¯s the question everyone keeps asking me. Why do I bother with Demi? If I give up on our marriage and lose her heart to Ashton, will it be so bad? This wouldn¡¯t be the first time he has bested me. Why am I taking things personally and too far this time around?


    Demi is clearly never going to put me on the same pedestal as Ashton so even if I stay in a miserable marriage with her for however long, it¡¯s not a win. I bet Ashton has thought about this too and had a goodugh behind my back. Demi¡¯s heart will always be his even if he is engaged and soon to be married to another.


    "Why, Ashley? Do you love her that much?"


    I chuckle at that. "There was a time when Demi and I were growing closer, when she didn¡¯t have her head filled with thoughts of my brother. We had just gotten married. We got along so well and I could tell she was open to loving me. Then Ashton happened. I don¡¯t know when or how but I lost that sweet girl that I was prepared to love with every fiber of my being. Despite her headstrongness, there are still moments when I catch glimpses of that girl. I guess somewhere deep down, I have convinced myself that I can still find my wife and save her from the doomed path she¡¯s on."


    "If you n on saving her, you better be certain she can be saved and do it quick. I won¡¯t let her ruin my rtionship. I¡¯d move out of the mansion with Ashton after our marriage if I have to. I can¡¯t let her distract him any longer."


    "Move out?"


    "Yeah, I¡¯m going to run the idea by him and see what he thinks. If Demi was too stubborn to follow her husband out of the mansion even when the move was spurred by the need to save her marriage, I only hope Ashton can be more mature about the same idea."


    I can already guess what his reply would be but I¡¯d let M find out herself.


    "What do you think he¡¯d say, Ashley? Do you think he¡¯d move out with me?"


    Shit.


    "Look, M, I already went down that road and trust me, it was a difficult pill for my family to swallow. If your first demand as the new daughter-inw of the family is to separate Ashton from his family, you¡¯re not going to get Christmas cards from anyone. I doubt my father will allow it. He¡¯s still trying to mend his rtionship with my brother. My mother too. She feels distant from Ash and means to bridge that gap. You try to take him away and they¡¯ll hate you. Even if Ashton agrees and stubbornly moves out with you, you¡¯re going to be med anyway and hated. There¡¯s no win for you there."


    She expels a deep breath. "This whole thing sucks."


    "I know."


    "That leaves you handling your wife then. Keep her in check or you will solely be responsible for whatever I have to resort to in order to protect my rtionship." She hangs up just as Lexi walks in.


    "Sir, Ni Grey is here to see you."


    "About time." I mutter under my breath before nodding at Lexi to let Ni in.


    Ni hasn¡¯t been clinging to me like a leech ever since the engagement party. I bet she¡¯s upset about how I used her to keep tabs on my wife. Shemented to me over a very long voice message how she had never felt so used and unappreciated. I barely got through half of it before I gave up, having gotten the gist of it.


    Of course, I forgot to call her and make amends. In my estimation, I didn¡¯t think she wouldst more than a day before calling me. Well, it¡¯s almost a week already. That scared me a bit. If I don¡¯t have Ni¡¯s love no matter how conditional it might be, I¡¯d lose my marbles with everything Demi is putting me through.


    Ni strolls in with a dull look on her face.


    "Hey stranger."


    She says nothing in reply, only pauses her lips and stands, gaping at me. She wouldn¡¯t even help herself to a seat until I gestured towards it.


    "Are you okay?"


    "Do you really want to know?" Her tone is sharp and frosty.


    "I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t get back to you. I¡¯ve been swamped." While I try to flesh out my lie, she only bows her head and sniffles. Is she crying?


    "My dad¡¯s back in town." Her eyes are blurry with tears when she looks up at me again.


    "He is?" He must have sneaked back in since nothing was said in the news. Something crosses my mind as she dabs her eyes dry. I lurch to my feet with a grim look. "Ni, did he hit you? Tell me the truth! Did he hit you again?"


    "If you want to know why I am crying, then you have the wrong idea. Ashley," She says softly, weakly. "I could have spoken to you over the phone but I chose toe in person because I have something serious to talk about."


    Uh oh. This can¡¯t be good. Slowly, I sit down on my chair.


    "Serious? What could that be?"


    "Us? I want to know what we are and what we will never be, Ashley. I can¡¯t keep doing this if you only n to string me along while you work it out with your wife."


    "Ni..."


    "No, please, let me finish. I know. I ruined our beautiful rtionship once before and things have not been the same between us ever since then. I can never forgive myself for losing you, Ash. It still haunts my sleep till date. That¡¯s all in the past now. Right now, you and I are just having an affair which your wife and entire family knows about. Heck, even the people of Danvarr have started gossiping about our work rtionship. Most of them miss us together."


    "Is that where this is stemming from?"


    "No, I wish it was that simple." She rises and paces the office. "I spent the better part ofst night thinking and wondering if I want to spend my life chasing after the shadow of what we used to be. You¡¯re married, Ashley. You have a wife whom many adore. I know for a fact that I love you with every breath in my body. I also know she doesn¡¯t love you half as much as I do. I am a little unclear about your feelings for her but whatever they may be, you seem prepared to stick with her for life. I can¡¯t me you if you feel that way. You¡¯ve lost faith in me. You no longer trust me and my intentions for you. I get that."


    "Ni, why don¡¯t youe sit down and we could figure this out?"


    "My career is hanging on by a thread." She continues with a nervousugh. "I have been neglecting every other thing in my life that deserves my undivided attention just because I have been too focused on chasing after you. I am left with nothing now. I neither have your heart and loyalty or a thriving career. My dad...he said some things to me yesterday."


    "What did he say to you?"


    "He helped me see clearer that we are never going to be more than this no matter how much you im to love me and a few years from now, I will begging for scraps in the modeling industry because of my tanked career and you will be doing what you¡¯ve been doing; obeying your family¡¯s wishes even though your heart lies elsewhere."


    My face hardens. Why would her father be putting such thoughts in her head? What does he think he knows about my family and I?


    "Your father doesn¡¯t know the first thing about me or my family."


    "But I do, Ash, and yet I know his assumptions are spot on." There¡¯s a distant look in her eyes as shees to my desk. "Look me in the eye and tell me you have better ns for me than the bleak future my father painted. Look me in the eye and tell me all of this secret affairs and promises will soon lead to an officialbel on our rtionship, a status change from ex-girlfriend and side chick to..." Her voice wavers as tears roll down her cheek. "To what, Ashley? Can you finish that sentence?"


    I am not ready for this conversation. It¡¯s too deep and heavy for me to take on right now.


    I stare deadpan in her eyes. "Since when did your father give a shit about you? Why do you care what he thinks or says? Your overthinking is going to drive us apart again."


    Ni shakes her head. "You¡¯re evading the subject." She rakes her hands in her hair and chokes back the tears. "Why are you really with her? What is it that she does for you that I can¡¯t? SHE DOESN¡¯T EVEN LOVE YOU."


    "Why are you being like this?"


    "I¡¯m scared for you, Ashley. You¡¯ve been through a lot to be stuck in a loveless marriage. I want to know why you¡¯re too scared to want more, to embrace true love even when it¡¯s staring you in the face. We both know the fairytale ending you¡¯re secretly praying for won¡¯t happen with a woman like Demi. I¡¯ve met her. If she was ever going to fall for you, she would have done so by now. There are only two reasons why a woman who shares the same bed with a man like you would still have no feelings for you by now. It¡¯s either there¡¯s some other man already in her heart or she hates you for something deeper than your phndering."


    "I can¡¯t believe you. Now, you¡¯re psychoanalyzing my wife and my marriage?"


    I leap to my feet so sharply I knock off some stationery. Ni takes a step back as I advance menacingly towards her. If I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d say Asher put her up to this because she¡¯s starting to sound like him. However, I doubt my brother has had the time to call up my ex whom he loathes to convince me to dump my wife.


    "This is surprising. What happened to being willing to be my side piece as long as I am a part of your life? What happened to being satisfied with having a piece of me and waiting for the day I¡¯ll be open to giving you all of me again? I guess those were just lies, like everything else thates out of your mouth!"


    More tears spill from her eyes but I refuse to be affected by them.


    "What are you saying, Ash? Is there really no hope for us?" Her voice is broken and pitiful.


    I grab her shoulders. "We have a good thing going, Ni. Why does it have to change now?"


    "BECAUSE EVERYTHING HAS CHANGED." She replies, shoving my hands away. "Everything has changed Ashley." I dip my eyes to the hand that hovers protectively over her stomach. "These secret flings will no longer do. Everything wille to the light very soon."


    The air dries up in my throat as I stagger backwards. "W-What are y-you implying?"


    "I am pregnant, Ashley. We are having a baby!


    ***


    My hands continue to tremble minutes after she drops the bombshell. Ni has stopped crying and looking pitiful. Some unusual strength seems to have possessed her after she broke the news to me.


    "Did you hear me, Ash?"


    "I heard you loud and clear, Nic. You¡¯re pregnant, hurray. What has that got to do with me?"


    "Are you kidding me?"


    "Oh,e on, don¡¯t act innocent. We both know I am not the only guy you¡¯ve been with recently. Have you managed to track down your other boyfriend and shove this news in his face?"


    "I didn¡¯t have to. I am four weeks gone, Ashley. It can¡¯t be his. Besides that, Finn is medically infertile and despite that, I never let him touch me without a condom."


    My vision blurs. She can¡¯t be pregnant with my child. There has to be a mistake somewhere. She must have had other partners that I am unaware of.


    She digs into her back and dumps pregnancy sticks on my desk.


    "These can be wrong." I reply with red rimmed eyes. Demi showed all the signs ording to Greta but her result still came out negative. Ni¡¯s could be wrong.


    "I thought you might say that." She adds before whipping out two pregnancy test results. "They¡¯re from two different hospitals. They can¡¯t all be wrong."


    I lunge to my feet, brimming with rage. "What the fuck is this, Ni? Did you get pregnant on purpose to trap me? You know I am married. I thought you were on the pill. How could you let this happen?"


    "If I had nned this, I would have made it happen a long time ago, long before you started prioritizing your wife over me, don¡¯t you think? I didn¡¯t do anything on purpose, Ashley. Things like this happen. I¡¯m only human. I can¡¯t say that I always remembered to take my pills especially with how often and how suddenly you like have sex no matter where we are. You hate to strap on a condom every time I remind you. Is it okay for me to assume you wanted a baby with me because you readily had sex with me several times without wearing a condom?"


    I run a hand over my face. This is fucked up. This is too fucked up.


    "I am prepared to undergo whatever test your family demands to prove that you are the only partner I¡¯ve had in thest couple of weeks."


    "Wait, what? Why are you bringing my family into this? They don¡¯t have to know anything."


    "Why? How do you n to hide this from them forever?"


    "You¡¯re keeping the baby?"


    My question offends her naturally. "Of course I am keeping MY baby, Ashley. What else have I got going for me? I barely have your love or my dad¡¯s. I am practically all alone and you expect me to terminate this blessing? Hell no!"


    Just my luck. Nic now wants to y mother of the year at the lowest point of my life.


    My brain wheels to my family; father, mother, Demi and my brothers. This will be a catastrophe if they find out. I am certain Ni ns to make this public news. Demi will be shattered. It¡¯s one thing to turn a blind eye at my affairs but having to watch me raise a child with my ex and side chick will be devastating for even the strongest of women. What if she chooses to divorce me now? Fuck!


    Asher was right. I should have made the move to divorce her earlier. If I do it now and Ni¡¯s pregnancy leaks, Demi will be pegged the victim and garner the sympathy of the public. It will be like her marriage im all over again. The media will have a field day chewing up our family¡¯s reputation. Our stocks will crash with news of my cheating scandal and divorce. Father will really kill me this time. Asher will never forgive me.


    When Ni reaches for my hand, I move away from her.


    "Don¡¯t be like that, Ashley. I know you love me. You¡¯re just worried about your family."


    "Of course I am worried about them. How do you expect them to take this news? I AM MARRIED, NICOLA. IF THIS GETS OUT, I WILL BE THE SUBJECT OF PUBLIC RIDICULE. MY FAMILY IMAGE WILL BE IN THE MUD. MY WIFE...I CAN¡¯T EVEN DIVORCE HER NOW. EVERYONE WILL RALLY AROUND HER AS THE VICTIM IN ALL THIS."


    "Divorce? You were already thinking about divorcing Demi?" A hint of a smile creeps into Ni¡¯s face. "Why didn¡¯t you tell me? Tell me what I can do to help speed that up?"


    I look into her eyes and see the ball of excitement behind them. I also see an opportunity to buy myself some time to figure out this mess. I cup her face with my hands and stare at her adoringly.


    "Things have been tough between Demi and Itely. You¡¯re right. She doesn¡¯t love me. I can¡¯t trust her with my heart. I thought I could wait for her to fall in love with me but that won¡¯t be happening anytime soon. The thought of divorcing her has crossed my mind a few times but you know how damaging divorce can be for a guy like me. I have to think about the ripple effect it will have on my family, on the business. If I don¡¯t y my cards right, I could lose so much from that one decision while Demi walks away as Danvarr¡¯s favorite. They¡¯ll be braying for my blood for cheating on my poor, innocent, lower ss wife. Think of the headlines."


    "I understand, Ash."


    "They¡¯lle for you too, Ni. Whatever is left of your career will be destroyed. You¡¯ll be branded a homewrecker. Nobody will want to work with you. And our innocent child," I ce a hand on her stomach for dramatic effect. "What kind of world will he/she being into? Imagine the name calling. Even if we wanted to get together after I divorce Demi, imagine how many influential people will frown at that. My family will lose face in every circle."


    My words are sinking into her brain. She dips her eyes in thought.


    "What do we do now?"


    "We keep this between us for now. I need time to devise a n so wee out on the other end with our heads held high. My family won¡¯t ept you or our baby if they believe it will destroy our reputation. You have to trust me and do as I tell you."


    She nods her head. "Okay. I¡¯ll trust you Ashley but whatever you have to do to get Demi out of your life, do it fast. I¡¯ll be showing soon and we both know people won¡¯t have a hard time guessing who knocked me up."


    My phone starts buzzing on my desk. We both crane our necks and see that it¡¯s Demi calling. Before I can reach it, Ni snatches it.


    "I have to take that."


    "Do you? I don¡¯t think anything she has to say will be more important or more urgent than the child growing in my womb." She slips the phone in her bag. "You want to make a n, let¡¯s start brainstorming right now. My father might clue in soon. He saw me throwing up twice. I don¡¯t think he bought the lie I told him. If he suspects I am pregnant, he¡¯ll be marching to your mansion like Demi did. That¡¯s assuming he doesn¡¯t contact news reporters first."


    A chill runs down my arms. I need to talk to my brothers. I can¡¯t do this alone. My phone starts ringing again.


    "Can I have my phone. It must be important if she keeps calling."


    "Again, it can¡¯t be more important than..."


    "GIVE ME THE PHONE, NICCI. I NEED TO KNOW WHO¡¯S CALLING AND WHY."


    She caves and passes it to me with a frown.


    "It¡¯s my brother." I snap, shing the phone with Ashton¡¯s name in her face. "Yes, Ashton? I was going to call you..."


    "Get to the hospital now, Ashley!"


    "What? Why?"


    "Demi was attacked. She¡¯s lost a lot of blood...and more." My heart skips a few beats as his voice breaks. "I¡¯m so sorry, Ashley. The doctor just confirmed that she lost the baby!"

 Chapter 110

    <h4>Chapter 110: Chapter 110</h4>


    ASHER


    Today has been unreal. Father has never spent this much time with me personally unless it had something to do with work. We¡¯ve spent the first part of the morning in a private shooting range. Then we proceeded to y mini golf which father enjoys. Finally, we are at Soul foods to refuel ourselves after a fun but exhausting father/son day if I can call it that.


    A small smile keeps ying on my lips no matter how much I try to get rid of it. I haven¡¯t had this kind of quality time with father before and it beats me why he just spent over four hours of his morning with just me.


    "Something on your mind?" He asks, quirking a brow at me as he butters his bread. I exhale and lean back on my seat.


    "A lot actually."


    "I was wondering when you would share."


    I narrow my eyes at him while the smile remains in ce. "You can¡¯t me me for finding all of this a bit strange, can you? I¡¯ve lived with you all my life and yet, we¡¯ve never really done anything like this."


    "And by <i>this</i> you mean?"


    "Bonding. I know we spend a lot of time together but mostly, we just talk shop or work. Today was different, unexpected and I want to know why."


    He lets out a shortugh. "You boys are funny indeed. Youin that I suck at being a dad and when I make an effort, you get suspicious. Why can¡¯t it be normal between us? Why do you have to have that suspicious glint in your eyes every time I break character to do something nice with my boys?"


    "I appreciate the effort but you still didn¡¯t answer my question."


    He thought me to be this distrustful and to never let my guard down. I took that lesson too seriously and now, I don¡¯t really trust anyone but myself. Brett Rollins rarely breaks character, unless you¡¯re his wife, Barbara Rollins or his son, Josh Randall. When it¡¯s outside those two, one should really not ignore their guts. Father regards me with his watchful eyes as I study his as well.


    "That¡¯s why you¡¯re my favorite son. You remind me so much of my younger self."


    I scoff at that. "Don¡¯t. We both know who your favorite son is."


    "No, you¡¯re wrong. I love each of my sons for different reasons and I have favorites for different things. You¡¯re my favorite because of your business acumen and your unwavering focus on what¡¯s important. You indulge yourself in somethings and people I don¡¯t approve of but in spite of such distractions, you remainser focused on the goal ahead of you. No other son of mine is that focused. That¡¯s why I love you the most in that regard."


    I don¡¯t know whether to feel giddy or silly. Did he just give me a pat on the back for refusing to live and being a vish workaholic?


    "And if I stopped being those things? Would you still love me?" I lean on the table and peer deeply into his eyes. "If I stopped expanding your business reach and worth, if I stopped being relevant to the sess of Rollins Empire say because I suddenly fell terminally ill, would you still consider me your favorite for whatever reason?"


    He onlyughs and sips his coffee. "You¡¯re not nning on falling sick, are you? We have a lot nned for this quarter. We can¡¯t afford any inconveniences. You know I need you every step of the way." At the disheartened look in my eyes, he leans back with a weird look in his eyes. "What is this about, Asher? Why are you testing me?"


    "This is about Josh and how he never has to live up to any expectations to earn your unconditional love." I blurt out dryly. "This is about how you love him because you made him and how you will never toss him aside even if he gets crippled or blind or even dies."


    "Hey, don¡¯t say such things!"


    "See? That¡¯s what I am talking about." I m my hands on the table, spilling our coffees on the white linen.


    "Control yourself, Asher. You¡¯re better than this."


    "And if I am not? Huh? Would I be considered less than?"


    "Everything okay here?" A waiter asks with a meek bow. Father assures him we¡¯re fine and dismisses him gracefully.


    "Why exactly did you bring me out here to pretend to spend time with me? Is it some kind of guilt over spending quality time with Josh but not my brothers and I?"


    "You and your brothers hardly take me seriously when I want to spend time with you. You know how many times I have literally begged you toe eat with me here but you keep turning me down."


    "I didn¡¯t want to be a third wheel!" I snap at him. "You and I have worked at thepany for so long. You never offered to eat with me or epted my invitation but the moment Josh joined us, you made every lunch break a father-son date between both of you and you expect me to be thrilled at being invited to that?"


    He shakes his head. "I have told you countless times that you and your brothers do not have to be jealous of Josh. He is not a threat to you and you all are in nopetition for my heart. I love you all."


    Ok. I am done with this delusion.


    "Just ask me what you want to know, father. Enough with this charade."


    Whatever it is, it has to be good since he spent a good amount of his precious time with me and not his favorite son. True to form, he nods his head.


    "Fine. I want to know what your brothers have been up to."


    I thought as much. He wants me to snitch on my brothers.


    "Why would you think they¡¯ve been up to anything?"


    "I¡¯m their father. I know them. They always get themselves into one sticky mess or another and you swoop in to clean their mess hopefully before I notice. Imend you for that, I really do. However, I know that you haven¡¯t been able to tackle everything by yourself. There has to be loose ends. I just want you to tell me about them so I can help you tie them."


    I shrug my shoulders. "There¡¯s really nothing to tell. We¡¯ve encountered a few snags here and there but nothing major. I¡¯ve got it handled." I take a long sip of my coffee and beam at him over the rim of the cup.


    "Since they learnt of Josh, Ashton and Ashal have drifted even further away from me." He dips his eyes remorsefully but I don¡¯t buy the act. "I¡¯m worried about them. Let¡¯s start with Ashal. He¡¯s gone and knocked up that wife of his. I don¡¯t have to tell you that Olivia was always a short-term n, just like Demi is. There¡¯s no way in hell those women are birthing my grandchildren. I can¡¯t allow it."


    My mind flits to Demi who is also pregnant for Ashley. Father will freak out if he learns of it.


    "Haven¡¯t you been able to convince Ashal to divorce that woman? How long are we supposed to put up with that secret?"


    I haven¡¯t had time to investigate what is really going on between Ashal and Maddie. Whatever it is, I have to end it. Thest thing we need is another saga featuring Olivia¡¯s sister. I have to convince Ashal to take a worthy bride.


    "He¡¯s stubborn, father. You¡¯ve met him. I have to be very careful so I don¡¯t trigger him. It¡¯s a dicey area. I¡¯ll keep talking to him and let you know what he decides."


    "And Ashley? Tell me he isn¡¯t seriously considering hanging onto Demi till the contract expires." He gets suspicious over my silence. "Talk to me, Asher! You¡¯re the only sane son I can rely on. You and I have been shouldered with the responsibility of shepherding your brothers. Don¡¯t keep secrets from me because if they leak out and hurt the business, I won¡¯t be able to trust your judgment again. I am asking you to confide in me if you know something so we can quietly nip them in the bud."


    I clench and unclench my fingers. "Demi is pregnant."


    Father remains eerily quiet for a few minutes. He works the anger bubbling inside him by gritting his teeth and breathing heavily.


    "I¡¯m handling it. I¡¯ll force her to get rid of it before Ashley finds out. Yes, he is unaware for some reason. I don¡¯t know why she lied to him about it but this works for us. If he catches a whiff of it, he¡¯ll stubbornly want her to keep it. We can¡¯t let that happen. Father," I reach for his hand. "Trust me, no one wants that woman out of our lives more than I do. I won¡¯t let her trap my brother like that."


    "And Olivia?"


    Olivia has been discharged from the hospital. Ashal is very protective of her. There¡¯s no way I can get past his security to get to her.


    "I¡¯m also handling it. If Ashal won¡¯t end their marriage, I can talk to Olivia and convince her to leave him. I am sure she¡¯s done with the rtionship and wants out. That should be an easy sell."


    "You n to let her walk away just like that? You trust that she-devil not to seek our downfall the second she¡¯s free?"


    "I need you to trust me. She won¡¯t go bbing to anyone, not after everything. Her family has also been apprised of the risk if they try to talk. They¡¯re done ying activists and heroes. They just want their daughter back and to lead a quiet and peaceful life."


    Father expels a deep breath and finishes his coffee.


    "Ashton. What¡¯s up with him?"


    "Nothing that I know of. He¡¯s resigned to his fate as M¡¯s would-be husband and the bane of Ashley¡¯s marital life."


    "No." Father disagrees, shaking his head. "He¡¯s been too quiet andpliant with my decisionstely. If he wasn¡¯t distracted by whatever it is he¡¯s doing, he would have put up more resistance regarding his engagement. He doesn¡¯t even give me his signature death stares anymore. Hepletely avoids me."


    "You¡¯re just being paranoid."


    "I know he searched my study, Asher."


    My fingers grow ice cold while holding the butter knife. I stare up at father.


    "What?"


    "You think I wouldn¡¯t know if one paper is moved in my study? I know you deliberately lied to cover up for him when I found the mess. Even if you were in a hurry to find any documents rting to work in my study, you would have called me first to try to narrow down your search and there¡¯s no way you would have made such a mess. Plus, I have cameras installed in there. I watched the whole thing. So, tell me, why was Ashton looking for your adoption papers?"


    ***


    I fork some eggs and chew as calmly as I can.


    "He was distraught to find out that you had another son. We got into a shouting match and a small fight. The truth about us being adopted slipped out. Ashton has been having a hard time swallowing that one so he refused to believe it until he saw the papers for himself."


    I hope I am convincing enough. If father even suspects that someone has been feeding Ashton with defamatory lies against our parents, he¡¯ll kill them in a blink of an eye. As for Ashton, I don¡¯t know what father will do to him for believing the lies.


    "Why didn¡¯t he just ask me?"


    "Two reasons. Firstly, he was and still is furious at you for the whole Josh situation and for not telling us all the truth of our adoption sooner. Secondly, he doesn¡¯t believe you¡¯ll tell him the truth so he chose to find out for himself. He thinks you¡¯re a pathological liar." I scoop more eggs and chew with a wicked smile. Father only shakes his head.


    "I didn¡¯t find the adoption papers though." I throw in, treading cautiously. "Ashton is still interested in seeing them. Perhaps you could show them to me so I can put him out of his misery." I need to know that the adoption papers exist so my mind can stop drifting and making up scary assumptions as to how my brothers and I came to be heirs of the Rollins empire. I¡¯d hate for anyone to challenge our inheritanceter.


    "That¡¯s no problem at all. It¡¯s in the safe in my bedroom. I¡¯ll personally hand them over to him myself when we get home today."


    The papers exist? Ashton¡¯s informant was wrong then. Phew. I can¡¯t believe how relieved I feel. Ashton will love to hear this.


    "He¡¯d love that. Hopefully, this will be the first step that leads to your reconciliation."


    "I truly hope so."


    We continue our brunch inpanionable silence, until thest two people I want to see stroll in.


    "Brett?"


    "Kristy." Father returns with a smile at his baby mama. He stands up to hug her while Josh grins next to his mother. I tighten my fingers around my bread knife and swear in my head. You¡¯ve got to be kidding me.


    When they ask to join us, I stare daggers at father before turning to grab my gear. He closes a hand over my shoulder to keep me in ce.


    "As much as I¡¯d love to, I already promised my son here that today was going to be just me and him, right Asher?"


    Flustered, I turn to Kristy and her son who have shock written all over their faces and relish ever bit of it.


    "Yes. That¡¯s right."


    "I trust you can understand." Father continues. "I am trying to share my spare time bonding with ALL my sons now. It¡¯s what a good father would do."


    "It¡¯s okay, dad. We get it."


    Josh¡¯s reply grates on my nerves. Once a brownnoser, always a brownnoser. Mother and son feign an understanding smile before going to get their own table.


    Father plunks down on his seat and gauges my reaction. I know he expects some kind of appreciation for the nothing he just did by giving me, his oldest son, his precious time but I refuse to give him any des. If ours was a normal father-son rtionship, I wouldn¡¯t have to coerce him to do that much for me.


    We share ten more minutes to ourselves within which time father attends to a few emails on his phone while I keep texting on my phone. I am waiting to hear from a few people today regarding a few things. They assure me over text that all is going well.


    My phone buzzes with a new message.


    "I have to go. I¡¯ve got other appointments."


    "Now? I just declined eating with them so we can spend more time alone."


    I nce behind at Kristy and Josh who keep stealing nces at us.


    "Don¡¯t act like you brought me out here to bond with me. You got the answers you wanted. We don¡¯t have to keep up appearances. I¡¯ve got to go. You¡¯re wee to rejoin your other family. I won¡¯t take it personally. Just don¡¯t forget to give Ashton the papers tonight."


    "I won¡¯t."


    Before I leave, I give him a hard stare. "I understand that Josh is your son and he deserves your attention too. However, I sincerely hope your rtionship with his mother isn¡¯t deeper than it looks. You know better than to toy with my mother¡¯s feelings again."


    "Have a great day, Asher. I¡¯ll meet you at home."


    I say nothing and leave him to his business.


    Nessa¡¯s text is a pleasant surprise. I have been craving a woman¡¯s touch all day. Since I already contacted Iman¡¯s friends to help me take care of Demi today, I feel some type of way going over to Anna¡¯s ce. I don¡¯t know if I¡¯ll be able to pretend around her. Plus, she¡¯s always going to talk about Demi every thirty minutes. I¡¯d hate to be reminded of something I feel slightly guilty about. I want to be distracted as much as possible until I get the text from my men that tells me the job has been done.


    I¡¯m a little worried too, especially with father¡¯s piqued interest in what my brothers have been up to. Maybe I should have enlisted his help after all.


    No, I was right not to. I can¡¯t work with father. No one can. He only has people work for him. If I let him in on my ns, he¡¯ll just do what he feels is the best solution and ignore my rules. Left to him, he¡¯ll have Oliver disappear off the face of the earth. He¡¯ll make Ashley divorce Demi using the dirtiest tricks in the book. I guess I learnt all that from him, except the killing part. That one is still a bit difficult for me to stomach.


    "Hey." I kiss Nessa on the lips the moment she slides into my car after I pull up at her ce. It¡¯s always refreshing seeing her outside work. "You smell good." I add, nuzzling her neck. She smiles sheepishly.


    "I missed you. You never call me."


    "I¡¯m sorry. My weekends are swamped." You know how it is." I kiss her again, my fingers teasing her buttons.


    "Do you have time now?" She asks with a sexy glint in her eyes.


    "Yeah. How¡¯d you know? I just finished brunch with my dad. I have a few hours to kill. Let¡¯s go to our usual ce."


    "Sure."


    ***


    I didn¡¯t mean to fall asleep but when I open my eyes, it¡¯s already dark outside. Nessa is purring softly next to me. How the hell did I lose track of time? I rush for my phone. My men must have tried to contact me regarding Demi.


    A startled gasp escapes my lips when I realize I have a bunch of missed calls. How did I not hear my phone ring? Why is there no call from those buffoons I hired? Just as I am about to dial them, Ashton¡¯s calles through.


    "Hey, Ash. I¡¯m sorry I missed your call..."


    "Where the fuck are you, Asher?"


    "Wow. Calm down bro. What¡¯s with the rage?


    "WHERE.THE.FUCK.ARE.YOU?" He repeats icily. My mind can only think of one thing. Have my men already delivered? Why haven¡¯t they called to inform me? Shit. If Ashton intercepts my n, that will be terrible.


    "What¡¯s going on, Ashton? Talk to me clearly."


    He huffs out a breath. It¡¯s almost like he wants to reach across the phone to wring my neck. "You¡¯re not getting away with it this time. I¡¯ll make sure you pay dearly for this!"


    Did Demi manage to call him? Did Iman show his face at the scene and make it easy for Demi and Ashton to surmise that her situation is my doing? I try to stay calm and y ignorant.


    "You keep this up and I am going to hang up on you. I have no freaking idea what you¡¯re talking about here, Ashton. What are you using me of this time?"


    "DEMI¡¯S IN THE ICU BECAUSE IMAN ATTACKED HER, YOU ASSHOLE! I KNOW YOU DID THIS. I KNOW YOU¡¯VE BEEN PROTECTING HIM FROM ME FOR SOMETHING THIS SHADY. SHE LOST HER PREGNANCY, ASHER. SHE LOST ASHLEY¡¯S UNBORN CHILD! ARE YOU HAPPY NOW? THIS IS WHAT YOU WANTED, WASN¡¯T IT? YOU SENT HIM AFTER HER TO DO SOMETHING SO EVIL. SHE BARELY SURVIVED. I HOPE YOU HAVE TIME TO REHEARSE YOUR DEFENSE BEFORE ASHLEY SEES YOU."


    "Wait, Ashton, I didn¡¯t..." He hangs up before I can get a sentence in. I stare at my phone in shock. Demi lost the baby? While that was my eventual n, a few things don¡¯t add up.


    She wasn¡¯t supposed to be attacked. My instruction was to have her kidnapped and taken to a ce where I can threaten her to terminate her pregnancy or face harsher conditions in the mansion.


    I was going to paint her worst fears; the same image which I overheard her telling Anna, the image of Olivia¡¯s life. I know Demi would have sumbed if she knew her freedom would be taken away. I never asked those buffoons to harm her to the point that she¡¯s fighting for her life.


    I quickly move to the bathroom, turn on the shower and dial Rodrigo, the perceived leader of the three fools.


    "Boss."


    "Don¡¯t you dare boss me. What the hell have you done? Why are you idiots so terrible at taking instructions? I never asked you to harm or hurt her. I asked you to whisk her away to the house. What part of that didn¡¯t you understand? How could you attack and injure her so badly? Do you have any idea what you¡¯ve done?"


    "Boss, we never got to her. While we were tailing her, another car ran us off the road and went after her. When we managed to get back on the road, we had already lost her. I¡¯m so sorry boss but we didn¡¯t attack her. I¡¯m sorry we failed you."


    "What? If you didn¡¯t do it, then who did?"


    My mind begins to spin. Holy fuck. I rush out of the bathroom startling Nessa who is yawning. My eyes track to the wine and food we had. I grab my ss and sniff it.


    "Youced my drink with a sleeping pill, didn¡¯t you?"


    "What?"


    When I smash the ss cup against the wall, Nessa screams and cowers in fear. My hand closes around her neck.


    "I thought it was surprising to get your call out of the blue. Then we had a great time and I slept like a log of wood. I NEVER SLEEP THAT DEEP, NESSA. You know this. You spiked my drink. Who asked you to distract me? Speak up!" I snarl, squeezing her throat. "Who put you up to this? Was it my father? Answer me!"


    "YES!" She croaks weakly, then tumbles off the bed when I release her and bursts into a wild coughing fit on the floor. I stagger back in shock.


    Father did this? He almost had Demi killed? How am I supposed to defend myself to my brothers now when father is going to y the saint and hand over the adoption papers to Ashton, thereby debunking the theory that questions the willingness of our biological parents to surrender us to him? If he does that, my brothers will hardly believe he is behind this.


    If she pulls through this, Demi will also have reasons to point using fingers my way because she suspects I knew about her pregnancy after Anna¡¯s ce. It¡¯s an open secret that I don¡¯t like her in the mansion. I will be everyone¡¯s suspect.


    Ashley and mother will never forgive me for the death of the unborn baby. Ashton will bray for my blood because he perceives that Demi¡¯s condition is the result of dying Iman¡¯s punishment.


    Shit. Father yed me.


    How do I get myself out of this mess now?

 Chapter 111

    <h4>Chapter 111: Chapter 111</h4>


    ASHER


    No one is home when I storm into the mansion and by no one, I mean everyone who gives a fuck about Demi; mother and my brothers. I am not surprised to find father home but the surprise kicks in when he isn¡¯t in his study but in his bedroom.


    Even with the lights turned on, his room has a dark hue to it. I find him on his couch, sipping a ss of chardonnay. The fury simmering inside me erupts like a volcano at the small smile ying on his lips when I barge into his room. He must have been expecting me. He must find everything humorous.


    "How could you, father? How could you do such a thing?"


    Carefully, he sets his ss down and adjust his spectacles on the bridge of his nose. "Do what, Asher?"


    "With all due respect, father, ying ignorant doesn¡¯t suit you. You know exactly what I am talking about!"


    "As a matter of fact, son, I don¡¯t. I did a couple of things today, some even involving you so unless you rify, I¡¯m afraid I won¡¯t be able to follow."


    Very typical of him. "Nessa confessed everything. You asked her to keep me distracted while you orchestrated Demi¡¯s attack. Do you deny it?"


    "Why would I? I did in fact send men after her to do something you clearly don¡¯t have the balls to do. Tell me, Asher, what was your grand n for getting rid of that thing Demi was carrying? How long had you known she was pregnant?" At my silence, he shakes his head. "I thought you were very much like me and didn¡¯t flinch when doing what needs to be done. Are you suddenly developing a conscience?"


    "I was handling it!" I snarl angrily. "You shouldn¡¯t have interfered. Now, she¡¯s all battered and bruised in the hospital and my brothers are asking questions and pointing fingers at me! If you had let me handle things my way, Ashley would never have found out about that baby. Demi would have terminated it quietly."


    "You¡¯re so confident she would have, aren¡¯t you?"


    "Yes, I am. You seem to be forgetting how persuasive I can be, father." I rake my hand through my hair. "This is exactly why we don¡¯t confide in you about anything. You don¡¯t think about the ripple effect of the action you¡¯re about to take before you take it. How do you think they¡¯re all going to take it after today? Aren¡¯t you the least bit worried that they will never forgive you for this, especially Ashton and Ashley?"


    "Well, who¡¯s going to tell them I had anything to do with this?" He inclines his head as a sly smile tugs at the side of his lips.


    "What?"


    "Come on, Asher. You know me better than that. I just told you earlier today that I was trying to bridge the gap between my sons and I. Do you honestly think I¡¯ll let you go bbing to them that I had something to do with Demi¡¯s condition even if they won¡¯t believe you? I can¡¯t let your mother think I just robbed her of the chance to be a grandmother."


    My head is spinning slowly now. I can¡¯t believe what he is insinuating. "You want me to take the fall for this."


    He gets up on his feet and pats my shoulder. "If you¡¯re going to take over Rollins Empire one day, you have to learn to befortable with not being liked. You¡¯ll make tough decisions and be put in tough situations just like you find yourself right now but remember, it¡¯s for the greater good. I managed to tackle the problem with Demi within an hour of being informed about it. Think of every other snag you and I can effectively deal with for good?"


    "My brothers will hate me." I croak out in despair.


    "Oh, they¡¯ll get over it. I haven¡¯t died from their hatred, have I? They have a lot of maturing to do, Asher. You can¡¯t be too hung up on their feelings towards you. You are their big brother. This is what it means to be a leader. It¡¯s a position that is secretly admired by many but when you assume that position, you realize that it can be quite difficult and unsavory most times."


    I drop on the couch and cover my face with my hands.


    "What if I can¡¯t do this? What if I can¡¯t take the me on your behalf?"


    Father¡¯s face is drained of all humor as the words leave my lips.


    "I don¡¯t think you have an option here. I am aware you hired some men to tail Demi today. My men ran them off the road. I can easily guess what you hired them to do. Duncan already has their address. It wouldn¡¯t be an uphill task getting them to confess to hurting Demi, would it? I¡¯m sure I can top whatever you paid them."


    How can he be so evil? He had all this figured out in just a few hours?


    Father sits next to me with a hand on my shoulder. I want to rip it apart given how much I loathe him right now.


    "Think about it, Asher. Even if you manage to convince them that you didn¡¯t actually hurt Demi, how will you exin the men you hired to go after Demi? Who will believe that you merely wanted to coax her? The only thing everyone will see is that I beat you to something you wanted to do. How does that help either of us? Look, I am asking you to take the me because it¡¯s the only way you and I can get away with this easily. Your brothers and your mother will eventually forgive you like they always do. As for me, it won¡¯t be that easy, not with your mother. Do you want to find the dining table missing a member? The atmosphere in the house will be frigid once they all ostracize me."


    I massage my temples as a loud ringing sound echoes in my head. I need my pills. I can¡¯t deal with this without the goddamn pills. I stand and stagger towards the door. As I grab the knob, a single thought urs to me. When I spin around to face him, father is back in his original position with his wine ss in his hand.


    "I¡¯ll do it." I tell him. He smiles and nods his head but I am far from done. "You¡¯re going to give me the adoption papers to hand over to Ashton. It¡¯s the least you can do for putting me in this predicament. I want to have a bargaining chip when Ashtones after me. It¡¯ll buy me time to exin myself and beg for forgiveness."


    Father sets his lips in a hard line and thinks for a minute.


    "Fine."


    I watch him cross over to his bathroom and return a few minutester. He passes me the document in an envelope. I didn¡¯t realize he had another safe in his damn bathroom. I hastily rip it open and flip through the document. I can¡¯t believe the papers exist. I stifle my relief and tuck the file under my arm before leaving.


    My phone has been blowing up with Ashton¡¯s call. I know it will be foolish to head to the hospital right now and be confronted by my brothers. I have to be smart about this.


    Ashton must have impressed on the minds of everyone that I am behind it all. Ashley will be too distracted by his grief and worry for Demi to take his anger out on me. Ashal will be on mom watch while she processes everything that has happened.


    My best bet is to lure Ashton away from the hospital and try to defend myself. It might result in several blows and a ck eye but if I can quell his temper, then I can get through to the rest of my brothers.


    I text him where to meet me, knowing he¡¯ll leave everything and rush over.


    He finds me standing by ake with the file in my hand. I watch him get down from his car and without bothering to shut the door or turn of his headlights, march towards me.


    "Wait, Ashton, you need to know something first."


    My words go right over his head as he gives me a punch in the face that sends me thudding to the ground with a broken nose. I barely manage to pull myself up when the next blownds. Blood spurts from my mouth.


    "I WARNED YOU THERE WOULD BE CONSEQUENCES IF YOU PUT HER LIFE AT RISK BY LETTING THAT THUG ROAM FREE."


    "Ashton, we can talk about this."


    "YOU REALLY HATE HER SO MUCH THAT YOU SICCED THAT RABID DOG ON HER? SHE HASN¡¯T DONE ANYTHING TO YOU AND BECAUSE OF YOUR BASELESS ACCUSATIONS, YOU PUT HER LIFE IN DANGER. SHE LOST YOUR BROTHER¡¯S CHILD! DID YOU EVEN STOP TO THINK ABOUT ASHLEY? GO SEE WHAT A MESS HE IS RIGHT NOW." His chest heaves with breath. "MOTHER IS DISTRAUGHT ALL BECAUSE OF YOU."


    "I¡¯m sorry, man. I¡¯m really sorry."


    "Sorry won¡¯t resurrect that lost life."


    He straddles me on the ground. My body shudders as he punches me again.


    "Ashton, wait!" His arm is reeled back to deliver another blow. I don¡¯t know if I can get through that and retain my consciousness. "The file, please, I need you to take a look at it. Just one minute, please." He continues to pin me with a hot re, breathing heavily, "Please Ashton, just take a look."


    After a few humming seconds, he gets off me, walks back to grab the file that¡¯s almost buried by sand. With his headlights beamed on him, he flips through the document. I watch his eyes cloud over as realization dawns. While he is distracted, I stagger to my feet and wipe the blood and sand off my body and face.


    "I know this is hardly the time to talk about that but I needed you to calm down a bit so I can get through to you." His red eyes lift from the document to my face.


    "Where did you get this?"


    "I¡¯lle back to thatter but you have to hear me out first, Ashton. I didn¡¯t do that to Demi. I swear I am not responsible." I press my eyes shut and paraphrase. "No, what I mean is I am somewhat responsible. I was out with father this morning. He was asking a lot of questions about a lot of things. One thing led to another and it slipped from my tongue that I suspect Demi could be pregnant."


    "What?"


    "I¡¯ve been observing her. I had concrete reasons to believe so. I found pregnancy sticks in Anna¡¯s bathroom and she confirmed it belonged to a friend. When I checked, the said friend doesn¡¯t exist. I immediately realized they had to have been Demi¡¯s."


    "You told father?" Ashton repeats, fuming.


    "It slipped. I¡¯m sorry but back to what I was saying. Father wasn¡¯t pleased about it. He doesn¡¯t want Demi birthing his grandchild. I convinced him that I would handle it and by that I meant I would talk to Demi about it, find out if she was truly pregnant, inform Ashley so both of them can decide what to do next."


    Ashton snorts. He doesn¡¯t believe me. I ignore the bitter truth and carry on.


    "Father nned with Nessa to distract me. She drugged me. I woke up to your call and when you told me about Demi, I knew it had to be him. Trust me, Ashton, I didn¡¯t do this. Father is making me take the fall for him. I don¡¯t mind doing so with Ashley and Ashal but I needed one person to know the real truth. You have to believe me. I know I am the most culpable here but I am not as vile as our father, not yet. I didn¡¯t do that to Demi."


    A few seconds go by as Ashton¡¯s grim face continues to re at me. Finally, he stomps forward.


    "Tell me you didn¡¯t n on doing exactly what father did to Demi, Asher."


    My throat dries up.


    "Look me in the eye and tell me you didn¡¯t n to terminate Demi¡¯s pregnancy because it displeased you!"


    I swallow hard. "I¡¯m sorry, Ashton. I wasn¡¯t okay with it but my methods to have her get rid of it would have been less gruesome."


    I expect another punch but it doesn¡¯te. Instead, Ashton grits his teeth.


    "You believe me." I can see it in his eyes. I know he knows father isn¡¯t exactly a saint but I had expected him to make me his culprit and use me of trying to avoid the me by making things up about father.


    "You actually believe me." I gasp in relief, then catch myself. "I¡¯m sorry. How is Demi coping? I would love to go to the hospital to check on her but I don¡¯t think anyone wants to see me there right now."


    Being reminded of Demi¡¯s poor state makes the rage return to Ashton¡¯s eyes.


    "I mean it, Ash. I want to know how she is faring."


    "She hasn¡¯t woken up yet. The doctor says she¡¯ll recover." He turns to face me. "If you didn¡¯t do this and Iman wasn¡¯t behind it, then father must have sent some of our men to hurt Demi?"


    "Yes. It appears so." Father has no thugs. If he wants to get work done, he¡¯ll likely send men from our security detail even if they have to dress for the part. Ashton¡¯s eyes narrow in thought.


    "Is there a chance father could have hired thugs to do this?"


    "He got Nessa to text me within minutes after I told him about Demi. While she whisked me away, he sent men after Demi. He couldn¡¯t have had the time to hire any thugs. Why would he hire thugs when he has a lot of men at his disposal to get their hands dirty for him?" I can tell there¡¯s a lot on Ashton¡¯s mind. "Why do you ask?"


    "Nothing." His eyes dip to the file he must have forgotten was in his hand. "Where did you get this, Asher?"


    "Father gave it to me. It was in a safe in his bathroom, I guess. He knows that you searched his office. I convinced him to give them to you tonight before all this happened. I¡¯m d this puts your mind at peace."


    He continues to stare at the document.


    "Something wrong?"


    "There¡¯s something I have to tell the quads." He replies cryptically.


    ***


    When I reach the hospital, trailing behind Ashton, my heart is far from being at ease. I know there¡¯s still work to be done regarding the rest of my brothers. Ashton might know the truth but I have to take the fall in front of Ashley and Ashal so father believes I did as he asked.


    "I¡¯ll just wait outside." I tell Ashton as he walks through the door to Demi¡¯s room. Outside, I run my hands over my face and expel a deep breath. Maybe I should go in and get this over with. When I open my eyes, Anna is standing in front of me with teary eyes.


    "Asher?"


    "Anna." I reply, lunging to my feet. Beyond the tears shimmering in her eyes, there are traces of anger. When I reach for her hand, she steps back. "Anna, how is she?"


    "She woke up a while back but fell unconscious again."


    "She¡¯ll be fine. We have to trust the doctor."


    "Tell me you had nothing to do with her condition."


    "What?"


    "You overheard us that night, didn¡¯t you?" She asks as tears roll down her eyes. "You heard Demi talking. You knew about her pregnancy and now this happens."


    "Anna, I didn¡¯t do this."


    "But you knew, didn¡¯t you?"


    "You knew she was pregnant?" I turn as Ashley steps out with murder in his eyes. "You knew and you didn¡¯t tell me? Instead, you sent your thugs after her to kill my baby?" Ashton intervenes in time before Ashley can attack me. "GET YOUR HANDS OFF ME, ASH. HE DID THIS. HE KILLED MY CHILD."


    Mother steps out too, her eyes damp with tears. Ashal is by her side. The look he gives me causes a fresh tear in my heart. While Ashton pulls Ashley away to calm his nerves, Ashal demands that I leave as my presence will only upset everyone.


    Anna ignores me and returns to check on Demi with mother and Ashal. My head starts to pound again. Saddened by the position I find myself, I storm away.


    I drive aimlessly for a bit before father¡¯s calles through.


    "What other dirty work do you have for me, dearest father?"


    "I was just calling to check on you, son. I know you don¡¯t want to talk to me right now. I want to assure you that your sacrifice won¡¯t go in vain. I will do everything in my power to make sure your brothers forgive you."


    I blink away the wetness in my eyes. I can¡¯t believe I am so hurt I might actually cry.


    "Gee, thanks father. That¡¯s really kind of you."


    "Don¡¯t be sarcastic, Asher. One day, you¡¯d look back on the lesson I have taught you today and thank me profusely."


    "Well, that day isn¡¯t today so please get off my phone." I hang up and m my hands on my steering wheel, startling some bystanders on the road. My eyes are getting blurry but not because of the traces of tears in them. I reach into my glove box for my pills tobat the dizziness but find the case empty. Shit. How did I forget to get another supply from doctor Ezra?


    I pull over and rest my head on the steering wheel. Anna keeps declining my calls. I need her help right now. Ashton¡¯s calle in but I refuse to take it. I can¡¯t let him or anyone of my family members see me like this.


    Outside, the street is bereft of people. Most of the shops are closed. Breathing heavily, I step down from my car hoping against hope that I can find a pharmacy nearby. Ady approaches me from the sidewalk. She has a backpack on.


    "Excuse me, miss. Is there a pharmacy around here?"


    I can tell she¡¯s a bit fearful. I slump against my car and beg when she quickens her pace.


    "Please, I could use your help. I¡¯ll pay for your assistance."


    She halts and turns to me. "What do you need help with?"


    "Don¡¯t be scared, please. I promise I mean you no harm."


    "What do you need help with, sir?"


    "I need to use your phone to call my friend. Mine¡¯s dead.


    Still maintaining her distance, she helps me dial Anna¡¯s number and tells her about my condition. Anna assures her that she is on her way.


    "Thank you so much." I tell her. "Here, a little token for your time."


    "I don¡¯t want your money."


    "Please, for your time and your kindness."


    "Thank you but I didn¡¯t do it to get paid." She tucks her phone in her bag.


    "Can I know your name at least? I¡¯m guessing you know mine."


    "You¡¯re one of the Rollins quads."


    "Right. And you are?"


    "Samantha Barrish"


    "Thanks again, Samantha." I can swear she sounds familiar. If I wasn¡¯t so dizzy, I probably would have made out her face even in the faint light. She sounds and moves like the scared girl from the bar the other time.


    "Hey Skr!" Her little trotting legs freeze at my words. I guessed as much. "You should probably avoid walking alone at night along empty streets like this, and going to ces you don¡¯t feelfortable in like the bar thest time. Piece of advice. Thanks again, Skr."


    She only scampers away, leaving me wondering why she has a lot of aliases.


    Anna shows up a few minutes after Skr left with a prescription from doctor Ezra and offers it to me. She stays only long enough to watch me take the pill and regain my bearing before attempting to leave.


    "Anna, please, you have to trust me. I didn¡¯t hurt Demi. I can¡¯t put up with your hatred too."


    She whips her head to re at me. "Trust you? Did you really just ask me to trust you? Even if I believe for one second against my better judgement that you didn¡¯t hurt my friend and cause her to lose her unborn child, how am I supposed to ignore this, Asher?" She shoves her phone in my face and my heart sinks. Nessa sent a pic of us together to Anna? How dare she?


    Anna wipes her eyes. "Demi was right. I should never have trusted you to begin with. I knew you were wrong for me but I deluded myself into thinking that it wouldn¡¯t hurt when you showed me your true colors. I was wrong and now I will always feel like a fool who caused herself unnecessary and avoidable pain."


    She gets a call that Demi is awake and scurries off back to the hospital. Iy back in my car and wait for the ringing in my head to stop.


    The pill isn¡¯t working as fast as it used to. My symptoms are still there but I pretended to be fine while Anna was here. I might need to make a decision and get my surgery done soon.


    Anna will certainly not be by my side now. With everything that has transpired tonight, I doubt my family will surround my hospital room the way they have done for Demi. I really don¡¯t me them. Maybe I am just as vile as father is.


    I dial father¡¯s line as he is the only one that will pick up right now.


    "Asher."


    A single tear runs down my left eye.


    "Asher? Are you there?"


    "Father, I¡¯m dying." I whimper with a broken voice.

 Chapter 112

    <h4>Chapter 112: Chapter 112</h4>


    ASHLEY


    None of this is real. How was Demi pregnant and I didn¡¯t know? Why didn¡¯t she tell me? And Asher? He also knew and kept me in the dark?


    I don¡¯t know how to feel right now. I just learnt that I was going to be a father and at the same time, I have lost my unborn baby. Why did Demi not tell me any of this? Does she hate me that much that she didn¡¯t want me to know we were having a baby?


    When Demi finally gets conscious, everyone rushes into her room to see and talk to her. I stay back, cradling my head in my hands.


    "Demi is awake. Aren¡¯t you going to see her?" Ashton asks me. I know he is itching to talk to her. My red rimmed eyes turn to stare at him. I want to know if he has also been keeping me in the dark about something I should have been told.


    "I¡¯ll see her eventually. I need to clear my head first."


    "I understand."


    "Ashton?"


    "Yes?"


    "Did you also know that Demi was pregnant?" I lock eyes with his cool ones. His elongated silence breaks my heart. He also knew? How did I not know? I turn and shake my head. "Did she tell you or you found out by observing her like Asher ims?"


    "I figured it out too."


    "And you didn¡¯t tell me because?"


    Ashton takes a seat next to me with a somber expression on his face.


    "Ashley, I¡¯m sorry. When I confronted Demi about hiding her pregnancy especially from you, she told me what happened the night she took the pregnancy tests. She said she overheard father and mother fighting over the possibility that she could be carrying their grandchild. ording to her, father said some mean things about her. She was too afraid of our parents being torn over her pregnancy that she needed time before she informed the family. She begged me to give her some time, Ashley."


    "She didn¡¯t tell me."


    "She wasn¡¯t sure you wanted the baby too."


    "What?" I ask, whipping my head to face him. "Why would she think that?"


    "You didn¡¯t defend her when father said those mean things about her. She felt that you shared the same sentiments as he does about having a baby with her because of your silence. Maybe you should go talk to her and clear up the air. I think there¡¯s a lot of misunderstanding going on."


    He pats my back before leaving for Demi¡¯s room.


    Demi isn¡¯t the only one to me for robbing me of the chance to celebrate fathering a child with her. My brothers also kept me in the dark. They¡¯re partly responsible for the pain I am feeling right now.


    My phone buzzes in my pocket. I frown at the sight of Nic¡¯s call. For a split second, I had forgotten all about our conversation. She ims to be pregnant with my child.


    Though this is hardly the ideal time to tackle the issue or the way I nned toe into fatherhood, I can¡¯t ignore her. That will only make worse an alreadybustible situation. Demi just went through a traumatic ordeal and lost our child in the process. Thest thing she needs to hear now is how I fathered another child with my ex.


    "Why are you calling me? I told you I¡¯d call you soon." I whisper to her from the far end of the hall. My eyes keep darting around for any lurking family member.


    "It¡¯s been hours, Ashley. You know every second counts if we must achieve our ns. This baby is also growing every day. Where did you run off to?"


    "My whereabout is none of your business even if you might be pregnant with my child. Don¡¯t start asserting rights that only rue to my wife, Ni." That bit must have hurt her feelings with the prolonged, awkward silence that follows. I run a hand over my face and expel a frustrated breath. "I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m just in a really bad mood right now. You should have listened and waited for me to call you."


    "My father is growing suspicious. He asked to take me to see a doctor when I got back from your office. I told him I already saw one and lied that I aming down with a fever. I think he bought it but I don¡¯t know how much longer I can keep him in the dark."


    I bet she can¡¯t wait to b to him so her pregnancy bes a national news and I am forced to take her more seriously. My head is spinning and aching at the same time.


    "I¡¯ll call you back. Take care of yourself till then."


    I hang up. When I turn, Anna is behind me. How did she manage to sidle up to me so quietly?


    "Anna. I didn¡¯t hear you."


    "Demi wants to see you." She utters softly. There¡¯s nothing in her eyes to make me suspicious that she overheard anything incriminating.


    "I¡¯ll be right behind you."


    She nods before leaving. I need time to coordinate my thoughts before seeing Demi. Ni¡¯s call has me confused a bit. I take a few moments to clear my head before advancing to Demi¡¯s room. The moment I step in, Ashal and Ashton herds everyone else out so Demi and I can talk.


    Alone, I stare pitifully at her. She¡¯s propped up against a pillow. She looks very weak. There are still tears in her eyes from the moment she just had with the rest of my family and her best friend. I struggle to find the right words to break the ice so we just stare wordlessly at each other. I can tell she knows the one question on my lips.


    "I was eventually going to tell you about the baby." She whimpers softly. "I thought I had more time. I didn¡¯t know something like this was going to happen. I¡¯m sorry, Ashley." She proceeds to cry her eyes out while I remain still, my thumbs hooked in the pockets of my pants.


    "You told Ashton."


    "No, he found out. I didn¡¯t tell him."


    "You should have told me, Demi. I deserved to know first."


    "I¡¯m sorry." She dabs her wet eyes. "I was afraid of what father would do if he found out. I also thought you didn¡¯t really want the baby if it would upset father. I was so confused after witnessing the scene that night when I took the tests. I lied to you because I was a bit sad to see him picking a fight with mother. I also didn¡¯t like the fact that you didn¡¯t defend me outrightly. I was...Ashley I didn¡¯t n on keeping it for so long."


    "Were you trying to get rid of it?"


    "What?"


    I approach her with a pained look. "Just tell me the truth, Demi. Did you loathe me so much that you toyed with the idea of terminating the pregnancy without my knowledge?"


    It isn¡¯t farfetched at all. I can see that picture clearly in my head. I bet she must have been devastated to find out she was pregnant with my child.


    "How could you say that to me, Ashley? Despite our differences and opinions on having kids in this marriage, that baby was also mine. How could you think so low of me?" Her tears give way to a sheen of pain and anger. "Is that what you want to hear? You want someone to me for the loss of our baby? Fine, pin all the me on me if it makes you happy. I however will not stop until I get to the root of my attack. I know it was no ident. Someone orchestrated everything, someone who knew about my pregnancy and wanted it gone."


    She heaves a breath. I know Asher¡¯s name is right on her lips but she refrains from mentioning it. Asher. I¡¯ll have to have that conversation with him. He had no right to interfere in my life like that.


    "You¡¯re silent again." Demi says, shaking her head. "We just lost our baby because of someone¡¯s wicked plot and you¡¯re more interested in ming me than looking into the person behind my attack."


    "Forgive me but I am still trying to process everything. I am in shock, Demi. There¡¯s so much running through my head right now. I need time to articte." I pace the room. "I know you¡¯re eager to make Asher your culprit but don¡¯t forget he isn¡¯t the only one who knew about your pregnancy. Asher wouldn¡¯t go behind my back and do something this heinous. I refuse to believe it."


    "Then what are you insinuating? Are you ming Ashton now?"


    "If we look at it, he also couldn¡¯t have wanted you to have my baby. Everyone knows he¡¯s still in love with you. We can as well say he had the motive and nned to terminate your pregnancy with the hope of pinning it on Asher, the most culpable brother."


    "Can you hear yourself? Ashton would never do such a thing. He wouldn¡¯t hurt me like that!"


    "You¡¯re so sure, aren¡¯t you?" It¡¯s the way she blindly trusts him for me. It¡¯s nauseating to be reminded how much they trust each other. I shake my head. "I know he wouldn¡¯t. I¡¯m just trying to remind you of the danger of being fixated on one possible culprit when there are other people who have the motive and would stand to benefit from your miscarriage as well. I¡¯ll look into it. For now, try to focus on recuperating."


    She lolls her head back on the bed and sniffles.


    "I¡¯ll send Anna back in." I tell her before leaving.


    ***


    After Demi gets discharged, mother makes sure she¡¯s properly looked after. She even insists that Demi takes a paid leave off work to rest some more. Demi isn¡¯t thrilled about it but she doesn¡¯t argue with mother.


    Father hasn¡¯t said anything about what happened, nor has he tried to settle the feud between Asher and I. I haven¡¯t been able to stand Asher¡¯s presence. I know I told Demi that he couldn¡¯t have gone behind my back to do such a thing but that was a lie. Asher has been trying to get me to divorce Demi for a while now. I am sure he would have done everything in his power to make her lose our baby so our union wouldn¡¯tst longer than stipted in the contract.


    I can¡¯t believe he did such a thing to my child. Before now, I thought only father was capable of taking things that far.


    "Ashley."


    "What the hell do you want?" I snap at Asher who hovers in front of my bedroom. I can¡¯t believe he¡¯ll have the guts to show me his face.


    "I need to talk to you."


    "Oh, now you want to talk, huh? After killing my baby?"


    "Ashley..."


    "I know how you feel about Demi and my marriage to her but even at that, Asher, I can¡¯t believe the lengths you are ready to go just to make me live my life the way you want. You¡¯re just as controlling and egoistical as father. How could you go after my unborn child? How could you dispense with talking to me first about your feelings on Demi¡¯s pregnancy?"


    If I wasn¡¯t sizzling with rage, I would believe that the look on Asher¡¯s face passes for remorse.


    "They weren¡¯t supposed to hurt her, I swear, not like that."


    "Now, you¡¯re ming your thugs for how they handled the job you gave them? How pathetic. Is that supposed to make me feel better about losing my baby?"


    "No. I¡¯m sorry. I had no right to intervene in your marriage like that. Please Ashley, I beg for your forgiveness. There¡¯s no justification for the role I yed in all of this. I am deeply sorry."


    "Please leave my room, Asher. I can¡¯t even look at you." I m the door behind him and rake my hands through my hair. The knock on my door few minutester almost make me go berserk. Why can¡¯t he take a hint? I am trying my very best not to lose it here. If he persists, I might actually have to start a physical fight to satisfy the anger inside me.


    "Asher, I swear to God..." but when I pull my door open, mother is behind the door. "Mother."


    "Ashley." She steps in to cup my face with her hands before pulling me in for a hug.


    "I¡¯m so sorry, my son. I know how much you must be hurting. Believe me, I feel your pain." She sobs softly. When she eases back, tears still glint in her eyes. "I wanted to give you some time to grieve but I haven¡¯t been able to hold myself. Greta had been right after all. I was going to be a grandmother but I didn¡¯t get to celebrate it. The baby was snatched from us too soon."


    "By your every own son, Asher." I add spitefully. "Don¡¯t ever forget that part." I move away to go sit on the couch. The anger starts surging again. "Why can¡¯t I have anything for myself? Why do I keep losing the good things in my life? Why do my loved ones keep betraying my trust over and over again? Why, mother?"


    She rushes to join me on the couch and takes my hand. "I have no idea what Asher was thinking. I bet somewhere in his head, he thought he was doing the best for you."


    "The best for me?" Iugh derisively. "That line has always brought me more pain than anything else. You also thought you were doing the best for me when you coaxed me to marry the girl Ashton wedded under the influence of alcohol, right? Five monthster and I am more miserable than I was as a bachelor. My wife doesn¡¯t give a shit about me. She is in love with my brother. She hid her pregnancy from me but told him. Can you imagine that, mother? Asher thought he was doing me a favor and had my unborn child killed. I am supposed to overlook all the pain and hurt my loved ones have caused me because their actions were paved by good intentions?"


    "Ashley, please, you don¡¯t have to forgive anyone immediately. I am just asking you not to shut everyone outpletely. Things will get better in time. You¡¯ll heal, trust me. And as for Demi, I think I understand what her fear was. You have to find it in your heart to forgive her so you two can forge ahead."


    "What exactly is it to you, mother?" I ask her, rising sharply. "Why do you want me to stay married to her?"


    "Because she¡¯s brought out a side of you that I never thought I¡¯d see as your mother, Ashley. I still believe that you two can work out your marriage in spite of the snags you¡¯ve encountered. However, if you feel I am wrong about any of this, feel free to unshackle yourself from this union. I¡¯d never put my wishes above your happiness, son."


    She frames my face. "You¡¯ll have another child someday, whether it¡¯s with Demi or whomever you choose. Your wish to be a dad will be fulfilled. I strongly believe so."


    She¡¯s still hurt for the loss of my baby. Is this a good time to tell her about Ni? I need help tackling that situation.


    I close my hand over hers on my cheek. "Mother, I need your help."


    "What¡¯s wrong, son?"


    "It¡¯s Ni. I made a huge mistake."


    "What happened?" Her keen eyes pierce into mine.


    "She¡¯s carrying my child!"


    ***


    "She¡¯s what?"


    "She told me a few days back. I didn¡¯t believe her but she¡¯s ready to undergo any test to prove that I fathered her baby. This was just before Ashton called to inform me about Demi¡¯s ident. I was in too much shock to process anything. It was devastating to learn that the woman I wanted to have a baby with had lost our baby and the woman I shouldn¡¯t be having a kid with is currently carrying my child. Ni has been badgering me about divorcing Demi and raising our kid together but mother, the timing couldn¡¯t have been worse. Demi just lost her child. If Ni¡¯s pregnancy gets out, it will be a huge mess."


    Mother bows her head pensively.


    "Do you think the baby is really yours?"


    I exhale. "I think so. I¡¯m sorry mother. I should have been more careful. If her father finds out, he¡¯ll exploit her condition to revive his political career. He is very avaricious and maniptes his daughter for his own selfish ends. I need your help. I don¡¯t know what to do about this situation. Please help me."


    I ease into her hug.


    "Shhh. It¡¯s okay. I¡¯ll think of something."


    "Demi can¡¯t find out. Not now. Not like this."


    "I understand." She kisses my forehead. "This is truly daunting. Nic is going to bear my grandchild? This has to be a cosmic joke." She sighs heavily. "Though she¡¯s not the most ideal candidate I would have wanted, we can¡¯t ignore the fact that the baby could still be yours. You already lost one child. Consider this a blessing in disguise." Her eyes light up with hope. "You¡¯re going to be a dad after all."


    "You¡¯re not mad?"


    "Not exactly. That child is still my grandchild even if it¡¯s Nic who bears it and not Demi."


    "What do you think father will say?"


    "Oh, you can¡¯t tell him. He won¡¯t take it well. If Demi wasn¡¯t good enough in his opinion to birth your child, then a washed up model and daughter of an ex politician stands no chance either. We have to find a way to deal with this quietly before it gets out. I think I have an idea."


    After mother whispers her idea to me, I feel a huge burden lifted off my shoulder. I am happy I shared it with her.


    "Thank you for always having my back, mom. I honestly don¡¯t know what I would do without you."


    " The feeling is mutual. I¡¯ll have Ni run some tests. After that, I¡¯ll take it up from there. Hmmm. Is it okay to feel giddy again about expecting a grandchild? I don¡¯t want to be partial to this innocent child because it¡¯s mother isn¡¯t a favorite of the family."


    "Do whatever pleases you as long as Demi doesn¡¯te to know."


    My door swings open to reveal a teary eyed Demi behind it. I didn¡¯t realize I forgot to lock my door after mother came in. I was too distracted by my anger for Asher and everything else. Demi looks angry and miserable. She stares daggers at me.


    "Ni is having your baby???"

 Chapter 113

    <h4>Chapter 113: Chapter 113</h4>


    DEMI


    "Are you okay?" Anna asks,ing in after Ashley leaves my room. I dry my eyes and sit upright. "What did Ashley say?"


    "What else would he say? He¡¯s livid that I didn¡¯t tell him about the baby and partly mes me for his pain." I sniffle and wipe my nose. "This can¡¯t be real, Anna. My baby is gone. I have already lost too much at the hands of this family and now my own child was taken from me." Anna¡¯s arm wraps around me while I choke back my tears.


    "Asher did this. He overheard me that night. I felt it in my gut. I thought the worst thing he could do was reveal my pregnancy to the family or at the very least, ckmail me with exposing it." Tears clog my throat. "I didn¡¯t think he hated me this much. How could he kill my baby?"


    Anna sobs with me. "I¡¯m so sorry, Demi. You were right all along. He isn¡¯t a good person. He¡¯s a liar and a cheat. I¡¯m so sorry he hurt you. If I hadn¡¯t let him into my life, he wouldn¡¯t have had a reason toe into my house. He wouldn¡¯t have found the pregnancy sticks or overheard our conversation that night. This is also my fault."


    "No, don¡¯t me yourself. It¡¯s ALL my fault. I shouldn¡¯t have been so reckless. Pregnancy was never part of my contract. That child suffered because of my mistake. If I hadn¡¯t gotten drunk, I wouldn¡¯t have allowed Ashley in my bed. I wouldn¡¯t have conceived. I brought this upon myself."


    We hug each other and cry some more.


    "How am I supposed to move past this? It took a lot to pull myself together and focus on my revenge. Now, I feel broken and weak all over again. They¡¯ve literally taken everything from me."


    "You have to be strong. You can¡¯t give up now. You have one more reason to follow through with your n; your dead child. Find the strength to move on as fast as possible because your problems are far from over." She stares deadpan at me.


    "W-What do you mean by that?"


    As I stare at mother and Ashley now, I can¡¯t believe Anna had been right. She had overheard Ashley on phone talking to a woman who is undoubtedly his ex. She had heard him mention that the woman was carrying his child.


    I don¡¯t know if I would have been more shocked to find out that Nic is pregnant if I was still carrying Ashely¡¯s child. How devastated would I have been to feel betrayed and yed like that? Probably as devastated as I feel now.


    Mother¡¯s role in this only worsens my feelings. She always made me feel like I mattered. She convinced me that I was special just for being me and marrying into the family. For that reason, she always tried to take my side instead of Ni¡¯s. I am shocked to discover how quickly she is switching camps because Ni is going to bear her long awaited grandchild now. I guess mother is not particrly attached to me but only fancied me when she thought I would help bear her son¡¯s child. Now that another woman¡¯s womb is carrying her heir, she couldn¡¯t care less about me.


    Liam is right about this family, about mother. They don¡¯t care about me and never will.


    "Ni is having your baby?"


    Tears stream down my face. My body is hardly healed from the loss of my child and here I find my husband and mother-inw celebrating his ex who is having his baby.


    "Demi." Ashley breathes. His eyes dart to his mother¡¯s for support. Typically, mother advances towards me. I stand my ground and give her a burning look.


    "Demi, I¡¯m so sorry you had to find out like this. You¡¯re not fully recovered. Please, don¡¯t do anything to aggravate your health."


    "What do you care? Your son Asher just ripped my baby out of existence. My husband chooses to me me for the loss of our unborn baby rather than his brother who orchestrated my attack. Father is probably relieved that I won¡¯t be birthing his grandchild and while I am trying to get past this traumatic experience, I find out that my husband not only cheated on me as usual but he¡¯s now expecting a baby with his ex. You, mother, you are supposed to have pity on me but instead of chiding him for his betrayal, you¡¯re more focused on helping him keep everything out of the press? I can¡¯t believe this."


    "Demi, like I said, I am truly sorry for everything that you¡¯ve had to go through at the hands of my sons but I can¡¯t be unjust to Ni¡¯s innocent child who also happens to be my grandchild simply because Ni is going to give birth to him/her. The deed has already been done. I can¡¯t change what Ashley has done."


    I stagger backwards and close a hand over my mouth to stifle a moan of pain.


    "Demi." Ashley calls,ing to touch me but I p his face.


    "Did you also conveniently forget to use a condom or pull out? Did you n this to punish me when you thought I wasn¡¯t prepared to give you a child?"


    I hate the pathetic and weak whine of my voice but I hate the tears streaming down my face more. "I thought you were one of the good guys, Ash. I didn¡¯t think you would hurt me like this."


    "Please Demi..."


    I p him hard again.


    "DEMI!" Mother scolds me but Ashley warns her tacitly not to interfere.


    "I know you¡¯re hurt. I am sorry. I fucked up. I shouldn¡¯t have let this happen."


    "YOU SHOULDN¡¯T HAVE BEEN SELEEPING WITH YOUR EX IN THE FIRST PLACE!" I add loudly. "How could you? I turned a blind eye at first because of the nature of our contract but when you asked me to give you a real chance, I thought having your loyalty would be a given. You snuck back in her bed and got her pregnant to get back at me for what? Tell me, Ashley? Tell me why you did this?"


    "Calm down, Demi."


    "Don¡¯t ask me to calm down." I snap at mother. Again, Ashley ranges himself between us so mother will let me air my feelings. I am not the least bit impressed by his protection right now. I wish he had been this intentional about guarding my heart. My eyes find his face again and my fingers itch to w at his eyes.


    "You constantly used me of cheating with your brother. You let your insecurity get in the way of our fledging romance. You didn¡¯t give us a chance. You let your jealousy consume and blind you to the reality which is that neither Ashton nor I are willing to pursue whatever feelings we might have for each other. We have moved on with our different lives. I expected you to trust me on that but no, you ran to your exe¡¯s bed to stroke your manly ego and this is the result. I hope you¡¯re finally happy. You¡¯re going to be a dad after all. And mother, this must be a dreame true for you too. It¡¯s all you ever wanted anyway. It didn¡¯t really matter who was birthing the child as long as it belongs to your son, right?"


    Mother says nothing in reply.


    "Demi, please...I didn¡¯t set out to hurt you. The pregnancy was an ident."


    "No, Ashley, it wasn¡¯t. Mine also wasn¡¯t an ident since you nned it all. The only difference between Ni and I is that Asher won¡¯t be going after her child like he did mine." I swipe the tears in my eyes. "I don¡¯t think he would have done it even if he found out about it before mine. I am a nobody after all but Ni, she¡¯s got a powerful father and a reputation." My eyes wheel to mother.


    "I wonder what father will say about this recent development."


    When I whirl to exit the room, mother¡¯s hand shoots out to fist in my sleeve.


    "You¡¯re not going to say a word to him, Demi."


    "And why is that? Why keep this a secret from the rest of the family? Ashley here mes me for the loss of our child because I kept him in the dark about it. Why then is he nning on keeping Ni¡¯s pregnancy a secret even from father? Father likes Ni, doesn¡¯t he? I am sure he will be more receptive of this news than he was for mine."


    "DEMI!" I halt at the warning in her tone. "I know you¡¯re hurting. Your pain is justified but I need you to remember the innocent child in this. I will tell everyone in the family everything eventually but the timing isn¡¯t great right now. You just lost you child. It will affect how they receive the news. Please, try to understand."


    I bob my head. "I understand perfectly fine, mother."


    I give Ashley a heated re before turning to leave. From the corner of my eye, I notice how mother grips Ashley¡¯s hand when he tries toe after me. My blood is boiling and I feel like smashing something. I march straight to Asher¡¯s room and hit the doorbell repeatedly.


    "Come out, you murderer! Come out and face me."


    I feel footsteps hurrying towards me, doors cracking open at the sound of my loud voice. When Ashley tries to pull me away, I yank my arm free and swear at him. Ashton and Ashal also hover close. I bang on Asher¡¯s door once more and yell for him toe out again. Mother tries in vain to get through to me but hers is thest voice I¡¯ll listen to right now. When Asher steps out, I spit right into his face.


    "You monster! You¡¯re the devil himself. How could you?" My whole body shudders with sobs. I p his face and fist my hands in thepels of his shirt. "The child you killed was your own blood! How could you hate me so much that you were prepared to sacrifice your own brother¡¯s baby? You¡¯re no better than a demon!"


    "Demi, please stop."


    I shrug off the hands trying to release Asher from my grip.


    "Tell me, was it worth it? Are you satisfied now or do you still want my life as well?"


    Asher clutches my hands and breaks my grip. Gently, he moves me into Ashley¡¯s arms.


    "I¡¯m sorry." He mutters with a bowed head. I refuse Ashley¡¯s touch like it burns and scream at the top of my lungs that he keeps his filthy hands away from me.


    "I told you that a child wasn¡¯t part of our agreement. I told you we should have stuck with our original contract terms but you didn¡¯t listen. Now, your brother has killed my child and everyone here is pretending like I am the crazy person." My blurry eyes find mother¡¯s pitiful face. "Won¡¯t you even chastise him? Is this normal behavior in this family?"


    "What¡¯s going on here?" Father¡¯s deep voice thunders from the far end of the hall. A sudden chill goes up my spine but I ignore it. I am allowed to make a scene as a grieving mother. I pick the hem of my flowing dress and race to him.


    "Father, look what Asher did to me. He is responsible for my miscarriage. I lost your grandchild because of him." Fresh tears roll down my face as I gesture towards Asher who hangs his head low in front of his bedroom door. "That monster killed my unborn child, father. Please do something..."


    The words barely leave my lips before a heavy p knocks me down on the floor. Loud gasps of shock follow. Through the curtain of my shaggy hair, I touch my sore cheek and look up at my father-inw¡¯s angry face.


    Mother reaches me and squats to ce her hands on my shoulders.


    "Don¡¯t you ever call MY son a monster!" Father warns me with a frosty re.


    "Father..." I mutter, still holding my cheek and crying.


    "What happened was an ident. Get over it. Besides, it¡¯s just as you said. Having kids wasn¡¯t part of the agreement you signed with my son. Don¡¯t think you can trap him by falling pregnant. You¡¯re unfit to bear my grandkids."


    "ENOUGH, BRETT." Mother scolds him while helping me up. "She¡¯s been through enough. Don¡¯t make her feel worse."


    Something about father¡¯s eyes remind me of Asher. The sharp tone of his voice and the obvious repulsion with the idea of me having his grandkids seem oddly familiar. He was barely surprised at my outburst nor willing to sympathize. I don¡¯t like the conclusion forming in head as I continue to retain my heartbroken stare despite the insults he just showered on me in front of the entire family. Could father have been privy to Asher¡¯s plot? Most importantly, did he set him up to it, like he is ustomed to doing with hispdog, Asher?"


    I allow mother take me as far as my room before shrugging off her hands and shutting my door. Inside, I want to rip my own hair out of my head or break everything on my dresser but I don¡¯t even have the energy to do anything. I just sink on my bed and bawl my eyes out.


    Anna¡¯s words rey in my head. I have to find the strength to move on very fast. It¡¯s almost like a switch flips in my head. I dry my eyes and go to stand in front of a mirror.


    "You¡¯ve taken everything from me," I begin, referring to the Rollins family. "My parents, my childhood, my peace, my baby, my pride. Everything! And somehow, I know it won¡¯t stop here. Well, sentiments be damned. I¡¯ming for you with everything I¡¯ve got. I won¡¯t stop or look back until you are writhing with pain worse than the one you¡¯ve inflicted on me."


    I¡¯m going to y Mrs. Rollins¡¯ game; pretend to be weak when you¡¯re actually stronger than they think, pretend to care when in fact, you don¡¯t, pretend to be nice when you¡¯re a mean, hateful woman rooting for their downfall. They won¡¯t see meing and that will be their doom.


    Ashley spends the rest of the day trying to appease me. Hees to my door and invites me to have meals with the family and when I fail to answer, he uses a spare key to unlock my door and enter. I have barely slept a wink. He personally delivers my meals to my room and begs me to eat when he finds my breakfast and lunch untouched.


    "Please Demi, you have to eat something. It¡¯s not healthy for you to starve yourself especially after what you¡¯ve been through." When he tries to feed me, I shove the te away, breaking the dish in many tiny pieces.


    "If you¡¯re so desperate to spoon-feed anyone, how about you go do that for the woman pregnant with your child. Isn¡¯t she your priority now? I won¡¯t ept anything from you. If you care so much, why don¡¯t you send Ashton in so he can feed me? I¡¯d prefer him to your lying, backstabbing self."


    He lets it slide and dusts of his shirt. "I¡¯ll have Halle send up another tray of food."


    I shove my nket over my head and cry myself to sleep.


    ***


    Liam is in shock after I tell him everything that I have been keeping from him. I need him to hold me ountable now. I need him to set his spies on me if he must. I can¡¯t ck anymore. I want to be all in. No more losses. He acknowledges that there¡¯s something dead in my eyes and I tell him that it¡¯s probably my conscience.


    "My baby was thest straw." I tell him and Anna who sit quietly, listening to me. "I can¡¯t lose to that family ever again. I can¡¯t go through that pain again. I¡¯ll obey you, Liam. I¡¯ll take the risks and get us what we need. I¡¯ll use Ashton¡¯s feelings for me against him. I¡¯ll lie and manipte to get my dirty work done. I don¡¯t care anymore."


    Liam strokes his chin. "We¡¯ve been here before, Demi. You convinced me that you were single-minded about our revenge and I bought it. However, you went and got pregnant for that family. How am I supposed to trust this new confession from you?"


    "He¡¯s right." Anna chirps. "What¡¯s going to be different about this time?" She turns to Liam with a hard look. "I¡¯ll go first. I have also been burned from my affiliation with the Rollins family, several times. I¡¯m going to use Asher for our selfish ends. I¡¯ll be actively involved in this n going forward. I¡¯ll try to siphon whatever information I can from him and use it against him."


    "Anna."


    "No sentiments, remember?" She reminds me. She must really be hurt by what Asher did to me. I haven¡¯t seen her this fierce and daring. Since we need all the help we can get, I let her make her decision.


    "I have his hair samples if you¡¯re still interested in matching his DNA with josh Randall¡¯s. I¡¯ll get you anything else you need."


    "Very good, Anna. I¡¯ll have that sent to ourb guy asap. Good for you. About time you realized you¡¯re too good for that asshole."


    Anna only shrugs her shoulders at Liam¡¯s words. He turns his inquisitive eyes to me. "It¡¯s your turn and I expect you to top that."


    "I will. I¡¯m going to find a way to leak Ni¡¯s pregnancy to her dad and the press. That way, it will be very difficult for Ashley to hide it."


    ***


    "Demi?" Ni echoes, shocked to get a call from me. "How did you get my number?"


    Seriously? How dumb is she?


    "It wasn¡¯t very hard seeing as you frequently and shamelessly call my husband every two seconds like the greedy and clingy bitch that you are."


    "Don¡¯t insult me."


    "Oh, honey, that will impossible to do given how you¡¯ve managed to be every disgusting name a woman can be called only in your case, it wouldn¡¯t be an insult but a statement of fact."


    "You must have heard, haven¡¯t you? Ashley and I are having a baby." She chuckles with mirth. "That must be what¡¯s eating you up. Your days in Ashley¡¯s life are counted."


    "Wow, you¡¯re dumber than you look. You actually think getting knocked up is going to bump up your rating in the Rollins family?" This time Iugh at her. "If that was the case, it wouldn¡¯t be shrouded in secrecy now, would it? If that were true, I bet my husband wouldn¡¯t be keeping it from his own family like the shameful mistake it is. I pity you, Ni. Your father¡¯s political career is over. I wonder what your shameful predicament will do to him. Your modeling career is also dead and now, you went and got pregnant for a married man. How can anyone ever take you seriously again? You think my inws would let your name sully Ashley¡¯s simply because you¡¯re pregnant with his child? Forget whatever pipe dreams you¡¯ve made up in your head because Ashley will never marry you. You¡¯ve only managed to be a problem he means to fix without alerting the press. So long, bitch."


    I hope she takes the bait, disbelieves Ashleys¡¯ lies and tries to leak her pregnancy to her dad and the press. I really need this to work.


    Liam¡¯s message pops into my phone. When I stare at it, I am in shock. It¡¯s the result from the DNA test conducted for Josh and Asher.


    <i>They¡¯re not siblings? How¡¯s that possible? </i>


    <i>Which brother wasn¡¯t truly fathered by Brett Rollins?</i>

 Chapter 114

    <h4>Chapter 114: Chapter 114</h4>


    ASHTON


    Ashley¡¯s raised voice on the phone catches my attention. I retrace my steps and advance towards his room.


    "Ash, are you okay?"


    When he doesn¡¯t reply, I let myself in. His room is a hot mess. He continues to stand and beg on the phone. From the snippets of his conversation which I manage to pick up, he¡¯s talking to Demi. They¡¯ve been in a very bad ce since her miscarriage. She¡¯s gone off the rails. Ashley chucks his phone to the corner of the room and rubs absentmindedly at a spot just above his eyebrow.


    "Hey, Ashley, calm down."


    "She¡¯s noting home, Ashton. She¡¯s so pissed at me that she has moved in with Anna for the time being." He whistles a breath while a small, unfunny smile tugs at the corners of his lips. "She doesn¡¯t know how long she¡¯ll be staying or how long it¡¯ll take her to forgive me. She¡¯ll stay at Anna¡¯s, go to work from there and will only return to the mansion when..." He trails off and plunks down on his bed.


    "When what?" I ask, crouching beside his nervous form. I haven¡¯t seen him this nervous since Shay¡¯s attacks. "When what, Ash?"


    "When I tell the entire family about Ni."


    "Nic? What¡¯s there to tell?" We all know she¡¯s his ex whom he hasn¡¯t been able to let go of. Why would Demi be upset about Nic right now?


    "I don¡¯t understand, Ashley. Did Ni have something to do with Demi¡¯s miscarriage?"


    "No." Ashley pushes to his feet and holds his head in his hands. "God, I fucked up." He starts pacing his room and with every gasp or bad-tempered kick to the innocent furniture, my anxiety grows. I grab him by his shoulders and try to shake some calm into him.


    "You have to stop beating yourself up about the miscarriage. There¡¯s nothing you could have done. You didn¡¯t even know about the pregnancy to begin with. Give Demi some time. She¡¯s still grieving. She¡¯lle around eventually."


    Demi can¡¯t stay over at Anna¡¯s for too long. If father gets wind of her recent relocation, he¡¯ll just send bodyguards to go pick her up.


    "We¡¯ll have to keep this from father so he doesn¡¯t send men in ck to go forcefully bring her back home. Mother too. She¡¯s a bit anxious about Demi¡¯s hysterical disy thest time so she may side with father in bringing her home. That might just worsen thing between you and Demi..." I trail off when I realize Ashley shaking his head. "What is it?"


    "You don¡¯t understand."


    "Then make me understand."


    "Ni has nothing to do with Demi losing our unborn child."


    "Then what does Demi want you to tell the family about Ni?"


    Ashley fixes me with a frustrated look. There, in his eyes, realization dawns on me. My fingers fall from his shoulders. It can¡¯t be. This time, I shake my head andugh nervously.


    "You didn¡¯t. Tell me you didn¡¯t!"


    "I didn¡¯t mean to. It was an ident!"


    "AN ACCIDENT? DEMI JUST LOST HER CHILD AND YOU¡¯RE HAVING ANOTHER WITH YOUR EX? HOW COULD YOU BE SO RECKLESS?" I shove at his chest, anger zing in my eyes. Why does he always have to make Demi suffer?


    "I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t want this."


    I rake a hand through my hair, suddenly feeling intense grief for Demi. No wonder she lost it thest time. This is the worst period of her life. She has been betrayed by her family and her husband while nursing tremendous pain over the loss of her child. How could Ashley do this?


    "Ashton, please, I need all the help I can get. Ni is keeping the baby but she doesn¡¯t want to be a single mum. She¡¯s threatening me to divorce Demi and marry her or she¡¯ll reveal everything. She¡¯s got steamy videos and pictures of us together. She has screenshots of our messages, recordings of our calls. I don¡¯t know why she flipped in one night. She¡¯s trying to ruin me."


    "And that is supposed to be surprising? She has done it once before and yet you let her back into your life. I can¡¯t believe you¡¯re even more worried about yourself right now. What happens to Demi? Are you going to do Ni¡¯s bidding and cast your wife away in spite of everything she¡¯s been through?"


    "No, I won¡¯t. Believe me, I still cherish Demi. I don¡¯t want things to end between us like this. I still care about her but Ni¡¯s pregnancy is more urgent right now. If I don¡¯t find a way to handle this, then everything I have suffered to build, including our family¡¯s reputation, will go up in mes. Ash," He takes my hand with a pitiful look on his face. "I can¡¯t sink into that depressive state again. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll make it this time. Please help me talk to our brothers. I¡¯ll need all hands on desk to fix this problem of mine. I¡¯ll even forgive Asher if that¡¯s what it¡¯ll take to put his mind to work to help me deal with Ni."


    He¡¯s desperate. I yank my hands away from his and indulge in a long sigh.


    Everybody sits quietly after I drop the bomb on them. Asher is done feeling guilty like father asked and sits with his head held high. However, his face is pinched with worry. I know he¡¯s deliberating on a quick solution so nothing affects thepany¡¯s stock market prices. Ashal¡¯s face is hard to read.


    "Does mother know?" Ashal asks.


    "Yes. She has promised to think of a n but I am too nervous to leave you guys in the dark. I know we somehow find a way to fix our messes faster and neater as quads so I thought to share."


    Asher scoffs. "You¡¯re right about us cleaning our messes faster and neater but don¡¯t forget most of those messes happen to be false ims against us, emphasis is on the word ¡¯false¡¯. If Ni is truly pregnant with your child, then you picked the worst time to sire a child. If her career was still thriving and her father was still in power, she wouldn¡¯t have even told you about the baby in order to preserve all that. She would have terminated it quietly." We all give him a look.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I know it¡¯s too soon to makements like that but you get what I mean."


    "No, Asher, we don¡¯t." I reply. "Why don¡¯t you borate?"


    "I¡¯m not advocating for an abortion. I have learnt my lesson. I think I might have a way of convincing Nic to keep the baby without tainting Ashley¡¯s name and reputation."


    After he shares his n with us, Ashley exhales deeply.


    "I hope this works."


    "It will, trust me." Asher gives me a look I instantly recognize. I nod at him. "Hey, Ashley, Ashal, there¡¯s something I have to tell you guys but you must promise not tosh out or give away the fact that you¡¯vee to know the truth." His eyes sweep the room. He rubs both hands together and huffs out a breath.


    "Ashley, I didn¡¯t have Demi attacked. It¡¯s like I told you from the jump, I didn¡¯t do it."


    Ashley steals a nce at me, then back to Asher. "If you didn¡¯t do it, then who had those men attack her and kill my baby?"


    A long, ufortable pause follows his question. Asher trades nces with me. I turn to the rest of my brothers.


    "Father did it."


    ***


    "That can¡¯t be true."


    Ashley is up on his feet with a murderous look in his eyes. They wheel to Asher. "I told you I was ready to forgive you if you helped me out with Ni. What¡¯s the need to lie against our father just to save your hide?"


    "He¡¯s not lying, Ashley." I defend Asher uncharacteristically. Everyone turns to me. "Father arranged everything. He had his men attack Demi and by his men, I mean the same ones that hover around him and this mansion every damn day. He doesn¡¯t need to hire thugs. Most of our bodyguards have worked with him for a very long time. They¡¯ll do his bidding without asking questions even if it¡¯s an order to maim one of us."


    "What are you talking about?"


    "Sit down, Ashley. There¡¯s a lot I haven¡¯t told you guys but that¡¯s about to change. Let me start by saying that Asher is telling the truth. Father had him take the me for Demi¡¯s attack to cover his own tracks. Asher didn¡¯t do it. Sure, he isn¡¯t particrly fond of Demi and is the most culpable of the crimemitted against her but he truly didn¡¯t do it this time. He told father over brunch that Demi is pregnant. Displeased with the idea, father texted Nessa with instructions to distract Asher and even drug him so his minions can go take care of his dirty work against Demi."


    "Yeah, Nessa confessed everything when I confronted her."


    Ashley¡¯s eyes droops with pain. "How could father do that to me? That was MY child!" His eyes are misty when they climb back on my face.


    "Trust me, there¡¯s a lot about father¡¯s distasteful acts that you don¡¯t know. For now, we have to keep Ni¡¯s pregnancy away from him."


    "Why? Is he going to kill her baby too if he finds out?"


    "Do you really want to find out, Ashley? That¡¯s what I thought." Asher replies.


    "Does this mean that Olivia is in danger too?" Ashal breaks his pensive thoughts. He looks up at us frightfully. "I also told father about her pregnancy. Could he be plotting to harm her too?"


    I go to him. "Calm down, Ashal. I don¡¯t think father will touch Olivia for now given your threat. He was only able to hurt Demi because he believed Ashley would never suspect him. He does things like this and ensures that fingers will never be pointed usatorily at him. I think Olivia is in the clear for now."


    With that said, I hurry to inform them about our sister. I also need everyone to be onboard with the n to find and protect our sister from father¡¯s ws. I tell them everything I have learnt about Zoe/Adriana so far.


    "You broke your promise!"


    "I know, Asher and I apologize. I tried to ignore it. I really did but I just couldn¡¯t. I wanted to pursue the lead I had till I confirmed that the story was false. I was too afraid to be riddled with guilt if it turned out to be true and our sister is out there somewhere."


    "You also lied about Cree." Ashley adds with a bitter stare.


    "Again, I apologize for that." I keep my eyes on Ashley this time. "I wanted to confirm the truth of her words before bringing this to you all. I¡¯m sorry. I know it seemed insensitive when I kept defending her after what you went through but that wasn¡¯t to spite you. She was helping me out with finding Adriana. I hope you can understand." Ashley dismisses my plea with a wave.


    "Can we see the picture Keith sent?" Ashal asks. A small smile breaks on my face as I quickly whip out my phone and pass the photo along. They all take turns to get a good look at her.


    "She looks familiar."


    I turn to Asher. "How so?"


    "I met someone that looks just like her a while back. I can¡¯t say for certain that they¡¯re one and the same but the resemnce is there." He passes my phone back to me. Can I join you in meeting her? I¡¯d know for sure if I see her again."


    "I don¡¯t think Keith or Adriana will like that. Maybe some other time if she allows it. She seems like the jittery type for good reason."


    My words remind everyone of the horrid details of the demise of our biological parents. My brothers are all finding it difficult to digest and I can rte. Asher insists that he won¡¯t believe that bit until he questions Cree¡¯s informant. Ashal concurs with him but Ashley remains mute. I bet he is adjusting his view on father¡¯s capabilities given the heartless murder of his unborn child.


    My phone beeps with a message.


    "I have to go. I¡¯ll see you allter. Ashley, everything will be fine. We¡¯ll fix this."


    M has been calling me nonstop. I don¡¯t know why she has chosen to be so clingy and insecure since we officially got engaged. It¡¯s honestly annoying.


    A lot has been going on in my familytely. I agree that I haven¡¯t necessarily opened up to M about any of it just to ensure nothing leaks. M has shown me that she has a tendency to threaten to expose secrets when she doesn¡¯t get her way. Until she bes a member of the family, I n to keep her in the dark about a lot of things.


    Besides, I doubt she¡¯ll truly sympathize with Demi. The two of them don¡¯t exactly gel as friends.


    Speaking of Demi, I spot her sitting by herself on a table tucked away from the best views of the small caf¨¦. She has sunsses on. Her drink is untouched. She merely twirls her straw around the cup, sloshing the non-alcoholic beverage with less gusto.


    When I slide into the seat across from her, she barely acknowledges my presence.


    "HI."


    "If you¡¯re here to plead on your brother¡¯s behalf..."


    "He¡¯s a dick." I rify, earning the first decent stare from her. "You don¡¯t deserve to be hurt or betrayed like that. He messed up, big time." She takes off her sses to reveal the heavy bags under eyes. "You¡¯ve been crying. Hey." I reach for her hand as she battles a sudden influx of tears. "I¡¯m so sorry, Demi. My family has caused you so much pain. You don¡¯t deserve any of it."


    She tucks her hands between her thighs. "What do you want, Ashton? You know how your brother gets."


    "I wanted to check on you. Ashley just told me you moved in with Anna and why. I was worried about you."


    "Well, I am still breathing. Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t slit my wrist no matter how many times I think about it."


    "You¡¯re thinking suicidal thoughts?" I ask with a panic. "Demi, you can¡¯t allow such thoughts."


    "I can and I will because that¡¯s the only way I can distract myself from the fact that Asher totally got away with wrecking my life like he has always wanted and now my husband is preparing to wee a baby with his ex and you..." Sheughs nervously. "You are moving on, getting married to a rich girl that your family prefers. Everyone wins except the poor orphan girl."


    "Please, don¡¯t say that." My heart breaks for her as more tears stream down her face. "Demi, you have to be strong."


    "He¡¯s going to divorce me to be with Ni, isn¡¯t he?"


    "What? No!"


    "Don¡¯t lie to me, Ashton. I can take it. Just tell me. She¡¯s clearly the one he truly loves, the one your family prefers for him and now they¡¯re having a baby together. Your mother is excited to be expecting a grandchild again. What¡¯s more perfect than that? I am just the third wheel in their rtionship."


    "Ashley isn¡¯t divorcing you. He is pained that his actions have led to this. The baby was an ident but he¡¯s doing his best to handle the problem without giving Ni her wish."


    "What exactly can he do? He can¡¯t hide it forever even if he wants to. Ni, she¡¯s very devious. She has always wanted to usurp my ce in Ashley¡¯s life. She won¡¯t back down."


    "She¡¯ll have no choice. You and Ashley belong together. I won¡¯t let her get between the two of you." She allows me to take her hand and squeeze gently. "These dark days wille to an end and you¡¯ll have reasons to smile again."


    She closes a hand over mine and rubs gently, causing my breath to hitch.


    "I can¡¯t stop thinking that my life would probably have endured less pain if we...if you hadn¡¯t denied me."


    Oh crap. This line of conversation is dangerous. She retreats but I find myself clinging onto her hands when she tries to pull them away.


    "I haven¡¯t stopped feeling guilty about it. Every time you suffer, I suffer with you. I¡¯m the reason you¡¯re roped into all this."


    "I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to make you feel guilty." She shakes her head. "I know it¡¯s wrong to dredge up the past like this but it helps keep me sane. I tried my best to give Ashley a chance. I tried to be a good wife. I even broke my own rules and let him touch me. In spite of everything, I haven¡¯t been able to feel for him a smidgen of what I feel for you. It hurts to force myself to forget that night at the blue Cove or to stop myself from imagining the life you and I can never have. I hate my life."


    "Don¡¯t say that. Maybe we weren¡¯t meant to be. I¡¯m sure we¡¯ll find happiness again."


    She chuckles. "You¡¯ll find that faster than me. M seems amazing. She seems to make you really happy."


    "That¡¯s funny. If that were true, I¡¯d probably be sitting here with her and not ignoring her calls."


    Our eyes lock. Heat res inside me with the passion in her eyes. Even the tips of our fingers grazing makes my stomach churn with delight. I wish it was her. I wish I was getting married to her. I¡¯d wed her in a heartbeat.


    "Don¡¯t hurt yourself. I won¡¯t forgive you, ever."


    Her gaze warms. "if I could talk to you every day like this, that would be easy to obey."


    "Then we¡¯ll talk."


    "Ok." She smiles sweetly. It¡¯s been so long since I¡¯ve seen her beautiful smile. It disappears in a sh before I can ingrain it in my memory. Suddenly, Demi pulls her hands away from mine and stares at a spot above my head with shocked eyes. When I follow her gaze, my stomach drops.


    MILA.

 Chapter 115

    <h4>Chapter 115: Chapter 115</h4>


    ASHLEY


    <i>[I¡¯m deeply sorry for everything, Demi. Pleasee back home. I miss you. Everyone is worried.]</i>


    <i>[Demi, I am handling Ni. She won¡¯t tear us apart, I promise.]</i>


    <i>[The baby was an ident. You¡¯re the only one I want to have kids with. Please give us another chance.]</i>


    <i>[Call me back.]</i>


    As I go through the unread text messages that I have left for Demi, a head ache throbs at the base of my skull. She¡¯s definitely getting my texts but she won¡¯t open them. She has never been this mad at me and I am worried this might just be thest straw for her. Can she really forgive me this time?


    "Are you okay?"


    The sight of father in my office is not something I ever expected. I am struggling to believe he came all the way to see me instead of calling me over to the headquarters.


    Thest time I saw him, he had brought me here to introduce me to everyone as the new manager. That was a different time.


    I remember basking under the euphoria of his intimidating aura and how proud I had felt to be the son of such a business tycoon. Now, as I look at him, the intimidating aura is still there but instead of pride, I feel...nothing. It¡¯s probably because of the emotional rot I have been enduring for the past few days.


    He helps himself to a seat because all I do is stare at him with ssy eyes.


    "Son, talk to me. Let me know how I can help you get over this stump in your life."


    I lean back on my seat as a tired sigh rips through my throat.


    "You were right. Asher tried to pin the me on you. He¡¯s got Ashton sold on that lie too. I don¡¯t know how. I don¡¯t understand why he would lie about you like that even when I had already agreed to forgive him."


    Father sighs softly. "He¡¯s afraid to be hated by you and your brothers. I guess it¡¯s easier to pin the me on me since I am not anyone¡¯s favorite parent anyway. Hmmm. He¡¯s not lying though. It¡¯s kind of my fault. He told me about Demi¡¯s pregnancy and mentioned that he was handling it. I should have enquired about his methods. I should have deterred him from interfering in your matters. My grandchild was lost as a result of my inaction."


    He bows his head and breathes deeply. His facial features are shrouded in pain.


    "I¡¯m sorry I haven¡¯t had the time to talk to you personally about everything that¡¯s happened. I¡¯m not very good with constions. I usually just buy your mother gifts but I don¡¯t think that applies for a man like you."


    "It¡¯s fine. I have been too distracted by my own pain to notice who hasforted me and who hasn¡¯t. I am d you¡¯re making the effort."


    "I know it¡¯s hard to believe but I can rte to the pain you¡¯re feeling right now. I have been in your shoes thrice in the past."


    "What?" I ask, intrigued.


    "Your mother and I didn¡¯t find it easy to expand our family. She suffered three miscarriages before you boys came into our lives. I can rte to the pain of losing a child, the strain it can put between the couple, the myriad of questions flowing in your head about what you could have done to prevent this and the like. Trust me, don¡¯t allow yourself to sink into that fiery pit of self-doubt and self-loathing. There¡¯s nothing you could have done."


    "I realize that. I am more worried about fixing things with Demi. She¡¯s still hurting and because of Asher getting away with his role in her pain, she can¡¯t seem to forgive me. That¡¯s why I let her move in with her best friend in the meantime."


    "She¡¯s with Anna?"


    "She could use the friendly face and the space. Like I said, I let her go. She¡¯ll be back."


    If I wasn¡¯t worried about how he would react to Ni¡¯s pregnancy in the heat of the chaos that is my marital life, I would have been open to share my problem with him. I know father can handle Ni faster than mother and my brothersbined. Still, I can¡¯t risk it. He might not take into consideration my preference for the method to be used in handling the problem.


    "Is her absence the reason you¡¯re still sulking?"


    "Isn¡¯t it enough?"


    "So, am I to assume you¡¯re in love with her?"


    My head whips up. My whole body tightens. I moisten my lips while I wonder why I am always super defensive about what I feel for Demi.


    "I don¡¯t know if I can call it that but I know that I really like her. Once we figure out a way to sort out the issues guing our marriage, I am confident we can both explore fully what we can be."


    "By issues guing your marriage, you¡¯re referring to your brother, Ashton?"


    I merely nod my head. "I don¡¯t me him any longer for Demi¡¯s feelings. The truth is that I envy him. Feelings can change and with more quality time with my wife, I am sure she¡¯ll fall for me too."


    "Where does this leave the marriage contract?" Father¡¯s face is hardened, a reminder of the promise I made to him. My marriage was never supposed to exceed a year. I shift ufortably in my seat and avoid his eyes.


    "It still stands. I¡¯ve still got six months, haven¡¯t I?"


    Father raises his hands in a gesture of peace. "Of course, son, you¡¯ve got six more months to decide if this life is what you want forever. If I may be so bold, I¡¯ll advice you not to sabotage your future out of fear. You can and will find true love. It isn¡¯t tied to one woman. You¡¯ve got your whole life ahead of you. Don¡¯t spend it begging for anyone¡¯s love or attention. I raised you better than that." He leaps to his feet.


    "I¡¯ll be headed back to the office now."


    "Thanks for stopping by."


    I watch him leave while his words rey in my head. It sucks to realize the number of people in my family rooting for me to divorce Demi. At this point, it wouldn¡¯t feel like my choice even if I decide to go down that route. I¡¯d feel like I am just doing what the majority want.


    "He just left." I tell Asher over the phone. "No, I don¡¯t think he suspects a thing." I sigh on my end. "It was really hard trying to keep it together after he walked into my office and pretended to sympathize with me. How foolish does he think I am? He killed my baby despite knowing the pain of losing a child? How devious can one be?"


    "Calm down. You can¡¯t let him know you know."


    "Are you going to be alright? He didn¡¯t look pleased to hear that you went behind his back to tell me the truth."


    "I¡¯ll be fine. There¡¯s only so much he can do to me. He needs me at the HQ so he can¡¯t fire me. Besides, I¡¯m doing this to distract him from following up on Ashton. If there¡¯s any truth to Ashton¡¯s ims regarding father¡¯s hand in the death of our biological parents, then Adriana¡¯s life will be in danger if father finds out about her. We have to find her first and keep her safe before he can get a whiff of it."


    "I thought you didn¡¯t believe Ashton¡¯s tale."


    "I believe him. Heck, I know sides to father that you all are yet to meet. However, I¡¯m just giving him the benefit of doubt. It¡¯s the least I can do. Maybe I want to believe he hasn¡¯tpletely lost his humanity while chasing dor bills and stroking his ego."


    "Ok. I get it." My right index finger taps impatiently on my desk. "Any word form Anna? Were you able to get an update on how Demi is faring? She¡¯s not taking my calls or texting me back."


    "I¡¯m sorry, bro. Anna seems to have ghosted me too because of everything that happened. She¡¯s convinced I killed her godchild."


    "Shit. I¡¯m losing my mind here. I need to know how Demi is doing."


    "You can always drop by. Unlike me, at least no one will greet you with a bucket of hot water." Weugh briefly at his joke.


    "Ni will be here anytime now. I told mom everything and she¡¯s happy to go along with your n."


    "Do you want me toe over and help?"


    "No. I¡¯ve got it. Thanks for everything."


    "You¡¯re wee."


    When Nic struts into my office, I notice how confident she¡¯s grown in thest two days. I don¡¯t get why she¡¯s been acting so strangely since west spoke on phone.


    Something about her fierce stare is unnerving but I keep my cool. I bet she¡¯s got a trick up her sleeve. I am prepared for every possible scenario in my head, including the possibility that she would leak her pregnancy to the media if I don¡¯t do her bidding.


    "How have you been?"


    She plunks her bag on the couch and stands with hands akimbo.


    "Cut the crap, Ashley. This isn¡¯t a social call. You promised me that you would figure out a way to get Demi out of the picture so you and I can raise our child in a healthy home. You¡¯ve been avoiding me ever since and after I threatened to expose everything-which by the way is the onlynguage you seem to understand- you call me with tall, bogus ims of a win-win solution to our problem. I want to hear it, right now!"


    I circle my desk toe stand in front of her. When my hand reaches to trace the line of her jaw, she turns away.


    "I¡¯ll tell you everything but first, I¡¯d like to know what¡¯s with the sudden attitude? I thought we left things at a good ce thest time we spoke. It¡¯s unlike you to start dishing out threats. What changed, Nic? Don¡¯t you trust me?"


    Sheughs. "Trust you? You must be kidding, right? How am I supposed to trust you, Ashley? You left me with high hopes that my child and I would get what we deserve only for me to learn that you haven¡¯t even revealed my pregnancy to your family. Am I a joke to you? Do you think you can make me your dirty little secret?"


    "What? Who told you such a thing?"


    "Who else would?" she retorts.


    "Demi?" What was Demi thinking speaking with Ni. She must have been too upset given everything that has happened. I flush the anger surging from this revtion and focus on Ni.


    "I¡¯d like to see you deny it." Ni continues, brimming with anger. "Have you told your entire family about me or am I just a problem you n on taking care of quietly?" She sits and crosses one leg over the other on the couch like a talk show host. Her inquisitive eyes await my response.


    "I admit that I didn¡¯t tell my family at the start but they¡¯ve all been informed now. Do you even know what¡¯s been going on in my private life? Everything doesn¡¯t revolve around you, you know? I have been dealing with a lot of pain over thest few days. I bet you didn¡¯t even notice but then again, why would you? You only care about yourself, Ni."


    "What the hell are you talking about?" She asks with a deepening frown.


    "I didn¡¯t tell my family about your pregnancy instantly because the very same day you informed me about it, I got called to the hospital because Demi had been in an ident."


    "What has that got to do with anything?"


    "SHE WAS PREGNANT, NICCI." Her eyes widen with shock at my angry outburst. "She was pregnant with my child and because of her ident, she lost our baby, MY baby! Can you pretend to care? Imagine what my family and I have been going through because of her miscarriage. She¡¯s barely recovered from the shock when I told her about you because I didn¡¯t want you to beat me to it." Slowly, Ni rises to her feet.


    "I couldn¡¯t tell the rest of my family, not while everyone is still grieving. Demi has been hurting ever since."


    Nic wraps her arms around my neck. "I¡¯m sorry, Ashley. I hate to see you in pain. I am genuinely sorry you had to go through all that but on the bright side, I am going to give you and your family a baby to heal your wounded hearts. Can¡¯t you see we are fated to be a family? The timing couldn¡¯t have been more prefect." She shes her pearly whites in a radiant smile.


    Gently, I pry her hands away from my neck.


    "I didn¡¯t expect you to sympathize with Demi whom you deem a threat to your happily ever after but at the very least, you should feel something for the pain of your fellow woman."


    "What¡¯s the use of pretending to care? If she was still having your baby, don¡¯t you realize what a difficult position that would put me and my child? Will Demi care for my wellbeing if the roles were reversed? Don¡¯t expect such things from me, Ashley. All I care about is you and our child. I¡¯d do anything for our little family."


    I know I shouldn¡¯t be surprised at her words but somehow, it still amazes me how much shecks inpassion.


    "So, are you going to divorce her soon?"


    "Are you serious? Ni, she just lost our baby by no fault of hers! You expect me to kick her out in this condition?"


    "Why exactly did you call me here then, Ashley? Am I here to sympathize with your wife¡¯s unfortunate experience or discuss us and the future of our unborn child?"


    "Fine. I thought I¡¯d give some context so you realize that I wasn¡¯t exactly hiding your pregnancy from my family on purpose. The timing was just wrong to reveal it." I allow her to retake her seat. "Here¡¯s the thing, Ni. Given the situation at hand, I¡¯m afraid Demi and I won¡¯t be getting a divorce, not for at least six months." Ni¡¯s only reaction is the tightening of her fists on the couch.


    "I never promised to dispose of my wife and rece her with you when we were having out flings. I am not obligated to do that now that a child has resulted from our actions. If that¡¯s the reason you went off birth control, I¡¯m sorry to disappoint you."


    She sneers at me. "Don¡¯t tter yourself."


    Here¡¯s the dicey part. I fix her with a grim look.


    "Your threats don¡¯t faze me, Ni. You¡¯ve ruined me before and I survived it, remember? I bet you do. My family does as well. That¡¯s why they¡¯ve always been wary about our affair. I¡¯m not afraid to pick up the pieces of my life once again. Sure, you taking this to the press will hurt my reputation, my business, my family¡¯s reputation and our business chains in general and while you think you¡¯ve won, here¡¯s what¡¯s really going to happen. Everyone will troll us for hurting Demi. My family and I will suffer a few setbacks but we will bounce back eventually. Demi will stay with me and eventually, we¡¯ll ovee the difficult time. You on the other hand, well, the story will be a little different."


    I intentionally return behind my desk. "The people of Danvarr don¡¯t like you as much as they used to after everything you did to me. When they learn that you destroyed Demi¡¯s home, they¡¯ll hate you even more. You can kiss your modeling career goodbye because without my help, you won¡¯t be able to make aeback from the hell you¡¯ll go through. Your father¡¯s career will also suffer worse than it did with the loss of the election. My father will personally see to it that his big friends in politics make life a living hell for your dad. No one will want to fund his next campaign or political aspirations. That¡¯s all that wille out of you alerting the press of your pregnancy. Did I leave anything out?"


    Ni¡¯s eyes are misty with tears as she res at me.


    "Is that a threat?"


    "No, that¡¯s a warning of what will happen if you underestimate my family by messing with our reputation." I match the fire in her eyes. "Herees the threat. You go out there and run your mouth. I¡¯ll deny your pregnancy, make up hard evidence to back my im like a convincing negative DNA report and make sure you are shamed and ruined to the point where you¡¯ll be jailed for defamation. Money is dangerously powerful, Ni. It takes a lot of willpower to stay on the right side of thew when you have too much of it."


    This part is me paying Asher a little too well to save my hide. I can see the fear creeping into Ni¡¯s eyes.


    "Ashley, you can¡¯t mean that. I am carrying your child." She cries.


    "That is yet to be confirmed."


    "Then confirm it!"


    "I will and if your im is true, there¡¯s only one way we can forge ahead from this. Your modeling career will be resuscitated. Your father will be back in a good political position and your family¡¯s honor will be restored."


    "What do you want in return?"


    I lean on my desk. "You won¡¯t say a word about your pregnancy to anyone, not even your father. You¡¯ll go on a long vacation and have the baby while Demi will act pregnant for the cameras. When my child is born, you¡¯ll hand it over to my wife to present as ours. Demi and I will raise the child while you will go back to your life and live it like nothing happened. My family will have a child to heal the wound from the lost one. You and your dad will have the perfect life you desire. Sounds like a win-win, doesn¡¯t it? Now, do we have a deal, Nic Grey?"

 Chapter 116

    <h4>Chapter 116: Chapter 116</h4>


    DEMI


    "She said nothing. She did nothing. She just stood there and instead of baring her teeth and wing at me with those fangs she calls nails, she smiled warmly and hugged Ashton like she didn¡¯t just find him in the nook of a caf¨¦ with the woman his heart beats for."


    I detangle my hair from the bristles of the hair brush and dump the brush on the dresser. A frustrated breath leaves my lips as I stare at my disgruntled face in the mirror. Behind me, Anna stands with tensed shoulders.


    "I lured her there to create a scene, Anna. She said she wanted to talk about what happened at the wedding shop and I texted her the address of the caf¨¦ I knew Ashton was going toe see me at. Why didn¡¯t she lose it when she saw our hands intertwined? That was so unlike her."


    "Maybe she¡¯s trying to win Ashton¡¯s heart by learning to trust him a lot more now. You recall how he scolded her thest time when she flipped at the sight of the both of you at the blue cove? Maybe she is learning her lesson and trying to depict a secure fianc¨¦e to win points for good behavior."


    Now? Why would M choose to be mature, trusting and secure now that I want to use her fragile ego and hot head against her?


    Ashton had looked suspicious at first when she merely hugged and kissed him. Then, his suspicious eyes had lighted to a smile. He had looked impressed with her, especially when she proceeded to greet me gaily and hug me too. I don¡¯t know what game she is ying. Did she catch on that I had tried to set her up to explode in front of Ashton and further strain their rtionship?


    Well, I won¡¯t stop. Ashton has promised he would talk to me every day so I don¡¯t indulge in self-harm. I n to nurture our rtionship till he can no longer deny his feelings for me, not even for his brother who has clearly wronged me over and over again.


    "Where are you going?" Anna quizzes.


    I tie my hair in a high bun and secure it with a hair tie. "My husband¡¯s ex wants to have a conversation with me. I¡¯m guessing there¡¯s been a new development. I hope she fell for my trap and went on to broadcast her pregnancy to put Ashley in a tough spot." Hair and face done, pretty much, I slip my shoes on and spritz a cologne on my body.


    "Wish me luck. I¡¯m hoping this one is not also disappointing." I peck Anna¡¯s cheek before leaving.


    I guess I find it strange that Nic has invited me to her apartment. When she ushers me in, I take one cautious step after another, sizing up her cozy space. It¡¯s grander than I thought. I¡¯m guessing Ashley got this for her and not her modeling pay check. I eye her couch.


    "We¡¯ve done it on literally every furniture in this house if that¡¯s what you are wondering." Nic quips with hands folded across her chest. I turn to find her still standing by the door, observing me. She¡¯s still in her nightdress and flip flops.


    "I guess I¡¯ll stand then." We lock eyes for a humming minute. "Why am I here, Nic? I think I am up to speed on your affair with my husband. If you called me here to apologize, might as well get on with it even though it won¡¯t change anything."


    She smiles. "I have nothing to apologize for. Ashley was mine first. I didn¡¯t force him to keep me by his side after he got married. If you¡¯re looking for someone to me for my pregnancy, you should start with your sex deprived husband who can¡¯t get enough of his ex because apparently, his wife doesn¡¯t do it for him."


    I grit my teeth and strap down on the need to stream across the living area and leave an indelible mark on her cheek with a hard p.


    "I¡¯m trying to see what he sees in you."


    "Don¡¯t be na?ve. You didn¡¯t think romping naked with him in the sheets and being his booty call was going to earn you a ce at his family table, did you? That¡¯s not how it works, Ni, not for a powerful man like Ashley. If that were the case, then he¡¯d marry every woman he¡¯s had a fling with. You¡¯re simply a pick off the litter. You¡¯re easy, used. For the title of a wife, a man like him usually goes for more than a voluptuous body and a pretty face."


    Ni edges close to me. "At least you admit you¡¯re not his type. Tell me, is that why you seduced him at the club that night and deceived him into marrying you? That must be it. You knew that there was no way in hell that he would even give you a second look. You don¡¯t even qualify to have a fling with him. You¡¯re just one of those girls in a crowded room whom Ashley never notices. He wouldn¡¯t have married you if you didn¡¯t craftily involve the entire country in your n."


    "You¡¯re wee to wrack that tiny brain of yours and torture yourself with how a nobody like me got the revered position of the daughter-inw of the Rollins family. Better yet, you could ask Ashley. I can tell you free though that I didn¡¯t have to open my legs once for him before we tied the knot. Ashley might be a womanizer but even he can distinguish between a valuable woman and a sex toy."


    Ni¡¯s face contorts with anger.


    "Did you call me here for this pissing contest? I have other ces to be so if you¡¯ll excuse me..." I brush past her to head for the door when she yells at me.


    "You lost your baby, didn¡¯t you?" She turns to face me at the door. Ashley told her? He had no right to use my miscarriage to cate his bitter and pregnant ex.


    "You lost your baby. That must have hurt a lot." Ni continues. "I am just wondering how a woman who has recentlye to know the pain of losing a child would beplicit in the plot to make me lose mine."


    "What are you talking about?"


    "Your husband made a proposition after threatening my life and that of my father¡¯s. I thought he loved me enough to have my back but I was so wrong. In the end, he chose his family. He chose you."


    "What proposition? Did he ask you to get an abortion?"


    "Don¡¯t act ignorant, Demi Rollins. I¡¯m sure you helped hime up with that sick n just so you can have the baby you lost and be the perfect daughter-inw the family wants." She marches up to me. "You are nning to steal MY baby, aren¡¯t you? Ashley promises to get my career out of the mud and help my father be reinstalled in a fitting political seat on the condition that I secretly have my baby and hand it over to you to raise as yours!"


    "What?"


    "Your entire family is in on it. Don¡¯t pretend to be clueless." Tears glisten in her eyes. "How could you be so greedy and selfish that you want to rip my child off my arms the second it¡¯s born to y pretend mom in front of the whole country? You already have hisst name. All I want is my baby and my baby¡¯s father present in my life. Ashley was already thinking of divorcing you so I was helping him achieve that. How am I the only one left to hang dry?"


    I stumble backwards. What sick proposition is this? Ashley hasn¡¯t even said a word to me. Did Ashton know about this while he wasforting me at the caf¨¦? What the hell is going on?


    This isn¡¯t what I wanted to happen. I wanted to expose Ashley and Ni¡¯s pregnancy so he gets a bad social rap which will eventually ricochet and affect the family business. I wanted a lot of tension on the home front, enough to distract everyone from my schemes. I never asked to raise Ni¡¯s child! What the hell is Ashley thinking?


    "Ni...this isn¡¯t...there has to be a misunderstanding." I stutter.


    "There is no misunderstanding. Ashley didn¡¯t mince his words when he clearly threatened me. This is the only option he set before me. I have to surrender my child to the both of you and go on with my life like nothing happened. How do you think that makes me feel? It¡¯s one thing to lose a child you¡¯ve never met. It¡¯s a whole other ballgame to lose a child you¡¯ve bonded with during your pregnancy and birthed. How will I cope watching you and the man I love raise my child without me?"


    Ni sinks to the floor, weeping heavily.


    "How can you be that callous, Demi? I know you put him up to this. Is this your revenge? This is how you n to get back at me for everything? All I did was love a man whom I believed loved me back. Please, don¡¯t let him do this to me. I can¡¯t live like that."


    Trembling with shock, I stagger to her door while she continues to weep and plead with me. I don¡¯t understand anything. This is a huge shock. inside my car, I take deep breaths to calm myself. I don¡¯t know if I should call Ashley or Ashton or Liam. After a brief debate in my head, I pick up the phone and dial a number.


    "Hey."


    "I¡¯m just leaving Nic¡¯s ce and she had a shocking revtion for me. Apparently, my husband is nning on hiding her pregnancy in the most inconvenient way possible. He wants her to have the baby secretly and then hand it over to me to raise as mine and Ashley¡¯s child. Can you believe that?"


    "What? Liam gasps in shock. "He wants to saddle you with the responsibility of raising the child he made with his side chick? That¡¯s an insult on top of the injury he¡¯s inflicted on you."


    "Ni mentioned that the entire family is in on it. She was surprised that I appeared clueless. Liam, what am I going to do if they mean to foist that responsibility on me. I know Mrs. Rollins wants to keep her grandchild so I get why she¡¯ll be down with this idea. Given the sadness looming over the mansion with the loss of my baby, everyone else might be open to this arrangement. I can¡¯t do it, Liam. You have to find a way to foil this n of theirs."


    "Shit. Look, we have two options in front of us. We can either use billion-err to leak your miscarriage or Ni¡¯s pregnancy. It¡¯s up to you, Demi. Which is it going to be?"


    ***


    It¡¯s a little shy of seven thirty when I pull into the driveway of the mansion. The house seems to have grown double in size since I left or maybe staying at Anna¡¯s humble space is messing with me. I survey the cars in the driveway. Everyone is home by my count. Good. I need everyone present for this. I glower at one of the men in suit at the entrance for informing father of my arrival.


    When I get in, the family is at the dining room for dinner. I bet it makes no difference to them that their daughter-inw is absent. Mother hasn¡¯t even called me in thest two days. My eyes alight on M who¡¯s perched close to Ashton at the table. Did she already move in or is this purely a visit?


    Ashley smiles and shoots to his feet when he sees me.


    "Demi, you didn¡¯t inform me you wereing back." He marches towards me with outstretched arms and a big smile. All I think about as he closes the distance between us is Nic weeping on the floor. How could he use two women so shamelessly and have the stomach to eat? I sh five fingers in his face and give him a searing look that makes him halt in his track. Everyone at the table seems alerted to the frostiness between us.


    "Something wrong?"


    "Did you really just ask me that?" Ish out. "Has anything been righttely, Ash? With us? With this family? With Ni?"


    The rest of the quads lurch to their feet. Mother turns to me too. Ashley feigns a smile as he tries to coax me not to divulge our issues in front of M but I don¡¯t care what anyone thinks or wants right now. I am too livid to care.


    "Don¡¯t shush me. She¡¯s going to be a part of the family soon so what¡¯s the big deal if she¡¯s apprised of the hellish condition I¡¯ve been put through?"


    "Demi!" Father growls.


    To everyone¡¯s surprise, I totally ignore him and face Ashley.


    "It wasn¡¯t enough that everyone turned a blind eye to the fact that Asher killed our unborn baby or the fact that you cheated on me repeatedly and now your ex is expecting your child. You, Ashley, have the guts to add insult to all the injury you¡¯ve inflicted on me by nning to make me raise your bastard child?"


    "What?" Father rises in shock. Ashley instantly goes pale. The flushed look on his brother¡¯s faces hint at their shock at my revtion. Are they pretending to be oblivious or was Ashley truly acting alone?


    "Ashley, what the hell is she talking about? Ni is pregnant with your child?" Father enquires.


    Ashley runs a hand over the band of neck and exhales. He avoids everyone¡¯s eyes but mine. When he looks at me, there¡¯s a mixture of anger and frustration in them.


    Father turns to survey the room. "You all kept this from me?"


    "We just found out too. We didn¡¯t want to hassle you with anotherplication." Mother cates him.


    "How was keeping me in the dark going to help? It¡¯s Nic Grey for goodness¡¯ sake."


    "Calm down, Brett. Please, we can talk about thister. Let¡¯s try to figure out an amicable solution first."


    "Ashley already made Ni a proposition. I¡¯m going to fake the pregnancy I just lost for the cameras while Ni goes on hiatus to have her baby. When it¡¯s born, I¡¯ll take the baby from her and present it as mine while the mother goes on living her life like nothing happened. Ni exined everything to me while using me of trying to snatch her child. Can you imagine that, Ashley? This is your solution? You¡¯re tampering with the lives of two women, two hurting mothers." Tears flow down my eyes.


    "Why do you hate me so much? How could you think that raising the child you had with your ex would heal the wound left by my lost child? How could you insult me like that?"


    "I am doing it for you, Demi, and for our family. I can¡¯t think of a better way to resolve this. I know you¡¯re still hurting. I am certain that raising the baby would be good for you."


    "I DON¡¯T WANT NICCI¡¯S BABY. FRANKLY, I DON¡¯T WANT ANY BABY, NOT AFTER MINE WAS BRUTALLY KILLED." I re past him to Asher who has a steely expression at the dining table. "I won¡¯t raise a child in this house, not like this. I don¡¯t need any favors, Ashley. Find a way to sort your mess with Ni without involving me. Please, leave me out of it." When I turn to leave, father¡¯s voice echoes round the room.


    "You¡¯re wrong, Demi. In this family, everyone works together to clean up messes that have the ability to affect us as a whole. M, you should learn this too. We are a unit. We work as a unit. If Ni insists on having her baby, then Ashley¡¯s idea isn¡¯t bad at all."


    "What? Father!" I shriek.


    "Would you prefer to have another baby with him?" He inclines his head when I stare at him with shock written all over me. "that¡¯s what I thought. This way, Ashley gets to be a dad again. You get to have a child without going through the rigors of making and birthing one. Ni disappears from our lives and the whole of Danvarr apuds the arrival of a new generation of Rollins. The news of your pregnancy and delivery could do our stock prices a lot of good."


    I shake my head. "You want me to lie about being pregnant and having a baby just to perk up your stock prices?"


    "I want you to do everything necessary to prevent the tarnishing of this family¡¯s image. That¡¯s what it truly means to be a part of this family. If you aren¡¯t up for it, you¡¯re wee to sign the divorce papers!"


    "Brett." Mother nudges him but he remains unfazed. Ashley coaxes me with his eyes. I stare from one family member to the other, my eyes full of tears.


    "Do it, Demi." M chimes in. "If you consider this your family, it shouldn¡¯t be that hard to make sacrifices for them." Father and mother turn in her direction and give her nods of approval. She¡¯s not even officially married into the family and she¡¯s already gunning for my position and licking asses.


    I turn to Ashley and grab his shoulders.


    "I know you don¡¯t love me but Ni? If you have a shred of love in your heart for her, you wouldn¡¯t cause her the pain of losing a child. She might have hurt me but I could never wish such sorrow on her. You can¡¯t do that to her, Ashley."


    "He can and he will. That child is his and deserves the best that only this family can give such as a greatst name for starters." Father replies.


    "Mother, you are also a woman. You must understand how devastating all of this must be for Nic. I don¡¯t want any part in this. Please, make everyone understand. I¡¯ll forgive Ashley if that¡¯s what you¡¯re worried about but we don¡¯t need that baby to save our rtionship."


    Father scoffs. "You think your marriage to Ashley is what anyone is worried about here? This conversation is about my grandchild and a rightful heir of this family. Ashley can always remarry. You¡¯re not special in any way, Demi. Don¡¯t tter yourself."


    "Father, enough." Ashley utters with sagged shoulders.


    "Talk some sense into her, Ashley before I lose it." Father warns him. When Ashley tries to console me, I refuse his touch and head for the door. Three bodyguards block my path.


    "What¡¯s going on? Ask them to let me through." I bark, staring at Ashley who only dips his eyes.


    "You¡¯re not leaving this mansion until we know whether you¡¯re with us or against us." Father thunders. With the subtlest of hints, my phone is snatched from me. "Take her to her room and see that she is monitored."


    "What? Why?" Arms link between mine and forcefully steer me towards the staircase while everyone watches.


    "Father, is this really necessary?"


    "Stay out it, Ashton." Father bellows at him with a sizzling look.


    "Mother, please. Don¡¯t let them do this! ASHLEY! HELP ME!" I cry out but no one moves a muscle to help me even when one of the bodyguards eventually throws me over his shoulder and carry me up the stairs. M watches with a lopsided grin on her face. I kick and scream until I am carried over the stairs and curved towards my room.


    I can¡¯t believe this is happening. I am shoved into my room and the door mmed shut in my face. My security code is changed. I keep banging on the door and yelling at the top of my voice but no onees to help me.


    Oh God! What if they go through my phone and my call logs, my chats with Liam and Anna. How do I stop that from happening while locked in my room? My secret will be revealed soon. What do I do?

 Chapter 117

    <h4>Chapter 117: Chapter 117</h4>


    ASHTON


    I shove Ashley into his room and m the door behind us.


    "What exactly is your n here, huh? On the one hand, you were trying to convince your wife to forgive your mistake and ept you still. On the other hand, you stood there like a statue and watched her being dragged away, screaming and crying, to be locked up in her room until she epts your inhuman decision that only worsens her plight in all this? Are you nuts or something?"


    "What would you have me do, Ashton?"


    "STAND UP FOR HER! Jesus, Ashley, it¡¯s not rocket science that Demi wants you to stand up for her! She literally mentioned the other day that she refrained from telling you about your baby because you stood still and watched father humiliate her. Your silence cost you the joy of learning you¡¯re going to be a father because she misconstrued it like any woman in her shoes would and now, you also stood mute while father humiliated her again today. You didn¡¯t stand up for your own wife even once. How in the world is she supposed to trust you with her heart or her life when you¡¯re just a puppet of father¡¯s?"


    "I AM NOT...."


    "DAMN RIGHT YOU ARE!" I leer at him, my chest heaving with breath. It fucking hurt to watch Demi being hauled away, to see the fear and helplessness in her eyes that had briefly wheeled towards my direction. I hate to have my hands tied given my past affiliations with her and my fianc¨¦e¡¯s presence in the house right now. So, I am going to prod my stupid brother till he mans up and saves his wife from that distressful situation.


    "You¡¯re a spineless punk, Ashley and you have no clue how to get into a woman¡¯s good graces without going through the hole between her legs." Ashley starts to fume now.


    "Back off, Ashton. You don¡¯t want to go there." I don¡¯t budge when he tries to shove past me and leave the room. Instead, I yank him back and toss him roughly on his couch.


    "Stay out of this Ashton!"


    "Toote. I watched that disaster unfold outside. You went against Asher¡¯s n. You were supposed to coax Ni to give the baby up for adoption. You went behind our backs and proposed a distasteful idea to her without batting an eyelid. You knew Demi wouldn¡¯t like the idea so my guess is you did this for mother and she¡¯s in on it too." His steamy gaze wavers at my theory.


    "You are a selfish bastard, Ashley and now you¡¯ve also confirmed you¡¯re mother¡¯s puppet too. Tell me, when was thest time you made a decision for yourself that wasn¡¯t the product of outside influences? When, Ashley, did you do something that was all you and not someone else¡¯s voice in your head?"


    His eyes darken as he stares up at me. "Probably when I intentionally threw away a condom and inserted myself raw into Demi because she was drunk and horny for you!"


    My fingers curl into a tight ball. He¡¯s baiting me. I can¡¯t let him distract me from the issue at hand.


    "Oh, I heard about that. Your ego must have taken a big hit. Is that why you¡¯re punishing her now by sucking it up to our parents?" I throw my head back andugh. "If you consider locking her up a solution, then be prepared to lose all the women you¡¯re romantically involved with in your life. You want to know how I guarantee my initials are carved in the hearts of every woman I give the time of day? For starters, you don¡¯t force them to stay with you or like you. That¡¯s pathetic."


    Ashley leaps to his feet. "I don¡¯t want any advice from you."


    "No. You NEED it." His hesitation tells me he¡¯s itching to learn something even though his demeanor masks his interest so well. "Start by listening to women for a change and by women, I mean those you want to win their hearts, not your mother! Demi is in despair over what has happened so far in her life. Forcing her to raise your ex¡¯s child is not an act of love. She¡¯ll hate you for it. And Nic? Ripping her child out of her arms to give it to your unwilling wife will also make her hate you too. I¡¯m just spelling out the future consequence of your decision. That child won¡¯t be raised with love because Demi will remain bitter towards you and everything that reminds her of you. You¡¯ll have a vengeful biological mother on your ass for the rest of your days."


    I let that steam in his head for a bit.


    "You should have stuck with Asher¡¯s n."


    "I can¡¯t have my child being raised by strangers somewhere in the world. You know how strong our genes are. I bet anyone who sees that child when he¡¯s grown will be able to make the connection that he is fathered by one of us. Do you think Ni or anyone who discovers the truth wouldn¡¯t use that child as a weapon against this family? Giving the child away would have only dyed the inevitable, not solve the problem. Besides, there¡¯s no guarantee that Demi will be willing to try to have another child with me so why should I throw mine away?"


    "Then you should have said something to us and we would havee up with a better n. You messed up big time and now our parents are taking the reins. You see what happens when father takes the reins? You look stupid because he doesn¡¯t factor in your wishes. He¡¯ll do whatever he wants to Demi and Nic. Don¡¯t forget what he already did to your unborn child. Can you really trust him to do right by you this time?"


    Ashley runs a hand over his face. "I don¡¯t want Demi locked up but how can I keep her from leaving this house and running her mouth? You know how damaging this news will be for me and our family if it leaks."


    I grab his shoulder. "She came straight home after Nic confronted her. If she had said something to anyone, we would have been on the news by now, don¡¯t you think? You have to learn to start trusting her, another way to earn her love. Let her give you reasons to withdraw theses privileges first before you do. Don¡¯t assume."


    "What do I do about father? He won¡¯t let her out even if I ask."


    "He will, with the right motivation." I lean close till my breath can fan his ear. "Tell him that you want her out and if he refuses, let him know that <i>you know</i> the role he yed in Demi¡¯s attack and miscarriage. Trust me, he¡¯ll cave once he realizes you are not the fool he thought you were."


    "What will happen to Asher if father..."


    "Asher can take care of himself. Worry about your marriage for now. Once Demi is out of there, try to talk to her. See if the two of you cane up with a better solution as a couple. You have to always remember to make decisions with her, especially those that will affect her and your marriage."


    "I understand." A ghost of a smile breaks out on his face. "Thank you, Ashton. I¡¯ll go see to it."


    With a light pat on his shoulder, I steer him towards the door and we both exit the room. I watch him stride purposefully towards the stairs and descend it to see father in his study. Mother and my other brothers must all be cooped up in there as well, trying to rub their minds together on how best to resolve the issue with Nic¡¯s pregnancy.


    Before thinking of joining them, I cast a sidelong nce at Demi¡¯s door. I want to sneak in a few words of encouragement, to let her know that she¡¯ll be fine. I can imagine her lying in a fetal position on the floor, sobbing softly.


    I wonder what she must think of my family right now, of Ashley, of me! I hadn¡¯t exactly stopped the men hauling her away. Does she understand the difficult position I am in which caused me to be more passive? I hope she does. I can¡¯t stand her hatred.


    The ck of stilettos pulls my eyes away from the door and towards the elevators. M is standing there with an uncertain look in her eyes. Though her face is hardly mired in a frown, I can tell she isn¡¯t too happy. She found me staring at Demi¡¯s bedroom door. I don¡¯t know how long she¡¯s been standing there, watching me watch the door while I contemted knocking.


    "Something wrong?"


    "No, I-uh, came to get my brother."


    "Ashley. I saw him heading to your father¡¯s study." She says, remaining still. She doesn¡¯t appear to be leaving anytime soon so I shelve my n to speak to Demi and walk towards my fianc¨¦e.


    "I¡¯m sorry you had to witness all that." Gently, I stroke her cheek. She leans on my palm, rubbing her face against it with a purr. It ends with a kiss on said palm.


    "That was nothing unusual. My father would have done worse if a family member wasn¡¯t cooperating. You seem to forget I am also an heir of a conglomerate. I know all about this life and the tough decisions that have to be made behind closed doors to preserve the family¡¯s reputation." She closes her hands over mine before staring at Demi¡¯s door.


    "Do you think your father¡¯s decision is unfair towards her?"


    Another baiting question.


    I draw in a sharp breath. "I don¡¯t think it¡¯s alright to manhandle women for a reason as unjustifiable as a difference of opinion. I believe there are better ways to handle the problem at hand without treating people like scum."


    "She¡¯s not being treated like scum. It¡¯s just a necessary measure to acquaint her with the unsavory truth of being a member of a family such as ours. Tell me, have your father never treated your or your brothers in a fashion that you deemed distasteful? Did you ever stop to question your paternity because of it? No right? Unless Demi doesn¡¯t consider herself a full member of the Rollins family, she should be able to understand that this is nothing but tough love."


    I ease back to look at her. "You don¡¯t have to sugarcoat the truth to win brownie points with my family."


    "What? That¡¯s not what I am doing."


    "That¡¯s exactly what you are doing and I find it unpleasant." I turn to stab a finger in the direction of Demi¡¯s room. "Put yourself in her shoes. Imagine you learnt I was having a baby with a side chick right after losing your own unborn child and I expect you to y the role of a mother and raise my baby whether you like it or not. Would you still feel the same way if I had you locked up in a room until you agreed to go with my decision? Would you be happy if everyone in my family didn¡¯t see anything wrong with the way you were forcefully hauled away and locked up?"


    "There would be no need for me to be locked up because I would understand the sacrifice I have to make to preserve my family¡¯s reputation. I might still be mad at you within the four walls of this mansion but to the world, I¡¯d be the perfect wife and mother to that child."


    She disgusts me at this point. Thest thing I want is a puppet wife.


    "You¡¯ve changed."


    "No, <i>you¡¯ve</i> changed, Ashton. I don¡¯t understand why you¡¯re making this such a big deal. Don¡¯t stand here and act like your family hasn¡¯t gotten their hands dirty before. You can¡¯t be that na?ve. This is the sad truth. Ufortable decisions, sacrifices, choices are the foundation of massive wealth such as the one our families boast of today. You can¡¯t be a saint ande into such wealth. Don¡¯t y holier than thou just because it pertains to Demi."


    "I was wondering when you were going to throw that in." She grips my wrist when I try to walk away.


    "I am trying here, Ashton. Despite everything I see, I keep turning a blind eye."


    "Well, that¡¯s the difference between us, M. I am not wired like that. I don¡¯t turn a blind eye to shit. I call it as I see it. If I think it¡¯s wrong, I¡¯ll say it without fear. I am not afraid to lose everything, M, everything! I stand by my guns no matter what. You know my truth. A part of me will always love that woman behind that door. I won¡¯t deny it and though I will not cross my boundaries, I won¡¯t turn a blind eye to any injustice being meted out to her. It¡¯s not because it¡¯s her in particr; I¡¯ll do the same if it was some other person in her shoes. That¡¯s just how I am. Remember, that¡¯s the kind of man you¡¯re marrying. He¡¯s nobody¡¯s puppet and he isn¡¯t afraid to stick to his beliefs. What you do after relearning this truth about me depends on you."


    I leave her to her thoughts and sprint down the stairs. When I turn to father¡¯s study, he is walking out with Ashley and Asher in tow. I am told Ashal stepped out and mother has returned to her room. The iciness I expect between Ashley and father is severelycking. Even his bromance with Asher makes my stomach drop.


    "What did I miss?"


    "Not much." Father replies instantly before Ashley can moisten his lips. "Though I am not pleased with the way things have panned out, I am d my son has gotten a second chance to be a father. This calls for a celebration."


    "Definitely." Asher concurs.


    My eyes track to Ashley and by the look on his face, I can tell he didn¡¯t even bring up Demi.


    "And Demi?" I ask, abruptly cutting off their reverie. "How long do you n on locking her up?"


    "It¡¯s all up to her, really. If shees to her senses and agrees with our n, she¡¯ll be freed this very minute."


    A nasty smirk spreads across father¡¯s face. Ashley finally faces me with a nd look. I have no idea what transpired inside the study but it surely has him wrapped around our old man¡¯s fingers.


    Asher drapes an arm around my shoulder and herds me away.


    "Easy tiger." He coos when I shove his hand away outside the house.


    "What the hell was that? Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re suddenly cool with Ashley going against your original n."


    "Why wouldn¡¯t I be? His idea is much better I am actually jealous that I didn¡¯t think about it first. He killed two birds with one stone; the family has a baby to rece the one we lost and Nic doesn¡¯t taint our image."


    "What?"


    "What I am not cool about is your singr focus on all things Demi even to the point of convincing Ashley to call father out on his deceit earlier than nned. Do you not realize that I am doing this for you? If father isn¡¯t preupied with hiding the evil he wrought on his own grandchild, he would have his sights on you and what you¡¯ve been up totely. Trust me, he¡¯s been asking."


    I let him steer me towards the pool. With the subtlest of hints, he dismisses the pool cleaners and lounges on one of the pool chairs.


    "What¡¯s the update on you know who."


    "What?"


    "Get your head straight, Ash. Demi isn¡¯t in any danger. She¡¯s just locked in her room where meals and other refreshments are sent up every three hours. I¡¯m sure she won¡¯t die from restricted movement and phone ess. Now, what¡¯s the update on project pink?"


    "Yet to receive details of the meet up. That shoulde by the weekend."


    "Good. Now, be sure to be your regr self in spite of everything that¡¯s going on. If you keep calm when father expects you to kick against something, he¡¯ll sic one of his men on you like thest time. I¡¯m trying to upy myself with deescting the situation, fixing Ashley¡¯s mess and loathing the Randalls because that¡¯s what he¡¯ll expect from me. Ashal¡¯s got personal problems of his own to figure out so I¡¯ll let him off the hook this time."


    "Right. His pregnant wife." I concur. Something else flits in Asher¡¯s eyes, piquing my curiosity. "Is there more?"


    "There¡¯s something going on between him and Madeline but I haven¡¯t put my finger on it yet."


    "Liv¡¯s sister?"


    "Yup."


    I don¡¯t like the sound of that. Asher goes on to tell me how he helped Ashal rescue Madeline. I can¡¯t digest how much of Ashal¡¯s life that I didn¡¯t know about. Frankly, I am a bit hurt that he¡¯s been keeping things from me. I thought he and I were closer than this. Why would he confide in Asher but not me? It makes zero sense.


    "I need to clear my head. I can¡¯t be around this house and all the sick things happening inside it for another second."


    I trudge to my car, slide in but just before I pull away, M steps out. We lock eyes briefly as she takes in the defiance in mine. I swing my car towards the huge gate and drive out while M continues to watch me.


    For the next three hours I sit in my car, parked off the road, watching the orphanage where my little sister grew up in. It¡¯s shut down now but it grates on my nerves that I can¡¯t go in to enquire about her or find someone who can help me imagine tidbits of her life as a child.


    I don¡¯t know what it¡¯s like to grow up dirt poor. I want to be prepared to converse with her and to understand her. I can¡¯t afford to trivialize her pain or demonstrate my biased view of the world from gold-framed sses just like when Keith called me out on throwing my money on his parents.


    Maybe I¡¯ll listen more and talk less. I¡¯ve got one shot to show Adriana that letting her brothers be a part of her life won¡¯t hurt. If I mess it up, we lose her forever.


    I dig my phone out of my pocket when it beeps as notifications stream in. Holy crap.


    Billion-Err just announced Nic¡¯s pregnancy for Ashley and the media is eating it up! Fuck!

 Chapter 118

    <h4>Chapter 118: Chapter 118</h4>


    ASHTON


    "Do we know who leaked it?" I ask, storming into the mansion. Ashley is hunched over the antique bar with a forlorn look on his face. Mother has her head in her hands. Father¡¯s jaw is clenched almost as tightly as his shut eyes. Asher is on his iPad, scrolling with a hot re. M is rubbing mother¡¯s back in small circles and whispering soft assurances.


    "Who else could it be?" Asher snarls, throwing Ashley a steaming look. "I thought you had it handled. I thought you had <i>her</i> handled. How the fuck did she muster the courage to go against us like this?"


    "Ni doesn¡¯t have it in her to go against me!" Ashley snaps. A bead of sweat lines his forehead as he straightens his spine. "This has to be her father¡¯s doing. He¡¯s been suspicious of her conditiontely. Maybe he somehow figured she¡¯s pregnant and is trying to manipte her as usual."


    "There you go defending her again." I snap at him.


    I just don¡¯t get how easily he trusts the same woman who fooled and tormented him for months as Shay but finds it difficult to extend the same courtesy to his own brother and his wife. Why is it hard for him to trust Demi and I the way he trusts Ni blindly.


    "Enough with the bickering." Mother intervenes. "None of that will help us deal with the matter at hand, don¡¯t you get it? The longer we wait, the harder it will be for people to believe whatever contrary statement or response we put out. The truth is that Ni is indeed carrying your child, Ashley. If her father has gotten involved, I think it will be harder to cover this up as we intended. Still, we have to try. I don¡¯t want to lose my grandchild and I also don¡¯t want our reputation to be dragged in the mud." She cranes her neck towards father. "Say something."


    Father exhales. "Ashley, what do you have in mind, son?"


    His sudden spark of interest in Ashley¡¯s suggestion takes my brothers and I aback with shock. What is father ying at? Does he really care what we think or is this all an act to salvage the opinion we have of him?


    Ashley moistens his lips and trades brief nces with us. "Uh, I was thinking of paying Ni a visit. I want to confirm how the news got leaked. I¡¯m certain her father might have yed a role and if indeed he did, then I fear what ns he must have for his daughter. I want to make sure she and the baby are fine before we move forward with any other n."


    "Don¡¯t you think being spotted going into Ni¡¯s apartment will further strengthen the rumors?" Asher asks, concerned.


    "I¡¯m not stupid. Of course I¡¯ll be in a disguise." Asher ignores the blunt remark and fastens his eyes back on father.


    I dig my fingers into my palm. Ashley isn¡¯t the least bit concerned about Demi who is still locked in her room. If he clearly loves Ni, why won¡¯t he just divorce Demi and set that woman free? Why string her along while obsessing over his first love?


    "Something on your mind, Ashton?"


    I blink at father as he turns the spotlight on me. Asher¡¯s wordse floating back. I can¡¯t give father any reason to suspect my mind is upied by other things.


    "I¡¯ll like to go with Ashley. If Mr. Grey is involved, he¡¯ll need support."


    "That sounds about right." Father lurches to his feet. "Now listen, worry more about handling the girl. If her father throws threats, tell him we will speak man to man. I¡¯ll handle him myself. I made him what he used to be. I can easily tear down whatever he has left. He shouldn¡¯t trifle with me. Tell him I said so."


    Ashley nods.


    "Where¡¯s Ashal?"


    "On his way. He had a little emergency." I lock eyes with father so he gets my drift.


    M keeps her eyes down. She realizes there are definitely some family secrets that she isn¡¯t weed to know yet and like a puppet, she feigns indifference. I don¡¯t really know where Ashal is but I instantly had to cover for him so father doesn¡¯t get too keen on poking around Ashal¡¯s personal business. I sincerely hope that my brother isn¡¯t straying like Asher worries.


    Ashley heads for his room after texting Ni. I follow closely behind him, overhearing Asher running a few ideas by our father as to the official response to be made regarding the rumor.


    "She¡¯s not answering her phone or texting me back. Her father must have her phone or something."


    "You¡¯re certain he¡¯s behind this?"


    "Yes, very. Ni has told me all about his maniption and abuse. He doesn¡¯t care about her. He¡¯s only interested in how her sesses, failures and even mistakes can benefit him. If he knows she¡¯s taken in for me, he will definitely be trying to milk our family or use her pregnancy as a springboard to cement his ce in the echelons of power."


    He gets to his room and rushes for the knob.


    "I¡¯ll get changed. You should too. We can¡¯t be recognized as Asher stated."


    "Ash." I catch his wrist before he can go in. "Demi is still locked up. We know she didn¡¯t leak the news because we¡¯ve got her phone. Do you really mean to leave her like that till you get everything sorted with Ni? That could take hours."


    His eyes track to her door. "I can¡¯t think about anything or anyone else right now, Ashton. She¡¯s fine. I¡¯m sure she won¡¯t suffer any harm till we return. Meeting with Ni is more urgent. Besides, we can¡¯t be too sure how Demi will react once I let her out. What if she insists on returning to Anna¡¯s. Do I have her shoved back into her room and locked again?"


    "Why didn¡¯t you speak to father like we discussed earlier?"


    Ashley sighs. "Because Asher is right. This is hardly the time to be at loggerheads with father. I NEED HIM. I need to have my life sorted out and I can¡¯t think of a quicker or more effective way to get it done without father. There will be plenty of opportunities to use that trump card but not right now. Is that all? Can we get changed now?"


    "Yes, you can." M returns. We turn to stare at her ghostly presence at the top of the stairs. It¡¯s annoying how she¡¯s been creeping up on metely.


    "I¡¯ll look after Demi. You two go do what you have to do."


    Wordlessly, Ashley slinks into his room while I head for mine. M falls into step with me after a small trot.


    "Aren¡¯t you leaving?"


    "My dad understands I¡¯m needed here."


    "Does he?" I grab a leather jacket from my closet and throw on a ck face cap.


    "Why? You don¡¯t want me here? Am I cramping up your style or getting in the way of your profuse love for your sister-inw?"


    Her eyes sh fiercely at me. If I wasn¡¯t already too pissed with the way my day is going, I¡¯d probably have been fazed by the fire in her eyes. I slip on dark shades and jerk back when she tries to touch me. "What now? You don¡¯t want my touch?"


    "I have more important things to sort out." She seethes angrily as I walk away.


    Nic¡¯s father wees us into her apartment. It¡¯s just as Ashley had suspected. Mr. Grey had been expecting us so that can only mean he knows something about thetest headline on the news. Ni strolls out, a nervous look on her face when she sees us.


    "Come in, gentlemen. This meeting is long overdue. Ashley, which one is Ashley?" His eyes dart from one brother to the next. Ashley is dressed in in clothes and I, like myself. I know Ni will have a hard time figuring who is who.


    When neither of us dignifies him with a reply, he clicks his fingers, beckoning on Ni to step forward. Slowly, she lumbers to the center of the room. "Darling, which of them knocked you up? You should be able to tell by now. It will be shameful if you can¡¯t."


    Ni¡¯s eyes drop to the floor.


    "Why the sunsses in here? Please, kindly take them off. The disguises aren¡¯t necessarily or helpful right now." His left handtches onto Nic¡¯s elbow. She shrieks in pain when he digs his fingernails into her skin. "SPEAK UP, SLUT! WHICH OF THEM IS THE MAN YOU¡¯VE BEEN WHORING FOR?"


    "Get your hands off her!" Ashley barks, pulling Nic away from him and shoving the elderly man on the couch. Heughs boisterously and strokes his beard.


    "So, you¡¯re Ashley, the father of her child." He remarks.


    "Are you okay?" Ashley proceeds to ask Ni to which she bobs her head and links her hands behind his back, sobbing into his chest. "Don¡¯t cry. He won¡¯t hurt you. I¡¯m here now." She dabs the tears rolling down her face and gets behind him while I range myself between them and Mr. Grey.


    "I get why you couldn¡¯t keep your seat in politics, Mr. Grey. You¡¯re a pathetic, sore loser. Is this all you care about? You¡¯re weaponizing your daughter¡¯s pregnancy for what? What benefit could you possibly want out of humiliating her like this?"


    "She carved that path for herself when she chose to abandon her career and pride herself as your brother¡¯s side piece." He replies in defense. "I always warned her not to let him into her bed especially given their history and the wedding band on his finger but a slut will always be a slut. Since she has disgraced me anyway, I have to find a way to make lemonade out of the lemons my worthless daughter has given me."


    "What lemonade?" I ask. Something devious glints in his eyes. At his signal, we are surrounded by people emerging from their hiding ces behind the thick walls. They are all holding up cameras and shing them in our faces as they take pictures of us.


    "Behold, Ashley Rollins, the father of my daughter¡¯s unborn child!" He locks eyes with Ashley whom Ni continues to cling onto. The cameras turn to focus on them now. "Let¡¯s see how you deny that!" Mr. Grey hums with glee.


    ***


    <i>"Mr. Ashley Rollins, do you admit that you fathered Nic Grey¡¯s child?"</i>


    <i>"What does this mean for your marriage to Danvarr¡¯s sweetheart, Demi Rollins?"</i>


    <i>"Will you be divorcing your wife, Mr. Rollins?"</i>


    <i>"How does your wife feel about you fathering a child with your ex-girlfriend? Is there trouble in paradise?"</i>


    The questions continue to fly, getting more ridiculous by the second. Ni mumbles what I can only imagine to be apologies to Ashley as he shields her from the small pool of journalists. I turn to her father who is still on the couch, enjoying every bit of his twenty seconds of fame.


    I grab his cor. "You underestimate the power and influence we have. Let me reeducate you." My hand falls from his shirt. I grab one of the cameras and smash it on the floor, causing a startled uproar from all six journalists. A sudden hush falls over the room.


    "How much did he pay you to ambush us like this? What fame were you promised? I can tell you¡¯re all starving journalists and that¡¯s why you fell for this bait. Here¡¯s what¡¯s going to happen." I move from one to the other. "You are not going to leave this room with your cameras. You won¡¯t say a peep about what transpired here to anyone outside these four walls."


    "Hey, you can¡¯t... "


    "SIT DOWN!" I growl when Ni¡¯s father tries to protest. Meekly, he sinks back in his chair with a frown. I return my gaze to the journalists.


    "If you think the top earning journalists who are invited to cover all the best news about the cr¨¨me de cr¨¨me of this country got there by stabbing the wealthy in the back, then you¡¯re woefully wrong. Leave your gear and never promote any ill news regarding my family and I can assure you an invite to cover our celebrations. If you y your cards right, I can even slip your names into the payroll of journalists that work for my family, journalists like Julia Plec."


    "Julia Plec?" They murmur excitedly, dropping their cameras to the floor. Julia is one of the top three journalists in Danvarr and has her own penthouse and a fleet of cars. She¡¯s an icon in her industry.


    One of the journalists even stomps his boot hard on his camera. Mr. Grey watches the scene unfold with a horrified stare.


    "Mr. Rollins, we¡¯ll do whatever you ask. We are deeply sorry for trying to perpetrate lies. Let us know what you¡¯ll like us to write on our blogs and it will be done. We will even send ahead a draft to be edited by your media team before we post if that¡¯s okay."


    A small smile tugs at my lips. "That will be great. Drop your cards before leaving. My secretary will be in touch to rece your cameras with thetest models of your choice."


    "Thank you so much, Mr. Rollins. Apologies again." They chant repeatedly while dropping their business cards on the small table. After they all file out of the living room, Ashley and I turn to Mr. Grey.


    "Cat got your tongue?" I ask him. "I bet you miss that kind of power and influence. Isn¡¯t that what you truly want? That¡¯s why you went through all this trouble to humiliate your daughter. You were hoping you would get our attention and strike a bargain, right?"


    Ashley bolts forward and punches the elderly man in the face to which Ni screams in fear. "You¡¯re such an asshole. The deal is off. I¡¯ll make sure you¡¯re made an example of. You can kiss whatever reputation you think you have goodbye. I don¡¯t want to see you anywhere near Ni..."


    "Ashley!"


    "No!" He cuts Ni¡¯s protest. "He is not your father. He¡¯s your abuser and the source of your constant pain. I won¡¯t let hime anywhere near you or the baby." He leans close to Mr. Grey. "Don¡¯t be a wuss and pick a fight with pups. Why don¡¯t you pick on someone your own size, age-wise. My father will be in touch." Mr. Grey¡¯s eyes widen with fear at the mention of father. I bet he¡¯s scared now that his stupid n fell through.


    Ashley gives Ni a kiss on her forehead. "The deal still stands. Make sure there are no other incidents like this or I¡¯ll be forced to reconsider. Remember, there are a plethora of ways to deal with this but I chose to give you a happy ending as the top model you¡¯ve always wanted to be. Don¡¯t disappoint me again."


    He ignores the tears blurring her eyes and the silent protest on her quivering lips before heading for the door.


    "Take care of yourself." I mutter to Nic. "Call if you need anything." With onest re at her father who cowers in fright on the couch, I follow my brother.


    ***


    "We conveyed your message. It¡¯s handled." Ashley says at the dinner tableter.


    Demi is finally out of her room. I have no idea what anyone must have said to her or how much she knows about everything that has transpired in thest couple of hours since she was locked up. I just know she isn¡¯t pleased to be seated with the rest of the family. I bet she wants to puke at the sight of us. Mother probably forced her to join the family for a meal.


    Demi hasn¡¯t smiled once. She has been poking her food too. Ashley hasn¡¯t bothered to say a word to her either. They¡¯ve just been sitting next to each other like robots. When M closes a hand over mine, I instantly regret that she hasn¡¯t left. My phone beeps.


    "The journalists have sent in samples of their blogposts. They¡¯re all denying the pregnancy im." I silently marvel at how creative they are in debunking the news. I bet a lot of people will fall for it.


    "Good. Nice move there, Ashton. You saved our asses from having furtherplications." Fatherpliments me. Mother nods affirmatively. Asher passes his iPad to father.


    "Mr. Grey has agreed to give a statement along with his daughter denying the pregnancy."


    "More good news."


    "Does that mean the n has changed?"


    Everyone whips their head at Demi¡¯s question. She drops her cutlery with a tter. "Do I still have to fake a pregnancy and y pretend mom for Ashley and Nic¡¯s child?"


    The specificity of the child¡¯s parents makes father work the tension in his jaw.


    "Nothing has changed. You still get to experience motherhood, Demi. You should be grateful your husband isn¡¯t having Ni rece you."


    Mother grunts at father¡¯s cold remark. Ashley continues to chew his food quietly. What the hell is his problem? Why isn¡¯t he saying anything?


    "Demi dear, I know all of this is hard on you but trust me, once you open your heart, you¡¯re going to love that child like you birthed him/her."


    "How are you so certain? Have you ever had to raise another woman¡¯s child as your own?" Demi asks defiantly. Mother¡¯s eyes quirk up in shock. We all have the same reaction but Demi doesn¡¯t back down. She retains the rage in her eyes. I shift ufortably. Where did thate from? What¡¯s that deep look in her eyes?


    "You better watch your mouth, Demi Branson!" Father chides her.


    Mother hides the tremor in her hands by tucking them under the table. I haven¡¯t allowed myself to think of what it would be like to confront her about our biological parents. Her reaction to Demi¡¯s question however gives me a glimpse of the shock she¡¯ll suffer that day when the cat is out of the bag. My brothers must all be thinking the same thing as me given how they¡¯re all engrossed in mother¡¯s demeanor. Even Ashal, who finally rejoined us, looks slightly heartbroken as the bitter truth eats at him.


    Demi ignores father¡¯s warning and throws Ashley a disgusted look. "Ashley Rollins, Ni is more than wee to take my ce in your life. I¡¯m done with this charade." She turns to our parents and sps her hands together. "Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Rollins, for the opportunity to y your pretend daughter-inw but I refuse to fake anything else in this sham of a marriage. I¡¯m ready to sign the fucking divorce papers! ASHLEY AND I ARE DONE!"

 Chapter 119

    <h4>Chapter 119: Chapter 119</h4>


    ASHAL


    The moment the words leave Demi¡¯s lips, a startled hush falls over the dining room. We could have heard a pin drop at that moment. I press my eyes shut as memories of Olivia making a simr demand merely hours ago hits me.


    She keeps trying to convince me that our separation would be the best thing for the baby. Every time I walk through the front door of the penthouse, she subtly reminds me that true love could be waiting for me outside. She demands to know if I have been trying to go on dates, if I have met anyone new. It¡¯s sickening how eager she is to throw everything we once shared. It hurts to realize how easily she has moved on and how badly she wants me to move on too.


    "Have you thought about it?" She had asked in between licking off some of the cake mix she was whisking. I am d she feels stronger nowadays but it has its disadvantages. She¡¯s got too much energy to discuss ufortable topics with me.


    "Thought about what?" I asked, swirling wine in my ss.


    "Our divorce. Are yourwyers drafting the papers?"


    My fingers tightened around the stem of my ss. Slowly, I lifted my eyes to meet her hopeful ones. "You¡¯re very eager to leave me, aren¡¯t you?"


    "Don¡¯t be like that. I¡¯m looking out for you and our baby. Dying the inevitable won¡¯t be good for either of you. Look at us right now. There¡¯s hardly any tension. We can speak freely. I¡¯ve been breathing easiertely and that¡¯s all because I don¡¯t feel the pressure of trying to pretend to be who you want me to be. This is all we were ever meant to be, Ashal; friends. Anything more would be forced. It¡¯s already stolen two years of our lives. We can¡¯t continue to trudge down that path."


    I sipped my wine. "I need some time. I know you never felt anything for me but I do feel something for you. Suffice it to say that I am going through an emotional rollercoaster right now. There¡¯s a lot of shit going on in my family too and I have to add my personal problems to the fray. It¡¯s too much for me. I am going through heartbreak, a potential divorce and so much more." Angrily, I drained the rest of my ss.


    Lily shuffled forward to do a refill when Olivia beat her to it. Meekly, Lily returned to her invisible spot by the kitchen wall.


    "You need a distraction." Liv suggested, pouring me more wine. She smelt like cake. "That¡¯s why I keep suggesting you find a new girl, someone to take the edge off. How about that Cree girl? Those pictures felt like sparks flew between you two."


    I shook my head. "False sparks. She never really like me. I was just her meal ticket." That wasn¡¯t entirely true.


    "Ouch. Do you have anyone in mind that you like?"


    Before I could stop it, Madeline¡¯s image clouded my head. Immediately, I took another bracing gulp of my wine.


    "Woah, easy." Liv said worriedly.


    "I¡¯ll talk to Elyon at work. He¡¯s very good at organizing blind dates for me. Maybe I¡¯ll just go on a few to see what happens."


    "That sounds great." Liv added, rushing to continue her baking. "You never can tell what will happen. Madeline also put herself out there and now she¡¯s got a new boyfriend."


    A loud sound like tinnitus rung in my head. "She what?"


    "After you saved her from that asshole, Hunter, I feared it would be difficult for her to give love another chance. You know she also suffered heartbreak with her ex, Carter. The proximity of all these hardships in her love life gave me cause for concern but luckily, I was worried for nothing. She told me thest time we spoke that she¡¯s been talking to this new guy and he seriously wants to be her boyfriend."


    If Liv hadn¡¯t been busy rifling through the kitchen cabs, searching for God knows what, she would have recognized the pure look of shock and constipation on my face. Is that why Maddi has been avoiding me? I wondered. She has refused to take my calls or texts despite how harmless they¡¯ve been.


    I sent her back to college and helped her family move on from that arranged marriage disaster like it never happened. What could I have done wrong to warrant the frostiness from Maddi? She hasn¡¯t shown up in my office once to say thank you to me for saving her life. I was kind of counting on that as an excuse to see her again. When that didn¡¯t happen, I broke character and called to see how she has been doing since she returned to school. There¡¯s been no single reply from her. At some point, I thought she might have lost her phone or changed her number.


    I gritted my teeth as I realized how fast everyone seemed to be moving on from me. I knew Maddi and I weren¡¯t romantically involved but I thought the few moments that we shared (like the kiss in the car and at the hospital after I saved her from Hunter) meant something to her. Though she hadn¡¯t allowed herself to voice it, her eyes were speaking volumes. Did she really go out there and get a new boyfriend? Why did she have to avoid me? I wouldn¡¯t stop her so what¡¯s with the weird energy? I continued to wonder.


    Lily was watching me when I lifted my head. She made her way to me and raised the bottle to top my ss.


    "Stop, Lily. He¡¯s had enough." Liv cut in.


    I closed my hand over the bottle, softly brushing Lily¡¯s hand and poured the wine. "I¡¯m not drunk enough. Everything still hurts."


    I felt Lily¡¯s breath hitch as our hands touched. Liv allowed her eyes to linger on our connected hands for a few seconds before she feigned indifference and prepped the oven. I finished the bottle of wine and to my surprise, Liv asked Lily to help me to my room even though I could manage just fine. When I threw her a nce, she had a thin smile on her face.


    I woke up muchter to find Lily in bed with me. We were both butt naked under the sheets. On the side drawer, there were cupcakes and a pitcher of orange juice with a note from Olivia that said, [No guilt necessary from now on. Hope you feel much better. Enjoy the treats.]


    I blink as father¡¯s voice cuts through my thoughts. We are still at the dining table with Demi¡¯s shocking demand hanging thickly in the air. Demi pushes her chair back and stands.


    "What divorce?" Father replies before Ashley can speak. He steeples his fingers and inclines his head. "You are not signing anything, Demi."


    Demi¡¯s eyes sh angrily. "You can¡¯t keep me tethered to your son against my will."


    "I beg to differ. I absolutely can. I have a document that states that you¡¯re still Mrs. Ashley Rollins for the next six months. Though your current decision would have made me pop open my oldest wine in the cer, I regret that the circumstances we find ourselves in leaves me no choice but to demand you uphold your end of the contract. You can¡¯t divorce Ashley now, not in the midst of this chaos."


    "A chaos HE created." Demi rifies.


    "Nevertheless, you owe him another six months. We need a mother for his child. After the contract expires, you will be free to go back to your plebian life. If you insist on walking away right now, I¡¯ll get my legal team to m you with charges for breach of contract and trust me, you won¡¯t be done paying this family back even if you work your bones from now till you turn ny. The choice is yours."


    Horrified, Demi stares across the room as no one rises to defend her.


    "You are all evil!" She shrieks before stomping away to the elevator.


    "And...that right there is why the rich ought to marry their kind." M breaks the awkward silence.


    "Exactly, my dear." Father toasts to her. Ashton looks disgusted with his fianc¨¦e.


    "Ashley." Mother calls. "Go check on her. Make her understand."


    Reluctantly, Ashley surges to his feet and goes after his wife. I stand up next and call it a night. I am sick of all the drama unfolding in my life. My whole world seems to be falling apart. Nothing makes sense anymore. I head to the movie room and slink into a padded chair. I have no intention to see a movie. I just want to sit in the dark for a bit and pray no onees looking for me. It¡¯s a shit show downstairs but another shit show is going on in my head too.


    I haven¡¯t been able to stop thinking about it. Why does it matter so much that Maddi has a boyfriend now? What right do I have to be suspicious of how fast she found this guy or to think she¡¯s using him to fend off whatever she must have felt between us over thest couple of weeks?


    Why do I feel a flutter in my belly because she hasn¡¯t told Liv anything that has transpired between ustely? Is that supposed to be a sign that she¡¯s contemting anything or that she¡¯s trying to forget those golden moments we shared?


    I jerk as a hand rests on my shoulder.


    "Are you okay?"


    I look up and wonder how Ashton found me.


    "Yeah. I¡¯m good." I sit upright while he settles down on the chair next to me. A tired breath whistles from his lip. "Hey, thanks for covering for me. Asher mentioned it."


    "Not a problem."


    From the corner of my eye, I can tell he¡¯s watching me. "What¡¯s uh...what¡¯s going on down there?"


    He inhales sharply. "Asher invited Anna over. He¡¯s briefing her on the need to keep her mouth shut about Demi¡¯s lost pregnancy and the new charade that Demi will be embarking on soon. Ashley is in a shouting match with his wife. Mother and father are having hushed conversations in his study. I think mother is trying to get father to develop a conscience for his daughter-inw."


    "Ha"


    "My sentiments exactly." Ashton concurs with me.


    "And your fianc¨¦e?"


    "I sent her home in a car. I¡¯ve had my fill of her ass licking for one day." Weugh to that. "So, I came to find you."


    I bob my head. "You¡¯ve got something on your mind. Spill it."


    He sighs. "Asher mentioned a few things I must have missed thesest few weeks. Ashal, I¡¯m sorry I¡¯ve been so busy chasing leads to our sister that I have totally neglected you."


    "Don¡¯t. We all have our different lives. You don¡¯t owe me..."


    "I do." He interjects. "I know we each get caught up sometimes but I hate to be absent especially in matters that involve you. You know how much I worry over you. You¡¯re my baby brother..." He shes his index finger in my face when I start to protest, "...and it¡¯s my right to worry. Tell me everything I¡¯ve missed and I swear, I won¡¯t judge."


    I take a good look at him. If I am not desperate to unpack everything I am feeling right now to retain a shred of my sanity, I probably won¡¯t cave at this point. I go on to tell him everything I can, excluding my rioting feelings for Maddi.


    "Liv wants a divorce too despite being pregnant? I¡¯m so sorry man. That must be hard to endure alone."


    "She literally dumped our maid on me today. She served us cupcakes in my bedroom while we were both spent from drunk sex. If that doesn¡¯t tell you how DONE she is, I don¡¯t know what does." I run a hand over my face. "I tried, Ashton. I really tried to be everything she wanted and more but somehow, the stars never aligned in our favor. I guess it¡¯s true what they say; the heart wants what it wants. She has always been attracted to Asher and not me. Two years and a baby on the wayter, none of that has changed."


    "What are you going to do? Will you grant her the divorce as she asks? Will you find someone else to move on with?"


    "I am too scared to think along those lines. The changes are too big. Liv is all I¡¯ve known for thest two years. If I can¡¯t see her at the penthouse anymore, I don¡¯t know what my life will look like. Plus, being a dad scares me too. What if I suck at it? I know how much hell I¡¯ve given father over what a shitty dad he was to us but what if my child feels the same way about me? How do I find the courage to search for a new love interest with all of this bullshit going on both in our family and in my personal life? It¡¯s a whole lot!"


    Ashton wraps an arm around me. "You¡¯ll get through it. We¡¯ve been through a lot of shocks this year so I believe we will also get through this one."


    "Thanks, Ash." I exhale. "I want to give it a few months, probably till Liv has the baby before we go our separate ways. It felt good watching her bake cupcakes today in the kitchen, barefoot and pregnant. She was back to her bubbly self. Even if we¡¯re nothing more than friends now, I want to savor that for as long as I can."


    "And your love life? Would you really go on blind dates again? I think it won¡¯t hurt to try. See how sparks flew with Cree. I don¡¯t care if you go in search of someone that has Liv¡¯s qualities as long as it¡¯s a fresh face and a befitting woman. You¡¯re too young to quit searching for true love."


    It appears there¡¯s a message within his message but I drown it out with augh.


    "Duly noted, cupid." I reply.


    I know Asher must have mentioned Madeline to him and as Ashton coaxes me to see a movie to distract us from our chaotic lives, I silently wonder why he didn¡¯t bring her up.


    ***


    Work feels like a chore the next day. I don¡¯t have to be here. I am not in the right headspace right now but since I can¡¯t be home or at the penthouse, this is my only escape hatch.


    Asher released an official statement in the press after Nic¡¯s press release, confirming Demi¡¯s pregnancy. ns are already underway for Nic¡¯s unsuspicious disappearance from the public scene so she can have her baby on a remote ind owned by my family. I scroll half-heartedly through the images taken of Demi in public with strategic hand cements on her belly. Thement section is filled with congrattory messages.


    I feel bad for her. She hates my family now for putting her through this wicked joke. She just lost her child and is forced to fake a pregnancy. That must be hard. My mind drifts to Liv. She took in around the time Demi did. Demi¡¯s baby would have been born around the same time as mine.


    I haven¡¯t even told mother about Liv¡¯s pregnancy and father hasn¡¯t bothered to share with her. I don¡¯t think she will be truly happy for me anyway. She never really fancied Liv and only epted her out of pity for me. I bet she¡¯s more than satisfied and upied with Ashley¡¯s yet to be born baby.


    Additionally, her hands are full with Ashley¡¯s wife and baby mama drama. It has never felt like the right time to tell her so I¡¯ll keep mum for now till my baby is born. Maybe father will cut me some ck when I present my child along with my divorce agreement with Olivia.


    Elyon walks into my office.


    "How do you have enough free time to walk around?" I ask him. "I thought I delegated all my work today to you?"


    "That you did but you also asked me to get you a fresh batch of blind dates." He responds gleefully. I think he is in the wrong profession given how good he is at arranging these dates and how much pleasure it brings him.


    "Any luck?"


    "Do I need one? Even if your family wasn¡¯t trending on the news right now, I¡¯d still get a tranche if applications without lifting a finger. You know you and Asher are thest bachelors among the famous Danvarr quads. I set up a poll and you would be surprised you had the highest vote as the brother most spinsters want to bang."


    "Oh."


    "Yeah. Asher is a hotshot but they don¡¯t think he would give them the time of day after a one-night stand. You on the other hand, appear to be marriage material. You¡¯ve got less drama and seem like a chill guy. They¡¯re going crazy over you."


    "Really?"


    "Yep."


    My eyes dart to my phone when a notification slides in. Maddi just posted on her socials. While half listening to Elyon read out details of my scheduled blind dates, I scroll to Maddie¡¯s Instagram and clench my jaw at the sight of a guy-most likely her new boyfriend- kissing her neck. They¡¯re out on a date.


    "Are you listening?"


    "Yeah." I lie, turning my phone screen down on the table.


    For the next few minutes while Elyon tells me about his picks, all I can think about is the handsome stud with tattoos kissing Maddie¡¯s neck. He looked like an ex-convict and is certainly way older than Maddi. What in the world was she thinking linking up with such a guy? Why is she devoted to making everyone so worried about her mental state?


    Two hourster, I am packed in front of Maddie¡¯s hostel, watching her smooch the guy in his car. This feels wrong, both my stalking and her new rtionship.


    I tighten my fingers around my steering when she gets down. She¡¯s wearing a skirt that barely covers her thighs properly. When the man tries to grab her ass, she ps his hand away and frowns at him. Before she can leave, he drags her like a doll and forces his lips on hers. His hand kneads her ass in the open. Maddi is clearly embarrassed and ufortable the whole time but she lets him.


    It takes a lot of willpower not to intervene. The guy talks dirty to her as she hurries into her hostel with an embarrassed flush on her cheeks. Asshole. Even though she¡¯s bad at picking men, I still don¡¯t think she deserves to be treated like a whore. I grit my teeth as he reenters his car with a smug look on his face.


    I don¡¯t know how long I¡¯ve been in my car but when my eyes flutter open, I am no longer at Maddie¡¯s hostel. I am strangely parked on a lonely road. Rain is pattering down softly outside. It¡¯s evening already. I rub my eyes and feel something weird on my hands. When I check, it¡¯s dried blood. Through my rearview mirror, I gape in horror at the blood on my face.


    "Shit."


    I don¡¯t remember anything. What did I do now? I get down from my car and scan the road. There¡¯s no one, except a car poorly parked off the side of the road in front of me. My stomach drops as I instantly recognize it.


    There¡¯s no one inside when I go closer. My fingers are trembling now. Before rushing back into my car, I realize my trunk isn¡¯t properly closed. Fearfully, I open it and just as I feared, there¡¯s an unconscious manying inside with bruises all over his face.


    He¡¯s got tattoos on his body.


    He has no pulse!

 Chapter 120

    <h4>Chapter 120: Chapter 120</h4>


    DEMI


    I¡¯m staring at my reflection in the mirror, at the heavy gunk of makeupyered over the skin of my face as well as the deep, wavy hair that frames it. Put inly, I look extremely beautiful today. Ashley¡¯s stylists have been going out of their way to rebrand me for the little show I have been putting up for the cameras. Every news article and channel in Danvarr reports my pregnancy glow and fashion at least once a day. I am photographed everywhere I go and it¡¯s all by design.


    It¡¯s father¡¯s wish that I keep the media focused on me so much so that they forget that the other woman in the picture has been noticeably absent for weeks now. So far, I have been cooperating. It got easier after I kept seeing Liam in the crowd. We haven¡¯t been able to meet up for days now since my security detail has been quadrupled and my movements restricted to keep up the farce.


    I am only able to sneak a call or two to him while by myself in my room.


    Liam is far smarter than I envisaged. During this difficult period for me, I havee to appreciate his ability to adapt, improvise and work alone to bring our goals to pass. He only asks that I trust him and not question the tough decisions he makes this period without consulting me first.


    When Billion-Err strikes up a conversation about Nic Grey¡¯s sudden disappearance after rebutting the pregnancy rumors, a warm feeling fills my chest as the fog covering the eyes of the media start to fizzle away.


    That is why I am nursing a thin smile as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I might hate how things have turned out and how my hands feel tied but if I have learnt anything from Liam, it¡¯s that every situation can be used to our advantage.


    I won¡¯t cry or sulk. I will make lemonade out of this situation and bring the Rollins family to their knees when I am done with them.


    I grab a brush and pat my face while smiling deviously. Through the mirror, Ashley¡¯s eyes lock with mine. When did hee in? Shit. It¡¯s his room after all.


    "You¡¯re smiling. Something funny?" He asks me dryly. I dump the brush with a sigh and turn to stare at him.


    "What exactly do you want from me? You had a problem when I didn¡¯t smile at all for the cameras and when I smiled too little. Youined when I smiled too much because it didn¡¯t look genuine. Now, you have a problem with me practicing my smile before we put on a show for those clueless fans of ours out in the real world?"


    Wordlessly, he advances towards me and cups my chin. "That smile was worrisome, Demi. If I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d think you¡¯re enjoying the fact that everyone has started asking questions about Ni¡¯s whereabout."


    I pull my chin away. "Why the hell shouldn¡¯t I be happy about that? Why should I sympathize with you after the lengths you¡¯re going to make my life miserable?" I scoff at him, rising to my feet.


    "You¡¯re so despicable, Ashley. Even after everything you¡¯ve done wrong to me, you still feel entitled to my loyalty and support? Where was yours when you left a baby in Ni¡¯s womb or when I was hauled away and locked up in my room because I refused to y pretend mom for you and Ni¡¯s unborn child? Where is your loyalty, support and LOVE right now when I am being used by your family to keep your reputation intact? You have some nerve expecting me to feel anything but hate towards you right now!"


    When I try to leave, he grabs my wrist in a tight grip. Anger wells up in my throat.


    "Get your hand off me." I order him through gritted teeth. His very presence disgusts me.


    Rather than oblige me, he steps closer to stand behind me and snakes a hand over my tummy. I writhe ufortably in his grip as he tugs me closer to his body. His hot breath fans my ear when he leans to whisper to me.


    "You¡¯re lucky you look hotter than you usually do. That¡¯s the only reason why I¡¯m letting this arrogance slide."


    "FUCK YOU!"


    "dly! If you weren¡¯t so stubborn, you wouldn¡¯t have to be pretending to be pregnant right now. You¡¯d be carrying our child again."


    "I¡¯ll rather drink from a sewage than share a bed with you again!"


    His shortugh makes my skin tingle with dread. "And yet you¡¯re here, in my bedroom." He sniffs my neck. "Wearing my scent. You can¡¯t hate me that much."


    "You ordered your stylists to use..."


    "Whatever." He spins me to face him, his hands interlocked behind my waist. "I felt bad for you for a really long time. I allowed the guilt eat me up each time I couldn¡¯t be enough for you. While I shamelessly craved your eptance, Ni on the other hand loved me in spite of my ws. I ignored her for a long time because I felt I owed my wife loyalty. My point is, Demi, that you have never loved me. It was a tant waste of my emotions to ever dream of being loved by you. That is why in hindsight, I no longer feel guilty for amodating Ni. At least she has true feelings for me regardless of her ws and mine."


    "Then why don¡¯t you two ride off into the sunset and be happily wed? Why don¡¯t you leave me our of your love story?"


    That annoying chuckle again. "Because this isn¡¯t a Nora Roberts novel; it¡¯s real life, baby and in this life, we don¡¯t always get what we want, how we want it." His eyes dip from my face, down my plunging neckline. Immediately, I attempt to wriggle away from his lustful gaze.


    "You¡¯re shameless. In one breath, you speak of being in love with a woman and in the same breath, you¡¯re ogling another."


    "I said Ni was in love with me. I never said she¡¯s the one I have feelings for." He corrects matter-of-factly, pinning me with a heavy look that reminds me of the Ashley I used to know. My throat dries up but I manage to moisten my lips.


    "You can¡¯t be in love with me." I deny his maniption. "You have done nothing but hurt me."


    "You have a biased view of what a man in love with you should be like. I¡¯m guessing the standard is a certain blonde hunk who was born ck-haired?" He allows a small smile on the corner of his lips. "If you have been burned and betrayed as much as I have in life, you¡¯d understand why my approach to dicey subjects like the four-letter worde with a few thorns rather than rose tints."


    "I don¡¯t care about you or your feelings. I don¡¯t regret never giving you a chance in my heart, Ashley. As soon as our contract is up, we¡¯re going our separate ways!"


    The reminder of the divorce seems to startle him as his grip weakens. Immediately, I free myself. We haven¡¯t brought it up since I mentioned it at the dining table. I ignore the pained expression on his face.


    "I know you don¡¯t love me, Demi and to arge extent, that¡¯s the reason I allowed myself to do things knowing fully well how much it would hurt you. Still, I don¡¯t know why I feel a nagging sense of guilt within me. Contrary to what you might think, I am not enjoying any of this. This isn¡¯t what I wanted."


    "What are you saying?"


    "I am saying that I know your love was never a part of the deal but I am a bit unsure of your loyalty. You and Ashton have never betrayed me and still I threw tantrums just because I imagined you wanted to in spite of his restraint. It pissed me off that you craved him even while in bed with me." He takes a step towards me and I take two backwards. "Have you truly been loyal to me and my family, Demi? Tell me you¡¯ve truly been loyal and that is why I feel a smidgen of remorse each time I try to justify my actions and inactions towards you?"


    "And what would that change if the answer is yes?" I ask him firmly. "If this miserable life is what I get for being loyal to you and your family for six months, then my foolishness will haunt me long after I cut ties with you all."


    "Is that a yes?" He repeats.


    I take in a sharp breath. "I don¡¯t care for your pity or remorse. You can choke on it. Now get the driver so we can wrap up today¡¯s episode of ying pregnant. I want to get out of these ridiculous clothes and makeup."


    I whirl towards the door but as I pull it open, the maid, Halle, stands outside with a tray of fruits and her hands poised to ring the doorbell.


    "Mrs. Rollins, your mother-inw has sent some fruits up to you. Shall I leave them here or..."


    "I am not pregnant as you know, Halle, so thank her for me and tell her to dial down on the pretentiousness."


    "DEMI!" Ashley growls behind me. I turn to him.


    "What? Do we have to do this song and dance inside the house too? I won¡¯t stand for it so let¡¯s keep the drama outside, shall we?"


    "What drama?"


    I look up and gasp in shock at the sight of my aunt and niece. Mother has just stepped out of the elevator with them. What the hell are they doing in here? The feel of Ashley¡¯s hands circling my waist makes me jolt in surprise.


    "I¡¯m sorry, aunt Elizabeth. My wife has been hormonal ever since she took in. The mood swings are wild."


    "How dare you..." He presses his lips to mine to shut me up. I want to w at his neck but that would only spill the beans in front of my aunt and niece.


    Ashley is ying dirty right now. He must have intentionally invited my aunt and Kira here just so I y nice around him and his family. Does he think my hatred for them would stop me from revealing my unfortunate condition of living?


    Kira stares jealously at me while her mom struggles to keep up the fake smile.


    "Congrats, Demi. Pregnancy looks good on you." Aunt says.


    "Congrats." Kira chimes dryly.


    I discreetly try to wrench Ashley¡¯s hand from my waist but he doesn¡¯t budge. I turn to mother.


    "Who let them in? What are they doing here? You know how I feel about them. How could you bring them here? Are you trying to upset me?"


    "DEMI! How could you speak to Mrs. Rollins like that?" Kira interrupts, then turns to mother with an ingratiating smile. "I apologize, Mrs. Rollins. She has clearly forgotten her ce and her manners. Please forgive her." The wench turns to me again. "Mrs. Rollins didn¡¯t invite us here; your husband did."


    Just as I guessed. Ashley did this. He takes the cue to cup my face. "Behave darling." He mutters to me before speaking loudly. "They¡¯re still your family, darling. I know your emotions are all over the ce right now but try to calm down. I thought if you spent more time with them, you¡¯d be able to bury the hatchet and move on. You¡¯re having a baby soon. They must want to share in your joy. Be nice. They¡¯ll be here for the weekend."


    "THE WEEKEND???" I shove at him. "I don¡¯t want them here. Send them away right now, Ashley!"


    He apologizes to my family as I storm away to my room. His foot wedges between my bedroom door before I can shut it. When we are alone again in my room, I throw a pillow at him.


    "What the fuck was that? Why are you trying to upset me even more by inviting my aunt and that bitch, Kira, in here?"


    "You can¡¯t keep treating everyone around here like scum, Demi. I thought having your family around would make you behave within the walls of this mansion."


    "Oh wow, you and your family dumped mud all over me and now you¡¯reining I stink? YOU ALL TURNED ME INTO THIS. YOU CAN¡¯T CONTROL HOW I REACT!"


    "No one is saying your feelings aren¡¯t justified. I am just asking for a little more civility especially around my parents. You do it effortlessly in front of the cameras for strangers three times a week yet when you step through those doors and enter this house, you stare at everyone of us like you¡¯d like nothing more than to stab us in our sleep."


    I grit my teeth in ire. I really want to maim them though.


    "If you can promise me that you¡¯d be nice, I¡¯ll send your family back home immediately."


    "And if I refuse?"


    "They¡¯ll have to spend a few months with us till the time you¡¯re supposed to start showing."


    I chuckle at that. "What makes you think I wouldn¡¯t discard my ego and tell them the truth myself, huh? Is that a dare?"


    "If you do, they¡¯ll get the same warning as Anna. Then, I¡¯d go get William, you ex, to spend some time with us. I¡¯ll keep bringing people anding up with ways to make you cave, Demi. Is that what you want?" He continues when I only stare daggers at him. "I¡¯ll send them home. Halle will be back with the fruits. Eat them, I beg you. Mother will like that."


    I grab his wrist as he attempts to leave. "I¡¯ll eat the fruits and even give mother a smile before the day ends but you¡¯ll have to cancel today¡¯s outing. I am no longer up for it."


    "Fine."


    Halle shuffles in shortly after he leaves, still bearing the tray filled with freshly cut fruits. She helps me unzip my dress and keeps her head bowed like she can¡¯t hear the low cusses under my breath.


    "You¡¯ll have to y nicer, Demi. You can¡¯t let them brand you a sworn enemy of their family, not yet."


    I whip my head at Halle¡¯s words.


    "What did you just say to me?"


    Her head is firmly held high as she regards me. "Who do you think informs Liam of things that happen in this house when you can¡¯t, like during your lockup?"


    "You¡¯re working with Liam?"


    "Yes. There are three of us here, actually."


    I can¡¯t believe this. I lurch to my feet and take her hands. "If I had to guess who Liam¡¯s minions were, I would never have picked you, Halle."


    "That¡¯s the point. I have yed my role so well they would never suspect me. You¡¯re cking on that front. You¡¯re letting your emotions get the best of you. The goal is bigger than that. You have to stay in character. Liam wants you to know that."


    I rake a hand through my hair and sink to the floor. "I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯ve been losing my mind ever since our ns went awry. We didn¡¯t see thising. I feel trapped."


    "Liam isn¡¯t. He has new schemes up his sleeve. In fact, he¡¯s working on getting Ni¡¯s father on our side since he has a bone to pick with the Rollins now. You have to start thinking like that, how you can use your situation and the people around you to propel your n. Use Ashley¡¯s hunger for love and the guilt he feels to your advantage. Use Ashton¡¯s feelings for you too. There are so many ways you could y this that it feels ridiculous to think you¡¯re stuck."


    She¡¯s right. I¡¯ve been slipping. A thought crosses my mind. "What bone do you have to pick with this family? How have they wronged you if you¡¯re working with Liam?"


    Halle only smiles. "That¡¯s not important. All you need to know is that we are on the same page."


    "And the other minions? Do I get to know their identities as well?"


    "Let¡¯s see how well you do knowing just mine for now. Remember, stay in character as long as it advances our goals. You can¡¯t treat me differently after learning this secret. I only had to deliver Liam¡¯s message."


    "I understand."


    A soft tap on the door has us startled. I shove a fruit in my mouth while Halle gets the door. My eyes bulge in shock. Ashton?


    Halle bows before leaving us. I spit out the fruit and shove at the tray.


    "What do you want?"


    "To know how you¡¯re coping."


    "You promised we¡¯d talk <i>every day."</i>


    "I know. I know. I¡¯m sorry." He rubs away at a spot between his eyebrow and eyelids. "A lot¡¯s been happening both within the family and outside. I¡¯ve been swamped. I¡¯m sorry I broke my promise and haven¡¯t been in touch for a few days."


    He allows his eyes to settle on my face and I find myself feeling d that I hadn¡¯t rushed to wipe my face the second Ashley left. Does he also think, like Ashley did, that I look hot? Coupled with my unzipped dress, I am hoping to stir something inside him.


    "You look..."


    "What?" I prompt him, brimming with hope. If he says something nice, I¡¯d feel less guilty about the subtle flirtatious moves I am making with my flutteringshes, doe eyes and the slipping sleeves of my dress.


    "Different."


    Dang it. Why does he have to censor everything thates from his lips even when his eyes are telling a different story?


    "My life is different now, isn¡¯t it? Your family is working hard to make me unrecognizable even to myself." I pretend to try to reach my zipper and struggle in vain. "I¡¯m sorry. Can you help me get that?"


    It pleases me to see the sweat breaking across his forehead before I turn my exposed back to him. Gently, I scoop my hair out of the way and wait for him to take in the view. If I am right, he¡¯ll have wet dreams over the red straps of mycey bra and my naked back.


    When his fingers reach for the zipper and graze my skin, they¡¯re cold to the touch. He zips me up nicely. I spin to face him. We are so close he can see my cleavage by looking down at my chest.


    "What¡¯s the update on Ni? Is she on the ind now?"


    He clears his throat only to nod his head.


    I tie my hair up, change my mind and let it cascade down my back. My eyes widen in shock when Ashton cups my chin. His deep blue eyes are tempting to get lost in but I keep my cool. If he kisses me, I¡¯ll make it worth his while until someone finds us.


    "It¡¯s going to be okay. Once your contract is up. leave and don¡¯t look back. You deserve so much better than this. Promise me you¡¯ll hang in there till then."


    Not what I was expecting but I find myself bobbing my head as stray tears cloud my eyes. Before he can leave, I close a hand over his cheek and pull his head closer. When I lean forward to kiss him, he jerks back. A crimson blush spreads across my cheeks. Embarrassed, I turn my back to him and wipe my eyes.


    "I¡¯m so sorry. I wasn¡¯t thinking..." Strong hands grab my shoulder and whirl me towards him. He knocks the breath out of my lungs with a fiery kiss that makes something wet drip between my legs. For a few seconds, we ravage each other¡¯s lips and savor our tastes till our heartbeats sync as one. When he breaks away, I almost cry out in protest. I didn¡¯t want it to end.


    "I won¡¯t regret that." He huffs, a little breathless, "But that right there was ourst kiss."


    "Ashton..."


    "I never got to kiss you. That one was for me. I needed that." He grabs my shoulder when I edge close to him, more to stop me froming closer. "If we could work and I could give you all the happiness you deserve, I would have moved mountains to make that happen but I can¡¯t. I will always stand by my family and based on everything that has transpired so far, it¡¯s evident my family is not right for you. You deserve a lessplicated love story."


    "Ashton, don¡¯t..."


    I need little moments with him like this so stay sane and to achieve my goals. If he is truly putting an end to us, it will be worse than devastating; it will crush me and my goals to some extent.


    He turns around and leaves in a sh while I try to gather my thoughts. I rush after him but can¡¯t find him in the hallway, just a few servants milling around withundry and other chores.


    M appears just as I try to reenter my room. Formerly, I would have been scared shitless but right now, I wish she hade sooner. Did she see or hear anything? I really want the drama.


    I pretend to be defensive to spike her suspicion if she has any.


    "Ashton just stopped by to check on me. Don¡¯t give him a hard time."


    She crosses a hand over her arm. "I know. He told me he wasing to see you." She smirks as my face falls t. Did he really tell her?


    "Quit ying the victim, Demi. You and I both know that if you truly wanted to end this drama, you would have done so already. Your hands aren¡¯t exactly tied."


    "What?"


    "You¡¯re not being used by anyone here. If you really feel frustrated over everything and mean to divorce Ashley, you would simply fake an ident in front of the cameras that could lead to a miscarriage. The whole of Danvarr will know for certain that your baby couldn¡¯t have survived and for ruining his ns, Ashley will certainly divorce you. Vo, you¡¯ll be free."


    "Why are you telling me this? Is this a ploy to set me up against the family?"


    She leans closer. "Trust me, I want to be rid of you as fast as possible. This family¡¯s fixation on your failed marriage is distracting them from my uing wedding. I just want us to both have what we want; a divorce for you and a wedding for me. I think it¡¯s fair game. You do as I say and we could both have our desires in record time. If you don¡¯t and continue to y the victim, I¡¯ll know for certain that you¡¯re not only a wuss but you also might have an ulterior motive for enduring all this crap in here. What is it going to be, Demi? Are you in?"

 Chapter 121

    <h4>Chapter 121: Chapter 121</h4>


    ASHER


    When father said he wanted to get out of the house for some fresh air, I shouldn¡¯t have expected him to be content with having just one son around him. I should have been mentally prepared for his call to Josh Randall to join us on a private jet to visit Nic on the family ind.


    "Josh¡¯sing?" I ask in bewilderment. "You know how sensitive this time is. Are you really going to fill him in on everything that¡¯s been happening in our family?"


    "You mean, his family too, right?"


    I let out a loud oath of disgust. "The fewer people know about this, the better chance we have at keeping it a secret. Don¡¯t you get that? You don¡¯t owe your other son every ounce of truth."


    "Would you feel the same way if I told Josh things and kept them from you?"


    I roll my eyes at him and huff out a breath as we await Josh¡¯s arrival on the jet. I know father has been trying to bnce out his parental obligations towards his many sons but I can¡¯t help but feel some type of way each time he brings Josh into the mix.


    There will always be a constant nagging feeling that Josh is the preferred son because he was sired by father while my brothers and I are nothing more than pawns in father¡¯s grand ns.


    We are only important to him as far as we are useful. The second we stop being instrumental to his business growth and longevity, we will be out of the door for good but Josh, he will never cease to be important in father¡¯s eyes. He doesn¡¯t even have to make a cent in thepany or advance its growth. Father will always love him just for having Rollins blood in his veins.


    When I had walked into my office to find Josh sampling my pill with a satisfied smirk on his face, I had quickly settled for evasion from the topic of my drug. Josh had been so certain that the white pill was no ordinary drug for migraine but thankfully, that was all he could decipher. I had agreed with him. The pill could easily be used to treat a number of pain rted diforts.


    Before we could delve any further into the particr reason why I was taking the pill, I had insulted his paternity as usual just to rile him up. He dumped the pill and faced me, vibrating with temper.


    That was when he vomited all that rubbish about how much more important he was to father than my brothers and I ever will be. He had gone ahead to mock us, showing me pictures on his phone of him and father bonding outside work.


    Father rarely hangs out with my brothers and I if it isn¡¯t work rted but from the pictures Josh shed in my face, I could clearly see father in a different light. He even went fishing with Josh. He wore in clothes instead of a suit. ording to Josh, father never mentioned work once. All they did was crack jokes,ugh and talk about everything else under the sun except stock prices or the visions and goals of the Rollins business chain.


    I can¡¯t even put into words how I had felt. I just know the look on my face had given Josh immense satisfaction before he walked out of my office feeling like he had had thestugh. I never told my brothers. If that little truth could crush me, then I can¡¯t imagine what it will do to them.


    Father reaches for my hand but I pull it away.


    "Asher, I thought we were past this. Are you still feeling insecure around your half-brother? I have told you numerous times that you don¡¯t have to. You all mean the world to me."


    I quirk a brow at him for the lies he is spouting. Does he really take me for a fool? I bet if I hadn¡¯t insisted oning along with him, then this would have been another father and son trip with Josh. How many have they been on? I am so fucking jealous right now.


    "You don¡¯t have to use that line with me to soften the blow. I know where your heart lies." My eyes track to the panoramic window view. "If you want to ask me questions about my brothers, just go right ahead. Don¡¯t pretend to be interested in bonding with me. That fatherly side of you is the exclusive preserve of your biological son, apparently."


    Father¡¯s face crumples with something akin to despair. "You¡¯re still mad about thest time, about how I handled the information you gave me regarding Demi¡¯s pregnancy?" He sighs. "It¡¯s not that I didn¡¯t trust you could handle it, Asher. It¡¯s just that I wanted it handled quicker and I didn¡¯t have the time to go back and forth with you on how things should be done."


    "And making me take the me for murdering my brother¡¯s unborn child while you hid behind me like a coward?" I fire at him. "I bet you would never expose Josh to that kind of hatred and bacsh from his own family."


    "I¡¯ll make it up to you, I promise, son."


    I lean back in my chair and ignore him. As my vision blurs, I run a finger over my eyes and wince.


    "Are you okay?"


    "I¡¯m fine."


    "That headache..."


    "I¡¯m stressed, okay?" I snap, suddenly irritated.


    "We never finished that conversation." Father persists, "the one where you cried over the phone about dying?" My eyes flutter open to find him studying me over the rim of his sses. "What exactly was that about? What did you mean?"


    "Exactly what it sounded like. I felt like I was dying from all the pressure you put on me, from the hate my brothers felt towards me when they considered me a mini version of you, from the lies I kept telling everyone just to protect my father who barely gives a shit about me. I was certain I wasn¡¯t going to survive all of it."


    "And yet here you are."


    "That¡¯s not the fucking point, father! When I felt like driving my car off the edge of a fucking cliff, I CALLED YOU! You! Not my mother or my brothers but you! I¡¯m not sure if I would have called someone else in the family had they not been so pissed at me and wouldn¡¯t take my calls. I called you but all you could say to me was to snap out of it ande home. That¡¯s what you do. You always disparage our feelings and act like we aren¡¯t humans at the end of the day. You never allow yourself to treat us like your sons and not your mini soldiers and employees." I lean forward while my eyes burn with a migraine.


    "You¡¯re never that way with Josh. I¡¯ve seen the photos. You¡¯ve gone fishing with him. You even lied to us about going for a business trip and went camping in the woods with your son. My brothers and I have never witnessed that side of you for twenty-five long years. How could you expect us to believe we mean something to you in light of all these? It¡¯s perfectly clear who your true son is. The rest of us are just your <i>pawns </i>as Josh rightly puts it."


    "Dad!"


    We both look up as Josh makes his way into the jet, beaming with a smile. Father gives me a cursory nce that isden with apology at the interruption of an important moment between us. I lean back in my chair while he rises to hug his son.


    "I was starting to think you wouldn¡¯t make it."


    "I wouldn¡¯t miss it for the world." Josh quips. His face falls when he sights me. "Oh. Thought it was just going to be the two of us."


    My jaw drops. "You didn¡¯t tell him I wasing? Am I interrupting something here?"


    "No, Asher, it¡¯s not like that..."


    I lurch to my feet and grab my stuff. "It¡¯s cool. I¡¯ll see myself out."


    To be fair, I had run after him when he mentioned needing some air. I had insisted on joining his little getaway trip. Maybe he had nned to go with Josh all along. "I¡¯ve got things to do anyway."


    "Asher."


    I ignore him as I make my way off the jet. Shit. My pickup car will be awhile so I just walk with my jacket in my hand. I am so livid right now.


    My car eventually arrives and I send the driver away and drive myself. I circle around aimlessly for a bit before finding myself in front of Anna¡¯s workce, the Honey Pot. I sit in my car for about an hour and thirty minutes till her shift ends.


    When shees out, all changed out of her work clothes,ughing with a bunch of friends, I smile at the sight of her. It¡¯s been so long since I saw her smile so radiantly.


    They part ways and she starts walking alone in the direction of my car. Through my side mirror, I know the instant she recognizes my car. She ignores me and continues to walk home despite how many times I honk at her. When she refuses to get in so I can give her a lift, I get frustrated and drive all the way to her house.


    Anna frowns deeply when she gets home and finds me perched by her porch.


    "Get the hell away from my property!"


    "Really?"


    "Yes. Really."


    "That depends on how fast we talk."


    "I have nothing to say to you."


    "You have plenty to say to me judging by that look in your eyes."


    "I mean it, Asher Rollins, I don¡¯t want anything to do with you." Her breath hitches when I grab her waist. "Let me go."


    "You have every right to be pissed at me. I deserve your hatred and more."


    "Save the lines for Nessa. I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll be willing to get your dick wet at any hour of the day but I have things to do so why don¡¯t you run along to your whore..."


    A resounding p stings my cheek when I cut her off with a kiss. I expected nothing less and yet I went ahead. I have missed her terribly. It¡¯s sad to think that my life felt a little more peaceful when Anna loved me and considered me her boyfriend.


    Anna wipes her lips. "Don¡¯t you ever do that again."


    "I¡¯m sorry. I needed to feel your lips again." I run a hand over my face. "I need to see doctor Ezra. I think it¡¯s getting worse. Can youe with me, please? I¡¯m sorry about everything that¡¯s happened between us and even with your best friend. I don¡¯t expect you to understand howplicated my family is but right now, I don¡¯t want to be at the hospital alone. Please, Anna, I could use your help."


    She fixes me with a deep gaze. "I think you have enough family members and people on your payroll to worry about being alone at the hospital. I¡¯m sorry but I won¡¯t indulge you this time. You don¡¯t deserve my sympathy."


    The sound of waves crashing against a rock fill my ears. That¡¯s how shocked I am at her reaction. She brushes past me, unlocks her door and ms it shut behind her.


    I really fucked up this time. If Anna can be a hard nut to crack even with my emotional delivery, I don¡¯t think I have any other trump card up my sleeve. Have I truly lost her? I stagger to my car. When I turn back, she¡¯s not hiding behind her curtain, peeping at me. I want to clench my chest in agony.


    This is it, Asher. You were always going to walk this road alone; an inner voice tortures me. You¡¯ll die all alone. No one really cares about you. You¡¯re not so different from your father after all. Nobody loves you genuinely.


    I hit the gas and drive to the hospital while the thoughts cloud my senses. In spite of its brutal truth, I manage to remind myself that I need more time. Things are screwed up right now. I can¡¯t die just yet. My brothers and my mother aren¡¯t ready to move on without me. Father¡¯s promise is still on shaky ground. If anything happens to me right now, Josh and his mother will tear my family apart. I need to get fixed. I can¡¯t give up now.


    I sit alone, wringing my icy fingers in doctor Ezra¡¯s office while he attends to another VIP patient in the operating theatre. He has been alerted of my presence and has promised to attend to me as soon as he can.


    Five minutes quickly turn to an hour and still no sign of the doctor. What is more surprising is how I fail to realize such a long time has even passed. All I can think of are fond memories of Anna and the kind of rtionship we could never have, one where we could be an official couple epted by my family and the whole of Danvarr.


    I imagine her sitting with me and telling me stories to calm my nerves. It amazes me how thoughts of her still calm me even in her absence. I whip out my phone and allow my hand hover over her number, deliberating on dialing it or not.


    I decide against it and turn to my brothers. Which of them should I call right now? Who wouldn¡¯t make a fuss about me keeping them in the dark on my health challenge and prefer to be understanding right now?


    Ashton¡¯s calles through while I am still debating.


    "Ashton?"


    "Hey. Where are you? I am in a bit of a dilemma right now."


    I look around the doctor¡¯s office. "I stopped by the office to do some work. What can I help you with?"


    "Keith got back to me with an address and time to meet Adriana but on my way, Ashal called. I think something bad has happened with a stranger. He was crying. A life might have been lost. He needs our help."


    I surge to my feet immediately. "Pin me his location and I¡¯ll be right with him."


    "No. I was thinking you could go see Adriana while I help Ashal out. He called me, Asher. He specifically asked for my help. I haven¡¯t been paying much attention to himtely and if I disappoint him this time around by sending someone else, I don¡¯t think he¡¯ll trust me again with matters like this."


    "Ashton, you¡¯ve been following up on all things Adriana and Keith. I can¡¯t just step in and y you right now. This meeting is crucial. If I fuck it up or give Keith reasons to suspect foul y, he could botch the whole deal. We could lose our one chance to reunite with our sister again. I can¡¯t have that on my conscience. Please, let me help Ashal. I am sure he will understand why you can¡¯t make it. Adriana is important to him too."


    "The problem is that I¡¯m two minutes out already in Ashal¡¯s direction. I didn¡¯t stop to think before dashing to him. If you¡¯re at the HQ, then you¡¯re only a few blocks away from the meeting point with Adriana. You know everything about her. I filled you guys in already. Keith will only act as a chaperone at the meeting. You¡¯ll get to talk to Adriana all by yourself. When you do, don¡¯t pretend to say what you think I will. Be your authentic self and bare your heart to your long-lost sister. What do you want to know about her? I trust you can handle it."


    Before I can protest, he hangs up just as Ashal¡¯s heart wrenching whimper seeps in. My fingers are shaking now. I am in no condition to handle this. Do I call Ashley? His line doesn¡¯t go through when I do. Thest thing we need is to make a bad impression by standing our sister up. I take in a sharp breath and dash for the door. When I pull it open, someone is about to enter with doctor Ezra.


    "Father." I hum with shocked eyes.


    ***


    "I thought you were off to the ind."


    "Changed my mind. That can wait but my first son can¡¯t." Father pulls me in for a long hug that surprises me.


    "And Josh?"


    "He understood."


    I doubt that but I don¡¯t press further. "How did you find me?"


    "You weren¡¯t taking my calls so I had your car GPS tracked." He eases back from the hug and stares around the doctor¡¯s office. "Imagine my surprise when it leads me here. I guess you aren¡¯t fine after all, huh?" I wince when he pokes my temple.


    I give doctor Ezra a quick look. I hope he hasn¡¯t said anything.


    "I¡¯m told you¡¯ve been waiting for the doctor."


    "Yeah, I just needed a prescription for my headaches."


    "And that couldn¡¯t have been done by any other doctor?" Father asking, trading nces between me and doctor Ezra. Thetter clears his throat.


    "Asher is fond of me as you know. He hates hospitals and whenever he has toe in, he wants me to attend to him given my history with your family. Besides, if he had called beforeing, I would have informed him I was going to be in surgery so he didn¡¯t have to wait.


    Father shrugs. "Doc, can he get an MRI? He¡¯s been having these annoying and persistent headaches for some time. I want to make sure it¡¯s nothing serious."


    "Father, I¡¯m not a kid. I can handle my own business. You don¡¯t have to butt in."


    "Nonsense. You¡¯re my son and your health matters to me. I will butt in whether you like it or not. Doc?"


    I head for the door. "I was just on my way out before you two arrived. I had a shitty day and made other ns. Doc, I¡¯ll see youter for the headache. Father, go home and get some rest. I¡¯ll see youter."


    Before he can protest, I dash out. I am alreadyte to my meeting with my sister by ten minutes. My heart is pounding in my chest. I am a long way from the HQ. It will take me another seven to ten minutes to arrive at the meeting spot. I hope she isn¡¯t too disappointed.


    On the way, I put a call across to Ashton to find out what is going on with Ashal.


    "Are you there yet?" He asks frantically. "Keith has been calling and I¡¯ve been stalling him."


    "On my way. Got intercepted by father."


    "What?"


    "It¡¯s fine. I shook him off. How¡¯s Ashal doing? How bad is it?"


    Ashton sighs. "He had a ckout and can¡¯t recall what happened but there was a dead man in his trunk when I arrived."


    "Damn. Do we know him? Does Ashal recognize him?"


    Another sigh and a whisper. "I think the dead guy is Madeline Dunn¡¯stest boyfriend."


    "What? Did Ashal go after him?"


    "It appears so. He admitted to stalking them earlier today. His obsession with her scares me, Asher. How do we deal with this on top of everything else?"


    "We¡¯ll talk about thatter. What are you doing about the body?"


    "I called our contacts in the police force and reported a drug overdose. They¡¯ll handle the story. Ash won¡¯t get linked to this."


    "Okay. That¡¯s good. I just got to the meeting point. I think I see Adriana. The guy next to her must be Keith. Oh shit."


    "What? What is it?"


    Instead of swerving to pull into the outdoor restaurant where a tensed young girl and a guy are awaiting my arrival, I continue on my journey but as I continue forward, Keith locks eyes with me. Through my side mirror, I watch him stand with an angry look on his face as my car presses ahead.


    Fuck. Now, he¡¯ll think Ashton bailed after all the length he went through to arrange this meeting with our sister.


    "I just drove past them. I couldn¡¯t stop."


    "Why?"


    "Father¡¯s car is right behind me, Ashton. He followed me."


    "FUCK!" Ashton belts into the phone with anger.

 Chapter 122

    <h4>Chapter 122: Chapter 122</h4>


    ASHTON


    "What the fuck happened? I thought you said you lost father. How did you not see him behind you? Why in the world was he following you in the first ce?" I keep badgering Asher as he pulls up at Ashal¡¯s second penthouse where we are crashing in the meantime. Asher gets out of his car with a forlorn look on his face but I am too livid to spare him a breath.


    "ANSWER ME GODDAMMIT"


    "Calm down, Ashton."


    "Don¡¯t tell me to calm down. Answer my questions!"


    He runs a hand over his brows and expels a deep breath. "Look, father and I had a little tiff earlier in the day. We parted ways and I guess he felt guilty and wanted to make it up to me so he tracked my car GPS because I was too furious to return his calls."


    All I can do is grit my teeth. "Didn¡¯t he settle things with you at the HQ when you two met up? What was the need to follow you all the way to Adriana?"


    "Look, I don¡¯t know, okay? It¡¯s Father. If I could decipher his motivations for doing a bunch of shit, I would be two steps ahead of him, don¡¯t you think." He sighs loudly. "I pulled him over and registered my displeasure at being followed. I don¡¯t think he would be doing that again for a while."


    I don¡¯t know what to make of this. "I should have listened to you and gone after Adriana. I worked too damn hard for us to lose the opportunity we had today."


    "Has Keith called? What did he say?"


    "He isn¡¯t taking my calls any longer. My guess is he is furious. It was a big risk to n that meeting with Adriana. He was counting on me. I messed it up and now our sister might no longer be interested in our reunion."


    "Hey" Asher calls, grabbing my shoulder. "Don¡¯t rush to conclusions. You found her the first time, didn¡¯t you? You made the impossible happen. I am certain you will find a way around this snag. Brace up." I bob my head in agreement. His eyes track up the stony steps. "How¡¯s Ashal? Is he much better?"


    "I hope so. I have a bunch of questions that need prompt answers."


    I lead the way into the penthouse and together, we take the stairs to one of the spare bedrooms where Ashalys sprawled on the bed. He props himself up the moment we enter, a somber expression clouding his face.


    "Hey man." Asher begins, edging close to him. Ashal inclines his head away from Asher¡¯s hand which is extended to check his temperature.


    "How are you feeling?" I ask him.


    "I¡¯m fine." He replies dryly. I know he knows why we¡¯ve rounded up on him. Shrugging, he straightens his spine. It¡¯s my guess that he is ready for our rapid-fire questions so I proceed. "Ok. Dead guy in your trunk. What else do you remember?"


    "I told you all I recall."


    "Don¡¯t get cheeky." Asher reprimands him. "This is very serious, Ash. We might have managed to quell the storm with our contacts in the force this time around but this mighte back to haunt us someday. Besides, father is growing very suspicious of all of ustely. He has been tailing us. If he gets a whiff of what you¡¯ve done, he¡¯ll have you thrown into a psychiatric facility for God knows how long."


    "I get it. He already threatened me once."


    "Good. Now, cut it out and cooperate with us." Asher adds.


    He exhales. "I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m a little bit shaken. I---I thought I was past that. I really thought the days of hurting people to the point of taking their lives was over." His voice breaks with emotion. Tears shimmer in his eyes. "I honestly don¡¯t even recall talking to the guy much less following him. I don¡¯t know what kind of interaction we had before I..."


    "You don¡¯t know if anyone saw you following the guy, Madeline perhaps?"


    As I mention her name, I notice something wash over his features. He wrings his hands and shakes his head from side to side. I join him on the bed.


    "Ashal, tell me the truth this time. What exactly is going on between you and Madeline Dunn? Are you in love with her? Is there a secret affair going on between..."


    "NO." He denies too quickly, earning a suspicious stare from Asher and I. "No, it¡¯s nothing like that, I promise."


    "Then tell us exactly what¡¯s going on." Asher presses, impatience simmering in his eyes.


    "I am not in love with her. If anything, I think I thought I was because she reminds me so much of Olivia and has the same qualities I fancy in her sister. This whole confusion started when Elyon arranged blind dates for me, you know the one that led me to meet Cree? Maddie was one of them. I stood her up because obviously I wasn¡¯t going to date Liv¡¯s kid sister."


    "And since then?" I ask.


    "A lot¡¯s happened. Maddie exposed my rtionship with Cree before I could call it quits. It wrecked my marriage with Liv. I was so pissed off I nned to punish her the only way I knew how; by making her quit school and marry a loser. I was so obsessed with destroying her life that I made a lot of bad decisions I regret. These past few weeks, I have been trying to rectify my mistake and not destroy a young woman¡¯s life simply because she was looking out for her sister. That¡¯s the whole situation with Hunter." He adds, throwing a sidelong nce at Asher. Then, he turns to me. "That¡¯s all it is, I swear."


    I grit my teeth. "You just killed her boyfriend after stalking him all day. That can¡¯t be all to the story."


    Asher cups Ashal¡¯s face. "Tell me one thing. Have you kissed Madeline before?" We both stare in horror as Ashal stutters. "There it is." Asher gives the side drawer a bad-tempered kick and runs a hand through his gold mane of hair.


    "It was an ident. She was drunk."


    "That usually how most love stories start bro, mine for instance. I was drunk." I reply, tapping his knee before joining Asher on my feet.


    "I am just protective of her because of everything I¡¯ve done to alter the course of her life till now. It¡¯s not love. It can¡¯t be."


    "You might not realize it but it definitely is more than feeling protective. How did you feel whenever you saw her with herte boyfriend? Angry or worried?" My eyes dip to his clenching fists. "Never mind." I turn to Asher. "What are we going to do?"


    "This is fucked up. His obsession is dangerous."


    "You think I don¡¯t realize that?"


    "Guys," Ashal calls out to us. "I¡¯m right here!"


    "SHUT UP!" We yell at him in unison. He cradles his head in his hand and sniffles quietly.


    I pull Asher out of the room and click the door shut behind us.


    "Keep an eye on him." I spell out.


    "Where are you going?"


    "I need to handle the whole Keith situation. The longer I take in redeeming myself, the harder it¡¯s going to be to secure us another meeting with Adriana." I cast a nce at the door. "I¡¯ll see what I can do about Ashal. He needs a long session with his therapist for sure and beyond that, a reality check. Can you try to reach Olivia and see what¡¯s up between them? She might be able to soothe him for now. See if you can get her onboard."


    I am not sure if that will work but I hope it does. From everything Ashal has told me about their crumbling marriage, Olivia has mentally checked out. Still, she knows all about his condition and if she desperately wants an out, she should be willing to help him however she can.


    ***


    "What? Did you just ask that of me?"


    "Yes, I just did."


    Cree sighs loudly andbs through her blowout with her fingers. "Look, I told you already that whatever spark your brother felt for me was as a result of my acting skills. I am eternally grateful for everything he has done for me and I really wish I could help him but pretending to be interested him just doesn¡¯t sound fair. He needs a genuine connection..."


    "Or a good friend." I add. "C¡¯mon Cree, you can¡¯t tell me that you never felt anything else for him beyond gratitude the whole time you were together. He spoke a lot about you in a way that he had never spoken of any woman for as long as I can remember. All I am asking is that you try to see if there¡¯s still anything between you two right now, even if it turns out to be a mere tonic friendship."


    "I don¡¯t know how I feel about this, Ashton. Ashal and I have barely dredged up our past rtionship since I got busted for working with Shay aka Nic. Thest time we met, I was using your father of heinous crimes and Ashal didn¡¯t believe me. What exactly am I supposed to say to break the ice between us right now? Your brother will only suspect my intentions."


    "It doesn¡¯t matter if he suspects his brothers put you up to this. Trust me, he won¡¯t object."


    "And why is that?"


    Because seeing you will help take his mind off a certain other woman whom he isn¡¯t ready to admit he has fallen for and right now, that¡¯s what everyone wants, I reply in my head.


    "Cree, you owe me. Come on. Please, do this for me. Spend time with my brother. He¡¯s been going through a rough timetely and could use your help as a woman he has nursed romantic feelings for. He needs the distraction. I¡¯ll pay you if you want me to."


    "Don¡¯t insult me, Ashton."


    "I apologize." I quickly chime with raised hands. "I¡¯m very desperate here. So, is that a yes?"


    Her square shoulders sag. "It¡¯s a maybe at best. I have a few conditions. Firstly, I¡¯m going to tell him you put me up to this from the start. Secondly, whatever it is I am supposed to be to him, it can¡¯t be forced. If he doesn¡¯t want me around, I¡¯m gone. Thirdly, this has to be under wraps. I don¡¯t want the spotlight thates with the Danvarr quads."


    "Fair enough. Thanks Cree."


    "How¡¯s it going with your sister? Found her yet?" She asks, leaning to sip her coffee.


    "Still working on it but I am super close."


    My eyes dart to the t screen TV disyed at a high point on the wall, airing the news. The clip of Demi being pushed by a stranger during one of her public outings has me leaping to my feet. Thankfully, a young man breaks her fall before she can tumble down the short flight of stairs. Where the fuck is Ashley? Isn¡¯t he supposed to be with her on these staged outings?


    "Something wrong?" Cree asks worriedly.


    I grab my phone from my pocket. Keith hasn¡¯t responded to me but right now, I am more worried about Demi as if she¡¯s actually pregnant.


    "Everything¡¯s fine. Um, I have to be on my way. I¡¯ll call you." I give her a pat on the shoulder before dashing out of the caf¨¦. The media hadn¡¯t hammered on the severity of the <i>almost</i> ident that Demi had because she hadn¡¯t exactly fallen on her face. However, that doesn¡¯t ease my panic. Who could have done something so malicious to her knowing she¡¯s in the early stage of her pregnancy? I can¡¯t wrap my head around it.


    "Are you okay? Where are you?"


    "I¡¯m home." Demi replies softly.


    "I¡¯m on my way."


    My parents are just as livid as I am when I arrive the mansion. Duncan and his men have already been sent out to find the culprit. Demi is seated in the living room while everyone else is up on their feet trying to make sense of the situation. Ashal is absent for good reason.


    "Who could have attempted to hurt her?" Mother asks worriedly.


    I want to go over to Demi and ask how she is faring. Ashley looks really worried.


    "Do you think someone else might know the truth about Demi and Ni? Billion-Err has been going off specting that Ni¡¯s disappearance is a move to disguise her pregnancy and now someone wants to harm my purportedly pregnant wife." Ashley shakes his head. "I don¡¯t know what to make of this."


    Asher gets off the phone. "It¡¯s been confirmed. Nic is still on the ind."


    "What? Did you think she was behind this?" Ashley asks him. Asher merely shrugs.


    "You just said it yourself that someone who knows the truth might have been trying to expose us. We all know Ni isn¡¯t a fan of this n of yours. Is it really farfetched to suspect that she might have snuck back into the country and tried to hurt your wife who is galivanting around with a fake pregnancy in front of the paparazzi?"


    "That¡¯s very unlikely, don¡¯t you think? How could she have beaten the guards securing her and left the ind to hurt Demi?"


    "Gee, I don¡¯t know, Ashley. I am just trying to cover every base here." Asher grunts in frustration. I bet he is indeed frustrated with the way things are going awrytely. No one hates when ns don¡¯t go ordingly like Asher.


    Ashley grits his teeth while Demi silently seethes at the shift of his concern from her to his baby¡¯s mother. Mes to link an arm around my hand.


    "Where were you, Ashley? I thought you were supposed to be with Demi?"


    "I had urgent business to attend to, okay? How was I supposed to know that the one time I leave her side, someone was going to pull a stunt like this? Besides, do you really expect me to be hovering around her every second of the day since she¡¯s pregnant? Even Billion-Err has been talking about that, asking how many married men have the time to trail after their pregnant wives. I had to give her a break to dispel further suspicions."


    Duncan appears and nods in greeting to everyone.


    "Yes?" Father implores him.


    "We haven¡¯t been able to nab the culprit but we know for certain now that it was a woman based on a witness at the scene."


    "A woman?" Father repeats in shock. "Who could have..." His eyes trail to Demi. "Demi, you¡¯re being awfully quiet. Do you know who might have done this? Did you see the person?"


    Demi raises her head slowly. I can¡¯t tell what¡¯s she¡¯s thinking but I am certain that¡¯s she¡¯s fuming.


    "Yes. I did see the person who pushed me."


    "What? Why have you refrained from telling us this whole time?" Asher belts out angrily. Father and mother edge close to her.


    "Who did it?" Father questions her with brows knitted in anger. Demi exhales. She lifts a hand with her index finger jutting out. Slowly, she turns towards me, lingers before shifting a bit.


    "M." She utters loudly. "M pushed me."


    ***


    "YOU HAVE TOTALLY LOST YOUR MIND, DEMI ROLLINS. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA THE LEVEL OF ACCUSATION YOU¡¯RE HEAPING ON ME?" M asks with ming eyes. I grab her arm when she advances towards Demi like she means to rip out her tongue.


    "Demi, what the hell are you saying? How could M have done that to you?"


    "Exactly." Demi replies mother. "It¡¯s unbelievable, isn¡¯t it? That¡¯s just how unbelievable all this drama is when everyone in this room knows I am not even pregnant." She shakes her head as tears blur her eyes. "I wasn¡¯t pushed for goodness¡¯ sake. I told you all that when I got home today but you all chose to fixate on the lie the media is pushing. The ce was crowded and rowdy. I missed my step and tripped. That¡¯s all that was but of course, that story isn¡¯t as juicy to the media as telling everyone that the pregnant daughter-inw of the Rollins family was pushed. If I had been pushed, don¡¯t you think I would have felt it? I SLIPPED. END OF STORY." She tries to leave and pauses.


    "You know what? I can¡¯t believe how freaked out you all are acting over a baby that doesn¡¯t even exist or maybe you are panicking at the thought of your plot being exposed. I wish you all had had the same concern for yourte grandchild when Asher had brutally murdered it." With a grunt of pain, she bolts to the elevator and disappears.


    Everyone remains calm.


    "Duncan, follow up with the witness and get to the root of this." Father instructs him.


    "Yes sir."


    "I can¡¯t believe that wench. She actually tried to get me in trouble just to prove a point. Who does that?" M whispers under her breath after everyone starts to disperse. "Did you see that? You asked me to be sympathetic towards my fellow woman and this is where it gets me. Do you see what kind of a person she is?"


    "She¡¯s hurting, M. Forgive her. I¡¯m sure she didn¡¯t mean to use you like that." But M won¡¯t hear of it.


    "Why am I not surprised? You¡¯ll always take her side!" She wrenches her arm from my grip, leers at me before storming out of the mansion. I am guessing she won¡¯t be spending the night here today.


    I am d it was a false rm. Still, it was a rude shock. Heaven knows I¡¯ve had too many shocks over the past few days to find this one funny. Though exhausted, I climb back into my car and drive to mypany. I need some peace and quiet. Plus, I have missed the solitude of my office and even Gris¡¯ constant whining.


    Thankfully, everyone has gone home save for the security men doing theirst round of checks. I take the elevator to thest floor after assuring them that I won¡¯t take longer than an hour before calling it a night so a few of them stay back. I just want the privacy of my thoughts and possibly, a breather away from the drama at home.


    I call Gris and listen as he fills me in on what I have missed. After that, I call M to apologize on Demi¡¯s behalf. Keith still refuses to respond to my calls or texts. Before leaving, I call Demi hoping she¡¯s not with Ashley. She picks after the third ring.


    "How are you feeling?"


    "I¡¯ve felt better."


    "I¡¯m sorry about today. Ashley should have been by your side."


    "He¡¯s right. Having him tethered to my hip all the time was starting to get suspicious. It¡¯s not his fault." She pauses. "It¡¯s not your fault either so you have nothing to apologize for. I missed my step. It¡¯s on me."


    I wait a beat. "Are you sure you weren¡¯t pushed. It looked exactly like that on the news."


    She sighs tiredly. "Fine. I was pushed since that¡¯s the story everyone wants to hear."


    I get distracted by an iing call. "I¡¯m sorry, Demi. I¡¯ll call you right back. Get some rest, okay?"


    I disconnect her call to receive Duncan¡¯s.


    "Yes, Duncan."


    "We have more information now sir. We¡¯ve confirmed that Demi was definitely pushed. I felt like running the info on the suspect by you first before your father."


    "Why? Is something wrong?"


    "Kind of. Actually, the witness has identified the suspect. We also confirmed that the suspect was at the said location during the time of the incident."


    "Who¡¯s the suspect, Duncan. Give it to me straight."


    He pauses a bit. "M Spellman."

 Chapter 123

    <h4>Chapter 123: Chapter 123</h4>


    DEMI


    Father stares up from hisputer screen as I walk into his study, unsummoned and unapanied by any of his sons. This is very unusual especially for me but he and I need to have a conversation outside of other family members.


    I tried to talk myself out of it but the truth is that I need to figure out a way to get father¡¯s DNA fast. Hence, I figured that I need to find reasons to get him alone. We can¡¯t only meet at the dining table along with the rest of the family.


    "Hello, father." I greet meekly.


    "What do you want?" A deep frown creases his forehead. He hates me. I really don¡¯t care at this point.


    "I won¡¯t waste your time." I take a deep breath. "I want to resume my job at the office. I can¡¯t be cooped up at home for nine months. I am sick of being idle."


    Father leans back in his chair with an air of surprise at my boldness. "Is that a plea or a demand?"


    "It¡¯s a demand voiced like a plea, father. I have done everything this family has required of me to despite my feelings on the matter. I have been wronged and hurt. Surely, I am not asking for too much. Pregnant women can still work. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be courting any risks by going to the HQ and sitting at my desk for a few hours every day."


    "It¡¯s not about what you think, Demi. It¡¯s about what the world thinks. Can you imagine the ridiculous headlines when my pregnant daughter-inw resumes work?"


    "I honestly don¡¯t care about headlines. There will always be headlines, father, whether I work or not. The media will never stop hounding us even when we don¡¯t do anything. We can¡¯t continue to live our lives on their whim."


    My eyes skirt around his desk. He has a half-empty ss of scotch that definitely has his saliva on it. I could make a grab for it.


    "I am going back to work. That¡¯s what I came here to inform you."


    "You¡¯re in no position to make such demands."


    "Actually, I am." I grab his ss and swirl the scotch to his chagrin. "Because I am not pregnant. I can down this drink in one gulp and you wouldn¡¯t bat an eyelid in worry. There¡¯s no baby in my womb."


    "Set my ss down!" He growls lowly.


    "Do you truly have no sympathy for me? Even after everything I¡¯ve been through, father? I was going to bear your first grandchild but Asher killed my unborn baby." The memory causes hot tears to sting my eyes as I give him a burning look. "I still can¡¯t figure out why you keep glossing over that fact and yet here you are, fighting to make sure arrangements to wee Ni¡¯s baby go smoothly."


    "It¡¯s Ashley¡¯s baby too!"


    "SO WAS MINE!" I fire at him, spilling a bit of the drink in my anger. "MY BABY WAS ALSO ASHLEY¡¯SA BUT NOBODY CARES ABOUT THAT, NOT EVEN ASHLEY." I add with a broken, weepy voice.


    Father rises to his feet. "You won¡¯t return to work unless I say so. Now, stop these theatrics and go back to your room this minute!"


    I back away from him, shaking my head. "I will work and you won¡¯t stop me. If you do, I won¡¯t be signing those divorce papers." I smile when he reacts with widened pupils. "I know you would like nothing more than for me to be out of your son¡¯s life. Ashley still has feelings for me and if I wanted, I could sway him to keep me by his side forever. Would you like that?"


    "Are you threatening me?" He throws his head back and roars withughter. "You have no idea, do you? You have no idea the lengths I can go to remove an obstacle from my path as well as the path I have carved out for my boys. I am warning you, Demi Branson, not to test me. I love my sons and would do whatever I deem best for them. Yours and Ashley¡¯s marriage was a mere contract. You are not worthy to be my son¡¯s wife or the mother of my grandchildren. You will never change that no matter how hard you try. I will make life so unbearable for you that you won¡¯t have any other option but to pack up and run for your life."


    Leering at me, he leans forward, his height imposing. "DON¡¯T EVER DREAM OF THREATENING ME OR MY FAMILY AGAIN. YOU CAN¡¯T DO ANYTHING!"


    Tears blur my eyes. While he was speaking, a scary thought crossed my mind. I know how dangerous Brett Rollins can be but I never imagined he could take things that far simply because of his dislike for me.


    "You weren¡¯t p...pleased w-with my pregnancy. Tell me you d-didn¡¯t know Asher was g-going to h-harm my baby."


    A swath of dark cloud seems to cloak the room as father gives me a lopsided grin. "Like I said, you are not worthy to be the mother of my grandchildren, Demi. Interpret that statement as you wish. Chances are that you will end up with the right deduction anyway."


    I stagger backwards, my fingers almost slipping from the ss cup.


    He knew? He knew about Asher¡¯s n and didn¡¯t stop him? I shouldn¡¯t be surprised but somehow I am and it hurts me to have underestimated this man. My baby had to pay the price for it.


    "Father?" A voice calls, entering the study. I crane my neck and lock eyes with Asher. "Demi, what are you doing in here?" He asks with a frown that nearly matches the one spreading across my face.


    I can¡¯t believe them. These two monsters probably connived together to kill my child. Before I can control myself, my rage bubbles hot to the surface. My fingers tighten around the ss cup in my hand. Father¡¯s eyes dim with understanding and dte with fright when I let out a loud feral cry moments before smashing the ss in Asher¡¯s pretty face.


    "NO!!!" Father screams as Asher goes down with a heavy thud. His left temple is bruised and gurgling blood. Father rushes to his son and cradles him limp body in his hands. My vision starts to be clear.


    "You wretch. What have you done?" He croaks while shaking his boy but Asher fails to open his eyes. In seconds, the study is filled with men in ck. One quick appraisal of the situation, from the unconscious son bleeding from the head to my teary face and bloody hands, they draw the conclusion and snag my wrists behind my back.


    "ASHTON, WAKE UP!" Father rouses him to no avail. "SOMEBODY CALL THE DOCTOR!"


    Ashton? Did I hear correctly? I blink severally and assess the unconscious man on the floor. No! No!! God, please no!!! It can¡¯t be.


    I drop to my knees. "Ashton? That can¡¯t be him. That¡¯s Asher!" Tears stream down my face. "That¡¯s the son who killed my baby."


    "GET THIS WITCH OUT OF HERE!" Father orders. I struggle against the men as they pull me away into the living room. The entrance door swings open and horror fills me.


    "What¡¯s going on?" Asher asks, putting his phone in his pocket.


    "ASHER, HELP! ASHTON¡¯S HURT!" Father calls from his study.


    "WHAT???" Asher replies, bolting across the room. I fall listlessly to the floor as more tears run down my face. What have I done? How could I have made such an egregious mistake? I have never failed to distinguish Ashton from the rest so how I could miss it now? I watch hopelessly as Asher carries his brother over his shoulder and rushes for the door.


    "I¡¯m so sorry, Ashton." I mutter under my breath as tears wrack my body. "I didn¡¯t mean to hurt you, I swear. I¡¯m so sorry."


    "Are you deaf?"


    I blink my eyes at the man yelling in my face. It¡¯s definitely Asher. Phew, that was all an imagination? Thank goodness.


    Asher¡¯s re and annoying question irks me. With great restraint, I ignore the urge to bash his skull in with the ss in my hand as I remember what he did to my baby. I decide against letting my anger lead. My fear might juste true and I¡¯ll end up hurting Ashton in my blind haze.


    I give father and son onest sizzling look before turning and leaving.


    In my room, I silently hope father is too distracted to notice I had left with his ss cup or even if he does, I am praying he doesn¡¯t make a big deal of it and goes ahead to fetch himself another. I stow the cup away in a zip lock bag to pass to Liam soon. Since my decision to work didn¡¯t go well with father, I text Anna to stop by the mansionter so she can take the ss and give it to Liam.


    My hands are shaking as I type the text not just because of the dread of being caught but also because of what father had revealed to me. Did he and Asher truly work together to hurt my child? I guess I am just starting to realize how meaningless my life is in the mansion and how father can make me disappear whenever he wants, just as soon as he is able to offer the public a good excuse and fend off suspicions.


    Does Ashley know this? I can¡¯t help but wonder. He wouldn¡¯t believe me if I told him. He wouldn¡¯t do anything about it now. If he could forgive his brother so quickly, then why can¡¯t he forgive his father? Tears roll down my face as I mourn my dead child afresh.


    An hourter, someone rings my doorbell and my eyes flutter open. My body aches from sleeping in a bad posture on the floor. I stretch my arms and wince in pain while the doorbell chimes again.


    "Go away!"


    A moment of silence stretches on until I hear his voice.


    "Demi, it¡¯s me."


    Ashton? Is it really him or am I hearing things because I spent thest hour reliving the horror of my imagination in father¡¯s study. Slowly, I open the door and surely, he is standing outside my room. His face is mired with a vague expression I am unable to discern. He doesn¡¯te in like I expect him to. That is how I know he is pissed even though his face hardly shows it.


    "What is it?"


    He grits his teeth before answering. "I¡¯m going to ask you one more time, Demi. Did you slip down the stairs or were you pushed?"


    Something about the way he phrases the question and stresses the words tells me he knows the truth now. I briefly recall M standing outside my room just like he is now, days ago. She offered to help me get out of my predicament if I truly wish it. She hinted at a public ident that will give the Rollins family a hard time in convincing the popce that my pregnancy wasn¡¯t lost.


    Though it was everything I wanted to hear, I was still very suspicious of M. If I have learnt one thing, it is that she dislikes me and considers me a threat to her happiness. She can never be my ally so if she was offering me help, what that was in truth was a ploy to trap me or get me in trouble with the family.


    "Are you in?" She had asked again that day. I took my sweet time to study her beautiful manicured fingers.


    "How do I know this isn¡¯t a scheme to get me in trouble with my inws? You would like nothing better, wouldn¡¯t you?"


    Sheughed. "You¡¯ll just have to trust me. Ashton isn¡¯t in a hurry to wed me and that stings. I have a feeling that our wedding might be rushed to distract people from the dreariness of your miscarriage."


    "I can¡¯t trust you blindly. You¡¯ll have to earn it."


    "And how am I supposed to do that?"


    My eyes twinkled deviously. "You want me to stage a public ident? How about identally slipping down a flight of stairs and bleeding heavily while the paparazzi watches?"


    "That sounds good." M concurs.


    "You will have to push me though."


    "What?" She shrieked.


    "That¡¯s the only way I will know that you don¡¯t n to stab me in the back. If you join me to test this out with a small push at my next public sighting, I¡¯ll trust you and handle the real ident myself. C¡¯mon, you wouldn¡¯t trust me either if the roles were reversed. I have been hurt and betrayed more times than I can count by people I consider my family. Can you really me me for having trust issues?"


    M let the thought simmer in her head for a few seconds. "A test. Fine but this better note back to haunt me or I will be your worst nightmare. And, if I do this, you have a week to lose that fake pregnancy."


    "Three weeks. If I lose the pregnancy too soon, everyone here will grow very suspicious of me. I can¡¯t have that."


    "That depends on how well you stage the ident. Two weeks then. Do we have a deal?"


    I stare up at Ashton¡¯s face before walking back to my closet. Like I hoped, he follows me and ms the door shut.


    "You didn¡¯t answer me!" This time, his voice is clipped and cold.


    "I don¡¯t have to. You already know the answer to that question." I pause from picking out a night shirt to turn and stare at him. "I guess you¡¯ve confronted M already."


    He grits his teeth. "What the hell were you thinking?"


    "I wasn¡¯t thinking, Ash. Nobody does that in this house anymore so why should I? I am learning a lot just by watching everyone, you see. Nobody cares about me or my feelings so why should I stop to think how my actions will affect your precious family, huh? As long as no one in your family is getting physically hurt and I can untangle myself from this unpleasant situation, why shouldn¡¯t I take the chance?"


    "Demi..."


    "DON¡¯T." Anger surges within me. "Did you know about Asher¡¯s ns to hurt my baby before he carried it out?" I re at him as he instantly denies such knowledge. "Ok then. Do you know why your father has refused to punish him for murdering the first grandchild of this family? Do you know why Asher got away with it?"


    His silence breaks me.


    I wipe my eyes. "So, everyone is in on it."


    "Demi, I know you¡¯re hurting because of my family but the path you¡¯re going down to free yourself is a dangerous one."


    "Tell me about it." I chuckle. "Your father filled me in earlier on how dangerous he can be. He threatened my life. Do you think I care? I¡¯ve lost everything to this family, even my identity. All I want to do is to be done with this charade and go back to my simple life if I can still have one. I don¡¯t care what the consequences will be but I won¡¯t put up with this anymore."


    Ashton sighs. "You¡¯re right. I would do the same if I were you. However, I beg you to be smart about this. There are better ways to handle this than ruffling father¡¯s feathers."


    "What will you have me do, Ashton? Father denied my request to return to work. He wants me to remain in this house till Ashley¡¯s child is born. My movements are restricted. My routine is mundane. I feel like a fucking prisoner." I sniffle as a memory flit across my mind. "My fears areing true. This was exactly part of my worry when I was pregnant. I dreaded this lifestyle and now, despite not being pregnant, I am being subjected to this. I am losing my mind. I need a distraction but no one will let me live or give me my freedom back. Why? Haven¡¯t I been punished enough?"


    "I¡¯ll talk to father. I¡¯ll try to get him to adjust his rules but you must promise me that you won¡¯t try something that reckless with M again. Promise me that while you¡¯re after your freedom, you won¡¯t put yourself or my family in peril."


    "I¡¯m sorry but I am too desperate to promise not to do all I can to be rid of this marriage."


    His face hardens as he takes in my words.


    "Will you refuse to help me now?"


    "You have my word that I will do everything in my power to lessen this burden for you, the same way I will be doing everything in my power to protect my family, Demi."


    "I understand." I reply and watch him exit my room.


    M will soon be calling to scream obscenities at me for the stunt I pulled by ming her for my ident in front of everyone. If she hasn¡¯t called already, then she ns to do it in person which sounds more like her.


    I whip put my phone as it starts to ring. Surprise blooms on my face at the shock of seeing Nic¡¯s call. What could she possibly want from me?


    "This better be good." I voice the second I answer.


    "Demi? I...I need your help."


    "I can¡¯t believe you. You¡¯ve practically destroyed my marriage and ruined my life. Still, you¡¯re calling to ask for my help? It¡¯s the audacity for me."


    "Please, this isn¡¯t the time to rehash the past. I can¡¯t be in the bathroom for long or the guards will start knocking."


    "What¡¯s going on?"


    She exhales. "I can¡¯t do this, Demi. I¡¯m really sorry for everything. If I knew this was how things will pan out, I wouldn¡¯t have insisted on marrying Ashley before having our baby. I just wanted him for myself and I thought the pregnancy would make him mine for good. Instead, I only became his prisoner. I can¡¯t continue like this."


    "You¡¯re talking to the wrong person. I can¡¯t help you. You brought this on yourself."


    "Please don¡¯t hang up. I don¡¯t know who else to confide in. I know I hurt you badly and you have every reason to wish my downfall. I couldn¡¯t call anyone else but you. I trust that a woman who has lost a baby would at least be sympathetic to my plight."


    My heartrate slows down. "Ni, what are you saying? Did you lose the baby?" A deafening silence follows. "Hello? Ni, are you there??? Nic!"


    She hangs up on me.

 Chapter 124

    <h4>Chapter 124: Chapter 124</h4>


    ASHAL


    "I¡¯m fine. No injuries were sustained."


    "Are you sure?" I insist as Demi exhales softly. "I got worried after watching the news clip. It looked..."


    "Ashal, I¡¯m fine. Trust me on that."


    "Ok. I¡¯m sorry I can¡¯t be there. There¡¯s just too much stuff going on at home and I wanted a break to clear my head."


    "Lucky you. I wish I could get a change of environment too." She sighs wistfully. "Anyway, thanks for checking up on me. I appreciate it."


    "I wish I could do better. Hang in there."


    After the call, I turn to Ashton. "I can¡¯t believe she staged everything, and with M of all people??? I never even knew those two could strike up a conversation longer than sixty seconds much less hatch a n."


    Ashton is sprawled on my couch with a hand over his face. He has been upset since he came in this morning for obvious reasons. It¡¯s weird but I am starting to understand how frustrating it all can be.


    I spent the previous night ruminating over my alleged feelings for Madeline and while I want to believe that there¡¯s nothing amorous about it, there exists a plethora of behaviors that belie my stance. I can¡¯t help but wonder if I am so in love with Maddie that everyone else can tell except me.


    Is this what it feels like to love someone you can¡¯t have? There¡¯s a hollow pit in my stomach that reeks of fear, sadness and frustration for the woman I can¡¯t have. I now see what Ashton has been going through and honestly, I stronglymend him for his impable restraint all these months. I am going berserk not knowing how Maddi is faring right now. I can¡¯t imagine being under the same roof with her and thinking straight. How does Ashton do it? How can he stand seeing Demi with Ashley? I could never.


    "Are you okay?" I ask my brother.


    He sits upright and kneads the kinks out of his neck. My guess, from the bags under his eyes, is that he barely slept a winkst night.


    "I had to beg Duncan not to tell father about everything. He wouldn¡¯t have hurt a hair on M¡¯s head but Demi...that would just give him another reason to make her suffer." A short breath whistles from his lips as he digs his fingers into his hair. "I have a lot on my te right now. Father is onto us. Adriana is in the wind again. M is pushing for our wedding to take ce which I am not prepared for and now Demi is ying with fire. I don¡¯t have the mental band width to tackle all of this at once. I can¡¯t protect her, Ashal. If she crosses father, he won¡¯t spare her."


    "No, he won¡¯t." I concur.


    "She is currently at loggerheads with mother so I doubt mother will be eager to protect her. She¡¯s been through a lot and I understand how badly she must be hurting but this isn¡¯t the solution. If she tries to mess up father¡¯s n and bring shame to the family, I don¡¯t know what he will do to her."


    I take a good look at him. It should be Ashley worrying so much but no, Ashley isn¡¯t. That¡¯s mostly because Ashley is not always present or perceptive around the mansion to look out for his wife. He has been burying himself in work as a form of distraction from the chaos his actions have caused.


    I don¡¯t me Ashton for his feelings. If Demi had been receiving the kind of love any woman deserves, Ashton might have been able to dial back on his emotions.


    I know this by recalling how I felt when Madeline was about to marry the wrong guy. I couldn¡¯t even breathe properly. I almost killed Hunter in my rage.


    I rest a hand on Ashton¡¯s knee. "You don¡¯t have to do it all alone. You can tell Ashley the truth and let him worry about her, then face the things you can control."


    "You think I haven¡¯t? Ashley admitted that Demi won¡¯t listen to him. She can barely stand his presence. If anyone can get through to her, Ashley thinks it¡¯s me but here I am, woefully failing at that." He surges to his feet and paces. "I don¡¯t have time for this. I need to see Keith. I am heading to his farm house to have a conversation about meeting Adriana again. I just hope Demi doesn¡¯t do anything stupid before I can clear my te."


    "Go on. You can¡¯t do it all. Adriana is our sister and she deserves to be our priority. We owe it to her after all these years. Demi can wait."


    He nods grimly and turns to leave.


    "Oh, Ash, get some sleep first. You look like shit and it¡¯s ufortable staring at my face looking like shit." That¡¯s usually his line and it feels so good to throw it back in his face.


    He waves at me.


    "Cree will be here soon."


    "What? Why?"


    "You know why." He replies without turning. "Be nice to her. She was your friend once and she¡¯s wants to make amends." He disappears through the door while I huff out a breath.


    ***


    "He said that?" Cree asks with a hint of amusement when I offer her a drink. She looks exquisite in a sleeveless jumpsuit and heels. I didn¡¯t realize how much I have missed her. She looks really beautiful and smells great too. Seeing her stirs memories of our date and the other dates after it.


    "Yeah. Apparently, you want to make amends?"


    "Horseshit. I mean, of course I¡¯d love to patch things up but that¡¯s not why he begged me to pay you a visit."


    "He begged you?" I don¡¯t know how I feel about Ashton¡¯s desperation.


    "Kind of." She drops her ss ceremoniously on the table and leans forward. "Let¡¯s forget all that. How have you been? This is me asking genuinely and not because Ashton asked me toe here." Her eyes warm with concern. "Thest time we spoke, I was very worried about you. You passed out drunk and when you woke up, you were a bit hysterical. Have you been well?"


    A red hue tints my cheeks. "It should be me apologizing. I shouldn¡¯t haveshed out on you that very day simply because I didn¡¯t agree with the things you were saying. I¡¯m sorry."


    "I¡¯m sorry too. I should have been more understanding." A quiet moment passes between us while our eyes hold. "So, what¡¯s really going on with you? Ashton sounded worried." When I shift ufortably, she gives a thin smile. "You don¡¯t have to feel awkward. I know you want to talk to someone about how you¡¯re feeling and maybe you think your brothers won¡¯t get it. That¡¯s why I am here, to be that listening ear that won¡¯t judge."


    "You say that now..."


    "I mean it. Whatever feelings I once had for you...poof. Gone, but it¡¯s not because you aren¡¯t a great guy. I didn¡¯t start off being honest with you. I was there to collect a pay check from Shay so I never really bothered to fully open myself up to the spark between us back then." She shrugs.


    "I am not here to force things though, just to be a friend. If it ever gets awkward and any feelings start to rear their heads again, I promise to tell you and discharge myself from this self-appointed role of being your confidante."


    Her offer is juicy but I am still skeptical.


    "Go on, tell me before it eats you up."


    After debating in my head for almost a minute, I sigh in resignation. "FINE. If you haven¡¯t already guessed it, it¡¯s got to do with a girl."


    "Typical."


    "So much for not judging."


    "Oops, sorry."


    I go on to tell her vaguely about Madeline and how I think I have strong feelings for her but she isn¡¯t a woman I can be with for personal reasons. I try my best to leave out as much detail as I can without confusing Cree. She listens keenly as I recount saving Maddie from Hunter, our first and second kiss etc.


    "So, how does Maddie feel about all this?"


    I give azy shrug. "I don¡¯t know. She hasn¡¯t made any moves that make me suspect she wees whatever is going on between us. She shies away mostly. I think she¡¯s scared of us being together."


    "Why do you think that?" Cree presses on with raptured eyes.


    Because I am currently married to her sister and I am the guy who practically stole two years of her sister¡¯s life while my family and I trapped her in a penthouse like an embarrassing little secret. Rather than tell Cree what¡¯s in my head, I decide to mask it.


    "I guess not everyone is ok with fame. You weren¡¯t."


    Cree nods. "At first, that had a lot to do with Shay but now, I believe I prefer my quiet existence." She locks eyes with mine. "Here¡¯s my two cents. If family means everything to you and pursuing this would hurt them and you, I suggest you treat this as a fleeting affair. I¡¯m sure it¡¯ll go away. You fell for me once and I bet you thought you couldn¡¯t move on after my secret came to light. Even then, you chose your family. Do it again, especially since she isn¡¯t exactly fighting for whatever you both have going on. Choose family. That¡¯s honorable for people like you, right?" She sips her drink and watches me over the ss.


    "Now, you¡¯re just telling me what I need to hear. Get out of her head, Ashton!" This time, I lean close. "What would you do if the roles were reversed, Cree Baxter? Humor me."


    "Damn, you want her that bad, huh? I¡¯m jealous." After a smallugh, she tosses her head to the side, revealing a nicely sculpted ear bereft of an earring. "I¡¯d ride the wave for a bit to see where it leads us. I¡¯m not even a part of this story but the suspense is killing me. I badly want to know if this is a star-crossed romance like Romeo and Juliet or just a hormonal reaction that a quickie at the back of a car can cure."


    "You¡¯re hrious." My phone starts to ring and I almost drop it. It¡¯s Maddie!


    ***


    She rarely calls me out of the blue. Why now? I can hazard a guess but I am not in the right frame of mind to lie to her convincingly.


    "I went by your office." She croaks out, crying.


    "Maddie, what¡¯s wrong?"


    "My boyfriend, Alfie, they found him dead in his car. It was on the news."


    My heart breaks to a million tiny pieces as she continues to cry and sniffle on the other end of the phone. Cree is still in the living room, enjoying her drink and twiddling with the TV remote to find a good show to watch when I peek from the first floor. I am d she isn¡¯t being nosy to eavesdrop on my call.


    "Calm down, Maddi. What are you saying? What boyfriend? Are you being harassed by the police for the death of this person?"


    "No. They took me in to answer a few questions since we were together the day before he...I just don¡¯t know what to do. I don¡¯t want to worry Olivia and my parents don¡¯t know about Alfie. I didn¡¯t know who else to call."


    She called me. Is this a sign? I shake off the giddy feeling and focus on her pain. I don¡¯t know what I can do to make her feel better. I¡¯d love to console her but my guilt-stricken face might give her cause for concern. Plus, my brothers won¡¯t appreciate me stoking the fire of this dangerous romance.


    "Are you busy?"


    Shit. Shit! She wants to meet. Gosh, I wish I could go to her.


    "I¡¯m a long way from the office." I blurt out instead of dousing her hopes. "I¡¯m at my second penthouse up the hills, almost at the outskirts of town. I had some pending work. I¡¯m sorry I¡¯m not there to help you, Maddi. I really wish I was."


    She takes a few breaths. "I understand. I don¡¯t know what I was thinking." She sniffles again. "I have no right to bother you like this. You have your hands full with work and Liv..."


    "You¡¯re my family too. I also care about you. Liv won¡¯t forgive me if I let anything happen to you." I close a hand over my mouth before I can say more and regret my words.


    "Thank you, Mr. Ashal. I feel much better now after talking to you."


    "I¡¯m d I could help in some way. Take a break and get some rest. You¡¯re grieving. I¡¯ll see you when I get back."


    My chest tightens when she hangs up. She¡¯ll never forgive me if she ever learns that I had a hand in Alfie¡¯s death. I slide to the floor and cover my face with my hands. What have I be? What am I going to do?


    "That must have been a hard phone call."


    I look up into Cree¡¯s face. So, she is an eavesdropper. Whatever. I have no prerogative nor am I in the mood to judge anyone. I feel her hands wrap around me and rock me slowly.


    "You¡¯ll be fine." She continues to hum while I allow her words soothe me.


    ***


    "Where are you?"


    I ignore the temptation to roll my eyes. "I¡¯m not a baby. I don¡¯t need a babysitter!" I reply with annoyance.


    "This is no way to treat a guest, Ashal. You intentionally gave me that game to y so I wouldn¡¯t hear you driving out, right? How could you sneak out of your own house if you aren¡¯t acting like a baby?" Creements. "Just tell me, are you headed to see her?"


    "I¡¯m headed back to my family¡¯s mansion to see MY family. I miss them, okay. If Ashton worries, tell him I¡¯ll be at home. You are wee to stay the night at the penthouse if you like. I¡¯ll hang up now."


    I chuck my phone into the pigeonhole and swerve in a different direction from home. Maddi didn¡¯t pick up when I called her back after a few hours. It¡¯s been an extra two hours since then and I can¡¯t seem to reach her. I have no idea where she is or if she¡¯s okay. I have left her texts in capital letters demanding for a reply so I know she¡¯s okay but still nothing.


    I pull up in front of her dorm and try her number one more time.


    "Damn it, Maddi, pick up your phone! Where the hell are you?" I mutter, punching my phone like a maniac. I want to go in but that would cause an uproar when the other female students see me. I text Maddi that I am outside her dorm and wait.


    Ten minutester, she replies with a shocked emoji. When I see her rushing down the stairs towards my car, a huge ball of relief unfurls in my chest. She¡¯s fine. From her face and disheveled hair, I can tell she must have been sleeping. As she approaches me, shebs her hair with her fingers and cowers shyly.


    "Mr. Ashal?" She utters in disbelief through the passenger window. "I thought you were out of town."


    "I just got back." I try not to sound breathless. "You weren¡¯t taking my calls or returning my texts. I was worried."


    "You asked me to get some rest and I did. I¡¯m sorry I got you worried. I was sleeping while my phone was charging silently."


    "Get in. Everyone will soon start staring."


    She obliges and shuts the door. Now that we are both so close, my breath hitches. She has a peculiar scent around her that I have never smelt on anyone before.


    "My apologies again for your loss." My eyes are fixated away from her face as I talk. "I didn¡¯t know you had a new boyfriend. You must be hurting a lot. What can I do to make you feel better?"


    Maddi scoops her hair behind her ears. "You¡¯ve done more than enough, Mr. Ashal. I¡¯m really fine. It still feels like a bad dream but I will get over it soon."


    "Do you mind me asking how long you two were together?"


    "Three weeks." She chuckles. "I was still getting to know him and vice versa. He had his ws but he wasn¡¯t a bad person. I guess I just feel so shocked to have lost someone so close. I¡¯ve never felt this before, the shock of death so close. I was thest person with him." She bows her head. "It doesn¡¯t make any sense. He was fine. He didn¡¯t do drugs even though he looked like a druggie. He only drank lots of alcohol. I don¡¯t know what to believe." Before the tears hit her thigh, I wrap my arm around her and nt a kiss on her hair.


    "I¡¯m so sorry, Maddie. You¡¯ve had to endure a lot of pain that you don¡¯t deserve. I wish I could turn back the hands of time and undo all the events that have hurt you." My heart skids when she hugs me back while crying. I continue to console her while she mes her fate and weeps.


    We must have been clinging onto each other for about five minutes before the tears stop running and the awkwardness of our position hits Maddi. Immediately, she pulls away from me and apologizes.


    "It¡¯s okay."


    "No, it¡¯s not. I should know my limits. You¡¯re my sister¡¯s husband." She wipes her eyes.


    "For now." I hum under my breath.


    "What?"


    Sighing, I lean back in my chair. "Liv and I are getting a divorce soon. That¡¯s what she demanded of me."


    "What? What about the baby?"


    "She wants us to be co-parents. I tried to talk her out of it but her mind is made up, Maddie. I honestly can¡¯t me her. She loathes me as a partner. We didn¡¯t exactly start out on the best foot. If this is what will make her happy and how I get topensate for everything she¡¯s endured under my roof, I won¡¯t fight it this time." I stare out into the gathering clouds. "I sincerely want her to be happy. Clearly, it can¡¯t be with me. She has given up on us. She keeps pressing me to start dating again, could you imagine that?" A short, frustratedugh leaves my lips. "I just hope she finds true happiness with a man that will value her this time."


    Maddie remains quiet for a few seconds.


    "I¡¯m sorry you two couldn¡¯t find your happily ever after together. I really thought she would see how much you¡¯ve changed and give you one more shot."


    Without looking at her, I give a thin smile at my dashboard. "She¡¯s given me more than enough chances and I screwed it up every time. She and I could never seem to meet each other halfway. Whenever she was prepared to love me, I was wallowing in self-pity and self-loathing to recognize her heart. When I was willing to bare my heart out and put her first, her affections had changed. It¡¯s a never-ending circle." Now, I look at Maddie. "This is for the best. I don¡¯t want to waste her time any longer."


    I pinch her cheeks. "Cheer up. I thought you of all people would be popping champagne atop a table in a club at the sound of this news."


    "That was before I got to know this version of you." She dips her eyes and burrows her hands in her thighs. "That was before I stopped hating you. I¡¯m sorry if you¡¯re hurting. I no longer want you to die alone in a pit in the middle of fucking nowhere. I want you to find happiness too, like my sister one day."


    Her words cause a warm feeling to bloom in my chest. I stifle the urge to kiss her. That would be super awkward.


    "Thank you, Maddie. I really needed to hear that. It means so much moreing from you."


    We keep our eyes trained on each other as the balmy night air whistles outside. My heart is pounding and I wonder if she¡¯s also feeling everything I am feeling in this moment. Curious, I start to lean forward slowly towards her face. The fact that she doesn¡¯t immediately back up seems like a good sign. Our noses touch and our lips tease each other. Just before I can swoop in, her hand shoves my chest.


    "I-I can¡¯t..." She twitches her cardigan closer to her body. "I¡¯m sorry. We can¡¯t do this."


    Rather than feel hurt, I feel grateful that she stopped me.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have...forgive me."


    "I don¡¯t think we should keep this up. Liv is my sister. I don¡¯t want to hurt her anymore than she already has been hurt. Let¡¯s just ignore whatever this thing between us is and go on like we always have; as brother-inw and sister-inw."


    "I understand."


    She turns away but not fast enough for me to see her blurry eyes, unlocks the door and gets out. Before she can take three steps, I jump out of the car and call out to her.


    "Maddi!"


    She turns around. "Please, just go."


    I circle my car to stand in front of her. Thankfully, there isn¡¯t anyone milling around.


    "Why Alfie? Why did you choose to date him after your experience with Hunter?"


    "What do you mean?"


    "I want to know why you keep going after guys that clearly aren¡¯t good for you. It¡¯s disturbing."


    "How was Alfie bad for me? He brought me out of the rut I was stuck in after the horror of my kidnapping. He showed me a good time."


    "But you clearly weren¡¯tfortable with the way he treated you. The way he sexually harassed you, pping your bum in public, catcalling you. You hated it. Why then did you endure all that? Is it so hard to pick responsible guys that you don¡¯t have to hide from your family? Is it?"


    I am terrified of which kind of man she¡¯ll end up choosing again to get her over the stump of Alfie¡¯s death since her choices are usually questionable.


    Maddi backs away from me, eyes widening. "You said you didn¡¯t know I had gotten a boyfriend. You¡¯re not supposed to know what Alfie looks like or what¡¯s he¡¯s like around me."


    My heart plummets to my stomach as I realize where she¡¯s going.


    "How did you know all that?" she asks with narrowed eyes. My silence makes her shake her head in terror. "Mr. Ashal, I need you to answer me. WERE YOU WATCHING US THE DAY ALFIE DIED? WERE YOU HERE AT MY DORM WATCHING ALFIE DROP ME OFF?"

 Chapter 125

    <h4>Chapter 125: Chapter 125</h4>


    ASHLEY


    I am pleasantly surprised to see Demi strut into my office on a bright Tuesday morning. I have barely been home for three nights in a row and I didn¡¯t expect her to notice or care. Seeing her now makes me feel relieved that maybe all isn¡¯t lost between us. I abandon the fitting of mytest design, leaving my new model flustered as I turn to my wife.


    "Hey. I didn¡¯t know you wereing."


    My eyes skirt around my working space. There¡¯s barely enough space to step on the floor because of the pieces of fabric littered everywhere. The sofa is currently upied by my four assistants.


    I don¡¯t even know why I felt the need to hire more assistants. I guess I just want to have a lot of people around me so I don¡¯t feel too lonely while working.


    With a subtle arch of my eyebrows, my assistants leap to their feet like their butts are on fire and quickly begin to tidy the ce.


    "Thank you, Kenny. Let¡¯s take a break." I tell my model who nods and sashays out. Demi stands quietly, watching everything. With the room substantially tidied, my assistants all dash out and I shut the door. When I turn, Demi has already helped herself to a seat; my chair.


    "Ok. How are you?"


    She snorts. "It¡¯s just us. No need for pretense."


    Her indifference grates on my nerves but I let it slide. It will be a miracle if she stops hating me so soon.


    "I meant that, Demi." I reply, edging towards my desk. Why won¡¯t she even look at me? If she looks at my face for longer than two seconds, she¡¯d see that I haven¡¯t been resting well, that my beard has grown inches longer than my brothers and I wear and the skin of my face is in desperate need of skincare. I really wish she could pretend to care.


    She looks at me and says nothing. If she has noticed anything about my looks, she ignores it.


    "That question is the most annoying thing any member of our family can ask me during this time. The answer will never change so please, desist from asking me how I am doing and ask me instead what you can do to make my life a little better."


    "I¡¯m sorry."


    Scoffing, she shakes her head. I guess that¡¯s another thing she doesn¡¯t want to hear especially from me.


    "I don¡¯t know what you want to hear from me." I pull out the visitor¡¯s chair and slide in. It feels weird sitting at this angle and watching someone else upy my chair. "What brings you here? Why don¡¯t you tell me already instead of watching me fail miserably to break the ice between us."


    "Have you been in touch with Ni?"


    Her question takes me by surprise. Why in the world would she care about that? At the bemused expression on my face following her question, she proceeds to add.


    "What? Is it strange for me to hope that though you couldn¡¯t care less about your fake pregnant wife and how she¡¯s feeling being trapped in your mansion, that you would at the very least have the decency to routinely check on your girlfriend who¡¯s currently carrying your baby?"


    "I¡¯m in touch with Ni." I reply tly. "Is that all you wanted to know? You could have called. I would have spared you the effort ofing here yourself."


    "I know." She bites down on her lips. "But the thing is my movement is heavily restricted in that house. I¡¯d do anything to take a break from it even if it means paying a sudden visit to my husband who doesn¡¯t give a shit about me." She lurches to her feet, as do I. When she tries to leave, I block her path.


    "Again with this talk? You hate it when I try to be around you and you still hate it when I keep my distance. WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU WANT FROM ME? MAKE UP YOUR MIND, DEMI."


    "You don¡¯t have to breathe over my neck to ensure that I and my interests are protected in that house, Ashley. You have consistently failed in your duty as my husband to protect me especially from your father. Do you know how helpless and lonely I feel at home when I remember that your father calls the shots even in our marriage? How could you be surprised that I would want to expedite our divorce after you¡¯ve let him walk all over you like a doormat?"


    "Demi!"


    "I¡¯m not finished!" I yell at him, vibrating with anger. "If you had been an only child, I might have settled for it but you have three brothers, each of whom respect your father just as you do but know how to put him in check when he crosses the line. Even Ashal doesn¡¯t always kowtow to your father¡¯s every whim. He refused to date a woman father forced on him but you...you do only what mommy and daddy want, don¡¯t you? You married me because your mother asked you to. You live to please them. That¡¯s why you stood and watched when father insulted my pregnancy, when he treated me like a criminal and had me locked up, even when he wasplicit in the murder of our baby!"


    My grip on her wrist goes limp. How did she learn about father¡¯s role in the death of our child?


    She sniffles and lowers herself to the sofa.


    "I didn¡¯te here to rehash the past but every time I am around you, I can¡¯t seem to forget everything that has happened to me. That¡¯s all I can think about in that mansion, Ashley. I have nightmares. These thoughts haunt me every single day. I need a break. I actually came here to ask you for help. Can you promise me that you will put me first this one time?"


    I crouch next to her. "What do you need help with?"


    "Father denied my request to return to work. He won¡¯t ease up on the bodyguards around me either. I need to get away for a bit. I was thinking I could pay Ni a visit on the ind."


    "What?"


    "Asher is scheduled to visit her soon. I could ride along, get some fresh air. Please, irrespective of the differences between Ni and I, I know what she must be going through. I was once pregnant and didn¡¯t have anyone to talk to about it. She¡¯s all alone in a strange ind with nothing but bodyguards..."


    "There are chefs, butlers, housekeepers, a doctor..."


    "It¡¯s not the same." She interrupts me. "She has no family there. She isn¡¯t allowed to speak to her father. She has no friends. Please Ashley, I need you to put your foot down and ensure that I visit Ni. I won¡¯t be missed at home anyway. Mine and Ni¡¯s lives are already intertwined forever. We have to figure out a way to get over our differences and learn to coexist. I know she¡¯ll open up to me once I extend a hand to call a truce. Please."


    I really can¡¯t believe Demi is this bighearted. Ni blows up my phone regrly and I got sick of it so now I hardly take her calls. I thought she had all she needed. I¡¯ve never thought of it from this angle. Could she be lonely? I paid heavily for the house staff to prevent that.


    Rising, I flick a finger over my beard. This won¡¯t go down well with father. It will take a lot to convince him but much less topel him. Maybe this is the time to use my trump card to force him to give Demi a break in that mansion.


    "You¡¯ll go see Ni."


    "Really?" Demi asks, jumping to her feet.


    "And you¡¯ll resume work as soon as you get back. I¡¯ll handle it. Please, trust me." Something warm flits across her eyes. She desperately wants to believe me. I close a hand over her cheek. "I¡¯m sorry I haven¡¯t been living up to my responsibilities as your husband. That will change. You¡¯ll see."


    "Thank you. That¡¯s all I wanted."


    If things were good between us, this will be the part where we exchange a hot kiss but instead, Demi nods at me and walks away.


    The ring of my ringtone jerks me out of my entranced stare. I tear my eyes away from the door Demi left through minutes ago and grab my phone. The caller makes me frown.


    "Why won¡¯t he stop calling me?" Hissing a long breath, I answer the call. "What do you want, Mr. Grey? Can¡¯t you give it a rest? I¡¯ve warned you to stop bugging me."


    "Tell me where my daughter is and you won¡¯t hear from me again. Please Mr. Rollins, I just need proof that my daughter is alive and well."


    "Why won¡¯t she be? You know damn well that she¡¯s doing alright. She¡¯s on a vacation. If she didn¡¯t tell you where, that¡¯s not my problem."


    "I can¡¯t reach her on her old line. I know you have a number that can connect me directly to her. Please, I just need to talk to her."


    His desperation makes bile tickle my throat. "Stop pretending to care about her. You physically abused her for months. She was nothing more than a cash cow to you. What happened? Have you run out of money? Is that why you¡¯re desperate to locate her?" Another thought crosses my head. "Or maybe you¡¯re just fishing for information to leak to Billion-Err to aid their hunt for your daughter¡¯s whereabout. I¡¯m sure you have something to do with their trending post."


    "No, I have assured you countless times that I know nothing about that. Please, I am just a father who is worried about his daughter."


    "Has Billion-Err reached out to you to confirm Ni¡¯s whereabout? Don¡¯t even think of lying to me."


    He takes a deep breath. "Yes. Twice but I ignored it. I know better than to cross your family."


    "And this call isn¡¯t being recorded?"


    "No, it¡¯s not."


    "For your sake, you better not be up to anything fishy." I draw in a breath. "I¡¯ll tell Ni you asked after her. If she wants to talk to you, she¡¯ll call you." I hang up and prepare to visit my father regarding Demi¡¯s plight. He has resumed work this week so he should be at the HQ. A surprise visit sounds like just the thing.


    ***


    "Ashley? This is quite the surprise." Father acknowledges, rising to greet me. All I can imagine is the big smile disappearing from his face when I drop the bombshell but it happens sooner as I reject his outstretched arms and remain standing by the door.


    "Something wrong, son?"


    I already cleared my throat on the hallway leading here so I just advance closer and spill it.


    "Father, I am thankful for all your helptely. You¡¯ve outdone yourself trying to keep the family¡¯s reputation up. However, I am ufortable with how you keep usurping my position by dictating on matters that involve my marriage and my wife. You cross the line every time you do that."


    Father sinks back into his chair with a hardened look on his face. "Where is thising from? Did that woman report me to you or something?" He snickers. "She¡¯s maniptive."


    "Don¡¯t. I won¡¯t hear another word of insult about her. I am the one who has failed her in this marriage. You have no right to insult her consistently simply because she wasn¡¯t born wealthy. She¡¯s still human and she feels pain. Leave her out of this."


    "What exactly did she do to get you all riled up as her knight? Did she allow you to have sex with her or something?"


    I clench my fists and reach his desk. "She didn¡¯t have to. I¡¯ve got all the motivation I need. She¡¯s not my enemy unlike the man who plotted to have my unborn child brutally snatched from this world before I could even learn about my baby¡¯s existence." I enjoy the shocked ze in father¡¯s eyes, a true expression of guilt that need no words.


    Straightening, I shrug my shoulder. "I¡¯ll be taking back the reins of my rtionship. When it has to do with my wife, I have thest say. She wants to go back to work? She will as I permit it. How many bodyguards gets to follow her where? That¡¯s my call. She wants a break from the mansion to visit an ind, I sanction it. I don¡¯t want you interfering in my marriage unless I ask for your help. Do we have an understanding, father?" I ask. My eyes find his face which is hardly recovered from the shocking revtion. I bet from the sting in my eyes that they are red by now.


    "Ashley, you don¡¯t possibly believe..."


    "What I didn¡¯t believe is that Asher could stab me in the back by killing my child. It¡¯s not unlike him but I know how he thinks and I know he would have fessed up to me a little differently than the profuse apology at the hospital. I know my brothers very well father and it turns out that I know you too. That¡¯s how I figured out the true mastermind behind my pain."


    "Ashley, it was an...."


    "ident? That¡¯s what you¡¯re going with, Brett Rollins?" Iugh mockingly. "That¡¯s just rich. You barely make mistakes. You¡¯re always one step ahead of yourpetitors and enemies. Yet, you expect me to believe you identally hired thugs to attack my pregnant wife all within a short time frame? I¡¯m trying so hard not to dwell on your betrayal right now father but if you keep this lie up, we are going to have a family meeting tonight and I will show you just how mad I am about this."


    He inhales and nods his head. "I¡¯ve heard you. I won¡¯t interfere in your life unless you want me to."


    I give him a burning look before swiveling towards the door.


    "Ashley?"


    "Don¡¯t even think of giving Asher any grief because I figured out the truth. Try to be a good father for once and don¡¯t duck behind your son to dodge the me for your own actions." I turn to look at him.


    "Please Ashley, hear me out."


    "No. We are done talking!"


    I know exactly what he was going to say. He would have said everything he did was for my good and that of our family. I am sick of hearing that line. Why does he get to solely decide what is good for everyone?


    Demi is right. I have been living under father¡¯s thumb for far too long. It feels really good to be in charge even if I went there acting like Ashton in my head to stir up my courage. I could get used to this version of Ashley. Not sure if this will be enough for Demi to give me another chance but even if it isn¡¯t, I am d I¡¯ll feel better about myself moving forward.


    When I walk into Asher¡¯s office without knocking, he is chugging some water after swallowing a pill. His eyes bulge with shock at my intrusion and with a few deft movements of his hand, the case containing his pill disappears into his drawer.


    "Ashley? This is a surprise." Hees around to hug me. "You were thest brother who bothered to put a call across before visiting me here. Don¡¯t tell me you¡¯ve changed."


    He doesn¡¯t look well. I feel his forehead.


    "Are you sick? You look sick."


    "Nah, I am fine. I¡¯ve just been dealing with a lot of stress."


    "Is that what the drug was for? Migraine? Insomnia? What¡¯s up with you?"


    Asherughs while pulling me to a seat. "What brings you by?"


    Evasion. That¡¯s never a good sign.


    "I came to see father. He now knows that I am aware of what he did to Demi. Don¡¯t worry. He won¡¯t give you a hard time. I¡¯ll make sure of it."


    "Ok. d that¡¯s out of the way."


    "I want you to forget about visiting Ni for now. You need a lot of rest. She¡¯s my responsibility. I¡¯ll handle the routine checks from now on and Demi will apany me."


    "Are you sure that¡¯s a good idea?"


    "She¡¯s bored out of her mind at home. I know exactly how she feels. She needs to get out more. That¡¯s why she¡¯ll be resuming work soon. She doesn¡¯t have to do much work in front of others. I just want her to reconnect with friends and colleagues."


    "Ashley..."


    "I already told father. I¡¯m not letting anyone dictate how my rtionship thrives. I have taken a lot from Demi. I can¡¯t keep making her suffer and expect her to forgive me. It¡¯s starting to look like Ashal and Olivia¡¯s situation and we both know how bad that ends."


    "Is this about gaining her forgiveness?"


    "This is about me taking responsibility for my life, Asher. Ashal is also married but you don¡¯t see father interfering unnecessarily in his family. Why mine?"


    "The right exnation would be that he fears Ashal."


    "Exactly. Same with Ashton and you too. He knows not to cross the line with you guys but he always walks all over me. I came here to inform him that things will be different from now on. I won¡¯t be hisckey anymore."


    "Happy for you." Asher says, giving me a light pat on the shoulder before he starts coughing.


    "Are you okay?" I ask, jumping to my feet with worry lines etched on my face. Asher continues to dismiss it as something trivial while retreating to his desk to sip some more water. "Asher, what¡¯s going on? You really look pale."


    "I¡¯m fine. Sorry about that."


    "You won¡¯t lie to me, will you? I¡¯m sick of people lying to me, especially my own family. Tell me I have nothing to worry about." He holds my gaze for a few seconds and nods.


    "You have absolutely nothing to worry about. Come on, I¡¯ll see you out."


    By evening, I return to the HQ and wait in the parking lot while most of the employees leave. Asher is one of thest few to leave. When hees down, he looks just as pale as he did earlier. His secretary, Nessa, helps him with his bag as he heads to the VIP parking lot and slides into his car.


    I follow behind them. Where could Nessa be going with him? When we pull into the hospital, I almost clutch my chest. It might not be something serious, I assure myself. Maybe he wants doctor Ezra to do a quick test and rmend effective solutions for his stress. Nessa tries to help Asher but he insists on walking by himself. He is mostly wobbling at this point.


    I rush down from my car and enter the hospital just as Asher branches off to use the men¡¯s room first. Nessa waits at the reception for him. Impatient, I rush to doctor Ezra¡¯s office. If this has been going on, then surely our family doctor must have an idea what could be wrong with my brother.


    "Asher, you¡¯re here." Doctor Ezra utters, standing. "You look better than your text made me believe. I was ready for an emergency."


    I look down at my clothes. Since the whole drama with Ni and Demi, I haven¡¯t cared much about putting the extra touch in my outfits again. I look pretty much like Asher in my designer suit. Before I can make sense of the situation, the doctor is in front of me and pulling my eyelids back.


    "I need to do an MRI. Let¡¯s hope the tumor hasn¡¯t be cancerous. You¡¯re doing this surgery today or I¡¯m telling your entire family. I mean it."


    My heart thuds in my chest. "Tumor?"


    Doctor Ezra gives me a double take. "Oh no. You¡¯re not Asher."


    Just then, his door shoves open and a sweaty Asher braces a weak hand against it. "No, he¡¯s not." His eyes roll back before he crashes to the floor amidst Nessa¡¯s screams.

 Chapter 126

    <h4>Chapter 126: Chapter 126</h4>


    ASHTON


    "What do you mean by you¡¯re not sure if you can ever forgive me?" M yells in my face in her home. "Did you already forget the part where I exined this was all Demi¡¯s plot? I told you that she came up with it herself for goodness¡¯ sake! You¡¯ve always asked me to empathize with the woman and when I tried, sheid out a condition before she could trust me. Since she isn¡¯t actually pregnant and stands no chance of getting hurt, I yed along. Why can¡¯t you let it go?"


    "That¡¯s not the point, M. Yes, Demi isn¡¯t really pregnant. Yes, I asked you be kinder towards her, to empathize with her but I didn¡¯t expect you to go along with such a silly n knowing the ripple effect it will have on my family. I expected you to know better than to stir up another negative report about my family like we don¡¯t already have enough to deal withtely. What happened to knowing more about families like minepared to Demi? Would you have done the same if it was going to affect Spellman Group?"


    "Don¡¯t go that far. It was nothing malicious so don¡¯t paint it like I have something against your family. I just wanted to get into Demi¡¯s good graces, earn her trust somewhat so I can connect with her. If she knows she has a friend in the house, don¡¯t you think her life would be easier? Don¡¯t you think she would be less miserable in that mansion? I did all of that for you because I know you would be happy if she is happy."


    "Don¡¯t spin this on me."


    "I¡¯m sorry love but as long as it involves her, it will alwayse right back to you. You made certain of that." She paces around in only a sweater and white lingerie. "I have tried, Ashton. I have twisted myself in ufortable shapes just to please you. I am even on the verge of befriending the woman my fianc¨¦ is in love with. What more could you ask of me? How understanding can a woman be? Yet, you stand here and choose to point fingers at me alone. I bet you sympathized with Demi above all else. Did she cry on your shoulder?" She shakes her head. "She can never be wrong in your eyes, is that it? Or, you¡¯re desperate for any kind of excuse to call off our engagement."


    "Now you¡¯re taking it too far!"


    "Am I?" She sidles up to me and ces both hands on my chest. Gradually, they slide down. "We¡¯ve been engaged for weeks and I don¡¯t even remember thest time you kissed me or made love to me. Why do I feel like this is peculiar to me? Are you really that uninterested in your future wife or is there someone else you jerk off to while alone?"


    When I try to wrench her hands away, she slides them down and grabs my dick.


    "M, you¡¯re just evading the issue here. I don¡¯t have time for this."


    "Then make time. I have needs, Ashton and by this ring on our fingers, you¡¯re meant to satisfy them. She yanks me down with her and captures my lips with hers.


    ***


    "I take it I am forgiven?" She says with a seductive flutter of her eyshes while I zip up my pants. I can¡¯t even be mad at her. I feel so much limber and rxed. I needed that to ease off the stress of thest couple of days. When she runs her hand over my bare chest and leaves a trail of wet kisses, my blood starts to hum with desire again. Gently, I push her back. I am really runningte.


    "I¡¯ve got an appointment."


    "Call me as soon as you¡¯re done. Don¡¯t even try to ghost me." Her hands wrap around my neck. "Promise me you¡¯ll miss me. I wish I didn¡¯t have to go for this stupid business meeting."


    "That¡¯s the price you have to pay for being M Spellman."


    "Then I can¡¯t wait to be M Rollins so we can have sessions like thest fifteen minutes whenever we damn please."


    I didn¡¯t mean to look indifferent or unexcited but M catches on and lets her hands slip from my neck.


    "Wow, Ash, you can at least pretend to be gleeful."


    "Hey, it¡¯s not that." I assure her, snagging her waist with one hand. "I¡¯m sorry. I wish I could be cheerful but things haven¡¯t been going great with my familytely. We are always on the news for the wrong reasons. Internally, we are dealing with a lot of as you know. I just can¡¯t allow myself think selfishly about my own happiness right now. My family needs me more right now. I¡¯ll call you, okay?" I kiss her fully on the lips. "Thank you for helping with Demi. I hope you can sway her to stay in line in the meantime."


    "I am no magician but I¡¯ll give it a try."


    "That¡¯ll do." She winks at me before I leave.


    I was being honest when I said I felt selfish thinking of my own happinesstely. Everything is going south in my family. My kid brothers are out of control. Cree called to tell me Ashal left his penthouse and definitely went to see Madeline. He hasn¡¯t been taking my calls ever since, same with Ashley and Asher. Everyone seems to have gone haywire. To top it all, father is closing in on Adriana¡¯s existence which I can¡¯t have.


    I take a breather and head for Keith¡¯s farm house. He might have been ignoring me but I doubt he would be able to keep that up once he sees me at his house.


    "You have some ballsing back here." He spits with venom when I park outside the gate. If looks could kill, I would have been dead. I check my own temper and try to be understanding of his. "TURN THE FUCK AROUND."


    I get down from my car instead and circle towards him. "Keith, let me in. I can exin everything. It¡¯s not what you think."


    "Are you calling me blind and stupid?"


    "No. I¡¯m trying to tell you that I got an emergency just as I got to the meeting point. It was urgent. You know how desperate I have been to meet my sister. Do you really think I will bail on her without a good cause just when my dream is about to be fulfilled?"


    "I don¡¯t care what excuses you have. The deal is off."


    I grab his shoulder roughly and pull him back. "No, it isn¡¯t. I don¡¯t get your desperation to keep Adriana away from my brothers and I but I am telling you now that I will meet with her one way or the other. Everyone makes mistakes. You are not perfect yourself. You drew a picture of her even when she warned you not to. Does she know about the portrait? How do you think she¡¯ll feel?"


    He shoves at me. "FUCK YOU. SHE¡¯LL NEVER BELIEVE YOUR WORD OVER MINE."


    "Maybe not. That¡¯s not my point. If you¡¯re allowed to hurt her feelings for reasons you deem noble as her big brother, why don¡¯t I get the same chance? Why do I have to lose her at the slightest infraction? That¡¯s not how family works, Keith. People fuck up all the time but family remains. It¡¯ll take a whole lot more than your threats to scare me away from my sister because I am not going anywhere."


    Keith and I exchange hot res while standing nose to nose.


    "She is no longer interested in meeting you." He lies.


    "Bullshit. She agreed to a meeting faster than I expected. That tells me it¡¯s sort of a dream of hers. She wants her family back. Dreams are not that easy to discard, Keith. I know she¡¯ll still be interested in meeting me."


    "You know nothing about her!"


    "We¡¯ll see about that." When he turns around to return inside, I yell after him. "Don¡¯t stand in my way Keith. I don¡¯t want to have to resort to extreme measures to smoke my sister out."


    He only res at me.


    When he¡¯s a long way ahead, I open my palm to find the phone I had pilfered from his pocket when I grabbed him. With a few tricks, I override his security key and scroll through his contacts. With the lock on his phone, I¡¯m certain he wouldn¡¯t mind saving Adriana¡¯s number with her name as he is convinced very few people can beat his security key. I copy Adriana¡¯s contact details but before I can scroll through their chats, Keith starts to frisk himself for his phone. I toss the phone on the grass for Keith to find when he returns and climb back into my car to leave.


    [Where the fuck is everybody?] I text in the quad group chat after putting a reasonable distance between me and Keith. Am I missing something? Did we have an arrangement and I forgot all about it?


    When I don¡¯t get a response, I shelve my worries and immediately dial Adriana¡¯s number with bated breath. She doesn¡¯t pick up at first and I immediately understand why. Of course she would be wary of answering calls from unknown numbers.


    I try one more time and n to send a text to rify my identity if she fails to pick up again. Before the ring tone can pse, she picks up.


    "Hello?" she voices softly. I am temporarily astounded to follow back with a quick reply. "Hello?"


    "Adriana, it¡¯s your big brother, Ashton Rollins. Please don¡¯t hang up." I wait a beat to make sure and continue. "I¡¯m so sorry about thest time. I had an unavoidable emergency. I didn¡¯t mean to stand you up. I¡¯m deeply sorry for hurting your feelings."


    "How did you get my number?" She asks nervously.


    "Oh, I got it off Keith. Look, before you call him, I just wanted to know if you¡¯re still interested in meeting me and eventually, your other three older brothers. We have so much to catch up on. Please, Keith isn¡¯t letting me talk to you so I had to get your number off his phone while he was distracted. Adriana, we are also your family. I am asking for onest chance. I promise to make it worth your while and if you don¡¯t want anything to do with us after our meeting, I won¡¯t bother you again, I give you my word."


    She remains eerily quiet. Is she shy or contemting. I wish she could speak more so I can get an inkling of what she¡¯s thinking in her head.


    "I have to speak to my brother first."


    "Ok. I totally understand."


    The reference to Keith as her brother makes me feel weird. Maybe I am starting to feel how Keith feels because four rich and handsome strangers have appeared to im his little sister as their own.


    "Can I keep this number though? Just in case?"


    "You can." That response brightens my face.


    "Thank you, Adriana. I¡¯ll be waiting for your call."


    Well, that didn¡¯t go so badly, I thought until Keith starts blowing up my phone barely five minutester. The big bad wolf must now be aware of the little pickpocket game I pulled on him.


    "Look, I wouldn¡¯t have resorted to that if you had just..."


    "You¡¯ve got one more chance. Consider it yourst."


    "What?"


    "Adriana still wants to meet. I don¡¯t know what you said to her but she wants to get this over and done with."


    My chest explodes with happiness. Finally, today is going right for once.


    "Um, wow, I am flustered. Thank you or thank her? I don¡¯t know." I run a hand over my hair. "When can we meet?" An iing call buzzes. I ignore Ashley¡¯s call and continue with Keith. I have to wrap this up. Little bro can wait.


    "Apparently, you are busier than everyone else, not so? Too bad. Clear your schedule and be back at my ce in an hour. Adriana won¡¯t be staying long."


    "Ok." He hangs up before I can get another word in. Never mind, I am beyond thrilled to share everything with the quads. Asher will feel less guilty about ruining our first shot. This might take Ashley and Ashal¡¯s minds off the women in their heads. Another calles in from Ashal.


    "Oh now, you all want to talk?" Iugh as each brother jostles for my attention. When M¡¯s calles through, I ignore the rest to reply to her because I said I would.


    "Hey."


    "That¡¯s a surprise. I expected to get ignored as usual. You must have been really impressed with me earlier today." I smile as I set off for Keith¡¯s. I am not waiting an hour. I¡¯ll be at his ce when Adriana arrives.


    "I¡¯m in high spirits, yes."


    "Will I see you again today?"


    "That depends on how fast I can finish my work for the day. Right now, you¡¯re kind of distracting me."


    "This is no distraction. You should wait until you see the pics I am sending to your phone."


    I gulp when the photos arrive. "M, I¡¯m driving. This isn¡¯t safe." I reply breathlessly. My brothers continue to call and it pisses me off a bit. Why can¡¯t they leave a damn message so I know if it¡¯s urgent? "I have to go now. My brothers are calling me. It seems urgent."


    "Ok. Talkter."


    I hang up and return Ashal¡¯s call because I need to know if he has fucked up with Madeline once more.


    "WHERE THE HELL HAVE YOU BEEN? DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW BAD THIS CAN GO IF YOU DON¡¯T LISTEN TO ME? TELL ME YOU DIDN¡¯T RUN OFF TO SEE MADELINE FOR GOODNESS¡¯ SAKE."


    "Ash, Maddie knows." He voices, tensed.


    I refuse to panic. "What? She knows what, Ashal?"


    "She knows I have something to do with her boyfriend¡¯s death. She figured out that I had been present at her dorm, watching them on hisst day alive."


    I peel the phone off my ear and pound my steering wheel with both hands.


    "I told you to stay put. What have you done now, Ashal? Alfie¡¯s older brother is in the fucking police force and digging thoroughly about his brother¡¯s death because he knows Alfie was no druggie. Do you think Madeline would keep quiet about this while her dead boyfriend¡¯s brother haunts her for questions? Why do you have toplicate things all the time?"


    "I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m so sorry. I should have listened to Cree, to you."


    Ashley¡¯s calles in again and I get even more furious.


    "You all like to call me only when shit huts the fan but not before. Darn it Ashal!" I yell angrily at him.


    "Ashley¡¯s calling. I¡¯m hanging up now. Get back to the mansion and STAY THERE. I have business to attend to. I¡¯ll sort this all out when I get back."


    Can my day get any worse? Because I know Ashley is probably calling for some other reason that will mess me up, I ignore it and continue to Keith¡¯s house. I need my head straight for when I meet my sister.


    Keith doesn¡¯t look surprised when I arrive earlier than instructed."


    "You couldn¡¯t wait, could you?"


    "And give you a chance to make her change her mind? Hell no!" I scan the area. It¡¯s always so peaceful here except for the asional cries of the animals. "I don¡¯t see your parents."


    "They went out of town for a bit."


    Iugh at that. "If I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d think you are hiding them from me."


    "Well, good thing you know better."


    We go inside and he offers me what he considers the best wine in his home. I appreciate the thought but at the same time, I don¡¯t want the gap between our financial standing to be the focus of my visit today. We engage in idle talk to kill time while Adriana is on her way.


    "So, you¡¯re still not going to tell me what emergency that was?"


    "It¡¯s a private matter." I reply.


    "I bet it is when Brett Rollins himself is involved." I crane my neck sharply at hisment. "You don¡¯t think I am stupid, do you?" He drops his ss. "I saw him. I know his damn customized te number. Did you bring your dad for a drive through to see Adriana or was that purely an ident? Are you conniving with him to find and hurt her?"


    My fingers tighten around the stem of my ss. If he considers my father a threat to Adriana, then Keith knows a lot more about Adriana¡¯s past than he lets on. I am guessing my sister didn¡¯t exactly share with him so he must have had other means to uncover the truth.


    As I look at him, I wonder if he is Cree¡¯s source. Did he lure me here using Cree? Is this all an act to expose my family?


    "You consider my father a threat to my sister¡¯s safety? Why would he want to hurt his daughter, Keith?" His face falls as he didn¡¯t mean to let that out. I give a small smile. "Like I said, I had an emergency. I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going on in your head but you should share with me if you want me to understand." Swirling my wine, I sip some more. Right now, it tastes like shit.


    When Ashley¡¯s textes in, I drop my ss on the new carpet. Keith yelps to his feet, yelling cusses at me for ruining his mother¡¯s new carpet but I am too distracted to acknowledge his insults. I leap to my feet, my eyes red and misty.


    [Asher¡¯s been hospitalized. He was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Doctor Ezra and other specialists are performing surgery on him right now in the ICU. Please hurry here. It¡¯s not looking good, Ashton. We were asked to prepare for the worst. We could lose him.]


    Keith takes one look at me. "What now? Another emergency? Hey, Ashton, don¡¯t even think about bailing. This is yourst chance, I swear it."


    I nce at him as my eyes sting.


    "I need to go. One of my brothers¡¯ is battling for his life."


    "How convenient. Go on. You had your chance. Don¡¯te back."


    I ignore him and dash for the door. When I pull the knob, Adriana¡¯s hand is poised to knock. We lock eyes for seconds. My little sister. She¡¯s everything I pictured. Nervously, she drops her hand down and backs away, a wee bit shy. Keithes up behind me.


    "He¡¯s got to run, Ana. Another emergency apparently. He¡¯s got more important business to attend to."


    Something akin to sadness washes over Adriana¡¯s eyes as she turns to me. Her disappointment hits my already aching heart. I hate to do this but I have a difficult choice to make here; stay and catch up with my long-lost sister or run off to see my brother who¡¯s battling for his life.


    Adriana continues to stare at me with hope filled eyes that will gradually fade to pain the longer I take.


    "Is that true?" Her soft voice asks. I nod grimly. She dips her eyes but not before I see the tears in them, then steps to the side to let me through, avoiding my eyes. My heart is pounding furiously as I struggle against this dilemma.


    I inhale deeply and make my choice. I hope I will be forgiven.

 Chapter 127

    <h4>Chapter 127: Chapter 127</h4>


    ASHAL


    I am such an idiot. Everything was going so well. Why did I have to open my big mouth to ask dumb questions about a dead guy? Why was I desperate to know what ticks her fancy when choosing boyfriends? Does it really matter? It¡¯s NEVER going to be ME! I know that so why did I push for answers still?


    Maddie had gasped in shock when I didn¡¯t reply her with a speedy NO after she asked about me being present the day her boyfriend had died. She clutched her chest and staggered away from me, shooting up a hand when I tried to follow her.


    "Maddie..."


    "NO! STAY AWAY!" She had shrieked as tears formed in her eyes. I was dying inside because of the look of fear in her eyes. I couldn¡¯t have her be afraid of me and somehow, that was all that mattered in that moment. I took a few steps till I closed the distance between us, against her wish. When I grabbed her hand, her eyes dted in shock and a nervous scream worked its way up her throat. Quickly, I blocked it by mping my other hand over her mouth.


    "Don¡¯t look at me like that, Maddie. What the hell are you thinking right now? You¡¯re very wrong, ok, and if you would stop your imaginations from running wild, I¡¯ll tell you the truth." Her eyes softened as she listened to me. Goodness, I felt like ice water flowed from my head to my toes when she pulled her face away from my hand but didn¡¯t scream.


    "You were here." She voiced firmly.


    I inhaled. "I was but only because I was worried about you. I came to see how you were doing and ran into that little scene right here in front of your dorm. I didn¡¯t want to interrupt. Seeing that you were faring well after the whole kidnapping incident put my mind at peace. I was only slightly ufortable watching the strange guy touch you inappropriately. I didn¡¯t know at the time that he was your boyfriend. I just thought he was someone you were passing time with to get over everything you had been through."


    "What?"


    "I know. I¡¯m sorry. I just figured you wouldn¡¯t go for someone like that when interested in having a boyfriend. Forgive me. I guess I don¡¯t know you as well as I thought. I don¡¯t mean to be judgmental. I am no saint myself. I¡¯m sorry about my bias."


    Maddie peered deeply at me. I could clearly see her struggling to believe my words.


    "Why did you react like that upon learning that I had been here to see you even though it wasn¡¯t the first time?" I ask, pulling my best ¡¯I feel hurt¡¯ face. "Did you immediately think I had something to do with what had happened to yourte boyfriend?" This time, it was MY turn to back away, feigning shock and anger. Maddie fell for it and turned apologetic.


    I made my way back to my car while she trotted after me.


    "Mr. Ashal, it¡¯s not like that."


    "Then what exactly was that reaction, Maddie? Did you really think...I can¡¯t believe you." Actual tears stung my eyes. I turned to her. We were inches apart now and though some students were strolling in and out of the dorm, neither of us broke eye contact. It was getting dark outside.


    "Do you honestly believe that I could do something like that? Is this because of what happened at Hunter¡¯s house?"


    "No, no. Nothing happened at Hunter¡¯s. You only defended me."


    I ignored her patronizing remark. "I know I lose it sometimes but I am not a deranged monster. I had feared Hunter had hurt you and that¡¯s the only reason I attacked him. I feared I was toote to save you!" I grabbed her chin with both hands. "I couldn¡¯t bear the thought of losing you, Maddie. That¡¯s why I snapped and here you are thinking I go about killing people? You¡¯ve hurt me more than you could ever know."


    I hadn¡¯t nned to go that far or say that much but in the heat of the moment, some truth slipped and I went with the flow. Maddie closed her hands over mine before I could let them fall from her face.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m really sorry, Mr. Ashal. You saved me from Hunter. I didn¡¯t mean to let my past recollection of my sister¡¯ first encounter with you cloud my reasoning."


    "You will always think me a monster at the end of the day, won¡¯t you?"


    "NO."


    I pull my hands away. "It¡¯s okay. I brought this on myself. No woman will ever see me as anything more. I will learn to live with that."


    I spun to return to my car when strong hands yanked my cor and pulled me back. I had only seconds to process anything before Maddie nted a soft, brief kiss on my lips. I guessed it was spurred by the desire to snap me out of mymentation for a moment. I blinked at her in surprise.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Ashal. Please forgive me. Please."


    I pulled her close and smashed my lips on hers. At first, a ripple of shock coursed through her body but she rxed in my arms momentster and even fisted a hand in my hair as we leaned into the kiss and lost ourselves in it for a bit.


    I knew I would feel guiltyter for taking advantage of her like that but in the moment, I imagined what it would be like to have her melting in my arms every day, to be the guy in her life if the universe would permit it. It felt really good imagining all the possibilities until Maddie broke the kiss.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I got carried away." I panted with flushed cheeks.


    "It¡¯s okay." She replied, nervously looking around. One student was lurking. When Maddie locked eyes with her, she shook her head and went into the dorm. "Oh shit."


    "What¡¯s wrong?"


    "That girl, she saw us."


    "And?"


    But Maddie was already hastening after the strange girl. I pulled her arm back.


    "What¡¯s wrong?"


    "She¡¯s myte boyfriend¡¯s cousin. She must hate me now." With that, she bolted from my grip, calling after the strange girl possibly to exin herself. I stood there and watched her go. Instead of reeling with guilt over cheating on my wife, I kept reliving the kiss in my head and blocking out the lies that got me there.


    The sound of flushing cuts me out of my thoughts as a guy gets out of the toilet and joins me by the sink to wash his hands. I wash my hands as well, ssh some cold water on my face to awaken me to reality before leaving the restroom to find Ashley in the hospital VIP waiting room.


    When I got his call regarding Asher¡¯s health, I honestly thought it was a prank. Asher never falls sick. That¡¯s a rarity for him but after getting to the hospital and assessing the situation, I have beenforting Ashley while we wait for Ashton to arrive.


    I never got the chance to inform Ashton that I managed to quell Maddie¡¯s suspicions. I don¡¯t think he will be impressed but it¡¯s worth the shot to calm his nerves regarding everything that¡¯s been going wrong all day. I don¡¯t want him seething over my fucked-up situation while worrying about Asher¡¯s condition.


    "Have you informed father?" I ask Ashley for the first time. Before now, we sat in pensive silence for over twenty minutes since I arrived. He casts a weak side nce at Nessa who is huddled in a chair across from us with a tear-stained face.


    "She won¡¯t let me inform our parents, at least not yet. Asher won¡¯t like it, she says. He kept his condition away from our family for a reason. I agree with her on that. Let¡¯s wait till the doctor confirms that he is out of the woods and then we can call father and mother."


    I nod at that. Sounds very much like Asher. He hates to be perceived as weak. He also hates hospitals and takes good care of his health so he doesn¡¯t have to end up in one. I guess the tumor was out of his control.


    Poor Asher. He must have been scared to share his condition with us to avoid our pity. How did he manage all these months to put up a brave face in front of us while secretly battling a brain tumor?


    I run my hands over my hair. Suddenly, the thought of Maddie learning the truth of her ex-boyfriend¡¯s death pales in significance to my brother¡¯s condition. I know that my family can always find a way to exonerate me even if the truthes out one day but if we lose Asher, there¡¯s noing back from that. The very fabric of our familial bond will be ruptured. The quads will be short of one brother. We can¡¯t possibly make it without Asher¡¯s guidance and leadership.


    I don¡¯t realize tears are streaming down my cheeks until Demi bursts through the door. She surveys the VIP waiting room before walking up to Ashley who looks distraught with grief.


    "How is he?" She asks, keeping a small distance between them.


    "Still in surgery." Ashley¡¯s voice breaks but he pulls a strong face. "It¡¯s been hours but I am choosing to trust doctor Ezra and the other specialists assisting him. He won¡¯t let anything bad happen to Asher." He grinds his teeth. "He won¡¯t or father will skin him alive."


    Demi and I exchange baffled nces at the anger swirling in Ashley¡¯s eyes before thetter turns to me to exin.


    "Doctor Ezra knew about Asher¡¯s condition this whole time! Can you fucking believe it? He¡¯s more than our family doctor for goodness¡¯ sake; he¡¯s a family friend! I get why Nessa kept mum about everything. Asher must have warned her not to say a peep about it but doctor Ezra? The least he could have done was convince our brother to have the surgery sooner. Why wait till it got worse and he passed out cold in my fucking arms?"


    I wrap my hands around him as his body quakes with emotion.


    "I thought we had lost him, Ashal." Ashley cries. "I really feared he had died in my arms."


    There¡¯s an uncertain look on Demi¡¯s face as she watches her husband break down in tears. I look at her and instantly decipher it; guilt. Guilt over what? Is she feeling bad for her sour rtionship with Asher who¡¯s now battling for his life or did she know about his health condition too but told no one? My bet is on thetter because she works with Asher. She must have stumbled into him behaving weird or sighted a few clues as to his health.


    I shake my head. How can I me her? I literally live with my brother and spend the most time with himpared to Demi yet his condition got past me.


    Someone pokes a head into the waiting room. Anna. From the corner of my eye, I see Nessa jump to her feet and head for the door. She intercepts Anna before the poor girl can join us in the room. When Demi reads the situation and attempts to go after Nessa, I call her back.


    "Stay with him, please. He needs you." I plead, gesturing to her husband who is still whimpering. I can tell Demi is torn between going to defend her best friend and consoling her husband.


    "I¡¯ll handle it." I assure him, casting a nce at the door. She nods sagely and reces me on the seat next to Ashley who proceeds to lean on her shoulder, breathing softly. I watch her stroke his back and whisper assurances in his ear that Asher will be fine.


    Outside, Nessa¡¯s mascara smudged face is inches away from Anna¡¯s.


    "What do you mean?" Anna asks, ring at her. "I¡¯m here to see Asher."


    "You can¡¯t be here." Nessa reiterates with fire in her eyes. "This is a private matter within the family. The media can¡¯t get a whiff of this. Mr. and Mrs. Rollins will be here soon and you¡¯d be hard-pressed to find a good excuse for your presence here."


    "Let me worry about that." Anna replies but when she tries to sidestep Nessa, thetter yanks her arm back. "Keep your grubby hands off me!" Anna growls.


    "What exactly are you here as, huh? A friend of Demi¡¯s or Asher¡¯s fling? Have some shame and go home. You don¡¯t need to be here."


    I watch the twodies go at it and wonder what I should say to break this up.


    "And what exactly is your excuse for being here?" Anna fires back at Nessa. "You¡¯re just his secretary!"


    "You and I know I am way more than that to him. The difference between us in that regard is that my other rtionship with him is no secret from his family, especially his father! However, I am not here because of that. I knew about Asher¡¯s condition from the start. I brought him here for his surgery today. I have every right to be here when he wakes up. Can you say the same before his family?"


    Anna¡¯s moistens her lips but says nothing.


    "Ladies, please." I interrupt, approaching them. "This is a hospital and my brother is fighting for his life. Thest thing I will tolerate is this banter over who should see him or not." I turn to Anna. "Nessa is right. No one knows my brother is in the operating theatre right now. I¡¯d like to keep this within my family. You can alwayse back to see him when hees to but now is not a good time. I¡¯m sorry, Anna. I¡¯ll let him know you stopped by when he pulls through."


    Anna blinks away her tears, gives Nessa a hot re before stomping away. Just then, Ashley storms outside, fuming.


    "What¡¯s wrong?" I quickly ask, going to him. Demies out and she looks miffed too.


    "She also knew about Asher¡¯s condition." Ashley blurts out jabbing a finger in Demi¡¯s direction. He turns to her. "I¡¯m your husband and his brother! YOU SHOULD HAVE CONFIDED IN ME. DID YOU HATE ME AND HIM SO MUCH YOU DIDN¡¯T CARE TO TELL ME HE WAS DYING KNOWING FULLY WELL THAT I COULD HAVE SWAYED HIM TO HAVE HIS SURGERY EARLIER? WERE YOU HOPING HIS INDIFFERENCE TOWARDS HIS HEALTH WOULD LEAD TO HIS DEATH SO YOU CAN FEEL AVENGED?"


    I stare in shock at Demi. Howe all the women around Asher seem to know about his condition but not his brothers?


    "I told you he threatened me not to say anything!" Demi replies defensively. "He also mentioned that he was taking care of it. How was I supposed to know it was this bad? Why are you yelling at me and making ridiculous insinuations? Look, I understand that you¡¯re hurting but throwing mes at me won¡¯t make you feel better. Don¡¯t paint me as the bad guy here."


    "She¡¯s right, Ashley. We can¡¯t afford to apportion mes right now. WE ARE HIS BROTHERS. WE SHOULD HAVE NOTICED. WE SHOULD HAVE KNOWN. THE FAULT IS OURS ALONE FOR BEING SO CLOSE TO HIM AND YET FAILING TO SEE THE SIGNS."


    Ashley wipes his eyes and returns back to the waiting room. Nessa hustles after him.


    "Where¡¯s Anna?" Demi asks, looking around.


    "She felt like she was intruding and promised to stop by when Asher pulls through. I thought it was best since..." My phone beeps, distracting me. "Shit! How is the media already apprised of the situation? News of a certain health challenge striking our family is blowing up online. Some people here must have leaked photos of us rushing in here to the media." I look up at Demi, cussing under my breath.


    "Father will hear soon. He¡¯lle rushing with mother. Shit. Asher isn¡¯t out yet. This is a mess."


    "They were bound to find out anyway. Why don¡¯t you worry less about the media for now and more about Asher. Oh, herees doctor Ezra."


    I look up as doctor Ezra approaches us still in his scrubs. Ashley and Nessa rush out of the waiting room to join us.


    "How¡¯s he?" Ashley asks. "Is Asher okay? Tell me he made it."


    "Calm down, boys." The doctor takes a gulp of air. "I believe the worst part is over. The surgery was sessful. Your brother is being transferred to his room now but he won¡¯t be conscious for a few more hours. We have to wait for him toe to so as to check for side effects."


    I exhale deeply. "I am just d he made it through the surgery. Thank you doctor."


    "You¡¯re wee."


    I pull Ashley away to inform him about the media disaster. Again, I beg Demi to keep himpany while I make a few calls. Nessa insists on going to Asher¡¯s room to sit with him but I refuse and ask her to go home instead. Stubbornly, she insists on staying put in the waiting room till we can all go see Asher together. I don¡¯t argue it.


    In thirty minutes, the hospital entrance gradually has a pool of journalists lingering, their cameras ready to take snapshots of my family. I try reaching Ashton on phone but his line isn¡¯t going through.


    "Where the fuck are you, Ashton? I need you here. I can¡¯t deal with this by myself." I mutter while stifling the urge to chuck my phone against the wall. He would know how to handle this with a cool head. That has always been a flex for him and Asher. Ashley and I on the other hand aren¡¯t built that way. We mostly crumble during stressful situations.


    Father¡¯s calles through and I immediately know Ashley must have ignored our old man¡¯s call first before my number was dialed. I ignore it too and find a quiet space to take a breather while waiting for Ashton. Just then, a message beeps into my phone.


    It¡¯s from my wife, Olivia.


    [We need to talk. It¡¯s about Maddie]


    Shit. Not now.

 Chapter 128

    <h4>Chapter 128: Chapter 128</h4>


    DEMI


    "Are you sure you¡¯re ok? You suddenly disappeared from the hospital."


    Anna drags a deep breath on her end of the line. "I¡¯m fine. I¡¯ll be back to see him some other time."


    I can¡¯t help but feel like she¡¯s hiding something from me.


    "Did someone say something to you, Nessa perhaps? Anna, if that¡¯s the case..."


    "No, Demi, it¡¯s nothing like that." Another indulgent sigh. "I don¡¯t know if I can be around him yet. I rushed after you when you got the call but I am not prepared. I know Asher and I ended things on a very rough note but before we even got together, I always promised him I¡¯d be there for him when he finally booked his surgery. He used to worry that he¡¯d be alone at the hospital and I assured him he¡¯d wake up after the surgery and I¡¯d be by his bedside. I broke that promise for good reason but seeing Nessa at the hospital today and learning that she had brought him there...I don¡¯t know how that makes me feel."


    I exhale deeply. "You don¡¯t have to force yourself to hate him on my ount, Anna."


    "I don¡¯t hate him. I strongly dislike him at best and that is owing to the fact that he betrayed you and I. However, I can¡¯t seem to hold on to that dislike seeing his condition. I would love to be there when he wakes up but not with his entire family in the room. I¡¯d like a moment with him if only to fulfil the promise I made to him. I think he¡¯d appreciate it if I do. He would understand if I don¡¯t visit but I feel like he would be hopeful that I do."


    "That can easily be arranged. You have nothing to worry about. I¡¯ll let you know when the coast is clear."


    "Thank you." The sound of sheets rustling follows. "What¡¯s going on over there? Have your inws arrived? Liam is hitting hard with his posts on Billion-Err. I hope you aren¡¯t being suspected for it."


    I crane my neck to reaffirm that I am alone in the restroom.


    "I don¡¯t think so. Ashley is pissed at me and Ashal is distracted. We¡¯ll have to wait for Brett and his wife to get here to know if any me or usation makes it my way."


    "How about Ni? Has she contacted you since then?"


    "No." I shake my head and y with the running water from the faucet which I intentionally flicked on to coat the details of my phone call. "I can¡¯t reach her on the same number with which she called me thest time. I am worried. I managed to sway Ashley to let me join him in visiting her but then Asher copsed. I¡¯m sorry but his timing sucks. I need hard evidence. I am running out of ying cards."


    "I¡¯m sure Liam is working on something."


    "It¡¯s MY revenge n. I can¡¯t leave it up to chance. I have to make it happen no matter what. I¡¯m running out of time. I don¡¯t think I can wait six months. I have to find a way to deliver my revenge and be done with the Rollins."


    Anna remains silent for a few seconds. "Is this about Ashton? His uing wedding with M must be a hard pill to swallow."


    "I couldn¡¯t care less who he married or when. Sure, it stings to see him with her but as time passes, that¡¯s no longer as painful to watch. I am more worried about losing my rage the longer I take to execute my revenge. I have to avenge my parents without batting an eyelid, just like Brett and his family do when they trample on people¡¯s lives."


    The sound of the entrance door to the female restroom swinging open cuts me off. Ady rushes in, crying profusely. She looks startled to see me. Before I can say Jack, she locks herself in one of the stalls and bawls her eyes out. I stand a bit perplexed.


    "Turn the damn faucet off. You¡¯re wasting water!" She croaks out from behind the door. When I end my call and turn off the water, she resumes her wailing. Indifferent, I slip my phone in my bag and walk away.


    When I return to the waiting room, I am informed that my inws already arrived and they were now consulting with doctor Ezra in his office. With a lot of restraint, I refrain from rolling my eyes as I backtrack to the doctor¡¯s office.


    "What do you mean by that? He¡¯s been living with it for months and you didn¡¯t deem it necessary to tell me?" I hear father yelling at his friend, the doctor. One of the specialists who assisted doctor Ezra, a youngdy in her early to mid-twenties, stands with her head bowed next to her superior. Silently, I let myself into the office and stand mute by the door.


    Mother is sunken on the couch, tears streaming down her face. She is nked by M to the left and Ashal to her right, both of whom continue to console her. Ashley ispeting with his father in staring daggers at the poor doctor for keeping Asher¡¯s secret irrespective of the fact that the doctor was right to keep his adult patient¡¯s medical info confidential.


    "I¡¯m sorry Mr. Rollins but Asher is not an infant. He is my patient. It was my duty to keep our sessions confidential. Beyond our rtionship as doctor and patient, I encouraged him as a friend of the family to have the surgery on time but despite taking the horse to the stream, I couldn¡¯t force it to drink. You know how stubborn your son can be. I did my very best to sway him but his phobia got the best of him."


    "You should have told me, Ezra." Father interjects with red rimmed eyes. I actually find it astonishing that he looks deeply hurt and just a tad bit scared. "I could have lost my son today. Would you have had the heart to tell me this load of bullshit? I don¡¯t care if you have to strap him to the damn table and induce him with anesthetics to get the procedure done. I EXPECT YOU TO SAVE MY BOYS¡¯ LIVES HOWEVER YOU CAN. I¡¯LL HELP YOU DEAL WITH WHATEVER CONSEQUENCES MIGHT ARISE FROM YOUR ACTIONS AS LONG AS THE MOTIVE WAS TO SAVE THE LIFE OF MY SON." He shakes his head regrettably. "I am highly disappointed in you."


    "Mr. Rollins, if I may..." Doctor Ezra cuts off the young doctor with a hand on her wrist. Her eyebrows sh up at him, miffed at the restraint.


    "Stay out of this, Erin."


    "But dad...." Said Erin protests.


    "Keep quiet!"


    I look between the doctors and start to note the resemnce. I had no idea the doctor had a child that also practiced medicine. Erin apologizes and drops her head. Someone raps on the door and informs us that Asher is finally awake. This helps to diffuse the tension in the room as Ashley bolts out the door, almost knocking me to the side. Father follows suit but not before giving me a hasty, displeased nce.


    M and Ashal help mother to her feet.


    "Where¡¯s Ashton?" She asks worriedly.


    "He¡¯s on his way. He¡¯s held up in traffic." Ashal quickly responds. I don¡¯t know if he¡¯s lying to calm his mother¡¯s nerves or telling the truth. Where exactly is Ashton by the way? It¡¯s unlike him to not have showed up here especially given the gravity of Asher¡¯s condition.


    When everyone files out, I step forward and apologize to the doctor and his daughter on behalf of the family before we all head over to see Asher. Just then, my phone rings on the way. I slow down to take the call while the doctors rush ahead of me.


    "Liam? This isn¡¯t really a good time." I whisper into the phone.


    I may have some grievances against my brother-inw but it won¡¯t look good making that painfully obvious around the hospital by appearing nonchnt over his condition, such as being on my phone while the rest of the family are huddled around Asher¡¯s sick bed.


    "I¡¯m keeping up. Of course, I know what it¡¯s like over there." He replies crankily. "Do you want to know the result of the DNA tests run for Brett and his quads or not?"


    My eyes quirk up. "Tell me."


    My legs almost buckle as he exins everything to me. I knew there was a possibility that it woulde out negative but having it confirmed is a different thing. All I can think of right now is how we can use this information to our benefit.


    "So, they must be adopted?" I ask him. That will hardly create a huge buzz. It won¡¯t be a big deal if Brett legally adopted the quads as his children.


    "Who¡¯s adopted?"


    My phone almost slips from my hand as I whirl to face Ashton¡¯s impatient face. I end the call and struggle to breathe properly. How much did he hear? How did he sneak up on me. He surveys the hallway.


    "Where¡¯s everyone? How¡¯s Asher doing? My phone died and I couldn¡¯t get updates." The worry is smeared all over his face. His voice is on the brink of shattering but he keeps his cool. All I can do is point down the hall.


    "Room 2301, down that way." I sputter.


    He hastens in the direction of my hand, his zer billowing like a superhero¡¯s cape. I dash after him. It¡¯s as I suspected. Doctor Ezra is done checking on his patient and reports that Asher seems just fine.


    Asher looks weak and is barely able to keep his eyes open. An oxygen mask is strapped to his nose. Mother grabs one of his hands and holds it to her cheek. Everyone else pulls a sad face even though the doctor has clearly said Asher will live.


    "Father." All necks snap in the direction of the door as Ashton and I make our way in. His father lunges towards him, along with Ashley.


    "Where the hell have you been? Your brother almost died!" Father growls. He grits his teeth silently.


    "I¡¯m deeply sorry, father. I had an appointment at the outskirt of town and got stuck in traffic while rushing back." Ashton sidesteps his fuming father, pats Ashley on the shoulder before going to stand by Asher¡¯s bed. By his side, he clenches his fists. "Hey champ, you don¡¯t look so intimidating from this angle."


    Asher¡¯s eyes crinkle in a smile. With a little gesture, doctor Ezra helps him take the mask off. He draws in a lungful of air and stares across the room at all the worried faces. On cue, the doctor and his daughter exit to give our family a moment. When father attempts to scold Asher for ying with his life and keeping his family in the dark about such a huge thing, Ashton shields his brother.


    "Not now, father. We will discuss all that in due time. He just woke up. Spare him. We don¡¯t need him under any kind of stress that could aggravate his condition." Behind him, I see Asher link his hand with Ashton¡¯s. A small smile finds its way onto my lips. They might not be Brett¡¯s biological children like Josh Randall but they¡¯re definitely brothers.


    "He¡¯s right honey. Please, we can talk about thatter. Our son just cheated death. Give him a break." Mother adds before nting a kiss on Asher¡¯s forehead. The doting starts. "How are you feeling, my dear? Does it hurt anywhere? Do you need anything at all? Just blink twice for yes and once for no."


    "He can talk, Barbara." Father reminds her.


    "Does he have to, though?" She responds, making Asher smile.


    "I¡¯m okay, mom. I don¡¯t feel any pain." Asher looks round the room. "I didn¡¯t mean to scare you guys. I am sorry for how poorly I handled this. I kept procrastinating. I was partly in denial because I take great care of my health and a sudden brain tumor didn¡¯t seem right to me." Now, his eyes find father¡¯s. "There was always something to do at work that made taking some time off to check into the hospital and get my surgery done pale in significance. I was getting by with my drugs. I didn¡¯t think it had gotten so bad until I was on the brink of copsing." His eyes track to Nessa at a corner of the room. "Thanks Nessa. You saved my life."


    Nessa dabs her tears and nods weakly.


    "I¡¯d like a word with Asher." Father says in a low voice that somehow manages to echo in everyone¡¯s head. Silently, we all begin to exit the room. Nessa finally agrees to go home and get some rest while Ashton huddles with his brothers to figure out a way to tackle the media nestled outside.


    Motheres outside with M and our eyes meet. It¡¯s been so long since we exchanged warm nces, especially since Ni¡¯s pregnancy announcement.


    I want to get out of here. I don¡¯t belong among them but my hands are tied for now. I watch as M makes the effort to cheer mother up and win her heart and all I can think of is how badly that will backfire. Unless a daughter-inw from a wealthy and influential family like the Spellman family is automatically entitled to a more humane treatment than I have been receiving, I find it sickening to watch how desperately she¡¯s trying to make a ce for herself in the Rollins family.


    Father steps out and mother rushes back in, with M in tow, to be with Asher.


    "What are they saying?" Father asks his sons.


    "It¡¯s mostly spections as to our health but so far, nothing concrete. I think they¡¯ll eventually get tired and go away." Ashton replies.


    "We can¡¯t leave them guessing for too long or they¡¯ll end up fabricating lies that could hurt us. Let¡¯s give them something believable to run on their blogs so they¡¯ll be sated for a few days and get off our backs."


    When his eyes track to me and settle with a dark glint, I instantly realize I am about to be used once again by the family. He doesn¡¯t even have to say anything. One look at his sons and they get the picture. The next thing I know, I am being given a scripted response for the media and being forced to check into the hospital for as long as Asher remains there.


    I bite down on my lower lip to stifle my rage as I watch father address the journalists on the sma TV in my hospital room, assuring them that my pregnancy scare had the family in a panic but that everything was being taken care of.


    "Both mother and child are fine." He reiterates while Ashley stands next to him like a robot, bobbing his head in agreement. I almost fling a pillow at the TV. Once again, my feelings don¡¯t matter. I am only a puppet for the Rollins to pull in whatever direction they deem fit.


    After the journalists are dismissed, I scowl at Ashley as hees into my room.


    "Father is going to have Asher discreetly transported home. His treatment will continue there."


    "Good." I leap off my bed and begin to gather my things. Good thing I don¡¯t have to spend another second in here.


    "Demi."


    Something about the way he calls my name makes my muscles ck. I hope it¡¯s not what I am thinking.


    "What?"


    Ashley is rubbing the spot between his eyes when I turn to him.


    "I¡¯m sorry about earlier. I shouldn¡¯t haveshed out at you. Ashal was right. It¡¯s not your fault that I failed to see the signs. My brother was literally dying and I didn¡¯t know." He sighs deeply. The worry lines on his head indicate he is still not over the stress of the situation. "I understand why you couldn¡¯t tell anyone about Asher¡¯s secret. I hope you can forgive me."


    I don¡¯t want to, at least not so soon but I recall I am going to need his help with visiting Nic so I cave. With azy shrug of my shoulder, I mumble a response that he discerns as forgiveness.


    "Thank you." He silently walks out. I wait a bit before calling Liam back. He is amazed at how easy it is for my inws to use me for their selfish ends. I cut him off as my impatience grows.


    "Release the pictures."


    "What? The ones of Brett and his biological son?"


    "No. Not yet. That¡¯s our trump card for now." I take a deep breath. "The ones with him and Mrs. Randall on dates. They managed to suppress Asher¡¯s health condition by using me. They¡¯re about to regret it. Let¡¯s shake things up a bit with a cheating scandal about the patriarch of the Rollins empire."


    This will also be my payback to mother for how she switched up on me the second I was no longer having her grandchild. Let¡¯s see how she feels after learning that her husband has been lying to her about not knowing Josh or his mother very well. Even if Brett manages to fool the public and deny the pictures, his wife being an overthinker won¡¯t be so easy to convince. I am hoping this is the beginning of cracks in their marriage.


    "Release a bunch of them at once so Brett can¡¯t deny that there is some kind of rtionship between him and Josh¡¯s mom." Something flits across my mind. "Oh, Liam, sell the pics anonymously to another blog and let them release the posts first. I don¡¯t want too much heat on you from the Rollins. Lately, they¡¯re convinced you¡¯re out to get them and want your head on a pike."


    Liamughs to that. "They won¡¯t be the first. Wow. A cheating scandal about THE Brett Rollins, a model husband and father sounds refreshing. I¡¯ll pay big bucks to see how Barbara reacts to Brett and his baby mama." He pauses. "Mrs. Randall and her son will jump on this."


    "I¡¯m hoping they do. I¡¯ll work on them so they both itch to reveal the big secret."


    "Ok, I like this energy, Demi. Keep it up."


    "Oh, I intend to."


    I hang up and put up my best devious smile. This should be fun. Asher, the ultimate problem fixer is bedridden and mostly drowsy from medication. I¡¯d like to see how his family manages to clean this mess up, especially from within.


    That night when we arrive home, my bones ache badly. While everyone caters to Asher, I retire to my room for a much-needed bath but while I am taking off my jewelry in front of my dresser, someone knocks on my door.


    "Go away!" I yell. I have no energy to talk to anyone right now.


    "It¡¯s Halle." A soft whisper sails through.


    Halle? Then it must be urgent. I unlock my door and let her in.


    "Halle, what¡¯s wrong?"


    "Someone came looking for you today but fortunately, everyone had already left to the hospital."


    My mind goes nk. Who woulde looking for me at the mansion without calling me first?


    "Who did?"


    "He imed he was your uncle, your father¡¯s brother." Halle watches as my vision blurs. "He promised emphatically to return to meet his billionaire inws to make a proper introduction." Halle wrings her hands nervously now. "Demi, wont this pose a problem? I don¡¯t think that man means well. What if he reveals your identity as the daughter of a former employee of the Rollins group who died controversially? We¡¯ll be done for."


    My brain turns to mush as I stagger to my bed. Uncle Marcel is in Danvarr? Fuck. How did he find me?

 Chapter 129

    <h4>Chapter 129: Chapter 129</h4>


    ASHER


    I still can¡¯t believe I made it out alive, with my entire family by my side no less. In hindsight, I think the thought of my family not being there when I awoke from surgery because I obviously didn¡¯t tell them about my condition to avoid being pitied or perceived as weak, scared me more than the tumor growing in my brain.


    It felt wholesome to open my eyes and find the entire Rollins n in my room, all brimming with love and care for me. It¡¯s been a while since I have been on the receiving end of such love, especially from my father. I searched for him first obviously. I expected his face to be smeared with equal parts shock and frustration given that we have a majorpany eventing up in three days which I might not be strong enough for.


    It sucks. If I didn¡¯t feel so woozy, I¡¯d dly drag myself out of bed to do what I can to ensure the program is a huge sess. Why did deathe knocking too soon? Why couldn¡¯t it just wait a bit longer?


    As I lock eyes with father, my heart thuds in my chest. Will this be the way Josh steals the show and usurps my ce in thepany and in our father¡¯s eyes? I can¡¯t begin to exin how much that thought scares the shit out of me.


    "I¡¯d like a word with Asher."


    Hearing father utter those words make my heart plummet to my stomach. I silently gasp for air as the room thins out. He stands like a robot with his hands jammed in his pockets until the door clicks shut. I press my eyes shut, ready for the earful. I messed up, I get it. I really wish we can have this conversation some other time.


    My heart quickens when I hear a sniffle and when I open my eyes, I am just in time to see father edge close to my bed and ease a hip by the side. The look in his eyes is warm with a tinge of fear. He closes a hand over mine.


    "I thought I lost you." He croaks out, his voiceden with guilt. "Jesus, Asher, you have no idea how close you came to giving me a heart attack today." He shakes his head and swipes at his wet eyes. When they settle on me again, they¡¯re red. "I CAN¡¯T LOSE YOU, SON. I JUST CAN¡¯T."


    I don¡¯t realize I am crying until father dabs the stray tear rolling down my cheek.


    "I¡¯m s-sorry, father."


    "Hush now, it¡¯s okay. The tumor wasn¡¯t your fault." He tightens his grip on my hand. "God, you must have been so scared keeping it all to yourself, bearing all that burden alone while putting up a brave front around your family. I wish you hade to me, Ash. Have I truly been too much of a boss than a father that my own son didn¡¯t feel free toe to me with his pain? I am deeply hurt by how distant we truly are as father and son."


    I can¡¯t believe his words. I literally want to pinch myself to make certain that I am Asher and not Josh Randall whom these words from father¡¯s lips seem better suited for. More tears gather in my eyes but they¡¯re mostly tears of joy. What was I so afraid of? Father loves me too. I am not just a hard worker in hispany. He loves me as a son and dreads losing me. My heart swells with joy to realize this truth.


    "Thank you so much, father. You have no idea howforting it is to hear you say these words to me." I beam at him.


    "Then you¡¯d be hearing them more often. I¡¯ll do better, son. I want to do better for all my boys."


    Long after we get home, a huge smile is still stered on my face as I continue to y the hospital scene with father in a loop in my head. How long will it take before I getfortable calling him dad? Will he also take me fishing soon? Would we also have long conversations that manage to steer clear from work or the HQ? That would be so refreshing.


    A light tap on my door is followed by the influx of my brothers. I wish I could sit up painlessly. I hate being t on my back when I address them. Well, I guess I have to settle for not being the superior for a few days. It¡¯ll hurt almost as much as my head did before my surgery but I think I¡¯ll manage.


    My brothers all stand with their hands stuck in their pockets. Their faces are far from cheerful. This must be the part where I apologize for keeping them in the dark about my condition. Jeez. Can they really not let it go? I clear my throat.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I shouldn¡¯t have hidden such a serious thing from you all."


    A small silence wears on before Ashal speaks.


    "You literally confided in Nessa and even Demi who is supposed to be at loggerheads with you but not us?"


    "Ok, Nessa was inevitable. She caught on really fast. Demi was an ident. I didn¡¯t mean for her to find out but she did and even tried to ckmail me."


    "ckmail you? For what?"


    I peer at Ashley. "Forget about it. You all have to forgive me, ok? Thest thing I need is your anger. Remember, I¡¯m not fully recovered yet."


    "You¡¯re still bossing us around from your sick bed and demanding our forgiveness rather than pleading for it." Ashton says with a long face. "There¡¯s nothing more Asher-like than that. I think you¡¯re doing just fine." He walks closer to my bed and sits by my feet. "I understand why you kept this from us. I understand why you were afraid of getting the surgery..."


    "I wasn¡¯t afraid..."


    "Asher." Ashton cuts off my protest with a stern look.


    "Sorry."


    He exhales deeply. "I guess my disappointment stems from the fact that I trusted you to handle yourself even while keeping us in the dark. Why did you wait till your condition spiraled? Having the entire family dash to the hospital in panic mode or causing a dent in father and doctor Ezra¡¯s friendship couldn¡¯t have been your n so why didn¡¯t you take better care of yourself? We, your brothers, will definitely forgive you but you have a lot of damage control to do once you¡¯re recovered, with our parents, the doctor..."


    "Nessa and Anna."


    Ashton and I whip our heads towards Ashal following his addition.


    "What?"


    "Yeah, I meant to tell you. Anna stopped by at the hospital shortly after you were wheeled into surgery. Nessa wasn¡¯t having it. Bothdies kind of got into a fight over who deserved to be at the hospital and whatnot. I think you should do something about that. Straining both women along might have you back at the hospital if you aren¡¯t careful."


    I blinked my eyes. Anna stopped by after all? A warm, fuzzy feeling washes through me. She chose to keep her promise despite our bitter break up. That was awfully kind of her.


    Nessa. I owe a lot to her. What the heck am I going to do about both women? Ashton¡¯s hand on my knee jerks me back to the present.


    "You can think about all thatter. I need to tell you all something."


    He heaves a deep breath and gestures at our brothers to get seated. After they get seated, Ashton looks into my eyes.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Asher. I should have been at the hospital much earlier but I got held up. The thing is, the news of your hospitalization sadly coincided with my second chance at meeting Adriana. She was already sorely disappointed in me for standing her up thest time and Keith was trying very hard to get her to resent us. He almost convinced her not to give us another chance. I couldn¡¯t let him win. I was shattered when Ashley told me that your life was at stake. I was bolting from there but ran into Adriana at the door. I had to make a bitter choice between rushing to check on you and giving up on the opportunity of reuniting with our sister forever or meeting our sister and possibly missing myst chance to see you alive."


    "You chose her." I utter softly, my eyes nk.


    "It was a hard decision."


    "No kidding. That¡¯s very unlike you, Ashton. You would havee running to meet me but instead you stayed back."


    "I¡¯m sorry, Asher."


    "Don¡¯t be. I know you were just doing what I would have wanted you to do. You did exactly what I would have done had I been in your shoes; seize an opportunity rather than let my emotions get the best of me."


    Ashton nods. "How do you do it? How do you consistently make such hard decisions without sumbing to the guilt?"


    "Somebody has to do it among us quads. I figured it would be me since those two over there tend to be crybabies sometimes and you were too headstrong to give a fuck back then."


    We allugh together now. My door bursts open and mother rushes in. Her eyes dte in surprise at the sight of her four sons having a moment. Beyond her sunny smile at the picture before her, I immediately sense her hesitation and a bit of tension between.


    "Mother, is everything alright? You seem tensed."


    My eyes drop to the iPad in her right hand. She NEVER uses an iPad much less mine. That can¡¯t be a good sign. My brothers all catch on. While Ashal takes her free hand, Ashton snags the iPad from her and peruses the page disyed on it along with Ashley. Their facial muscles contract painfully.


    "What is it? Let me see!" I yell but no one pays heed to me. Ashal has also joined them in reading what I believe is an unsavory article probably on Billion-Err. Could it be that my health condition was leaked? Damn it. I hate to feel so weak. I manage to prop myself up despite some pain shooting up my spine. Mother rushes to help me. Tears are falling from her face even more than they did when I first opened my eyes after my surgery. What could have her hurting so badly?


    "GIVE ME THE DAMN IPAD OR START TALKING!" I yell at my brothers.


    Ashton sighs and hands it over. Why can¡¯t he even speak? I look at the pictures and immediately lose my mind. Father and Kristy Randall? When did he meet with her in suchpromising locations? Has he been seeing her secretly under the guise of being an active father for Josh? HE PROMISED ME HE WOULDN¡¯T DO THIS! How could he still be cheating on mother despite the heartbreaking secret of fathering Josh?


    "Mother, you can¡¯t believe everything you read." Ashley begins, pulling mother to her feet. "You know how the media maniptes pictures. Josh is an esteemed employee at the HQ. His mother happens to be one of our shareholders so naturally, she must have met father. Don¡¯t fall prey to the wicked imaginations the media want to paint in your head. Don¡¯t you trust father? These aren¡¯t what they look like."


    "Yes, mother." Ashal adds. "You know better than to let them get to you. Father isn¡¯t having an affair. Don¡¯t let a silly article fool you."


    "Where¡¯s father?" I ask mother with a firm voice.


    "In his office, shouting on the phone. He ns to sue them for defamation." She dries her eyes. "I don¡¯t believe those lies. I am just exhausted. Why are these bloggers relentlessly trying to pull us down? We aren¡¯t the only billionaire family in this country. Whatever happened to the Spellmans, the Cliffords, the Hamiltons, the Grishams and all the rest? Why are we their sole target? Our family has been through a lot because of these nasty publications. It¡¯s always one lie after another." She sniffles. "Our stocks are already dropping. The Spellmans will be leading by tomorrow morning. Your father¡¯s blood pressure will go through the roof then and I am worried. Asher is also convalescing. This is all bad timing."


    She breaks into a sob and Ashal rushes to hold her. I grit my teeth. This is what I feared. I always sensed that once I was incapacitated, issues will arise that would need my urgent attention and I would be too helpless to help. I want to go down to father¡¯s study and rub minds on how to tuck this problem away but I don¡¯t think my strength willst. I also have a million questions for him regarding his true intentions for Josh and his mom.


    Dang it. I feel so helpless right now.


    "I need to see father." I utter in a low voice.


    "I¡¯ll handle it." Ashton remarks with his eyes trained on me. "You can¡¯t exert yourself. You know that. I need you to sit this one out, Asher."


    "Ashton, seriously..."


    "Mother, stay with him and make him understand. Take your medication and try to sleep early, Ash. The rest of us will be in father¡¯s study dealing with the situation. Please don¡¯t worry too much. We¡¯ll fix it like we always do."


    You mean like I always do, I correct him in my head. I clench my fist and throw my head back in annoyance when they hurriedly leave. Why now for gods¡¯ sake? How did this happen? Who leaked these photos?


    I believe now more than ever that we have a sworn enemy working overtime to see our downfall. I need to smoke out this person or persons. I won¡¯t sit on my hands and watch them ruin our lives.


    "Get some rest, mother. You need it. You¡¯ve had a long day. Please, I¡¯m begging you. I don¡¯t want you to fall ill."


    Thankfully, she doesn¡¯t argue. After nting a kiss on my forehead, she leaves me. My eyes are already getting heavy from the drugs that were administered to me the moment I arrived home. My muscles feel sore with every move. Hard as I try, I can¡¯t get out of my bed much less go downstairs. I decide againstplicating my health as it wouldn¡¯t help my family at this time. I¡¯ll have to trust my brothers to clean this mess on their own.


    I stay online though, watching the trends as the scandal causes our stocks to dip gradually. Social media is also abuzz with father¡¯s cheating rumors. More spections arise and people even start throwing in unfounded sexual harassment usations at the HQ.


    My heart skips a beat when a few intelligent ones start drawing conclusions and making a connection between father and Josh¡¯s simr appearances. Thankfully, their deductions don¡¯t make it to the trending hashtags.


    Silently, I wonder why Billion-Err iste to hop on this bandwagon. No other blogger has been so fixated on our downfall like that treacherous blog. I am genuinely surprised that an average blog got this scoop before Billion-Err. Could it be that Billion-Err chose to sell the story to throw my family off its scent? That¡¯s a matter for another day.


    I grab my phone, dial a number and do breathing exercises to strengthen my voice.


    "Asher, I was wondering when YOU were going to call." Josh answers cheekily. I guess my brothers and father must have called him to rify.


    "This is your doing, isn¡¯t it? You are the anonymous person who leaked those photos to the blog. I know you did this."


    "Like I told dad, I DIDN¡¯T DO IT. Why the hell would I do something like that knowing it would ruin my dad? I am nothing like you and your brothers. Unlike you, dad¡¯s reputation is of great importance to me. I don¡¯t go about creating scandals that ricochet back to hurt him or thepany. Besides, I trust dad to reveal the truth at his own time. He is already a great dad to me which is more than I ever hoped for so what¡¯s the use of hurrying to have the world know of our true rtionship?"


    "And your mother? Is Kristy really fine with the wait?"


    "My mother would never hurt my dad like that. She isn¡¯t desperate."


    I let out a chuckle. "That¡¯s not what it looked like from the photos."


    It takes a great deal of restraint to not sputter insults at this point. If I give into my anger, Josh wille to know that I am unaware of father¡¯s secret rtionship with his mother. I am hoping he would confirm or deny my suspicions so I know how to handle myself when I face father for the truth.


    Joshughs. "It¡¯s not my mother¡¯s fault that dad can¡¯t get over her. I guess it¡¯s a Rollins thing. He enjoys variety. You of all people can attest to that trait, right brother?"


    "To hell with you and your whore of a mother. You both have really fucked up this time. You failed to realize that you two are still an embarrassing secret that father would like to remain in the dark. Tell that old hag to enjoy her two seconds of fame because as sure as I live, it won¡¯tst. Brett Rollins is a happily married man with four wonderful sons that the world loves. We are a strong unit that collectively hold the pirs of the Rollins empire. He is a smart man. For that reason, he would NEVER give that up for your lousy mother¡¯s tired pussy and the uninteresting life you two will bring him. Get that into your thick skull!"


    I hang up on him and exhale tiredly as myst outburst seemed to sap most of my energy. Still, I am d I got my message across. Josh and his mother can¡¯t choose this dicey moment to reveal the truth. My family won¡¯t survive it so I have to do everything I can to discourage them till I am back to full health.


    My door swings open. Is it time for another round of meds already? I don¡¯t think I can keep my eyes open for much longer after it. I¡¯ll just call it a night and get some rest.


    "Mother?" I utter in palpable shock as she steps in. Did she overhear my phone call? How much did she pick up? I watch her face.


    "Asher, I thought you¡¯d already be asleep." Meekly, shees to sit at the edge of my bed. I guess she didn¡¯t eavesdrop.


    "What are you still doing up? I begged you to get some rest too."


    "Like mother like son, huh?" Her smile is thin and forced. I close a hand over hers and rub gently.


    "Your father and brothers are still up. I couldn¡¯t sleep. I swear I tried but I just couldn¡¯t."


    "You have to try harder."


    "I will." She says, grabbing my hand. "I¡¯ve just been thinking. If anyone knows your father almost better than me, it has to be you, Asher. You spend more time with him because you two work together." Her eyes go dim. "I need you to be honest with me, son. Please, I need to know something."


    My heart crashes to the pit of my stomach as a single tear runs down her cheek. Please don¡¯t make me lie to you, mother. Please don¡¯t ask what I think you want to ask, I think in my head.


    "Asher, tell me the truth now. Is there even a slight chance that your father and that woman, Kristy Randall, are involved beyond her being just a shareholder in thepany?" Her hands tighten around mine. "Tell me the truth, my son. Don¡¯t lie to me."

 Chapter 130

    <h4>Chapter 130: Chapter 130</h4>


    DEMI


    I sit quietly at the breakfast table, eating alone while the news channel is turned on. No one else came down for breakfast today. Since father¡¯s cheating scandal hit the news, a cold chill went through the entire mansion. It¡¯s been awfully quiet and empty like a ghost town.


    Brett and his sons keep having closeted meetings. Mrs. Rollins, as Halle tells me, has been a shadow of herself and shuttles between her bedroom and her sick son, Asher¡¯s. Save for the domestic staff who I run into regrly; I am mostly by myself.


    The stocks of the Spellman Group skyrocketed on the capital market today. I bet father must be biting his fingernails in anger. I must admit that I honestly didn¡¯t expect this move of mine to hit the Rollins family as hard as it has. What then would happen when I use up all my trump cards? Josh¡¯s paternity. The death of my parents. The truth about Tobias, Olivia Dunn and all other secret crimes the Rollins family have been involved in over the years. How terribly they will crash makes my heart hum with anticipation.


    Inwardly, I want to do a happy dance because I finally hit the right nerve and hurt them but thoughts of my uncle weigh heavily on my mind. Nevertheless, I allow a small smile as I watch the news on my phone. Kristy Randall is hounded by the paparazzi on her way out of a supermarket and bombarded with questions about her rtionship with Brett. Of course, she refuses to give ament but what she doesn¡¯t realize is that her silence only fuels the rumor.


    "Oh Kristy, you¡¯re not that dumb. This must be your ruse to torture Barbara Rollins, isn¡¯t it? Sly fox." I mutter quietly to myself. I have to visit the Randalls soon and fan the mes. I need mother and son to drive the wedge of my revenge n through the hearts of the Rollins.


    Liam texts me to ask how I am enjoying the show. I reply with a happy emoji and tell him not to let the heat go down so soon till Brett starts sweating bullets. Anna¡¯s call interrupts me.


    "Anna, hi."


    "The hospital staff are all acting weird and not letting me see Asher. Could youe over and talk to them?"


    I p a hand to my forehead. "Oh shit, Anna, I am so sorry. Itpletely skipped my mind given everything that¡¯s been going on here at the mansion. Um, Asher is back home. His parents insisted his treatment continues at the mansion." I wait a moment for her to digest that. "Do you want toe over here instead?"


    "No." She replies. "How is that going to be any different from visiting him at the hospital with the entire family present. I can¡¯t show up there with everything going on."


    "Thene visit me. I am all by myself here anyway. You could sneak into Asher¡¯s room to see him. Trust me, everyone¡¯s too busy trying to calm the storm to be bothered by someone showing concern for Asher. It¡¯ll be fine."


    "Demi..."


    "I need you, Anna." I inhale deeply. "I¡¯ll be going over to my aunt¡¯s ce soon. I need moral support before I visit that house."


    "Why do you want to pay them a visit?"


    Mother walks into the dining room just then. We lock eyes for a moment.


    "I¡¯ll be waiting for you, Anna. Bye." I hang up. I can feel mother¡¯s eyes on my breakfast te. Did she really expect me to starve like the rest of them for a family that has treated me like scum for the past couple of weeks? Quietly, she pulls out a chair and sinks into it. I impale my fork in my sausage and take a bite.


    "Is this what we¡¯ve be, Demi?" I hear her ask weakly.


    Her eyes are bloodshot so I know she barely slept a winkst night. I also suspect she shed a few tearsst night too given the redness around them too. I don¡¯t feel an ounce of remorse as I take in her face. She can¡¯t bepletely na?ve about who her husband is and what he is capable of. She must know of his heinous crimes and possibly has been covering for him. Why should I pity her? Did she pity my parents when she knew how they died?


    "Good morning, mother." I force out. With my appetite lost, I push my chair back and try to leave but she stops me.


    "I know you¡¯re still upset with us for a number of reasons but we¡¯re still your family, Demi. Can¡¯t you even pretend to sympathize right now? Have you truly lost all feelings for your husband?" When I turn to her, she lowers her voice. "Have you lost all feelings even for Ashton?"


    How dare she? She¡¯s such a maniptive bitch. So, all of a sudden, she uses Ashton to get to me? It¡¯s okay now because she¡¯s desperate and hurting? Disgusting!


    "Why would you say something like that, mother? Ashton? The same son you got upset with me for loving? How could you put him and Ashley side by side like that? What kind of reaction do you hope to get from me by saying something like that?"


    She rubs a hand over an ache on her eyebrow. "I didn¡¯t mean to say that."


    "What would both men say if they heard you talk like that? I have moved on with Ashley and here you are trying to stir a pot simply because I am minding my business around here. Wouldn¡¯t you consider it weird if I huddled close and cried my eyes out at a time like this? I am still sad over how my life turned out because you literally fooled me into this marriage. I have lost more than I bargained. I have been hurt repeatedly and you¡¯re surprised that I am cold towards you? Really?"


    "Please Demi, I have begged your forgiveness countless times."


    "You¡¯re just saying this because you aren¡¯t in the best mood right now. You don¡¯t give a damn about me. You only did when you thought I was going to have your grandchild. The second the mother of your unborn grandchild changed, you and the rest of the family kicked me aside. Nobody here could care less about my feelings because I am not the daughter of a billionaire. I have learnt to live with that, mother. All I ask of you for the remaining months I am forced to stay by your son¡¯s side is that you don¡¯t insult me by having expectations of me as your daughter-inw. I am human too. I have feelings that have been repeatedly bruised. Allow me to heal at my own pace."


    I turn around and walk away, and narrowly miss bumping into Ashley¡¯s chest. He grabs my shoulder and breaks my fall. Our eyes meet and hold for a few seconds before I regain my bnce. I want to shake his hands off me but I still need the trip to visit Nic to happen.


    "Are you okay?" He asks me. I just nod softly and walk away while he and his mother watch me.


    Anna shows up an hourter after father and his healthy sons have all departed. I think their game n is to not stay hidden and fuel the suspicion of guilt. Father went back to work and so did his sons. The weird thing is that Ashton went with him in ce of Asher. My guess is the old game of switcheroo is back in business to hide the fact that the real Asher is incapacitated at the moment.


    Anna takes her time in Asher¡¯s room while I wait for her in my room. Tired of waiting, I go downstairs to check on lunch. I¡¯d like my friend to eat a good meal before she leaves.


    "Demi."


    I almost roll my eyes as mother calls me.


    "Yes, mother?" I reply, whipping my head. She shoots a quick nce upstairs and I preempt her before she can say anything about my friend. "Anna stopped by to see me. I am getting some food for her. She¡¯ll be leaving soon."


    A small smile ys on her lips. "I am not that daft, Demi. I know she¡¯s visiting Asher and I know they¡¯ve had rtions with each other. I have caught them countless times unable to keep their hands off each other during our house parties." Again, she looks up the stairs. "I just want you to remember to advise your friend not to take their affair too seriously. You know Asher only believes in having a good time and not love. I¡¯d hate for you to have yet another reason to resent us because your friend was hurt."


    So, she knew everything after all.


    "Noted, mother."


    "Please stop with the formality, Demi. It¡¯s killing me. Can we really not patch things up between us? You¡¯ll always be my favorite daughter-inw. I¡¯ll always cherish the memories we made together."


    "Ouch." I suck in my teeth, looking a little past her. "That must hurt, right M?"


    Mother turns in time to find M clutching some bags at the entrance. M schools her face to look cheerful and walks towards us. How pathetic. Why the hell is she trying too hard though? She¡¯s a fucking billionaire heiress but she¡¯s prepared to grovel for love and eptance? Ugh, what I would do if I was in her shoes!


    "M!" Mother echoes. "I meant Demi will always have a special ce in my heart as my very first daughter-inw. You must understand how sentimental that is."


    M kisses mother¡¯s cheeks in turns. "I am not a kid, mother. Ipletely understand." The beaming spinster turns to me. "Hello Demi. You look better than every other member of this household since the rumors started."


    "Right back at you, M. You¡¯re glowing. Must be because your father¡¯spany stocks are ahead of ours now."


    Mughs. "What would you know? Stock prices fluctuate all the time. The money lost or gained isn¡¯t our priority at the moment; it¡¯s our goodwill and reputation that matter the most." She turns to mother. "My father sends you his best wishes. He is working with Mr. Rollins and the boys to quell the distasteful rumor. Everything will be fine soon. I thought I¡¯de spend some time with you. What do you think about a private spa day?"


    I swear mother¡¯s eyes glowed. "That¡¯d be lovely. I need the distraction."


    M steers mother towards the elevator while listing all she has nned for their full day of fun. I can¡¯t help but roll my eyes at them.


    Anna returns to me. She talked some things over with Asher that got her emotions all messed up.


    "Are you okay? Are you still willing to help me?" I ask, studying her face.


    "Sure. I¡¯m ready to smack Kira if she tries anything..."


    "No, Anna, the other thing I need help with. You assured Liam and I, remember? Are you still up for it?" I ask cautiously.


    "Are you asking if you can trust me, Demi?" She leaps from my bedroom couch. "Really? Do you think a few cuddles, a long kiss and cheesy promises from THE Asher Rollins is enough to throw me off course? Wow, thanks for the vote of confidence, BFF." She proceeds to give me a massive scowl but one thing keeps ying in my head.


    "You guys cuddled, kissed and made cheesy promises?"


    "I needed to patch things up between us. How am I supposed to fulfil my promise to you and use him to aid your n if we¡¯re broken up?"


    "Oh, right. That was smart of you."


    I ignore the fact that she seems rather passionate on getting back with him. Could it have something to do with her altercation with Nessa at the hospital? We haven¡¯t talked about that.


    I clear my head on the ride to my aunt¡¯s ce. I decided I wanted to go alone and dropped Anna off. Aunt Elizabeth and Kira open the door like they were expecting me. I bet they were. Who else would be behind my uncle suddenly showing up in Danvarr? I guess both women are at their wits end and want to force my hand by threatening to expose my secret to my inws.


    Long after I am seated in the small living room, I continue to stare at my aunt and Kira quietly. Kira has a proud look on her face as she sits with her legs crossed at her knees. Aunt Elizabeth looks smug.


    "This is a surprise, Mrs. Rollins." Aunt begins. "I never imagined you would deign to grace us with your presence in our humble home ever again."


    "Yes, Mrs. Demi Rollins." Her daughter quips. "This is a pleasant surprise."


    I am so sick of their pretense.


    "You really had to call uncle Marcel, didn¡¯t you aunt?" I ask with my eyes trained on the culprit.


    Uncle Marcel is my father¡¯s older brother. He always cared deeply for me. Growing up, I learnt he was a social pariah and a hothead. After my parents died, I chose to stay with my cold aunt rather than my uncle who cares so much for me for a few reasons. Aside from his lonely lifestyle, terrible cooking and poor parental skills, I chose aunt because under my uncle¡¯s roof, I would never have been able to hatch my revenge n. He wouldn¡¯t let me go down that path. Rather, he would take it upon himself to avenge my parents.


    Uncle Marcel can¡¯t know the truth about my marriage or my inws. He only knows my parents died in an elevator ident but not much else. He is very smart and discerning. If he uncovers my plot, he would shut everything down and insist I go back to live with him. He stays far away from Danvarr which exins further why I chose aunt¡¯s house instead. Aunt refused to tell him her exact address in Danvarr so he couldn¡¯te visit me for years. If he is here and even stopped by the mansion, only aunt could have told him where to look.


    "I¡¯m at a loss, Demi. Was I wrong to invite your favorite uncle over to see what a fine woman I have raised?"


    I can¡¯t believe her.


    "I already called him here. Marcel will join us for dinner." She adds.


    I gawk at her. "What exactly are you two up to now? Haven¡¯t you tormented me enough?"


    "Easy, Demi." Kira interjects. "No one has tormented you. Mother was looking out for you. She called your uncle over. Why do you have to assume we do everything with ill intentions?"


    "When have you not?" I snarl at Kira. Her eyes darken.


    "You¡¯re right." I watch her surge to her feet and fold her arms across her chest. "It¡¯s all your fault, Demi. You brought this upon yourself. You have been interfering in my life ever since you stepped foot into my mother¡¯s house. I have lived in Danvarr all my life and never got to share the same room as the quads. You show up here and worm your way into their household as a wife no less. I know it was no ident. You nned everything, didn¡¯t you? Iman told me what a mastermind you are. Mom, this girl is a genius. She managed to snake her way into bing the first daughter-inw of the Rollins family while I am left to rot here as a pauper."


    She paces around andughs hysterically.


    "I am sorry I underestimated you, cousin." She tells me. "You have a wicked brain inside that head of yours but it¡¯s not toote. Now, that brain is going to work in my favor. My mother and I were part of your little n, weren¡¯t we? Coming to this house and living with us set everything in motion. Technically, we helped you get where you are. Now, you¡¯re going to do us a favor in return."


    "What nonsense are you on about, Kira? Have you been drinking?"


    Mother and daughter burst intoughter at my questions.


    "Isn¡¯t that how your destiny kicked off? Maybe I should drink some alcohol, right mother?"


    "No, Kira. Get to the details."


    Kira smoothens her fresh curls and clears her throat. "Ok, here¡¯s the deal, cousin. I want to be affiliated with the Rollins family, a dignified member. I don¡¯t care how you do it but you¡¯ll have toe up with a n to get me into that mansion. There are enough single sons left. I don¡¯t care which one I end up with."


    Now, it¡¯s my turn tough. "You think too highly of yourself, Kira Collin. That was a good joke."


    Kira¡¯s demeanor changes. "It won¡¯t be so funny when I escort uncle Marcel to that mansion and tell your inws all about your parents!" She smiles when the humor drains from my face. "They have no idea, do they? You carefully presented aunt and I as your only surviving rtions so they wouldn¡¯t have to dig deeper into the poor orphan¡¯s roots. Well, your game is up, Demi. You have fourteen days to engineer a n to get me into the Rollins n legitimately or I will make sure you get kicked out and ruined."


    Aunt joins her daughter to stand in front of me. "Marcel will throw a fit when he learns the truth about the family you married into. How disappointed he would be but most importantly, how infuriated. I can¡¯t imagine what he would end up doing to avenge his brother."


    "Don¡¯t try to act smart, Demi." Kira warns me, stabbing a finger in my chest. "You know how badly things will turn out for you. I don¡¯t need uncle Marcel to reveal the truth about your parents. He¡¯s just there to turn up the heat. You have no choice but to do as I say. Make a n to get me married to Asher, Ashal or even your husband whom you¡¯ll be divorcing soon. I¡¯m not picky. Any quad will do. If you don¡¯t do it, I¡¯ll make sure you live to regret it."


    I lurch to my feet and sling my bag across my shoulder.


    "Is that what you call a threat?" I shake my head. "Why would I be afraid of my inws finding out how my parents met their end? It was a horrible experience for me and one I have been trying so hard to forget but if you want to dredge it up, be my guest. I don¡¯t just understand why you¡¯re convinced my inws would kick me out because of that? It makes no sense. If anything, they¡¯d feel remorseful and dote on me. I doubt they¡¯d let me divorce Ashley after that." Mother and daughter exchange worried nces.


    "Seriously, don¡¯t you make use of your brains? You would only be cementing my ce in that family for life. I kept it from them because I am trying to forget and because my contract was for a year. You revealing the truth will only endear me to them even more. They¡¯d feel sorry for owning the mall that identally imed the lives of my parents. They¡¯d want to atone for it by taking care of me for life. How would that benefit you, huh?"


    "We¡¯ll see about that." Kira replies stubbornly but thankfully, her voice wavers just a bit. She¡¯s not so sure anymore.


    "As for uncle Marcel, I¡¯d love to meet him. It¡¯s been forever. He must be dying to know how well you treated me after epting me into your home, aunt. I have stories to tell him that will leave him shaken to the core."


    "You wretch!" Aunt snarls at me. "You¡¯re trying to scare me?"


    "Why would you be scared? Are you admitting that you haven¡¯t been a ster aunt like you swore to my uncle? Do you have something to hide from him?" I can see my aunt visibly shiver. It feels good to turn the table on them. "You know what? I can¡¯t stand you two. I¡¯ll be heading back home. Tell uncle Marcel to call me so I can take him to lunch and have a long talk. Oh, and Kira, if you¡¯re so desperate to join my family, all you had to do was ask." My eyes twinkle deviously.


    "Yeah right. Like you¡¯d willingly help." Kira sneers at me.


    "Why wouldn¡¯t I? I brought Asher over thest time, didn¡¯t I? It¡¯s your fault for not bringing your A game and letting him slip off your fingers. That ship has sailed now. However, you and Ashal...I think he¡¯ll be perfect for you."


    "Ashal, the less scandalous brother?" Kira¡¯s eyes light up.


    "Yup, the one and only. I can see it already. You two will fit like a glove."


    I stroke my chin and smile malevolently as I imagine her in Olivia¡¯s ce.

 Chapter 131

    <h4>Chapter 131: Chapter 131</h4>


    ASHAL


    It¡¯s been crazy at the mansiontely. Then again, when have my family not been chaotic both internally and externally. With Asher still recovering and father¡¯s scandal attaining new heights of public embarrassment and financial losses by the hour, I wish I could go spend a day at my penthouse and check on my pregnant wife. I can¡¯t exactly do that because I am actively avoiding her right now. I don¡¯t know what she has found out about Maddi and I but I am not ready for that confrontation.


    Maddi has also been unreachabletely. I am guessing it has a lot to do with ourst meeting and the guilt of entertaining another man when her boyfriend¡¯s funeral is yet to be organized. I n to give her some time to grieve and process everything before we have the hard conversation about our future, assuming there¡¯s any hope for us.


    There¡¯s my family of course and the poor history we have with the Dunns because of Olivia. Father would never agree and I am certain the Dunns won¡¯t allow it either. Olivia will certainly not take it well out of fear of her sister recing her in the cage I previously locked Liv in. Then there¡¯s mine and Olivia¡¯s baby to think about. Me and Maddi together is an impossible future to fathom but even then, I am willing to try if she is.


    I chug down a pint of brandy and listen to Ashton griping on our conference call.


    "We¡¯re down by 16% and it hasn¡¯t even been a full day yet."


    "Have you spoken to father?" Asher asks. I wasn¡¯t in favor of him joining this call from his sick bed. Frankly, none of us wanted to but he swore at us and dared us to shut him out. If we weren¡¯t in a bind and didn¡¯t need all the help we can get, we would have ignored his threat. Plus, he has always been better at damage control than all three of usbined.


    "We literally spent the whole morning with his PR team..."


    "About Kristy." Asher rifies with a sharp voice. I can feel his rage just simmering at the edge. "What¡¯s really going on between them, Ashton? Has he seriously not exined himself to you? Is he seriously waiting to be asked?"


    Ashton works his tie and leans back in Asher¡¯s office. He¡¯s killing the Asher look by the way.


    "Do we really need his rification?" He inquires. "I don¡¯t know about you guys but I know what the truth is because I know what father is capable of! Y¡¯all are free to give him the benefit of doubt and hope he is falsely being used but I won¡¯t. I just want to deal with this problem soon enough before it wrecks our lives. THEN, I¡¯ll give father a piece of my mind for going, yet again, against his word and hurting our mother!"


    We all remain silent for a few seconds.


    "I agree." I add. "Let¡¯s not pretend to be noble sons and deny who and what our father is. I only defended him to put mother¡¯s mind at ease but those pictures didn¡¯t lie. In fact, I¡¯m afraid somewhere deep down, she¡¯s got her doubts too."


    "She does." Asher concurs my statement. "She was in my roomst night, badgering me to tell her the truth."


    "Really?" Ashley straightens himself on the executive chair in his own office. "What did you tell her, Asher?"


    We all fix Asher with concerned stares. Mother isn¡¯t ready for the truth especially not now. There¡¯s too much on ground to pile on her emotional distress too.


    "What do you think? She¡¯s been coping just fine, hasn¡¯t she? If I had actually told her the truth, don¡¯t you think all hell would have broken loose at home?"


    We all agree. Mother seems to be doing fairly good especially with M as a healthy distraction. Ashton encourages Asher to set his feelings for father aside till we deal with the problem at hand. With obvious restraint, Asher proceeds to make suggestions on how to quell the rumors. I listen quietly until my phone buzzes on the table, next to myptop.


    I already know it¡¯s Liv. I have been avoiding her and the penthouse since Asher¡¯s hospitalization. I excuse myself, mute my brothers before taking Liv¡¯s call.


    "Where are you?" Olivia snaps at me. "Why have you been avoiding me? Do you realize I am pregnant with your child? Is this anyway to treat me even if we¡¯re getting divorced? What is this, Ashal?"


    Her rant causes a headache to brew in my head. I rub it away and grit my teeth.


    "I am not avoiding you, Liv." I lie swiftly. "This is all unintentional. Haven¡¯t you seen the newstely? My father hase under fire with a cheating scandal which is false anyway but the family business is suffering because of it. Asher is feeling under the weather at this time. My entire family is stressed out looking for a quick way to put out this fire. I can¡¯t possibly abandon them right now. I know you are well taken care of at the penthouse. You have your doctor, nurse, security guards, maids and whatnot at your beck and call. I¡¯ll provide whatever else you need but right now, my physical presence over there can¡¯t be guaranteed for a few more days. Besides, I thought thest thing you wanted was for me to hover around you. Why are youining now that I am giving you the space you always wanted?"


    "Don¡¯t turn this around, Ashal. Just because I don¡¯t want you breathing down my neck and begging to keep our marriage doesn¡¯t mean I want to be made to feel like a single parent. I am literally facing antenatal care all by myself. I am lonely. My family isn¡¯t even allowed toe spend time with me. We need to discuss making some adjustments. I need to be allowed to go out for some fresh air, to see my family even if it means smuggling me in at night time only, visiting ces which you obviously have to rent out because you don¡¯t want anyone seeing me."


    "Slow down, Liv..."


    "You were prepared to make these adjustments for me while you were trying to woo me into epting you, right? You went against your father¡¯s strict rules and let me out a few times. You even let in visitors. Ash, I can¡¯t remain caged in this house. I am losing my mind. I need a change of environment. I need to converse with people that aren¡¯t paid to tell me what I want to hear. Please."


    Is that all she wants? No mention of Maddie? I wrack my brain and wonder if I am being lured into a trap. Could this be a ruse to get me to ease up the security so she could bring Maddi in and confront us together?


    "Ashal, are you still there?"


    I scratch my eyebrows. "Fine. I¡¯ll see what I can do."


    "DO IT, ASH. We both know it¡¯s not as difficult as you make it sound. You¡¯ve been running things your way around here for a while now, not your father."


    That part hit home.


    "And Ash,e home. We have more to discuss and it can¡¯t happen over the phone." She hangs up right after.


    I push back thoughts of the change in her tone before she hung up. It¡¯s probably nothing. Unfortunately, I am unable to concentrate for the rest of the day. My brothers proceed to implement their ns to deescte the damaging rumor but all I do is torture myself with all the ways things could go wrong when Liv and I finally talk about my feelings for Maddi.


    There¡¯s no right way in hell to convince my pregnant wife, her family and mine that my crazy ass finally found true love in my wife¡¯s younger sister. Even thinking about it makes me realize how crazy that sounds. Tired of procrastinating and avoiding the inevitable, I show up at my penthouse, half-ready and half-scared to death to face my wife with the truth.


    "Sir, we weren¡¯t expecting you." Lily voiced once she saw me barge into the house. Liv appears at the top of the stairs with bewilderment written all over her face. I sprint up the stairs and meet her.


    "Well, this is definitely a surprise." She let out, giving me a once over. I notice her growing bump and feel a tightness in my chest. Am I about to mess things up again with my reveal?


    "Didn¡¯t you say you were swamped with family issues?" Liv asks, walking back to the living room on the first floor where she was seeing a movie while crocheting.


    "I still am but I thought I¡¯d make the time to swing by, check on you and the baby..." I clear my throat. "Discuss other matters that seemed pressing to you."


    She sinks into the couch with one leg tucked under her ass and grabs the little beanie she¡¯s making. I remain standing.


    "I won¡¯t be long but I already spoke to the security guards. They¡¯ll prepare an itinerary for your movements. You let them know where and who you want to visit. Thrice a week sounds fair. I¡¯ll contact Eliana and Maddi so they can visit or spend some quality time in here with you."


    Liv leaps up and smothers me in a hug. She proceeds to kiss my face like I am a cute toddler.


    "THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. Oh, I am so happy right now." She sps her hands together with a big smile. "What¡¯s got you in such a good mood? I expected some friction and tons of arguments from you before you would give into my ¡¯fair¡¯ demands. What¡¯s with you today?"


    I stare at her and immediately realize she can¡¯t know about Maddi and I if she¡¯s this giddy. My hands slip inside my pockets as I give azy shrug.


    "It¡¯s the least I can do to make this pregnancy morefortable for you."


    "How thoughtful." She pinches my cheeks and returns to her seat. I clear my throat again.


    "You wanted to talk about Maddi?" I remind her. Instantly, her demeanor changes. She abandons the stuff she¡¯s doing and looks up at me with a somber expression.


    "Yeah. Look, I don¡¯t know where to begin. I heard something very disturbing happened between you and my sister but I am not prepared to believe it." A hystericalugh and a flip of her hair follows. "I don¡¯t want to believe that you could do such a thing, ever."


    My throat dries up as she shakes her head in disbelief.


    "I know you care about Maddi but not to that extent..."


    "It¡¯s true." I interrupt, balling my fists in my pocket. Might as well get the show on the road.


    "What?"


    "It¡¯s true, Liv. I know this isn¡¯t what you meant when you asked me to not give up on love and to go out and search for my person. I don¡¯t know when it happened or how or why. I have no frigging clue why the universe keeps toying with me by allowing me to fall in love with people I can¡¯t have but..." Tears shimmer in my eyes to my annoyance. "...what I feel for Maddi is pure and genuine. I know it¡¯s a lot to take in and you have every right to hate me for falling in love with your kid sister but this feels deeper than anything I have ever felt for any woman..."


    "WHAT?" Liv exims, staggering to her feet. "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SAYING TO ME RIGHT NOW, ASHAL?"


    My vision blurs. What the hell was she referring to earlier if not my feelings for Maddi?


    She mps a hand over her mouth as tears blur her eyes. Then, she smacks me hard across the cheek.


    "I was talking about Maddi¡¯s suspicion that you might know something about her boyfriend¡¯s death and you are saying such rubbish to me? WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU HAVE FEELINGS FOR MADDI? WHAT THE HELL DID YOU JUST SAY TO ME, ASHAL?" She ps me again and again, then shoves hard at my chest. "NO! NO! NOT MY SISTER! ANYONE BUT MY LITTLE SISTER, YOU ASSHOLE. SHE WILL NOT BE YOUR NEXT VICTIM, YOU HEAR ME?"


    Thest part causes a fresh tear in my heart. I let her vent while she pounds her fists on my chest. The truth was bound toe out someday.


    While she locks herself up in her room and cries, I sit outside her door and beg her forgiveness. I overhear her screaming at Maddi on the phone and hate myself for putting Maddi in such a position before she is ready.


    "Liv, I just wanted to be honest with you about my feelingstely. I couldn¡¯t look you in the face and not tell you. Please, open up so we can talk about this."


    The door wrenches open. I rise up and find Liv looking disheveled with teary eyes.


    "I WANT THAT DIVORCE RIGHT AWAY. IF YOU HAVE ANY SHAME, YOU¡¯LL PREPARE THE PAPERS AND SIGN THEM IMMEDIATELY. GET OUT OF MY FACE! I DON¡¯T WANT TO SEE YOU UNLESS YOU HAVE THE FUCKING PAPERS!" She ms the door in my face.


    I leave the house and drive aimlessly while my phone rings off the hook. I find a corner of the street and park. I want to hide from the world for a minute or two. Since my phone won¡¯t stop ringing, I take it out and immediately answer it seeing that it¡¯s Maddi¡¯s call.


    "What did you do?" she asked in tears. "Why would you tell Liv you have feelings for me? How could you, Mr. Ashal?"


    I throw my head back and sigh. "I did it because it¡¯s the truth, Maddi. I don¡¯t know how it happened but I am deeply in love with you."


    "STOP. PLEASE DON¡¯T SAY THAT." She cries.


    "I know you already knew that. I also know you feel something for me too, don¡¯t you?"


    "My sister is married to you and pregnant with your child, Mr. Ashal. Show some respect."


    "Olivia already rejected me, Maddi. She suggested our divorce and co-parenting. If she¡¯s hurt about my feelings for you, it¡¯s not because she feels anything for me. She¡¯s mostly worried about my intentions towards you after everything she¡¯s been through. Her fears are valid. I have been a monster to her after all. Why should she feel I¡¯ll treat you any differently?"


    "Mr. Ashal, please tell her none of it is true. She¡¯ll hate me if you don¡¯t."


    "For a while, yes, but she¡¯lle to terms with it eventually. I¡¯m sorry I put you on the spot before you were ready." I exhale deeply. "You¡¯re not denying having feelings for me. Do I take that as an affirmation?"


    "My feelings don¡¯t matter. They never will, not more than Olivia¡¯s and what she wants!"


    "Olivia feels nothing romantic for me. As for what she wants, she wants me to sign the divorce papers and set her free." Maddi sniffles softly.


    "Maddi, I¡¯ll sign them and let your sister have her life back. She¡¯ll be free to go home or live wherever she wants. No one from my family will trouble her anymore as long as she keeps to her NDA."


    "She will. Thank you so much, Mr. Ashal."


    "I just need you to promise me you¡¯ll give us a chance after the dust settles. Promise me you¡¯ll give me a chance to show you I can be the right man for you, to show you how much I love and care for you, Maddi. I am desperate to redeem myself before your family. Promise me our love story will happen and I¡¯ll sign the divorce papers before the week runs out. Do I have your word, Maddi?"

 Chapter 132

    <h4>Chapter 132: Chapter 132</h4>


    ASHTON


    "Excuse me?" The strategymittee head asks, gaping at me as intensely as the rest of the members seated in the conference room. Father leans back with a hand under his chin and says nothing.


    "I didn¡¯t stutter, did I, Kopek? You heard me right. I need you guys to postpone the conference for at least two weeks till the storm blows over."


    "But Mr. Asher, we¡¯ve been nning this conference for months now. Invitations have been sent out. Expenses have been made. If we reschedule now, we might lose the interest and trust of potential investors." A middle-ageddy quips with eyebrows arched worriedly. The rest of the team nods in agreement with her.


    She has a valid point but I can¡¯t organize the conference in Asher¡¯s stead with only a day¡¯s notice. There¡¯s a limit to what I can do while pretending to be my verypetent brother. Asher is in no position to host the conference and I don¡¯t want to be the reason it flops so I am sitting this one out and buying him time to get better.


    "Losing the interest and trust of some potential investors will be inevitable at this trying time. We all need to ept that. However, it¡¯s not smart to push through with the conference in light of the prevailing circumstances we find ourselves in. We will only be wasting money to get sted by the media and the handful of guests that will deign to attend. The logical thing to do is to postpone the program. It will be understandable and when we do organize in two weeks¡¯ time, it will be bigger and better."


    "Asher"


    I nce down at Josh and put my surging anger in check. He¡¯s been acting smug all day.


    "I agree with the points you¡¯re making. I just don¡¯t see why we have to reschedule the program in two weeks¡¯ time. A few days should be fine. I vote three days." He gives me that smug grin again before turning to father. "Mr. chairman, I want to assure you that the rumors will blow over before you have your dinner tonight."


    Father¡¯s eyes light up.


    "Yes, Mr. Rollins. I handled it."


    "Tonight?"


    Josh cuts me off with a hand, flicks on the sma TV in the conference room and lolls back in his chair. On the screen, Kristy Randall is speaking to the media and vehemently denying the rumors.


    "I am severely hurt by the rumors being pedaled against me and the respectable businessman, Mr. Brett Rollins. I have been silent, not because any of it is true, but because I am not much of a social media person and I was hoping the rumors will blow over in time and people will find another lie to fixate on but I was wrong. Hence, I am speaking out for my integrity and that of the Rollins family that have been suffering. I HAVE NO ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH MR. BRETT ROLLINS. He is a very respectable and kind entrepreneur whom I admire as a businesswoman myself. I am only a shareholder in Rollins Group and the pictures that have circted about us don¡¯t tell the true story. I did seek Mr. Rollins¡¯ audience a few times to get some helpful advice on other investments I wanted to make in variouspanies and his advice did prove helpful. I am appalled by the media¡¯s desperation for news that they had to make callous insinuations about us without thinking of the harm it would cause the families involved. Damage has been done to our reputations and legal action will definitely be taken against the blog which originated these lies..."


    The journalists proceed to inundate her with more questions.


    I turn to Josh and find him watching me keenly. The bastard. Why is he just doing this now? When my brothers and I called him up to ask his mother to denounce the rumors, he had made excuses about putting his mom in the spotlight, citing that she didn¡¯t like media attention and whatnot. I guess it was all a lie. Mother and son just didn¡¯t want my brothers and I to take the glory for putting out the media fire or maybe their reasons for enjoying this shit-show runs deeper than that.


    From what I can observe, Kristy has absolutely no problem facing the media. I clench my fist as Josh turns off the TV. Everyone else on the table sigh in relief.


    "So, Asher, the conference will hold three days from now instead of tomorrow. Our PR team will be working all night to salvage our business reputation by building from my mother¡¯s response. Hundreds of articles will sprout between now and tomorrow bashing the blog that started all this and sympathizing with the chairman and thepany as victims in all this. Then in two days, we¡¯ll have the conference while the pity game still holds strong. I wager we will attract far more elite parties and investors all things being equal."


    Everyone gives him a resounding apuse. I join them just as the sound tapers down.


    "Wow, amazing, Josh Randall. You seem to have everything figured out. It just baffles me why you turned down my request to have your mother hold a press conference denouncing the disgusting rumor between her and my father the very next morning after the pictures circted. What did you say on the phone? Your mother hates being in the spotlight? She¡¯s not very good with handling media attention? If I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d think you two waited for the iron to get really hot around here before striking for reasons best known to you."


    Josh¡¯s cheeks flush briefly with embarrassment before he clears his throat. "What you just saw took a lot of convincing and preparation, Asher. It took a lot for my mother toe out of her shell to do that interview. Don¡¯t make it sound like she didn¡¯t also suffer humiliation in all this. Be careful with assuming my mother enjoyed any of this. What would that imply for your father, here? Do you doubt his loyalty to your mom?"


    "RANDALL!" I bark his name through clenched teeth.


    "ENOUGH!" Father speaks up for the first time. "Thank you all for your efforts. This is a minor setback and we will bounce back like we always do. Please excuse us. I¡¯d like a word with my son and Mr. Randall."


    Everyone clears the room with awkward stares.


    "Sit down!" Father tells me.


    "Or what? Now, you speak?" I exchange nces with both of them. "You know he clearly nned this with that desperate mother of his so why the hell is he not suspended yet?"


    "Sit down, Ashton."


    "Ashton?" Josh reiterates with a glint in his eyes as he takes me in once more. "That exins a lot. Asher would never have been so unprofessional as to let his emotions run unchecked during a meeting. He wouldn¡¯t give me obvious death stares like he¡¯s itching to punch me in front of everyone. Plus, he would have used a much vulgar word to describe my mom."


    "Wanna see me multitask by punching the daylights out of you while calling your mother a cock-sucking...."


    "ASHTON, ENOUGH! PLEASE CALM DOWN."


    I blow out a hot breath and try not to think of cracking their skulls open. Both of them disgust me.


    "May I ask where Asher is? He has to be sick or dead to skip work like this. Which is it?"


    Father gives Josh a stern look. "None. He¡¯s taking care of a few things for me outside Danvarr. He¡¯ll be back in time to host the conference."


    "What? But I..."


    "You won¡¯t show your face around that conference or it¡¯ll cost you your ce here. I don¡¯t care what excuse youe up with. You had a chance to douse this fire earlier and you turned it down?" Father rises and leans forward on the mahogany table to re at Josh. "You mustn¡¯t know me well enough. I DON¡¯T PLAY WHEN IT COMES TO MY BUSINESS. You and your mother have caused me to lose a fortune on the stock market. You should be lucky I am not having you transferred to mop floors in one of our subsidiarypanies."


    "Dad, I apologize..."


    "DON¡¯T. "Father shuts him up with a hard look. He pulls his suit together before walking out. Josh¡¯s face crumple with anxiety as he races after father. The scene gives me sterling pleasure for a moment before I return to Asher¡¯s office.


    On my way, I stop by the office kitchen to make myself some coffee.


    "Sir, you could have asked me." Nessa says politely when she finds me fixing my own cup.


    "It¡¯s okay, Nessa. I got it. Thanks" I sip my drink. "Asher never makes his own coffee?"


    She blushes. "I¡¯m sure he wouldn¡¯t mind but I always beat him to it."


    I don¡¯t believe her. Asher definitely likes his coffee handed to him. She¡¯s just too in love with him to notice anything.


    On my way to Asher¡¯s office, I catch a glimpse of photo frames for the best interns of the year lined on the hallway. Unsurprisingly, Demi makes the cut. She clutches her gold medal and smiles goofily in her yellow suit.


    It¡¯s a cute picture but something about it makes me uneasy. I don¡¯t know why I feel like it looks super familiar, like I have seen it somewhere before. It isn¡¯t possible of course. I don¡¯t frequent the HQ and there¡¯s no way I could have seen this picture of Demi. Still, my mind grows restless.


    I can¡¯t ce what¡¯s so familiar about the picture but it has something to do with the intern of the year award and another staff that,e to think of it, bears a slight resemnce to Demi.


    My heart sinks as I remember her.


    "Is everything alright, sir?" Nessa asks.


    Is she always like this with Asher, hovering around him? It¡¯s ufortable.


    "Yeah. Everything¡¯s fine."


    Yet when I proceed to enter Asher¡¯s office, I halt in my tracks. "Nessa, I¡¯d like you do something for me."


    "Ok sir. What is it?"


    "Could you help me pull up the list of female interns that worked here six years ago? I need names, photographs and other details."


    "Ok sir. I¡¯ll get started on that."


    My hands quiver as I approach Asher¡¯s desk and set down my coffee. What the fuck am I doing? Why am I revisiting that painful memory? This is no way to distract myself from getting back at Josh and his mother. This will only open old wounds. It took me a while to live with the guilt. What if I sink back into that dark hole of depression after seeing that woman¡¯s face again?


    My door opens and Nessa enters.


    "Sir, I have forwarded everything to yourputer."


    "Oh. That was fast. Thank you."


    After she leaves, I endure an internal torment about whether or not I should check the file. There will be no going back if I do. Yet, I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be able to rest with the big ball of curiosity on my chest. I check the file and carefully go through the pictures of interns.


    When I see her, a fresh wave of guilt hits me. I still remember her motherly care, her patience even when I was being a spoilt brat. I was a handful. I intentionally did things to frustrate her yet she never gave up on me.


    The memoriese flooding back like a tidal wave as I stare at her innocent eyes and goofy smile that weirdly mirror¡¯s Demi¡¯s. They¡¯re not exactly spitting images of each other but they still look simr when you take a deep look.


    My eyes drop to the name and my spine straightens on the chair. Mrs. Camille <i>Branson</i>? As in Demi <i>Branson</i>?


    What are the odds that they both have the samest names and look somewhat alike? My heart begins to race as I lurch to my feet. This has to be a coincidence, right? Demi¡¯s biological parents arete and my family knows nothing about them. We only know that her surviving rtives are her aunt Elizabeth and cousin, Kira


    I stagger to my feet as beads of sweat coat my forehead. No, Ashton, you¡¯re overthinking it. It¡¯s just a fucking coincidence. It can¡¯t be true. It just can¡¯t.


    Camille Branson, the former HQ intern who tragically died alongside her husband in my family¡¯s mall six years ago BECAUSE OF ME can¡¯t possibly be Demi¡¯s mother. No, she can¡¯t be.


    I drop back in my chair, open a fresh tab and immediately search for Camille¡¯s social media profiles. I localize the search in the city where she lived with her family to narrow down the search. It takes a bit of time but I eventually find an old ount of hers.


    My throat clogs when I see her family photos with her husband and daughter.


    CAMILLE BRANSON WAS DEMI¡¯S MOM???

 Chapter 133

    <h4>Chapter 133: Chapter 133</h4>


    DEMI


    The flight to the remote Ind where Nic is staying is approximately four hours, as our pilot informed us. I am d I convinced Ashley to take me to see her since the mansion has been unconducivetely. It was easier to convince him because Ni hasn¡¯t been taking his calls either and he was already starting to worry.


    I made sure the trip happened today knowing the longer we take, the moreplicated things could get if truly Ni has any issues with her pregnancy. I need to make sure and figure out a way to turn things in a direction favorable to me.


    I inhale a long breath and look out the panoramic window, at the bright sky. We¡¯ve only been airborne for thirty minutes on one of the family¡¯s private jets but I still haven¡¯t been able to rx. My mind is haunted with troubling thoughts.


    Ashley looks up from his phone and takes in my restless movements.


    "Everything okay?"


    I shrug my shoulders at him. "Just jittery. I can¡¯t seem to get used to being airborne."


    "Don¡¯t be too hard on yourself. You¡¯ll adjust in time." He leans forward to rub my knee reassuringly. His smile almost has me floored so I look away.


    The truth is that my uneasiness has nothing to do with the flight. I haven¡¯t been able to get thoughts of my lunch date with uncle Marcel out of my head.


    I had gone to have lunch with him at a restaurant in a hotel a little further away from the mansion. I had to clear things up for him so he doesn¡¯te in and fuck up everything I¡¯ve been working on for many years.


    After the pleasantries, hugs, tears and catching up were out of the way, he pinned me with a deep look I couldn¡¯t decipher as I toyed with my food and narrated the circumstances that led to my marriage. I bet he already heard a thing or two so there wasn¡¯t much I could alter on that front, except the true identity of the man I wedded that fateful night. I also didn¡¯t mention the existence of a marriage contract with Ashley. On the surface, it appeared that I was in a good marriage.


    I watched him too to gauge his reaction whenever I mentioned my inws. His face didn¡¯t contort in the faintest hint of anger while I calmly described them like fairly decent people. I deduced that my uncle must not know the ugly parts of the Rollins family and their direct involvement in the death of my parents.


    He reached forward and closed a hand over mine.


    "You never struck me as one meant for life in the spotlight. Are you truly happy, Demi?"


    "Yes." I answered too fast. He chuckled.


    "And the man you married? Do you love him and vice versa?"


    At that moment, I thought of Ashton who was the man I truly married that night after all.


    "Yes, we love each other dearly." Uncle Marcel smiled like I had actual stars in my eyes as I replied.


    "That¡¯s more convincing. I¡¯m d to know you¡¯re happy and they treat you right in spite of the gaping difference in your economic bracket and theirs. Not a lot of billionaires are good with treating plebeians as decent human beings."


    I force a smile before stuffing some crisp veggies in my mouth.


    "I am sensing you¡¯re notfortable with me meeting my inws." His voice drops a notch. "Does it have something to do with the fact that you¡¯re the daughter of their former staff who died in a work-rted ident in one of their properties? Do you figure it would make for awkward introductions or reopen old wounds?"


    I almost choke on my food. Uncle Marcel helps me with a ss of water and rubs my back gently. I chug down the water and wipe my lips with a napkin.


    "No, uncle. It¡¯s nothing like that." I shake my head. "When I married their son, I didn¡¯t know who he was. It was reckless on my part. I only realized my husband was who he was the next morning after my hangover had ebbed. Of course, I was a bit skeptical given the history shared between our family and theirs. For that reason, I sought an annulment but Mrs. Rollins begged me to give the rtionship a try. It turned out okay. The family turned out to be decent folks. I have never mentioned having an uncle so it might seem strange that one popped out of nowhere. Plus, the timing sucks. The family is dealing with a major scandal and has no time to entertain family rtions."


    "Mrs. Rollins epted you just like that? I heard she¡¯s rejected every other girl who came in with simr marriage ims against her sons, even pregnancy ims. Do you think she epted you because she knew you were Camille¡¯s daughter?"


    I reach for the pitcher of water and pour myself another ss, avoiding my uncle¡¯s eyes which suddenly dimmed with understanding.


    "They don¡¯t know you¡¯re Camille¡¯s surviving daughter?"


    "Like I said uncle, that¡¯s still a sensitive subject for me to bring up. I didn¡¯t want to be epted into that family by ying the pity card. Right now, they only know that I am orphaned and that aunt and Kira are my rtives. If you want to be introduced to them, you¡¯ll have to promise not to bring up the tragic death of my parents. I don¡¯t want my inws to look at me differently. I don¡¯t want their pity."


    Uncle Marcel leaned back in his seat. His food was untouched. His eyes pierced my soul.


    "Demi, I want you to be truly honest with me right now."


    Fuck, here it goes, I thought to myself.


    "Did you really not know the guy you were getting drunk with and married that fateful night was a son of the Rollins family? Was it purely coincidental?"


    I dropped my cutlery with a tter. "What do you mean, uncle? Are you calling me a liar?"


    "You¡¯re my niece, Demi. I might not have been around a lot while you were growing up but I happen to know a lot about the man who fathered you. I also know you take after him a lot. I am hearing what you¡¯re saying but a different, more strategically fleshed out script is ying in my head and it sounds more authentic to me than what you¡¯re saying. I remember how adamant you were that your parents were murdered. You even badgered the police officer in charge of the case with questions and calls to convey your thoughts and theories about what transpired that night at the mall. It baffles me to believe that that spitfire teenager braying for vengeance for her parents somehow gave up on that quest and conveniently got married to a son of the family who allegedly murdered her parents and what¡¯s more, her husband and his family have no idea she¡¯s connected with the controversial case that almost sank their empire. It all sounds suspicious to me."


    My fingers tightened around the tablecloth. When he saw it, his eyes deemed with worry.


    "Demi, tell me you didn¡¯t spend thest few years on a vengeful quest. Tell me you didn¡¯t orchestrate your marriage as a way into that family because you have ongoing ns to avenge your parents while under their roof."


    I shake my head. "I was a teenager when it happened, like you aptly pointed out. I didn¡¯t know any better. Why would I hold a grudge when the investigations proved it was an ident, huh? Are you implying my parents were actually murdered by my inws unlike what the investigations proved back then, uncle? Is that what you¡¯re telling me right now?"


    "Don¡¯t evade the subject, Demi. God, you¡¯re just like your dad. This is exactly how he would think and what he would do."


    "Are you saying you know the truth about what happened that night?" I insisted, ring at him. Why wasn¡¯t he as mad as I was? What the hell happened to his anger issues to make him so chill about everything?


    "I was an adult when it happened, Demi. I noticed a few loopholes in the story that pointed to their fault in the ident but those people were too dangerous to go up against. No one would have believed me. Even the authorities buried the little evidence I gathered." He pressed his hands to his eyes. "I thought of taking thew into my own hands as I habitually did back then but I realized that even if I seeded or failed, they woulde for you, for Elizabeth and Kira. They would wipe out our entire family. That¡¯s what powerful people like the Rollins family do, Demi and your inws are far more powerful now than they were years back. You have to stop whatever you¡¯re nning or doing. You¡¯re not as smart as the people they pay to detect and eliminate threats like yourself."


    "And somehow none of them have managed to connect me to my mother."


    "It¡¯s only a matter of time." He grabbed my hands but I pulled them away, fuming at him. "I know better than most people how quickly the thrill of revenge dissipates. I have done time for taking revenge on people. Revenge onlysts seconds and then you¡¯re saddled with intense guilt. Unless you go through the proper channels, revenge can be dangerous and soul corrupting. In the end, you tend to be the same or worse than the person or people who wronged you."


    "I don¡¯t need your lectures, uncle Marcel." A chuckle escapes my lips. "Am I in an alternate universe or something? Are you seriously preaching forgiveness to me right now, uncle Marcel?"


    "If I had let my emotions lead and gone after that family, chances are that you wouldn¡¯t have made it to your sixteenth birthday. I endured the pain of losing your parents and let you stay with your aunt because I hoped you¡¯d move on and have a good life. That¡¯s all your parents would want. They wouldn¡¯t want you living like this, Demi. You¡¯re still hurting. You¡¯re bound to slip up and I fear what will happen when you do."


    "Let me worry about that." I dumped my napkin on the table and attempted to leave but he yelled my name so authoritatively, chills actually ran down my spine.


    "SIT YOUR ASS DOWN, MISSY. I¡¯M NOT DONE TALKING TO YOU."


    His scary persona wasn¡¯t lost after all, I thought as I slid back into my seat amidst awkward stares in our direction.


    My eyes sh with fear briefly.


    "Do you think you¡¯re doing the right thing putting your life and that of your loved ones in jeopardy to avenge your parents? If they were here right now, do you think they would have said the same things I am saying to you right now or cheered your revenge n on? They¡¯re already dead and gone, Demi. You¡¯re no less than a daughter to me and I can tell you for free that Camille would hate to see what you¡¯ve be. My brother too. Their sweet little girl who should be off studying, exploring the world, enjoying true love or starting her own family being obsessed with avenging their deaths to the point where she deceptively married into an evil family and keeps living in constant fear of being caught? That is every dead parent¡¯s worst fear."


    Tears stung my eyes. He took my hands and I let him.


    "I am telling you right now to STOP. If you don¡¯t love your husband or his family, leave him. Go start a new life. Give yourself a chance to heal properly. Please Demi, there¡¯s still time to redeem yourself."


    I pulled my hands back and wiped my tears. "It¡¯s toote now. I can¡¯t take my foot off the gas anymore."


    "Demi..."


    "No, uncle Marcel. It¡¯s toote. I have to see it through even if it means I end up going down with them. Somebody has to stop them and so far, nobody has. Everyone looks the other way when they throw money at them. I just need a few more months and that family will be on their knees. I have it all nned out."


    "I can¡¯t let you do that."


    "You have no choice here." I inform him. "You won¡¯t actually go warn them, will you? You won¡¯t go running to tell them my true identity either because if you do, we all die. How would you face my parents then?" I loop my handbag across my shoulder and lean down to kiss his forehead. "Thanks for stopping by, uncle Marcel. It was nice to see you again. Have a lovely journey back home."


    He watched get into my car and drive off.


    "Are you okay?"


    I blink at Ashley and wonder what he¡¯s talking about.


    "Demi, there are tears in your eyes."


    I turn away when he tries to dry them.


    "I¡¯m fine. Something got into my eyes." I wipe them, feeling his worried gaze on me.


    We finally arrive the ind. It¡¯s more breathtaking than any I have ever seen but I refuse to revel in it. I haven¡¯te here for my honeymoon. I am here to see Nic and possibly get some dirt on my inws.


    Honestly, I am scared of everything my uncle said. I think along those lines sometimes but I am afraid I can¡¯t stop now. I will see everything through. I will teach the Rollins family about consequences because someone has to. I may lose myself in the process and never be able to look myself in the mirror without bursting into tears but I sincerely hope the thought that the world has been rid of one evil family would give me sce.


    Nic slowly rises from the hammock where she lies reading a book and takes off her sses to stare at us in surprise. Ashley goes over to ask how she¡¯s doing while I take in the vi. It definitely screams opulence. The beachfront with natural nts, cool breeze and powdery soft white sands looks therapeutic.


    "I didn¡¯t know you wereing." Ni said to Ashley while stealing a nce at me.


    "How are you doing? How¡¯s the baby?" Ashley asks, staring at her t belly.


    I watch her face fall before she fakes a smile and nods. "Healthy."


    We get through lunch without saying much to each other. This is the most awkward meal I have ever had. On one side was my husband and on the other was his pregnant side chic. They both avoid my eyes for obvious reasons. Ashley rises, leaving most of his food and mumbles something about taking a walk. Alone, I turn to Nic.


    "What was that call about?" I whisper to her. "What did you mean when you said you thought I would understand as someone who had lost a child before?"


    Ni¡¯s eyes sh at me. "So, that¡¯s why you¡¯re here."


    "No. I am here because you wouldn¡¯t pick my calls to rify."


    She rolls her eyes and stands to leave but I grab her arm. My eyes track round the dining room. The nearest guard is five feet away. I lower my voice.


    "Look, my life got turned on its head when you announced your pregnancy so believe it or not, I am a person of interest in that baby¡¯s life. I am entitled to inquire about its health. I am going to be the child¡¯s mother after all." She tries to free herself but my grip holds. "If you don¡¯t tell me now, I won¡¯t listen when you run into problems with my inws, Ni. You have no idea how many adjustments have been made in everyone¡¯s lives just to wee this baby. Talk to me!"


    Her eyes go blurry as she yanks her arm free. She grabs my hand and sprints upstairs to her room. In there, she locks the door.


    "What the hell is going on." I snap at her.


    She silences me with a finger on her lips and makes gestures suggesting that the room is bugged. I silently watch her whip out a paper and a pen, scribble on it before shing it in my face. My blood curdles at the note.


    [I¡¯m deeply sorry. I¡¯m actually not pregnant. I said it to trap Ashley and make him marry me. I never thought things will escte like this. Help me out of this situation, please!]

 Chapter 134

    <h4>Chapter 134: Chapter 134</h4>


    ASHAL


    Maddi observes a few seconds of silence after I asked her the question.


    "Maddi? Do I have your word?"


    "No." She replies firmly, breaking my heart into tiny splinters. "No, Mr. Ashal. You have no right to ask that of me. My sister has been through a lot and a speedy divorce is just a scratch on the surfacepared to what you owe her. You¡¯re going to sign the divorce papers and set her free by weekend. If you do that, maybe I¡¯ll try to forgive you for lying about Alfie¡¯s death."


    My body shudders with shock. "What?"


    "I don¡¯t want to ask the questions in my head. I don¡¯t want to know how or why you did it because then I won¡¯t be able to think of you as just a man, Mr. Ashal. Alfie¡¯s brother knows your family bribed the officers to cover up Alfie¡¯s death as a drug overdose despite the bruises on his face. He was warned by his superior to stop looking into the case and mourn quietly because your family wants it closed" Her voice trembles now. "You already admitted to seeing us in front of the dorm that day and I can¡¯t think of anyone else who would have a bone to pick with Alfie."


    "Maddi..."


    "Please, no more lies." She cried. "Your family wouldn¡¯t cover up the case if you weren¡¯t guilty. You must have lost control again." She sniffles. "Give my sister that divorce and I¡¯ll try not to hate you for what you did to Alfie. Do I have your word, Mr. Ashal?"


    There¡¯s no point in denying anything now.


    "Yes."


    She hangs up before I can get another word in. When I try to call her back, her phone¡¯s turned off. I m both hands on my steering wheel and growl loudly in my car. Why now? I thought I could coax her to give us a chance. Why does my condition always find a way to fuck up my happiness?


    I keep trying her line like a maniac. I need to be sure she doesn¡¯t hate me for what happened with her ex. Can she truly forgive me and overlook my ws? My mind keeps whirling with torturous thoughts till I manage to make it home. I go straight to my room and shut myself in. Ashley already left to visit Ni with Demi. Asher is probably in father¡¯s study since he can move around by himself now. Ashton doesn¡¯t appear to be home yet.


    After a couple of hours, I step out of my room because I genuinely need to talk to someone about how depressed I am feeling. I find Asher alone in the game room, yelling on the phone.


    "That snake! I knew he and his mother had something up their sleeves. They must have leaked those photos to get the attention." Asher nods at me as I enter and sink into a chair. "Three days? That¡¯s too soon. Father agreed to that?" He runs a hand over his hair. "Fine. I¡¯ll prepare. I think I can handle it, don¡¯t worry. Hey, are you okay? You sound a bit weird and no matter how many times I ask, you keep denying it. What¡¯s wrong. Did something else happen at the office that you aren¡¯t telling me? Speak up. I can handle it."


    A small sigh escapes my lips. I think I¡¯ll just go find mother, but when I stand to leave, Asher waves me back in my seat.


    "Alright. I¡¯ll see you soon." He drops the call and turns to me. "Hey. If I had to guess what Ashton¡¯s face looked like given the tone of his voice that¡¯s making me worry, I¡¯d wager it appears exactly like yours right now. Come on kiddo, what¡¯s up with you? Let¡¯s hear it."


    "Don¡¯t call me kiddo. We¡¯re quads."


    "I was born first, kiddo. Make peace with it." He sets theptop on his thighs aside and leans forward with his elbows resting on his knees.


    "How are you?"


    "I¡¯m stronger. Now tell me what¡¯s up with you. You really don¡¯t look great right now."


    "You promise you won¡¯t judge me?"


    "Uh...."


    "Then I¡¯ll just wait for Ashton to get home."


    "I PROMISE I WON¡¯T JUDGE, ASHAL. Now, get on with it. "


    I wish it was literally Ashton or Ashley right now. Helpless, I go on to tell him everything he¡¯s missed since his surgery. I can tell he¡¯s struggling not to snarl at me for what happened with Alfie and my growing obsession with Maddi. He clenches and unclenches his fist for a few seconds after I bare my heart to him, taking everything in and probably choosing a cautious way to address the situation.


    "I¡¯m not like you, Asher. I actually fall in love with women I like and when I do, nothing else matters. I am unable to sacrifice that just to please father. I have to prioritize my own happiness sometimes because father would never do that for me."


    "That¡¯s your justification for killing a man, Ashal?"


    "Alfie was an ident. You know that."


    "Ok. Hear me out, now. You¡¯re right. You¡¯re not like me. I am also not like you and that¡¯s a good thing. Because I am not like you lovesick pups, I actually have my head screwed on right and can see beyond the rose-tinted sses to the problems that will crop up if you insist on going down this route. You¡¯re divorcing Olivia on the faith that she would keep her NDA. The same woman who has broken it time and time again? You¡¯ve fallen for her kid sister who used to hate you way more than Olivia did and I am supposed to believe it isn¡¯t a set up by those sisters to trap you? You¡¯ve literally confessed to hurting Olivia, killing Alfie and God knows what else, to Maddi. She could destroy you by running to the media, which, by the way, is her staple."


    "You promised not to judge."


    "This isn¡¯t me judging you. If I was judging you, I¡¯d be calling you some mean names right now for being a simp over a woman. This is me assessing the situation and telling you how it is. I¡¯m showing you the things you can¡¯t see because you¡¯re blinded by love for the most problematic daughter in Danvarr. Seriously Ashal, couldn¡¯t you have found anyone else? I have a really bad feeling about this."


    I wish I had kept my mouth shut. I lurch to my feet. "Thanks for the rity but you¡¯re only fixating on the negative oues like you¡¯ve been trained to do. I don¡¯t me you. Father hasn¡¯t taught us any better. Have you stopped to think what if it¡¯s theplete opposite of what you just said? What if Olivia has learnt her lesson and keeps her NDA after the divorce. What if Maddi has changed because of her feelings for me? What if Maddi is the one for me?"


    "Habits die hard, Ash. People don¡¯t easily change and making such a huge decision like letting Olivia go based off of the guilt you feel towards her could really fuck things for us if you¡¯re wrong about her. Look what a huge loss we suffered because of father¡¯s scandal. If your condition leaks along with records of the crimes you¡¯vemitted and a possible recording of your calls and conversations with Madeline, we¡¯re fucked. How can you not realize this?"


    I jam my hands in my pocket. I really feel bad for Asher. Even after getting a new lease on life, he¡¯s so hardwired to think of protecting the family business that he can¡¯t imagine anything elseing before it, not even our happiness.


    "Aren¡¯t you tired of it all?" I ask him.


    "What do you mean?"


    "Thatme excuse of wanting to protect the family reputation and business has been the catharsis of our inhuman decisions and actions for years. We have been stomping on people considered beneath us because of that false sense of ¡¯honoring the family¡¯. I personally have racked up points as a monster by trapping an innocent woman in a forced marriage and hurting her family just to keep my dirty secret. Perhaps if I had epted what I am and checked into rehab, Liv would have lived a normal life. Alfie would still be alive. I¡¯d have less guilt trips to go on whenever I close my eyes."


    I blink away the moistness in my eyes.


    "I¡¯m tired of living like this, Asher, to please a father who is no less than a monster himself. You just cheated death. Do you really want to continue being the same old Asher Rollins with a stone-cold heart that doesn¡¯t permit real human feelings such as love, remorse, pity and shame?"


    "What¡¯s the use of entertaining such weak emotions?" Asher asks.


    "Weak emotions? Is that what father has taught you? The same man who ims to be married to the love of his life calls love a weakness and you believe him? You¡¯re not being fair to yourself, brother. You keep turning away love when it finds you. Two women were literally fighting at the hospital to see you. I wish I could experience love like that from a woman."


    Asher¡¯s eyes fall to his feet.


    "There must have been a time before your surgery, when you worried about dying not just because you¡¯d miss your family or the business but because you felt you hadn¡¯t truly lived. Do you truly have no desire to chart a different course for yourself other than the one father already mapped out for you?"


    Asher drops on his seat and grabs hisptop. "You know what? You¡¯re right. Maybe I¡¯m tired of being the problem fixer around here. I¡¯m tired of cleaning up after you all. Do you, brother. I really hope you¡¯re right about Olivia and Madeline. I hope Madeline loves you as much as you love her but if it turns out that you are wrong about them, I trust you can handle it too."


    "Yeah, I¡¯ll clean my own messes from now on."


    "Great."


    I leave him to return to my room. Although I still regret discussing such a personal and sensitive matter with a man who has never allowed himself to love a woman, I am d I told him the hard truth he needed to hear. As he has seen, life is too short to live as father¡¯s puppet. If I can hope for it, then Asher deserves a real shot at love too.


    I meet Ashton the second I get off the elevator downstairs.


    "Hey, what¡¯s the hurry? Everything okay?"


    His eyes skirt the mansion. "Where¡¯s Ashley? He isn¡¯t taking his calls. I can¡¯t reach Demi too." He tries to move past me into the elevator but I hold the doors.


    "Ashley took Demi to visit Ni on the ind. What¡¯s wrong? You look flushed."


    He scratches an eyebrow and shakes his head. "It¡¯s fine. I was just worried I couldn¡¯t reach them all day." Though he appears very worried, he ys it off as fatigue from his day at the HQ and retires to his room. I shelf the n to talk to him about my personal problems and contemte going for ate-night drive to clear my head. I end up deciding against it and drinking myself to sleep instead.


    The next couple of days are really hard for me. Maddi won¡¯t talk to me and after bothering her with incessant calls, she finally blocks me. I didn¡¯t think I had called her up too many times until I checked my call log. It was obscenely akin to that of a stalker. For this reason, I talked myself out of stalking her online or visiting her dorm. The weekend rolls by and mywyer had my divorce papers delivered to my office.


    I spent thirty minutes reminiscing my failed marriage and another hour convincing myself that it was the right thing to do because Olivia wanted it, and if it made Liv happy, it also made Maddi happy.


    Just as I put my pen to the paper to sign it, a thought crosses my mind. What if Asher is right and the Dunn sisters don¡¯t keep their promises? What if Maddi never truly forgives me for Alfie¡¯s death? What if she doesn¡¯t have feelings for me and has been pretending this whole time to get in my head and gather enough evidence from the horse¡¯s mouth to finally put a nail in my coffin?


    I shake the thoughts away and sign the papers like I promised I would, before sending it over to Olivia. I wish I could be there to see her reaction when she opened it and saw the bold signature.


    For the rest of the day, I mope around the office, hovering around and poking my head through doors to check on my staff. It¡¯s my coping mechanism to avoid worrying too much about Maddi and Olivia or why neither have called to thank me for keeping my word. I find it quite strange even if they¡¯re pissed at me.


    When I return to my office, I realize I have a bunch of missed calls. Scrolling, I note with a twinge of sadness that none are from Maddi or Liv. I return one of the calls from the penthouse.


    "Yes? What¡¯s so urgent?"


    "Good evening, sir. I¡¯m sorry to call you up like this but we have a problem."


    I arch my brows. "What problem?"


    "Your wife had earlier insisted on taking the divorce papers to the court to finalize the process. As you instructed, we escorted her and handled it privately. Before we could leave, she said she had to pee. It¡¯s amon thing for pregnant women to pee more often than others so I escorted her to the bathroom. I couldn¡¯t stand directly outside her door because of the way the restroom was built and a lot of women felt ufortable with me close to it."


    "Get to the point, Viktor." I snap impatiently. My heart¡¯s racing now. "Where¡¯s Olivia?"


    Viktor exhales. "The restroom had a back door when we searched it. We haven¡¯t been able to find her. She isn¡¯t at her family home nor has she contacted her parents yet. We¡¯re doing our best to find her, sir."


    In less than thirty minutes, I find myself in front of Maddi¡¯s dorm. I¡¯m told she moved out a couple of days ago. This appears to be news to her parents as well who have neither heard from or seen their daughters in a few days.


    My head spins as I stagger back to my car. WHERE THE HELL ARE THEY AND WHAT ARE THEY UP TO NOW?

 Chapter 135

    <h4>Chapter 135: Chapter 135</h4><subtxt> ASHTON


    I finally got through to Demi yesterday after a lot of incessant calls but when she picked up, Ipletely froze. She stayed on the line even though all I did was breathe quietly on my end of the phone. I didn¡¯t know what to say to her or where to start. In that moment, I realized that the conversation we are supposed to have, was not meant to be done over the phone.


    She¡¯s expected to be back from the ind with Ashley today. I don¡¯t know why they chose to spend a few days over there but I am anxious to face Demi.


    I tried to convince myself that I had it all wrong and that Demi couldn¡¯t be Camille¡¯s daughter. It had to be a bloody coincidence. I went as far as visiting Demi¡¯s aunt to see if I could siphon some information from her.


    Kira met me at the door and somehow assumed I was Ashal. She was very courteous and tended to me all evening. She cooked us dinner and kept topping off my ss of wine. While I wanted nothing more than to lose myself in the alcohol so I could forget the harsh truth I just uncovered for a few hours, the scene only made me remember that night at the Blue Cove. I politely took little sips of my drink, a strong indicator that I had no intention of getting drunk again with my emotions all over the ce.


    Kira was soon tipsy. Her mother wasn¡¯t around. I was d she was in her mother¡¯s house and not in public so I didn¡¯t have to deal with hassle of transporting a drunk woman back home.


    "I¡¯m so g-d, A-Ashal." She drawled. "D-Demi said she¡¯d set us up. I d-didn¡¯t t-think she could p-pull it off."


    I grabbed the ss in her hand and set it down. "Really?"


    "Yup. I t-threatened t-that bitch. It¡¯s the least s-she can do for me, f-for using my m-mom and I."


    "How did she do that, Kira?"


    Sheughed and made a silly face. "T-that D-Demi isn¡¯t who you t-think she is. She¡¯s a l-liar and a p-pretender. She¡¯s not innocent at all."


    "What did she lie about?"


    Kira was on the verge of nodding off so I knew I had to spearhead the conversation if I wanted to get details.


    "Was it her parents? What happened to Demi¡¯s parents, Kira? Please tell me."


    She gave me a goofy smile. "I¡¯ll tell you. Argh, it¡¯s so t-tragic. T-they died. They d-died in a fucking e-elevator ident in a mall and guess who owned t-that mall? YOUR FAMILY!" My eyes were already bloodshot red before Kira stabbed a finger in my chest. "I t-thought it was p-pathetic of D-Demi to marry into your f-family given the history there until I r-realized she nned that marriage. Yes, Ashal, it was no f-freaking ident!" Sheughed loudly and pped my knees. "She used my mom and I to make that night happen with Ashton. I doubt she was truly drunk."


    I staggered to my feet in shock at Kira¡¯s words, unable to decipher if Kira was being Kira and lying through her teeth about her cousin whom she loathed, even while drunk. An ache filled my chest as a piece of me wondered if this unfamiliar version of Demi being described by her cousin might be true.


    Could Demi have orchestrated our wedding that night to get into my family? Did she fail to mention her parents and how they died because she still holds a grudge? Could Asher have been right all along about her intentions for our family?


    Kira grabbed my hand. "Don¡¯t go. We h-haven¡¯t kissed yet or had sex. How else would I get p-pregnant for you?" She staggers to her feet. "Will you m-marry me anyway? I also w-want to be a d-daughter-inw like Demi. That was our deal. She promised to make it happen like she did hers if I shut up about her mom."


    I helped her lie down on her couch and watched her doze off in no time. Shaken to the core, I rushed out of there before her mom got home.


    I haven¡¯t been able to sleep since then. I can¡¯t even face my brothers or literally anyone in the family until I can prove or disprove Kira¡¯s words. If she¡¯s right, then my heart will be broken for Demi.


    She must be in pain. I will forever feel guilty for ruining her childhood and turning her into what she is today. It saddens me that everything was a lie from the start, even the woman I thought she was. There was never a real connection or spark between us at the Blue Cove. She was only ying a script to get into my family.


    As I wipe my steamy bathroom mirror and stare at my ck hair dripping with water, thoughts of our special moments together flood my brain. I have never felt anything like what I feel for her. To realize that all of that was fake may destroy me and my belief in love. Maybe this is my karma for what I dragged Camille Branson into when I alerted my father that the intern had been the one talking to the media.


    My fingers trace a small tattoo along my waist line, one none of my brothers know I have. I couldn¡¯t get Camille¡¯s death out of my head for weeks after it happened and my family covered it up. I felt so remorseful and wished I could turn back the hands of the clock. I wished I had confronted her about it privately and heard what her reasons were for betraying the hand that fed her. Maybe she still would have been alive today.


    I got her death date tattooed on my body because I was too afraid to forget it. I never thought much of it when it coincided with Demi¡¯s birthday but right now, I understand why she didn¡¯t want a party in the first ce and why she sulked all through thevish party mom had thrown for her. Fuck! It happened on her fucking birthday? How the heck do I redeem myself for that? There¡¯s no easy way out of this. My family could never make this right with Demi.


    M enters my bathroom and snakes her arms around my waist. Immediately, I yank her hands off.


    "Hey, what was that for?"


    "Please leave. I need a moment."


    She frowns at me. "A moment? Ashton, you¡¯ve been busytely and I understand you had to step up for your family. I¡¯ve also yed my part by keeping your mom¡¯s fragile mind off things so her blood pressure doesn¡¯t spike yet the first time we have an alone time, you want to push me away? Do you even care about me or is this decorative piece of jewelry on my ring finger simply daddy¡¯s orders?"


    "I am honestly not in the mood for this, M. Can¡¯t you get that? LEAVE." I shove her out of the bathroom amidst her grunts of displeasure and m the door shut. Jeez, why can¡¯t I just have a moment of peace to think?


    My phone rings shortly after and I dash out of the bathroom in time to find M spying on my call. She grabs the phone, scowling.


    "Really? Were you expecting her call? Now you have time to talk because it¡¯s the love of your life?"


    "Give me my phone, M!" I say with a low growl.


    "Or what? You promised me that you had moved on but I see that was a lie." The call ends but M won¡¯t hand over my phone. Instead, she scrolls through. "Wow, did you really call her up thirty-two times in a day? I am disgusted."


    Demi calls back and before I can snatch my phone back, M throws in on the floor in anger. I gently shove her on the bed before she can stomp her heels all over it because the phone fails to break. I grab it and answer the call in my bathroom. Demi sounds scared, tearful and anxious over the phone.


    "Calm down, Demi. What happened?" My blood chills when she tells me about Ashley¡¯s surfing ident.


    "The doctor¡¯s been attending to him for over an hour now. I was worried and wanted to inform someone. Please, I need you here. I can¡¯t deal with this alone." She cries.


    "Calm down. I¡¯ll be there. Put the doctor on the line so I can talk to him.


    While I get dressed and prepare a light travel bag, the doctor assures me that Ashley would be fine after some rest and that he merely fractured his ankle. M continues to question me but gets no response. I ce a call and have our second private jet ready for takeoff in an hour before rushing out of the mansion.


    Mother appears with M around my car.


    "Mom, I¡¯m in a bit of a hurry. I¡¯ll call you, okay?"


    "Can you at least tell me where you¡¯re going? M said it was Demi¡¯s call. Is everything alright at the ind?" Behind her, M stands with her hands crossed on her chest, fuming at me. She has never looked more unattractive to me for snitching.


    "Yeah. Why not? Everything¡¯s fine. Your grandchild is fine and so is the mother. Ashley requires my assistance. It¡¯s a secret between brothers. I¡¯ll be back soon." I step down to kiss her forehead. "Don¡¯t worry. Father¡¯s scandal is over. Asher killed it at the conference. Things will be back to normal in no time."


    I repeat thatst part in my head because I highly doubt it and sincerely need to believe it.


    The flight to the ind is the longest four hours of my life. Demi updates me about Ashley¡¯s improved health through text. I knew he would be fine even if I didn¡¯t show up there. I needed a reason to talk to Demi in person and the timing couldn¡¯t have been more perfect.


    Asher is livid that I and Ashley left town without informing him and leaves me an angry but funny text. Ashal¡¯s phone is turned off so I assume he¡¯s over at his penthouse with Olivia. I push back other worries as we touch down on the ind.


    My heart is pounding in my chest at the thought of seeing Demi again, knowing what I know now. I have a million questions and a lot of guilt. I am ashamed to face her, to question her about facts that are already true because hearing them from her own mouth would seal everything.


    So, what happens when she admits being Camille¡¯s daughter, Ashton? How do you exin what happened that evening? Do you tell her the truth or cover it up for your family¡¯s sake? Will you me her for lying about her parents after lying about the real facts of that evening to protect your family? How does that make you any better?


    The thoughts float around my head, confusing me. As I descend the jet, I contemte interrogating Demi at all. No, I can¡¯t move past this knowing she knows. What if Kira had been right? My family might be in danger. Demi could be behind a lot of the unpleasant circumstances we¡¯ve faced since she joined us. Who knows what her grand n is? To wipe us out as a family like we did her parents? I shudder in fear, wondering who she could be working with.


    I have to find a way to make peace with her. This time around, I won¡¯t be alerting father or any other family member. I can¡¯t trust them to spare Demi. I have to protect her to make up for not protecting her mother. I can¡¯t have thest surviving member of Demi¡¯s immediate family be a news headline on my family¡¯s ount.


    My heart flutters in my chest when Demi runs out of the vi towards me. I almost shed tears. She looks so beautiful in her sundress, straw hat and sandals. There¡¯s a big smile on her face that belies the truth gnawing in my heart; she inwardly hates me and my family. How does she manage to pretend so well?


    "Hey." She greets, giving me a hug. "I¡¯m sorry I dragged you out here. Ashley¡¯s fine. He¡¯ll be using crutches for the next two days but that¡¯s it. The doctor said...."


    "The doctor filled me in." I tell her with a smile.


    "Ok. Good. Come in." She leads the way, a small bounce in her step.


    If she was being real, she wouldn¡¯t be excited to be staying in a vi with her husband and his pregnant ex/ side chic. It amazes me how my family has unknowingly piled on more hurtful things to the list of painful experiences Demi has endured in her life. Ashley kept cheating on her after their marriage and even knocked Ni up. Demi¡¯s unborn child died because of father and now she¡¯s being forced to raise her husband and his girlfriend¡¯s baby.


    Even if Demi had ever contemted forgiving us, my family hasn¡¯t made it easy for her. We¡¯ve only further strengthened her resolve to get her revenge with all our actions and inactions since she joined our family. She has every reason to hate us.


    I head first to see Ashley and truly, he looks okay.


    "Hey Ashton. What are you doing here?"


    "I came to pick up seashells for my coral collection." I reply sarcastically before embracing him. While we hug each other, Demi apologizes for the call that got me anxious enough to show up. I kiss Ashley¡¯s forehead and wish I could trust him with Demi¡¯s secret.


    "Are you sure you¡¯re okay?"


    "I¡¯m fine. I merely sprained my ankle. It¡¯s been a while since I surfed and I honestly thought I still had it in me but the waves were wild. I lost control."


    "Call mother and say nothing about the ident. Assure her we are having a swell time and will be back soon. She¡¯s worried and suspicious." I inform him.


    "Right. She¡¯s left me a few messages. I¡¯ll go call her right now." He limps to a small office space to make the call. My eyes track back to Demi.


    "Where¡¯s Nic?"


    "She¡¯s sleeping in her room."


    "And the baby?"]


    There¡¯s a brief hesitation before she replies.


    "Healthy."


    I nod my head and look away.


    "Um, you called a lot yesterday. I¡¯m sorry. I left my phone in the vi and went for Ptes ss. What was so urgent?" Demi asks softly. I peer into her doe eyes and momentarily lose myself in them. The innocence in them isn¡¯tpletely lost. The sweet girl I fell for must still be in there somewhere. I just have to find her and save her from losing herself.


    "I need to talk to you." I reply firmly, grabbing her wrist and pulling her outside to her surprise. I know the house is bugged. It¡¯ll be bad if her secret gets out. We walk a few paces ahead till we are surrounded by a canopy of palm trees and the sound of crashing waves from the ocean.


    "Is everything okay?" she asks, holding down her hat and dress that are pping softly in the breeze.


    How do I begin? I wonder as she awaits my response. I don¡¯t have much time before Ashley starts looking for us. I turn to her and hold her shoulders.


    "Demi, don¡¯t be scared, okay? I need to ask you something important and I¡¯d appreciate it if you don¡¯t lie to me."


    She arches her eyebrows at my serious demeanor.


    "Ok?"


    I inhale deeply before dropping the bombshell. "Are you Camille Branson¡¯s daughter?"</subtxt>

 Chapter 136

    <h4>Chapter 136: Chapter 136</h4>


    DEMI


    I pride myself as being a human shock absorber ever since I married into the Rollins family but nothing prepared me for the words that came out of Ashton¡¯s mouth as he gripped my shoulder and stared into my soul outside the vi.


    "Are you Camille Branson¡¯s daughter?"


    My heart rate slows down. My vision swims as I blink at him. Did he just mention my mother¡¯s name? Does he know my secret? How? How long has he known? How much does he know?


    "W-What?" I stutter with palpable shock.


    "WAS CAMILLE BRANSON YOUR MOM, DEMI? PLEASE, ANSWER ME." He persists, shaking my numb body to stir me awake from my entranced gaze.


    "Hey, lunch¡¯s ready." Ashley calls out to us with a big smile from the porch. In the second it takes Ashton to tear his eyes and hands off me and acknowledge his brother, I realize I had stopped breathing and suck in a greedy chunk of air through my nostrils and into my dry lungs. My heart is thudding violently in my chest with equal parts fear and shock.


    "Come in, Demi. The wind definitely ns to undress you the longer you stay out there." Ashley waves at me. Smiling awkwardly, I seize the opportunity to get away from Ashton, ignoring his quiet plea that I spare him a few more minutes.


    If I thought my first lunch with Ashley and Nic at the vi was awkward, the one I share now with Ashton around is simply worse. Nic is awake from her nap. She sits with tensed shoulders, poking at her food. Her head is bowed, avoiding everyone¡¯s eyes. I wish she can lift her head so I can remind her not to be too damn obvious and expose herself. Our conversation from my first day here drifts into my mind.


    That day, I yanked her arm and pulled her into the bathroom when she showed me the note. After flicking on the shower, I turned to her.


    "What the hell do you mean by that? Are you kidding right now? You¡¯re not pregnant?"


    She wrung her hands guiltily while I raked mine through my hair. What the hell did she mean? How could she have fooled everyone like that?


    I should have been relieved that I didn¡¯t have to pretend to be pregnant anymore or forced to care for my husband¡¯s child born by another woman. Yet, I wasn¡¯t. I was livid that I had gone through all that humiliation for nothing. I was pissed that I had lost yet another gem with which to threaten the Rollins family.


    "I¡¯m really sorry. It was a spur of the moment decision. I wasn¡¯t thinking. I had lost everything; my father, my status, my career. Losing Ashley scared the shit out of me so I did what I thought would force him to be a part of my life forever."


    "What about the test results? Ashley said you were prepared to do the tests at any hospital of his choice to confirm your im."


    She scratched her head. "I know all the key hospitals the Rollins family patronize. They never go outside those three. I had already bribed those working at thebs to give a positive pregnancy result if I showed up for the test with Ashley." I was amazed at her determination.


    "And the doctor here? How did you get him to not inform Ashley of the truth?"


    "He¡¯s an old family friend and owes my dad a favor." When she saw how uneasy I was despite everything, she dared to add, "I thought you¡¯d be happy to know Ashley remains yours."


    "Happy?" Iughed hysterically. "You¡¯re so slow. Maybe that¡¯s why he loves you. You can keep him for all I care. I am not in love with him. He made that really easy for me." I stepped up to her face. "Do you know what I¡¯ve been through since your little pregnancy announcement, Nic Grey? With one lie, you made my life hellish. When are you going to realize that no matter what you do with respect to Ashley and his family, my life gets screwed up? Do you think your confession will make my life easier? Heck, Mr. Rollins will find a way to make me shoulder the responsibility of keeping up your lie to save the family¡¯s reputation" I shake my head as I pace back and forth.


    "Because of you, I might remain stuck with Ashley for much longer than I envisaged."


    I really wanted to hit her at that moment. Mr. Rollins was never going to let me walk away after six months. I had to figure out a way to ensure my escape from the marriage contract at the agreed date.


    I was very anxious as uncle Marcel¡¯s worries were catching up to me. Six months suddenly felt long enough for me to get caught and punished for my plot against the family.


    "Ashley is going to be really mad at me."


    "Ashley should be the least of your worries, Ni." If I couldn¡¯t hit her for fucking things up for me yet again, I resolved to make her suffer in some way. "You have no idea, do you? You don¡¯t know the kind of people you¡¯ve toyed with. Don¡¯t you want to know how I lost my baby in the first ce and why the media didn¡¯t get a whiff of it?" Hurtful as the memory was, I recounted the spine-chilling details to her and watched the horror spread all over her ashen face.


    "My own inws sacrificed their grandchild, their very own flesh and blood just because they weren¡¯t happy with me having the baby. Asher was neither scolded nor punished for what he did and till date, they make me out to be the crazy person for not wanting to move past the incident. Your pregnancy however excited them. They¡¯re ready for a grandchild and deem you worthy to bear it. Imagine what they would do if they realize you lied about everything? Their hopes will be dashed. They won¡¯t forgive you for making a fool of them, especially not father and Asher."


    Ni visibly shook. "They...they¡¯ll k-kill me."


    "And no one will ever know the truth about your disappearance."


    Shetched onto my arm. "Please Demi, I need to get away from here. I need to go as far away as possible. Please say you¡¯ll help me."


    I wrenched my arm free. "You want to run and leave me to bear the brunt of your foolishness? No way. You¡¯ll stay right here and fix your mess."


    "How the heck am I supposed to do that?"


    "I don¡¯t know, ok? I DON¡¯T KNOW. All I know is that you have to find a way to maintain the lie you already told. GET PREGNANT IF YOU MUST, NICCI. I don¡¯t care how you do it but that belly has to produce a baby at some point. Ashley and his family know I am faking my pregnancy for the world but you? If they learn you lied about carrying their grandchild and ran away, you¡¯ll be a corpse within a week no matter where you run to."


    Ni started crying. "Ashley won¡¯t touch me. Trust me, I have tried."


    "Try harder! Drug him if you must. Take fertility enhancement pills. Do whatever. I¡¯ll convince him to spend a few days with you. If it doesn¡¯t work out with him, you and I are screwed, Ni." She looked shocked at how indifferent I was about my husband.


    I didn¡¯t really care about her or what Brett would do if he got whiff of her lie. I just needed to buy more time to guarantee my freedom from Ashley. Once the contract expires and my divorce is publicized, to hell with Ni.


    Sure, there are quicker ways to get a divorce. As long as the me is all mine and doesn¡¯t rub off on my inws, Brett might be down to cut me off from his family.


    I can think of a few ways to use the wonderful and clueless people of Danvarr by making them dere me unfit to be Ashley¡¯s wife. However, the timing sucks right now. A divorce would further hurt Brett¡¯spany which is still recovering from the aftermath of his scandal at this time. He won¡¯t spare me if I pile on a divorce. He would bray for my blood after I leave Ashley which I don¡¯t want. Hence, I am settling for the long game with Ni keeping up her lie till I can find a wiggle room to free myself.


    Ashton keeps stealing surreptitious nces at me on the dining table. Ashley is not toofortable himself as everyone on the table is unusually quiet.


    Dinneres to an early end with everyone dispersing to their various rooms. Ni loops an arm around Ashley to join him in to his room but before he can protest, I tell him to indulge her for the baby¡¯s sake. Both brothers trade shocked nces.


    "Take her to your room, Ashley. She¡¯s already carrying your child and pregnancyes with cravings. She¡¯s been lonely for weeks. I understand. It¡¯s totally fine with me."


    "Demi?"


    "You have nothing to exin or apologize for. We¡¯re way past that in our rtionship, remember?" I lurch to my feet. "I¡¯ll go see a movie in my room. Goodnight, everyone."


    "Goodnight, Demi. Thanks." Nic replies. With a small smile, I skip up the stairs. The second I reach the hallway upstairs; I increase my pace and rush to my bedroom. I slide in and try to shut the door when a foot gets stuck between. I lift my eyes to find Ashton through the crack.


    "Ashton." I echo with a raspy breath. He shoves the door back, lets himself in and shuts it. The light in here is at a low setting. Shadows y around his handsome face, illuminating the clean angles of his jawline. He advances close to me while I back up till the back of my legs hit the bed.


    "You didn¡¯t answer my question earlier, Demi." He says, cupping my face. My heart is racing from the gentleness of the gesture and his eagerness for the truth.


    "It¡¯s true, isn¡¯t it? Your mother was Camille Branson, the same woman who died identally in a faulty elevator at Rollins Shopping Mall six years ago."


    My eyes get blurry with tears at the details. So, he knows. With his thumb, he pads away the tears that roll down my cheek.


    "Why didn¡¯t you say anything?"


    I pull my face away and go around him. Is he seriously pretending to feel bad for me while lying about what really happened that fateful evening? ident? Faulty elevator? I can¡¯t believe I almost let myself feel something in his arms.


    "Why Demi? Why didn¡¯t you mention this at any point before or after your marriage to Ashley?"


    "Why should I have done that?" I snap at him. "The death of my parents is a very sensitive subject for me. Why would I go about telling people how they died when I can just tell them I am orphaned and not have to cry myself to sleep? What¡¯s there to share, Ashton? It was an ident, right? Why do you feel your family needed to know the details?"


    "<i>Because it happened on our property</i>." He utters with clenched teeth, his voice broken and pained. "We owe you an apology."


    "I don¡¯t want your pity. THAT¡¯S THE WHOLE POINT OF NOT TELLING YOU ALL. I never did and I never will."


    The rage glistening in my eyes fuels the guilt in his. I want him to say it. I want him to own up to the truth rather than trying to sympathize with me like it was a mere ident. Why can¡¯t he break the mold for once and do what¡¯s right irrespective of what it will cost his evil family? I wish he would surprise me. Maybe my frosty heart will melt again.


    He edges close to me, backing the light. His warm breath caresses my cheeks as he leans forward.


    "You must hate us for everything that happened to your family."


    "I do." I reply tly. The shocked quirk of his left eyebrow sends a delightful thrill down my spine. "I¡¯m only human after all. I thought it was unfair that your closely knit family was still thriving, having meals together while I have to drive to a fucking cemetery to see my own parents. I struggle with nightmares on my birthday because it unfortunately coincides with their death anniversary. YES, Ashton, I hate you all for not fixing that damn elevator early enough. If my parents were alive, I wouldn¡¯t be stuck with my avaricious aunt and her mean daughter. I wouldn¡¯t have been so desperate for a new family that I was prepared to tolerate being married to a man who doesn¡¯t love or respect me. I would have run back into my mama¡¯s arms when your family treated me like dirt under their shoe."


    When he tries to touch and console me, I p his hands away. Tears are streaming down my face.


    "DON¡¯T TOUCH ME!" I dry my eyes and refuse his pleas for forgiveness. If he was truly sorry, he would tell me the truth of what happened that night.


    "I know it¡¯s more than that. You want revenge." He says to my surprise. "Kira filled me in about how our encounter at the blue cove wasn¡¯t totally coincidental or our marriage, a drunk move. It was all calcted and nned. No, no, no, I am not mad at you." He tells me as the shock spreads on my face. "I don¡¯t me you at all, Demi. I would want the same thing if I had been in your shoes. Honestly, I am in awe at your patience. I don¡¯t know how you¡¯ve managed to rein in your anger till now. I know I wouldn¡¯t havested this long if I med anyone for hurting my loved ones. Your feelings are justified. Whatever ns you have to avenge your parents are also valid. I want you to know that."


    I back away from him, uncertain of his intentions right now.


    "Whatever you might have done to make my family suffer since you joined us doesn¡¯tpare to what we¡¯ve made you endure before and after you became a part of our lives. I honestly don¡¯t me you."


    "What are you saying to me, Ashton? Why are you saying all this?"


    "I want to atone in my own way for all the pain we¡¯ve cause you. I¡¯ll protect you, Demi. I won¡¯t say a word about anything I¡¯ve uncovered. I won¡¯t let anyone harm a hair on your head but to do that, I need you to trust me. If I figured it out, my brothers and father won¡¯t be far behind."


    "Trust you?"


    "Yes. I need you to trust me to shield you. I know how ironic that sounds right now but hear me out. You¡¯re ying a dangerous game with the worst family as you already know. If you let me in on your secrets, I can cover up your loose ends and make sure you don¡¯t get unmasked. I promise there is a safer way to get your revenge on us without soiling your own hands or risking your life. You just have to let me protect you first."


    "I don¡¯t want your protection!" I try to walk away but he grips my arm firmly.


    "Maybe, but you <i>need</i> it! Father is currently working on a n that might put your life in jeopardy."


    "What are you talking about?"


    He straightens his back and inhales. "I know you¡¯re somehow affiliated with Billion-Err and all the damaging articles that havee out against my family, including father¡¯s recent cheating scandal. It makes sense because that blog started targeting my family the second you showed up at the mansion. You clearly have the motive to desire our downfall."


    I shake my head in denial. "Ashton, I¡¯m not..."


    He cuts me off with a finger to my lips. "That¡¯s not important right now." Then with a somber expression. "FATHER HAS MADE A FULL-PROOF PLAN TO UNMASK BILLION-ERR."

 Chapter 137

    <h4>Chapter 137: Chapter 137</h4><subtxt> ASHTON


    The shock sttered all over her face matches the reaction I expected from her as someone affiliated with Billion-Err. However, it fades almost instantly to anger as she res at me.


    "Why the hell would you think I am connected to that blog? Why would I be worried that father intends to unmask the one behind it, Ashton? I can¡¯t believe you right now." Throwing her hands in the air, she sidesteps me to go sit on the bed. "Have you forgotten so soon that I have been the victim of Billion-Err¡¯s damaging posts several times? Did you forget how I was forced to lock myself in my room, bawl my eyes out and shut everyone out because I was hurting from their posts about me? If I controlled Billion-Err, why would I be dumb enough to target myself so harshly?"


    Her eyes re up as she rises. "I¡¯d admit that somewhere deep down inside me, I still me your family for the untimely passing of my parents. I detest theck of morals in the Rollins family. I am appalled by how much your familial bonds blind you all from seeing the devastating consequences of your decisions and actions, especially as it affects other who you consider beneath you." She grabs thepels of my shirt and tugs me down. "I hate that not one of the quads is man enough to stand up to your father¡¯s inhumanity to prove, if for nothing else, that some good runs in the Rollins¡¯ veins. I hate that and more, Ashton but that doesn¡¯t mean I want to drive a knife down your throats while you are all asleep. I am just ady who¡¯s been hurt and betrayed all her life by family and strangers alike. That doesn¡¯t mean I am the devil."


    She shoves me away and dabs a stray tear that runs down her cheek.


    "But I understand that your family always needs a culprit to hang the me on. They never truly epted me anyway so this doesn¡¯te as a shock truly." Her eyes find mine again. "The only shocking thing about it this time is that <i>you</i> are the one hanging the noose around my neck. You¡¯re thest person I thought would doubt me."


    "Demi..."


    "I get it, Ashton. I understand it clearly. Sure, I will be your culprit. I am behind Billion-Err. I leaked the photos of father and Mrs. Randall. I did everything. So, are you going to drag me out by my hair, throw hand-cuffs on me or what?"


    I hate the game she¡¯s ying. I might not have direct evidence linking her to Billion-Err but I am not stupid. It¡¯s clear as day that she¡¯s connected to it somehow. She¡¯s got the motive too. Of course, the surest way to deflect suspicion of being responsible for a blog like Billion-Err is to make yourself a target too. I am not stupid.


    I wish she could trust me to understand her grievance instead of ying the pity card. I hate that she¡¯s looking at me the same way she would look at Asher. She considers me no different from the rest of my family and I can¡¯t fault her for that. I have beenpromising a lottely I actually don¡¯t know the difference between father and I anymore.


    "Demi, I didn¡¯t confront you because I wanted to capture you. I am deeply hurt that you think seeing you being punished over your past would make me happy. That¡¯s not why I am here."


    "Then why are you here, Ashton?"


    Her eyes widen like saucers when I take her hands. "I knew your mother. She was the sweetest and most patient woman I ever met. Despite my unruly behavior, Camille remained kind to me and it had nothing to do with the fact that I was her boss¡¯ son. Her death broke me in more ways than one, Demi. You might find that hard to believe but it¡¯s the truth. I feel personally responsible in a way. I feel like I could have prevented that night from happening."


    She sniffles. "Keep going."


    "Because I knew a bit about your mom, I know for a fact that you used to be like her. I know that you are still like her. You¡¯ve just let your anger towards my family make you do things you aren¡¯t proud of. I don¡¯t care what they are. I will never me you for it. I just want you to let me help you, Demi. Maybe asking you to trust me seems like a lot right now but if you can¡¯t bring yourself to do it, I can¡¯t protect you. Please, give me a chance to atone for my mistake."


    "Why? Why do you feel personally responsible for my mother¡¯s death at the mall? Were you there? Did you see it happen? Tell me everything, Ashton. Truthfully tell me everything that happened that night. That¡¯s the only way I can bring myself to trust you."


    "I will. I promise but not right now."


    She yanks her hands free. "Why not? I have been lugging the pain of not knowing the details of their death for six years now. Why can¡¯t you tell me now?"


    "BECAUSE YOU¡¯LL HATE ME!" I bark, shuddering with emotion. "Because you will definitely hate me Demi and if you hate me right now, you won¡¯t ept my help. Please, I promise to tell you everything in due time but right now, your protection is more important."


    She silently watches me.


    "This is the part where you make the decision to trust me blindly or not, Demi. Please."


    "Leave my room, Ashton. Leave now or I¡¯ll scream." I take one look at her eyes and I know the battle is already lost. She has clearly deduced that there¡¯s more to her parents¡¯ death than I am letting on. My shoulders sag in defeat as I unlock her door to leave.


    "Trust is earned, Ashton Rollins, not demanded." She adds. "You want me to trust you, SHOW ME THAT I CAN. PROVE IT."


    "I will." I hum to her before leaving her room.


    The next day, Ashley appears with Ni who¡¯s got a fresh glow on her face as she struggles not to cling to him.


    "What do you mean you¡¯re staying back? Do you n to live here with her until she gives birth?" I snarl at him.


    "I asked him to stay for a few days." Demi interrupts my staring contest with my brother.


    "What? Last night you turned a blind eye to him spending the night with her and now? What exactly is going on here?"


    "His leg isn¡¯t fully healed yet and if he returns like this, mother¡¯s blood pressure will hit the roof. I suggested he waited it out here before returning. As for Ni, can we all quit acting like mine and Ashley¡¯s marriage is something sacred? I am sick of that pretense. She¡¯s having his baby! What difference does it make if they spend more time together? I really don¡¯t care."


    We watch her wheel her suitcase to the door where one of the guards retrieves it to load into the SUV waiting to take us to our jet. I turn to Ashley with a bewildered expression.


    "That¡¯s it? You two are done?"


    Ashley continues to stare at the car where Demi is already seated and waiting.


    "She¡¯s clearly done with me. I¡¯ve seen it in her eyes for weeks now. The hate was better but now, she feels absolutely nothing for me. Maybe she never did. I guess the fact that nothing happened between Ni and Ist night wouldn¡¯t make any difference to her." He exhales. "I¡¯m tired, man. I have been tugging at her heart for so long but it never yielded. I¡¯m ready to move on."


    My eyes stray to Ni. So, that¡¯s why she¡¯s brimming with happiness. Ashley has resolved to settle for the woman who loves him rather than the wife who doesn¡¯t give a flying fig about where he sticks it in. I can¡¯t say I¡¯m happy or relieved for either of them but I can understand that everyone has the right to do what they feel is best for them.


    I give him a side hug. "Take care of yourself and be home in three days max."


    "I will."


    "No hard feelings Ni. Have a healthy and safe pregnancy."


    "Thanks, Ashton. I understand."


    The flight back is a long and quiet one. Demi plugs in headphones to shut me out. She is so pissed aboutst night that she even refused food or water on the flight. Whenever I try to get her attention, she stops me by shing her five fingers in my direction.


    I honestly don¡¯t understand how things got so bad in the space of a few hours. I thought we could reach some form of understanding before touching down in Danvarr, before being surrounded by family and having no space for sensitive conversations between us without triggering suspicions.


    Demi chooses to figure out her own ride home after wend and I get mad.


    "What¡¯s going through your head, Demi? Why are you so mad at me? Come on, say something." I don¡¯t budge from the aisle as she tries to shove me away. "You¡¯re going to have to use your words. You had four hours to stew. Now, I need to hear it. Take a swing at me. Scream at the top of your lungs. Cuss me out. DO SOMETHING. LET IT ALL OUT BUT DON¡¯T KEEP MUTE, GODDAMIT."


    "Get out of my way!"


    "There. You¡¯re off to a great start. Come on, keep going. You hate me. Get it off your chest. What¡¯s eating you up?"


    I wasn¡¯t prepared for the waterworks but it started and disarmed me.


    "Hey, hey, I¡¯m sorry. Please, I don¡¯t mean to be..."


    "An asshole? You¡¯re a big asshole. I should never have called you to the vi. I was better off not knowing about you and my mom or the fact that there¡¯s more to that awful night than I know. I HATE YOU FOR REOPENING MY OLD WOUNDS, ASHTON. I HATE THAT YOU¡¯VE BROUGHT BACK FEELINGS THAT TOOK ME YEARS TO SUPPRESS. I HATE YOU FOR MAKING ME FEEL SO WEAK." She shoves at me and I let her pass.


    Fuck. I didn¡¯t mean to. I want to run after her but I guess that will only infuriate her further so I decide to give her some space.


    ***


    "What do you mean she¡¯s gone?"


    Asher is back to his old self, draped in a clean-cut Armani suit and oozing so much aura as he glowers at Ashal. Sadly, Ashal is also back to his old, brooding self. I tap gently on the door to the game room before letting myself in.


    "Great. You¡¯re here. Come listen to this, Ashton."


    "Who¡¯s gone?" I ask them.


    "Take a wild guess." Asher answers. One look at Ashal and my heart plummets to my stomach.


    "Olivia is missing?"


    "Yep, right after this Loverboy willingly signed divorce papers and blindly trusted her with them. The ink on the damn thing hadn¡¯t even dried up when the new Ms. took to her heels, leaving no trace." Asher turns to Ashal who¡¯s cradling his head in his hands. "That¡¯s not all. Olivia¡¯s sister and histest love interest seems to be MIA as well."


    I drop on the closest couch and lean back. Why now? Why does everything have toe crashing down now?


    "I meant what I said, Ashal. I¡¯m taking your advice. I¡¯m done cleaning up everyone¡¯s messes. Fuck the quad rules. Do your shit and handle the consequences." Asher says in anger.


    I surge to my feet and block his path to the door. Is he trying to leave right now? That¡¯s so unlike Asher.


    "Woah, woah, where are you going? Are you being serious? What advice did you take from him?"


    "Why don¡¯t you ask him?"


    "Well, I don¡¯t care what you guys agreed on. We can choose a different time to explore all that ¡¯every man for himself bullshit¡¯ but right now, he clearly needs your help or he wouldn¡¯t have opened up to you, don¡¯t you think?" Asher throws Ashal a sidelong nce before I continue. "Come on, Asher. You¡¯re our big brother. If you stop fixing our screw-ups and rubbing it in our faces as father¡¯s perfect son, you won¡¯t really be the Asher everyone loves."


    Thankfully, it strokes his ego. Hesitantly, he sinks into a chair and crosses his legs.


    "Nice suit by the way." I add.


    "Thanks. I was wondering when you were going to bring it up." He turns to Ashal. "I can find her but you lot are not going to like my methods, as usual."


    "Then think of another method, Asher." I tell him. "We aren¡¯t only capable of thinking linearly. Think outside the box. There must be more humane ways to solve our problems."


    Demi¡¯s words echo in my head as I finish, the one about no quad being able to stand up to our family¡¯s inhumanity to prove that some good runs in our veins. To be fair, my brothers and I don¡¯t actually have Rollins¡¯ blood. I believe we are the way we are because father shaped us like that from childhood. Maybe our biological parents were good humans. Maybe there¡¯s some residual goodness inherited from our biological parents which we haven¡¯t explored as brothers.


    Asher stares at Ashal and I with arched eyebrows. "Did I miss something? Did you two go on a sabbatical I wasn¡¯t aware of? What¡¯s with the ¡¯holier than thou¡¯, ¡¯we can do better¡¯ talk I¡¯ve been getting from you two? It can¡¯t be a coincidence, can it?"


    I edge close to Ashal and console him.


    "Everything will be fine. We¡¯ll find her, <i>and</i> Maddi."


    He rears his head up and gives me the most heartbreaking yet hopeful stare.


    "Thank you."


    Asher throws his hands up and jumps to his feet. "Fine, I won¡¯t kidnap their parents to force the girls out of hiding. I¡¯ll send a masseuse to their home to give them a couple massage and throw in an all-expense paid vacation for good measure. How¡¯s that for thinking outside the box, huh?" When we don¡¯t smile over his sarcasm, he rolls his eyes and jabs his index finger at us. "Don¡¯t me me if my ¡¯new¡¯ method takes longer to nip this in the bud. It was your suggestion."


    "Thanks. Appreciate it."


    "Where¡¯s Ashley? Didn¡¯t hee back with you?"


    "He¡¯ll be back in three days. He wanted to stay back and catch a break. Can¡¯t me him."


    "And the wife?" Asher asks, referring to Demi.


    "She branched off to see Anna, I think." Before Asher can process my fast replies, I throw him a question. "Has father made any progress with uncovering Billion-Err? Duncan told me they were close."


    Frankly, I¡¯m worried that father didn¡¯t really share this with us. Duncan identally mentioned it to me thinking father must have told his sons. Just as I thought, this doesn¡¯t appear to be news to the favorite son, Asher as he shrugs his shoulders and looks away.


    "Are you seriously holding back on us?" I ask him. Ashal stares at him also.


    "I¡¯ve seen how well you guys handle yourselves. If we need your help with Billion-Err, father and I will let you know. For now, all I can say is that there will indeed be a big reveal soon. That bastard hiding behind the blog will be uncovered soon."


    Demi, I think in my head. Hard as she tried to convince me otherwise, I can tell she is indeed affiliated with the blog. I don¡¯t know what the true connection is but I have a gut feeling that if Billion-Err is unmasked, Demi will be in trouble too.


    "But we don¡¯t have that type of technology..."


    "That¡¯s where your alliancees in. Father just wrapped up a meeting with the Spellman group¡¯s tech team today. You know they¡¯re the best softwarepany. Their tech academy produces the most formidable hackers every year. One of their guys already confirmed that the person behind Billion-Err is using Spellman¡¯s tech to hide his IP address which is why no one has been able to decrypt theplicated code so far. I¡¯ll take it further and say that this masked guy graduated from their academy too. Good thing Spellman will help us crack the code now." With a small shrug, he walks out.


    He¡¯s not wrong. If there is onepany that could unmask Billion-Err, my money will be on Spellman Technologies. I don¡¯t know how long this deal has been going on but I have to act fast before Demi¡¯s truth is revealed. I have to stop this deal with Spellman.


    I turn to Ashal. If father gets wind of his divorce from Olivia and her running away, he wouldn¡¯t spare my brother. He would lock him up in a facility somewhere to punish him. Father can¡¯t find out yet. I have to make such a drastic decision that will keep everyone¡¯s attention on me for a while and distract father from Ashal¡¯s predicament.


    Right now, I can only think of one move that will be akin to killing two birds with one stone. It¡¯ll cause an uproar and everyone will probably hate me afterwards but I have no other choice.</subtxt>

 Chapter 138

    <h4>Chapter 138: Chapter 138</h4>


    DEMI


    "What? Ashton knows everything?" Anna paces with her hand on her waist.


    I am d my inws have been too distracted to impose bodyguards on metely. With Ashley¡¯s help, my life is semi-normal in that regard as I only move with one bodyguard, Trevor, who¡¯s smart enough to not make me ufortable by being too obvious.


    While I am talking with Anna at the honey pot on her off day, Trevor is sipping on atte and pretending to read a magazine like a regr customer a few tables behind us.


    "How did he find out?"


    "I don¡¯t know, Anna. Your guess is as good as mine. He showed up at the vi, pulled me aside and immediately started interrogating me about my mother. I tried so hard to defend myself and fend off his suspicion but he was adamant. That only tells me that he¡¯s got irrefutable evidence of my involvement in everything."


    "Do you think your aunt and Kira could be behind this?"


    I recall Ashton talking about Kira filling him in. "Maybe. He did mention that Kira filled him in. However, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s his major source of conviction. I¡¯ve heard Kira¡¯s theories about my intentions for the Rollins family. She always has a point but she¡¯s not very good at convincing people. I doubt she got through to Ashton that way, unless he already had his suspicions about me."


    I want to tug at my hair in frustration because I am unable to fathom how Ashton saw through me. How did this happen? Could uncle Marcel have done this? No. He might have turned a new leaf but he wouldn¡¯t throw me under the bus. He knows my dead parents would never forgive him if any harmes to me as a result of his actions. At the very least, I can be sure of that.


    "What are you going to do now? How do you n on executing your revenge with Ashton aware of everything? He could expose you, Demi. He surely won¡¯t keep quiet if something bad happens to his family or their business again. He¡¯ll know you¡¯re behind it."


    Thoughts of myst night at the vi float back in my head. I had been so scared of my game being up. I was horrified that I had been caught too early, before my revenge was properly executed but I kept a brave face and denied everything. Ashton had assured me that he wasn¡¯t going to make me his culprit. He imed to understand my pain and even promised to protect me. I don¡¯t know if I can trust him. He might not be Brett¡¯s biological son but he was definitely raised and molded by that monster of a man.


    I guess I¡¯ll have to see if he truly meant his words.


    "I¡¯ll have to inform Liam."


    "He¡¯ll be pissed."


    "He would." I agree with Anna. "But I have to warn him. If everything is about toe to an end, I¡¯d hate for Liam to be caught unawares. He still has time to save himself. Besides, Ashton told me father is about to unmask Billion-Err. I don¡¯t know how they intend to do it but Ashton sounded really worried that I¡¯d be exposed once that happens. He was very certain his father had found a way."


    "Oh shit. This is all happening so fast. Where did we get it wrong?" She lowers her voice now. "I¡¯m so sorry, Demi. I know how dejected you must feel. You really wanted to teach that family a lesson. At first, I was of the opinion that you move on with your life but after encountering that family, Ipletely agree that they¡¯re a menace in society and need to be put down like a rabid dog. You did your best."


    I shake my head. "It¡¯s not over yet. If Ashton wanted to report me, he would have done so already. Back at the vi, he swore to protect me and begged me to trust him. I think I¡¯ll cling to that. He feels bitterly remorseful over my mom¡¯s death. He won¡¯t expose me even if I strike his family again. I am sure of it."


    Anna studies me quietly. "He¡¯s still in love with you."


    My eyes sh at her. "What?"


    "It¡¯s more than guilt, Demi. Don¡¯t act like you don¡¯t see it. He still loves you. He probably never stopped." She reaches for my hand over the table and squeezes gently. "I remember how much you cried in my house when you got back from the vi that day. You couldn¡¯t even say a word to me. It all makes sense now. You are mad at yourself because your feelings for him haven¡¯t gone away either. You¡¯re desperately trying to distract yourself from it by pushing forward with your n irrespective of the risks right now because you think allowing yourself to feel something for him will weaken you."


    I wrench my hands from hers as beads of sweat coat my forehead. Is she part of uncle Marcel¡¯s club?


    "That¡¯s B.S. He said what he had to at the vi to manipte me. Ashton cares for no one more than he cares for his family. He told me himself. He was only trying to manipte me to drop my revenge plot against his family. I refuse to fall for it."


    "But Demi..."


    "I have to get back to work. My lunch break¡¯s over and I don¡¯t want to give anyone a reason toin about me." I grab my keys and purse, give her a quick kiss on her cheek before making my way out of the restaurant with Trevor on my heels.


    Of course, I had lied. I still have some time left on my break but everything she had said about Ashton made me ufortable.


    I am trying so hard not to dwell on my feelings for Ashton or his for me. I really thought they had waned over time but I was mistaken. Regardless of what we feel for each other, I am never pursuing it again. It will be risky, foolish and reckless of me to try.


    If my revenge n fails, the least I can do is walk away knowing I tried. I don¡¯t want to have to walk away feeling lost after reopening my heart to Ashton and being brutally reminded that he and I can never be. That¡¯s why I am refusing to entertain any feelings right now. It¡¯ll mess me up.


    Back at the HQ, I settle into my self-decorated office as an assistant manager. I haven¡¯t been getting any real work done except showing up for meetings. ording to Asher, I can¡¯t be seen as being overworked given my ¡¯pregnancy¡¯. I am sick of ying with myputer all day but it¡¯s better than sitting at home and running into mother or Ashton.


    My phone buzzes with a message from Ashley.


    [I¡¯m back. Workingte at the office. See youter]


    I don¡¯t reply. Instead, I head to the kitchen to get something to drink.


    "What are you doing?" Nessa shrieks.


    "What?"


    She lunges forward and grabs the bottle in my hand.


    "Are you trying to harm your baby?"


    My eyes fall on thebel on the bottle. Shit. Habits die hard indeed. I¡¯ve had so much going on in my head that I forgot I was supposed to be acting pregnant.


    "Oh, where¡¯s my head at? I could have sworn that was lemonade. Thanks, Nessa." It takes me a beat to notice her puffy eyes as she reces the drink in the refrigerator and fixes me a ss of orange juice.


    "Nessa, are you okay? You¡¯ve been moody all morning."


    Her hand trembles as she offers me the drink. I set it aside and pull her to a chair.


    "What¡¯s wrong? Talk to me."


    "Do you promise to help me? I know you can help."


    "I¡¯ll do everything I can. Go on."


    The tears start flowing. "Asher is firing me by the end of the month."


    "What? Why?"


    "He seems to believe I cheated on him with Mr. Randall but I swear I didn¡¯t. I had only one lunch date with Josh. He promised to talk to the chairman about a possible promotion on my behalf so I couldn¡¯t turn him down. He got into a quibble with Asher and made insinuations about us hooking up. I don¡¯t know why he would go so far to endanger my career just to hurt Asher¡¯s feelings but Asher¡¯s been mad at me ever since he resumed work. He¡¯s already putting out job alerts on job boards for my recement."


    I don¡¯t know why Josh would do such a thing. Then again, Ick the prerogative to judge another person¡¯s moralpass. I rub her shoulders and console her.


    "I¡¯ll speak to Josh. I can¡¯t guarantee that Asher will let you keep your job even after Josh tells the truth but I¡¯ll make sure Josh keeps his word and gets you a new position here."


    "Oh, thank you, Demi. I really need this job. Thank you."


    ***


    Another perk of being the pregnant daughter-inw of the Rollins family and working at the HQ is that I get to stroll inte and leave work early without anyone fuming at me. At exactly two pm, I head out to see Liam at Mr. Rahl¡¯s.


    I am particrly in high spirits because I managed to shake Trevor off. Though he won¡¯t take long to find me, it feels good to be able to drive by myself without an escort again.


    I don¡¯t n on wasting a lot of time with Liam so I sent him an audio message ahead of time, exining everything. Of course, he is livid when I walk through the door of the empty bookstore. Thankfully, Mr. Rahl¡¯s wife mans the counter now. She gives me a benign smile and a nod before retreating to her small office behind the counter.


    Liam spends the first few minutes after I take my seat to brood. Then, he takes a long breath and sighs.


    "Do we know how he found out?"


    "No idea."


    "Are you sure?"


    The question irks me. "Why would I lie about that right now? I have no idea. I have been wracking my brain ever since but nothing¡¯se up."


    "Calm down, Demi. One might actually think you¡¯re pregnant with those raging hormones."


    I give him a cold stare. "What are you going to do about Billion-Err? Ashton sounded serious. They could really be onto you."


    "Rx. Do you think I never made ns for a day like this? They won¡¯t find anything as long as it¡¯s Rollins Group looking. They can¡¯t beat my system."


    He leans back and sips his water with a smug look on his face. I want to believe him. He¡¯s something of an underrated tech wiz himself but every time I recall Ashton¡¯s worried face, I panic.


    If anything happens to Liam, I don¡¯t know if I can manage on my own. Most times, just the thought of not disappointing him helps me get back on track when I am losing my willpower.


    "Did you say ¡¯As long as it¡¯s the Rollins Group looking? What does that mean?" I ask with furrowed brows. "Who else could look and find you?"


    He shrugszily. "No one. I said I¡¯ll handle it so quit fretting." Just as he sets his cup down, his eyes, which are trained behind me, narrow to slits. "Hey, Demi? Quick question. Why aren¡¯t you incarcerated since Ashton knows your secret? What reason did he give for letting you off?"


    I wasn¡¯t expecting that. I shift ufortably in my chair and rehash the same lie I told him in the audio message.


    "I told you I managed to convince him he had me all wrong. He bought it. Hopefully, he¡¯ll drop his suspicions soon."


    "Nah, I don¡¯t think he believed you or why else would he follow you here?"


    "WHAT?" Before I can whip my head to look, Liam stops me from being too obvious.


    "He¡¯s in his regr ck leather jacket and pants, confirming your car. He¡¯s definitelying in here and there isn¡¯t a lot we can say to convince him we aren¡¯t co-conspirators. He¡¯ll recognize me too and things could get ugly. "


    "What? Recognize you? How?"


    "Race track. Long story. We don¡¯t have time for that. He¡¯sing in. Demi, do you trust me? Follow my lead okay and don¡¯t panic."


    "What?" My mind is in disarray right now. Why did Ashton follow me? Does he have more intel from his father to prove that I can trust him or is he here to interrogate me further? Just as he pushes the door open, Liam smashes his lips against mine while fisting his hands in my hair. He drowns out my muffled protest with a soft moan. The kiss is heated but brief. When Liam ends the kiss, my lips are left moist and throbbing.


    Nervously, I lock eyes with Ashton by the door. His eyes are boggled in disbelief. By his side, his fingers clench into tight fists. Dear God. I hope Liam has a good exnation for his action. I hurry to my feet and push my hair out of my face.


    "Ashton? What are you doing here?"


    Liam lurches to his feet as well with a casual smile and shoots out a hand to shake Ashton.


    "Well, well, well, we meet again. Hello."


    Ashton leaves him hanging to give me an icy stare. "Demi? A word? Outside." He goes to stand by his car where Trevor is also waiting for me.


    "What the hell was that?" I yell at Liam. "Was that the best thing you could think to do?"


    "Don¡¯t act like you don¡¯t know that man is in love with you. I bet that¡¯s the main reason he hasn¡¯t turned you over to the cops or worse, his father."


    "So, what? You¡¯re trying to infuriate him so he can hate me enough to turn me in?"


    "No. I am trying to douse his suspicion that I could be your partner in crime by projecting myself as your secret love interest. With your crumbled marriage and imminent divorce, it¡¯s an easier sell than you giving into his charm and seducing him to weasel your way out of being suspected. He¡¯ll see through that ruse in seconds but with you having an affair, he¡¯s likely to believe it."


    I hate that he is right.


    "Suck it up. Go out there and defend your right to happiness aka our secret affair." He blows me a kiss as I make my way out. Ashton¡¯s expression is cold as I approach him.


    "Before you say anything, I am not going to apologize. I have every right to find happiness in the midst of this shit show that has be my life. My contract will be done in a few months so I thought why not?"


    I feel mortified but I make a good show of looking unabashed. Crossing my arms, I ease a hip on his sports car and act like his deep stare doesn¡¯t make me ufortable.


    "And did you tell your lover all those fine details about your marriage?"


    "I didn¡¯t have to. He didn¡¯t ask questions."


    "Hmm. Well, your private life is none of my concern. I simply ask for more discretion on your part for the sake of our family. You know the drill." He replies tly, hurting my pride with his indifference. Then he stands upright. "I only stopped by to inform you that Spellman Group is finalizing a deal to work alongside ourpany to unmask Billon-Err. Do with that information what you want. I¡¯ll see you at home."


    He gets into his car and drives away. My shoulders are sagged in defeat when I re-enter Rahl¡¯s bookstore. Liam is on hisptop with a shocked expression on his face.


    "Oh crap, I think we chose the wrong day to give your lover boy there a rude shock."


    I plunk down on my seat. "What?"


    He turns hisptop so I can see thetest headline. My eyes almost pop out of their sockets.


    ASHTON SUDDENLY CALLED OFF HIS ENGAGEMENT TO MILA SPELLMAN?

 Chapter 139

    <h4>Chapter 139: Chapter 139</h4>


    ASHLEY


    How in the world did my family get to the point where the media gets wind of my brother¡¯s engagement being called off BEFORE I do? I have a trillion questions for Ashton but I save them forter seeing as father has had him on the hot seat for close to three hours since I returned from work.


    Ashton sits upright in the chair with a nd expression on his face while father yells, badgering him with questions. Mother is somewhere upstairs consoling M but too afraid to assure her that Ashton would change his mind. The rest of my brothers are with me in father¡¯s study, taking turns to grill Ashton for his rash decision which could affect us in more ways than one.


    "How could you just wake up and decide to break off your engagement with the daughter of the CEO of Spellman Group? Were you drunk or high? What made you think that¡¯s a decision you can arbitrarily make?" Father thunders.


    "The daughter of the CEO of Spellman Group?" Ashton reiterates with a smug expression, followed by a low chuckle that further infuriates father. "Why can¡¯t it just be M? Don¡¯t you get it? I warned you aboutmercializing my rtionship. When you started shipping M and I together immediately after learning whose child she was, I warned you to give us time to grow on each other, organically. You refused. Instead, you kept sucking the life out of our fledging friendship by pushing too hard for us to be lovers and then a married couple. Somewhere along the line, you even foisted those dreams on M and she hasn¡¯t been recognizable ever since. What you failed to remember is that I am not Asher who is wired to always do what pleases you. I¡¯M DONE WITH THAT SHAM OF A RELATIONSHIP."


    "Ashton!" Asher cautions him with a look.


    "No, let him talk." Father stubs out his cigar and smiles crookedly at his second son. "You think you¡¯re special, don¡¯t you? You think your headstrongness makes you special? What you fail to realize is that I have enough obedient sons to survive on. I have three other faces just like yours to work with. I could easily make you disappear for an entire year and nobody outside this home would notice or care."


    "Father."


    His raised hand shuts me up. Ufortable with where this conversation is going, I trade nces with Ashal and Asher. Are they really going to let father say such things to Ashton? If father says things like that, half the time he¡¯s already made the arrangements to make it happen.


    "The point I am making, Ashton, is that I don¡¯t consider YOU indispensable in this group. It¡¯s awfully easy for any of your brothers to y you. They just have to be unnecessarily rude and act before they think."


    "I highly doubt that. Your obedient sons can¡¯t y me because I live unscripted. They would have to defy you in the face of serious consequences, not ording to the script you handed down to them. "Ashton turns to wink at Asher. "Up for the challenge, little Brett?"


    "STOP IT, ASHTON. THIS IS SERIOUS." Asher snaps at him. He clenches and unclenches his jaw. "How could you discuss with the press before your own family and even your fianc¨¦e? Do you know the implication of what you¡¯ve done? You¡¯ve publicly humiliated M and her family. The media is having a field day making assumptions of the reason why you dumped her. Her father is livid. All negotiations between theirpany and ours have been paused indefinitely, BECAUSE OF YOU."


    "Why are you pretending to be slow, Asher? You know exactly what to do to remedy this situation. Mr. Hugh Spellman has always preferred you for his daughter anyway. Seize the opportunity and marry her in my stead. At least father won¡¯t have to worry about you developing cold feet afterwards."


    Father¡¯s hand travels fast towards Ashton¡¯s cheek but gets blocked midair.


    "We don¡¯t do that anymore, father." Ashton says before pushing father¡¯s hand away to everyone¡¯s shock. "You want to make me disappear? Try it? I dare you to act like you don¡¯t have imperfections of your own that you shamelessly tasked your sons to hide from your wife and the world. You have no prerogative to speak to me about my duty to this family. I only broke off an engagement that could have made me miserable for the rest of my life. That was me protecting this family from the miserable version of Ashton which you all clearly remember, right?" He stares at every one of us and we clue in.


    It¡¯s true. He was a different person after the shopping mall ident. It was horrendous to watch him self-destruct slowly, every day.


    "The Spellman family will survive. We also will. This wouldn¡¯t be the first time we¡¯re losing money on the stock market or losing face in society so dial down on the me game, father, especially given your recent scandal." He throws his head back. "Anyone else have something to get off their chests? The floor is yours."


    I take a deep breath and try to distract myself from Trevor¡¯s report. ording to him, Ashton had demanded to know Demi¡¯s location and gone to see her at Rahl¡¯s bookstore where he found her in a lip lock with another dude.


    Frankly, I don¡¯t know what upsets me more; the fact that Ashton might have called off his engagement a little too soon after I dered that my wife and I were done trying to be a real couple or Demi¡¯s ongoing ndestine affair with the strange guy I¡¯ve spotted her with a long while back.


    Did Ashton dump M to have a chance with her? Did he go to see her to dere his single status? Is he acting out because he was shocked to realize Demi already got herself another man and his sacrifice was all in vain? How exactly is Demi taking the news of her lover being back in the dating market?


    I know I should be thest person to feel some type of way about their personal lives or make it about me but I can¡¯t help myself. Maybe the truth will set me free.


    "Why now?" I ask Ashton. He inclines his head with an air of surprise at my sudden question.


    "What?"


    "Why did you choose to call off your engagement at this crucial time knowing the heat from the media on this family hasn¡¯tpletely gone away. Why the hurry?"


    I am not sure if Ashton can tell that my question is stemming from some other concern far removed from the danger posed to the family business. He shoots me a smile.


    "There was no hurry or n to it. I¡¯ve been tolerating my rtionship for far too long to please everyone and yesterday, I just couldn¡¯t take it anymore. I didn¡¯t want to run it by anyone because I knew you all would be opposed to the idea so I put it out there first to make sure no one gets in the way to stop it from happening. Does that answer your question?"


    We lock eyes. Not really, Ashton. I don¡¯t know if I believe you.


    After we leave father to brood, Asher pulls Ashton into the elevator and shoves him up against the wall when the doors slide close.


    "Tell me it¡¯s not what I am thinking. You didn¡¯t do this to fuck up the Spellman deal, did you?"


    Ashton arches his brow. "Why the fuck would I care about Billion-Err? Is it so hard for you all to believe that I did this for my peace of mind?" He wrenches Asher¡¯s fingers off his shirt and smoothens it down. "Well, now that it¡¯s just us, I might as well tell the whole truth. There was a bit of a n to escaping M¡¯s clutches. I timed it this soon to distract father from Ashal¡¯s family issues. Father won¡¯t spare him if hees to know about the divorce and Olivia¡¯s disappearance. At least I have the spunk to fight back. I am prepared for the heat."


    Ashal sniffles. "I knew it all along." He hugs Ashton and thanks him. Asher and I now feel stupid for attacking Ashton. When the elevator doors open to the first floor, M is standing in front of it. We all disperse to our different destinations, leaving the ex-couple to deal with their shit.


    I head to Demi¡¯s room because I am curious to know how she¡¯s faring with everything going on. I have no idea why I am expecting her to be easier to read than Ashton. If both of them are back to nursing feelings for each other, maybe I will be able to tell after speaking with my wife.


    Shortly after I ring her doorbell for the second time, the door swings open with Demi cussing.


    "MILA, I SWEAR TO GOD..." She pauses at the sight of me and grits her teeth. "It¡¯s you."


    "Hey." I reply coyly. Has M already been over to use her of being responsible for Ashton¡¯s change of heart? I silently wonder why M would be so convinced.


    "Look Ashley, I really don¡¯t have the energy to defend myself to anyone, not you, mother or M. So, if you¡¯re here like the others to talk about your brother¡¯s sudden decision, I had no clue about it and I have NOTHING to do with it."


    "I¡¯m sorry if anyone¡¯s been badgering you or using you for another man¡¯s decision. However, I am not here to talk about that."


    "Then what brings you by?"


    I draw in a sharp breath. "I¡¯m here to talk about our divorce."


    ***


    I might have told a white lie about being uninterested in questioning her regarding Ashton¡¯s sudden decision. However, nothing prepared me for the glimmer of hope that shone in her eyes when I mentioned our divorce. It was almost as though her face glowed with happiness as she let me into her room. With a heavy heart, I stride inside and take a seat.


    Was I such a terrible husband that my wife is thrilled at the prospect of leaving me forever? I guess my pregnant side chick makes the answer obvious. Still, it will always sting to realize Demi never harbored any romantic feelings for me despite the fact that I look exactly like the man she¡¯s crazy about.


    "So, how has work been as an assistant manager?" I ask to break the ice.


    "Repetitive. No one¡¯s letting me do any real work so far because of my so-called pregnancy."


    "Ah, sorry." Ufortable with her deep stare, I uncross my legs and lean forward to get down to business. "It¡¯s a few months to our divorce. I was just curious to know what your ns are afterward. I fear your association with my family might have soured your rtionship with your family rtives so what are your post marriage amodation ns? Work?"


    She shrugs her shoulderszily. "When was my rtionship with aunt Elizabeth and Kira not sour?" She chuckles. "Anyway, I think I¡¯ll crash with Anna in the meantime and resume work at Mr. Rahl¡¯s."


    Mr. Rahl¡¯s bookstore where she constantly meets up with her lover? Does that mean she ns to continue the affair?


    "Mr. Rahl¡¯s bookstore?" I ask with a hint of worry. "Are you certain you can make a decent living there? I hear business is very slow for bookstores nowadays."


    "Yeah, it kind of is but I have a few ideas to draw customers in. Anyway, that¡¯s my realistic and only option since no one else will want to work with me after the divorce. Your father will make sure of it to punish me. I am fairly certain he will fuck a lot of things up for me afterwards. If I am unable to cope in Danvarr, I just might leave to start afresh in a new country. I hope it doesn¡¯te to that. I am attached to some special people and ces here. It would be hard to start all over again in a new ce."


    "I¡¯ll do what I can to get him toy off your back." Impatient, I throw in the bait. "And love? Marriage? Any ns for that in the nearest future?"


    Her small smile fades now. She peers at me with an unclear expression on her face.


    "Hey, all work and no y, right? C¡¯mon, don¡¯t tell me I¡¯ve wrecked you emotionally and ruined you for every other man out there."


    "Absolutely...NOT." She replies confidently. "I n to fall in love again, get married properly and start my own family when the time is right. That¡¯s just not top on my priority for now."


    Is she seriously not going to bring up her secret man? I wonder.


    "I understand. You don¡¯t have to feel ufortable talking about that. I am the husband who¡¯s having a baby with his ex. You are well within your right to find love and date whomever you like."


    "I see Ashton already told you."


    "What?"


    "You¡¯re right. Ours is a contract marriage after all. For a long time, I kept ignoring my feelings because I was striving to be the best wife. Now that we¡¯re wrapping things up around here, I decided it shouldn¡¯t hurt to give myself a chance at happiness again. You don¡¯t have to worry. I¡¯ll be very discreet."


    Hearing those words hurt my pride more than I care to admit. Contract marriages suck. I leap to my feet, unable to withstand the silent torment raging inside me over my wife¡¯s excitement in moving to the next Chapter of her life, with a new man. The fact that she fails to mention his name plunges me into another sickening despair; was she referring to the stranger or my brother?


    "I wish you all the best, Demi Branson." She lets me hug her briefly.


    "Good luck with Ni."


    With a small nod, I let myself out of her room feeling worse than I did when I went in. Why did I expect her to deny or try to hide her affair? Why does it sting that she threw it in my faces the way I have been throwing Ni in hers? Our marriage was always a sham. We were never a real couple so why am I feeling hurt? I shake off the feeling and shuffle to my room.


    Later that night, Trevor calls me up while I am staring at the photos he took of Demi kissing her dark-haired lover in the bookstore.


    "Did you find anything on him?"


    "His records are suspiciously clean. He lives like a hermit in an expensive apartment and has little to no friends. There isn¡¯t much information out there for a grown man like him so my guess is that he put in a lot of work into hiding his identity."


    "Are you telling me that you found nothing at all?"


    "I dug back a few years and managed to find something interesting. I¡¯ll send it to you now. You can fixate on this info while I continue digging."


    My phone beeps after he ends the call. The photo I find sends shock waves down my spine. It¡¯s an old picture of Demi¡¯s boyfriend and M Spellman, probably an old post on social media. She has her arms wrapped around him affectionately as he celebrates his birthday. The caption beneath is even more shocking.


    <i>Happy birthday to the best brother ever?</i>


    M has a brother???

 Chapter 140

    <h4>Chapter 140: Chapter 140</h4>


    ASHER


    "Mr. Spellman. I understand your family feels wronged and humiliated. We can always find another way to settle those scores but reneging on our deal to expose Billion-Err is not a wise decision. It will only hurt us conglomerates more and more in the future. Please. If you¡¯re not interested in loaning us your best tech guys, then allow us to hire them briefly. That blog is the bane of our existence and must be exposed."


    Mr. Hugh shook his head. "I don¡¯t know, Asher. Seems to me that Billion-Err is far more interested in dragging your family down more than any other billionaire family in this country. It mostly reports on you guys and your many, many secrets and sins." He let out a shortugh and swirled the ss of scotch in his hand. "Billion-Err appears to be a Rollins family problem from where I am sitting. Let¡¯s be clear on that. I was only going to help as a gesture of goodwill because of the rtionship our families were trying to establish but your asshole of a brother thought it wise to make me aughingstock. Give me one good reason why I shouldn¡¯t sit tight and enjoy the view as Billion-Err continues to find dirt on your family for Danvarr¡¯s entertainment and mypany¡¯s upliftment?"


    He¡¯s right. I was kind of hoping he doesn¡¯t clue in but nevertheless, I am prepared for this jab. I stare at him lounging on his sofa like a king and sit upright.


    "Billion-Err may enjoy reporting on my family almost all the time but that doesn¡¯t mean it would refuse to publish a juicy news tip about any other billionaire family in this country. You and I know how easily scandals can be created. My family has been the subject of attack because we have been running the business scene for years in Danvarr. Do you really think we will sit back and watch some otherpany knock us off our pedestal and enjoy sess by default without putting up a fight?"


    "Are you threatening me?" Hugh asks with a conspicuous twitch of his beard.


    "Far from it. I am only reminding you of the dirty games conglomerates y to stay at the top. Of course, my family won¡¯t stoop as low as creating scandals about you or yourpany but we do have a penchant for meticulously digging up long buried dirt. We only report the truth, Mr. Hugh. I wonder what we would find when we dig deep enough about the Spellman family. There¡¯s no way you made it this far without soiling your hands in one way or another. Do you think Billion-Err would ignore a tip just because it isn¡¯t about my family?" I indulge in a deviousugh as I rise to my feet and tug my suit close.


    "I really hope you will have a change of heart, Mr. Hugh. We will make such good business partners." As I try to leave, his words make me freeze.


    "And you will make a very good son-inw, Asher Rollins. It isn¡¯t toote."


    I grit my teeth before turning around slowly. "What was that?"


    Hugh drops his drink and pulls himself to his feet. "It¡¯s no secret that you were always my first and only pick for a son-inw. None of your brothers match up to your business acumen, work ethic and charm. You have your head screwed on straight and a tunnel vision focus on what matters. You lead with your head and not your heart, the very telltale sign of a formidable CEO in the making."


    He pats my shoulder. "I don¡¯t care what M saw in Ashton. She¡¯s learnt her lesson that love is never enough and not as important as fiercemitment. If you marry my daughter and turn this disgrace into a celebration, Spellman technologies can be your yground. Together, we will destroy that blog once and for all. We will dominate this country. I don¡¯t have a male heir so you can be rest assured that you will be running the show in Spellman Group after me. No need to jostle for the position with your brothers. It will all be yours. How does that sound?"


    Long after I get into my car and drive away, I am still pondering Hugh¡¯s offer. The irony of the situation is that a month ago, this would have been an easy YES. I might not have been thrilled but since it will help Rollins Group, I would ept it, because father will also wee the idea. However, I can¡¯t understand the heaviness lodged in my chest. It¡¯s the first time I am feeling hesitant about vishly obeying my father¡¯s wishes.


    I have my phone on silent because I don¡¯t want to take father¡¯s calls. Hugh must have conveyed the details of our discussion to him already. Father must be wondering why I didn¡¯t immediately ept it.


    Sure, it will make things easier for him. He would have a good reason to hand Rollins Group over to his biological son, Josh. He would also have his finger in the pie called Spellman Group with my position as its CEO. His empire will expand. It¡¯s a win-win for everyone except...me?


    It shouldn¡¯t matter that I don¡¯t love M. I don¡¯t believe in love anyway so why do I feel like I am being used?


    Iugh out loud in my car. "Asher, you¡¯ve always been used so why is this any different?"


    Ashal¡¯s words start ringing in my head. Is this really how I want to carry on in my life after getting a second chance? Do I really want to work so hard and please so many people and still not be guaranteed to have anyone at my death bed? What would it mean if I desired more? How would my life change if I bared my heart and gave love a chance? If I said NO to things that were unpleasant to do, like marrying the woman Ashton dumped? If I risked father¡¯s anger by not treading the path he has charted for me?


    What would happen? Would I feel happier? Should I prioritize my happiness over my family¡¯s convenience? I shelve my thoughts to focus on the rest of my day.


    I pull up in front of a house tucked away towards the outskirts of town. It¡¯s surrounded by lush green nts and trees. I double check to ensure the address is right. Once confirmed, I get down from my car and head over to the front door.


    It amazes me how cool and collected I am being over this new approach I am adopting today. It is definitely not my style to show up at someone¡¯s doorstep and, in spite of the anger bubbling within me, attempt to have a civil conversation with them. A part of me wants to be a brute and get this over with but I recall the promise I made to my brothers and keep still.


    The door swings open.


    "Hello, Liv."


    ***


    "How did you find me?"


    I smirk at her dumb question. She must have forgotten so soon but there were a few nuggets she shared with me while being vulnerable over our first night together. She had talked about this little family vacation house as an escape hatch. I figured I¡¯d check it myself while my men dug for information elsewhere.


    My eyes drop to her little baby bump and when she sees me, she pulls the shawl wrapping her shoulders over her tummy. We are sitting on a wooden bench overlooking a cidke behind the house. The air is cool. The view is simple. It¡¯s quiet all around us. I can see why she woulde here. I can actually hear myself think. I could use a break from the bustling city right about now.


    Liv steals a nce at me. "Why aren¡¯t you dragging me back to that penthouse? Isn¡¯t that why you are here, Asher?"


    "Oh, trust me, that was my initial n."


    "What changed?"


    I shrug my shoulders. It sucks to be so predictable. Maybe I do need to switch things up.


    "I want to hear your side of the story, Liv. Ashal gave you everything you asked for. Why¡¯d you run?"


    "I¡¯m not sacrificing my sister for my own freedom!" she replied with red-rimmed eyes. "I¡¯d rather go back and live in that cage than let Maddi be his next victim."


    The venom dripping from her wordsnces at my heart almost as much as it would have hurt Ashal¡¯s if he were in my ce right now. It gives me a glimpse of how Ashal must feel around people who know about his weakness. His past actions will never be written off in Olivia¡¯s head. This is why she could never trust him with her life and why she is wary of trusting him with her sister¡¯s. I don¡¯t me her at all.


    "He got better at managing his temper and you pushed him away to go find love elsewhere. Somehow, he ended up falling for Madeline."


    "He¡¯s not in love with her! He sees me in her and wants to rece his ything. It¡¯s not love, Asher. Don¡¯t pretend to be that na?ve because he¡¯s your brother." She shakes her head. "You don¡¯t have a sister or you¡¯d understand how I am feeling."


    Now I flip the script in my head and imagine Adriana in Olivia¡¯s shoes. Though I don¡¯t know much about her and have never met her, I have some reservations for the simple fact that she is my blood. If I am allowed to feel this protective for a sister I only just found out about, who am I to judge Olivia?


    "Look, Liv, I know an apology won¡¯t cut it with you right now so I won¡¯t bother with that. You can live wherever you damn well please since you both are already divorced. I am just here to make sure you have no intentions of breaking your NDA or disappearing off the face of the earth with my brother¡¯s child. Should I be worried about either?"


    Olivia is shocked at my words. I am also shocked at how good I am with this new method.


    "No. Of course not. I don¡¯t want any problems. Ashal will always be a part of this baby¡¯s life. Asides that, I don¡¯t want him anywhere near my family, especially Madeline." She sniffles. "He almost destroyed our sisterly bond by getting her to believe his lies. I won¡¯t let her fall for it and end up like me."


    "What do you mean? Does Madeline have feelings for him too?"


    Olivia springs to her feet with a nd expression. "I will keep my NDA. You already know where to find me. Is there anything else?"


    I join her on my feet. "I need to know that Maddi feels the same way about keeping a lock on your past. Where is she?"


    "She won¡¯t be a problem."


    "She didn¡¯t sign an NDA. What¡¯s stopping her seeing as you¡¯re now free of Ashal?"


    "Free? I have his baby growing inside me." She grinds her teeth. "I love my child of course but the point I am making is that Maddi won¡¯t be a problem either."


    I narrow my eyes and think of telling her. "I¡¯ll have you know that it would be a dangerous idea to lie to me. You got what you wanted. Live quietly and peacefully. You do anything reckless and I assure you, it will end in more tears." But Ashton¡¯s words hit me again and I paraphrase.


    "Fine. I¡¯ll take your word for it. For all our sakes, I hope you¡¯re right."


    That¡¯s a softer threat, right? She nods at me as I leave.


    "Asher?"


    "Yeah?"


    "Please convince your brother to stay away from my sister. Our families can¡¯t go down that road again."


    This time, I nod in agreement.


    The minute I enter the mansion, father calls me into his study. I take in a sharp breath and mentally prepare myself for the onught of questions regarding my hesitance towards Hugh¡¯s deal. I don¡¯t know why I am still skeptical. It¡¯s not my character to hold back on a deal that will put a smile on father¡¯s face but hard as I try, I can¡¯t bring myself to do it.


    "Father I..." I trail off when I notice an unfamiliar visitor in his study.


    "Come in, son. I¡¯ve been expecting you." Father circles his table to pat my shoulder and make a hasty introduction. Thedy at his desk gradually stands and beams at me. "This is Michelle. She¡¯s Hugh¡¯s niece, his elder brother¡¯sst daughter. We came to an agreement over lunch today that since it will be weird to pass down Ashton¡¯s fianc¨¦e to you, we can still be a family by having you wed Michelle here. She¡¯s a Harvard graduate with a degree in Business Administration. She works in her uncle¡¯spany."


    He smiles at Michelle. "Michelle is exactly like you. She¡¯s the Asher to Spellman Group. She understands this is a marriage of convenience and is alwaysmitted to making her family proud, as I am sure you are." Now he turns to me, ignoring the shock in my eyes. "You know the drill."


    "Father..." I begin to protest but get ignored.


    "The PR department will announce your engagement tomorrow morning. You two can talk and go over the formalities." He pats my shoulder and leaves us in his office. I stare at the door after him in utter shock. This is thest thing I expected to hear from him. How did I be such a puppet that my opinion ceased to matter in life-changing decisions concerning my life?


    I definitely have to talk to father. Surely, there has to be some other way to remedy Ashton¡¯s mess. I am unwilling to be the scape goat in this.


    Turning, I realize Michelle is still in the room. Poor girl. She must be as flustered as I am.


    "Michelle, right? Um, I am so sorry if all that came as a shock to you too. I have no idea why our families think this is the best solution but trust me, I will figure something out to get us out of this..."


    "Excuse me?" Michelle cuts me off with an arched eyebrow. "You¡¯re Asher Rollins, right?"


    "Correct."


    "I must say I am disappointed. My uncle spoke so highly of you as a man who understands the importance of family obligations. Well, I don¡¯t know what makes you and your brother so bold but I will have you know that I am nothing like my cousin, M. I am not a pushover. I won¡¯t be insulted or dumped." Her eyes narrow to slits. "I WON¡¯T SIT IDLY BY AND WATCH YOUR FAMILY MOCK MINE TWICE. That announcement might be going up tomorrow morning but a few news channels have already been informed. OUR WEDDING IS HAPPENING, ASHER, SO PUT YOUR BIG BOY PANTS ON AND DEAL WITH IT. Have I made myself clear?"


    Smiling deviously, she kisses my cheek and walks out, her heels cking all the way.


    I am utterly speechless. What the hell just happened?

 Chapter 141

    <h4>Chapter 141: Chapter 141</h4>


    DEMI


    "What?" Liam gaped at me. "Spellman Group is working with the Rollins Group to unmask me?" The worry etched on his face makes me panic as well. I have never seen him this frazzled over a piece of news in a hot minute and seeing him draining his ss of wine and sweating bullets tells me one thing.


    "Liam? You said your system was full-proof. Why are you suddenly uneasy?" He spares me a nce, his lips poised to respond but no words spill out. "Liam?"


    He expels a frustrated breath. "What¡¯s not clicking, Demi? I am a top graduate from my father¡¯s techpany. Obviously, my ¡¯invincible¡¯ hacking system is spun from the knowledge garnered at Spellman technologies. If there¡¯s onepany that can break my code..." He allows the ugly truth to hang thickly in the air while my head spins.


    "It¡¯s Spellman Group." I finish. "Shit, Liam, what are we going to do?" I reach for my ss of water and empty it down my throat. "Wait, do you think Ashton knows about you too? He was very particr about informing me of this deal. Do you think he suspects you¡¯re behind Billion-Err too, like an aplice?"


    Liam shakes his head. "I can¡¯t say. If that were the case, wouldn¡¯t he have thrown a punch at me given all the mud I have managed to pile on his family¡¯s reputation? Why was he so cool about everything, especially after seeing us together thest time he was here? I have no idea what¡¯s going through that man¡¯s mind but the one thing I am certain of is that he does give a rat¡¯s ass about me."


    I instantly backtrack to him breaking off his engagement to M and wonder if Ashton¡¯s dealing with a broken heart. Why would he? He always knew he and I were never going to be endgame so it would be a bit silly of him to take such a drastic decision if the goal was to win me over, unless...


    "Oh my gosh."


    "What?" Liam questions when I close a hand over my mouth.


    I can¡¯t believe it. I don¡¯t want to believe it. "Ashton b-broke off his engagement with M." I sputter.


    Liam rolls his eyes. "That¡¯s not news anymore, Demi."


    "No, he did it all of a sudden, remember? What do you think happened to the deal between Rollins Group and Spellman?" Now, I have his attention. "It makesplete sense. Ashton hasn¡¯t been able to give his family a satisfactory reason for publicly humiliating M and your family by calling off the engagement. I might be crazy and delusional but I think he did to stop the deal or buy time for Billion-Err."


    Liam scowls as he gets the point I am too shaken up to specify. "He was trying to protect you."


    I nod at that, taking it all in. Ashton <i>did</i> break up with Mia because of me. Chills crawl up my arms as I recall his words back on the ind, his soulful gaze when he vehemently asked me to trust him with my secret and his unwavering promise to protect me from his family¡¯s wrath. Did he really go as far as risking his family¡¯s ire just to keep the lid on my secret intact? I feel something warm blossom in my chest before I can stop it.


    "Demi!" Liam calls, snapping his fingers in front of my zed eyes. "You can¡¯t lose your shit right now because of his action. I¡¯m sure dumping my sister wasn¡¯t exactly a tough call on his part since he was clearly never in love with her." He shushes me when I proceed to defend Ashton and shoves his phone in my face. "I guess Loverboy still has some doubts of his own that he means to clear up."


    I shake my head in disbelief after seeing pictures of me and Liam whose face isn¡¯t clear, anonymously leaked to Billion-Err. Rather than wondering who could have taken the pictures, I defend Ashton.


    "There¡¯s no proof that these are from him. He couldn¡¯t have taken our pictures that day."


    "How are you so certain? We were the only ones in here and he was the only one who walked in on us."


    "I know that but...."


    "DEMI, SNAP OUT OF IT. You¡¯re already denying the in truth for this man simply because he ended the deal with Spellman. Ashton just found out everything about you and your motive to take revenge on his family. Do you really think every move he¡¯s made ever since is truly about you? What if he saved Billion-Err because he has personal ns for our blog? What if he means to take you down using the same weapon you used to hurt his family? Have you thought along those lines?"


    "Liam..."


    "HE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD HAVE TAKEN THIS PHOTO OF US. CONVENIENTLY, YOUR FACE IS VERY CLEAR. I have two assumptions; it¡¯s either he means to confirm that you¡¯re affiliated with Billion-Err by checking to see if you¡¯d post this damaging photo of yourself kissing a stranger while ostensibly pregnant with Ashley¡¯s child."


    "And the second assumption?" My heart is already thumping.


    "If he didn¡¯t take this photo, then someone else took it and that¡¯s even worse. We have no idea who this person is and what they hope to gain from this. Either way, if I don¡¯t post it, you¡¯lle under a microscope as to why Billion-Err is partial towards you or maybe they¡¯ll just leak it to another blog or the news."


    My mind tracks back. Trevor had found me shortly after Ashton¡¯s arrival. Could Trevor be behind this? Why would he take such pictures of me? Who instructed him?


    I grind my teeth as I recall my conversation with Ashley. It all makes sense now. His line of questioning and his unhealthy support for my new rtionship seemed a bit uncharacteristic of him. Did he already buy off my bodyguard to keep tabs on me? Was this his n to humiliate me before I dump him? Pathetic.


    "Ashely is behind this. I am certain of it."


    Liam sighs. "It¡¯s your call, Demi. What do you want to do?"


    I inhale deeply. "Post the damn photos."


    "Demi, the people of Danvarr will tear your soul..."


    "Let them. The Rollins family haven¡¯t been any different. Let them bray for my blood. The sooner I cut my ties with that bastard Ashley, the better for me. I don¡¯t care anymore. I am sick and tired of being used by them."


    "And Ashton? Is the sentiment the same towards him?"


    I lurch to my feet and grab my bag because I don¡¯t want to broach that topic. "Ni has been blowing up my phone. I have to see to her. I¡¯ll call youter."


    On my way home, I call Nic.


    "What¡¯s the n here, Demi? I am supposed to start showing soon."


    "Don¡¯t fret. I have made some tough decisions that will speed up my divorce from Ashley. Once that¡¯s done, I¡¯ll fake a miscarriage or go off the grid if my father-inw proves a challenge. Then, you can fake an ident of your own and im you lost the baby. Ashley would be more susceptible to leave the chaos here and go spend time with you while you recover from the shock. It¡¯s up to you how you ensnare him after that."


    She remains unusually quiet.


    "Have I lost you?"


    "No. I¡¯m just shell shocked. I can¡¯t decide if I should thank you or be wary of you, Demi Branson. Your criminal mindedness is a far cry from the innocence you exude."


    "When you¡¯ve been pushed around, used, abused and about to be dumped like me, you¡¯d be lucky to have a shred of humanity left. Maybe I still do, seeing as I am about to deliver the love of your life to you on a silver tter. Watch your mouth, Nic, or this criminal mind will just scrounge up another n to take you down with me."


    I sense her recoiling in fear.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean it like that. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DEMI. I WON¡¯T FORGET YOUR KINDNESS."


    "You better not!" I hang up on her, fuming. She¡¯s one to talk. The very woman that has been a bane to my life as Ashley¡¯s wife? Ugh. I wish I was close enough to smack her cheek for that self-righteousment. People who live in ss houses don¡¯t have the prerogative to throw stones at others. A home wrecker will not pull the pious card on me. NEVER.


    ***


    I make a detour to Anna¡¯s restaurant after hearing Asher¡¯s engagement announcement on the radio. That¡¯s how fucked up my inws are; I, a family member, have to hear of my brother-inw¡¯s engagement the same time as the public.


    Once Anna sees me, she feigns a smile and excuses herself toe meet me. We sit inside my car for a few minutes. The second she gets into the car and shuts the door, I pull her in a hug.


    "Shut up." I say to her.


    "I didn¡¯t say anything."


    "You don¡¯t have to use your words." I exin before releasing her from my hug. "You must have heard of Asher¡¯s engagement. I know you feel something for him in spite of everything that has happened and the promise you made to help me. This is me saying it¡¯s okay to let yourself feel. Cry a bit if you have to get it out of your system. It¡¯s okay. You don¡¯t have to act brave in front of me."


    She nods. "I know that but honestly, it stung for a minute or two after I saw the news. I am fine. I guess I¡¯ve always known he and I were simply sneaking around. Nothing was ever meant toe out of it. Nessa knows that. I know that. We are just there to help him pass time until his father finally handpicked a bride for him."


    "It must still hurt. I¡¯ve been there with Ashton, you know that."


    "It does every time I am reminded of his engagement or the pretty, ssy bitch he¡¯s marrying but then I remember he wasn¡¯t the only one using me and my day brightens up." Her phone beeps and she smiles down at it before wiggling it in my face. "I am still using him by the way. I promised I¡¯d get you some dirt on his family from him. He clearly won¡¯t leave me alone so I¡¯m guessing our fling will carry on discreetly."


    "Anna, I¡¯m good. I can figure this out with Liam. I don¡¯t want you getting caught in the crossfire because of me. Promise me you¡¯d be extremely careful."


    "I promise." She says, closing a hand over mine. "I have to get back."


    "One more thing..." I begin but she beats me to it.


    "Liam already filled me in. Are you ready for the media storm?"


    I shrug my shoulderszily. "Nothing prepares you for that kind of shit except marrying into a shitty family like mine. I¡¯ll be fine."


    We hug again, this time Anna clinging for dear life. "I hope everything pans out the way you envision. No more rude shocks."


    "No more rude shocks." I reiterate before she leaves.


    I am seated in my car on an empty street, under a pouring rain when the post on Billion-Err drops. My phone continues to ring off the hook and buzz with messages, notifications of cyber bullies raining curses and death threats on me, parodies, humiliating memes and gifs of me as a cheap whore that was never worthy to be the daughter-inw of the noble Rollins family.


    The paternity of my unborn child is called into question. There are photoshopped images of me hooking up with other men and having ndestine affairs before and during my marriage with multiple men including Iman. Their creativity equally baffles and scares me but one fact keeps the smile on my face from fading.


    The meanments, threads, tweets, blog articles and news headlines all have amon theme:


    They all call for my divorce from Ashley Rollins.


    I get down from my car and lift my face to the grey skies, enjoying the salty shower. My body sways to the breeze, dancing to a tune only I can hear in my head. The taste of freedom being so close feels better than I thought. I dance like an unhinged toddler, stomping my feet on poodles of water and twirling,ughing and somewhere in there, crying.


    "Is that her?"


    "It¡¯s definitely her!"


    I whip my head as two strange men edge close to me. I was so distracted I didn¡¯t hear them pull up on a motor bike. I don¡¯t even know how long they¡¯ve been watching me.


    "Demi Branson?" Oneughs hysterically. "Are you seriously celebrating your infidelity and impending divorce so brazenly in the open?"


    "She¡¯s very shameless." His friend with a crooked tooth adds, shooting me a disgusted look. Almost immediately, the look fades to a lecherous one. "There¡¯s only one use for a shameless woman around here."


    They exchange wicked nces before closing in on me. My heart explodes with fear.

 Chapter 142

    <h4>Chapter 142: Chapter 142</h4>


    ASHLEY


    "Anything else?" I ask Trevor over the phone as I wait in M¡¯s office.


    "Nothing else. I¡¯ve scoured the inte 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 M 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 M, 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 fianc¨¦e 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 rtionships 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 exnation 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 ce." I lie to soften the blow.


    M 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 ites 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 ce in thepany if he backed out. That did it. After registering his displeasure in very colorfulnguage 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 sh marriage."


    M chuckles. "Are we talking about THE Asher Rollins or another brother? My father chose him specifically because of his fiercemitment 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..."


    "Uh, that won¡¯t be necessary. Maybe we can do that some other time. I came for serious business."


    "Really? What serious business? I hope you¡¯re not here to sway me to take your arrogant brother back. That ship already sailed."


    "Far from it." I shift ufortably. I 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 Ni but that¡¯s not why I am here." I clear my throat. "Naturally, I was concerned about the kind of guy she was seeing because of my family¡¯s reputation so I did some digging on him."


    "And?"


    "Turns out he¡¯s almost a ghost online save for one picture off an old social media ount that someone might have forgotten to delete." I pull up the screenshot of the picture on my phone and pass it to M. Something akin to shock flits across her face and disappears almost immediately. However, I saw it. She recognizes him.


    "You know him, don¡¯t you? You posted that photo."


    She returns my phone. "It was a lifetime ago. He¡¯s a childhood friend I grew up with. I considered him my brother."


    "Considered?"


    "We had a stupid fight and things didn¡¯t end well. I lostmunication with him and have moved on since then."


    I¡¯ll give her points for the convincing lie but my guts have never been wrong; she¡¯s holding back.


    "What¡¯s his name?"


    She scratches her right eyebrow. "I can¡¯t remember." Then in a sleek move at evasion. "Demi is 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 must think she¡¯s made."


    Sighing, she pins me with a concerned look. "You say you¡¯re not jealous but you did some digging on her new babe. That kind of screams ¡¯jealous husband¡¯ if you ask me."


    I slip my phone in my pocket. "I didn¡¯t." Rising, I beam at her. "Thanks for your time."


    "What are you going to do? Beat him to a pulp?"


    I 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 out of the building.


    ***


    I barely have time to savor that as I walk into Asher and Ashton in a heated exchange in the mansion. Ashal checked into rehab a few days ago so mother and a handful of guards are keeping my brothers from throwing punches. I rush between them, carefully nudging mother away.


    "WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?" I snap at them. Behind me, mother sinks into a chair with her head in her hands. I dismiss the guards.


    "This selfish asshole broke the fucking rules!" Asher yells. "Because of his selfish and arbitrary decision to dump his fianc¨¦e without so much as an excuse, guess who gets to clean up his mess and suffer for it? ME!"


    "Isn¡¯t that kind of your whole thing, Asher? Cleaning up after us with a smug look for wining brownie points with father?"


    "Ashton, shut up!" Mother scolds him while I give him a searing look that dissuades him from antagonizing Asher further.


    "You¡¯re wrong! Maybe it used to be my thing but I clearly remember someone advising me to turn a new leaf and shed 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 first like everyone else in this damn family. Why should I have to marry Michelle to salvage the rtionship between us and the Spellman family whom Ashton insulted? Why do I have to pay the price for his selfish act?"


    A headache¡¯s brewing somewhere behind my head.


    "Snap out of it, all of you!" Father thunders from the doorway. He walks in and my brothers each move away from each other.


    "Father, I apologize on their behalf." I say regarding the disappointing scene he walked into.


    "That¡¯s the least thing you should be apologizing for right now. Where¡¯s your useless wife who¡¯s trending online? Have none of you seen the news?" We all whip out our devices to scour the inte.


    "What happened?" Mother jumps to her feet. "What has Demi done now?"


    "What has she not done would be a better question. I me you for bringing that wretch into this family and tainting us."


    While he continues to rant about how ill-suited Demi is, I pretend to be surprised at the sight of her leaked kissing photos with her new man. Honestly, I am a little aghast at how the story transcends a simple cheating scandal to vile usations of a promiscuous past, questionable paternity of her fake pregnancy and divorce demands. This is far more than I thought would happen.


    Why the hell did Ish out by sending the photos to Billion-Err? I was drunk and jealous. I felt a misced sense of betrayal and wanted to get back at her for being so smug about her affair. Now, I feel ashamed of myself for underestimating my fans. I can only hope Demi doesn¡¯t suspect I am behind this.


    Father turns to me after giving mother a piece of his mind. "I won¡¯t hear a word. I am done putting up with that wretch. How dare she shamelessly seek out other men while still bearing ourst name? I will teach her a very good lesson that will make her shiver with fear for the rest of her miserable life. She¡¯ll never mess with our family again even if she reincarnates..." He trails off as Demi appears by the entrance, drenched in rain.


    There¡¯s a sliver of defiance in her eyes as she stands there, shivering with cold. Before I can stop him, father stomps his feet towards her and ps her cheek so hard she falls to the floor.


    "FATHER!" I scream, rushing for her but Asher pulls me back.


    "DON¡¯T YOU DARE INTERFERE, ASHLEY" Father warns me. "This is beyond your little marriage contract now. Don¡¯t test me." He turns to Demi who¡¯s still nursing her cheek. "You slut! You have no idea whose family you just trifled with. This is the end of the road for you. GET THE HELL OUT OF MY PROPERTY BEFORE I HAVE YOU DISGRACEFULLY THROWN OUT IN FULL GLARE OF MEDIA PERSONNELS. GO AND AWAIT THE DIVORCE PAPERS FROM OUR LAWYERS!"


    "Father, please..."


    "SHUT THE HELL UP, ASHLEY, YOU SIMP. SHUT UP!" He replies harshly. Wordlessly, Demi picks herself up and scans everyone¡¯s faces. When she stares at Ashton, he angles his chin ever so slightly towards the door like he¡¯s asking her to seize the opportunity and untangle herself from us. She stares at me and I don¡¯t mistake the naked hatred in her cold eyes. Does she suspect me? How could she tell?


    Silently, she turns to leave.


    "DON¡¯T YOU DARE TAKE ANYTHING YOU ACQUIRED FROM THIS FAMILY!"


    At father¡¯s words, she chucks her car keys on the floor and slips off her wedding band too.


    "I¡¯ll mail the rest." She utters before walking away amidst father¡¯s insults. When I turn, Ashton looks proud of her. Asher¡¯s relieved she¡¯s finally gone. Mother is slightly sad.


    My chest tightens with regret. What the hell have I done?

 Chapter 143

    <h4>Chapter 143: Chapter 143</h4>


    ASHER


    "What is that supposed to mean?" Father queries me when I bluntly refuse to be a part of fixing Ashley¡¯s mess.


    "It¡¯s exactly what it sounds like, father. I¡¯m done being your puppet. You never truly valued my hard work anyway. Despite how many times I tirelessly poured my soul into crushingpany goals, you never made me feel like I was past the point of begging to be your sessor. At every minor inconvenience, you dangled that dream in my face like a carrot. Conversely, Josh¡¯s chances as a strong contender for the same seat never shook no matter what he did. I¡¯m done being your pawn. You¡¯re wee to do your worst."


    "ASHER!"


    "DON¡¯T ASHER ME!" I snap right back at him. "How dare you?" I ask, charging towards him. "How dare you continuously underestimate the man you created? You molded me into this subservient, vishly obedient son and hammered it home that your love and trust could only be earned by more hard work. All my life, I¡¯ve felt like I¡¯m on a hamster¡¯s wheel, constantly running but never truly meeting your standard. Look where it¡¯s gotten me." I chuckle dryly. "While one brother selfishly dumped his fianc¨¦e without a thought and got away with it, my father¡¯s reward to me for my obedience all these years was to serve me up on a tter to the Spellmans in order to achieve his selfish agenda. You have absolutely no regard for me or my feelings on the matter."


    Father ms his right palm on his desk. "What rubbish feelings, Asher? Are you seriously uttering this nonsense? I thought you knew better!"


    "I do and that¡¯s why I know that you are a hypocrite!" I ignore the anger simmering in his eyes. "You dare to proselytize me on the cons of believing in and marrying for love but you¡¯re happily married to the love of your life. How hypocritical of you!"


    He scowls at me before mumbling. "No. Not hypocritical at all." He sinks back in his seat. "Get out then. Duncan and I will handle it. I don¡¯t need you. You and your brothers have done enough damage."


    Something about his demeanor makes me anxious. "What do you mean by ¡¯not hypocritical at all¡¯? I ask him. My eyes dim with understanding. "Are you trying to say mother isn¡¯t your true love?"


    "GET OUT, ASHER!"


    Refusing to think about the import of his words, I storm out of there. How am I just realizing how much my family sucks? I feel like smashing something. I badly want to go to a rage room but the closest one is quite a distance from our mansion. Maybe I¡¯ll have one set up on the second floor or the basement for moments like this.


    Ashley is sulking in his room after Demi¡¯s departure. Ashton, that piece of work, is upstairs too but I don¡¯t want to run into him right now. However, I am more pissed at Ashal who is still in rehab.


    It was his idea that I forge a new path. If he hadn¡¯t gotten into my head using my post-surgery experience as an analogy, I would still be the Asher who didn¡¯t balk at his duties. I wouldn¡¯t be fighting with father for sure. I¡¯d be ecstatic about my engagement to a woman of his choice.


    Instead, I am feeling selfish and desiring to break a few rules myself. Now, I am struggling to enjoy being told what to do, especially who to marry. While I have been lording over my brothers this whole time, and forcing them to obey father¡¯smands like they¡¯re issued by God, I was under the impression that I was better than them all. I had no idea how difficult it was to tread a different path. It¡¯s the scariest thing I ever tried.


    It would be easier to try to be father¡¯s favorite son again but I just seem to have lost my rhythm forever. Now, I am stuck in between, unsure what path will both fulfil and liberate me.


    Confused, I find my way to Anna¡¯s house. I have no idea what I want to say to her but I am drawn to her for some reason. When she opens the door and finds me half drunk on her porch, she only emits a sigh. I barely finish reeling out a disoriented apology before she lets me in.


    ***


    I feel refreshed as I walk into my office by eleven thirty the next morning. It¡¯s my first timeingte in over five years and I think everyone realizes that, including Josh who stops by my office to annoy me as usual.


    "I¡¯m not sure if I should congratte you on your engagement or sympathize for Ashley¡¯s broken marriage." He pretends to think about it. "Well, congrats. You and Michelle seem like a match made on the financial times magazine."


    In my head, I see myself breaking his nose and wiping off the smug grin on his face. My head steams as a billion snide remarks fill it to bursting. With a deep breath, I fend off the rage. It amazes me how much control I still wield over my temper especially around the office.


    "Thanks, Josh." I reply calmly.


    He looks surprised at my simple reply. Bickering with him right now would be futile. Frankly, I am still feeling depleted and discouraged after my exchange with father who is always looking for an opportunity to give thepany to his favorite son. There¡¯s no point in wasting my precious energy arguing with Josh over petty things. I¡¯ll only get riled up when I remember only one of us will pay for the wasted time.


    Josh squares his shoulder. "Not a problem. Anyway, I came to inform you that if you¡¯re looking for Nessa, she¡¯s moved to my wing now. She¡¯s be my executive assistant with a juicy sry bump. She already made arrangements for her recement. Mrs. Hernandez, a formidable secretary with a sterling twenty years experience would be resuming tomorrow."


    I grit my teeth to rein the anger bubbling hot inside me. Nessa now works under Josh? How could she betray me like that? Even if I did threaten to fire her-which I was never going to do-but how could she ept an offer from Josh knowing exactly how I feel about him? I feel betrayed.


    Everyone only thinks about themselves. Everyone around me shamelessly goes after what they consider the best for them. Why do I feel so guilty doing the same? Why am I second guessing my n to inform the media that my engagement to Michelle is untrue? Why am I seriously contemting the pros of going along with father¡¯s n and hoping against hope that he keeps his word this time? I feel foolish and weak forcking the balls to rebel against father.


    "How do you do it?" I query Ashton the second he picks up my call.


    "Do what?"


    "Rebel against your family without an iota of regret? How do you make decisions that could drive a stake through the core of our business or family interest and still sleep well at night?"


    He remains silent for a few seconds. "It¡¯s easy when they¡¯re enough people worrying about the business and family interest. It¡¯s easier when my ostensibly selfish move is less about what I want and more about being a good human and doing the right thing at that moment even if it foils my family¡¯s selfish ns." He inhales a deep breath. "Hey, Asher? Look man, I am deeply sorry that father made you take the fall for my breakup with M. I didn¡¯t see thating..."


    "It¡¯s fine, Ashton. This whole thing has been a huge eye opener for me, and has taught me a few hard truths about myself and my life. I hate that I had to find out this way but I am d I do now."


    "What are you going to do about Michelle?"


    "Never mind. Talkter."


    I end the call and run a hand over my hair. Tough is rtive. I might not be Ashton kind of tough but I have my own unique charm. While Ashton will get out of a sticky situation forced on him courtesy of our father, by taking rash decisions, my methods are a little more subtle and thought through. That¡¯s something Anna made me realizest night at her ce. I am not as hopeless as I think. I just have to get out of my own head and use my own signature move to free myself from the marriage burden.


    "Why is this wedding happening in the first ce? Is it all to finalize a deal between twopanies?" Anna quizzed while she cradled my head on her thighs.


    "Kind of. My father wants both families to be one and marriage seems like a good way of making that happen."


    "Why does he want Spellman Group? Would his feelings remain the same if their reputation is smeared or if Rollins Group gets leaps and bounds ahead of Spellman on the financial scene?"


    "I...doubt that." I sat up because I knew where she was going with this.


    "Asher, if you openly rebel against your father, it will be counterproductive for you unlike Ashton. So<i>, do you</i>. Wriggle out of this situation the way only Asher can; by showing your father he can have what he wants without marrying you off..." I kissed her before she could finish.


    A small smile ys on my lips now as I head towards father¡¯s office during lunch. Unsurprisingly, Josh is there, trying to coax father into going to lunch with him but father is in a sour mood.


    "Father?"


    They both look up, surprised at my sudden entry.


    "Asher?" Father replies.


    "I¡¯d like a word." I nt my head as a cue that Josh excuses us. Reluctantly, he takes shambling steps out of the room.


    "This is a surprise." Father begins but I cut right to the chase and dump a stack of files on his desk. His eyebrows furrows. "What is this?"


    "That¡¯s the hidden financial records of Spellman Group. I did a deep dive and they¡¯re in huge debt spanning billions of dors, father."


    "What?"


    "That¡¯s not all. Remember we got the report that the code behind the Billion-Err blog fits that of Spellman tech? I¡¯ve been thinking how everything¡¯s connected. Here¡¯s a conglomerate struggling to stay afloat in business and keep up with their biggestpetition; us. Suddenly, there springs up a nasty blog that¡¯s devoted to dragging our image through the mud and each time Billion-Err takes a swing at us, guess whichpany¡¯s stock prices spike? Guess whichpany¡¯s sales jump? Suddenly, we want to take down this blog but Spellman won¡¯t help unless our families are bonded through marriage? My guess is that they¡¯re behind Billion-Err or they¡¯re strongly backing whoever is in order to take us down. If they take down Billion-Err without a marriage bond with our family, they¡¯ll sink."


    Father slips on his medicated sses, slumps on his chair and begins to peruse the documents.


    "Asher, these are very serious usations...."


    "I know that but we can¡¯t ignore what¡¯s staring at us in the face. Why won¡¯t they let us pay to hire their tech team even when we are offering double their rates? Why do they insist I have to marry Michelle first? Hugh has had his eyes on ourpany and me for the longest time. He clearly told me to marry M and even offered to make me CEO of Spellman afterwards. He tried to get me to inherit their debts. What do you think will happen to Rollins Group if I leave? My brothers can¡¯t handle more than their subsidiaries and you know I¡¯ll be better at seeding you than josh ever will. Rollins group will suffer setbacks and Spellman will take over."


    Father¡¯s eyes narrow to slits. "Hugh tried to bribe you with the CEO position at Spellman Group?" He yanks off his sses. "Son of a bitch."


    "I know we need more hard evidence but until we are a hundred percent certain that their motives are good, we can¡¯t form an alliance with them. I hope you think about that."


    I turn around and leave while father calls Hugh Spellman. An hour before the close of work, Hugh graces the news, debunking the rumor that his cousin, Michelle, is betrothed to me.


    "...I think it¡¯s ridiculous. My daughter¡¯s engagement to Ashton was mutually called off. No one is in a haste to wed the other kids of the families involved. I¡¯m not saying we wouldn¡¯t be open to the idea in future but I feel like the timing couldn¡¯t be more imperfect right now...especially with Ashley Rollins¡¯ ongoing divorce."


    A smile creases my lips as I pull up at Anna¡¯s ce to celebrate with her. The minute she opens the door, I grab her face and give it a smattering of kisses, leaving her blushing red.


    "You¡¯re a genius, you know that? The engagement is off. I am a free bird again and I have you to thank for it." I nt another kiss, a longer one on her cute lips.


    "Asher, wait." She pulls away to my surprise. "I have to tell you something."


    "Ok? What is it?"


    "It wasn¡¯t exactly my idea. You shouldn¡¯t be thanking me."


    "I am a bit confused. Whose idea was it then?" She moves away from the door and behind her, I see Demi standing with hands folded across her chest.


    "It was mine," Demi replies firmly. "And now, I believe you owe me a favor in return, Asher Rollins."


    I grit my teeth in anger and clench my fists. "What do you want from me?"

 Chapter 144

    <h4>Chapter 144: Chapter 144</h4>


    ASHTON


    I tear my eyes away from my phone, as difficult as that feels, to beam at my sister, Adriana, who¡¯s galloping on a horse. Keith is somewhere at the back of the house, chopping firewood. His lovely parents went out of town to purchase some necessary items for the animals on the farm.


    <i>[She¡¯s not at her aunt¡¯s ce or Anna¡¯s]</i> One of our men messages me.


    I feel a ball of unease unfurl in my belly. Where else could Demi be? Was she at a motel? She¡¯s been unreachable since she left the mansion two nights ago. She won¡¯t even return my calls and texts.


    I¡¯ve been so worried especially as the online trolling and bullying keep intensifying. I think it was even covered somewhere on the news that she got pelted with raw eggs in public.


    "Where in God¡¯s name are you, Demi?" I mumble before letting out a short breath.


    Is she mad at me too? Sure, she must be. Her hatred for my family must have crystallized with father¡¯s action that night but that¡¯s a topic for another day. I just want her to send me proof of life so my heart quits racing with nerves.


    Ahead of me, Adriana finally finishes herps. My eyes boggle with shock when her favorite house throws her off his back before she can get down. Shends face first in the dirt and yelps in pain.


    "ADRIANA!" I move like a blur across the field and pick her up while her horse, Poo-bear, skips away.


    "I¡¯m fine." She assures me, closing a hand over mine after Keith applies First Aid to her bruised forehead and bandages to her sprained ankle. "Or at least, I will be once the splitting headache ebbs."


    "You were supposed to be watching her!" Keith barks angrily at me. "What were you doing? She was on that horse for the first time in years, at your behest."


    "Keith..."


    "No." He silences his sister with a burning look before directing his zing eyes back to me. "I entrusted her safety to you for a measly thirty minutes and this happens? How do you expect me to believe her life will be safe with you and your brothers if you all always have shit going on and keep spacing out?"


    "Keith, please..." Adriana pleads.


    Normally, I¡¯d fight him on this but today, I realize bitterly that he isn¡¯t wrong. I couldn¡¯t even protect Demi whom I im to be in love with. How can I keep my sister safe from father and everyone in the country that might want to hurt her?


    "I¡¯m sorry, Keith. I got distracted." I turn to my sister and nt a soft kiss on her hair. "I¡¯m sorry. It won¡¯t happen again." Keith¡¯s eyes continue to re with heat but seeing Adriana¡¯s pleading ones make him retire back to chopping wood.


    "I¡¯m so sorry." I reiterate, rubbing my hands over my eyes after Keith leaves.


    "It¡¯s okay. I¡¯m not a baby that constantly needs watching. It was an ident. Plus, he was wrong. No one made me do anything. I¡¯ve missed riding my horse and wanted to bond with her again despite being out of practice. I saw the risk and took it anyway knowing how hotheaded and impatient Poo-bear can be." She chuckles, then winces as pain fizzes through her eyes. "You¡¯re worried about your family. I get that."


    I suck in a breath. "Keith¡¯s still right. My family is chaotic. There¡¯s always something going on, usually ugly stuff that puts us under a microscope. That¡¯s hardly the kind of life you need right now."


    "I don¡¯t want any part of that." She immediately reaffirms. "I¡¯m just d to reconnect with my brothers after so many years." Her eyes drop to her thighs as she burrows her hands in them. "What do the others think of me?"


    Immediately, I take her hands, forcing her eyes back up. "They¡¯re thrilled over your existence but we came to an understanding that if we all met with you at the same time, that might attract attention or put your quiet life at risk." I can tell from her eyes that she knows just what I mean by thest part.


    "Asher works directly with father so his schedule is always tight. Ashley¡¯s going through stuff in his marriage. Ashal is just like you and not much of a fan for drama so he tries to steer clear of it. They ALL know I am here and want to be kept in the loop on how everything is going with you. I promise that when it¡¯s safe and we are able to shake off our bodyguards from tailing us, we will meet you as four brothers, not just me."


    She grins warmly. "It feels strange to go from being a lone orphan to having four brothers."


    I scoop her hair out of her face. "When you feelfortable, maybe you can share that part of your life with me, you know. Growing up in foster care, living in fear...our parents." Her eyes nt upwards at thest part. "I¡¯d really love to know what happened to them." She withdraws, as expected, tilting back in her chair.


    "Maybe one day." Her tone is clipped and cold. Her eyes red at the rims before she looks away. I hate to upset her.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to upset you."


    "Does he love you?"


    "What?"


    She turns to me with cold eyes. "Your father. Does he love you all like sons or is that just the picture he paints for the country to see?" The venom is undeniable in her voice.


    Fear prickles over the rage as we stare at each other. She breaks eye contact first, leaping to her feet like her butt is on fire, then instantly regrets it when her ankle explodes with pain.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I didn¡¯t mean to speak of your father like that." She avoids my eyes and hands when they reach out to steady her. Is she afraid of me? I hold onto her despite the fright wracking through her small body. "I¡¯m s-sorry." She repeats.


    "Don¡¯t be afraid, Adriana. I¡¯ll never hurt you. I¡¯m your brother and you, my little sister." I cup her face with my hands. "I know how you feel about him and if what I¡¯ve heard is true, then your feelings are justified. To answer your question, he¡¯s way better at being a boss than a father." Her eyes crinkle in a thin smile while mine hardens. "If what I heard is true, I promise to make everyone involved pay for everything they did to alter the course of our destinies."


    With my thumb, I pad off the tears before they roll down her cheeks. Adriana¡¯s hands wrap around my body and lock like a vice as she hugs me tightly, sobbing onto my vest.


    "You¡¯re not alone anymore." I assure her with more kisses in her hair. "Your brothers are with you now and we love you."


    "I love you too." She replies tearfully.


    ***


    "I have no idea where she is." Kira tells me over the phone on my way back from Keith¡¯s ce. "She never even bothered to stop by her first home after getting thrown out of her marital home. Imagine that. She should be ashamed and contrite for everything she¡¯s done to her poor husband and your family. I have no idea where her terrible character emanates from. It¡¯s certainly not from her maternal family. I¡¯m nothing like that..."


    I hang up, irritated at Kira¡¯s disgusting attitude towards her own cousin. Once again, I try Demi¡¯s line but it¡¯s switched off. Where could she be?


    "Anna,e on now, you know exactly where she is."


    Anna rolls her eyes at me. Of course, she¡¯s mad at me and my family for Demi¡¯s suffering. "Look, I am busy, okay? Even if I did know where to find my best friend, why in the world would I tell you? You¡¯ve all made her life a living hell. Have some sympathy and leave her alone. This is thest time I am entertaining questions from a quad on this matter. Tell Ashley to quit hassling me." She hisses before returning back to her position inside the honey pot restaurant.


    I let out a sigh in my car. If anything, at least now I know Demi is fine. Anna is certainly in contact with her and if she¡¯s being chill about Demi¡¯s disappearance, then she must know exactly where Demi is and in what condition she is. The relief that floods my chest from that deductionsts only a few seconds.


    I make my way home and ost Trevor once more, barraging him with questions about the leaked photos.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Ashton but I can¡¯t tell you which family member made me take them. I gave them my word."


    I strap down the urge to give him another ck eye because he¡¯s obviously telling the truth. If he¡¯s still under our payroll even after I pointed out to father that Trevor was the one who took the photos, then maybe father or one of my brothers ordered him to do so.


    Maybe father or one of my brothers intentionally leaked the photos to discredit Demi or get rid of her permanently. They all have strong motives for wanting to punish Demi and it sickens me to think which one of them set this whole thing in motion.


    As the media outrage for Demi shows no sign of stopping even after a week, I make a mental note to give the people of Danvarr something else to think about. Surprisingly, it didn¡¯t take me long to make the decision.


    I alight from my car in broad day light, sporting my natural ck hair as I stop to get some coffee. I am dressed like my usual self to avoid any confusions with my brothers.


    <i>"Oh my God, isn¡¯t that Ashton Rollins? Is he wearing a wig?"</i>


    I run a hand through my hair to reveal my scalp and stifle a smile when I hear subdued gasps of shock echo around the room. Pictures are silently taken.


    <i>"Maybe he dyed his hair ck."</i>


    <i>"No, it¡¯s definitely his hair!" Someone disagrees. "If it was dyed, it would hardly be this perfect and healthy looking."</i>


    I continue to soak in the tirade going on around me and show no surprise when I am hounded by reporters outside the coffee shop.


    "Ashton Rollins, is that a new look to differentiate yourselves from your brothers or a reveal of your natural hair?"


    I ignore them as I make my way to my car, all the while flipping my curls out of my face to help them capture good pictures and video clips with which to make their conclusionster.


    I am seated in my car, ignoring calls from my family members when the photos and videos of me sporting my dark hair breaks the inte. People are thrown into confusion as they fight with each other over my new look. A smile seeps into my cheek. At least Demi gets to catch a break from the trolling. That¡¯s all I want.


    I stare outside my car parked close to M¡¯s beautiful duplex. I¡¯ve been meaning to apologize to her for my awful behavior. She didn¡¯t deserve the embarrassment I caused her in my bid to protect Demi.


    I was too ashamed to call first, too worried she¡¯d ignore me so I showed up at her home instead to apologize in person. It¡¯s her day off. She might hurl abuses at me or have me kicked out of her property as she rightly should. I am mentally prepared for all that.


    However, when I ignite my car to swerve towards her gate, my fingers freeze over my steering wheel. M¡¯s gate swings open and I watch her hugging a guy before he gets in his car and drives out.


    I could never forget the face of the man whom Demi unted in my face as her new lover.


    What rtionship did that two-timing bastard have with M?

 Chapter 145

    <h4>Chapter 145: Chapter 145</h4>


    DEMI


    I¡¯ve had a rather eventful set of days since the photos leaked. I narrowly escaped the lechers that tried to attack me on the street. Y


    ou¡¯d think my day got worse when I returned to the mansion and got kicked out but NO, that was my idea of a blissful end to a shit show. Things couldn¡¯t have panned out better that night.


    Despite my relief over my impending divorce, I wasn¡¯t prepared for the media hate. It¡¯s nothing like I¡¯ve witnessed before. It¡¯s been ten times more hellish. I even had to stay at Amanda Regan¡¯s ce after some displeased Ashley fans pelted eggs at me and trailed me towards Anna¡¯s home. I couldn¡¯t bring myself to draw the heat to her.


    "Ignore them. Everything will blow over soon." Mrs. Regan assured me after she took me in. Her kids were not around and she was beyond ecstatic to have somepany. I managed to get a call across to Anna in case she was worried about me.


    When I overheard Asher¡¯s drunken slurining about his fixed engagement to Michelle and how trapped he felt, I figured I could help him out in exchange for a favor he couldn¡¯t refuse.


    "What do you want?" Asher growls at me while Anna pretends to fuss around her kitchen. I ignore his condescending stare and cross my legs on the couch.


    "I want you to make sure that nothing affects my divorce from your brother." I lean forward, matching the ire in his eyes. "I want you, Asher, to expedite that process as soon as possible."


    He scoffs at me. "Is that all? I would love nothing more than to have you permanently separated from my family, as I am sure Ashley does too."


    The part about Ashley is a lie if Ashley¡¯s incessant calls and apologetic texts are any indication but I cheerily choose to gloss over the lie. Asher flicks a gaze towards Anna and his eyes steam. "Is there anything else you¡¯re not telling me about your best friend here? Any more surprises I should be aware of?"


    "Don¡¯t bring her into this." I caution him but true to form, he pretends like I don¡¯t exist and remains focused on Anna.


    "Her secret boyfriend? The other reasons why she¡¯s yearning for this divorce? Passing off her ideas as yours just to get me to owe her a favor? What else, Anna? Do I also have her to thank for you letting my drunk ass in that night? Did you only do it because Demi asked you to?"


    "Very typical, Asher. Go right ahead. Heap the me on her. Ignore your own faults and me the rest of the world for not pandering to your desires." I chuckle dryly. "It¡¯s indeed true what they say; people who don¡¯t love themselves will always make you pay for loving them."


    "Enough, Demi." Anna coos.


    Asher finally let¡¯s Anna off and turns to me. "You better watch that mouth of yours if you don¡¯t want to bepletely driven out of this country. Trust me, I only need to make one phone call."


    "Don¡¯te at my friend like that." I warn him in a low voice. "You have no prerogative to use her of being distrustful, not after everything you¡¯ve done to her. How dare you demand honesty from her when you have tons of dark secrets she¡¯ll never know in this lifetime?"


    Anna drops a dish with a tter. "When you both are done bickering, show yourselves out." She storms past us into her bedroom and ms the door shut. Asher leaves first and afterwards, I go in to thank Anna for putting up with me.


    "What are you going to do?" Anna asked with worry etched on her face. "You can¡¯t stay hidden at Mrs. Regan¡¯s for too long."


    "It¡¯s Just until the divorce is finalized and tempers cool down."


    "You trust him?"


    "No but he¡¯s Asher. He¡¯s the only one who yearns for this divorce more than I do. I trust his steadfastmitment to blot me out of the family tree." I sigh. "Till then, I sincerely hope Brett Rollins doesn¡¯te up with new ways to make my life miserable just to make a point. He has already frozen all my ounts and left me penniless. He¡¯s ensured I can¡¯t walk out during the day too with his hired minions poised to disgrace me in public. I just can¡¯t wait for it all to be over."


    "Why aren¡¯t you taking Ashton¡¯s calls? He might be able to help."


    "That might be true but his entire family knows he¡¯ll be trying to help me. If I ept his help or evenmunicate with him, his father¡¯s henchmen will trace me all the way to Mrs. Regan¡¯s doorstep. She will lose her job and more for helping me. I don¡¯t want any of that so I am just going to figure this out on my own."


    Though she doesn¡¯t say it, I know exactly what Anna is thinking; I am still skeptical about trusting Ashton. Yes, he has gone out of his way to help me ever since he unveiled my secret and I am beyond thankful for everything.


    Still, I can¡¯t lose my head over that. At the end of the day, he¡¯s connected to my greatest pain and when we eventually sit down to unpack everything, I don¡¯t know if my feelings would change after that. I¡¯m not sure if his will either when I remain adamant about exacting my revenge on his awful family.


    I know he feels guilty but his actions are chiefly spurred by that guilt. The real test will begin when his entire family finds out about me too and he has to make a decision to stand with them to stop me or stand by me to protect me from them. That¡¯s the only time I am prepared to decide if he truly meant his word.


    When the photos and videos of Ashton sporting his natural hair colores out a weekter, I stifle a shocked moan. Once again, I can tell he made a hard decision to shield me from the storm.


    It works like a charm. The media eases up on their name calling and online threats to discuss the bad boy of the Rollins¡¯ quad looking hotter than ever with dark curly hair.


    I lose track of time hanging at Anna¡¯s ce while reading all thements, gasping as I rey the clips of him feathering his hands through his hair in the coffee chops, and smiling sheepishly as I go through the pictures. He looks so good, so different from his brothers I almost feel bad that he ever hid this from the world out of a misced sense of shame.


    I slide my phone into my pocket, pull my hoodie over my head and venture out of Anna¡¯s house by nightfall. It¡¯s my first time back at Anna¡¯s ce since I spoke to Asher days ago.


    Mrs. Regan is great but she¡¯s mostly at work and I feel weird being alone all day in her big, strange house. It¡¯s easier, warmer and more familiar at Anna¡¯s so I chose to risk visiting my best friend once again. Unfortunately, Anna is workingte today so we don¡¯t get to meet.


    Just as I turn the corner, strong arms grab me. A startled scream rips out of my throat but gets cut off a secondter when a hand mps over my mouth. I kick and writhe against the stranger to free myself to no avail.


    Dread fills my lungs. Is this Brett¡¯s or Asher¡¯s doing? Is this how I¡¯ll die like a stray cat in a dark alley only to be discovered the next morning? More scary thoughts cross my mind as I battle for my freedom.


    "Shh, It¡¯s me."


    That¡¯s all he had to say.


    "Ashton?" I mumble against his palm before he frees me.


    He tucks his hands in his pocket coyly and shoots me a smile. "Hi."


    ***


    "I was worried sick..."


    "I¡¯m fine." I cut him off, ufortable with the emotion in his voice. "I can handle it."


    "I know you can but it can¡¯t hurt to ept help to make things easier for you."


    "Easier?" I nce around the empty bar where we are seated in our disguises. "You can¡¯t make things easier for me, Ashton, even if you want to. Your family knows you¡¯d be trying to help and all they have to do is tail you. For all we know, your father could have been tipped off about my location by one of hisckeys who trailed you here."


    He winces at my brash tone. "Okay, I¡¯m not dumb enough to let anyone tail me sessfully. We are alone, I assure you." He leans forward. "This iciness in your voice, you don¡¯t really believe I took those pictures of you and him or leaked them to Billion-Err, do you?" His voice is riddled with worry as he pins me with a deep look.


    "I know you didn¡¯t take or leak the photos, Ashton."


    He nods, but doesn¡¯t break eye contact. "You know who did. Trevor? I thought so too but he was only obeying orders. Do you happen to know who could have ordered him?"


    This time, I tilt back in my chair. "It was Ashley one hundred percent. He acted weird when I got back home that day and kept badgering me with questions about my new lover. I thought you had told him all about it butter found out you didn¡¯t. What I don¡¯t get is why he leaked them to Billion-Err with everything going on in the family at the time."


    Ashton barely has time to register his disappointment when I proceed. "You can¡¯t protect me, Ashton. I know you feel guilty about my parents but these interventions won¡¯t shield me from what¡¯sing. Your family is bound to find out about my mom sooner orter. They¡¯ll use me. Your father will bray for my blood out of paranoia. What will you do then? Will you stand with your loved ones to extinguish a perceived threat as usual or would you keep your word to me and be my barricade?"


    The light goes off in his eyes. "The fact that you still have to ask..." His voice falters. "What my family did six years ago was reprehensible. We will never be able to atone for your loss. Personally, that night will never cease to haunt my dreams."


    My breath catches. "What do you mean by that?"


    His eyes redden at the rims. "I¡¯m so sorry, Demi. I shouldn¡¯t have reported your mom to my father. I was young and foolish. I swear, I thought the worst that could happen was her getting arrested."


    My chest tightens with pain. Is he really about to spill it all? I burrow my hands under the table and contemte flipping on my phone recorder but my hands won¡¯t stop shaking.


    "Tell me." I urge him. "Tell me without mincing words what truly happened that night, I beg of you."


    He dabs his wet eyes and recounts pretty much everything Mrs. Regan already told me, including the bit about Samuel Woodley¡¯s attack on Ashley, until he got to the part where he found my parents and tried to convince them to trust him. My fingers turn to ice. My throat clogs while he struggles to find the courage to tell me the undiluted truth.


    "I...uh, I found them. At that point I was convinced my father wasn¡¯t truly just trying to talk to Camille. I feared he wanted to do more, to hurt her." He actively avoids my eyes. "I was regretting my poor decision of ratting her out to my family so when I stumbled on them first, I thought I could help them escape." His breath is shaky, his voice low and raw with emotion. "I begged your mom to trust me once. There was an elevator down the hall that led to a back exit as far as I remembered. My brothers were hot on their heels, catching up to us so I begged Camille not to use the stairwell which led to a dead end."


    His face contorts with pain as tears spill from his eyes. "At the veryst moment, she chose to trust me. I swear I had no idea the elevator was faulty. It wasn¡¯t taped. Ashley worked there; I didn¡¯t. I didn¡¯t know, Demi."


    Tears are streaming down my face as well now.


    "I didn¡¯t know." He repeats with a broken voice. "I pressed the damn button and she dashed in with your father in tow. The doors slid shut about ten seconds before Asher and Ashal caught up with me. I was confident your mother had escaped when I heard the screech of metal and the ghastly drop." He breaks off, wheezing and whimpering.


    Chills curl up my arms as my fertile imagination tortures me with gory representations of what my parents must have gone through in their final moments in that enclosed space.


    "My family thought I had intentionally led them to their death until they realized it was idental. I was in too much shock to process anything. They altered the story to the media to protect me and thepany for their negligence in failing to tape off the faulty elevator." He slowly meets my eyes now. "I killed them. It was all me, Demi. That¡¯s the gospel truth. This isn¡¯t me trying to cover for my family<i>. I am your culprit."</i>


    I stagger to my feet but he grabs my wrist before I can rush outside and puke behind a hedge.


    "Let me go. Please." I croak out in tears.


    I have always suspected that he yed a key role in what happened so why does the truth still feel damaging? I thought I was prepared to handle it.


    He bobs his head and let¡¯s go of my hand. However, I remain standing, transfixed at the image of him. I still can¡¯t believe it. This changes everything. It can never be the same again.


    "You have every right to hate me..."


    "Shut up! Shut up!!! Just shut up!!!" I want to strangle him in the red haze of rage but my hands won¡¯t move. Somewhere inside me, a logical voice reminds me it was an ident, and continues to remind me that his death won¡¯t change a thing or make me feel any better. So, I drop back on my seat and cry next to him for a few minutes.


    Once the pain eases up, our teary eyes meet. I dry my eyes and nose. We continue to sit in silence for a few more minutes.


    "Please, say something." His shame and pain are undeniable.


    "I hate you so much right now and I can¡¯t help it." I wipe off a single tear that tries to run down my cheek. "I hate your family even more." He nods his head.


    "I don¡¯t think I will ever be okay with everything being swept under the rug, from my parents to Tobias and Samuel Woodley...all the victims I probably don¡¯t know of" I inhale deeply. "I¡¯m sorry but justice has to be served. That¡¯s the only way for the affected families to find closure." I gaze at him as the implication of my words hang in the air.


    "I am prepared to take responsibility for my actions."


    We say nothing more as his phone rings.


    "Take it." I insist so we can have a little break from the awkwardness and pain simmering between us. I turn away and dry my eyes even more.


    Ashton answers and remains unusually silent while Asher blows hot on the other end of the line. The shock that ripples through Ashton¡¯s face scares me. His eyes widen with shock, making me tremble with fear. The call ends.


    "What is it? Why is Asher furious? What did he say to you?"


    Ashton takes a second to unfreeze his tongue. "Asher just found the research I did on hisputer which helped me confirm your rtionship with Camille Branson." He swallows hard. "Demi, he knows you¡¯re Camille¡¯s daughter."

 Chapter 146

    <h4>Chapter 146: Chapter 146</h4>


    ASHTON


    Fuck! Fuck!! Fuck!!! How did I forget to erase that file from Asher¡¯sputer? How could I have been so careless?


    Demi pales after I tell her about Asher¡¯s discovery.


    "W-What are you...saying? How did he...no, it¡¯s too early. He c-can¡¯t find out, Ashton. He¡¯lle after me..." I grab her cold hands and force her to look at me. She¡¯s so terrified her body is shaking.


    "It¡¯ll be fine."


    "No. He¡¯ll tell father and..."


    "HE WON¡¯T. HE WON¡¯T, DEMI. IF he was going to, he wouldn¡¯t have bothered to call me or ask to see me. I still have time to convince him to keep your secret." Though she bobs her head, I don¡¯t think she¡¯s fully processing my words. Absentmindedly, I pull her head close and kiss the top of it. Our foreheads touch for a few seconds while her breath calms. "I promise I won¡¯t let them hurt you. Please, trust me."


    "Okay." She mutters weakly. I kiss her hair one more time before leaving.


    Asher is fuming when I get home and find him in the gym fully clothed in a suit. He hasn¡¯t even bothered to remove his shoes or his tie. He leaps up like a frog once he our eyes meet and ambles towards me.


    "How long have you known?"


    I ignore the rough shove at my chest and his blistering gaze.


    "HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN THAT SHE¡¯S THE DAUGHTER OF THE COUPLE YOU KILLED?"


    My eyes sh at his hurtful words. This is the first time in six years that a family member is calling me a killer because of what happened that night. I get that my brother is angry but it¡¯s very tactless and mean of him to hit below the belt just to register his anger.


    I inhale deeply. "I found out after your surgery that she¡¯s Camille Branson¡¯s daughter."


    "And you kept it a secret because of what?" Asher rages with furrowed brows. "Huh? Who exactly were you trying to protect, Ashton? You hid such a crucial information from the same family that protected you from jail and coddled your little secret while you drowned yourself in alcohol for years to forget that night. You chose Demi over us? That¡¯s what we get?"


    "Asher, you know very well that this isn¡¯t about my feelings for her. Imitted a sin against her, ruined her entire life and family..."


    "identally!" He rifies, throwing the bottle of water in his hand across the gym. "It was a fucking ident, right? That¡¯s what you said and we as a family believed you. We risked everything to shield you from the consequences. How could you not immediately alert us to the fact that the woman who joined our family six months ago was Camille¡¯s daughter? How could you hide her secret knowing fully well that she must be out to avenge her parents?"


    Before I can respond, he inclines his head as something crosses his mind. "I always knew it. I felt in in my bones from the moment she stepped into this house that she seemed ominous but no one believed me." His eyes flicked back to mine. "Where the hell is she? I need to have her interrogated. She must be behind most of the shit we¡¯ve been through since she married Ashley. I need to know her aplices and what her grand n is. Oh fuck," He gasps, running his hands through his hair. "Father would be livid. We are yet to get over your hair reveal and Ashley¡¯s divorce scandal and now this..."


    I yank him back when he tries to leave in a haste. "YOU WON¡¯T SAY A WORD TO FATHER ABOUT DEMI¡¯S IDENTITY!"


    The air in the gym seems to dry up as Asher turns slowly to re at me. "What was that?"


    I re right back at him. "I SAID YOU WON¡¯T BREATHE A WORD OF THIS TO FATHER, YET."


    His smile is wicked and sick around the edges. "OR WHAT, ASHTON? WHAT WOULD YOU DO?"


    I leave him to go sit on a bench press. Sighing, I bury my face in my hands. "Her parents are dead because I told him about Camille. If I never mentioned finding that reporter¡¯s card on her desk and listened to her side of the story first, that poor woman and her husband would still be alive."


    "Oh,e on, that¡¯s..."


    "HE¡¯LL KILL DEMI BEFORE THE BREAK OF DAWN." I yell over Asher. "And you know it. You know exactly how he handles people he perceives as threats but you probably couldn¡¯t care less about Demi." I lunge to my feet. "Yes, I am a killer but which quad can im to not be one? Like father, we have all ended a life or more." Asher works the tension in his jaw by clenching it as I drive home my point.


    "You know who isn¡¯t a killer? Demi! She¡¯s a poor orphan who¡¯s still hurting from the loss of her parents. Her life took a tragic turn after they passed on. So, what if she¡¯s itching for revenge? Wouldn¡¯t you feel the same way if the roles were reversed?" I draw closer. "I may not have been able to protect her parents from our family but I certainly won¡¯t spare anyone who attempts to hurt a hair on Demi¡¯s head."


    Our chests heave with breath as we lock eyes.


    "Does she know the truth?" He asks. "Does she know you..."


    "Yes, she does." I pre-empt him.


    "Then she can¡¯t possibly love you, can she?" He sucks a breath through his teeth. "You¡¯re wasting your time ying a knight for her while she¡¯s busy plotting your death." Asher loosens his tie and fists his fingers. "You better hope I don¡¯t find evidence that she¡¯s trying to take us down. I won¡¯t spare her, Ashton."


    "Spare who?" Ashley asks, walking in with both hands buried in his pockets. Asher grins, walks up to him and pats his cheek.


    "Are you going to tell him, or should I?" He yells at me. When I remain intentionally mute, Asher drops the bombshell. Ashley is speechless at first. Slowly, he drops his hands by his sides.


    "She knows the truth about that night?" Ashley asks me.


    "Yes." I reply.


    "And your drunken wedding? Was that really idental or nned?"


    Asher rolls his eyes. "How could you even ask? She clearly staged everything to wriggle her way into our family. Jeez, you guys are so slow." He expels a deep breath and mumbles incoherently.


    Ashley walks up to stand in front of me. "If this is true, then Demi yed us all from day one. She¡¯s been nursing a huge grudge against our family while pretending to have our best interest at heart. If this is true, she must have ns to expose and wreck us. Yet, you still want to protect her when she obviously detests us and mes us for the loss of her parents?"


    "What would you prefer? That we rat her out to father and find her dead body being pulled from ake leagues from here?" I didn¡¯t mean to hurt him by the Tobias reference but he grimaces as the memory filters into his head. I turn to Asher. "Would snitching help you score brownie points with father, huh? The same man who lies, cheats, maniptes and kills on a whim?"


    "DON¡¯T MAKE THIS ABOUT FATHER!"


    "But it is about father, Asher!" I snap back at him. "Everything started because of him and right now, this agitation to capture an innocent woman is spurred by the zeal to please father! Demi isn¡¯t half the menace father is and we all know that. Why does he get to dictate who lives and who dies? If you all truly want to be his minions and please him, then don¡¯t stop at Demi. Hand Adriana over to him as well and let¡¯s see what he does with your little sister!" Their faces turn ashen like I hoped.


    "That¡¯s what I thought." I square my shoulders and nce from one to the other. "I feel guilty enough for the pain Demi is going through and for that reason, I can¡¯t stand her being hurt even further."


    "And if she¡¯s working against us?" Ashley asks.


    I smile at him. "Why didn¡¯t you tell father that Nic was Shay even after all the torment she put you through? Why didn¡¯t you do anything in retaliation but rather forgave her?" He pales and jams his hands back in his pockets. "I¡¯m keeping an eye on Demi. She may hate us and me us for her parents¡¯ death but she isn¡¯t an evil person. She¡¯s going through pain andshing out like normal humans do. Let her be. She isn¡¯t the threat you think she is."


    Asher swallows back a retort when I give him a sizzling look.


    "For her sake, you better be right." He thunders before storming away. When Ashley turns to leave, I stop him with a question.


    "What did you have in mind when you leaked those photos of Demi and the stranger to Billion-Err?"


    His body turns rigid for a second before he whirls back towards me. There is no point in feigning ignorance as he can tell from my firm look that I know what I am saying.


    "Definitely wasn¡¯t expecting demands for mine and Demi¡¯s divorce or the intense public outrage on and offline. I was drunk andshed out because of how cocky she seemed about her affair. I never meant for things to be this bad."


    "Like I said, peoplesh out when they¡¯re hurt." His expression is somber and remorseful before he walks away.


    Father returns home and suddenly summons all three of us into his study. At first, I fear Asher hadn¡¯t been swayed by my words and went ahead to tell father everything but when he appears just as surprised over father¡¯s call, I realize his guess is as good as mine.


    "I had an eventful meeting with Spellman Group today. It¡¯s amazing how far they¡¯re willing to go to prove their innocence in this matter to me." He nods at Asher who goes on to fill us in on his findings and spections regarding the conglomerate and Billion-Err.


    "Well, it took them less than a week to use their resources to uncover the culprit behind Billion-Err. Yes boys, we can finally put a face to the blog."


    My blood pressures spikes. "You know who¡¯s behind Billion-Err?"


    "Yes." Father tosses a brown envelop at Asher who hastens to pull out the pictures within. Ashley and I huddle close to get a good look.


    "This guy?" Ashley says with wide eyes that match the shock in mine.


    "You know him?" Asher asks.


    I recognize Demi¡¯s lover in a heartbeat. Him? Then Demi is definitely involved with the blog. Ashley clears his throat and avoids my eyes.


    "I just think he looks oddly familiar. Isn¡¯t that right, Ashton?"


    All eyes turn to me. Father reclines in his chair, steeples his fingers and breathes heavily as he regards me. We haven¡¯t even had a chance to discuss my hair stunt yet. I can only imagine what¡¯s running through his mind. As for Asher and Ashley, one brief exchange of looks between them helps Asher draw a hasty conclusion that the man in the photo is connected to Demi. He arches his brows as he res at me.


    A warning. <i>You said you have her under control but if you don¡¯t, I¡¯ll deal with her.</i>


    A reminder of his threat<i>. If I find evidence to prove that she¡¯s the threat I think she is, no one will be able to stop me from dealing with that threat the best way I know how.</i>


    "The man in the picture is called Liam and he happens to be M¡¯s estranged older brother!" Father exins to everyone¡¯s surprise. "ording to Hugh, Liam is the family rebel. It¡¯s a long story for another day. The important thing is that his arrest warrant has been issued. He¡¯ll be incarcerated before nine am tomorrow morning and after interrogation, we¡¯ll expose ALL his aplices!"


    My heart drops in my belly. Demi!

 Chapter 147

    <h4>Chapter 147: Chapter 147</h4>


    DEMI


    I knock over my coffee when news footage of Liam being led away in handcuffs airs on TV the next morning.


    "Oh dear, are you alright?" Mrs. Regan bolts to her feet, wiping off the brown smudge on her new table cloth. I am too distracted to even feel the scalding burn from the spilled coffee on my hand. My eyes remain glued to the TV.


    "No. No." I continue to hum. Liam? How could this happen? I reach for my phone and dial his number but it¡¯s switched off.


    "Demi, do you know him?"


    I continue to ignore Mrs. Regan unintentionally while I try to make sense of the shocking news. How did this happen? I thought Ashton has everything handled with respect to the Spellman and Rollins deal? How was Liam exposed as Billion-Err? Does he have awyer to fight for his defense? How could his own family throw him under the bus like that?


    Ashton¡¯s phone is turned off as well when I try it, and this worsens my anxiety.


    "Demi, are you going somewhere? You can¡¯t go out right now, remember?" My host reminds me with concern etched all over her face after I lurch to my feet. Shees around the table to calm me down. "What is it, dear? Why has the news got you all tensed up? Shouldn¡¯t you be happy that the notorious blog that constantly bullies you and your family has finally been stopped?"


    I sniffle. "I¡¯m sorry, Amber. I didn¡¯t mean to make a mess." I grab the towel from her to pad off the rest of the coffee but she stops me. She cups my chin and makes me look directly in her eyes.


    "Should I be worried?"


    I tear my eyes away from her maternal ones that strangely feel like looking into my own mother¡¯s eyes.


    "No." I respond, shaking my head. "I was just caught off guard. I¡¯ll be fine."


    "I feel bad leaving you here all by yourself the entire day."


    "She won¡¯t be by herself." Someone chimes, entering the kitchen. We look up to find Maddox beaming charmingly at us. "Hey mom." He turns and winks at me. "Hey, you."


    "Demi, Maddox happens to have some time to kill and volunteered to keep youpany while I am away at the HQ."


    Normally, I¡¯d be grateful for their sacrifices but right now, I don¡¯t want a babysitter. I want to talk to Ashton or Anna and figure out how to get Liam freed because without him and Billion-Err, my revenge is as good as botched. More importantly, my cover could be blown depending on how much the likes of Asher incentivizes Liam.


    I surge to my feet. "I¡¯m sorry but I have to meet up with someone. It¡¯s urgent. Maddox, thank you so much for being considerate of me. Maybe we can hang out some other time. Amber, have a great day at work." They stand speechless and watch me sprint up the stairs to shower and prepare for my day.


    In between my shower, I call Halle at the mansion and she informs me that she¡¯s just as shocked at the news. She¡¯s also worried. ording to her, she warned Liam the previous night after Brett boasted to his sons that Billion-Err had been unmasked and Liam would be arrested soon. She didn¡¯t understand why Liam didn¡¯t flee.


    I get that Liam is arrogant but he is not stupid. Why did he think he was untouchable?


    Halle adds that Ashton spent half of the night with his father in the study. I silently wonder what that¡¯s about.


    "You¡¯re still here?" I exim when I go downstairs and find Maddox waiting for me.


    "I thought you might need a ride to wherever you¡¯re going." Something warm blooms in my chest at his gentlemanliness. "Oh, Kat arrived too. She brought a friend." He adds with a coy smile.


    I instantly recognize the look in his eyes when Kat strolls over with her friend and says hi to me.


    "This is my roommate, Skr. Sky, that¡¯s my mom¡¯s friend¡¯s daughter, Demi."


    Skr is gorgeous. She looks like a painting with lush gold locks that glint under the slivers of sunlight washing into the room. Her eyes are more mesmerizing and unapologetically pulls you into their depth. It¡¯s almost as daunting as staring into a quad¡¯s eyes. With the knee-high ck boots and jacket, she looks cute.


    "Hi, Skr" We shake hands.


    "Skr¡¯s something of a fan. She¡¯s been avoiding this house because of Maddox but when I mentioned you were staying here, she promptly asked to apany me today." Kat grins at the mortified look on Skr¡¯s face. Maddox is too focused on Skr to realize his sister just poked fun at him.


    "I just think you¡¯re very brave to marry one of the Rollins quads."


    "Or stupid." I reply before I can stop myself. Skr¡¯s deep eyes unequivocally agree with my perspective. Somehow, they feel like they¡¯re admiring and judging me at the same time. "Are you a fan of the quads too?" I move to break the awkward silence that ensues. "Which one¡¯s your favorite? Every woman in Danvarr seems to have a preference."


    "I don¡¯t." Skr voices firmly. "I think they¡¯re overhyped, honestly."


    "Good answer." Maddox interrupts, then blushes when Skr turns and notices him. Kat steps between them, bids me goodbye before yanking her friend¡¯s arm to give her a tour of her newly redecorated room.


    Maddox drops me off at Anna¡¯s ce.


    "Are you sure you don¡¯t want me to stay?"


    "I¡¯ll be fine, thanks. Besides, you better hurry back if you mean to shoot your shot with Skr. She¡¯s a beauty." I give him a wink before he drives away. I pull down my face cap and walk to Anna¡¯s door only to realize it¡¯s unlocked. Someone yanks the door open and I gulp in shock.


    "Get in!" Asher orders me.


    ***


    I am beyond livid that Anna would give him a spare key to her home without warning me first. Did she know he was going to be here? Is that why she isn¡¯t taking my calls?


    "What do you want?" I query him after five minutes of ufortable silence. He flexes his shoulder. Why is he just staring at me? Is this about my mom? I hope Ashton handled it like he promised. Asher tosses a brown file at me. I pick it up and reach inside. My fingers go numb as I find a picture of Liam in it.


    "Not the divorce papers you were hoping for?"


    "What is this about?" The look of pure irritation on his face only deepens at my question.


    "Is that the best you got, Demi Branson? Billion-Err? Seriously?" Heughs hard with a hand on his belly. "Whoa, I really thought you were a formidable threat. I spent months fidgeting for nothing. If that fool right there is the length and breath of your revenge scheme against my family, then consider yourself saved." The humor dries from his face. "If on the other hand there is more to it, then, you¡¯d definitely want to reconsider. This isn¡¯t a battle you can win, Demi, not even with Ashton by your side."


    I crumple the picture and chuck it in his face. "If you have nothing better to say to me, get out of my face!"


    No sympathy? No apology? Asher is indeed a mini version of Brett Rollins regardless of what their DNA samples say. I feel tempted to w his eyes out the longer he stays here.


    "I bet you thought we wouldn¡¯t find out."


    Steaming, I turn to him with zing eyes. "Actually, I thought you¡¯d find out sooner, Asher. You¡¯re not as smart as you think. Turns out I was worried for nothing." He clenches his fist.


    "What¡¯s the big n? Have us locked up for good? Run our empire to the ground or perhaps steal our wealth?" Heughs derisively. "If you think we¡¯ve toiled with our blood and sweat to build an empire that a nobody can easily topple, then you¡¯re even more stupid than I think."


    "Not that you¡¯d understand or believe but I was mostly interested in uncovering the undiluted truth about my parents¡¯ death." My eyes, to my annoyance, begin to sting with tears. "It¡¯s one thing to identally cause the loss of innocent lives but lying to their loved ones about what truly happened is just evil. I DESERVED TO KNOW THE TRUTH."


    "And now that you do? What¡¯s your n for Ashton? How do you intend to make him pay for the manughter?" He takes pleasure in the pale sheen of my face as I look away. "Are you really going to punish the only member of our family that stood by your side even before he knew who you were? The only man who¡¯s ever loved you since your father died?"


    I tighten my fingers to stop them from punching his face.


    "It amazes me how much you and Brett Rollins have inmon despite not being biologically rted to each other." When his eyes widen in surprise, I relish the second and smile brightly. "What¡¯s the story, Asher? What¡¯s the reason Brett insists on keeping his biological son hidden from the world while unting only his adopted kids?"


    He is momentarily short of words. I didn¡¯t mean to tell him my findings but his cockiness got the better of me. I sincerely hope I don¡¯t regret opening my big mouth.


    "There¡¯s a whole lot more where that came from." I tell him, knowing he¡¯s wondering where I got such ssified information. "Don¡¯t test me, Asher Rollins. Don¡¯t underestimate me either."


    "Who are you working with?" His voice is almost a silent plea which makes me grin. "Liam? You enlisted him to help ruin my family?"


    "Liam is an honest blogger who only posts authentic news leaked to him. He has never made anything up so I am sure he won¡¯t be locked up forever. If your family didn¡¯t thrive on offending thew and stomping all over your morals, you wouldn¡¯t be trending on the blog. I didn¡¯t have to do anything. You all gave Liam enough content for his blog all by yourself."


    "Are you iming to be a saint?"


    "Far from it but at least I don¡¯t maim or even kill people in blind rage or keep them hidden away from their families and the world just to hide my secret."


    He clenches his jaw on realizing I know Ashal¡¯s secret too. I love how each reveal chips away at his confidence till his shoulders start to sag.


    "Like I said, there¡¯s more where that came from, even the ssified ones you¡¯d never believe can be leaked. Don¡¯t test me, Asher Rollins. I¡¯ve been too good to your family for keeping my mouth shut for this long considering how much you guys have wronged me besides the death of my parents. Revenge? I was having a change of heart but seeing how unremorseful and unsympathetic you are to me, I think I might just put my real n in gear. I hope you all are prepared!"


    The look sttered on his face can only be fear. I am beyond d I could pull such a reaction from him. I need to ram it home that if they dare toe after me, they¡¯ll be risking their ruination.


    "GET ME THE FUCKING DIVORCE PAPERS I ASKED FOR WHILE I AM STILL BEING NICE, ASHER ROLLINS OR ALL YOUR FAMILY¡¯S DIRTY SECRETS WOULD START TRICKLING INTO THE DMs OF MAJOR REPORTERS."


    Asher expels a short breath and smiles at me. Wordlessly, he whips out another document from the brown envelop and tosses it at me.


    "Read and sign as soon as you can. I¡¯ll have someone pick it up."


    "Great."


    At the door, he turns to give me onest look. "Thank you for your discretion so far, whatever your reasons might be."


    "Don¡¯t patronize me, Asher. We are not friends. Just don¡¯t make an enemy of me. It¡¯s not a battle your family can win."


    "I¡¯ll take it that we have an understanding then. I¡¯ll speak to my father. You keep shut about what you know. I¡¯m sure we can meet each other halfway and settle our differences."


    "Whatever. Get out." I say dryly.


    He gives me a lopsided grin before leaving.


    Once I ascertain that he has left, I clutch my belly and sink to the floor. I didn¡¯t realize how much I had been holding my breath intermittently during our conversation. My heart is thudding in my chest. If only Liam had seen me, he would have been so proud. I stood up to Asher and rendered him speechless and scared. If I could pull that off, then I probably could take Brett on myself.


    Of course, I am getting less motivated to take the revenge route as the days progress but the Rollins family don¡¯t have to know that yet. I said what I said to keep them froming after me and I really hope it works. I just have to figure out a way to see Liam and pull the plug on this messy situation before things get out of hand.


    I know my ce. While I am merely an orphan, he is still the estranged son of a billionaire. If our ns fall through, I¡¯ll be the only victim to get burned with no one to save me.


    Uncle Marcel is right after all. Revenge isn¡¯t everything it¡¯s cut out to be. Ashton already apologized and I know hurting him won¡¯t make me feel any better. I just want my quiet life back without needing to look over my shoulder every minute.


    When Anna arrives home at night, I give her the silent treatment for letting me walk into Asher unprepared. Despite her best efforts to exin herself and pacify me, I refuse to be swayed. What if I had been undone by Asher¡¯s threats? What if he had left thinking he had subdued me and his familyes after me like I am easy prey?


    Ashton returns my call but I ignore him too. I need space to terminate my business with Liam on a high note so when we meet again, I will be able to give Ashton back his peace of mind by epting his apology.


    I can tell by the peace flooding my chest that my deceased parents won¡¯t be disappointed in me. If anything, they¡¯d be proud that I am finally taking the high road and quitting a war I can¡¯t win without bing as evil as the monsters I want to fight.


    "Demi! Demi!!" Anna interrupts my dream with my parents as she shakes me awake.


    "What is it?" Grumbling, I sit up on her bed. "What?"


    "Asher¡¯s been calling your phone. He just called mine and he¡¯s pissed. It¡¯s about a news article citing that the quads are adopted and Josh Randall is Brett¡¯s only biological son. Did you leak that? Asher is convinced you promised you wouldn¡¯t."


    "What?" The sleep fades from my eyes as I grab my phone. Truly, he¡¯s left me a ton of missed calls and texts. I open a screenshot of the detailed article unveiling Josh¡¯s paternity with DNA proof, baby photospared with Brett¡¯s, Brett and Kristy¡¯s subsisting affair and much more. My hands grow mmy with sweat.


    "I didn¡¯t...I am not r-responsible for this..." I continue to stutter as I go through the screenshots. I gasp in shock when I see that it emanated from Billion-Err.


    "Billion-Err posted this? How¡¯s that possible? Liam has been arrested."


    Anna gets my drift. "I thought you both handled the ount together?"


    "No, we don¡¯t." I answer. "Liam is the only one with the passwords. I only feed him with information and proofs. If he¡¯s in police custody, who else could have posted this secret on the blog without my knowledge?"


    "Could Liam have done it from his cell?"


    "No. The news mentioned that his phone andptop were confiscated. He isn¡¯t even allowed to see visitors yet."


    My mind is whirling. Who else has ess to the Billion-Err blog and why has Liam never mentioned this to me?

 Chapter 148

    <h4>Chapter 148: Chapter 148</h4>


    DEMI


    "Ashton, believe me, I didn¡¯t do it. I know nothing about the recent posts on Billion-Err." Even while I kept pleading, Ipletely 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 ess 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 thest 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 aplice 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 me me. Their mother is in a bad state. Brett won¡¯t spare me now. He¡¯lle after me with everything he¡¯s got. How could Liam fool me like this?"


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


    "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 noing 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 spections were born from his action including the thought that the quads might all have natural ck 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 inws 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 inws within the four walls of the mansion.


    Reporters hound Anna and I outside her home.


    <i>"Mrs. Rollins, what do you have to say to your inws who allowed you to suffer unjustly from a false usation?</i>


    <i>"Can you confirm that Ashley is the one kissing you in the photos?"</i>


    <i>"Mrs. Rollins, is the divorce still happening or all will be forgiven?"</i>


    <i>"What do you have to say about your father-inw¡¯s leaked affair with Kristy Randall and his other son, Josh Randall? Did you also know about this? What other secrets are there within the mansion?"</i>


    <i>"Mrs. Rollins, blink twice if you need help untangling yourself from the Rollins family!"</i>


    Anna and I rush into Maddox¡¯s car and zoom off, leaving the reporters behind.


    "Are you okay?" Maddox asks, watching me from the rearview mirror.


    "I¡¯m fine." I huff, staring out the window. Thankfully, his car¡¯s windows are tinted. 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 hisckeys toe grab me yet. Maybe he¡¯s avoiding more drama in case reporters capture my kidnap or Annaes forward toin that her best friend had been kidnapped by none other than the Rollins family. That must be it. My inws are afraid of stirring more scandals by attacking me.


    Or perhaps it¡¯s the fact that I know a bunch of their well-hidden secrets and might spill even more if antagonized? Could that be Asher¡¯s take?


    "We¡¯re here." Maddox announces after about fifteen minutes of silent driving. Ipare the address of the beautiful house in front of us to the one Liam texted.


    "He lives here?" Anna gaped with her mouth hanging open.


    "He¡¯s Spellman¡¯s heir, remember?" I remind her.


    "Right. I keep forgetting."


    As we step down from the car, the gate opens. Liam emerges in sweats and a Tee-shirt. His hair appears freshly washed and styled. Unlike his usual warm smile, he regards me with a stern expression.


    "Demi, you cane with me. The rest can leave."


    "What?" Anna gasps.


    "Did I stutter?" Liam snaps with a 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 about to discover.


    "Maddox, please drop Anna at your mom¡¯s. I¡¯ll join you all soon." I kiss Anna¡¯s cheek and hug Maddox before falling in step with Liam. While the gate is being shut, I shoot Anna a quick, reassuring smile that I will be fine.


    Liam¡¯s home is just as impressive as the mansion with respect to the 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. He ushers me to a seat and reclines in his with one foot crossed over the other.


    The off white couch looks inviting but this isn¡¯t a social call so I decline and remain standing.


    "Trust me, you¡¯re going to need to sit down for this one."


    I can tell from his eyes that he isn¡¯t bluffing. Hesitantly, I sit down. His smile is unnerving as he takes me in.


    "You¡¯re in good spirits for someone who just got out of prison."


    He chuckles. "I am, actually. It¡¯s something in the air, or perhaps the news in the air. Tell me, how does it feel to see Brett gnawing at his fingertips in confusion, to see the quads running back and forth like headless chickens with no surefire n to bury their shame? Ah, I don¡¯t know about you but watching them and their business crashing and burning puts me on cloud nine."


    "I know you didn¡¯t post the article on Billion-Err. Are you going to tell me who you instructed to do it?"


    He eyes narrow. "Why do you appear more bothered by the WHO than the sess 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 got them sneezing blood, Demi. I thought you¡¯d be more ecstatic than this."


    "I DIDN¡¯T SANCTION IT."


    "YOU DIDN¡¯T HAVE 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 did!"


    My chest tightens. Did he just say the blog was only his?


    "Who posted the article, Liam? Who else has your passwords?"


    "I do." M says, walking in gracefully with two sses of white wine. She offers one to her brother and makes herselffortable next to him on the couch.


    M? This shouldn¡¯t be a surprise but somehow, I am still shocked.


    "She¡¯s been in on it this whole time? You told me both of you were estranged. Why¡¯d you lie to me?"


    "You left me no choice, Demi. I told you from the beginning that our n 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 ns to ensure you don¡¯t fuck things up and leave me to hang dry."


    When I turn to stare at M, she rolls her eyes. "I wasn¡¯t supposed to get mixed up in this. I just wanted my brother back to his rightful ce in the family. You were losing focus on 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 in the game. That family sucks. I don¡¯t get how you can still feel sympathetic towards them after everything they¡¯ve put you through."


    I lurch to my feet. "You had no right to call shots without running it by me first, Liam, not when I am the face of this operation! I am the one getting the heat for all the drama out there. My cover¡¯s blown and Brett considers me his undoing. He¡¯lle for me. I am pulling the plug on our deal. Do what you can to restore your image before your father but count me out of it!"


    Brother and sister exchange amused looks before Liam drops his ss and leans forward with a small smile. "This is going to break your heart but I¡¯ll tell you anyway. This n was never about you, Demi. To be fair, you¡¯re a negligible piece in the grand scheme of things. You think we ran into each other identally? I¡¯ve been collecting data on all the families who have been deeply wronged by the Rollins n. You were probably experiment number fifty-two. Before your drunken stunt, I¡¯ve had other girls use the quads unsessfully. We needed someone inside the family and when you sessfully got epted as their daughter-inw, you got the role on our end. It had nothing to do with the tragic loss of your parents. You¡¯re not the only one who has lost a dear one at the hands of that family, neither is your loss more tragic than that of other victims."


    Hate clouds his expression as he res at me. I am reeling in shock over the wordsing out of his mouth. M closes a hand over her brother¡¯s to calm his nerves while I plunk down on my seat.


    They¡¯ve been using me this whole time?


    "Walk away if you want but your absence won¡¯t be missed. It won¡¯t change a thing either." She tells me with azy shrug. "You¡¯ve served your purpose."


    "And what¡¯s that?" I ignore and query Liam.


    "As much as I want to overthrow the Rollins family, I don¡¯t n on sullying my name or my family¡¯s reputation in the process. I needed someone to hang the me on in case shit hits the fan..." He bites down on his lips.


    "You chose me, the nobody, an easy bait." I finish his words.


    "Sorry, Demi. If things you had never have taken your eyes off the goal, things would have worked out perfectly without me having to hang the noose on your neck. We could have achieved so much together. You could have avenged your parents at the very least and rid the country of those poisonous vipers called the Rollins family."


    Sick of hearing more, I surge to my feet and try not to stumble. "You¡¯re one to judge. YOU LIED TO ME, Liam. EVERYTHING WAS A LIE FROM THE START." Tears glisten in my eyes. "How could you rope me into this knowing what I¡¯ve been through? You took advantage of my misery to fulfil your selfish plot against our mutual enemy." I pad away my tears. "If I have learnt anything so far, it¡¯s that all billionaires are assholes and will screw you over to get whatever they want. You guys are no different from the monsters you¡¯re after; YOU¡¯RE THEM! Who¡¯s going to rid the country of the Spellman bloodhounds, huh?"


    "Danvarr needs us. We are better than your fucking inws!"


    "Guess what? My fucking inws used to say the same lines all the time and now their karma is at the gate. You Spellmans must be on track for yours!"


    "You wish. I¡¯d like to see you try to stop me." Liam challenges me with darkened eyes. "You can¡¯t stop this or me. You have no clue how many people are involved in this game, even people that you¡¯d reckon are dead or don¡¯t exist, like the quads¡¯ little sister for instance." He chuckles as my eyes widen in shock. "Yes, they have a biological sister and if I can call anyone my true partner in crime from day one, it¡¯ll be HER! She wants nothing more than to take that family down, including her corrupted brothers!"


    Ashton and his brothers have a biological sister? I can¡¯t believe she exists let alone being behind this grand scheme with Liam.


    "A sister? You¡¯re bluffing."


    Liam chuckles. "You seem to be forgetting ourtest post on Billion-Err regarding the adopted quads or are you just delusional to think that the man you love could never keep such a secret from you?" He springs to his feet. "Anyway, I¡¯d keep an eye out for the next post if I were you. My partner is royally pissed at you for stalling for this long under that mansion without any serious harm done to the Rollins family or their reputation. Let¡¯s just say she¡¯s ready to show you how to crumble an empire in a few days." With a devious smile, he holds out a hand to his sister. "She thanks you for your service though, Demi Branson. We all wish you good luck with absolving yourself of the me before the entire Rollins family and Danvarr."


    My legs tremble all the way home. This can¡¯t be happening! Liam didn¡¯t just say all of that to me. I must be dreaming.


    By the time I get to Anna¡¯s ce, she pulls me into a warm embrace.


    "You took so long I had to rush home to await your arrival. Are you okay? What did Liam say?"


    All I can do is mumble incoherently.


    "I¡¯m so sorry, Demi. I know how you must feel. Liam is an asshole for dragging your parents¡¯ death prematurely into this."


    "What?"


    She blinks, a tad bit confused. "Billion-Err is on a roll. They¡¯ve just teased about hidden murdersmitted by the Rollins family. Demi, they mentioned the shopping mall ident; your parents!"

 Chapter 149

    <h4>Chapter 149: Chapter 149</h4>


    ASHER


    Hugh Spellman has never looked smugger as he swirls a snifter of brandy in his hand with one leg crossed over the other in our living room. By his side, Liam sits, donning a white, unbranded tee-shirt and jean pants. Like his father, he smirks unabashedly. M is the only family member who sits with a littlepassion coloring her cheeks.


    Father draws in a deep breath and nces across the room at my brothers and I. The fire in his eyes have almost winked out. Our stocks have never crashed so low. Our reputation has never been this muddy. The negative outpouring of hate from the people that once worshipped the ground we walked on has been unbelievable.


    Now, as we try to negotiate with Billion-Err who recently called us out for murders, Hugh is enjoying the fact that power has shifted hands. Following our nosedive, Spellman group has been basking in the euphoria of their upliftment after our downfall. Theirpany has directly benefitted from it and is currently topping.


    "Liam?" Father repeats, the cool edge of his voice about to fray. He has spent thest few minutes justifying his right to privacy and alerting our guests to the dangers of their damaging posts but all seems to have fallen on deaf ears.


    Liam peels off his sses. "Mr. Rollins, I have heard everything you have to say but my answer remains the same. I don¡¯t fabricate lies on my blog. I get direct messages leaking information about the wrongsmitted by influential families in our society which I only post after verification." He turns to his father with a humble look. "I failed my father once because I refused to take ountability for my actions. I nearly wrecked thepany he built with his sweat and blood. Our rtionship suffered because of it. I was estranged from my beloved family for almost a decade to the point that everyone forgot the Spellman family had a son."


    His eyes twitches as he scans our faces. "I know you all would like to believe that I started my blog with an ill intent to personally attack your household but that¡¯s not the case. I hold myself to the highest standards of impartiality and won¡¯t hesitate to call out my own family if our errors are brought to Billion-Err¡¯s attention. My father understands that." He nces at Hugh who bobs his head in agreement. "Unfortunately," Liam continues, wringing his hands, "my DMs constantly get flooded with your family¡¯s secret more than any other. I don¡¯t know why that is but if you¡¯re trying to get me to ignore the messages, I won¡¯t do it. I owe the people of this country the truth and you owe them your best behavior."


    I ball my fist to strap down on the wing urge to punch the daylights out of his smug face. We all know he doesn¡¯t mean a word he just said. We all know he intentionally created the damn blog to take down my family-their biggestpetition- so his could top the market. I keep my cool because I still have no idea what sort of evidence he as regarding the shopping mall ident, Tobias¡¯ murder and every other usation hisst blog post teased about.


    My eyes rake the Spellman family. They¡¯re all a bunch of liars.


    "Can you at least divulge the names of the people who leave you these messages about my family? I just want to interview them to know their source. The authorities have been monitoring my family like hawks. Charges are on the brink of being filed and all because some faceless and nameless people keep pedaling lies about my family. Can¡¯t you understand the gravity of the situation?"


    Liam tosses his hair back and stares at father. "I¡¯m sorry but the system for leaving Billion-Err information is obviously anonymous. I wanted people to feel safe and free to share their truth."


    "Or their lies." I cut in, earning a sharp look from father who had already warned us to allow him steer the conversation because of how hot-tempered we can be. I ignore him and lock eyes with Liam. "Did it ever ur you that a system like that could fester unfounded lies against innocent families?"


    "Yes, it did. That¡¯s why I never take any information at face value. I do my thorough investigation and verify such information before putting it out on my blog. I knew for a fact that the kind of content I put out will ruffle the feathers of powerful people and I needed to protect myself, especially since I was alienated from my family at the time. I guess it was a wise decision on my part because the truth behind my posts is the reason I walked out a free man after you had me arrested."


    His eyes narrow to slit at thatst part. It¡¯s just like I guessed; he¡¯s pissed at us. He¡¯s holding a grudge. Despite how calm he¡¯s being, I can tell he¡¯s harboring a deep-seated hatred for us. I can see it in his eyes. My heart pounds as I wonder what else he knows and how he ns to ruin us in the guise of doing the society a service.


    "Some of the information that has featured on your blog have to have been spilled by someone very close to us." Ashley cuts in, mirroring my defiance against father. "I wager you know exactly who that is." When Liam shrugs, Ashley inhales. "My soon-to-be ex-wife already confessed to being your major informant and leaking some sensitive family secrets to you, but nothing of the gravity of criminal usations you¡¯ve been posting. I want to know. Did that arrangement happen before or after you two started having an affair?"


    The atmosphere chills as both men engage in a brief heated stare. However, a different chill flows from father¡¯s direction as his ears twitch at Ashley¡¯s words. Ashton bites down on his lower lip, then turns to give Ashley an icy look for ratting Demi out just to make a point.


    I simply stifle a smile over Ashley¡¯s wise move. Demi hasn¡¯t unequivocally confessed to anything but if she¡¯s indeed working with Liam, maybe we¡¯ll find out soon.


    "My rtionship with Ms. Branson is unconnected to my blog. If she ever slipped me a tip anonymously, I wouldn¡¯t know."


    Ashton grits his teeth at the bold-faced lie but rather than engage with Liam who seems overprepared to deflect any missile thrown his way, he turns to M, the ostensibly weaker link in the family given her remorseful demeanor.


    "How long have you known that your brother here was behind the blog that was wreaking havoc in my family?" M¡¯s lips quiver but before she can respond, Ashton continues. "Did you also slip him information too? Was that the whole point of your pretentious affection for us while we considered you family? You came in here to spy on us?"


    "ASHTON." Father calls in a low voice.


    "Did you miss the part where Liam mentioned he has been alienated from our family?" M replied, rising. Her eyes are cool against the heat in Ashton¡¯s. "I only came to know about his connection to the blog after his arrest so don¡¯t apportion mes just because you aren¡¯t prepared to believe Demi might have stabbed you in the back. If anyone within your family was slipping information to Billion-Err, it wasn¡¯t me!" She sinks back in her seat with a conspicuous frown.


    "We have every right to suspect you." Ashley presses on. "I personally asked you about Liam days before his arrest and you clearly lied about knowing him. How do you expect us to believe you are telling the truth this time around?"


    "That¡¯s enough!" Hugh chants, rising. "This is clearly a setup to hang the me of your frustrations on my family. I just got reunited with my son after so many years. We have told you everything we can but it¡¯s apparent that both father and sons were never prepared to take the bitter truth. I¡¯m sorry that things have turned out this way for your family andpany, Brett. My apologies. But like my son exined, he only posts the truth. He doesn¡¯t fabricate lies or alter the truth. I advise you figure out a way to plug the leak within your household to stop your dirty secrets from flowing out and into the blog." He gives father a childish pat on the shoulder. "All the best."


    A gust of silence envelops the living as they all leave.


    "What was that talk about Demi dating Liam and leaking information to him?" Father asks with arched brows the second we are all alone.


    ***


    My cheek stings after father¡¯s hot p. All I did was bring him up to speed about Demi being Camille Branson¡¯s daughter.


    "FOOLS!" Father yells at us. "YOU¡¯RE ALL A BUNCH OF FOOLS! How could she have gotten past you? Perhaps, I am the bigger fool for choosing to trust you all when I could have handled the investigation myself. You, Asher. Didn¡¯t you promise me you were going to run a clean sweep after her marriage contract with Ashley?"


    "Father, I apologize. I did do my due diligence but nothing came up. I even had her phone tapped and her movement monitored for weeks afterwards but she was clean. I¡¯m sorry I failed you."


    Father paces around angrily, his breathingbored. "Where the hell is she now? Get Duncan and his men to drag her here by her hair if they must. We must stop her from doing further damage."


    Ashton walks up to father. "You won¡¯t hurt her. you hear me? You want to question her, fine, but your thugs won¡¯t harm a hair on her head, you get that?" Like a reflex action, his hand shoots up and stops father¡¯s iing p. They lock eyes for a hot minute.


    "You ungrateful bastard! You fool! Everything we did was to protect you and this is how you behave? I should have had you thrown in jail at the time! After all my efforts to shape you into a powerful man, you go and fall face first in love with a nobody? What¡¯s the point of having a bunch of ipetent sons? You all seem pretty determined to raze my empire to the ground with your recklessness..."


    Ashley and I move forward simultaneously to stand behind our brother, making father reconsider his harsh words.


    Father wrenches his arm away from Ashton¡¯s grip. "Great, now you¡¯re only missing the sick one."


    "No, they¡¯re not."


    Our heads crane towards the door where Ashal stands with a carry-on in one hand. "There isn¡¯t a sick one in the group anymore, father."


    He leaves his bag and walks up to us with both hands jammed in his pockets. "We are just four incredible brothers with distinct personalities not everyone can handle. You don¡¯t have to be mean just to distract from the fact that your imperfections are the core reason our family was plunged into this mess."


    "Fresh out of rehab and he already thinks himself a normal man." Father scoffs. "I didn¡¯t expect this rubbish from all of you but then, you can¡¯t really fight blood, can you?"


    Our eyes sh at his hurtful insinuation. He calls Duncan and some other men.


    "FIND DEMI AND BRING HER HERE AT ONCE. YOU HAVE ORDERS TO BRING HER ALIVE BUT NOT NECESSARILY IN ONE PIECE." He res at us. "IF ANY OF YOU DARES TO INTERCEPT THIS, I¡¯LL GLADLY DISOWN AND DISINHERIT HIM!"


    "Father, I don¡¯t think that¡¯s a good idea. Demi knows way more secrets than you think and she clearly threatened that everything will be revealed on the news if any harmes to her."


    "Dead men tell no tales." Father casually throws back at me.


    Before Duncan can leave, Ashton grabs the gun tucked behind the guard¡¯s back and brandishes it at father.


    "What the hell do you think you¡¯re doing?" Father snarls at him with dim eyes.


    "If you bring Demi in, she won¡¯t be the only one being interrogated here. I have some burning questions of my own too and they are for you, Brett Rollins, courtesy of a tip I received anonymously months ago, a tip from a stranger who knows more about you than anyone else and wants nothing but your destruction. I tried my best to ignore it but every day you continually raise my doubts so Billion-Err may very well receive this tip if you push me to the wall by touching Demi!"


    "Rubbish. You can¡¯t fool me with those lies. Get on with it, Duncan!" He turns to leave.


    "What exactly happened to our biological parents, father? How did wee to be your sons?" Ashton yells, shoving the gun into Duncan¡¯s hands. "You can either tell us the truth or Billion-Err will after their investigation!"

 Chapter 150

    <h4>Chapter 150: Chapter 150</h4>


    DEMI


    My phone has been ringing off the hook. I dry my eyes, turn it off and chuck it at the far end of the room. Someone raps softly on my door.


    "Demi? Are you up?" My uncle asks.


    I dry my eyes and pull my duvet over my head.


    "No."


    He opens the door and lets himself in. I feel the edge of my bed dip as his weight sinks into it. When he tries to pull the duvet off my head, I fight back to keep it on.


    "You can¡¯t hide in here forever."


    "Watch me."


    I¡¯m going to rot in this room. It would be better than facing any of my ties back in Danvarr. I am mortified by how gullible I was. I am ashamed that my quest for revenge was never mine to begin with, but a small part of a major scheme. How did I never suspect Liam? How did he trick me for so long? I thought I was in control of the n. I thought I was the star yer in the game only to find out I was a pawn the whole time.


    Just when I hade to my senses and wanted to call everything off, Liam and his aplices already nned to heap hot coals of me on me, me I can¡¯t defend myself from. He has recordings of all our conversation, pictures of our meetings. He could fabricate whatever crime he wanted and peg me as the culprit.


    And Ashton? He would never believe me or forgive me. As much as his father deserves to go down, Ashton has shown remorse and willingness to change. I believe he deserves a second chance.


    I wish I could somehow convince him that Liam set me up but it¡¯s toote now. No one will buy that line, not with the overwhelming evidence stacked against me. Maybe I deserve to be framed as a punishment for the malice I bore in my heart for so long. This is my karma for not listening to my uncle, Mrs. Regan and everyone else who warned me along my journey to let bygones be bygones.


    "Can you at least eat something? You haven¡¯t had anything to eat or drink since you arrivedst night."


    "I¡¯m not hungry, uncle Marcel. I just want to be left alone." Sniffling, I pull a pillow to my chest and hug it tightly.


    "Demi, you can¡¯t run away from your problems by staying cooped up in a room. You won¡¯t even tell me what the matter is? You showed up at my home at midnight with a teary face and cried through the night. What¡¯s really going on? Is this about the usations of infidelity and your impending divorce?"


    "I don¡¯t want to talk about it..."


    "You have to say something to me before my overthinking gets the better of me." He runs a hand over his face and stares intently at me for a few seconds. "I know you¡¯re hurting but somehow, I have a hunch that the problem runs deeper than a marital spat."


    "Please uncle, just stop."


    He sighs heavily before leaving me. Alone, I cry even harder. By noon, my uncle returns with my lunch in a tray, only to find my breakfast untouched. My eyes are bloodshot now. He drops the food and attempts to apologize to me.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Demi. I¡¯m just so worried about you."


    "I¡¯ll be fine. I just need a day or two away from Danvarr to collect my thoughts before returning. I¡¯ll sort out my problems thereafter."


    "No, I¡¯m sorry that while you were asleep, I came in and broke into your phone. I needed to contact someone close to you in order to know what¡¯s going on and how best to help you..."


    I slowly pull myself up, eyes wide with terror. "You what? Who did you call, uncle?" My eyes track to my phone on the side drawer. I reached for it and dive into my call logs.


    "I just thought that..."


    "YOU CALLED MY HUSBAND?" I almost cried in shock, seeing Ashley¡¯s name atop the log. "YOU TOLD HIM WHERE TO FIND ME?"


    "No, Demi. I was only trying to find a close contact to call but once I turned your phone on, a call came through. I grew conflicted about taking your call so I didn¡¯t pick up. However, I copied out the number and called afterwards. He¡¯s on his way to see you."


    My heart is galloping in my chest. "Ashley ising here?"


    How could I have forgotten what it was like to live with rtives and how they tend to get nosy under the guise of being worried? Aunt Elizabeth and Kira always abused my right to privacy by touching my things but I never figured uncle Marcel would do the same.


    I leap to my feet. Danvarr is about eight hours away. If Ashley is already on his way here, then I don¡¯t have a lot of time to take off. The call was already an hour and the half old. That¡¯s about how long it should take the quads on their private jet to get here and I have no doubt they¡¯d opt for quicker transportation given the fire I am used of lighting in their lives before absconding.


    "Demi, hold on. What¡¯s the hurry? I am here. You¡¯ve got nothing to be afraid of." Uncle says after he finds me freshened up and throwing my things in a small bag.


    I ignore him and continue packing. Relentlessly, he continues to assure me of safety with him. He had no idea what he was saying. While we get into a brief, heated exchange about our differing perspectives on the poor way each of us has handled my sudden appearance in his city, his doorbell rings. My neck whips in the direction of the living room.


    Ashley is here already?


    "I¡¯ll go get it. You stay here, ok? He¡¯s not taking you back home if you¡¯re not ready to go. He¡¯s just here to speak with me."


    "That¡¯s not his car." I reply, rmed. The car parked in front of my uncle¡¯s house is very unfamiliar. "There are no bodyguards either." Though that shouldn¡¯t surprise me as much, it still makes the hairs on my forearms tingle. I pull away from the window, pale as a ghost.


    Who the fuck was at the door?


    ***


    "I¡¯ll get the door."


    "No!" My uncle stops me. "It¡¯s my house and you¡¯re a guest. I¡¯ll get it. Stay here." My fingers turn to ice ciers as I watch him leave. I almost jump out of my skin when my phone rings. I pick the phone and gasp at Ashley¡¯s call.


    "Demi?"


    "Ashley?"


    "Where have you been? I¡¯ve been calling."


    My lips curl in a sneer over his fake concern. How can he act like he¡¯s bothered about me when he turned my life into an obstacle course by leaking mine and Liam¡¯s photos to Billion-Err? He hasn¡¯t even apologized to me for being yet to debunk the unsavory usations the media levied against me.


    "What do you want?" I ask dryly, ncing towards the door. "Why are you here?"


    "Where?"


    "Here, at my..."


    "DEMI?" My uncle calls loudly. "YOUR FRIEND, ANNA, IS HERE."


    "Anna?" I mutter under my breath. How could Anna show up here? She doesn¡¯t have this address.


    "Demi? Is Anna with you? Where exactly are you? We really need to talk." Ashley insists before I hang up on him. After a knock, my door swings open and uncle Marcel walks in, smiling brightly.


    "Demi, your best friend is here. Ashley thought you¡¯d feel better seeing your friend so he sent her instead."


    Chills crawl up my arms when Cree Baxter walks in.


    "Hi bestie." She coos before giving me a hug. Then she whispers into my ear. "y along, Demi. You wouldn¡¯t want to upset Liam, trust me." She eases back, the fake smile tugging at her lips. I remain speechless as my heart thuds in my chest.


    "I¡¯m mad at you, Demi. How could you just up and leave without telling your friend?"


    "Uncle Marcel? Could you give us some privacy?" I politely ask him with a feigned smile. Na?ve to the real situation, he beams at me before shutting the door behind him. Cree takes azy tour of my room, running her fingers over polished surfaces with an uncertain look in her eyes.


    "Nice space." Shepliments.


    "How did you all find me?"


    "Oh jeez, Demi. It¡¯s Liam for goodness¡¯ sake, the tech wiz you confided in for years until yesterday. Did you think he didn¡¯t keep tabs on you and all your emergency contacts? Be for real."


    I did tell Liam about uncle Marcel the moment my aunt called him to Danvarr. Liam must have had my uncle monitored since then.


    "You¡¯re part of them too?" I am running out of shocks at this point. Who isn¡¯t in on Liam¡¯s n? Everyone around me appears to be his minions.


    "As are you, Demi."


    "No. I already told Liam I am out."


    Cree chuckles as she sinks on my bed and stretches out on the duvet. "Well, Liam decided he still has use for you. He¡¯s got great ns for the quads¡¯ uing birthday and he figured no one but you can spice things up."


    The quad¡¯s birthday? Liam wants to use me to hurt them?


    "What are you talking about?"


    "You¡¯d know if you haven¡¯t been ignoring Liam¡¯s calls. Not cool, though. He¡¯s pissed and now he doesn¡¯t n to be gentle with you anymore. You¡¯re his new muse. He literally rerouted his entire game n around you so youe out at the end scathed and barely alive." She sits up and winks at me. "I¡¯m here to pass that message. Go back to Danvarr. Get ready. Stay close to your phone. When the instructionse, don¡¯t question it. Just do it. Trust me, I¡¯ve seen a side of Liam that¡¯s not sunshine and rainbows. You wouldn¡¯t want to cross him by doing anything stupid to fuck with his ns."


    I don¡¯t doubt her. Liam turned out to be a viper. I¡¯m sure he¡¯s nothing like the guy he presented to me for years.


    "What is he nning, Cree? What does he want to do on their birthday?"


    "He wants a spectacr show with you at the helm of it. What else could it possibly be?" She lurches to her feet. "I¡¯m done here. Call Liam as soon as you return home." She walks towards the door. "Onest thing. I know somewhere in your mind, you believe you can rewrite your wrongs and save Ashton at the very least. I¡¯d advise you to expunge that thought. The Rollins¡¯ family deserve what¡¯sing to them and even if they deserve a second chance, you¡¯d be hard pressed to find a way to stop their destruction at this point. The sooner you realize that, the better for you."


    "Cree?"


    "What?"


    "Why did you agree to help Liam? I¡¯m certain it¡¯s not because you¡¯ve been hurt by the Rollins¡¯ family too. If that were the case, your eyes wouldn¡¯t feel so empty while you speak of Liam¡¯s revenge or the fate of the Rollins family; itcks passion or spirit. You¡¯re nothing more than a messenger." I edge closer to her as she stills at my words. "What could be driving you to help him? What has Liam got on you?"


    She takes a deep breath and scoops her hair out of her eyes.


    "Clock¡¯s ticking, Branson. No stupid moves." She pulls the door open and almost collides into uncle Marcel escorting one of the quads to my room.


    "Look who showed up after all, Demi. Your husband!"


    I tear my eyes away from my dumb uncle and take one look at our newest guest. My throat dries up. That¡¯s not Ashley!

 Chapter 151

    <h4>Chapter 151: Chapter 151</h4>


    ASHER


    I wasn¡¯t prepared for that. I didn¡¯t expect Ashton to make that move or pose the question about our biological parents without running it by the rest of us first. My mouth dries up as the deafening silence in the room wears on.


    Father is a rare image of shock and terror as his chest heaves with breath.


    "What did you say?" He rasps.


    Before Ashton can say anything in reply, we hear a slight whimper and tip our heads to find mother atop the staircase. She looks pale and disheveled in her night clothes. Pain radiates from her bloodshot eyes. Her grip tightens on the railing as she watches us, her lips hanging open. Her eyes rake us, a withering look nketing her face.


    "Mom?" Ashal whispers. Did she hear Ashton¡¯s question too? Is that why it appears like her soul has ditched her body?


    She takes one step, misses and trips.


    "MOM!" Ashal skips over the couch and reaches her before the rest of us. Thankfully, her firm grip on the rail didn¡¯t break. She hangs on for dear life until Ashal convinces her to let him help her up.


    "It¡¯s okay, mom. I¡¯ve got you. You¡¯re okay." He pulls her to his chest where she sobs softly. My heart clenches tightly in my chest, as I am sure everyone else¡¯s does.


    "You¡¯re b-back." She skims his face with her hands


    Father tries to go for her hand but she tucks it away from him, clinging to her son instead. Her walls have been up since Josh¡¯s paternity was exposed. I don¡¯t think she¡¯s spoken a word to father ever since we saw the news. We haven¡¯t eaten collectively as a family since then. Everything has changed.


    Ashal helps mother to her room. Father turns to Ashton, mirroring the devastation in mother¡¯s face.


    "Who fed you with such egregious lies and how long ago was this?"


    "That doesn¡¯t answer my question!"


    Father¡¯s face clouds over with ripened rage. "I scold you for slipping up like every other parent out there would and you start to question the legality of your adoption?" His eyes skim mine and Ashley¡¯s faces. "Are you also two nursing the same doubts? Were the adoption papers not enough proof for you? What else could you possibly be insinuating that I did to have you boys as my sons beside adopting you through the proper channels?" He turns to pin Ashton with a disappointed re. "What are you insinuating your mother and I did to get our hands on you guys?"


    The moment he throws in mother to topple our emotions, I feel the w of doubt scrape down my gut at his deliberate ploy to emotionally manipte us. If he resorted to that cheap trick, then there¡¯s a chance he¡¯s got something to hide and that scares the shit out of me.


    I have been actively avoiding this subject matter and denying the clues around me because the subject is a rather personal and sore one. I¡¯ve lived my life justifying the wrongs my family metes out as being a necessary evil to protect ourselves.


    As long as it¡¯s done to protect my parents and brothers, the world can go fuck themselves and their moral code. I couldn¡¯t care less but this? If the usations are true and father and mother conspired to rip us from our biological family unjustly, what family am I supposed to fight for in good conscience?


    Should it be enough that I was snatched from the slimy grip of poverty and plunged into generational wealth? Should that be viewed as luck? Does it make me ungrateful and selfish to demand to be loved as much as Josh, the real Rollins¡¯ heir? While my head fills up with conflicting thoughts, father and Ashton keep going off on each other.


    "I know we don¡¯t see eye to eye on a LOT of things, Ashton. I know I can be ruthless when ites to stomping out fires that threaten to raze down our lovely family¡¯s reputation and that of the business but it hurts to realize that you all think me a monster and mindless freak because of it. At the core of everything I have ever done is the relentless pursuit of the betterment of my family which revolves around you boys!" His eyes actually get misty as he continues. "Your adoption has never made you less than my own blood. THIS FAMILY AND THE BUSINESS CAN¡¯T EXIST WITHOUT MY QUADS. I don¡¯t know how else to ram that into your skulls."


    He steps up to me. "If Josh had grown up under my care, his childhood wouldn¡¯t have been any different from yours. I still believe in molding children to be the image of strength, resilience andpetence in striving to be the best in life. You might not be a mirror image of me but Brett Rollins certainlyes to people¡¯s minds when they encounter you." He taps my shoulder reassuringly before moving to Ashley.


    "You wouldn¡¯t be the best at your craft if I didn¡¯t lock you in your closet many nights to face your demons. You learnt to distract yourself by ying with fabrics and imagining designs. Call it tough love but I don¡¯t know a father who will coddle his son¡¯s weaknesses which have the power to overwhelm him in future. I SAVED YOUR LIFE."


    Ashton¡¯s eyes are fired up when father gets to him. "You haven¡¯t been the only one striving for eptance since your childhood. I could never measure up to you no matter what I did. You challenged everything and constantly made me feel unepted as a father. I let you get away with a lot of things to prove my love for you but all this time, your doubts and rejection remained. I am highly disappointed in you for believing a stranger over the man who raised you. You want to know about your biological parents? We¡¯ll chat about that and you¡¯ll get the answers to all your questions but after I make you realize how dead wrong you are for distrusting me today, we¡¯ll part ways!"


    "FATHER!"


    "SILENCE!" He shuts Ashley and I. "I¡¯ve given him enough chances. I can¡¯t have an enemy within my walls." He leers at Ashton. "I¡¯m done walking on eggshells around this one. You don¡¯t want to be associated with a monster like me? You want to fly solo? Have at it, Ashton. You¡¯re wee to remain in your brothers¡¯ lives but you and I will have zero ties as far as myst name, goodwill and wealth goes. You go back to being your biological father¡¯s son!" He pats Ashton¡¯s cheeks. "Ler¡¯s just wait till your mother can handle the shock."


    Ashley goes after him while I remain to query Ashton.


    "You had no right to bring that up without our collective consent!"


    "I¡¯m sorry."


    "No, you¡¯re not! You are stupid! You are stupidly in love with a woman who is set to ruin our lives. Demi is already making concerted efforts to destroy the only family we¡¯ve ever known. What do you hope to gain by pitting father against us?"


    "Asher, don¡¯t act like you don¡¯t feel it in your marrows that there¡¯s some truth to what Cree said. Do you realize what that means? That we¡¯ve been lied to our whole lives! That¡¯s not something we can just turn a blind eye to especially if our biological parents were..."


    "This is hardly the time to tackle that is all I¡¯m saying. Your timing sucks. Josh and his mom are trying their best to have our lives. They¡¯ve shamelessly been holding interviews, adding fuel to the fire on our asses. Mother¡¯s heart is shattered and her spirit, broken. Demi has been uncovered as a sworn enemy of this household. Everything is falling apart. Thest thing we need is to fight amongst ourselves! This is the time to band together against the forces trying to tear our family apart and fight for the life we¡¯ve always known! Don¡¯t you get that?"


    I cut off his protest with my hands on his shoulders. "We¡¯ll circle back to that ufortable issue, I promise and we¡¯ll get to the bottom of it. Please, trust me. We have bigger fish to fry right now."


    I can see he¡¯s struggling to put it behind him for now and I totally understand why. I am scared to think of it myself, the reality that father might have murdered our biological parents to have us.


    What is more astounding to me however, is the fact that Ashton isn¡¯t perturbed at all by father¡¯s threat. The idea of being stripped bare of everything tied to Brett Rollins didn¡¯t even stir a sliver of worry or anxiety in him. It¡¯ll be the opposite reaction in my case.


    As I watch him retreat to his room, I silently wonder what that life, devoid of fear of losing out, would be and if the day will evere when I can freely walk away from the life father affords me without regrets.


    Ashley returns. "Father¡¯s royally pissed at Ashton. He won¡¯t budge."


    Of course, he won¡¯t. I think to myself. That¡¯s the only way he can keep everyone else from broaching that dicey topic again. Father didn¡¯t just threaten to cut Ashton off; it was a message to the rest of us of the consequences that would follow if we dare to bite the finger that feeds us.


    "Have you contacted Demi?"


    Ashley sighs. "She¡¯s still not taking my calls." He tries one more time. "It¡¯s switched off. She probably won¡¯t speak to me anyway. Why don¡¯t you work your charm with Anna and get her to tell you where Demi is? I could go see her, beg her forgiveness, whatever she wants. Heck, I¡¯m ready to do anything she asks as long as it¡¯ll satiate her quest for our destruction."


    I¡¯ve not been on good terms with Anna. Demi¡¯s actions have kicked us back a few steps as usual. I have been busying Anna¡¯s calls all day and pretending to be engrossed with liberating my family from the dark times we¡¯re in when the truth is that I¡¯m just pissed at Anna for always siding with Demi¡¯s ill intents.


    I appreciate her loyalty as a friend and would expect nothing less from her. Still, I had hoped that she would deign to give me a little heads up knowing what her friend was nning with Billion-Err. I don¡¯t necessarily expect her to stop Demi. I just wish she had clued me in especially about josh¡¯s paternity being exposed so I could have been better prepared for the aftermath.


    She could have saved us a lot of loss.


    Reluctantly, I call Anna to get some information. Just as I expected, she¡¯s not very helpful.


    "She said Demi isn¡¯t at her ce and that was all she could tell me because she made a promise."


    "Where could she possibly be?" Ashley wonders. Gradually, we crane our neck as Ashton heads towards the door.


    "Going somewhere?" I ask him.


    If Demi would be open to speaking with anyone in the mansion, it has to be him. He must know her whereabout. I walk up to him with Ashley in tow and exin the situation.


    "If you know where she is, you have to tell us, Ash. Billion-Err ns to cover the story of her parents¡¯ death next. If they im to have proof, don¡¯t you think they got it from Demi? If we can intercept that post by convincing Demi to debunk the allegations, that might save our face in the meantime. She¡¯ll listen to you so I am thinking you should probably go to her. If you handle this, father will not only let her be but he just might rescind his threat against you."


    I can already tell from Ashton¡¯s expression that he is totally disgusted by my words.


    "Who exactly are you worried about here; me or father? You don¡¯t have to worry about me. I¡¯m not scared to start afresh. As for Demi, If she has proof and wants to put it out there, I¡¯ll take the fall for it as I rightly should but the decision to hold back must be hers to make. No coaxing. No maniption and certainly no threats! I killed her parents, Asher, and her life was ruined forever. It¡¯s unconscionable that you are still trivializing her pain and that you expect me to manipte her for your selfish ends. We can restore the business to great heights, make money and regain the trust and love of the people of this country again. We can survive this like we always do but for our victims, like Demi, they can NEVER get their old lives back. She can never get her parents back!"


    "So, for her satisfaction, you¡¯re prepared to watch us crash and burn as penance?"


    "You still don¡¯t get it, Asher? Demi is NOT responsible for what we¡¯re going through right now! She didn¡¯t force father to have an affair and sire another son. She didn¡¯t kill her parents, Tobias, Samuel or any other victim that¡¯s lost their lives at our hands! WE DID ALL THAT OURSELVES. Our penchant for running afoul of thew and covering our tracks has left a trail of enemies in our wake. Our actions as a family have led up to this moment of reckoning. If we don¡¯t break the cycle of manipting our way out of facing the consequences of our actions, days like this will always be a part of our lives."


    "He¡¯s right."


    I turn and find Ashal taking shambling steps towards us.


    "I¡¯m disgusted at the kind of men we have be. It took me awhile before I could face the harsh truth; we aren¡¯t good men, brothers, not by a long shot. We can cast a slur on father¡¯s character all day but I know we all can see it too, that per his training we¡¯ve be no different from him, if not worse. I¡¯ve personally lost a lot because of it." He expels a deep breath. "I don¡¯t know about you guys but I¡¯m sick of the cycle. I want to do better for myself, to live a worthy life, one that our little sister would be proud of, not terrified of."


    Ashley and I trade nces as I wonder if he also has some upbeat line to drop.


    "I¡¯m out of here." Ashton walks away. Soon, I hear his car pulling out of the driveway. Is he going to Demi?


    "I¡¯ll be with mom. She needs a familiar face." Ashal says and retreats to the elevator.


    Left alone, I lock eyes with Ashley.


    "Do they realize that they¡¯ll go to jail if we do nothing but watch our secrets spill out one at a time?" I ask him.


    "I don¡¯t think they care. That¡¯s crazy!"


    "I¡¯m off to Anna¡¯s. We have to beat him to Demi¡¯s location before he ends up muddling things even more." Ashley dials Demi¡¯s number again while I rush to my car. I am almost out of the gate when he calls me back, waving a hand at me.


    "What?"


    "Someone just called back with her phone. He imed to be her uncle."


    "She has an uncle?" It baffles me like everything else about that woman.


    "That¡¯s beside the point." Ashley rifies with a smile that¡¯s acre wide. "I KNOW WHERE SHE IS."

 Chapter 152

    <h4>Chapter 152: Chapter 152</h4>


    DEMI


    His stare is as daunting as a fist. He looks from Cree to me, a suspicious glint in his eyes.


    "Cree?"


    "Hi." Cree replies with a fake smile, unsure which brother she was talking to. "Fancy meeting you here, Ash..." She trails off.


    He intentionally fails toplete her words but pins me with an uncertain look. Ice rakes up my arms as his bluish pupils fixate on me. Ufortable with being between us, Cree bobs her head. "I was just on my way out."


    But when she tries to circle past him, his arm shoots out and mps her thin wrist like a vice without breaking eye contact with me.


    "Wait five minutes for me downstairs, Cree. I¡¯ll drop you off after Demi and I are done talking. I won¡¯t be long." Now he tears his eyes from mine and smiles warmly at her. "I¡¯m d I ran into you here. Got a few things to get off my chest." Cree peels her wrist free, nods before heading down. Now, he turns to me.


    I can tell from his hooded eyes that he suspects my every move. Cree being here of all ces must have been shocking to him seeing as I barely ever rted with the woman who brandished a gun at Ashal months back.


    I want to insist that it¡¯s not what he thinks and that I am not conspiring with Cree but something tells me thatme exnation won¡¯t fly, not with the disappointment and disdain simmering in his eyes.


    "What was she doing here?" He asks tly, lounging by the door.


    "Why don¡¯t you ask her on your way back to Danvarr?" I cross my arms over my chest. "I¡¯m more interested in what you¡¯re doing here. I never gave this address. Did Ashley tell you after my uncle called him? Even if he did, what do you want from me, Asher? If you¡¯re here to beg..."


    "I¡¯m not!" He insists vehemently, a frown creasing his eyebrows. He jams both hands in his pocket and expels a deep breath. "I will never beg you, Demi Branson. I¡¯m not like the rest of my brothers!"


    "And they¡¯re better for it."


    "I¡¯m not here to bicker with you either."


    "Then why are you here?" I snap, my impatience peaking. I can¡¯t stand him because everything about him reminds me of the salient reasons why I sought to avenge my parents.


    Him being unabashed and unremorseful of his family¡¯s sins grates on my nerves. He is more Brett than he will ever know. Ashton is the pr opposite. He is the ice to Asher¡¯s fire, the warmth to Asher¡¯s chill, the contrition to Asher¡¯s indifference. Ashton centers me, and helps me prioritize forgiveness over revenge in a way none of his family members ever will.


    I am seething with a fresh poke of anger just by having Asher within two feet of me. Even the way he breathes and stares irks me. If I don¡¯t dismiss him soon, my anger might get the best of me. I might even do something I¡¯ll heavily regret just to send a message to Brett¡¯s favorite minion.


    "I¡¯m here to look you in the face when I tell you to stay the heck away from my brother!" Our foreheads are almost grazing as he squares up on me. "Ashton is about to lose the only family he has ever known, the only life he has ever known because of you! HE IS ABOUT TO BE DISOWNED BECAUSE OF HIS DOGGED SUPPORT OF YOU, AN ENEMY OF OUR FAMILY."


    My jaws hit the floor with a loud crash.


    "Oh, boohoo, like you care. I keep telling him not to grovel at your feet over an ident that wasn¡¯t his fault. HE THOUGHT HE WAS SAVING YOUR PARENTS. HE NEVER MEANT TO SEND THEM INTO THAT DEATHTRAP BUT THAT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE TO YOU, DOES IT, ICE PRINCESS?"


    He eases back to cluck his tongue. "I really don¡¯t see what he sees in you. M is a better view and a much better deal. YOU DON¡¯T DESERVE HIM, DEMI. You never will. Go right ahead and do your worst. Sink my family to the ground if that helps you sleep better at night but don¡¯t pretend to give a shit about my brother and break his heart further into smithereens when heter realizes what a disappointment you are. At the very least, let him rot in prison without a broken heart."


    I turn away before the tears fall and casually dab them. "Are you quite finished?"


    "Not quite." Asheres around and shows no emotion over my wet eyes. "I¡¯d appreciate it if you cut him loose today itself. I¡¯m sure he¡¯s on his way here. Tell him whatever it will take to end whatever¡¯s going on between you two. If I can prove to my father that Ashton isn¡¯t going behind our backs to support you despite everything you¡¯re doing to us, maybe father will wee him back into the family." He edges closer to whisper in my ear.


    "He might think he¡¯s strong but you and I know Ashton is nothing without his mother and brothers. You will never be able tofort him so do right by him and let him go once and for all."


    He walks away and shuts the door behind him. I sink to my bed and huff out a gust of breath. Brett Rollins must be insane. How could he think of punishing only Ashton? This can¡¯t just be about me. It makes no sense. The family went out of their way to hide Ashton¡¯s secret for years. Why would Brett want to leave him out in the cold now?


    I grab my phone and dial Ashton¡¯s number, then cut the call almost as soon as he picks. What the hell am I supposed to say if he asks how I came upon this information? If he knows Asher has been here, he¡¯ll throw a hissy fit and refuse to listen when I send him back to his family. I am so confused.


    Ashton bursts through our front door two hourster, after I texted him my location just to get him toy off Anna.


    "Are you okay?" He skims my face with his hands. "You suddenly disappeared."


    "I¡¯m fine." I reply, pulling his hands away. "I¡¯m just spending some time with my uncle. I didn¡¯t think I needed anyone¡¯s permission for that."


    "Of course not." He rakes his hand through his dark curls as he escorts me to my room upstairs. It¡¯s great that he rocks them freely now, confidently too. He looks dapper back in his leatherjacket and pants with a white tee peeking from his chest. Inside my room, my heart clenches when our eyes meet. My throat dries up as my eyes dip to his soft lips. Clearing my throat, I edge away from him. I can¡¯t afford to be distracted.


    "What do you want?"


    "I was worried when I couldn¡¯t reach you."


    "Did something happen at the mansion?" I throw the bait. "Is your father threatening fire and brimstone over Billion-Err¡¯s posts?" Though his lips curve slightly in a smile, it¡¯s the nervous tightening of his hands at his sides that give away his anxiety. My heart breaks to discover Asher was telling the truth.


    "Just a typical day at the mansion. Father is naturally upset but he¡¯ll get over it."


    And you? I wonder in my head. Could you ever get over the loss of your family because of me?


    "Ashton, I have to tell you..." His handse down on my shoulders and squeeze gently, disarming me. His eyes pull me into great depths that only promise unending bliss.


    "I haven¡¯t got much time. I fear I might have been tailed here so I¡¯ll be leaving shortly but I wanted to see that you were fine and tell you to stay here in the meantime."


    "What? Why?"


    "You¡¯re right. Father is pissed and as always, he thinks you¡¯re the cause of his problems. I fear that he might nurse the idea of abducting you to stop Billion-Err from rolling out more secrets. He believes you¡¯re the one feeding it to them." Before I can protest, he continues. "He is dangerous, Demi. I know him and I am afraid to give him the benefit of doubt here. I think it¡¯s safer for you to be here or possibly move to a hotel or somewhere else just in case they track you down to your uncle¡¯s home. I¡¯ll set you up in a hotel no one will go looking in." His hands drop from my shoulders and immediately, he is tapping away on his phone to make hasty hotel bookings. There¡¯s nervousness in the deliberate movement that I have never seen in him before.


    "You don¡¯t mind me using an alias, do you?"


    Tears almost spill from my eyes at the stiffness of his shoulders and the raw fear coating his voice.


    "Ashton, stop. Sit down." I snatch his phone and pull him down on a chair.


    "I really need to make that..."


    "I¡¯m really fine here. You¡¯re the only one who¡¯s got this address." I lie smoothly to ease his fear. "Besides, Asher knows better than to let fathere after me. I made it clear during ourst meeting that hurting me will not only trigger Billion-Err to release more damaging secrets but will also give them fresh evidence of guilt on your family¡¯s part."


    "I don¡¯t think Asher got that memo..."


    "He did. I already confirmed."


    "How?"


    "I have eyes and ears." I dab away the sweat dribbling from his temple. "You don¡¯t have to worry about me, Ashton. I need you to stop fussing about me. I know these are trying times for your family. They need you by their side, not siding their enemy." I press a hand to his lips to stifle his protest. "I forgive you, Ashton. Believe that I have but unfortunately, I am already in too deep now that even if I want to step away from the throttle, the car will only continue chugging forward before it finally trundles to a halt. Do you understand?"


    "Not really."


    "I¡¯ll try my best to put an end to this shit show as fast as I can but in the meantime, I¡¯m going to need you to stick with your family and worry less about me. I can handle myself, Ashton." I cup his cheeks. "Most importantly, I¡¯m going to need you to trust that no matter how ugly things get while I am trying my very best to rectify the mess that I have created, I will always be on your side, Ashton. I will always do everything in my power to make sure you¡¯re unscathed at the end of this."


    "Now, you¡¯re scaring me, Demi. What¡¯s really going on" His eyes skirt the room. "Did anyone threaten you? Father?"


    I shut him up with a slow, sensual kiss. His eyes are the size of sauce pans when I pull back. "Good bye, Ashton."


    ***


    I end up taking Ashton¡¯s advice and staying an extra day at my uncle¡¯s ce just to think of ways to save myself and the people I love from the wrath of Liam and hisckeys. I honestly have no idea how many people are on board with his n and who to ask for help in outing him.


    While I toss and turn on my bed, my phone blips with a message. Fear twines around my gut when I realize it¡¯s from Liam.


    <i>[I am certain Cree passed my message but here¡¯s a little something for you, in case you need an extra jolt of persuasion</i>]


    My finger hover nervously over my phone before I hit y on the recording sent to me. My mother¡¯s shaky voice seeps out.


    "<i>Oh god, Amber, they¡¯re everywhere. What am I going to do? If they catch me, I¡¯m done for."</i>


    <i>"Calm down, Camille. I¡¯m sure they just want to talk."</i>


    <i>"I doubt it. Brett¡¯s really pissed at me." A loud crashing sound. "Oh my god, Amber. They just chucked Samuel from the first floor. I think his neck¡¯s broken." </i>


    <i>"What?"</i>


    <i>"They¡¯ve killed him, Amber. He¡¯s bleeding profusely. Oh god, they¡¯ll definitely kill me too for witnessing this. My husband. My little Demi. How will they survive without me? I have to run." </i>


    <i>"Camille? Camille, what¡¯s happening? What¡¯s that sound?"</i>


    <i>Labored breathing and heavy footfalls follow.</i>


    <i>"Camille, I am calling 911. Stay on the line, please. Hello? Are you still there? Camille, what¡¯s going on?"</i>


    Tears stream down my face as my mother¡¯s screams echo.


    [<i>How¡¯s this for the next drop on Billion-Err, coupled with best photos of mother and daughter? The quad¡¯s birthday is the D-day</i>] Liam texts again.


    "What do you want, Liam?" I belt out when he takes my call. "What exactly do you hope to gain by hurting me like this?" There¡¯s an ominous silence from the other end. "ANSWER ME GODDAMIT!"


    "Feisty. Love it." A soft female voice replies. It¡¯s definitely not M.


    "Who¡¯s this?"


    "It¡¯s your real sister-inw. Hello, Demi. Like my surprise?"

 Chapter 153

    <h4>Chapter 153: Chapter 153</h4>


    ASHLEY


    "What the hell are you saying, doctor? How did this happen?" My heart is thudding in my chest as I try to make head and tail of what Ni¡¯s doctor is saying to me right now. Tears cloud my eyes when he exins Ni¡¯s sudden sickness and strange bleeding on the ind. With shaky hands and a shakier voice, I ask him the hardest question.


    "And my baby?"


    "I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Ashley. It was miscarried."


    My vision blurs for a long minute and every other sound drawls to silence around me. I neither hear my phone tter to the floor or my brothers rushing forward to check on me. After a few violent shakes, I snap out of it.


    "Ashley, what¡¯s wrong, man? You¡¯re tearing up." Ashal pulls me into a hug while Ashton grabs my phone and redials the doctor¡¯s line. He listens quietly to him with a somber expression on his face. Asher descends from the stairs and joins us.


    "What¡¯s going on?"


    "Ni lost the baby." Ashton reveals to everyone. A fresh stab of painnces through my heart. I never thought I was already attached to my unborn baby, never thought its death would hit me this hard unlike my experience with Demi¡¯s. I guess the promise of a new life and new status as a father has been the one good thing about my fucked existencetely.


    "Calm down, Ash." Asher pats my shoulders. "Get a grip on yourself."


    "GET THE FUCK OFF ME!" I snap at him. Suddenly, memories of his nned brutality towards mine and Demi¡¯s child fills my head. "You know nothing about how I feel." I scratch my head roughly while a sickeningugh spills off my lips. "I wanted that baby! I needed...how could you understand? Huh? How could you ever understand, Asher? You demand yours be aborted in two heartbeats because having a child would cramp your ambitious goals. We¡¯re not the same. How could you possibly expect me to just get over such a huge loss?"


    "Whoa, Whoa, that¡¯s enough." Ashton and Ashal circle me while Asher stands stunned into silence by my sudden harsh usation. "Cool it, Ashley. We know you¡¯re hurting right now and we are deeply pained by it but there¡¯s no need to be vindictive."


    "Vindictive?" I ask Ashal. "Have you quickly forgotten who tipped father off about Demi¡¯s pregnancy? I lost my child because he craved to please father. Ni¡¯s miscarriage was clearly an act of God but Demi¡¯s? She could have carried the baby to full term if certain people hadn¡¯t gotten involved." Pain wracks my soul as I recount Demi¡¯s attack. Tears blur my eyes. "Maybe, just maybe I would have found sce in that baby given the eventual loss of Ni¡¯s. Why can¡¯t anything go right for me?"


    I sink to the floor and bury my head between my thighs.


    "Why am I cursed?"


    My brothers wrap their arms around me and console me for the next few hours.


    ***


    "Are you okay?"


    I look up from the swimming pool as Asher enters with a bottle of wine and two sses. He sits next to me with his feet dangling in the water.


    "I¡¯ve been better." I ept the ss he offers but set it aside when he attempts to pour me a drink. "I¡¯m sorry but I don¡¯t want to numb the pain. I need to feel my child¡¯s loss. It¡¯s thest thing we can share."


    Nodding, Asher puts away the drink.


    "How¡¯s Ni?"


    "Delirious with pain and shock ording to her doctor. She¡¯s under supervision." I sigh deeply. "Mother can¡¯t find out, not yet."


    "Say no more."


    "I¡¯m sorry about earlier. I didn¡¯t mean to..."


    "You didn¡¯t say anything that wasn¡¯t true." He counters with a thin smile. His eyes drift over the pool, to the grayness that lies just beyond the towering walls. "Yeah, I¡¯m not ready to start a family. I did have Nessa terminate more than two pregnancies. Shit, I even lost count. I¡¯m horrible."


    Weugh a bit.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Ashley. I never stopped to think that you might actually desire parenthood. I was too engrossed with getting rid of Demi that I shelved your own feelings about her pregnancy. I just want you to know that I am not that guy anymore. I won¡¯t go behind your back to tamper with life-changing decisions only you are supposed to make."


    "Thanks, Ash."


    It feels good to reconcile. I believe he is capable of change even though it¡¯s going to be a slow, tortuous process for him. I am d he is starting to see the light.


    We crane our heads as Ashales jogging towards us.


    "Hey, you guys need to see this!"


    Inside, father is back from work but brought somepany along but my ears re when I spot Josh among them. What the fuck is he doing here? If his smug expression is any indication, father must have brought him along. My eyes dart upstairs, hoping mother doesn¡¯te down to see whatever it is father thinks he is doing.


    "Father? What¡¯s going on?" Asher asks tentatively, his eyes raking the faces of the men and women. The sight of the familywyer makes my blood run cold. Father¡¯s face is stern.


    "I wanted you all to be present when I tackled this matter once and for all. I¡¯ve got too much going on to be sidetracked by flimsy lies fed to my gullible son. You want to know the details of your adoption? These elderly gentleman anddy over here work for the orphanage where your mother and I adopted you boys as babies. They have records of all the meetings we had with your biological parents before signing the adoption papers. There are photos too. Feel free to peruse the documents and ask as many questions as you require to satiate your doubts."


    He whips his head. "Ashton, why don¡¯t you go first?"


    Ashton grits his teeth, then walks forward to sample the files. Few minutes in, father turns to Asher.


    "Won¡¯t you join him?"


    It¡¯s a test. We can all see that. Though we desperately wanted to, Asher tacitly warns the rest of us not to join in. Ashton flips through documents and cites disparities in the earlier adoption papers father gave him.


    The elderly man answers his burning questions but every answer leaves Ashton less than satisfied. He never looks at us once or tries to draw us into the conversation. He knows the risk he is taking and carefully avoids drawing us into it.


    "And my biological parents? Do you happen to know if they left any records of a next of kin, an emergency contact, anything?"


    The elderly woman who replies shakes her head. "They seemed to be going through a hard time financially and made the hard decision to give you boys up for adoption. They didn¡¯t leave enough details."


    "Do you know how they died?"


    "Why would she know that?" Father queries Ashton.


    "It was a small town. I¡¯m sure lots of people knew about things that happened to other people in the town."


    "He¡¯s right." The woman tells father before turning back to Ashton. "Last I heard, they died in a fire that gutted their home. It was tragic."


    Ashton takes a good look at the photos, slips one featuring our biological parents into his pocket before returning the files.


    "Thank you. That rifies things."


    My breath hitches as father straightens his back.


    "What has been rified, Ashton?"


    "The fact that my anonymous texter lied about the details of our adoption. You were right. I¡¯m sorry that I ever doubted you."


    Father smiles wryly. "I bet you are. You only had to trust me or at the very least, believe me after I answered all your questions. However, I guess it was easier to brand me as anything but a good father."


    "Father, he has apologized." Asher cuts in. "I¡¯ll try to track the anonymous texter to uncover their identity..." Father¡¯s raised hand shuts him up.


    "I don¡¯t care about that now. I fulfilled my end of the promise. I went out of my way to fly these busy people into the country just to clear the doubts to my name. There are always consequences to actions and now, Ashton is about to learn it the hard way."


    "Please, father..." We all chant but he yells at us.


    "One more word from you guys and I might be obliged to punish another brother along with Ashton." His burning gaze returns to Ashton who stands still with his hands in his pocket. "Ourwyer already finished the paperwork. I am officially disinheriting you from today henceforth. You are never to use the name, Rollins, ever again. From this moment onwards, you lose every position, title, status and everything you¡¯ve acquired through my name and connections. Your name will be expunged from my will. A public statement will be issued just as soon as we deal with Billion-Err problem but within this family, no one is allowed to treat you any differently from an outsider!"


    His eyes scan our horrified faces. "He¡¯s still your brother so you retain the right to treat him as such but if you dare to spend my money on him or do anything for him using the resources I have provided for you, without my consent first sought and obtained, your ounts will be frozen indefinitely."


    My heart tightens with grief. Ashton remains unfazed despite knowing the gravity of father¡¯s deration.


    "This will kill mother!" Ashal barks.


    "Your mother already knows about his doubts regarding your adoption. She was beyond devastated by it. I already hinted at taking this decision. If she had any objections to it, she would have aired it at the time but she didn¡¯t. She¡¯ll survive."


    "How could you? Our family is already in shambles and you¡¯re cutting off a son just to prove a point?"


    Josh steps up and res at me. "Are you being serious right now, Ashley? My dad has treated you all far more honorably than he ever has to me. Despite being his biological child, my identity has been hidden from the world for years and because of that, I have been denied privileges that ought to rue. Do you know how that made me feel? To top it all off, his adopted kids constantly rubbed it in my face that I was the bastard child in the equation. Despite everything my dad has done for you all, taking you from penniless parents into a life of luxury, Ashton had the guts to question your adoption and challenge dad¡¯s role as his father. THIS is kindness, not punishment. Left to me, you all would have been disinherited for not reporting the anonymous texts or Ashton earlier."


    "That¡¯s okay, Josh." Father pats him. "I have further decided that your brother, Josh, will no longer be cheated. He is my son after all. Josh will be taking over Ashton¡¯s business chains, cars, houses, ounts and everything under Ashton¡¯s name."


    "WHAT?"


    "You heard me, boys. The official statement announcing Ashton being disinherited will also feature Josh¡¯s eptance as a member of the Rollins family. That¡¯s all for now."


    Asher rushes forward. "Father, do you mean to say you can never forgive our brother¡¯s mistake? What can he do to overturn this?"


    "Even if he could somehow earn my forgiveness, it wouldn¡¯t happen in less than a year, Asher. He needs to learn gratitude and I believe a year or two living without the perks of being a Rollins¡¯ son should do the trick. He¡¯s Ashton Sawyer from now on. Let¡¯s see how far that name gets him." Father storms away, guiding his guests towards the elevator to entertain them in the living room upstairs.


    Alone, we edge close to Ashton.


    "This is madness but I can make him change his mind. He¡¯ll budge, don¡¯t worry."


    "It¡¯s okay, Asher. I knew what I was getting into when I poked the bear. I¡¯ll be fine."


    "How? What are you going to do? Get a job? Where? Everyone will make fun of you in Danvarr. How can you go from being a billionaire to a minimum wage earner?"


    "Ashley, I have skills, remember? Besides, the sooner I learn to fly on my own wings, the better. It¡¯ll be fine."


    When he turns to head to the elevator, Josh emerges from it.


    "I¡¯m sorry but your amodation privileges at the mansion have also ceased. You are to make alternative housing arrangements. Father¡¯s orders."


    "What? Where the fuck is he supposed to go? His ounts are all frozen!" Ashal asks angrily.


    "He¡¯s a grown man. I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll figure it out." Josh returns to join father upstairs.


    Ashton nods. Hees around to give each of us a hug. At the door, he turns to us with a smirk and salutes.


    "Ashton Sawyer, signing out."

 Chapter 154

    <h4>Chapter 154: Chapter 154</h4>


    DEMI


    "Are you really the quad¡¯s sister?" I ask the cheekydy on the other end of Liam¡¯s phone. For all I know, this could be a hoax, and another scheme by Liam to mess with me. Why would Ashton¡¯s biological sister pine for the destruction of her brothers? How did they get separated? What grievance does she hold against them?


    "What does it matter to you?"


    I sit up and flick on my bedsidemp. "I still don¡¯t fully get why Liam turned on me despite how long we¡¯ve known each other but I can imagine why he¡¯s frustrated at me for developing cold feet. Now, why would you want to see your brothers ruined publicly if indeed you are blood rtives? Makes absolutely no sense to me."


    "There are a couple of things about you, Demi Branson, that makes absolutely no sense to me too, like falling in love with the man who murdered your parents or rooting for his evil family to survive the storming. Does that make any of it untrue? You don¡¯t have to understand my motivation for going after Brett and his sons. Motivation isn¡¯t your strong suit as we¡¯ve clearly established." She exhales deeply. "However, there are consequences for messing up my deadlines."


    "You can exact your revenge without pulling me into it!"


    "Sure, but where¡¯s the fun in that?" I feel her smiling wickedly on her end of the phone.


    "What is your name?" I ask quietly.


    "Irrelevant."


    "Wrong. It is relevant. You hide behind the phone and present yourself as the brains behind this operation. You sound fearless and want to be feared. Yet, you¡¯re too afraid to drop your name? Are you afraid of blowing your cover to the Rollins family, to your brothers?"


    Her silence only eggs me on. I climb off the bed. "I admit I was a coward but I had my reasons for hiding my identity. I lived in the same freaking mansion as my enemies so it only made sense that I did. What¡¯s your excuse? As far as I am concerned, very limited people know of your existence so why are you scared of sharing even your name?"


    "I am not scared. The timing just isn¡¯t right."


    "Say it!"


    "Why? So, you could go running to Ashton to blurt it out?"


    "I¡¯m sure he¡¯ll be delighted to learn about you."


    Sheughs derisively. "I couldn¡¯t care less about his feelings on the matter. I¡¯ve met one of the brothers and trust me, he isn¡¯t impressionable. I bet they¡¯re all the same; arrogant, pompous jerks. I don¡¯t get the hype."


    "You¡¯re not meant to get it. You¡¯re his sister, remember?" My ears tickle as her words reys in my head. It sounds oddly familiar. In fact, the disdain and contempt for the Rollins quad from this woman is all too familiar. Where the hell have I heard those lines before?


    "They¡¯re all just a bunch of shameless money whores. They¡¯re no different from the devil who raised them. They live for the worship and adoration of their fans. They are nothing without the borrowedst name and everything because of it."


    "Are you pained because Brett didn¡¯t adopt you too? Is that where all this hate is stemming from?"


    "SHUT THE FUCK UP. I DON¡¯T WANT THEIR BLOOD MONEY. I JUST WANT THEM TO PAY FOR THEIR EVIL DEEDS."


    A smile seeps into my cheek as I finally ce the voice. "Ipletely understand. I really do, Skr."


    After a brief pause. "Took you long enough."


    ***


    Ashton¡¯s phone is switched off when I try his line. Why now? He promised to keep it handy. I y with the idea of calling another brother to tell them what I just discovered but I realize none of them would take my call much less believe my tale. A sister? They¡¯llugh in my face or cuss at me foring up with a boldfaced lie to deflect my guilt in their current situation.


    I have no proof to show how Skr is rted to them or how they got separated. Would the quads rte to the news? Would they think there is a possibility that they could have a biological sister? Even if there was a smidgen of hope that they believed me, they would never fall for the idea that such biological sister was suddenly behind their doom and not me.


    That was exactly what Skr had said when she challenged me to scurry away and try convincing any quad of my choice of her guilt. She called it a fool¡¯s errand. Her confidence on the matter scared me.


    "Demi?" Ashley surprisingly picks up.


    "I can¡¯t get a hold of Ashton. Can you ask him to call me?" There is a slight shuffle and Asheres on the line.


    "I thought I told you to stay the heck away from him. Do you have any idea how much he¡¯s lost because of you?"


    "I don¡¯t have time for this, Asher. Put Ashton on the line if he¡¯s near or ask him to call me as soon as he can. This is very urgent."


    "Don¡¯t you <i>ever</i> call us again..."


    "Wait, Asher. Listen carefully. Your sister is behind...hello? Asher?? Shit!!!" Seeing that he hung up on me, I press my eyes shut and take calm breaths. The buffoon. Any other time and he would have spent close to an hour talking my head off on the phone but today when I need him to listen for one goddamn minute, he hangs up?


    I forgive his foolishness and redial Ashley¡¯s number only to realize I¡¯ve been blocked. Crap, they¡¯re really making things harder for themselves.


    "I tried. I fucking tried!" I say to no one, then copse on my bed. "I did my best."


    But I couldn¡¯t sleep all night. I kept worrying for Ashton. So, the next morning, I dash into the living room, my small travel bag strapped across my shoulder. Uncle Marcel, startled at the noise, looks up from setting the breakfast table.


    "Not this again. Where are you off to now? You promised you¡¯d stay a bit longer."


    "I¡¯m sorry, uncle but I have to return home." And because he continues to look perplexed, "My inws need my help."


    "Why? After everything they¡¯ve put you through? Did I miss the part where they came groveling at your feet and begging for your forgiveness?"


    I hug him and kiss his cheek. "I¡¯m not going back to be Ashley¡¯s wife. The divorce will still happen. I just want to help them out of a potentially damaging situation out of the goodness of my heart. If I insist on bearing grudges, how am I any different from them?"


    "You¡¯re indeed your mother¡¯ daughter." He sighs wistfully. "I¡¯ll drop you at the bus station."


    "Oh, no need. A friend¡¯sing to pick me up." I give him another kiss. "I¡¯ll call you the minute Ind in Danvarr."


    Thankfully, William, my ex-boyfriend happens to be active on his socials. Coincidentally, I deduce from his posts that we happen to be in the same city. It only took one dm and he offered to fly me back to Danvarr.


    After the cursory pleasantries and a quiet ride to the airport in his sedan, he finally breaks the silence just before I can head into the airport.


    "Are you sure you don¡¯t want any further help? I coulde with you or have someone pick you up at the airport for easy transport to your doorstep."


    "You¡¯ve done plenty, Will. I am floored by your concern and help. I really didn¡¯t want to bother you but I am d I eventually did. I owe you one."


    "Come off it, Demi. You owe me nothing. I¡¯m honored to be of help." He clears his throat. "I don¡¯t mean to ruin the mood but it wouldn¡¯t sit right with me if I pretended not to know you¡¯re going through a tough time in your marriage, as well as your inws. I am deeply sorry, Demi. You deserve all the happiness in the world."


    I truly feel ufortable discussing this with him but his sincerity disarms me.


    "Thanks." I reply awkwardly before stretching to give him a hug.


    "Be safe." He whispers in my ear. "Don¡¯t forget to call me if you need anything. You know I¡¯m here for you."


    "I know."


    Throughout the flight, I keep rehearsing my lines, reframing my argument to be more persuasive when I look Ashton in the face and tell him that the sister he never knew he had, is responsible for Billion-Err¡¯stest moves and not me. No matter how hard I try or how creative I get, it continues to sound ridiculous.


    When we arrive in Danvarr, I find a man waiting to pick me up.


    "Ms. Branson? I was asked to take you home." He says politely with a benign smile.


    A goofy smile stretches my lips. William. Such a gentleman. I drop a text notifying my uncle of my arrival on the ride home. Then, I drop another for Will, thanking him for all his help. He calls me almost immediately.


    "I¡¯m d you arrived safely."


    "Thanks for your help, Will."


    I really mean it. I forgot how exhausting long flights can be. Right now, I just want to get to Anna¡¯s and get some sleep before talking to Ashton.


    "Don¡¯t mention it. Are you sure you don¡¯t want my guy to drop you home? It¡¯ll save you a lot of stress and time."


    My eyes meet the driver¡¯s through the rearview mirror. He¡¯s watching me.


    "What do you mean? I¡¯m already on my way home. I met your driver at the airport."


    "That¡¯s not possible. Juan is standing by for my instruction to pick you up."


    "Juan? But my driver isn¡¯t..." My vision swims. The bottle of water in my hands slip and spills all over the back seat seconds before I pass out.


    When I open my eyes, I am in a strange room but the scent and the d¨¦cor is all too familiar. My hands are tied to a bedpost. My mouth is sealed with duct tape, trapping my frightened screams. Through the blur, I make out the man standing in front of me.


    Brett Rollins.

 Chapter 155

    <h4>Chapter 155: Chapter 155</h4>


    ASHAL


    "Why are you quiet?" I ask mother with red eyes. She¡¯s sitting up on her bed, with a shawl swaddling her body. I¡¯ve watched her sitting quiet for two days ever since Ashton left the mansion. I think I¡¯ve given her more than enough time to recuperate and tell me why the fuck she¡¯s watching our family burn to the ground.


    I lurch to my feet and stifle the urge to kick something. "Why, mother? Don¡¯t act like you¡¯re powerless. If anyone can stop his madness, IT¡¯S YOU. Again, I ask, why are you choosing to stay quiet even after he kicked Ashton out?" Her eyebrows nt upwards at me.


    "Ashton will be fine." Her voice is a tender whisper. "I put ns in ce to make sure he¡¯s taken care of out there. He won¡¯t want for anything or live like a pauper, never." She pulls the shawl tighter around her body, quivering to a chill I can¡¯t sense. "Otto will see to it that your brother¡¯s fine so don¡¯t worry about him."


    I suppress the urge to sigh in relief and continue to fume. "You still didn¡¯t answer my question, mother. Why are you doing nothing about all the craziness going on in this house? Father is out of control..."


    "Out of control?" She reiterates with a baffled look on her face. Slowly, she breaks into a tearyugh. "That¡¯s not entirely urate, Ashal. Your father might be set in his unconventional ways of handling tough situations but that¡¯s only because it¡¯s the fastest way to get things handled. I don¡¯t always support his acts." Her voice falters as pain flits across her pupils.


    "I never expected such a monumental betrayal from him after everything we¡¯ve been through but I am trying so hard to shed the pain that¡¯s threatening to drown me right now, just so I can save our family. A lot is happening with Billion-Err and if I trusted that you and your brothers were capable of putting out this fire before it guts our family, I would have called your father in order. However, no matter how much I hate to admit it, I have to let him handle it his way. He¡¯s the only one that can get us out of this pit fast enough."


    "What the hell are you saying right now? You¡¯re going to watch him hurt more people just to get out of taking responsibility for our wrongs as a family?"


    She stretches out her hands and sps my cheeks. Her fingers are cold. "I won¡¯t watch my boys go to jail. I just can¡¯t. Call me names. Hate me but I can¡¯t be parted from any of my children, not right now." Tears cloud her eyes. "Your father and I have yet to discuss Josh and his mother. I¡¯m holding out till he saves us from the impending doom, and then we will broach that topic but for now, I can¡¯t bear to be parted from you guys, especially now. I¡¯ll go crazy so yes, I¡¯ll turn a blind eye for as long as I need to if it means my sons aren¡¯t whisked away to prison."


    "But Ashton and I..."


    "I overheard. I don¡¯t care if you¡¯re prepared to face the music. There are some things you¡¯ll never understand until you be a parent and right now, it¡¯s my obsession with protecting my sons. I¡¯m a mother, Ashal; <i>your</i> mother! I don¡¯t mind being called a bad mom but I will do whatever it takes to keep my boys safe. I¡¯ll take on the world if I have to."


    She drops her hands from my face and takes my hands. "You don¡¯t doubt me too, do you? You¡¯re not going to take away my right to call you my son simply because I hid the truth that you were adopted, right?"


    She pins me with a look that¡¯s flushed with pain.


    "Of course not. You are the only mother I know. I would have loved some honesty on the issue especially after we grew older but my feelings towards you will never change."


    Crying, she leans forward to pull me in a hug. "It breaks my heart that you all had to find out the way you did but it wasn¡¯t maliciously hidden from you. Ashton has it all wrong. Oh god, I need to go see him. I need to clear things up with him before he loathes me even more than he already does."


    "He doesn¡¯t loathe you, mother. None of us do. And if we¡¯ve hidden anything from you till now, it¡¯s because we honestly felt that we were protecting you from the pain." I pull her face up to stare into it, to assure her that we never supported father¡¯s infidelity.


    "I¡¯m sure you kept up the IVF story to prevent the world from attacking us as your adopted sons. They already judge us too much and keep looking for ways to take us down. Ipletely understand that hiding the truth can be an act of love." I press a warm kiss to her forehead and wipe her tears.


    "Thank you, Ashal. You¡¯ve always been the easiest to talk to, the most understanding."


    My mind wheels back to the many secrets that we are still keeping from her; my divorce, Nic¡¯s miscarriage etc. I hope she recalls this conversation when those secrets are revealed in the future.


    "I need you to be done mourning soon, mother. I don¡¯t like it when you¡¯re being perceived as weak, especially by the other woman!"


    Josh¡¯s irritating and frequent visit to the mansion is still grating on my nerves and I am certain he¡¯s fishing for information to go feed his mother. They clearly have their sights set on our home.


    Mother silently nods at the unspoken conversationmunicated through my eyes. Somehow, she gets it.


    Her door flings open, startling us. Father stands in front of it, bubbling with rage.


    "Brett! What madness is this? You scared me!"


    Ignoring mother, he turns his frosty eyes to me.


    "WHERE IS SHE?"


    "What?" I ask, perplexed not for being confused at his question but out of shock at how fast he found out.


    "WHERE IS OLIVIA?" He replies, charging forward. I firm my feet on the ground and keep my head high. "How dare you divorce and set her free without my knowledge?"


    Now, mother¡¯s head shoots up. "What?"


    "Why?" I ask father with a ghost of a smile on my face. "I didn¡¯t realize I needed your permission to live my life or do what¡¯s best for me!"


    "You moron! I¡¯m still trying to deal with the mess Demi caused around here and you go and divorce your pregnant, crazy wife without so much as a word?"


    "Pregnant?" Mother surges to her feet. "Olivia¡¯s pregnant too?" She grits her teeth. "How many more lies have you all been telling? Am I no longer a part of this family??? Why do you guys keep things from me like this?"


    I give her a reassuring pat. "I¡¯ll fill you inter, mother. Let me handle this..."


    "Handle what?" Father snaps. "This is exactly my point. Things only get worse when I let you boys take matters into your own hands. It¡¯s like talking to a brick wall. I have taught you how to deal with these matters but you all think of my methods as crude and evil. I did all I could to teach you not to trust people out there but you keep letting your emotions take over when making decisions. Guess what? Olivia ran away! She¡¯s not at theke house she promised Asher she¡¯d be at. She¡¯s gone!"


    My heart rate slows down. That can¡¯t be right. She¡¯s carrying my child. I gave her everything she asked for. I even stayed away from Maddie despite how much I long to see her. I hid my feelings and ran to rehab to deal with my condition and nurse my broken heart as well. Olivia can¡¯t do this to me.


    "How¡¯d you know that?"


    "Because Asher already checked and she¡¯s gone!" Father answers with a searing look. "I can¡¯t believe even Asher gave in to your stupidity by trusting that wench¡¯s word. For all we know, she could be half way across the world by now, WITH YOUR CHILD! She could be plotting to expose everything she¡¯s been through in thest few years from a position where we can¡¯t get to her."


    I jam my hands in my pocket to hide the tremor in them.


    "She wouldn¡¯t risk it. Her family is still..."


    "They¡¯re all gone, ASHAL. GONE. You think I didn¡¯t check? Unlike you boys, I am very thorough." He massages his aching temples while I look away to hide the shock and fear churning within me. When mother tries to take my hand, I move further away to perch by her window and stare out.


    What the hell is going on? What¡¯s Olivia doing? What¡¯s the n here? How could she leave like this knowing that it¡¯ll trigger suspicions from my family? How could she disappear with my unborn child?


    And Maddie? I thought she¡¯d care enough to give me some info even if it¡¯s after they moved. A little notice would have gone a long way in helping me absorb this shock. Have I been foolish, again? Was this the n of the sisters all along?


    "And here I was thinking Ashton was my biggest headache." Father scoffs behind me. "If the family have all absconded, it¡¯s definitely worth worrying about. What if they¡¯re working with Billion-Err to give evidence against us? What if Demi instigated them to testify against us?"


    Demi? I think. Could she really have gotten to Olivia? That would make a whole lot of sense. I recall instantly how she desperately tried to find Olivia in my penthouse, as well as her friendship with Eliana and Maddie. Olivia surely couldn¡¯t have mustered the courage to do this by herself unless someone got into her ear. Right now, Demi fits that bill.


    Whirling, I head for the door but father gets in my way.


    "Move." My voice is a low, angry threat. Typically, he is unfazed by it.


    "If you think I¡¯d let you do anything to jeopardize things again, then you¡¯re even more crazy than your ex-wife."


    "I need to..."


    "What you need to do ise with me."


    Without waiting for a reply, he spins around and heads out. After giving mother a weary look, I follow him. We stop in front of a room on the far end of the hallway of the second floor. At his signal, one of the guards walks forward and begins to impute the passcode to the door.


    "You know," Father begins while the door is being unlocked. "You weren¡¯t entirely wrong in letting your heart lead this time. It can prove effective sometimes but such times are so rare it¡¯s best to just go with your head for more, predictable results."


    "What are you talking about right now?" I ask him, annoyed with the cryptic talk.


    The guard steps away from the door. A small smile ys on father¡¯s lips as he stares at me.


    "The heart can make humans do some of the most stupid things, like break your family¡¯s trust and sneak off to say a final goodbye to a man you¡¯re forbidden from seeing." He opens the door to reveal a dimly lit room. "Thankfully, that worked in our advantage."


    I hear the muffled sound of someone struggling as I enter. Calling for lights, the room brightens instantly to reveal a woman gagged and strapped to a bed post. There¡¯s a ck bag over her head. Chills crawl up my spine especially given the satisfied smile on father¡¯s face.


    I rush forward and yank off the bag. My heart drops to the pit of my stomach when she stares up at me with tears in her eyes.


    MADDIE!

 Chapter 156

    <h4>Chapter 156: Chapter 156</h4>


    ASHTON


    "Mr. Rollins, I hope the house is to your liking. If it isn¡¯t, there are a few other options you can check out." The strange man in casual jeans and shirt tells me. We are standing in the middle of an opulent duplex with a sprawling staircase and impable d¨¦cor. I have a hard time understanding half the things he¡¯s been saying to me since we met at a bar because I can¡¯t fathom why he won¡¯t just tell me who sent him.


    "Otto, right?"


    "That¡¯s right."


    Otto, who exactly put you up to this?"


    "I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Rollins but I already told you that information is ssified for the sake of your benefactor. All I can say is that my employer cares about your wellbeing and wants you to livefortably while you¡¯re going through this hard time."


    Whoever is employer is, it¡¯s certainly someone that knows my taste to the tee, I think while observing the minimalist touch of the house and the sport car collection I spied in the garage. That employer also happens to have a truckload of money to dish around if my new bank ount bnce is any indication. That tells me that it¡¯s definitely a family member. Could it be one of my brothers anonymously trying to help me out? Could it be mother?


    "You don¡¯t seriously expect me to live in a house and drive the cars without knowing who¡¯s behind it all, do you?"


    "You should, Mr. Rollins..."


    "Sawyer."


    "What?"


    "I go by Ashton Sawyer now. Do you mind keeping up?"


    A short sh of bewilderment flits across his pupils but he remainsposed.


    "Mr. Sawyer, I¡¯d really advise that you ept everything you¡¯re being given from my employer. They¡¯ve gone through great risk setting you upfortably. It¡¯ll break their heart if you rejected it. They just want you to be happy and safe."


    Something warm blooms in my chest. I stare around the house. It¡¯s definitely better than my survival ns.


    "Fine. I¡¯ll stay but tell my mother I want the cameras out. If she wants to see my face, she can call me through an unregistered line." I head for the door while Otto attempts to deny mother¡¯s involvement in everything.


    "Mr. Rollins, I mean...Sawyer, your mother isn¡¯t behind..."


    "Shut it, Otto and start getting rid of those damn cameras before I change my mind." He fails to see the smile on my face as I exit the house.


    I needed to confirm something and when I got back in the garage, there it was. I had only ever mentioned wanting this car to mother. I knew I could purchase it anytime but for some reason, I always put it off.


    Even my brothers had no clue that I had a soft spot for minivans. I always kept it to myself to avoid getting mocked for my sentimental attachment to the type of car we drove to school in as kids, the car that reminds me of a time in our lives when we were still uncorrupted by our father.


    The minivan centers me. It reminds me of who we were as boys, our innocence, our happiness while we were still oblivious of father¡¯s dark side. I run my hand over the grey van. This is definitely mother¡¯s love letter to me, a reassurance. I know she must have been hurt by my doubts. I know she must worry that I question her ce in my life and it hurts me to realize how much I must have hurt her.


    I wish I can call her without father knowing. Sighing, I blink away the tears threatening to fall from my eyes. I¡¯ll just wait for her call.


    I slide into the minivan and drive off to Keith¡¯s. It¡¯s great because no journalist will be looking for me in a tinted minivan with a sticker that says, <i>Kids on board.</i>


    I drive like an olddy, the way I recall our driver used to drive us to school. I used to wonder why he wouldn¡¯t step on it. Iined about his speed, wondered if he was trying to get us there safely or too afraid to scratch father¡¯s car. I guess my love for fast cars was born out of the frustration I felt in those days.


    Now, while I drive like a grandma, I realize that sometimes, taking things slow helps in life. My life just got upended. I am still figuring out how to navigate this new life of mine, one where I fear that I can¡¯t protect the ones I love from the man called Brett Rollins. I¡¯ve just realized I¡¯m nothing without him. I¡¯ve got no real power and that scares the shit out of me.


    I need the slow rides to think. I need to figure out how to tame Brett Rollins so he never attempts to trifle with me by going after the ones I love just to get at me. I pull up by a phone booth and hastily dial Demi¡¯s number. I just suddenly need reassurance that she¡¯s fine.


    <i>The number you¡¯re calling is unavable...</i>


    I try again, and again, and again. My heart clenches in my chest.


    "Don¡¯t overthink it, Ashton." I tell myself. I¡¯m sure she¡¯s fine. She¡¯s with her uncle in a different city. I¡¯ll try again on my way back from seeing Adriana.


    Keith¡¯s parents are finally around. The lovely couple dly wee me into their home as usual.


    "Paul, it¡¯s been difficult to bump into you and your wife since ourst conversation."


    Paul and his wife exchange shy nces with each other before Collete smothers augh behind her handkerchief.


    "Forgive us, Mr. Rollins. Thanks to you, my wife and I checked off one lingering wish on our bucket list. With the money you gave us thest time, we took a trip to my wife¡¯s dream, honeymoon destination which I couldn¡¯t afford at the time of our wedding. We only nned to stay a week but we fell in love with Thand and kept postponing our trip back."


    Collete clears her throat. "I never got to thank you properly, Mr. Rollins. That trip was more therapeutic than we envisioned. Paul and I got to spend quality time together. It proved really healthy for our marriage too."


    "I¡¯m d I could help." Smiling, I take a bite of an apple.


    I notice the brief exchange of awkward stares between the couple before Collete turns to me again.


    "We are deeply sorry to hear about your family. I hate how much people tend to target you guys because of how ¡¯up there¡¯ you are. If I hadn¡¯t met you, I probably would have joined that bandwagon in criticizing you but from what Paul and I have seen, you¡¯re such a sweet soul. Hence, we know the rumors can¡¯t be true."


    "Thanks for the vote of confidence, Collete."


    "How are your parents and brothers? Hope they¡¯re all hanging on."


    The topic unsettles me. "It¡¯s been very tough on us but I believe we¡¯ll pull through eventually." Then, to digress, "Keith has been super helpful to me in your absence. I¡¯ve made incredible progress with finding my sister."


    "Really?" Paul rubs his knees in circles as a big smile warps his face. "That¡¯s...good to hear. I was worried he¡¯d be difficult about it given how over-protective he is of his sister."


    "Yeah, I saw firsthand how protective he can be, remember?" An image of Keith shredding a picture of Adriana which he had drawn of her in her sleep, and chucking it into the firece before his mom could hand it over to me, shes in my memory. "But a lot has changed since then. Let¡¯s just say I found a way to get through to him."


    "So, you¡¯ve met her?"


    "Oh, yeah." I reply Collette whose eyes dte with happiness. "We¡¯ve hung out a few times here at your house. It¡¯s a slowly growing rtionship but I am d she and I are making up for lost time." A dull look clouds Collete¡¯s face. "Is everything okay?"


    She dabs off a stray tear. "Oh, it¡¯s all good. I just feel a smidgen of sadness over the fact that I could never pull down her walls. I tried my best to be a good mother to her but she never epted me. That always stings when I recall it." She burrows her hands between her thighs. "I always felt she had deep scars from her childhood that made her so closed off to everyone. Did you ever sense that from her too?"


    I almost choke on my fruit, knowing exactly why Adriana was the way she was.


    "I just think she had it really rough growing up. I could never apologize enough for the loneliness and neglect she faced."


    "But why would you? You were also just a child when you got separated. If anyone is to be med..." She catches herself. "No, I¡¯m sure your biological parents didn¡¯t have much of a choice and did it, hoping for her wellbeing. Have you guys been able to discuss the past, make up?"


    "She¡¯s not over it but we are getting there. Just taking it one day at a time."


    Paul lunges to his feet to break off the awkward tension. "I should go check on the animals. They¡¯re being unusually quiet which is always a bad sign. Lovely seeing you again, Mr. Rollins. Always a pleasure. Do stop by as often as you want."


    "Yes." Collete adds, rising as well "You are beyond wee in our home anytime. Do bring your sister too. I¡¯ll...I mean we will love to see her as well."


    The look in her eyes melts my heart. I whip out my phone. "You don¡¯t have to wait till then. Here, I took a photo when she wasn¡¯t looking too." I pass the phone to them and watch them delightfully stare at Adriana on horseback. "Isn¡¯t she cute?"


    But the couple¡¯s silence and the uncertain look on their faces smoke away the wide grin on mine.


    "Is something wrong?"


    They return my phone with a weird smile. "She looks..." Collete trails off so her husband can finish her sentence.


    "Really happy." Paul finishes.


    I slip my phone in my pocket and lock eyes with them. "Paul? Collete? What is it? What are you not telling me?" My voice is smooth butced with a warning.


    "Promise you won¡¯t get mad? I¡¯m sure Keith has his reasons."


    "I won¡¯t." I assure Collete. "What is it?"


    She wrings her hands like a petrified child. "The woman in the picture isn¡¯t our Zoe."

 Chapter 157

    <h4>Chapter 157: Chapter 157</h4>


    ASHER


    It feels strange to realize that the HQ, which used to be my second home, now feels unfamiliar. Formerly, I walked around with a chip on my shoulder, worshipped by every staff and adored by all. Today, as I make my way across the hall to my office, all I feel are chills running down my back.


    Everyone is staring at me but not like before. There are ufortable questions in their eyes. They murmur behind my back. I ignore them and head all the way to my office. My new secretary wees me.


    "Wee back, sir."


    "Thank you, Mrs. Spencer."


    "Actually, it¡¯s Mrs. Brighton." She beams at me.


    "Okay, Mrs. Brighton." I force a smile before going through my door. Inside, I find Nessa slowly rising from the sofa. Anger sizzles in my eyes. "What are you doing here?"


    Since she resigned, we¡¯ve barely spoken. I¡¯ve kept my distance and retained my annoyance at her sheer betrayal.


    "Mr. Asher, I¡¯m deeply sorry for everything..."


    "I don¡¯t have time for this." I cut her short. "GET OUT." But she stays put while I round my desk and turn on myptop. "Are you deaf or something?"


    "I just thought I¡¯d check on you given everything that¡¯s been going on."


    "Gee, thanks. I am terrific. Now, get out before your boss/boyfriend strolls in here and starts making assumptions..."


    Mrs. Brighton¡¯s high pitched voice weing Josh distracts me. Secondster, Josh barges into my office and smirks at the sight of Nessa and I.


    "I thought I¡¯ find you here." He walks up to her and gives her hair a little down pat. "We have that meeting in an hour, remember? I¡¯d appreciate it if you returned to your desk to make double sure everything¡¯s ready."


    "Yes, sir." Nessa gives me onest apologetic look before walking away.


    "What is this about?" I ask Josh sternly. Since Billion-Err exposed his paternity and half of Danvarr grew sympathetic towards him, I¡¯ve noticed how awfully confident he has grown. Lately, he¡¯s been rubbing it in that he no longer has any reason to stay within his limits. He boldly addresses himself as Josh Rollins during meetings and even in some interviews.


    "Calm down, Asher. Whatever you think this is about, you¡¯re definitely wrong." He tucks both hands in his pocket. "Look, I know our family is going through a lot right now. The business is suffering because of it and in as much as you¡¯d like to return to work and do your job, you have to consider the reputation of the business."


    "What the fuck is that supposed to mean?"


    "Look out there. We¡¯ve not had that much paparazzi since you haven¡¯t been here. They¡¯re obviously waiting to hound you the second you clock out. That¡¯s just more bad press for the HQ."


    I chuckle dryly. "Are you asking me to leave, Josh? Are you nuts or something?" My eyes darken with anger.


    "I thought you¡¯d be mature about this but apparently, I was wrong. Even father has been working steadily from home because he understands the gravity of the situation so why does this have to be a song and dance with you?"


    "Get the fuck out of my office this minute, Randall, or I¡¯ll break your nose. That¡¯s a promise!"


    "It¡¯s Rollins. It has always been Josh Rollins just like it has always been Asher Sawyer for you."


    I belt out a goodugh. "We were both created by Brett Rollins, Josh. Denying that won¡¯t help you feel secure about your identity. You might have his blood coursing through your veins but I have everything else; his mannerisms, his mind, his traits that run deeper than blood. He molded me from infancy. I am his battle-axe, an extension of him that you can never measure up to. You are nothing more than his blood and bone. I am his true legacy."


    I point to the window. "Controversy? Brett thrives on that. Don¡¯t forget he¡¯s every bit in the news as much as my brothers and I have been. Where do you think we got it from? We are just like him; we make headlines just by being and when it¡¯s all done, we know how to bounce back. So, don¡¯t worry your little head about us. You¡¯ll need a lot of years to catch up to what it means to be a Rollins man."


    He grits his teeth while I plunk down on my chair with a satisfied smile.


    "Are we done here?"


    "For now." He says before walking away with his tail between his legs.


    I am never going to let him make me feel insecure. I am more Brett than he could ever wish to be. It might not be apliment but it¡¯s a fact I¡¯vee to realize.


    I tip my head back and sigh. I¡¯m just going to try to have a normal day at the office, after weeks of dealing with family crisis. I have missed my rhythm and I sincerely hope I can find it again.


    My phone buzzes, jarring my blissful thoughts. I decline it the moment I recognize the caller. If there¡¯s anyone I want to speak to, it¡¯s Ashton. I miss him. If mother hadn¡¯t confided in me while making alternative arrangements just in case father made good on his threat, I wonder what would have be of my brother now.


    Unlike my brothers, I am not entirely dependent on father. I guess I have always doubted the longevity of father¡¯s protection ever since Josh came into the picture. Coupled with father constantly breaking his word to me, it seemed the most natural thing to do was secure assets for myself that nobody knew about.


    It may not run into the billions I handle under father. However, it¡¯s more than enough to afford my brothers and our mother a fresh start that mirrors what they¡¯re already used to, in case shit hits the fan.


    My phone continues to buzz. Angrily, I take the call.


    "Anna, you need to stop calling my phone..."


    "WHERE IS SHE?"


    "What?"


    "Where¡¯s my best friend? What have you done to Demi?" Her voice is shaky and sad.


    "Why would I know Demi¡¯s whereabouts? She doesn¡¯t live in the mansion anymore, remember?" I try not to think too far. If Demi¡¯s truly missing, only one person could have abducted her.


    "Please, Asher. She left her uncle¡¯s ce yesterday morning. He hasn¡¯t heard from her since she arrived in Danvarr. I haven¡¯t seen or heard from her either but I lied to him to keep him from worrying too much. Her phone¡¯s turned off. It¡¯s unlike her to keep her loved ones this worried. I don¡¯t mean to apportion mes but I have concrete reasons to believe you and your family might know something about it. Please help me find her."


    "Well, you¡¯re wrong this time. If Demi was with us, trust me, I¡¯d know about it."


    "But..."


    "I hope you find your friend, Anna. I mean it but please quit calling my phone. I¡¯m trying to work."


    "I could have called Ashton but I thought you¡¯d be more helpful." She quickly chimes in before I can end the call. "Maybe I was wrong. I should have called him first."


    I¡¯m d she can¡¯t reach Ashton and trouble him with news about Demi. Still, I can¡¯t leave anything to chance. Ashton and father are still feuding right now. Thest thing he needs is Anna getting him all riled up and facing off father again.


    I huff out a frustrated breath. "Fine. Fine. I¡¯ll make some calls and have some of my guys look for her. In the meantime, don¡¯t bother anyone else about this. Don¡¯t talk to the media. Stay put, okay? I¡¯ll let you know what I find."


    "Thanks, Asher."


    After the call, I stroke my chin in pensive thought. Did father seriously abduct Demi without letting me know? If he did, that means he¡¯s starting to distrust me which isn¡¯t good. If he distrusts me, he¡¯ll definitely start trusting Josh instead. I can¡¯t have that.


    For the rest of the day, I try to expel every other distracting thought and focus on my job. It doesn¡¯t prove easy.


    Soon, the dayes to an end. Intentionally, I linger a bit, waiting for everyone on my floor, and the journalists lurking downstairs to clear out. Even my secretary leaves without poking her head in to inform me first, the way Nessa used to.


    "Have you spoken to Ashton?" I ask mother as I pack up my things and head to the parking lot.


    "Not yet but I have eyes on him. He¡¯s moved into the house. You were right. It didn¡¯t take him long to figure out I am behind it all."


    I smile at that.


    "Otto said he drove the minivan out."


    "He did?"


    "Yeah. I can¡¯t believe you remembered. That was such a nice touch, Asher. You should tell him it was all your idea."


    I shake my head. "No, you should. Both of you can use that as an ice breaker or whatever when you hash things out."


    Mother sighs. "They need to know all the sacrifices you¡¯ve been making for them, Ash. They don¡¯t appreciate you enough."


    I unlock my car and toss my jacket on the passenger seat. "I just want them to be safe and well taken care of. Nothing else, mother. I¡¯ve got to go. I¡¯ll see you soon."


    A sudden knock on my window startles me. Looking up, I gape in surprise at the sight of Olivia in a hoodie. She gestures that I wind down my window but instead, I leap out of the car and give her a once over.


    "Olivia? What are you doing here?" My eyes dart around the solitary space. "Where the hell did you run off to? <i>You gave me your word!"</i>


    "I don¡¯t have time to do this with you, Asher. I¡¯m just here to tell you to have my sister released to me by tomorrow or as sure as I live, Billion-Err will be getting CCTV footage of Ashal¡¯s madness in full disy, as well other incriminating recordings I have of him admitting his wrongs to me."


    What the fuck? Madeline was kidnapped too? What else could father be keeping from me?


    I yank her arm when she tries to leave. "And then what? Huh? What do you think will happen when you share all that information?" I rake my hand through my hair, unable to believe how precariously close I am to begging.


    "Look, Liv, he just returned from rehab, okay? HE WENT THERE TO DEAL WITH IT ONCE AND FOR ALL. He¡¯s been through months of therapy. He¡¯s sorry for everything he ever did to you. Is there really no better way to sort this out than to put the father of your unborn child under the microscope for the masses to eat him alive?"


    Her eyes brim with rage. "Yes, there is and it¡¯s quite simple. Release my sister and STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME AND MY FAMILY FOREVER! Is that too much to ask?"


    "Fine. Just give me some time. I¡¯ll get her home safely before the end of tomorrow."


    "You better do that or I won¡¯t be the only one who loses a sister to that devilish father of yours!" She wrenches her arm free.


    My head spins for a second. "What? What do you mean by that? Olivia? Get back here! Olivia??" But she simply stalks off into the night without a backward nce.


    How the hell did she know about my sister???

 Chapter 158

    <h4>Chapter 158: Chapter 158</h4>


    ASHAL


    "Maddie! Oh God." Trembling, I rush to undo the ropes binding her when father¡¯s voice thunders behind me.


    "Careful, Ashal. I brought you here to make a point, not to be her knight in shining armor." He sneers as a thought sh through his mind. "As disturbing as your newly found love interest in your ex-wife¡¯s kid sister is, I will let it slide but if you annoy me further by freeing her, you¡¯ll also be expunged from my will"


    "Oh, for goodness¡¯ sake, do your worst father!" I threaten him right back, surging to my feet. "DO YOUR WORST!" We are nose to nose now. My fists are tightened by my side. "I have had enough! Frankly, you can¡¯t shock me anymore. I don¡¯t think there¡¯s a limit to your wickedness so go right ahead and cast me out if you please. However, you¡¯re not going to keep her bound, you hear me??? I am untying those ropes and she is going back to her family."


    "ASHAL!"


    "Or you wouldn¡¯t have to worry about the Dunns giving evidence against me; I¡¯ll dly do so myself."


    "You buffoon! What¡¯se over you and Ashton?"


    "Love, father. LOVE. And because of it, we¡¯ve seen the error of our ways. We¡¯ve learnt that there are other ways to deal with our problems."


    "Oh, really? Like what?"


    "For starters? How about not living our lives like no one else¡¯s matter, like we¡¯re untouchable. We have to live ountable lives, father. Most of our problems today stem from actions that resulted from us trying to dodge ountability and I am so sick of that! I AM DONE. I won¡¯t sit idly by and watch you hurt anyone else on my ount. Olivia¡¯s family has been through enough. It¡¯s time to let them be!"


    Tearing my eyes from his leering ones, I return to crouch by Maddi¡¯s side and unbind her. The red welts on her wrists and ankles make my eyes ze over with remorse and shame.


    "I¡¯m so sorry, Maddi. You don¡¯t deserve this." I wipe her teary eyes while father grunts in disgust before storming away.


    "Leave us!" I yell.


    The guard by the door walks out. I help Maddi to the couch and make her sit. Though her reddened eyesmunicate pain and fear, she says nothing while I dash for a First Aid Kit and treat her bruises.


    "You should have stayed with your family. You should NEVER havee back."


    Still, no reply. My heart thuds loudly in my chest as I feel her gaze on my shaking hands. Finally, I summon the courage to look her dead in the face. It¡¯s like I suspected. She¡¯s cross with me.


    Tossing the kit aside, I sit down on the floor.


    "I finally see it now. I am a bad omen for your family. I only cause you all pain. Because of me, you all fled from your homes and the lives you¡¯ve known for so many years." Tears blur my eyes. "I¡¯m sorry for everything, Maddi." Rising, I chuck the used cotton wool to a corner of the room. "I¡¯ll arrange for you to rejoin your family."


    I make it all the way to the door, grab the knob and pause. Why won¡¯t she say anything? She clearly took a great risking to find me so why won¡¯t she at least tell me why? Gritting my teeth, I bare my heart out.


    "Maddi, if this is truly thest time we see each other, you might as well tell me why you..." I whirl to face her only for her to crush her lips to mine in a passionate kiss. Heart racing, I hold onto her, unable to think of anything in the moment other than the taste of her.


    Then like a whish, I gently shove her away. Shocked, her owlish eyes nt up at me.


    "This is madness, Maddi. My family is shit. I AM SHIT. You deserve better." I simply want to put it out there in case she is still reeling from the shock of her kidnap and not thinking clearly.


    She reaches forward to grab my face but I inch away.


    "I¡¯m serious, Maddi. I know I¡¯ve been in therapy and been to rehab but I don¡¯t really feel confident that I can beat my condition..."


    "Just shut up and kiss me, Ashal."


    Her sweet voice makes my lips stretch in a smile. dly, I pull her forward and kiss her slowly, holding her tenderly. Her eyes remain closed for a few seconds afterward.


    "Why did youe back?"


    Her eyelids flutter open at my question. A crimson blush seeps into her cheeks as she quickly disentangles from my grip.


    "I¡¯m ready to go now."


    With a thin smile, I lead her out of the room. Mother bumps into us in the hallway. Though she says nothing, her eyes are apologetic. She pats my shoulder and goes in the direction of father¡¯s room possibly to talk to him.


    Just as I get Maddi into a car, Ashton walks in.


    "Go straight home, ok? Stay with your family." My throat dries up at this part. "Goodbye Madeline."


    Her face crumples at the use of her full name instead of Maddi. I shut the door, tap the trunk of the car and watch it go while Maddi¡¯s sad eyes stay on me the whole time.


    Ashton walks towards me.


    "Was that Madeline? Why was she here?"


    "Long story." I pull him into a tight hug. "What are you doing here? You know father will only get you upset. The boys and I were nning on visiting you tomorrow."


    His face is a study of disappointment and sadness.


    "Ash, what¡¯s wrong? You don¡¯t look good."


    He pries my hands off his face. "I¡¯ll be fine."


    Something is definitely bothering him.


    "Talk to me."


    He scratches his head and shrugs. "I haven¡¯t been able to get a hold of Demi. It¡¯s unlike her to do this knowing how worried I¡¯d get. Then again, she did make me promise during ourst conversation that I should trust her to be able to take care of herself and not to get fussy over her whereabouts."


    "Then maybe you should listen to her...oh, Asher¡¯s here."


    Asher drives in and leaps out of his car. "Was that Madeline leaving the mansion?"


    I almost roll my eyes. "Yeah. You won¡¯t believe father had her abducted and locked up in one of the spare rooms on the second floor."


    "What?" Ashton exims with furrowed eyebrows.


    "I made him realize I wasn¡¯t going to sumb to his threats and watch him hurt more people. I set her free. I don¡¯t care what he does to me. I¡¯m done with his bullshit."


    Asher¡¯s face creases with worry while he steals surreptitious nces at Ashton.


    "Wait, you don¡¯t think Demi is..."


    "No." Asher interjects sharply. "Father wouldn¡¯t. I made sure he steers clear of her knowing how much worse things could get if he attempts to aggravate her some more. If she¡¯s missing, she¡¯s definitely not here." He tucks his hands in both pockets and firms his face.


    Ashton inclines his head. "Why would you assume she¡¯s missing? You weren¡¯t here when I shared my concerns with Ashal."


    We both lock eyes with Asher who shifts ufortably.


    "Fine. I also visited her at her uncle¡¯s ce, ok? I¡¯m sure I left right before you arrived. I was deeply concerned about you and father¡¯s threat. I was worried how hard things could get for you because Demi won¡¯t let you go. I told her everything and begged her to take a step back. My guess is that she made the right decision."


    Ashton gets livid. "Why would you tell her..."


    "BECAUSE I FUCKING LOVE YOU, BRO. Do you think I enjoy seeing you away from the family? Fighting with father? Do you think I am cool with making appointments to see my own brother whom I formerly used to run into at every point in this damn mansion? I AM NOT HAPPY ABOUT THIS AND I KNOW YOU CARE TOO MUCH ABOUT US TO LIKE IT EITHER." He feathers a hand through his hair. "Let her be, Ashton, at least for now. You¡¯ll onlyplicate things if you keep seeing her. I hope you listen."


    He walks into the house while I console Ashton. He turns to leave.


    "Where are you going? At least see mother first. She¡¯s been dying to see you."


    "Then you can bring her along tomorrow. There¡¯s something I have to check." He bolts off and jumps into his car outside the gate. Is that a fucking minivan?


    I race inside to talk to Asher. Something seemed off about him. There¡¯s definitely more to the story than he let on, and I feel the same for Ashton. What could be bothering my brothers so much? I fail to find Asher in his usual spots; father¡¯s study, the game room, the gym or even his bedroom. Where could he have disappeared into?


    "Hey," I call one of the domestic staff. "Have you seen my brother? He just returned wearing a cream-colored suit."


    "Yes sir. He took the elevator to the second floor."


    Second floor? Is he going to see father?


    I go after him and arrive just in time to witness them having a muffled conversation in father¡¯s bedroom. It goes on for a few minutes and gets heated at some point. Unfortunately, I can¡¯t decipher what they¡¯re arguing about. Asher finally steps out. His eyes track around to a certain door. Inhaling sharply, he advances towards it.


    "What was that about?" I ask, startling him.


    "What else? Him abducting Madeline was not okay. He¡¯ll only make things worse and give Billion-Err a field day." He dabs his sweaty brow. "Did you make sure she wasn¡¯t followed?"


    "Of course."


    "Good."


    He shifts uncertainly, avoiding my eyes.


    "What¡¯s behind the door?"


    I can tell he desperately wants to go inside the room but why? Most of the rooms on this floor are unupied except for father¡¯s and mother¡¯s. Father also locked Maddi in one of these rooms. Asher hovering over the door seconds after talking to father only makes my heart leap in fear.


    "I mean, who¡¯s inside that room, Asher?"


    "What?"


    "I just rescued Maddi from that one over there. Don¡¯t tell me father abducted more." Asher¡¯s empty eyes give him away. I close a hand over my stomach. "Demi is in there, isn¡¯t she?"


    "I¡¯m about to find out." He unlocks the door and we go in together. My heart clutches in my chest at the sight of another woman strapped to a bedpost with a ck bag over her head. When she doesn¡¯t flinch at our entry, I know it¡¯s certainly Demi. Asher yanks the bag off her head. She squints at us, pissed from every indication.


    When I try to remove her gag, he stops me.


    "I just wanted to confirm. Let¡¯s go."


    "What? We can¡¯t leave her here."


    "Why not? This was her home for months, remember? We aren¡¯t strangers to her. I¡¯m sure she¡¯ll be fine."


    "ASHER!"


    "YOU RELEASE HER AND YOU¡¯RE OUT, JUST LIKE ASHTON. IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT?"


    Demi¡¯s eyes sh at the sound of Ashton¡¯s name. She begins to struggle, kicking and mumbling incoherently.


    "Can we at least hear her out? She obviously has something to say."


    Asher scowls. "What else could she have to say to us if not issue more threats and belt out more insults for her plight." He crouches low to stare at her. "No one¡¯s going to hurt you if you cooperate. You know the drill around here. Keep your mouth shut and stay put. You¡¯ll be well fed and taken care of. I¡¯d undo your binds but I don¡¯t trust you not to do something stupid so, they¡¯ll stay on. Someone wille in regrly to assist you if you need to use the restroom...what the fuck are you doing, Ashal???"


    Demi coughs after I remove her gag.


    "Rx. She needs to breath. She¡¯s not a fucking animal. She¡¯s still our sister-inw, okay?"


    Asher stares daggers at me.


    "I need to...to s-speak with Ashton" She manages between her coughing fit.


    "Didn¡¯t I tell you? She¡¯s got nothing important to say." In a sh, Asher snags the gag and begins to shut Demi¡¯s mouth again while she begs.


    "No...STOP...you¡¯re in dang...mmmmmm"


    "Asher, you can¡¯t be serious."


    "It wille off when she wants to eat. For now, I can¡¯t stand her whining around me. Come on, let¡¯s get out of here."


    While he shuffles to the door, I kneel in front of Demi and assure her.


    "I¡¯ll be back, okay? I¡¯m so sorry. Give me some time to get you out of here..."


    "Stop making promises you can¡¯t keep, Ashal! Just because you got away with Madeline doesn¡¯t mean you can with that one. She¡¯s Liam¡¯s biggest ally and an important part of his n to ruin us. She isn¡¯t going anywhere until she helps us undo the mess she¡¯s created. C¡¯mon, let¡¯s go!"


    Demi continues to shake her head in denial, mumbling while I rise to go with Asher. There¡¯s nothing I can do for her here, except find a way to inform Ashton of her condition. He¡¯ll help her faster than I can.


    I lock eyes with Demi before the door clicks shut and my heart tightens. She¡¯s crying.

 Chapter 159

    <h4>Chapter 159: Chapter 159</h4>


    ASHTON


    I have a sick feeling at the pit of my stomach that tells me <i>everything</i> is about to go horribly wrong in a way we¡¯ve never seen before.


    It started since I visited Keith¡¯s house without giving him prior notice as I usually do. I honestly was just so worried about Adriana that I thought I¡¯d spring up on him and have a talk about me making alternative arrangements for my sister¡¯s amodation.


    I knew he wouldn¡¯t be down for it if I called ahead so I nned to show up and sway him. What I didn¡¯t expect was the statement his mother made while I was waiting for Keith.


    "What did you say?"


    Collete exchanged a fearful nce with her husband. Paul also looked nervous.


    "What was that, Collete?" I asked again, eyes skirting from wife to husband. "What are you talking about? Why did you say the woman in the picture isn¡¯t your Zoe? THIS right here is Adriana, I mean Zoe but Iter discovered that her birth name is Adriana so that¡¯s what I call her."


    My heart was thumping wildly. "How could you say that? How could Keith be wrong about his own sister? How could he mistake someone else for her? That¡¯s not possible, right?"


    Then it hit me when they dipped their eyes.


    A shortugh escaped my lips. "Wait. Are you trying to tell me that Keith...all this time he¡¯s been ying me for a fool?"


    Paul edged close with sped hands. "Please, Mr. Rollins. Don¡¯t mind my wife. It¡¯s been sometime since we saw our Zoe. She must have grown and changed. I¡¯m sure we are somehow mistaken here."


    But Collete wasn¡¯t having that excuse.


    "No, Paul. That¡¯s not the case here."


    I turned to Collete since she seemed willing to spill the beans.


    "And why is that?" I asked.


    "I actually recognize the girl in the picture so I know it¡¯s not Zoe. She¡¯s actually Zoe¡¯s former sophomore roommate, Ka Tuson." Then she proceeded to fall on her knees and grab my feet. "Please Mr. Rollins, forgive my son. I¡¯m sure he didn¡¯t trust you with his sister and thought he was protecting her by keeping her away from you. Maybe it¡¯s all a test. Please, forgive him. Just hear him out first."


    Paul also began pleading on their son¡¯s behalf. I copsed onto the sofa with my hands on my head, unable to process what I was hearing. I truly underestimated Keith. All this time? All the rollercoaster of emotions has been for a fake sister? Adriana has been acting a script? Bile tickled the back of my throat.


    I didn¡¯t know if I could hold back my anger. My temper was already frayed from my exchange with father. Finding out that the girl I had introduced to my brothers as our lost sister, the girl whom they had begun to bond with and get protective of was a fake was a different kind of betrayal.


    Keith drove in just then. His father leaped to go prep him while Collete remained to appease me further.


    "Did you know at any point that he could lie to me like this?" I asked her with a pained expression. "When he said you and your husband should stay out of helping me find my sister because he was going to help me, did it ever cross your mind that your son might end up ying me for a fool because of how protective he was of Zoe?"


    Collete ground her teeth.


    "Collete, is this the first time he¡¯s fooled someone to hide Zoe?"


    "I¡¯m so sorry, Mr. Rollins. I guess I desperately wanted to believe Keith had outgrown that mischief. I swore he wouldn¡¯t try it with the likes of you seeing how serious-minded you were about finding your sister."


    Keith walked in and frowned seeing his mother on her knees with her hands sped in plea. He turned to me.


    "Leave them out of this. It¡¯s between us."


    "No." I corrected him. "It¡¯s between ME and THIS family. As far as I am concerned, everyone here had a field day watching my emotions get abused." I surged to my feet. "This is exactly why ying nice is ill-advised. If I had done things a little differently, you wouldn¡¯t have had the balls to take me for a ride with Zoe¡¯s roommate."


    "Oh yeah? Is that an indirect confession of guilt for the usations being levied against your family, Ashton? Are you saying ¡¯ying nice¡¯ is just an act to get you what you want but at the end of the day, your ostensibly <i>nice</i> family always do things <i>a little differently</i> resulting in criminal actions behind closed doors?"


    I cracked his lips open with a clean punch. Collete¡¯s scream cut through the air as her son fell over. Paul caught him halfway before both men fell on the couch. Blood oozed from Keith¡¯s broken lip.


    He shook his parents off him and stood to re at me with his bloodied lips. They stretched into a sick smile as he leaned close to whisper in my ear.


    "You are crazy to think I¡¯d tell you exactly who Zoe is after everything Brett did to obliterate her and her father from this earth. You should really be ashamed pandering to the whims of the man who murdered your biological parents in cold blood."


    Chills ran up my spine but I kept a nd face.


    "You can¡¯t throw such vile usations without proof, Keith. You know that. There will be dire consequences if you can¡¯t back up what you just said about my father."


    "Even if I hadn¡¯t seen that horrendous video, I still wouldn¡¯t have doubted it knowing how despicable Brett Rollins is. You know him better so I imagine nothing I¡¯ve said is farfetched."


    There¡¯s evidence of Brett hurting my biological family? I remained calm and tried to sift it out of him.


    "What video?


    "GET LOST, ASHTON, AND STAY THE FUCK AWAY FROM ME AND MY LOVED ONES!" He stabbed his index finger towards the door, signaling the end of the conversation. His parents pleaded with him to behave but he remained adamant.


    I smiled at his audacity.


    "You can¡¯t get rid of me that easily, Keith, not after the stunt you pulled regarding my sister and the rubbish you just spewed concerning my father. Here¡¯s how it¡¯s going to go, buddy." I barely shove at his chest but he drops down on the couch, staring wide-eyed up at me. "You are going to end this childishness by taking me to my <i>real</i> sister, AND you must provide evidence to back up the things you just said about my father. If you fail toply with both demands by weekend, I¡¯d make sure you get arrested for deception and defamation. You¡¯ll finally get a taste of what it feels like to estranged from your loved ones."


    His parents shrieked over my threat.


    "YOU CAN¡¯T DO ANYTHING!" Keith replies with sizzling eyes.


    I leaned down to whisper in his ear. "Oh, you bet I can. The only reason I¡¯m waiting till the weekend is because your parents need to say a proper goodbye to you, before you get whisked away for good."


    His eyes were petrified when I pulled back but the fire remained.


    "Please Mr. Rollins...." The couple continued to beg with folded hands.


    "Paul, Collete, you¡¯ve got three days to do a better job ensuring your son knows who he can and cannot mess with. If he doesn¡¯t give me exactly what I asked, he¡¯s going to pay for trifling with me!"


    Collete bolted in front of me and knelt again to plead for her son. "Please sir, have mercy. He¡¯s just protective of his sister. I swear, we didn¡¯t know about this. I can give you Ka¡¯s address. If she pretended to be our Zoe, maybe she¡¯ll know exactly where your sister is."


    "NO!" Keith shrieked, pushing his father aside. "DON¡¯T YOU DARE, MOM. He doesn¡¯t deserve to know her." He leered at me. "Even though she hates you all to the core, you still don¡¯t deserve to know her identity."


    Did my sister truly hate me and my brothers or was Keith just trying to throw me off as usual? The former made little sense so I opted for theter and ignored him.


    Collete did give me Ka¡¯s address before I left their house. I stopped by the mansion first to see my brothers first because I felt so guilty about misleading them.


    They had warned me about pursuing this and I refused to listen. I honestly don¡¯t know how I am supposed to break it to them given everything we have going on in our family. So, I am going to get my facts right before telling them the sad truth.


    But after hearing what Asher had to say about imploring Demi to forget me, I feel uneasy. That¡¯s why I rush to Anna¡¯s ce to ask questions. I¡¯m hoping I can get concrete info on Demi¡¯s whereabout. I badly need to know she¡¯s okay.


    Anna looks surprised to find me on her doorstep.


    "Hey, Anna."


    "I waited for your call all day. Did you find her?" When I only continue to look perplexed, she gets antsy. "She can¡¯t just disappear off the face of the earth, Asher. You MUST know who has her so tell me right now or I am going to involve Ashton and the media. I mean it."


    The fire in her eyes winks out when I stagger backwards and brace a hand on the wall for support. Slowly, she drops the hand she poked in my face.


    "Ashton?"


    "How long has she been missing?"


    Anna wipes her eyes. "It¡¯s been over a day. Her phone is turned off and no one has heard from her since she returned to Danvarr. It¡¯s unlike her to keep me in the dark about her ns. It can only mean someone¡¯s behind her disappearance."


    "And you suspect my family is behind it."


    She tips her head back. "It can¡¯t be Liam. They might not see eye to eye on a lot of things at the moment but he wouldn¡¯t kidnap her."


    "And what makes you so certain?"


    "Because he¡¯s got nothing to gain by doing so. He can ckmail her to do his bidding but your family can¡¯t. They¡¯ll resort to brute force to make herpliant at this point and right now, they me her for the pit they¡¯re sliding into." She steps up to me. "Find her, Ashton. She¡¯s not your enemy. She¡¯s just hurt and broken. None of this is her fault. She doesn¡¯t deserve to be treated this way after everything she¡¯s been through at the hands of your family." She sniffles. "I¡¯ve got a bad feeling in my stomach that she isn¡¯t in a good state. Please do something or I am speaking to the media about this."


    Father and Asher must know something.


    I simply pat Anna¡¯s shoulder before rushing off.


    I call Asher immediately I get behind the wheel.


    "WHERE THE HECK IS HE KEEPING HER IN THAT MANSION??? YOU BETTER START TALKING BEFORE I GET THERE."


    He sighs. "Ashley¡¯s in custody, Ashton. Do you even check the news? Billion-Err released details of Tobias¡¯ death. There¡¯s a witness that stepped forward to give evidence on the matter. It¡¯s Levon, man. The guy fucking works for Ashley. They¡¯re best buds but he¡¯s been collecting evidence of Ashley¡¯s guilt." Asher¡¯s voice falters. "Has any of it ever been real? The people around us seem to have been nted by the same fucking woman you¡¯re running around pining for! You want your sister-inw that badly? Get over here. She¡¯s chilling in a room on the second floor of the mansion, making subtle threats while watching us go down. I¡¯m going to get MY brother before he spirals into depression again, not that you care!"


    He hangs up.


    I screech to a halt off the side of the road. I knew everything was about to go wrong but why does it feel like the worst is yet toe?

 Chapter 160

    <h4>Chapter 160: Chapter 160</h4>


    DEMI


    I wake up at the sound of the door opening. Soft footfalls enter and pick up the tray containing my untouched lunch. I blink awake.


    "Halle."


    She shakes her head. "You¡¯re only making things worse for yourself, Demi. I don¡¯t understand why you just don¡¯t get it. THIS is bigger than you, always was. Why can¡¯t you ept that? You¡¯ve had a change of heart and don¡¯t mind watching the family who murdered your parents thrive? Bless your heart but<i> don¡¯t </i>Interfere in Liam¡¯s ns. Don¡¯t fuck up the revenge for the rest of us who had no voice to speak up about the wrongsmitted against us until Liam showed up."


    Her eyes are zing with anger as she stares at me.


    "Halle, I¡¯m sorry for everything you must have gone through..."


    The door swings open, startling her as she lurches to her feet. She bows her head to Ashal but before she can scurry out, he relieves her of the tray of untouched food and waits till we are alone before cing the tray by my hurting feet.


    "You¡¯re not eating. This won¡¯t help, Demi. You¡¯ll break down. Please," He tries to feed me. "You have to eat."


    "No. I want to talk to Ashton."


    "You will but eat first."


    "Ashal, you all are in danger and I know you won¡¯t believe what I am about to say next but I swear it¡¯s the truth."


    He drops the spoon. "I¡¯m going to untie your hands now so you can eat. You MUST finish your food. Only then will I listen to you. If you don¡¯t eat and proceed to talk instead, I¡¯ll leave immediately."


    "But Ashal..."


    "Do we have a deal?"


    I bob my head, stealing nces at the door but only because I am wondering how much time I have before one of his brothers burst in and ruin my chance to warn them about Skr.


    "Can we at least talk while I eat? It¡¯ll save us time before Asher or someone elsees in and runs a duct tape over my mouth again."


    His eyes mirror my fear so he nods.


    I shovel the food into my mouth, chew as fast as I can while contemting how not to sound crazy.


    "What did you want to say?"


    "That I am deeply sorry for everything your family is going through. I know I yed a part in steamrolling it. I regret it now and I will do everything within my power to save you guys."


    His brows furrow. "Just what exactly have you been up to with Liam? How much of our family secrets have you fed him? Mine and Olivia¡¯s marriage? Josh¡¯s paternity? Our adoption? Tobias¡¯ death?" His eyes widen with surprise when I say nothing. "So, it¡¯s all true then. You were behind it all."


    "We can circle back to thatter when we have time. Right now, you have to listen..."


    He lurches to his feet. "Why should I believe any word thates out of your mouth, Demi? How do you possibly expect me to believe you mean well for us? You¡¯re still pining for revenge against us. There¡¯s no need to pretend."


    "I¡¯m NOT pretending. Yes, I was consumed with rage for the better part of thest six years and being a part of this family only made things worse. You all didn¡¯t mend your ways but continually gave me reasons to crave your destruction. Ashal, I am telling you right now that despite being so close to achieving the goal I set out for years ago, I tapped out."


    "Why?"


    My chest heaves with breath. "Because revenge isn¡¯t all it¡¯s cut out to be. It was consuming me. I couldn¡¯t recognize the woman I was bing just to avenge my folks. I told a lot of lies, betrayed the ones I imed to love, hurt them but most importantly, I strayed so far from the woman my parents would have loved me to be. Happiness was elusive. All I felt constantly burning up in my chest was pain, anger, regret and hate. I couldn¡¯t carry on like that so I chose to forgive."


    I can tell he¡¯s struggling to believe the sincerity of my words.


    "Ashal, you don¡¯t have to believe me so soon. I can understand why you wouldn¡¯t but I really need you to believe this." I take a big gulp of air. "After I told Liam I wasn¡¯t interested in pursuing my revenge anymore, he told me that I was never truly his partner in crime from the start; I was only a pawn in a much bigger game. Liam was working with someone else this whole time and I didn¡¯t even know. Together, they¡¯ve made wicked ns to take your family down and they¡¯re using most of the information I gave them to do it. To punish me for developing cold feet, they n to make me take the fall for everything."


    "Who¡¯s he working with?" Ashal asks with dim eyes.


    Another gulp of air. "Her name is Skr." I wait to see if it rings a bell.


    "Skr? Who¡¯s that?"


    "She¡¯s your biological sister, Ashal and she holds a deep grudge against you and your brothers."


    His eyes re up. "What rubbish is this? Sister? I don¡¯t have a sister, Demi."


    "Yes, you do."


    "You have it all wrong."


    "No, Ashal. I don¡¯t. I have my sources and they¡¯ve never been wrong about the information I collected regarding this family. They can¡¯t be wrong now."


    "Well, they are! I DON¡¯T HAVE A SISTER! And even if I did, I¡¯m positive it can¡¯t be this...Skr person."


    "Why?"


    "For starters, why would my estranged sister be braying for the destruction of her brothers and not our reunion? What could she possibly have against my brothers and I?"


    "Look, I don¡¯t know the details but Skr is out to get you all."


    "ENOUGH." He rakes a hand through his hair. "You stopped eating. We had a deal."


    "Ashal..."


    "Finish your meal, okay? You need your strength." He starts for the door, then halts and turns to me. "Is this what you were going to tell Ashton? Ha. I¡¯d advise you don¡¯t say that to him. He¡¯s trying his best to ignore everything you¡¯ve done so far and stand by you despite how much it costs him but if you go apportioning the me to some made up sister of ours, he¡¯ll be disappointed in you. Own your truth, Demi. Don¡¯t tell lies just to get out of being med."


    He walks out. Sighing, I shove the tray aside and cradle my head in my hands. No one will believe me. If Ashal didn¡¯t, then what hope do I have that Ashton will? What if he reacts the way his brother said? Is it too much for me to mention Skr to them right now? Should I just keep my mouth shut and figure out a way to stop her and Liam?


    At the sound of the door, I flick my eyes up.


    "Ashal, I¡¯m sorry..." My blood chills at the sight of Brett Rollins.


    "You¡¯ve got my boys wrapped around your finger, haven¡¯t you?" He advances towards me slowly, menacingly. "You¡¯ve managed to do something that even their mother could never seem to achieve."


    "Your boys?" I scoff at him. "I knew there was no way in hell you birthed the quads. Despite your best efforts to turn them into monsters like yourself, they still have a LOT of good inside them. They¡¯ll never fully be YOU."


    Heughs. "You women and your delusions. You¡¯ve managed to convince yourself that you can change four <i>men</i> after iming that I was unsessful in changing four <i>children</i>? How stupid are you, really? It¡¯s beyond embarrassing at this point." He settles down on the sofa facing the bed and crosses his legs.


    "You want to believe that Ashton is good, don¡¯t you? You even went as far as forgiving him for killing your parents that fateful night. Wow, Demi, wow. Love is truly blind as they say."


    "He didn¡¯t kill them. It was an ident. I know the truth."


    He leans forward. "No! You don¡¯t."


    "You can¡¯t manipte me, Brett Rollins."


    "Did you ever stopped to wonder why Ashton was called the CRAZY ONE among his brothers? A lot of people have it all wrong. That nickname has got nothing to do with his temper. He earned it in a different way. Growing up, he was the most difficult child among his siblings, always alone and never really spoke much."


    "I¡¯m not interested in your tale."


    "Are you uninterested or you¡¯re afraid the truth I am about to spill will crumble the walls you¡¯ve built around yourself to blind you from the ugly truth about the man you love." He smirks. "You don¡¯t have to believe me but I will make my point."


    "What point exactly?"


    "That you may be right. I was unsessful in changing the quads because everything they are right now is exactly who they¡¯ve always been innately. They¡¯ve just learnt to mask it better with my teaching." He leans back in his chair. "Ashton wasn¡¯t just a quiet child; he always had a disturbing trait and I confirmed this when he slit my best friend¡¯s throat while he slept. Imagine a little boy severing a grown man¡¯s windpipe. Scary."


    "That¡¯s a lie."


    "And like that wasn¡¯t enough, he lied that Ashley had done it. Ashton convinced himself he was doing good for his brother by making him appear strong in front of me. Since then, poor Ashley continues to suffer from nightmares, PTSD and constantly gets med for Tobias¡¯ death. Ashton, as usual, shows up and tries to help Ashley out whenever issues arise from it. Somewhere in his head, he thinks he¡¯s doing right by his brother but he caused the problem in the first ce. Don¡¯t you get it? Even now, Ashley has been used yet again of Tobias¡¯ death and withheld at the station. Guess who¡¯s gone there to save the day? Your knight in shining armor."


    "You¡¯re despicable. You want to throw Ashton under the bus because he defied your orders, right? You are pissed at him and that¡¯s the reason you¡¯re saying such things about him."


    "All I am doing is reiterating the same concern I¡¯ve had regarding him for the longest time and I am telling you because my wife refuses to believe it. If anyone is going to listen to me gripe about that troubled young man, it might as well be the traitor locked up in my home." He narrows his eyes. "It gives me no pleasure to say such things about the child I raised but I can¡¯t ignore the fact that there¡¯s nothing more dangerous than a sick man who is convinced he isn¡¯t sick. Ashton needs as much help as Ashal."


    "What rubbish are you spouting?"


    "Did he tell you he didn¡¯t know the elevator at the mall was under repair?"


    My blood freezes in my joints.


    "I bet he did. He told us the same story when we arrived at the scene after we heard your parents crash to the ground. Guess what? The elevator might not have been taped across but there was a sign beneath the door that said <i>Out of Bounds</i> and <i>In Need of Repair</i>. That sign was <i>always</i> kept in front of a faulty elevator and that night, there was one too. Ashton shoved it aside and urged your parents to get in, knowing the elevator was faulty. He urged them on despite the risk."


    Tears shimmer in my eyes. "YOU¡¯RE LYING."


    "Do you even know why he married you in the first ce, Demi? It wasn¡¯t just because he was drunk. He went to the Blue Cove pretending to be his brother, Asher. He was so mad at Asher he nned to frame him for bad behavior and sully his reputation in my eyes. He was prepared to ruin a stranger¡¯s life just to get back at his brother and when that didn¡¯t go as well as he nned, he denied you. Then when his mother convinced Ashley to ept you, Ashton suddenly wanted to keep you. He went after you the more I resisted it just to spite me. Is that what you call love?"


    I looked away, refusing to believe his words. He would say anything to hurt me. It¡¯s no surprise.


    He lunges to his feet. "Call me a liar or whatever. Maybe I am lying or maybe I am not but are you prepared for the consequence of not knowing for sure? I cut Ashton off to teach him a hard lesson as any father in my position would. He will always be my son and I fully intend to save him from himself but he has to be willing to admit he needs help first. He has to get rid of the delusion that he is the <i>good</i> brother in the mix when in fact, he does vile things under the guise of having good intentions. The rest of his brothers don¡¯t im to be saints and admit they need help but Ashton, he believes in his core that he is good. He isn¡¯t."


    "What exactly am I to do with this information, Brett? Are you stoking the mes of my rage over the role Ashton yed in my parents¡¯ death? How is aggravating me going to help your family out of this mess?"


    "My family will survive one way or another but if I¡¯ve discovered anything about your presence in this household, it¡¯s the power you have over Ashton. You fuel his sick behaviors. You¡¯re toxic for him and the longer you remain tethered to my family, the worse Ashton will be. It¡¯s like they say; the road to hell is paved with good intentions. That¡¯s Ashton for you. I am warning you, Demi. Your revenge doesn¡¯t scare me. It¡¯s the monster you¡¯re slowly creating by being around Ashton."


    I stand up and grab him by thepels of his shirt.


    "Nice try, Brett but there will never be a bigger monster than the one standing in front of me. Ashton isn¡¯t sick. YOU ARE. He isn¡¯t pretending to be good; he is good. You are the sick man who believes he isn¡¯t sick and that¡¯s why you go around justifying your evil ways, even trying to pit the quads against each other. Now, you want to make Ashton your scapegoat? It won¡¯t work on me."


    He shoves me away so hard I bump my head on the bedpost.


    With a sneer, he walks to the door. "Your divorce papers are ready. You will sign them immediately. And you¡¯re going to keep your mouth shut and stop helping Liam. I have already lost a lot at this point so don¡¯t be so confident that I am afraid of hurting you. You¡¯d be making a big mistake underestimating me, Demi."


    "Let me go!"


    He only walks away. When the door is finally shut, I slide out Brett¡¯s phone which I took off him while we made contact.

 Chapter 161

    <h4>Chapter 161: Chapter 161</h4>


    DEMI


    Someone twiddles with the door knob, startling me into dropping Brett¡¯s phone. Quickly, I toss it under the sofa where he had sat while he was in here. Momentster, Mrs. Rollins pokes her head in. At the sight of me, she presses her eyes shut and expels a frustrated breath before making her way in.


    "Great. I was wondering when you¡¯ll show up." I blow some disheveled hair out of my face and roll my eyes as she shuffles towards me. "Are you also here to gloat or give me a third degree about Billion-Err..." I trail off, surprised when hunkers down and unties the bind around my legs.


    She steps back. "Go on, leave."


    Just like that? My eyes track to the door.


    "He won¡¯t stop you. Go right ahead." Then she turns to leave.


    "Don¡¯t you have questions for me?"


    "Why?" She asks, turning. "Why do you want me to question you about anything?"


    I shrug my shoulders. "At least I¡¯d know where your head¡¯s at and defend myself. You must also think I am evil and torpedoed your perfect family but that¡¯s not true..."


    "If I believed that for a second, Brett wouldn¡¯t be the one you ought to be scared of." Her eyes are cold and soulless as she res at me. "I know a bit about you now, Demi. I dare say that even when triggered, there¡¯s only so much you can permit your conscience to allow. You¡¯re not the brute who is trying to bring my family to its knees."


    "Liam." I hum.


    She smiles darkly. "To some extent, yes, but I have reasons to believe he isn¡¯t working alone. Poor Liam. He was such a sweet young man growing up. Then he lost his precious mother, med us for it, took a few wrong turns and embraced this troubled life. Like you, his pain blinds him from the truth but he isn¡¯t as wicked as he wants us to believe. He¡¯s got to be working with someone else." Her eyes stray towards the ceiling. "There¡¯s definitely someone else in the picture."


    I hold my breath. She¡¯s right. Skr¡¯s the one driving Liam. Her slender arms grip my shoulders, startling me again.


    "You know who¡¯s behind it all, aren¡¯t you? You¡¯re working with them so you must know more about the situation."


    Ashal must not have mentioned our conversation to anyone. That¡¯s how crazy he must think I am for not only iming that he has a biological sister but that said sister is braying for their blood and destruction. Gently, I drop mother¡¯s hands from my shoulders.


    "I¡¯m sorry but all I know is that Liam calls the shots. If he¡¯s working with anyone else, I wouldn¡¯t know." My eyes dip to the floor. "I quit helping him but I guess it¡¯s toote now. He¡¯s unwilling to take his foot off the gas until the Rollins empire burns to cinders."


    Mother¡¯s only reaction is to allow a ghost of a smile seep into her cheeks.


    I refuse to share anything about Skr, not before I speak to Ashton. I realize now that I have been ying this game the wrong way. Everyone seems to know just what I am capable of and so far, they haven¡¯t been wrong.


    There are boundaries to my heartlessness. There are lines I can¡¯t cross and even when I attempt to, there¡¯s only so much I permit myself to do. What if that all changed? What if I step out of character long enough to clean up my mess and save the man I love? Would anybody see iting?


    The door flings open and Brett storms in. He doesn¡¯t look surprised to find his wife in the room or to find me untied and standing next to her.


    I bet my father-inw might catch wind of things a little faster than others. He holds up what I can only assume are fresh divorce papers different from the one Asher refused to ept from me after I allegedly breached our agreement thest time. I¡¯m done signing these without Ashley and I tell him just that.


    "Have Ashley sign them first. I won¡¯t be yed again."


    He scowls at me before shredding the paper into two, twice. Before I can gasp, he lunges forward and grabs me by the scruff of my neck.


    "Brett, let go of her!" Mother warns him. "Enough of this!"


    "Where is my phone?" He barks at me.


    "Why would I know?"


    "Because I haven¡¯t dropped my phone or forgotten it in years and how convenient is it that after our little conversation, I couldn¡¯t find the phone I had tucked into the inner pocket of my suit?"


    He lets me go and scans the room. When he bends over and retrieves the phone from under the sofa, he leers at me. "What the hell did you do? Install a spyware? Call or text someone? Ashton? Go through my call log or messages? WHAT?"


    I jerk back in shock as he barks the questions. Although I didn¡¯t have time to do anything significant on his phone, I am tempted to lie and watch him torture himself with not knowing for sure.


    "I don¡¯t need your phone for anything. I know what I know and if I wanted, I could give Liam further proof to end your business for good." I reply with sizzling eyes.


    "Oh yeah, and why haven¡¯t you?"


    When I can¡¯t find the words, mother replies in my stead.


    "Because she¡¯s in love with our son, you fool! It¡¯s as in as day. She¡¯s torn between seeking the very justice that brought her into this family and loving Ashton who¡¯s directly linked to her parents¡¯ ident." Shees to stand in front of me. "I don¡¯t know what you¡¯ve heard dear but my Ashton¡¯s innocent."


    A mean thought crosses my head as I look at her. I shake my head. "You weren¡¯t even there that night. You know what you know because that¡¯s what they all told you, isn¡¯t it?" She hesitates for a moment. I watch her eyes ze over with worry at my insinuation before I continue. "Your family always keeps you in the dark about the things they¡¯re afraid you can¡¯t handle, like your husband¡¯s affair and the son that came out of it."


    "Shut up this minute!" Brett threatens me coldly as mother¡¯s face be ashen.


    "And Nic¡¯s miscarriage."


    "Nic¡¯s what?" Horror spreads across her face as she nces at her husband. "Ni miscarried? When? How?"


    "It¡¯s okay." I draw her attention back to myself. "I totally understand. If I suspected my loved one couldn¡¯t handle the truth, I will also hide it from them. I sigh deeply. "I was also not there the night my parents died but I have very reliable sources that have informed me of the hard truth of that night. For the longest time I struggled with the cold truth of Ashton¡¯s involvement. I badly wanted to believe he was innocent and at some point, I did but thanks to father here, a witness on that awful night, the scales have fallen off my eyes."


    Smiling, I turn to father while mother stares nkly. I can tell from the horror on his face that he wasn¡¯t expecting me to spin his trick like this. Though he doesn¡¯t voice his thoughts, I can almost hear him calling me the B word.


    "Father was there that night, mother. He helped me realize that Ashton <i>did</i> kill my parents¡¯ intentionally and lied about it."


    "What?" Mother whirls to face her husband whose lips are moving without audible words.


    "Ashton¡¯s sick, mother. He needs as much help as Ashal, maybe more. He¡¯s a psycho who goes about like a wrecking ball, decimating things and people in his path without realizing it. That¡¯s what father exined and I can¡¯t help but agree. I think he needs to be stopped and Liam can help with that."


    "What the hell did you say to her, Brett? Did you throw our son under the bus with your sick theories? Is the n to get rid of your family and reunite with Kristy and her bastard child?"


    "Come on, Barbara, how could you say that? Can¡¯t you tell Demi is deliberately lying to steer the me away from herself?"


    "She surely didn¡¯t make that up. You¡¯ve been trying to shovel that silly talk down my throat for years. How would she know about it if you didn¡¯t feed the same rubbish to her?"


    Father res at me. If looks could kill, I would be dead. I take a few steps back and thoroughly enjoy watching him vacate his high horse and plead with his wife. She dismisses his excuses and turns to me.


    "He¡¯s wrong, Demi. Ashton is nothing like he described. You¡¯ve met the man. Do you really think he¡¯s sick? He constantly strives to be a better man than his father and that stings for Brett. Please, don¡¯t punish him based off of a lie."


    I nod at that.


    "I want mine and Ashley¡¯s divorce finalized today. I¡¯m done going back and forth with this issue."


    "It will be arranged. I¡¯ll have thewyers bring a fresh copy of the divorce papers." Mother assures me. "And in return? You¡¯d find out who the masked yer is like I suspect?"


    I know exactly who it is but I don¡¯t know if I can trust mother and father with that information. If Skr is truly the biological sister of the quads, there must be a story behind her deep hatred for them. I have to speak with Ashton first. If he also dismisses me like Ashal, I¡¯ll let the issue go and hope they survive whatever Skr has in store for them.


    "I shrug my shoulders nomittally. Mother doesn¡¯t insist on a clear answer, thankfully.


    "Good. I¡¯m sorry once again for how you were treated before, during and after your stay in this mansion. I know those words don¡¯t mean muching from me but I can only hope you find a ce in your heart to forgive my family for the pain we¡¯ve caused you. I¡¯ll get someone to attend to you. Freshen up. Have something to eat. Ashley will be home soon. Both of you can sign the papers after that."


    She walks away, then stops at the door when father lingers. "Got something more to say to her, Brett?"


    "Huh? No!" He lies. "I¡¯m right behind you, dear." He gives me onest blistering look before escorting his wife out.


    Ah, it felt so good to make a move no one expected from me, not even Brett Rollins himself. I guess I will be sticking to being unpredictable for a while.


    I return to my room. It hardly feels familiar anymore. The sheets have been changed to a barf color I¡¯d never have approved. The drawers and closet are almost fully cleaned out. The floor feels cold. The walls that were humming with life and drama are now silent and nd. I tear my eyes away from the sofa Ashton has slept on and other corners that remind me of him.


    To be frank, Brett¡¯s words did get into my head even though I tell myself I don¡¯t believe a word of it. These a nagging feeling at the pit of my stomach that keeps telling me that I¡¯d never truly know what transpired on the night of my parents¡¯ death and whether or not Ashton is telling me the whole truth. I¡¯ll just have to move on, forgive and forget if I want the normalcy of life back.


    I take a quick shower, the first in over a day, to get rid of the grime. Thankfully, my shower essentials are still in the bathroom cab. I grab a Tee shirt and pull them over some jeans. When I step out smelling like flowers, I find him sitting on my bed.


    My heart clutches in my chest.


    "Ashton?"


    I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d feel this sudden rush of adrenaline at the sight of him. Had it been that long? I want to hug him but my feet remain rooted on the floor, not because I had indirectly asked him to stay away from me thest time we spoke, but because of the papers he whips out. Divorce papers.


    His eyes are heavy. He pulls himself up to his feet while I try to make double sure I am staring at the right man.


    "Ashley already signed them. He wanted me to give them to you."


    What¡¯s wrong with him? Why is he acting so indifferent towards me? It can¡¯t be the divorce. He knows Ashley and I were always a trainwreck. Did someone say something to him?


    "Ashton." Unknowingly, I cup his chin with my hand. "What¡¯s wrong? You look...sad."


    "Sign them, Demi. Please. Everyone¡¯s waiting downstairs, including thewyers. Mother said you asked for this to be finalized today."


    "You¡¯re shutting me out." I reply and wince at my shaky voice. "You doubt me too, don¡¯t you?"


    I grab the papers and sign them enthusiastically. I don¡¯t care how that makes anyone feel. I¡¯m ending that Chapter in my life and moving on. I chuck them at him. "There, you have it." I can¡¯t believe he¡¯s being so weird and won¡¯t tell me what¡¯s bothering him even when he knows I¡¯ll only imagine the worst.


    How am I supposed to tell him about Skr like this? How do I even bring up the strange messages on his father¡¯s phone to an orphanage manager regarding the quads?


    "I don¡¯t know what your deal is but you have it all wrong. I¡¯m not the enemy here. In fact, I wanted to tell you..." I trail off when a guard shows up at the door and taps on it.


    "Mr. Sawyer, everyone¡¯s waiting for you guys."


    "Be right there." Ashton responds before the guard leaves.


    "Sawyer?" I repeat, surprised. "Why did he address you as..." Then it clicks. Oh crap. Did Ashton get disowned because of me? Is that what Asher had been worried about?


    "C¡¯mon, let¡¯s not keep them waiting. We can talkter." My heart clutches as he walks to the door.


    "ASHTON."


    Reluctantly, he halts by the door. I take in a sharp breath as I contemte whether to tell him about his crazy sister or the text messages between Brett and some orphanage which I suspect the quads are connected to. Neither seems easy for Ashton to digest right now. Maybe I have to dig deeper and get my facts straight before spiking his blood pressure unnecessarily.


    "What, Demi?"


    I walk right past him, then pause briefly to stare at him deadpan. Being so close to him unnerves him, and chips away at the wall he¡¯s trying so hard to put up between us. As our heated eyes stay trained on each other, I feel his breath catch in his throat just like mine. His eyes dip to my lips before he can stop himself and I instantly know that he won¡¯t be able to put up much of a resistance if I kiss him right now.


    Memories of the night of our first kiss floods my mind. With a deep sense of responsibility, I take the high road and step back instead of tugging at the strings of his sanity.


    "After you, Mr. Sawyer."


    He swallows hard before heading out of the door. I inhale a sharp breath, pat my cheeks to stimte the blood cirction that seems to have cut off abruptly, before stepping out to meet my fate.

 Chapter 162 - 163

    <h4>Chapter 162: Chapter 163</h4>


    ASHTON


    I had meant to go along with Asher to get Ashley from the station. However, I took a detour along the way to pay Adriana a quick visit. Not only was she in a haste, Adriana was pulling a suitcase and hefting it into a cab. Instinctively, I screeched to a halt right next to the waiting cab, eliciting a shriek of fear from her.


    As I get down from the car and lock eyes with her, her rosy cheeks go pale like she has just seen a ghost. With every one step I take towards her, she staggers backwards.


    "Hey sis, where are you dashing off to in such a hurry?"


    She swallows hard and begins to stutter a reply. I yank the suitcase out of the trunk of the cab and m it shut, signaling the driver to leave. With a loud oath of disgust and impatience, he hits the gas and speeds away leaving a cloud of dust in his wake. When my eyes return to my fake sister¡¯s, there isn¡¯t a hint of color left on her cheeks.


    "How long did you and Keith n on keeping up the charade, huh, Ka?" I asked her, my chest heaving with every deep breath I dragged in. "HOW MUCH WERE YOU PAID TO LIE TO MY FACE???"


    She drops to her knees with her hands sped in front of her, shaking visibly.


    "I¡¯m s-sorry. Very s-sorry. P-please sir, f-forgive...me. I didn¡¯t mean to hurt you. I needed some money and Keith promised he was going to pay more than I needed. He convinced me that I would be helping my friend fix her broken bond with her brothers and that you wouldn¡¯t feel too angry when you discovered the truth because you¡¯d already cherish me as your own sister and understand why I did what I did. I¡¯m deeply sorry."


    "Keith tipped you off. Is that why you¡¯re running?" I pull her up to her feet but she continues to keep her head down. "If you are truly sorry for wasting my time all this while, you¡¯d start talking already. Who¡¯s my real sister and where is she? Is she aware of Keith¡¯s tricks or my attempts to get to know her? SPEAK!"


    Ka shudders in fright. "Her name¡¯s Skr. She was my roommate for a year. While she remained closed off to every other person she met in school, she opened up to me a few times. That¡¯s why we grew very close. She even told me some things Keith didn¡¯t know about her difficult past and he begged me to share them with him. I did most of the time. I was genuinely worried for Skr and thought her brother could help her."


    She sniffles. "Skr found out somehow and moved out after picking a fight with me. She hasn¡¯t taken my calls or spoken to me ever since."


    "And how am I to believe this isn¡¯t another one of Keith¡¯s tricks?" I advance menacingly towards her. "You cleverly avoided every opportunity to talk about your past because you knew the second you entertained the topic, I¡¯d know you were a fake, right? How am I supposed to believe THIS isn¡¯t another performance?"


    "I know about Skr¡¯s past!" She yells. "That¡¯s why Keith wanted me to stand in for her." Her eyes stay on mine awhile as she recounts some explicit details Skr shared with her. "Keith was doubtful of your true intentions for Skr so he never bothered to tell her about you. He was trying to protect her given her history with your father."


    I take a few steps back. Ka couldn¡¯t be making this up. Her ount is ufortably urate and simr to Cree¡¯s.


    "Who else knows about this apart from you, Keith and Skr?"


    "I haven¡¯t told another soul since Keith."


    I feather a hand through my curls. "Well, you¡¯re not going anyway, not until I get to the bottom of this. After that, I¡¯d decide what to do about the stunt you and Keith pulled. For your sake, you better not lie to me EVER again going forward. Trust me, that would be a grave mistake."


    I get back into my car, hoping to catch Asher and Ashley at the station.


    "Mr. Ashton?"


    "What?"


    She wrings her hands nervously. "I feel obliged to tell you that Skr isn¡¯t interested in being reunited with her brothers. One thing was very clear from her inconsistent moments of candor; she hates the quads with a passion and never stopped talking about your karma. I¡¯m sorry. I never understood why she was taking it out on her own blood and not the man who...sorry."


    I ignore her. "Go back home and await my instructions. You make one move without informing me, you¡¯ll pay for it."


    ***


    None of it makes sense. I can¡¯t wrap my head around the day I¡¯ve had or the truths I¡¯ve uncovered. Even worse, I have no idea how to bring this up with my brothers. Everyone appears to be so stressed out. Asher¡¯s keeping a brave face as usual but I know he¡¯s hurting more than anyone to see our family entirely broken apart.


    Ashal just got back from rehab to find his personal life is worse than he left it. I fear for his mental health. Ashley is far from fine with his abrupt divorce from Demi and the shocking discovery of her secrets. I bet he mes me for most of the woes in his life.


    I killed the man whose death he constantly gets med for. I fell in love with his wife and I wager that is one of the major reasons that toppled their marriage. I could go on. He has every reason to shut me out the way he¡¯s been doing for thest couple of days. It¡¯s been hard.


    Ashley keeps mute while ourwyers facilitate his release. Although I can guess how annoying it must have felt to be pegged a murderer, detained and questioned, I somehow sense that the lingering sadness his face is currently wearing has little to do with his present ordeal.


    "Hey man, are you really ok?"


    Asher steals a nce at us. Ashley ignores my hand on his shoulder, mutters something about needing some air before walking away to go stand next to Asher¡¯s car. I turn to Asher who simply shrugs his shoulders.


    At the mansion, I try to stop Ashley before he goes in.


    "Come on, man. Lay it on me. I know you¡¯ve got a lot to say. I¡¯d understand if you me me for all your cmities."


    "What are you talking about?" He quips.


    "What else? You¡¯ve been giving me the cold shoulder since the station."


    Ashley sighs. "Maybe I me you for some things that have happened around here. You shouldn¡¯t have challenged father just to protect Demi. We¡¯d still be a united family if you hadn¡¯t gone out of your way to protect the same woman responsible for the woes in our family."


    "Ashley..."


    "I¡¯M NOT DONE." He exhales. "Asher¡¯s been right this whole time about her. If we had only listened, a lot of this would have been averted. Ashton, you have to open your eyes at some point before she drives a wedge between us brothers. I¡¯ve gotten nothing left but you guys. You all are my strength. If I don¡¯t have you all to draw strength from, I don¡¯t think I couldst with everything going on in my personal life."


    "Don¡¯t say that." Asher steps forward. "We will always be a unit. Nothing and absolutely NO ONE cane between us."


    Ashley eyes remain fixated on me. "Not from my standpoint. Ashton¡¯s already locked in with Demi. He¡¯d drop everything and abandon everyone just to go be with her."


    "Hey, that¡¯s not true." I counter him.


    "No? Where were you earlier today? Why were youte to the station?"


    My throat dries up. I can¡¯t tell them about the Adriana scam just yet.


    "I¡¯m done with her, Ash. I¡¯m done torturing myself with what I could have done to make our marriage work or how to make amends for our family¡¯s wrongs towards her. I¡¯M DONE. Our marriage should NEVER have happened. You should have remained married to her or kicked her out yourself. It was unfair of mother to offer her to me. If she¡¯s who you want after everything that¡¯s happened, go right ahead but promise me that you will NEVER let her break our brotherly bond. That¡¯s all I ask."


    Before I can assure him, Asher steps between us. "If you¡¯re so worried about the love of your life, go right ahead and be with her but get this; she¡¯ll never love you as unconditionally as your brothers. Blood always wins, Ashton. Womene and go but blood remains." He jerks his chin towards the mansion. "She¡¯s upstairs, second floor."


    I take one look at the mansion, my brows furrowed in annoyance. There¡¯s no way Demi is just lounging upstairs. Father must have made sure to treat her like an enemy. God, is she tied up? Just then, our parents step out.


    "Oh good, you are back." Father says to Ashley while mother sprints forward and smothers Ashley with a hug. She kisses his cheeks before turning to me with teary eyes. A very tight hug follows and she holds me a little longer than usual while father acts indifferent to my presence, patting Asher¡¯s back.


    "I called thewyers." He informs Ashley. "You and Demi are getting your divorce finalized today so she can be severed from our lives for good."


    "About time." Ashley replies before walking into the house. Mother clings closely to me as we also go in.


    "Thanks for sending Otto." I whisper to her.


    "If you need anything else, you let me know." She stays silent when my eyes keep tracking upstairs, then pulls me to the side. "Ashton, are you sure? Is she really worth it despite what she represents and after everything that has happened?"


    I know she¡¯s talking about Demi. Her forehead is creased with worry. I kiss it, then her cheek. "I bet someone asked you the same thing when you got with father. <i>Is he really worth it, Barbara</i>?" I mimic a feminine voice to make her smile. She chuckles lightly.


    "But this...this is different. This could go wonderfully or terribly wrong for both of you given what you both know now, and the chances of it being a disaster is higher. What if she secretly mes you and desires to take her revengeter? What if she wants to use you to break up our family forever? What if..."


    "...they¡¯re the children from two broken families whose love for each other will finally heal the rift between both worlds?" Ashley interrupts mother. "There are a LOT of what ifs, mother, and I understand your concerns." He stares at me. "I¡¯m afraid of losing him too and of him losing himself if her feelings for him turn out to be dishonest but what can we do? This one¡¯s as stubborn as a mule. He won¡¯t listen until he finds out for himself."


    He passes the divorce papers to me. "Here, go give them to her. I already signed. She¡¯s all yours again, bro. No hard feelings. She and I were never meant to be."


    "She should be in her room." Mother sighs, patting my shoulder. "I hope you¡¯re right about this, about <i>her</i>. Think hard about whates next for you two and our family and let us know, okay?"


    Ashley pulls her away to the sofa and begins asking after Ashal who¡¯s noticeably absent. Mother brings up Ni but he cleverly digresses to distract her. I ignore the burning look father shoots my way and get into the elevator. My palms are slightly sweaty.


    This is the defining moment. Demi is getting divorced from my brother. I have been disinherited. My family is still very much in the news for all the wrong reasons. Our stocks have plummeted to the bottom of the barrel. Josh and his mother are still lurking around the media, trying to make a case for their right to father¡¯s affection. There are yet secrets to be uncovered about my biological sister going dark and what truly happened to my biological parents.


    As I advance towards Demi¡¯s room, I start to wonder if taking her into my arms and igniting our dyed romance would be the best right now. Can I protect her if I need to or is she better off without me being her weakness? Do I really want to rope her back into dealing with my family¡¯s crap seconds after she¡¯s set free or should I make sure she gets to experience a life without the Rollins family once again and decide for herself what she wants?


    I hover in front of her door a bit, thinking things through. When Ie to a decision that seems the best for all the parties involved at the moment, I go in.


    ***


    The energy downstairs is weird when I reenter with Demi trailing closely behind.


    "Is it done?" Father belts out, gesturing towards the papers. I nod at him. "Good. Hand them over to thewyers." When that is done, I notice Demi feeling ufortable with the awkward eyes on her.


    "Can she get her phone back and other things that were taken from her?"


    Father frowns at me but juts a chin at Duncan¡¯stest hire who ambles forward with Demi¡¯s belongings.


    "You¡¯re free to go." I mutter to Demi. "Sorry for everything that¡¯s happened." She gives me a shocked stare as if to say<i>, that¡¯s it?</i>


    I ignore the look and turn to my family, pretending not to be intensely aware of the pain she must be feeling. She grabs her things and stalks out. Everyone remains fixated on me.


    "I¡¯ll also be leaving now." I inform them. I have to find my real sister with Ka¡¯s help and put the nagging doubts to bed before my brothers start asking questions.


    "ASHTON." Father stops me when I turn to leave. "Not so fast." He leaps to his feet and makes his way to the center of the room where I am standing. "You just sent that woman away but you haven¡¯t told us exactly what that means."


    "If you were expecting me to talk her out of helping Billion-Err, it¡¯s not my ce to or frankly anybody¡¯s. It¡¯s up to her to decide and keeping her here against her will was never going to make that decision any easier for her to make."


    Father smiles. "That¡¯s not what I was asking."


    "What do you mean?"


    He turns to my brothers, my mother. "I guess everyone is wondering the same thing; what does Ashley¡¯s divorce mean for you and Demi? Tell us your decision right now!"


    I ignore the clog in my throat and straighten my spine. Might as well be now.


    "This family never deserved her. She¡¯s better off finding happiness elsewhere." While father nods impressively and the rest of my family stares worriedly at me, I move aside to take an iing call.


    "Yes?"


    "You were right. The original orphanage records don¡¯t contain the names you forwarded. I think those people were hired and prepped to lie about the identity of you biological parents." The speaker informs me.


    I grit my teeth. If father is going to such great lengths to falsify records and evidence, then my worst fears must be true.


    "And the other thing we discussed?"


    "Yes, I¡¯ve managed to track down Cree Baxter¡¯s source of information about your biological family."

 Chapter 163

    <h4>Chapter 163: Chapter 163</h4>


    DEMI


    "Yes, uncle Marcel, I am fine. I didn¡¯t mean to scare you. I just needed a few days to myself. I had a lot of thinking to do. I¡¯m sorry I got you worried."


    Anna almost drops the serving tray in her hands when she spots me entering the honey pot. I wrap up my call with my uncle just in time to ept her embrace. She quickly grabs my hand and takes me outside. We go around the back.


    "Anna, are you sure you won¡¯t get in trouble for taking an unsanctioned break?" But all she does is pull me into a longer hug.


    "Where have you been, Demi? How could you scare me like that? It¡¯s so unfair. Tell me now, was it your inws that detained you? Was it Liam? Why didn¡¯t you call once?" She continues to bombard me with questions without giving me a chance to answer them. I grab her shoulders and shake her.


    "I¡¯m fine, Anna. Look at me! I¡¯m really fine. I¡¯m sorry I scared you. That won¡¯t happen again. "I sh her my pearly whites. "I JUST CONCLUDED MY DIVORCE. Ashley and I are DONE."


    A big smile tugs at her lips. "Really?"


    "Yeah."


    She hugs me again. "Are they going to make it public? The people have to know so they can stop associating you with the Rollins especially now."


    "I don¡¯t mind informing the media myself or living through whatever bacsh mighte with that. I¡¯m just d that sham marriage is all over."


    Anna dims her eyes. "So, what¡¯s next? What¡¯s with you and Ashton."


    The sound of his name nearly shatters my resolve to go ahead with my new life being unpredictable to even the closest people around me. I grit my teeth when I recall the response he gave to his family when asked about us. I know he¡¯s trying to protect me from his family by pushing me away. I just wish he hadn¡¯t usurped the position of being the decision maker about MY life and what¡¯s best for me.


    At the very least, he could have asked me first and respected whatever decision I took regarding us. He shouldn¡¯t have made me feel like the family¡¯s distrustful enemy.


    "That¡¯s over too, Anna. I¡¯ve decided that romance isn¡¯t worth putting my head on a chopping block for. I just got my freedom back. I¡¯m not about to ruin it by bonding myself to another brother, to the same sick-twisted family that oppressed me for months. That would be insane, especially now that their secrets areing to light." I scoop some hair out of my face and pace a bit. "Speaking of secrets, Liam¡¯s been awfully silent. That can¡¯t be good. I wonder what he and Skr have nned."


    "Skr?" Anna reiterates. "Who¡¯s that?"


    Right. She has no clue. Best to leave her out of it too before she¡¯s roped in like I am.


    "Oh, no one of consequence." I shrug before texting Liam. I need to know his ns with Skr. They had sent Cree all the way to my uncle¡¯s ce to threaten me. I¡¯m certain they¡¯re not just going to let me off the hook for going radio silent on them for over twenty-four hours. I need to know they aren¡¯t nursing ns to make my loved ones suffer just to punish me.


    Liam calls me almost immediately.


    "Where have you been?"


    "In Danvarr but I needed some time to finalize my divorce for good."


    "Come over. We need to talk." The call ends. I assure Anna that she¡¯s got nothing to worry about before leaving her restaurant. On the way to Liam, I make a few unscheduled stops.


    <strong><i>"Mrs. Rollins, what do you have to say about your family¡¯s crimes that areing to light?</i></strong>


    <strong><i>Is your husband truly responsible for the death of Tobias Woodley?</i></strong>


    <strong><i>Are you going to stick by your husband in these trying times or follow through with the divorce?</i></strong>


    I squint as the cameras continue shing in my face.


    "As of this moment, Mr. Ashley Rollins and I are officially divorced. You can just call me Demi or Ms. Branson. Thank you."


    <strong>"But Mrs. Rollins, I mean Ms. Branson, what about the baby? Are you two settled on being co-parents?" </strong>


    "I lost the baby a while back." I reply to their horror.


    <strong><i>"Ms. Branson, was your divorce influenced in anyway by the death of your parents at the hands of your inws?"</i></strong>


    <strong><i>"Yes Ms. Branson, can you ever forgive them? Did you identally miscarry because of the shocking reveal?"</i></strong>


    "Mr. Ashley and I have parted ways. That¡¯s all I have to say. Thank you."


    I plow through the wall of limbs and cameras because they wouldn¡¯t let me through otherwise.


    By the time I arrive at Liam¡¯s house two hourster, he¡¯s watching me on TV with a nk expression on his face. I scan the living area but can¡¯t find Skr. Is she not around today? Thest time we had spoken, she had used Liam¡¯s phone so I had assumed they were together at the time. Was she over at his ce or he went to hers.


    Liam switches off the TV.


    "You¡¯rete."


    "Sorry. The media won¡¯t stop hounding me after I announced my divorce."


    "Is that really done? You¡¯re no longer fettered to the Rollins n."


    "Yeah." I meet his eyes. "Where¡¯s your partner, Skr Sanders." Crossing my arms over my chest, I incline my head to the side. "Don¡¯t deny it. I already spoke with her over the phone. In fact, she and I have been formally introduced once. Where is she? I¡¯d like to talk to her."


    Liamughs. "If she wants to see you, she will. You don¡¯t call the shots."


    I fend off the rising bile in my throat. "When did you meet her? Did she also convince you to go down this rabbit hole of revenge the same way you convinced me to go after the family that was connected to the death of my parents?"


    "Convince you? Are you nuts, Demi? What sort of bold-faced lie is that? You stand there and make it appear like you didn¡¯t already have ns in ce to exact your revenge one way or another. If I hadn¡¯t stepped in to steer you correctly, you¡¯d have been caught long ago by the Rollins family and maybe your body would have been pulled out of a bridge leagues from here." He frowns deeply.


    "No, I had ns to uncover the undiluted truth about my parents¡¯ death. I wanted to shine some light on some discrepancies between the facts of that night and the story told by the Rollins¡¯ family. I wanted them apprehended if they were guilty. I NEVER intended to hurt them outside the confines of thew. That was all your idea, and Skr¡¯s apparently. And now when I choose to back out of this ridiculous revenge scheme, you two are conniving to use me as a scapegoat. How are you any less guilty of the very same thing you¡¯re using other people for? You¡¯re lying, manipting and stomping on others because you feel you¡¯re entitled to. THAT¡¯S EXACTLY WHAT GOT THE ROLLINS FAMILY HERE! Don¡¯t you get it, Liam? Revenge is toxic<i>. It isn¡¯t the way."</i>


    "SHUT UP!"


    I flinch when he shatters the ss in his hand. Some of his domestic staff rush out and panic seeing blood dripping from his tightened fist. "I didn¡¯t call you here to question me. I don¡¯t need a moralpass, Demi. Save your lectures for that rotten family. I know exactly what I am doing and no one is forcing me to do it."


    He ignores the staff who tries to tend to his hand, grabs the towel from her and wipes the blood himself. I struggle to calm my beating heart. Did I push him too far?


    I yelp when he grabs me by the tail of my hair and pulls me down to the basement.


    "Liam, you¡¯re hurting me. Please, stop."


    "Shut up. You wanted to see Skr, right? Well, I¡¯ve got another guest you¡¯d like to meet even more." He shoves me head first into a dimly lit room with a single, flickering light bulb in the middle. Someone groans in pain, startling me. I get on all fours and try to make sense of the room.


    "You¡¯ve got a visitor." Liam announces before hitting a switch. The room is instantly blinded by bright light. When my eyes adjust, a man is roughly tied up like an animal to be ughtered. His face is swollen, bruised and bloodied. His lip is cracked open. His eyes have dark patches as a result of targeted blows.


    Despite the ordeal he has been through that makes him barely recognizable, I instantly deduce his identity. That lush gold mane will forever stand out to me.


    "Ashal? ASHAL!" I rush forward and cradle his head. I deduce as much because I am certain that he was the only brother noticeably absent before I left the Rollins mansion. Tears blur his eyes as he whimpers softly.


    I re up at Liam. "How could you, Liam? You had no right! Even if you have a bone to pick with him or his family, there are proper channels to go through. This is illegal and against everything you im to represent!"


    I try to untie the ropes but get warned by Liam.


    "Looks familiar, right? Don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t see the welts on your wrist. How could you defend the same people who had you tied up in their mansion for almost two days, Demi? Seriously, what¡¯s gotten into you?"


    "How did you know that?" Then it clicks. "Halle told you."


    "Now, you¡¯re underestimating me. You really think Halle is my only source? I have eyes all over that mansion and even the HQ. If they ever tried to get rid of my moles, their empires will crumble faster than it already is."


    "Let him go, please. He doesn¡¯t deserve this."


    "And who does? Ashton?"


    My chest tightens.


    "Will you swap him for Mr. Innocent here?"


    "Both of them are innocent until proven guilty. Isn¡¯t that ourw. If they¡¯vemitted any of the crimes alleged, thew will bring them to book. You don¡¯t have to take thew into your hands like this..."


    "Oh shut the fuck up. You actually sound media trained right now. For someone who knows that family all too well and how they have the authorities in their pockets, you sound like a goddamn fool. NO ONE IS GOING TO PUT THEM BEHIND BARS, DEMI. They¡¯ll pay their way through <i>everything</i>. They¡¯ll buy a fucking Roll Royce Phantom for every officer in the force if they have to but no one is snapping handcuffs around their precious wrists. THIS is as close as this man will evere to feeling pain over the lives he¡¯s ruined."


    He squats to stare at Ashley. "This one actually doesn¡¯t know when to quit. He had the nerve to go visit his pregnant ex-wife and her family in their new home, a secret home they got to stay hidden from the Rollins¡¯ family! He even had the nerve to stare google-eyed at the little sister. You sick fuck!"


    I scream when he punches Ashal¡¯s nose, causing more blood to ooze from the broken cartge..


    "Please, stop it Liam." I cry out. Actual tears are streaming down my face. I wasn¡¯t prepared for this. I never thought Liam would do something like this. What if he kills Ashal? I will only get med for it. How could I ever live?


    "Please, call the ambnce. He needs medical care. He¡¯s weak, Liam. Please, you can¡¯t be this heartless. I know you¡¯re nothing like them. We can sort this out some other way. Please let him return to his family."


    "You¡¯re a big disgrace, Demi. Your parents must be somersaulting in their graves at the wordsing out of your mouth. Where was his family¡¯s humanity when they killed your folks and lied about it? Where was it when they stomped on people¡¯s lives and altered their destinies forever? This isn¡¯t even a dentpared to all the havoc they¡¯ve wrecked. Do you know how many witnesses havee forward to reveal their sufferings at the hands of the quads and their parents? How could you still care if they bleed or not?"


    Ashal¡¯s breath is getting shallow with every passing minute. I can¡¯t reach any of his brothers on phone without alerting Liam and who knows what he¡¯ll do to Ashal to punish me.


    "Please, punish me instead. I¡¯ll do whatever you want. Please let him go. Trust me, he¡¯s turning a new leaf. I¡¯ve seen the changes he¡¯s been making to be a better man than his father, and he isn¡¯t the only one. The quads have learnt the errors of their old ways and are now embracing a more noble life. Ashal actually divorced his wife because that¡¯s what she asked for. He could have refused. He set her free despite knowing how his father would react. He¡¯s not evil, Liam. Please, don¡¯t punish him like this. His past regrettable actions against his ex-wife were mostly caused by his medical condition. Please let him go."


    Liam shakes his head with a disappointed look on his face. "You won¡¯t quit ying the saint, will you? Well, let¡¯s see if the people you¡¯re risking your neck to protect will do the same for you."


    He frisks me and unearths my phone from my back pocket. In a sh, he shoves me away from Ashal, takes pictures and makes a video of him.


    "What are you doing?" I ask when he begins to type up a message.


    "Sending Ashton and the rest of his family a little surprise from their ex-daughter-inw. I wonder how they¡¯ll react to this message."


    "Liam, no!"


    "Sent."


    He smirks at me before chucking the phone back. I stare in horror at the message with Ashal¡¯s video attached.


    [<strong>This is just the beginning. I¡¯ming for all of you one after the other. You¡¯ll pay with your lives for everything you did to ruin my life. Guess who¡¯s next?]</strong>


    I stare up at Liam. "Why did you do that?"


    "Because it¡¯s necessary for the next phase of our n."


    I snap my head towards the door where Skr emerges from. She shoots me a sick smile. "I hope you like parties."

 Chapter 164

    <h4>Chapter 164: Chapter 164</h4>


    ASHTON


    "Are you sure?"


    "Yes sir. I ran a deep background check on Ms. Cree and discovered a specific timeframe when she volunteered at a home for the elderly two years ago. The records show that she was particrly fond of one of the patients there. His name is Patrick Sawyer."


    Chills run down my back.


    Patrick Sawyer? I mumble in my head. Who is he? Is he my biological father who¡¯s rumored to be dead? If he isn¡¯t, how is this man rted to my family? What¡¯s his rtionship with Cree? Why did he tell her those secrets? Does father know about this man?


    Speaking of the devil, I jolt in surprise when father pats my shoulder. Instinctively, my informant hangs up the call.


    "What¡¯s the problem, son? Why are you so jittery?"


    Son? It¡¯s been a while since he used that term.


    "Want to have a meal with us?"


    I nce at my brothers and mother who beam up at me. Is father seriously being kind to me because he believes I have gotten rid of Demi, his enemy? I shrug my shoulders.


    "Sure, but we¡¯ll wait till Ashal returns. Where is he by the way?"


    "I can¡¯t reach him." Asher replies. "His phone¡¯s turned off. Maybe he went to blow off some steam. Come on, Ashton. We can have a drink with himter. Let¡¯s all have ate lunch." He swings an arm over my shoulder and steers me towards the dining table. "Don¡¯t turn this down. This is the first time the family is speaking about eating together since the lid on Josh¡¯s paternity was blown open." We both nce behind to see Ashley pulling mother and father along. "Mother¡¯s been avoiding it for a while but because of you, she¡¯s willing to eat as a family today. Let¡¯s just make it through this meal without hitches. It¡¯ll be a win in my books."


    We get to the dining room and our lunch is served. Naturally, everyone is awkward at first. Mother and father eat like birds while avoiding each other¡¯s eyes. They literally have to be reminded, prodded or coaxed to take the next spoon after swallowing. Otherwise, they space out. Asher and Ashley steer the conversation but no matter how tact they try to be, there¡¯s no escaping the elephant in the room.


    I try not to stare at Demi¡¯s chair. It seems like ages ago when she used to join us for a meal as a whole family. A lot has changed since then and frankly, I fear that things might never go back to that point again when we felt like a formidable unit.


    "Where have you been staying?" Father asks me out of the blue. My brothers almost choke on their meals. Before I can reply, mother beats me to it.


    "What do you care? Do you want to kick him out if it turns out he¡¯s been staying at one of your properties? Well, never mind. I set my son up in one of MY properties. As long as I am still alive, my boys will not be treated like orphans, you hear me? You can snatch his inheritance and shove it up your bastard¡¯s throat in the guise of reprimanding my son. We all know you¡¯ve just been dying to weasel your biological son in here. Go right ahead but if you stomp on the future of any of MY sons just to satisfy Josh¡¯s greedy wish, you¡¯ll have me to contend with."


    The tension in the room is beyond palpable.


    "What nonsense, Barbara." Father sighs. "Why can¡¯t you let go of the delusions in your head for one second to see the true intent behind my actions?"


    "I¡¯ve always seen everything very clearly, you know that. I¡¯ve just been turning a blind eye to sustain the peace of my home. I refused to be bothered by Josh¡¯s striking resemnce to you whenever I saw him at the HQ. I ignored your fatherly gestures towards him even when it bothered our children. I pretended not to understand the silent cues Josh and his mother kept unting in my face at every opportunity. I gave you enough chances to deal with that mess without blowing up our beautiful family but what did you do? You kept seeing Kristy secretly and inviting Josh to the mansion to test the patience of our sons."


    "Mother, please..."


    She shes her palm at Asher to silence him.


    "We are finally going to have this conversation, Brett."


    "Oh, now? In front of them?" Father shakes his head.


    "They already know everything, don¡¯t they? They¡¯re grown too so there¡¯s no need to sugarcoat anything around them." She turns to each one of us. "I have grown to expect your father to keep things from me but it hurts to realize my sons have been doing the same too. You might think hiding things like Nic¡¯s miscarriage will protect my feelings but it won¡¯t. It¡¯ll only dy the hurt and coupled with the disappoint of keeping me in the dark, that¡¯ll sting even more."


    She stretches out a hand towards Ashley. "It¡¯ll be fine. You¡¯ll be a father one day. You¡¯ll start a family with the right woman. All of this will eventually pass." Her eyes track back to father.


    "I guess what I am essentially saying is that those days when everyone treats me like a fool who¡¯s oblivious of what¡¯s happening in her family are gone. I won¡¯t sit back and watch you ruin everything we collectively built. I trusted you once and you failed me. I¡¯m stepping out of the shadows to protect MY children and their rights even if you won¡¯t."


    "They¡¯re MY children too, Barbs. Stop talking like they aren¡¯t mine."


    "Are they? You threw Ashton under the bus in a heartbeat all in the name of punishing him. You disinherited a child you raised for twenty-five years; a child who was instrumental to the wealth you¡¯re enjoying today. You threw him out in the cold and stripped him of everything he is entitled to and you call that discipline? Wow. you just unlocked a whole new tier of bad parenting, Brett."


    "Mother, that¡¯s enough. Please."


    "No, Ashton. I know you couldn¡¯t care less but these things have to be said. Your father isn¡¯t doing you any favors by giving you an inheritance. Unlike the other billionaire families in this country with heirs that didn¡¯t work for their inheritance, you boys built this so-called empire. Right from infancy, you garnered the attention we¡¯re enjoying today. You brought the fame into this household and you¡¯ve been working your bones off since you turned sixteen. I won¡¯t let anyone make you feel undeserving of whatever you have today, not even your father."


    Father sighs and wipes his face with a handkerchief. "I¡¯m sorry if that¡¯s how you feel. I¡¯m sorry boys. I honestly thought there was no other way to get it through Ashton¡¯s thick skull how wrong he was to doubt my love for you all. He stubbornly kept upsetting my ns because of his obsession with..." He trails off at mother¡¯s burning look. "I¡¯m sorry."


    "This charade is over as of this moment. My son ising back home and you¡¯re going to reinstate him. You have enough resources to settle Kristy¡¯s son. Don¡¯t you ever take what belongs to my boys to throw into thep of your son, you hear me?"


    "I do, Barbara. I do."


    Asher smiles. "Well, that went better than I hoped."


    "Always here for you, baby." Mother replies, smiling when Asher kisses her knuckles. Before I can wallow in the euphoria of this moment, my phone buzzes with a message. Not just my phone, but everyone¡¯s phone at the table. I reach for mine but Ashley stops us.


    "Can we just have our meal like a regr family without ruining this moment with distractions?"


    "He¡¯s right." Asher concurs to my surprise. "This right here has been a rare sight for weeks. Let¡¯s not ruin it." He slides his phone to the far end of the table. "Go on." He eggs me on.


    I watch father and Ashley follow suit.


    "Can I just call Ashal one more time? It¡¯s not fair that he¡¯s missing this beautiful moment."


    Although I want my brother here more than anything, I¡¯m also eager to see what else my informant has uncovered. This is the wrong time to be away from my phone. Maybe Ka¡¯s the one trying to reach me with info on my sister or maybe Demi needs my help with something. It could be anyone and right now, it¡¯s hard to ignore my messages.


    "Fine. Call him."


    Like I suspected, it¡¯s from Demi. Duncan appears and whispers into father¡¯s ear.


    "What¡¯s the matter?" Mother asks.


    Father takes one look at Ashley. "Demi informed the media about your divorce. It¡¯s in the news."


    Ashley shrugs. "Don¡¯t care. It was bound toe out soon anyway."


    Everyone smiles at his cheerfulness but the humor drains from my face when I stare at Demi¡¯s message and the video of Ashal battered and bruised. I snap up to my feet, knocking down my chair identally. Everyone is shocked at my action.


    "Ashton, what¡¯s wrong?" Asher asks taking one look at my face. Hard as I try, I can¡¯t fool them with a calm expression, especially my brothers. Asher jumps from his seat and rushes towards me.


    "Give it to me." He snatches my phone before I can stop him, then his eyes go cold.


    "What¡¯s happening? Can someone say something?" Mother quips worriedly.


    "Oh God." Ashley moans with terror in his eyes. He already picked up his phone and went through his message thinking it was another media storm from Billion-Err uncovering another family secret. My heart plummets to my stomach when I realize Demi had the heart to forward the same message to the rest of my family.


    Mother screams in fright at the sight of Ashal. Father reaches to hold her, frown lines etched across his face as he res at me.


    "How could she? I let her go. I begged her to spare my children. How could she do this to Ashal?" Mother continues to cry and unknowingly leans into father for support. Asher is already muttering to a cluster of the guards. They¡¯re probably trying to find Ashal¡¯s location. Ashley joins father to calm mother down.


    I¡¯m still reeling from the shock of Demi¡¯s betrayal. This can¡¯t be real. There¡¯s no way Demi could do that to my brother! I¡¯ve got to be dreaming or something. However, each time I refresh my phone, the video from Demi is still there and Ashal looking almost lifeless causes a fresh tear in my heart.


    It makes no sense. I am the one who hurt her parents. If she needed to make anyone pay, she could have chosen me. I wouldn¡¯t have put up a fight. Why Ashal? He¡¯s been nothing but kind to her from day one. Why him and not me or Ashley or even Asher whom she loathes? My chest tightens with pain. Will she really kill my brother?


    My eyes darken. Has Asher been right about Demi all along? I¡¯m not even going to allow myself entertain the logical questions in my head like why Demi didn¡¯t bother to show herself in the video if she truly meant to gloat or how her absence could mean someone else might have used her phone to send the message. I¡¯m only going to believe that for Demi¡¯s phone to have been used, she¡¯s very much connected to the damage.


    I try Demi¡¯s line and show no surprise when it¡¯s switched off. Again, I wonder why. Is she not confident enough to face me after the stunt she just pulled?


    Mother continues to wail. I join Asher and father to go look for my brother but before we can step out of the house, my phone starts ringing. Everyone snaps their necks in my direction. I stare at my phone before looking up at their curious eyes.


    "Demi¡¯s calling me."

 Chapter 165

    <h4>Chapter 165: Chapter 165</h4>


    ASHER


    "Put it on loud speaker." I tell Ashton. The house falls silent as he takes the call.


    "Where is he?" He asks coldly the second he takes the call.


    "You know I can¡¯t tell you that." Demi replies.


    I ball my fists and grit my teeth. That bitch! It sucks to be right about her in this very situation. My brother is on the brink of death right now because we were all foolish enough to let Demi go. My heart breaks for Ashal when I recall him trying to free Demi just hours ago. He was actually concerned about her despite everything we¡¯ve learnt about her past. How could she do something like that to the one brother that treated her right?


    "Demi, please, let him go. I told you the truth. I AM THE ONE WHO KILLED YOUR FOLKS. If you need someone to me or to take out your anger on, I won¡¯t resist but please..." Ashton¡¯s voice wavers with emotion. "Don¡¯t hurt anyone else."


    There¡¯s a slight noise in the background before Demi responds. "If you want your family spared, I think you know what to do."


    I nod to Duncan and sure enough, he is trying to track the call.


    "I¡¯ll hold a press conference and admit my guilt if that¡¯s what you want. I¡¯ll do anything you want but please, let me speak to Ashal just once. I need proof of life."


    "Why? Because you need this call tost long enough for you to track it? I¡¯m not stupid, Ashton. Even if you tried and discerned my location..." she hesitates, then adds, "Ashal will be dead the second your men invade this ce. Is that what your family would prefer? Would you like to find his corpse instead?"


    Mother closes a hand over her mouth to stifle her anguish.


    "What can I do to have my brother back alive? Just say it!"


    "Your birthday¡¯sing up soon, right? I need you to throw the biggest party your family has ever thrown. You¡¯re going to invite everyone who matters in this country, from media personnel to A-list celebrities to politicians. I need the mansion jammed with the cr¨¨me de cr¨¨me of society. That¡¯s where you¡¯ll make your big confession."


    Of course, she¡¯s going for the dramatic. I truly underestimated that wench.


    "And how soon can I get Ashal back?" Ashton inquires.


    "As soon as the confession is covered on national TV. If you try anything funny to foil this n or to rescue your brother before I willingly release him, his lifeless body will be found in a gutter on the street."


    "Demi...what if people don¡¯t honor our invitation? You know the situation we¡¯re in right now. What if we can¡¯t get all the people you want to see at the party on such short notice? Our birthday is just in a few days."


    "Do you have to ask? Ashal will die obviously. That¡¯s what if. So, I suggest you find a way to get them there at all cost. Bribe them if you must but make sure the mansion is crawling with the elite or your brother will breathe hisst on his birthday."


    "But Demi..."


    "Onest thing, Ashton." Another pause. "I¡¯ll be your date to the party. So, look your best."


    "What?" She hangs up before he can get another word in.


    What sick twisted game is Demi ying? I silently wonder.


    Mother dries her eyes and walks up to Ashton. "Don¡¯t me yourself. No one here mes you. I was with her before she left today and I couldn¡¯t discern her evil intentions. I thought I got through to her. I¡¯m sure everyone here feels fooled by her. It¡¯s not on you."


    I swallow my need to vent and concur with mother. Thest thing we need right now is to point fingers at each other. We have to band together to bring Ashal home in one piece.


    "Duncan?" Father calls.


    "We weren¡¯t able to track it. The duration of the call was too short."


    I go over to Ashton. "Mother¡¯s right. Demi fooled us all. Don¡¯t be hard on yourself. She even got me to doubt my doubts about her along the way. That¡¯s how maniptive she is. Don¡¯t worry, we¡¯ll bring Ashal home."


    "How can we trust her not to go back on her words? What if we do everything she asks and she still kills..." Ashley sinks into a sofa and covers his face with his palms, trembling. "What if she actually kills Ashal?"


    "Then she won¡¯t get away with it." Mother deres defiantly. "I¡¯ll make sure she doesn¡¯t, whatever that requires."


    Ashton doesn¡¯t appearforted by our encouraging words. He turns on his heel and heads for the door. I run after him.


    "Ash, where are you going?"


    "I need to...I need some air."


    "Hey, look at me." I force him to stare at me. "We can¡¯t afford to be separated from each other right now. Who knows how she abducted Ashal. Can you take a walk around the mansion? Please? I don¡¯t want to worry about you too."


    Ashton drops my hands from his face. "She wants me to y her sick revenge game. I¡¯m sure she won¡¯t try to harm me, not until the D-day at least."


    "Can you at least have a guard apany..."


    "NO." He belts out with red eyes, a warning to the men in suits ready to tail him. "I need to clear my head. Please, one hour."


    "Let him go, Asher. He needs to process all this." Father echoes.


    I frisk myself and chuck a car key at Ashton. "At least take one of your sport cars. That should be faster than the minivan." Although he doesn¡¯t say it, I can feel the gratitude in his eyes. He gets into his orange colored McLaren and zooms out after a powerful engine roar.


    Seeing him struggle not to break down in front of us hurts. I know he mes no one but himself. Not only was he directly connected to the death of Demi¡¯s parents, he was also the one who married her into the family. Like that wasn¡¯t enough, his blind love for her kept him from epting the truth of my words. Now that everything has led us to this point where Ashal¡¯s life is hanging in the bnce, Ashton is going away to let off some steam aka cry his heart out for failing his loved ones.


    Ashleyes to stand next to me. "I should go with him. He¡¯s not going to self-harm, is he?"


    I nod quietly. "He¡¯ll likely return with a few cuts but nothing fatal." I turn to him. "He¡¯ll be fine. We have to trust him to not act selfishly by causing us even more pain."


    I return to father. "Are we just going to do nothing until our birthday? We can¡¯t trust Demi to keep her word. She could hurt Ashal even more before then."


    "Of course we won¡¯t." He looks reassuringly at mother. "I know exactly where she is."


    ***


    I knew I couldn¡¯t keep her here as long as I wanted. Sooner orter, someone was going to feel bad and try to set her free. After she slid my phone off me, I knew she was up to no good. I had her phone tapped and also put a tracker on it so I could monitor her moves for a while. Now, not only do we know where she is and hopefully, where she¡¯s holding Ashal, Duncan also has a record of the call she just made to Ashton."


    "That¡¯s really smart, father. Why didn¡¯t you say anything before Ashton left? It would have helped him feel a bit better."


    "He needs the time to sort through his feelings. I didn¡¯t want to disrupt that."


    "Where is my son?" Mother interjects. "Where is Demi keeping Ashal?"


    Duncan clears his throat. "We¡¯ve located the address. It¡¯s a property that was bought by Liam Spellman five years ago."


    "They¡¯re still working together and she lied about it?" Mother rubs away a nasty ache in her temple.


    "What are we going to do now?" I ask father.


    "I¡¯ll have the ce monitored to see who goes in and out for the next four days before your birthday. Duncan will keep track of Demi¡¯s calls and messages. If she ns to hurt Ashal at any point, our men will swoop in. I already have people ready to pay off Liam¡¯s neighbors in that area so they can monitor the ce up close."


    I tacitly inform father that those measures won¡¯t be enough for me and he nods in understanding. We¡¯ll have to meet up privately and discuss other measures. I encourage mother to be strong.


    "We¡¯ll have him back. Don¡¯t worry too much."


    "I actually told her that there was a limit to her brutality." Mother sniffles. "I boasted about knowing what she was capable of. Do you think she took that as a challenge and had your brother thrashed like that?"


    "Stop it, mother. Thoughts like that won¡¯t help you right now. Asher¡¯s condition has nothing to do with what you said or didn¡¯t say to Demi. It¡¯s always been her n to hurt our family and nothing you could have said or done would have influenced her decision. She¡¯s cold-hearted and maniptive. She tried so hard to sell us the idea that she was done working with Liam. She¡¯s been lying to our face this whole time." I tighten my fists to rein in my temper.


    "I¡¯ll see you soon, mother." I kiss her hair. "I won¡¯t be long."


    I immediately drive to see Anna. At this point, I am certain she¡¯s working with her friend. There¡¯s no way she wouldn¡¯t know what Demi is up to and for her to still be in support of this makes them just as callous as they use my family of being.


    She appears shocked to see pull up at her house. She¡¯s already in her night clothes.


    "Asher? What are you doing here thiste?"


    "Are you proud of yourself? Are you happy with what your best friend is doing?" I shush her interrupting questions, ignore her puzzled expression and shove my phone in her face. "Look what your best friend did to my brother. I bet you two have had a goodugh over it."


    "Oh my God, Asher. Is he okay? Is that Ashton?"


    "Why? Did you and Demi n to target Ashton first?"


    "What the hell are you in about? We didn¡¯t n anything and I am sure there has to be some exnation as to why this video came from my friend¡¯s phone. I know Demi. She would never..."


    "YOU¡¯RE LYING!" I yell, startling her into taking a few steps back. "That¡¯s all you¡¯ve been doing since we met. You¡¯ve been lying to my face to stay loyal to your friend. I can¡¯t believe you¡¯d still support her even after seeing this."


    "The same way you supported your family through everything they did?" Sheshes back at me. "Demi is MY family too. She¡¯s got no one here but me. I can tell you for a fact that she isn¡¯t responsible for what happened to your brother. If she were that evil, I would know and we wouldn¡¯t be friends." She snatches the phone.


    "This must have been sent by Liam through her phone. She had gone to see him earlier today because he wouldn¡¯t stop threatening her since she backed away from his revenge plot. He¡¯s been ckmailing her ever since, threatening to pin the entire me on her once he was done making your family pay."


    "Yeah, right. Nice talk."


    "Look, why is there no audio in this?" She continues defending Demi. "If Demi did this and was stupid enough to send the message through her phone, why wouldn¡¯t she show her face once? I bet she wasn¡¯t okay with whatever was happening here so the audio was removed. This has Liam written all over it."


    "And how do you exin the phone call she made to Ashton right after, threatening him with Ashal¡¯s life, huh?" Anna doesn¡¯t flinch, nor does her defiant trust in her friend waver. "We all heard her over the phone and it didn¡¯t sound like anyone was holding a gun to her head. I can¡¯t believe how much she¡¯s warped the minds of those around her to see her as a saint and not the devil she truly is."


    "Watch your mouth, Asher. Nobody from your household has the prerogative to call anyone a devil."


    If she was a man, I¡¯d have punched her blind. If she was any other woman, I¡¯d have pped her but I find myself holding back not necessarily because I believed she was right about what she said, but because I¡¯m starting to assess my actions before I take them. With the whole country perceiving my family as a bunch of heartless monsters, thest thing I want is to fuel that belief.


    But with Anna, I probably still won¡¯t hit her even if I could get away with it. I don¡¯t know why I¡¯m tolerating her.


    "I don¡¯t suppose you¡¯re willing to help me stop your friend from killing my brother."


    Her face softens. She takes my hand. "You have to believe me. Demi isn¡¯t the one behind this. It¡¯s Liam. He¡¯s using her. Stop Liam and you¡¯ll save your brother. Right now, I have to go find my friend. Who knows what condition she must be in if Liam manipted her like this. I have to..." She trails off. "Demi?"


    I turn around and sure enough, Demi is standing next to my car with her back to the fading light of dusk. My blood hums in my throat.


    "There you are." I mutter before advancing towards her.

 Chapter 166

    <h4>Chapter 166: Chapter 166</h4>


    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 exims, pping his hands. "That was...beyond impressive. Your acting skills even under pressure is Oscar approved." He smiles at Skr 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 Skr. "Look, I don¡¯t know the backstory here but I suspect you and I have a simr 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 moralpass at the very least, you¡¯d feel ashamed of yourself."


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


    "Don¡¯t you EVERpare 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: <i>everything</i>. 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 be. She didn¡¯t go through nine hours ofbor or fight to keep you just for you to be...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 mming my phone back into my hands. I rush tofort 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 <i>must</i> 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 re 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."


    Skr 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 sttered all over my face makes her grin before leaving. Liam whirls to me and scoffs at the sight before him; meforting 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 dly prove you wrong."


    When I try to reply, I feel Ashal tug tightly on my shirt, apparently stopping me from antagonizing Liam with a pback. I shut my mouth and hug him close. Liam gives us onest contemptible look before walking away. I quickly remove the duct tape around Ashal¡¯s mouth, and almost cry when he yelps in pain.


    "Oh Ashal, I¡¯m so sorry." My fingers tremble as I cup his red, bruised face. "I¡¯m so sorry you had to go through this."


    "It¡¯s okay." He winces in pain. When I try to untie the other ropes, he stops me. "There¡¯s no point. They won¡¯t let me walk out of here."


    "I can¡¯t leave you here like this."


    "You¡¯ll have to. Don¡¯t antagonize them, Demi. They could really hurt you." He coughs a bit. "Why did you make that call? My family must think you¡¯re behind all this."


    "That¡¯s the least of my worries right now, Ashal."


    His eyes dim with sadness. "You keep suffering for just being associated with us. What if I don¡¯t make it out alive to clear your name..."


    "Don¡¯t...say that." I warn him through gritted teeth. "You have to be strong. You¡¯ll be reunited with your family soon." I press my forehead to his as he reminds me of Ashton. "Why did you go to see Olivia without telling anyone?


    "I needed some...closure. I needed to assure her and her family onest time that they needn¡¯t live in fear anymore. I should have known that my visit would only stir up their anxiety." He dips his eyes to the floor when I ease back to look at him. "I wanted to see Maddi again, to say a proper goodbye."


    He¡¯s in love with Maddi? That¡¯s almost moreplicated than me being in love with my ex-husband¡¯s brother but I say nothing on the matter. I have no right to judge.


    "Olivia was startled to see me. 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. Thest thing I remember is passing out after taking the fruit juice I was offered. I woke up in here moments before Liam had his guards beat me to a pulp."


    "Then she must be in on this whole n."


    "I figured as much." He adjusts his frame against the wall. "It seems like there¡¯s more between them."


    "Between Liam and Olivia?"


    "I am not 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 havee to see me, only she didn¡¯t seem surprised by or concerned about my state. She was thanking Liam instead. They seem very familiar with each other."


    Olivia and Liam? I can¡¯t believe what I am hearing.


    "Maybe it¡¯s like Liam mentioned to me before. This revenge plot 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 working together towards amon goal."


    If he believes a word I just said, Ashal doesn¡¯t show it. Instead, he stares nkly at the door.


    "Is thatdy 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 Skr¡¯s behind that deception too? Could it all be a part of her scheme?"


    "You knew you had a biological sister this whole time? Ashal, why didn¡¯t you believe me when I tried to warn you?


    He sighs deeply. "It also took 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 alling together. Skr¡¯s unwavering quest for revenge is understandable but hardly justifiable given her unorthodox methods.


    "Maybe Cree was right all along. My father really did those despicable things to my biological parents. The adoption story must also be fake. There¡¯s no way Skr would be this vengeful if she wasn¡¯t still hurting from the past. She couldn¡¯t have made up the hatred. It clearly stems from within."


    I don¡¯t know if Cree can be trusted right now seeing as she is one of Skr and Liam¡¯sckeys but the story definitely adds up. I break out of my thoughts when I hear Ashal crying.


    "Hey, it¡¯s going to be okay. Please don¡¯t cry."


    "Nothing is going to be okay. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll ever be okay after all this. My whole life has been a lie. 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 a life with the one woman who loves me back despite knowing my ws. And my brothers...where do I even begin?"


    I hold him close as he cries some more. Just then, Liames in and demands that I leave.


    "Time¡¯s up, hon. Time to go."


    I hug Ashal onest time, my heart breaking as I hope it won¡¯t be thest time I see him with breath in his body. On my way out, Liam grabs my wrist.


    "No way you¡¯re leaving with all that blood on you. I¡¯ll get you some of M¡¯s clothes, and then you can leave."


    ***


    As I make my way to Anna¡¯s, I try to shelve my feelings for Ashal¡¯s condition. I need to be strong no matter what. I have to y their game long enough to gather enough evidence that no amount of money on earth can smother.


    I frisk myself and retrieve the hidden camera I wore to Liam¡¯s ce. Hopefully, I got enough footage here to show that I had nothing to do with Ashal¡¯s condition and that Liam, together with Skr, are behind everything.


    I unearth my phone and smash it on the ground. I know well enough that it must have been tapped but more so, I can¡¯t stand it after the call I made to Ashton. I¡¯ll get another one. If Liam asks, I¡¯ll just say I identally dropped it.


    The sight of Asher¡¯s car at Anna¡¯s ce is something I expected. Yet, I am not mentally or emotionally prepared to face any member of the Rollins family right now. I am not ready to act the script of an incorrigible viin in Skr¡¯s plot. As I turn to leave, Anna¡¯s voice defending me catches my attention. Tears stream down my eyes when she refuses to believe the evidence Asher shoves in her face and maintains her stance that Liam is the true viin.


    It feels good to know that I still have someone who trusts me so much even when I am tempted to doubt myself. I didn¡¯t mean to be spotted but the way Asher was going, I feared he meant to pit my friend against me. I dried my eyes and stepped out from behind his car.


    "There you are." He utters before heading towards me. All I can think about is Ashal and how I have to y the mean bitch so he doesn¡¯t get hurt.


    "Go home, Asher." I try to go past him but true to form, he blocks my path.


    "I¡¯m not here to beg you, Demi. I¡¯m here to warn you. You¡¯re ying a dangerous game and there¡¯s absolutely no way you¡¯re walking out of this unscathed. If I don¡¯t get my brother back in one piece after weply with your terms, I¡¯d dly drag you to the depths of hell with me. THAT¡¯S A PROMISE."


    He res at Anna. "Saint, huh?" He hisses before getting into his car and leaving.


    I walk past Anna and head into the house. Anna is kind enough to let me shower first before asking how I am faring. I wait for her to ask me about Asher¡¯s usations but she only holds me close, stroking my hair.


    It hurts me to realize how much she trusts me and how I have to lie to her keep my ns under lock. This time around, I can¡¯t afford to be predictable to anyone at all. I have to be the only one who knows how all of this will end. Letting Anna in might foil my ns on arge scale, especially if she¡¯s swayed by Asher to tell him the truth. If Liam or Skr get wind of the fact that I am ying them, Ashal could really die and I can¡¯t have that.


    "Aren¡¯t you going to ask me why I did it?" I ask, breaking the silence.


    Anna continues to y with my hair. "You returned with a change of clothes that don¡¯t belong to you and spent nearly two hours crying silently in the shower. If you had the stomach to do evil, you would have been able to hold down your dinner and sleep like a baby. I know you didn¡¯t do that to Ashal. I don¡¯t have to ask."


    I smile maniacally. "That¡¯s what makes this so much more interesting. No one believes I am capable of anything."


    "You¡¯re capable of a lot of good, Demi. That¡¯s not a weakness. It¡¯s a good thing."


    "You¡¯re right. I am good. Justice is good. Exacting justice on those who deserve it is also good. That¡¯s why I hurt Ashal. That¡¯s why I am still going to take down the Rollins family, because they¡¯re a blight in our generation. It¡¯s all good."


    I feel Anna¡¯s hands slide off my hair. I sit up, smile at her, tie my hair in a low bun and go to sleep, like a baby.


    The next day, my party dress arrives early, delivered by none other than Ashton himself.

 Chapter 167

    <h4>Chapter 167: Chapter 167</h4>


    ASHTON


    I couldn¡¯t sleep a winkst night, no one in the mansion could. Everyone has been feeling sad over Ashal¡¯s predicament and angry too. Though nning a party was always mother¡¯s favorite pastime, she looks withered as she makes arrangement for our birthday party. It¡¯s almost like she¡¯s not sure if she¡¯s nning her sons¡¯ birthday party or Ashal¡¯s funeral. Many times, she dabs off a tear from her eyes or excuses herself to go use the bathroom.


    Ashley¡¯s been staying close to her, inviting guests via phone call. Like we suspected, many of them keep turning down our invitation without bothering to give a good excuse. Even father¡¯s promise of a ¡¯special gift¡¯ has been unsessful in swaying them. No one of high caliber wants to be associated with the family who is currently being rumored to be responsible for a tranche of heinous crimes.


    "What are we going to do? I¡¯m almost halfway done with the guest list and no one has RSVP¡¯d." Ashley asks Asher worriedly.


    Asher scratches his head. "At this rate, they still won¡¯t budge even if father offers them bonus shares in thepany. No one wants to be a part of a sinking ship."


    Mother sighs heavily. "She knew this would be impossible to aplish from the start. She wanted to kill my son all along and merely threw us this bait so she can me us for not doing everything within our power to save Ashal."


    I grit my teeth. "We don¡¯t have time for this. Give me the phone."


    My family looks surprised. Hesitantly, Ashley passes the phone in his hand as well as the guest list when I gesture for it too. I scan through the list and find just the right contact.


    "People might not want to party with us but they won¡¯t ignore one of the biggest news scoop there¡¯s ever been in the country." I dial the number and after a few rings, someone picks up.


    "Danvarr Morning News, how may we help you."


    "Ashton, don¡¯t."


    I ignore mother and turn away to continue the call. "This is Ashton Sawy...Ashton Rollins speaking. My brothers and I will be throwing avish party on the twelfth of this month to celebrate our twenty-fifth birthday party. I¡¯d like to throw an open invitation to all the cr¨¨me de cr¨¨me of our society. Except for the top media houses who will cover the event, every other guest must not have a worth below fifty million dors."


    "Mr. Ashton, do you expect us to broadcast this invitation? I¡¯m not sure why anyone would...."


    "I¡¯ll be making a live confession regarding one of the crimes alleged by Billion-Err at the party, in the presence of my guests. How¡¯s that for motivation?" I hang up and run a hand over my chin. "I guess that will do it."


    "Why would you tell them that?" Asher asks worriedly.


    "Because I already n to do it at the party, Asher. Isn¡¯t that what Demi wants before she can release our brother? What¡¯s the point of keeping it a surprise if we can¡¯t even get people to attend the party? Every second counts for Ashal. Who knows what they¡¯re putting him through." I fend off the rage bubbling inside me. "People love gossip and secrets. This should spice things up and create anticipation for the event."


    "And what if it backfires? They¡¯re already gossiping and condemning our arrogance in throwing a party in the midst of everything going on instead of taking responsibility for Billion-Err¡¯s usations. Why would they want to attend said party when they can just confirm it from the news muchter?"


    I cup mother¡¯s face. "That¡¯s what the masses will do but thankfully, they¡¯re not on the guest list. Rich people won¡¯t be satisfied with just that. To stay relevant, they like to be present where everything will be going down, where most of the media personnel will be covering the biggest news. They¡¯d definitely want to give interviews after the confession. If they somehow don¡¯t care for all that, then they¡¯ll surely attend just to prove to the people of Danvarr that their worth is over fifty million dors which is why they made the guest list."


    I press a kiss to her eyebrows. "We haven¡¯t got any other choice, mother. We are at our wits end. Right now, we have to do whatever it takes to bring people to that party."


    "Have you thought about what will happen after your confession? You may be arrested..."


    "Ashal will be home." I interrupt her. "That¡¯s all that matters."


    One of the guards enters with a shopping bag. "Sorry to intrude but there¡¯s a special delivery for Mr. Ashton." I whip my head instantly and eye the bag suspiciously. "It¡¯s okay, sir. I already checked. It¡¯s just a party dress. I also frisked the deliverydy. She was clean."


    "Deliverydy?" I ask, arching my eyebrows.


    "Yes sir."


    I don¡¯t know why but I can¡¯t let it go. What are the odds that a party dress was delivered to us by ady? If it was Demi, the guard would already have said so. Could she have sent someone else to spy on us and see if we¡¯replying with her terms? Why else would she send me a party dress? Who¡¯s it for?


    At mother¡¯s instruction, the guard reveals the dress. It¡¯s overly sexual with sheer fabric making up ny percent of the dress.


    "Why did she send this?" Mother wonders. "What is she up to now?"


    "There¡¯s a note here."


    Asher grabs it and reads. A deep frown coats his face. "Demi wants Ashton to deliver the dress to her at Anna¡¯s home."


    "That wench." Father cusses. "She¡¯s incorrigible."


    "Did the deliverydy have her face covered?"


    "No sir." The guard replies me.


    So, it wasn¡¯t Demi then, or anyone who has been to this mansion before or the guards would have recognized thedy.


    "What did she say her name was?" I press on.


    "Skr, sir."


    "Skr?" My throat dries up. Skr as in my lost sister, Skr? I don¡¯t know any other Skr apart from the one Ka told me about. What are the odds that this deliverydy is a random person? Before my family can press me for answers as to my sudden reaction, I bolt out of the door and head for the grand gate.


    "Where¡¯s she? Which way did she go?"


    Outside the gate, there¡¯s only a lone car cruising down the road. Someone pokes her head out, her hair flying in the wind. Though she is too far for me to note her features, the gold locks are quite familiar. She continues to watch me while I watch her. I can¡¯t make out her facial expression. I don¡¯t know what she¡¯s thinking but I can feel something off her; she¡¯s definitely not on our side.


    "Ashton? What¡¯s wrong? Why did you dash out like that?" Asher asks, tapping me back to reality. When I look back, the car is just a speck in the distance.


    "Nothing." I reply before going back in.


    Mother leaps to her feet on seeing me. Ashley and father are at different corners, speaking on the phone.


    "You were right. It worked. Everyone is returning our calls to confirm their attendance."


    At least that¡¯s some good news. I nod to her before picking up the note on the dress to read it.


    <strong>[Do you think I¡¯d look great in your arms wearing this sexy number, birthday boy? Bring the dress to Anna¡¯s and tell me in person. Love, Demi.</strong>


    I crumple the note in my hand. Whomever this new Demi is, I fucking hate her.


    ***


    As I stand in front of Anna¡¯s door with Demi¡¯s dress in my hand, I can¡¯t stop pondering over a few things. Ka¡¯s words about my sister hating my brothers and I y in a loop in my head, as well as some other disturbing thoughts. Does Demi know about Skr too? Are they working together to harm my family or was it a coincidence that Skr delivered the dress? Who else is in on this revenge plot?


    When Demi swings the door open, I am a bit distracted and unprepared to face her. Given the sh of shock and surprise in her eyes, I deduce that the feeling is mutual. Why is she shocked when she left me a specific note demanding I hand deliver her dress? It takes her a split second to harden her face as her eyes drop to the box.


    "Got something for me?" She asks casually on recognizing the brand which only sells female clothes.


    I can¡¯t believe it. That¡¯s the first thing she says to me after hurting my brother and threatening my family? Rage unfurls in my belly, making my face crease with a frown. She reaches for the box and takes it. Before she can m the door in my face, I put out a hand to block it.


    "Don¡¯t piss me off, Ashton."


    "We¡¯re doing everything you asked. The party ns are underway. Can I speak to Ashal? Please? Just for one minute. I beg you. I just want to hear his voice." She stares at me deadpan and the emptiness in her eyes is ring.


    "You¡¯ll see and talk to him after the party. Now leave."


    I refuse to budge. "You asked me here. Don¡¯t you want to know what I think of the dress?" the slight upward nt of her eyebrow tells me she has no idea what I am talking about. She opens the box and stifles her shock at the ck, sheer outfit. I lean close so my breath can fan her ear as I whisper my thoughts.


    When I ease back, she isn¡¯t quick enough to hide the pain that flits across her eyes.


    "Ashton." Anna appears, wiping her hands on a napkin. She gives Demi a quick nce after noticing the tension between us. "I¡¯m sorry about Ashal. I¡¯m praying for his safe return to your family." At Demi¡¯s chuckle, Anna¡¯s face creases with worry.


    "Prayers won¡¯t work here." Demi replies, staring tly at me. Her eyes are empty again. "I¡¯m sure he and his family know exactly what to do to get Ashal back, right?"


    "Demi." Anna¡¯s cautionary tone isced with concern as she stares at her friend.


    Disgusted at Demi¡¯s attitude, I clench my jaw and turn to Anna. "Thank you, Anna. That¡¯s very thoughtful of you." I jam both hands in the pockets of my zer, turn around and walk away.


    In three days, I might likely lose my freedom so while I can still move freely, I have more important things to sort out than to let myself be disappointed in a woman I thought I knew. If this is how she wants to exact her revenge, so be it. However, as long as she isn¡¯t punishing just me, her main culprit, I won¡¯t sit idly by and watch her y Roulette with the lives of my family.


    Firstly, I call Ka up and instruct her to meet me. Together, we both return to my new home to have a serious conversation.


    "Do you have a picture of Skr?"


    "No, but I think Keith does."


    Keith¡¯s a dead end. He won¡¯t oblige me even if I have a gun to his head. My only other option is to threaten him with the life of his parents which I don¡¯t want to do. So, I am simply monitoring his moves for now. Hopefully, he¡¯ll lead me to Skr soon.


    "I tried reaching out to Skr as you asked but I think she¡¯s changed all her lines and moved far away. She even dropped out of college from what I hear."


    Since my meeting with Ka didn¡¯t yield much result, I realized that I¡¯m left with no other option than to break the news to my brothers before I am carted off to jail. Asher and Ashley respond to my invitation and show up at my house in less than an hour. They¡¯re both caught off guard at the sight of Ka aka Adriana from the pictures and videos I shared in our private chat.


    "It¡¯s okay." I mention when everyone of them appears flustered by each other¡¯s presence. "Please sit down. This is very important."


    While Ashley tries to make small talk with Ka who¡¯s beyond mortified, Asher tugs my sleeve.


    "You should have given us a little heads-up that our estranged sister was going to be here. This isn¡¯t cool."


    I move to the center of the room and get everyone¡¯s attention. Briefly, I sum up the reality of the situation so my brothers are caught up.


    "There¡¯s no point in getting pissed at her. We have a bigger problem on our hands. This other sister of ours, Skr, I think she¡¯s braying for our downfall as much as Demi is."


    "Other sister? If this one¡¯s a fake, how are we sure..."


    "I have no idea, Ashley." I cut off his angry tirade. I know he¡¯s feeling hurt but we don¡¯t have the time to hash out those feelings. "I just know that the story of her past mirrors what Cree had shared with me. And before you ask, I don¡¯t know if this is all a setup. I called you guys here so we could rub minds together on how to deal with these problems."


    Ashley stalks off to the bar, pours himself a drink and drains the cup in one gulp.


    "Did you say Skr Sanders?" Asher asks Ka.


    "Yes sir."


    "Could you describe her?"


    "She¡¯s got the best blonde hair that would make Barbie cry but she doesn¡¯t like to wear it proudly. She mostly covers it with wigs when she¡¯s not feeling safe in public spaces." Ka gets lost in Asher¡¯s eyes. "She¡¯s got eyes just like yours, all of you. She¡¯s extremely beautiful but withdrawn most of the time. She¡¯s..."


    "Five feet four inches tall, incredibly shy or at least it appears that way but her eyes reflect a quiet defiance."


    "Yes. Yes."


    "Wat¡¯s going on here?" I ask Asher as Ashley rejoins us. His curiosity was also piqued at Asher¡¯s words.


    Asher exhales. "I think I might have run into our sister at a bar once. She instantly recognized me as Asher at the bar," and turning to Ashley, he adds, "Yes, sister. The moment Iid eyes on her, I knew that if one of us had turned out to be a girl, he would have looked exactly like her. You see her once, you¡¯d think so too." Something warm washes across his face as he hums her name once more.


    "Skr Sanders."


    "She delivered Demi¡¯s dress to the mansion this morning. I think she¡¯s somehow connected to everything going on." I announce.


    "Oh, for God¡¯s sake." Ashley returns to the bar for a refill while Asher surges to his feet and adjusts his suit.


    "Well, I think I might know someone who might know where we can find Skr. Her name¡¯s Octavia and she¡¯s a friend to Skr. I¡¯ll make the call."

 Chapter 168

    <h4>Chapter 168: Chapter 168</h4>


    DEMI


    "What was that?" Annashes out the minute Ashton leaves. She chucks the rag on the table and folds her hands across her shoulder with a stern look on her face. "What was all that about, Demi? Why would you say something so insensitive to him despite knowing everything he¡¯s going through?


    "Stay out of it, Anna." I move to stow the dress in her bedroom but she follows me.


    "What exactly is going on with you, Demi? You¡¯re being weird! Ashton was literally worried sick about you when you went missing shortly after returning to Danvarr. I thought you agreed to let bygones be bygones, to forgive and move on with your life and leave. Why are you back with this grudge and quest for revenge?"


    I nk out her worried face as I pull the dress out of the box. What the hell was Skr thinking when she got me this dress? There¡¯s no way I am going to Ashton¡¯s birthday party half-naked.


    "I am talking to you, Demi."


    I roll my eyes before turning to Anna. "Fine. You want to know where I was after I returned to Danvarr? Take a wild guess, Anna. I was stripped of all forms ofmunication. I was locked in a room in a very big mansion and tied to a bedpost. I couldn¡¯t even speak because I had a gag over my mouth."


    I huffed out a breath. "I tried so hard to forgive that family and everything they have done to hurt me. I tried to be the bigger person and take the high road but what did I get? They snatched me from the airport and tied me up like a petty criminal in their mansion just to force me to stop exposing them. How many more crimes can I forgive? When will they learn, Anna?"


    When Anna tries to console me, I move away from her. My eyes sting with tears because of the frustration I am feeling over Ashal¡¯s condition and my inability to tell Anna the truth. I wish I could confide in her without jeopardizing my ns. I am sick of acting this way even with her.


    "I didn¡¯t know that and I am deeply sorry that happened to you." She replies.


    I turn around so she doesn¡¯t see the tears threatening to fall. "I think it was for the best. I was starting to believe that family deserved to be spared but clearly, they¡¯re irredeemable. They¡¯ll only continue to hurt more people. Someone has to clip their wings and remind them that they¡¯re not invincible."


    Anna wheels me around to face her. "Demi, you had nothing to do with Ashal¡¯s condition, right? I agree that Brett Rollins¡¯ family isn¡¯t a model one but we already established that you are going to let thew run its course. Look me dead in the eyes and tell me Ashal¡¯s condition is all Liam and you had nothing to do with it."


    There¡¯s something in Anna¡¯s eyes that simultaneouslymunicates fear and a warning. She is afraid that I may not be the woman she defended to Asher and she¡¯s subtly warning me that things may not remain the same between us if I have soiled my hands by hurting Ashal.


    "And if I had something to do with it? I ask her brazenly, and stupidly. "What then, huh?"


    Her hands slip from my shoulders. She edges backward with a pained expression. "Demi, please! Cut it out. I can clearly see how much you¡¯re hurting. Why are you putting up this act even in front of me? Don¡¯t you trust me anymore or did Liam threaten you to secrecy?"


    The timing couldn¡¯t have been worse for a single tear to flow down my cheek. Before I can swipe it off, Anna beats me to it. She pulls me into her arms.


    "I¡¯m not going to force you to share if you don¡¯t want to. I just want you to know that you¡¯re not alone. No matter how stuck you might feel, I¡¯ll always be here for you." She pats my back gently and when she hears my sniffles, her arms tighten around me. "Don¡¯t cry. I¡¯m sure you have a good reason for shutting me out and I am sure that whatever Liam¡¯s doing, it won¡¯t break you. You¡¯ve been through hell and back. Everything will be okay."


    I press my eyes shut and try to see that future. It used to seem so close even while I was in the Rollins mansion. Now that I am out and free from the marriage bond, I can¡¯t even picture it anymore. Every day, things seem to take a turn for the worst in my life. Nothing¡¯s gone right for me in a very long while.


    I pull back and keep my head low. "I wasn¡¯t lying. Ashal got hurt because of me. Liam was trying to prove a point."


    "You can¡¯t me yourself for his willful actions." She counters me. "Don¡¯t let him get into your head like that. I¡¯m sure he¡¯s trying to absolve himself of the me by making you the culprit." She gnashes her teeth. "I can¡¯t believe he turned on you like that. He was literally like a big brother. I trusted his intentions were noble but all this time it¡¯s been a lie? He was basically using you to fulfil his selfish revenge."


    I stare at Anna deadpan. "Sometimes to fight the devil, you might have to be one. There¡¯s no other way to deal with pompous billionaires that treat the rest of the world as their doormat. Maybe Liam hasn¡¯t lost his way. Maybe he¡¯s only doing all that¡¯s necessary to put an end to the toxicity of the Rollins¡¯ n and after that, he¡¯d be back to the guy we used to know. Have you thought about it like that?"


    She only stares at me with a perplexed expression. Of course, I don¡¯t believe that Liam is putting on a show just to have his revenge. I won¡¯t be making any excuses for him or any other corrupt billionaire.


    I am only stating this because I need to convince myself that I am not going to run into the same pitfalls as them, and that when I am done giving everyone what they deserve, I¡¯ll still be able to look myself in the mirror.


    An impatient knock on the door draws our attention. Whoever is behind it seems to be in need of urgent attention. Anna and I exchange nces.


    "Are you expecting someone?" I ask her. She shakes her head from side to side before heading for the door. I grab her arm, stopping her. Since I suspect that whoever is behind the door is likely here for me, I choose to get it myself. My eyes almost double in size when I check the peephole. I swing the door open and gasp in surprise.


    "Madeline?"


    ***


    "Madeline, how¡¯d you find me? What..." I trail off as she brushes past me, wringing her hands worriedly. She even ignores the seat Anna offers her after they exchange cursory pleasantries.


    "I can¡¯t find him." She belts out. "I can¡¯t find Ashal. I know he¡¯s missing, Demi. He stopped by my new house to see me...to see my sister I mean. She¡¯s carrying his child." She winces at the irony of thest bit and avoids my eyes. "Liv wasn¡¯t happy to see him. She had been telling me about her new friend that had promised to help her get back at the Rollins family for everything she went through because of them. While Ashal was at our ce, she pretended to entertain him. I think she drugged him. He was knocked out cold after a few sips of his drink."


    "Okay, sit down Madeline."


    But she yanks her hand free when I attempt to steer her to the couch. Pacing, she bites her lower lip. "You have to believe me. I don¡¯t know where she took him! She made me dash to the pharmacy to get drugs iming Ashal was having an episode or something. I stupidly believed her but before I could return, he was gone and she wouldn¡¯t give me a proper excuse. I know Ashal wouldn¡¯t have left like that. At the very least, he would have returned my calls. I¡¯ve even been to his office but there¡¯s no word from him. I feel it in my gut that my sister isn¡¯t telling me everything."


    "Calm down, Maddi. Have a seat, please."


    She halts and whips her head to me. "Why are you being so calm about this? The ink on your divorce papers haven¡¯t even properly dried yet and you¡¯re all cold turkey about everything that concerns them?"


    I tilt my head with an air of amusement. "And you? I distinctly recall you vehemently trying to prove that Ashal was a monster holding your dear sister hostage. You spoke of him with so much venom but here you are after almost knocking down my friend¡¯s door, worrying for the same man because you¡¯re in love with him!"


    She doesn¡¯t bother to argue it.


    "I guess a lot has changed." I add before pointing to the couch again. "Now, you can either sit down or leave. Your choice." I plunk down on the couch, cross my legs and wait for her to make a decision. Finally, she sinks into the couch.


    I listen intently as she recounts the story again as clearly as she remembers it.


    "And why are you convinced Ashal¡¯s in some kind of danger and not just broken up with you?"


    She pauses for a bit. "He just...wouldn¡¯t leave like that." She insists.


    Given her state, I have already deduced that telling her the truth will only make her restless and that could lead to more problems with Skr¡¯s temper.


    "Ashal is fine, Madeline. I spoke with him yesterday in fact. He¡¯s family is in dire straits right now as everyone knows. Are you really rmed that he¡¯s not prioritizing rtionships that could potentially cause more damage to his family¡¯s reputation? If the media gets wind of his marriage to your sister and whatever rtionship you and him now share, think of the headlines. What would happen to the quiet life your family just found? Do you want that blown up? Maybe Ashal knows leaving you is for the best."


    She struggles to ept my words. I reach forward and rub her knees in circles. "You have to get it together, Maddi. I¡¯ll speak to him and get him to call you back if that helps. In the meantime, go back home and stop looking for him. Thest thing he needs is more attention."


    "You promise to get him to return my calls?"


    "I promise."


    She leaps to her feet. "I¡¯m counting on you to keep your word. I just want to know he¡¯s fine."


    I say nothing as she leaves. I cradle my head in my hands, momentarily lost in despair when Anna walks up to me.


    "I don¡¯t care what your reason for shutting me out is. I just have one thing to say. You are not going to win against Liam."


    I stare up at her in shock. "What?"


    "You heard me loud and clear. You are going to lose this war to him, Demi." She takes a seat next to me and grabs my hands. "That¡¯s because he has something you don¡¯t. His strength lies in numbers! He¡¯s got spies everywhere to tell him every move his targets are making. He rubs minds together with his team and they coborate to execute their ns. You? You¡¯re under the illusion that you can top that. You need your own army, Demi. That¡¯s the only way you stand a fighting chance against Liam and hisckeys."


    Her eyes implore me to consider it. I can¡¯t deny that she makes a strong point. It¡¯s too much for me to take everything on myself. I don¡¯t even believe I can pull it off myself and God knows now is not the time to y hit or miss with Ashton¡¯s life. I want him safe. I want him happy and he can¡¯t be if his brother is harmed or his family is targeted by people who are no saints themselves.


    I ease into Anna¡¯s hug and dry my eyes. I know just what to do.


    ***


    "Thank you for sharing everything with us." Mrs. Regan quips. "I¡¯ve been worried about you, Demi. Since I shared that secret about your mother, I¡¯ve found myself staying up at night, wondering if I only made your life worse and what consequences would follow if you misused that information. I¡¯m d you¡¯ve chosen the right path all by yourself."


    Maddox, her son reaches forward to squeeze my hands. "I¡¯m so sorry you¡¯ve been going through so much all alone. I promise to help as much as I can, however I can."


    Katherine is still reeling with shock at the revtion regarding her closest friend.


    "Kat?" Her mother calls softly. She rears her head up and registers the full room; me, Madeline and my uncle on Zoom call. Anna would have been here but she had to dress up like me and derail the men Liam and Skr instructed to keep tabs on me. This meeting would have been busted otherwise.


    "I¡¯m sorry, everyone." Kat apologizes. "I¡¯m just still trying to take all of this in." She expels a deep breath. "Ok. Ok. I¡¯m good. My best friend isn¡¯t as sweet as I thought she was. It¡¯s clear as day from that video. She literally had her own brother beaten to a bloody pulp and is on a mission to eliminate her siblings from the face of the earth. Wow. That¡¯s one messed up family tree."


    I check my new phone. Ashton still hasn¡¯t replied any of my messages. The number might be unknown to him but I bet he¡¯ll know it¡¯s me if he reads the messages. When I try to call him, I realize he already blocked me.


    "What¡¯s wrong, Demi?" Uncle Marcel asks, seeing my pale face.


    "I think Ashton blocked my number."


    "Oh no. How will you get this evidence to him now? He has to know the truth."


    Madeline turns to me with a grim look. "I bet he¡¯ll listen to me. I can go and show it to him the damn video myself."


    "Never mind..."


    "Ashal..." Her voice breaks as she forces the emotion down her throat. Tears shimmer in her eyes when she refocuses them on me. "That video...Look what they did to him. He was almost unrecognizable, Demi. He¡¯s hurt and he¡¯s suffering. I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to move this n along before they do worse things to him. Please, if that video is all it¡¯ll take to get Ashton on our side, let me take it to him."


    I close a reassuring hand over hers. "I thought about it. Ashton is not very stable at the moment. The truth might make him act impulsively and ruin our chance to take our enemies by surprise. I think we should hold off on telling him the truth for now."


    "So, you¡¯re just going to go along with their n and be the scapegoat?" Madeline fumes.


    "I¡¯ve endured worse things. This should be a cakewalk." I lie smoothly.


    It¡¯s killing me that Ashton had to resort to blocking me. It¡¯s hurts deeply that he might actually hate me and never fully trust me again even when this is all over. However, I can¡¯t be selfish and think about all that now. Some things are more important than what he currently feels in his heart for me.


    "What¡¯s the game n here?" Maddox asks.


    I give everyone a nce. "I really don¡¯t know. Personally, I had nned to show Ashton the videos to prove my innocence and hoped that he woulde up with a n to save his brother and expose Liam simultaneously. Anna made me realize that that wouldn¡¯t be enough. I¡¯m counting on you all to help me end this for good. Yes, the Rollins family have done some terrible things to a lot of people including me. I don¡¯t object to them paying for their crimes but Liam milking people¡¯s pain in the name of executing revenge just doesn¡¯t sit well with me, especially since he¡¯s taking thew into his own hands. We have to stop him and Skr."


    Everyone bobs their heads.


    "Everyone has a weak point." I continue. "If we can find theirs, I think we can stop them. As far as I know, Liam mes the Rollins family for his mother¡¯s death. I think something in that story might help us distract him from his ill intent. We can reverse engineer his pain the way I did mine and make him realize this isn¡¯t the way. There¡¯s also his father whose validation Liam lives for. We can find a way to work that angle to get him to call son to order." I heave a breath. "Then there¡¯s Skr. I literally know nothing about her. I don¡¯t know what we could possibly do to stop her..."


    "Maybe I do."


    We all turn to Kat simultaneously.


    She coyly tucks a stray hair behind her ears. "It¡¯s like you said, everyone has a weak point. I think I know Skr¡¯s."


    "What?" I sit up straight. "What¡¯s hers?"


    "Not what, who." She corrects me, leaning forward. "She likes everyone to believe she¡¯s a loner in the world but that¡¯s not entirely true. I happened to have stumbled on a bunch of postcards sent to her by a mysterious person. The weirdest thing about them wasn¡¯t the fact that they all came from one country or that there was one for every single month. The weirdest thing was Skr¡¯s reaction when she walked in on me rifling through them and smiling at the heart shape she had drawn all over them with red lipstick. It was evident she was deeply attached to whomever sent them."


    "Who were they from?" I ask.


    "There wasn¡¯t a name on any of the cards, just a signature. I bet that person means a lot to Skr. She definitely treasured the cards. If we uncover the identity of the sender, Skr won¡¯t see iting. Maybe she¡¯ll listen to us then and stop her madness."


    "Do you remember the country it came from or what the signature looked like?" Uncle Marcel asks Kat.


    "I do. I¡¯ll just write them down."


    Maddox passes his sister a pen and a napkin to scribble on. While she does, a huge ball of relief floods my chest. There¡¯s no way I could have figured all this myself. Anna was right after all. A good team is always better than one. I recline in my seat as one thought clouds my mind.


    Who sends Skr the postcards?

 Chapter 169

    <h4>Chapter 169: Chapter 169</h4>


    ASHLEY


    "Octavia is a dead end." Asher informs us in the game room. "Apparently, she and Skr didn¡¯t keep in touch for long after that fateful evening when she ran into me. She gradually went cold turkey on Octavia. They¡¯ve gone their separate ways since then. Octavia was willing to make contact with Skr but I suspect Skr will smell a rat if another one of her old friends suddenly tries to make an appearance in her life. She¡¯d know we are onto her."


    "I think we¡¯re past that now." Ashton replies. "Who¡¯s to say Demi hasn¡¯t already told her whatever she needs to know about us. They¡¯re definitely working together." He grinds his teeth angrily.


    "Is she still sending you those messages?" Asher asks him calmly.


    "Blocked her. Can¡¯t stand her being so two-faced. She¡¯s trying to mess with me as usual." He hisses out a breath. "I was such a fool; aplete fool and she knew it. She knew it and took advantage of it, of me! She counted on my blind trust to shield her from everyone else¡¯s suspicion. And every time, I never disappointed the stereotype. I made her work easy and now because of me, Ashal..."


    Asher snaps his fingers at him. "Stop it. We promised we wouldn¡¯t talk about him like that. It¡¯s nobody¡¯s fault or it¡¯s everybody¡¯s fault, remember?"


    Ashton sniffles. "By nightfall tomorrow, Ashal will be here with us. Everything will be fine. That¡¯s all I want to think about."


    Our birthday is tomorrow. Billion-Err has been actively publicizing it and teasing about Ashton¡¯s big confession. The guest list has long beenpleted but our phone lines keep ringing off the hook from uninvited rich folks that are pleading for a chance to attend.


    Some even suggested the venue of the party be changed to a hotel auditorium with a sitting capacity of one thousand to amodate more guests. They were willing to pay for it but we vehemently refused their disguised ploy to watch our ruination in 5D.


    The mention of Ashal makes the hole in my heart deepen.


    "You¡¯re awfully quiet." Asher observes, staring at me. "What¡¯s up with you?"


    I massage a nasty ache around the band of my neck. "There¡¯s nothing to be excited about around here. I¡¯m just anxious about tomorrow. I am worried about Ashal and how he is doing. I¡¯m afraid Demi won¡¯t keep her word and might actually hurt our brother to spite us. I¡¯m worried about the oue of Ashton¡¯s confession tomorrow and what would be of our family if we¡¯re branded criminals afterwards. I¡¯m worried about..." I trail off, keeping thest bit to myself because it somehow pales inparison to everything else and yet, it hurts like a bitch.


    "Look at me." Ashermands in a low tone. "We¡¯ve got to be prepared for the worst, okay? There¡¯s a fat chance that¡¯s how things will go tomorrow. With the exception of Ashal returning safely back home, we haven¡¯t made any solid preparations to shield ourselves from the media blizzard tomorrow."


    "Ashal will be safe." Ashton assures me. "We¡¯ve got that covered."


    "Then why are you still going ahead with the confession?"


    "Because I need to put on a show to distract Demi long enough for Ashal to be rescued. If she suspects for one second that I n to abort and orders Liam to hurt Ashal before we can get to him, then all of this would have been for nothing. I DON¡¯T CARE ABOUT GOING TO JAIL. I just want Ashal home."


    He checks his temper and clears his throat. "Like Asher said, be prepared for the worst." When he grabs a bottle of whiskey off the bar without bothering with a ss, I know for certain he is drowning in pain, again. Asher waits till Ashton leaves for his bedroom before turning to me.


    "Give it to me straight." I tell him. "I know you and father have made ns the rest of us aren¡¯t aware of. I need to know everything."


    He dims his eyes at me. "Are you sure or is this just a ruse to distract yourself from whatever transpired between you and Ni recently."


    My throat dries up. Of course, he knows.


    "You had me followed."


    "I beefed up the security and currently make sure every member of this family is followed. You¡¯d think that shouldn¡¯te as a surprise given that one of us was abducted when he stepped out alone."


    I swallow my weak retort because he is right. We all go out with security tailing us. Yesterday, I instructed mine to wait outside when I visited Ni¡¯s apartment after she returned to Danvarr. It was going to be our first time meeting after the loss of our baby. I felt it was awkward enough between us to allow a bodyguard be in the same room, hence the decision.


    Ni hadn¡¯t called to inform me she nned to return home. She didn¡¯t inform me either that she had touched down in Danvarr. I let the fact that she had been ignoring my calls and messages at the ind slide and went to see her, hoping to get to the bottom of her withdrawal. I had a gut feeling that she might secretly me me for our loss, just like Demi once med me.


    She must have felt alone in her condition. She must have yearned for me while she went through the first trimester. Could her restlessness have resulted in the miscarriage? Maybe she wouldn¡¯t have fallen ill if I had been there to keep herpany. A myriad of thoughts continued to float through my head while Ni took her precious time beforeing to see me in her living room.


    For a woman who had recently lost her pregnancy, she had an unusual glow about her. I dismissed it and concluded that my perception might have been influenced by the fact that I hadn¡¯t seen her in a long while. Slowly, she sunk into the farthest couch from me, her eyes avoiding mine for the most part. The tension in the room was almost palpable.


    "I had no idea you were back in town." I begin after clearing my throat.


    "And yet here you are."


    Her voice was a tiny whisper that was still firm enough tomunicate indifference. I inclined my head towards her. Her body was poised in defense with one leg crossed over the other and her shoulders held up stiffly.


    "Don¡¯t do that. You know I have people that inform me about things before I have to ask."


    She stared at me. "Exactly. I didn¡¯t think I had to. I knew the staff on the ind, your friends at the airport and the many people under your payroll here in Danvarr would get the message across to you faster than any call or text from me."


    I was taken aback by her coldness. Rising, I heaved a breath.


    "It wouldn¡¯t be the same as hearing it from you! That¡¯s my point, Ni."


    She turns away. Save for her restless hand gestures, she was calm and collected otherwise. I sensed something simmering beneath the surface. Rather than giving into the urge to throw a fit, I edged closer to her and took her hands.


    "I¡¯m sorry I wasn¡¯t there, Ni. I know that must have hurt you." Her eyes grew blurry as I continued. "I am sorry about how I handled everything, including hiding you on the ind and forcing you to have the baby so Demi and I could raise it as ours. You have every reason under the sun to hate me." My throat tightens as I fend off the emotions surging within me. "Maybe this is my karma. I am not fit to be a dad. Maybe that¡¯s why the universe keeps robbing me of the joy of fatherhood."


    Ni wrenched her hands from mine and stood up, walking a little distance away from me.


    "We don¡¯t have to rehash the past. What¡¯s done is done, Ashley. It¡¯s time to move on with our lives and I¡¯d prefer we did so as strangers."


    I joined her on my feet, shock sttered all over my face.


    "What? What are you talking about? Why strangers, Ni?"


    She turned to me. "Look, I don¡¯t want you to misconstrue my words but this has nothing to do with whatever your family is going through right now. I just...I¡¯m just done with you, Ashley. I can¡¯t do it anymore. I¡¯m tired of pining for your love and attention. I¡¯m tired of having my life and my identity being overshadowed by the rtionship we once shared. It cost me a lot, Ashley. It also taught me a lot too. I don¡¯t know how Demi managed to endure your family¡¯s mistreatment towards her but if that¡¯s what being the daughter-inw of your family looks like, I want no part in it. I¡¯ve trashed that dream. I¡¯m done."


    "Ni, please don¡¯t do this. I¡¯m not in the right frame of my mind to handle this shock. I understand that you¡¯re hurt and you need time. I understand that you¡¯ve fallen out of love with me given everything I put you through. I¡¯m not trying to force anything here but I beg you, don¡¯t cut me out of your life like we never happened. I¡¯m willing to wait as long as it takes for you to forgive me. I¡¯ll settle for being friends if that¡¯s all you can offer but I can¡¯t handle it if this is goodbye forever."


    I couldn¡¯t believe how fast my heart was beating. I had lost too much already. Ni was a constant in my life I wasn¡¯t ready to lose as well. I was a fool to have taken so long to appreciate the people in my life but losing fame, fortune and friends within the same timeline has taught me to treasure those that still stuck around.


    "Please, Ni." I got on my knees. "I am so sorry, baby."


    "Don¡¯t." She cut me off, retreating. "Please don¡¯t call me that."


    "Ok, sorry. Please, just give me one more chance to make things right. I¡¯llpensate for the lost time and your career. I¡¯ll help you get back into the game without anyone knowing. I have some money stashed away. You can have it."


    "I don¡¯t want your money. I¡¯ll build my life back without your help."


    "Please, let me atone for my mistakes. What would you have me do? What do you want, Ni?"


    "You¡¯re not listening! We can¡¯t be friends. I can¡¯t do that. I just need you to leave and never bother me again."


    Tears clouded my eyes. "If this is about my family, they¡¯ll never bother you again. That¡¯s my promise to you. Just give me one more chance to prove myself to you, Ni. Things will be different now, you¡¯ll see. You won¡¯tpete for my attention with anyone else. You¡¯ll have the whole of me. We can truly build something special together like we always dreamed. Our love story will no longer be interrupted." I tried to reach for her hand but she stepped backwards again. "I know how much you used to love me, and how much I also loved you. I believe we can get there again."


    "I WAS NEVER PREGNANT, ASHLEY!" She yells at the top of her lungs, startling me into silence. "There, I said it." She huffed out a breath. "I was never pregnant. I made it all up, got fake test results to convince you to marry me. I never expected you to turn me into your prisoner and abandon me on some ind. I¡¯m grateful I was never pregnant or you wouldn¡¯t be here, apologizing on your knees. Instead, you¡¯d have sent more guards to keep watch over me till your baby was born. After the child was born, who knows what would be of me having outlived my usefulness in the eyes of the almighty Rollins family!"


    The nasty edge of her voice and the iciness in her eyes continue to haunt me to the point that I fail to notice Asher clicking his fingers in front of my face.


    "Hey, Ash. Ashley!"


    I blink out of my shback.


    "Was it really that bad? She turned you down, didn¡¯t she? I wouldn¡¯t me her. This is the worst time for an ex-model like her to be seen escorting you as your date tomorrow. Even if she¡¯s fully recovered from the miscarriage or forgiven you for the way she was treated, our social currency is critically low at the moment, and unable to inspire any confidence in her as your date. Suck it up, okay? If it makes you feel any better, the rest of us are also flying solo too with the exception of Ashton."


    I barely hear the rest of his words as Ni¡¯s words continue to ring in my head.


    "I WAS NEVER PREGNANT! I can¡¯t believe how desperate I was to join your family, so desperate I forged all the evidence I needed and bribed everyone I could to ensure I got a wedding ring from you. I¡¯m so ashamed of how needy and clingy I became just to keep a man like you who wasn¡¯t even worth it."


    "You¡¯re lying." I countered her. "I saw the results, and you were even willing to undergo more tests at my behest. The doctor...he¡¯s a dear friend of mine. He wouldn¡¯t..." I trailed off, unable toplete my train of thought. Suddenly, Iughed hysterically as I started to realize how the doctor had helped her pull it off. I recalled the joy my mom had when she thought she was going to have a grandchild after all and the adjustments I had nned to make as a father-to-be.


    I couldn¡¯t get mad at Ni. I could see why no one would want a baby with me. It was one of the major reasons Demi preferred Ashton to me; I had failed to grow so independent that my family couldn¡¯t butt into my personal affairs. I was a stone throw from a mama¡¯s boy. I was my father¡¯s loyal dog. Perhaps if I had shown some manliness and shielded the women in my life from father¡¯s brutality the way Ashton was known to, then maybe they might have stayed.


    I had failed to do that with Ni, the one woman who had loved me, and that had contributed to the rift between us. Ni didn¡¯t feel safe with me. She couldn¡¯t trust me to keep my word or to put her first. I should have been able to counter father when he usurped my position to make the tough decisions regarding my personal life. I should have stopped him.


    I got up on my feet and stared at Ni. I was certain she hadn¡¯t nned to reveal that bitter lie to me. She had just been desperate to get me to leave her as fast as possible and when everything else failed, she resorted to mming me with her truth.


    "I¡¯m sorry, Ashley. I know it¡¯s no justification but I was madly in love with you and prepared to risk it all just to have you forever. I realize now how foolish I was" She looked at me, her arms folded across her chest. "You can¡¯t force love. I know that now."


    I blinked away the tears that threatened to fall as I realized I lost Ni while trying to hold onto Demi who wanted nothing to do with me.


    "It¡¯s okay. Who can me you? I didn¡¯t exactly make things easy for you. If I had been half the man you deserved, you wouldn¡¯t have had to resort to such extreme measures just to have me." I chuckled. "Ipletely understand and I won¡¯t insist anymore. That would be selfish of me. If this is your decision, I¡¯ll ept it. I hope you can forgive me some day for screwing up so badly with you."


    When I turned around to leave, she called to me. I whirled back to face her.


    "Happy birthday in advance. I know things are gloomy at the moment but I sincerely wish you well."


    I shelved the thought of asking her to be my date to the party. The answer was painfully obvious. If she had wanted to apany me, she would have hinted at it but given her decision to part ways, I deduced she wanted nothing to do with me or my family anymore. She wasn¡¯t going to join me to a party flooded by the media and have them rope her into my family¡¯s mess all over again.


    I walked up to her and kissed her forehead. "Goodbye Nic Grey." Then walked away.


    "Ni and I are done!" I announce to Asher. "It¡¯s for real this time." Lurching to my feet, I steady my wobbly legs. I don¡¯t think I¡¯ll be interested in theplexities of dealing with women for a long while. I make it as far as the door when Asher replies.


    "If I had a million dors for every time a brother made such a bold deration about the woman he loved and still ended up chasing her..." he shakes his head and rises with a smirk on his face. "Us Rollins men appear to have a number of curses tethered to our hips. One of them is that when we love, we love so deeply we can¡¯t let go, even when it makes the most sense to let go."


    Something in his eyes gives away pain. He pats my shoulder and walks away after his cryptic expression. Now, a smile seeps into my face for the first time in a while as I stare at the door, reying Asher¡¯s words in my head and wondering why he emitted such a deep understanding of it.


    Was Asher<i> finally</i> in love with someone?


    My phone buzzes in my pocket. My heart gallops the second I see the caller.


    "Ashal? Ashal, is that really you?"


    "No. It¡¯s Skr."

 Chapter 170

    <h4>Chapter 170: Chapter 170</h4>


    DEMI


    Maddi pulls me roughly by the arm into when we go into the kitchen under the pretense of getting refreshments for everyone. I already knew this was going to happen given the temper shing in her eyes after Iid out my n. She clicks the door shut and turns to me, eyes shing.


    "You¡¯ve got to be kidding me. What the hell was that? Do you really expect me to wait that long? By the time your fucking n crystalizes, Ashal might be in a worse condition." She wipes her chin and moistens her lips. "Look, I¡¯m just going to tell you this. Your n¡¯s reasonable but right now, reasonable will likely get Ashal killed and I¡¯m not having it."


    "You¡¯ve got a better idea?" I tilt my head, amazed that she¡¯d bother to share with me rather than go behind my back to do what she feels is right.


    "I kind of do. It¡¯s not fully fleshed out but it¡¯s quicker than yours. If things go well, I could have Ashal back in time to cut his birthday cake." Her eyes light up just thinking about it.


    A small smile ys across my lips as she shares the details of her ns with me.


    "Maddi, it¡¯s a good n but that good n could also get Ashal killed because it depends a lot on just you. Things are likely to go wrong if you try to save Ashal all by yourself." I ce both hands on her shoulders to assure her. "I know how you feel. Thankfully, I managed to pick up a few things during my time at the mansion. I learnt to never bank on one n. The more backup ns you have, the higher your chances at sess."


    "You have a backup n?"


    "Three, actually."


    "Do they all ensure that Ashal gets rescued faster than n A?"


    "With the element of surprise in y? Certainly."


    Now, Maddi gazes at me like I am her heroine. "I want to hear it all, NOW."


    I recall a few lessons I have learnt from the Rollins family. Brett has taught me to always stay one step ahead of my enemies by always covering my base and making it extremely difficult for them to poke holes in my defense. Mother has taught me quiet strength. Although she appears to be the weakest link in the house, she has the Rollins men in the palm of her hands. Asher is very calctive and gives little room for emotions to drive his decisions or actions. Most times, that trait has made him a formidable threat.


    Ashley can be vtile because he switches back and forth between being the good guy and the guy who isn¡¯t afraid to do whatever it takes to get what he wants. Ashton is great at being unpredictable. Despite knowing his principles and temper, there¡¯s always a nagging fear that he won¡¯t conform or act the way you presume regarding any situation. He keeps you guessing and ends up surprising you all the time. Ashal doesn¡¯t instantly appear to be a threat. In fact, it¡¯s easy to let your guard down around him but when you get to know the differentyers to him, everything bes toote. He¡¯s just asplicated as the rest of his family.


    And me as a former member of that n? I don¡¯t stand out at all but I n to tap into each person¡¯s strength and switch between them as I go on. That will be my signature move as the former Demi Rollins.


    Before I can share n B with Maddi, Kat enters.


    "Why make us go through this n if you were just going to go behind our backs and do things differently?" A conspicuous frown creases her forehead as she hooks both hands on her hips. "I don¡¯t get it, Demi."


    "I needed to rub minds with more like-minded people in other to flesh out my other ns, Kat. This was no waste of time. Each one of us has peculiar strengths that can be harnessed to hasten things up and I intend to take advantage of it all. How else could I have known about Skr¡¯s postcards?" I beam at her. "I¡¯m not doing this all by myself anymore. I want a team with the best people at the helm. Would you like to hear how you and Maddox fit in?"


    She shrugs her shoulders. "Sure. Lay it on me."


    After I am finished, they help me make a few tweaks to solidify our chances.


    "I¡¯ll get started with my sister." Maddi quips. She kisses my left cheek. "I¡¯ll call when she takes the bait." She dashes out in a hurry.


    "I better go help my brother investigate the postcards." Kat says with a smile. "What about my mum and your uncle."


    "The less they know for now, the better for them. I think us younger folks can handle this."


    She nods in agreement. "Why do I feel like there¡¯s another n fermenting in your head that you aren¡¯t inclined to share with the rest of us?" She doesn¡¯t give me time to answer. "You know what? I¡¯d do the same if I were in your shoes. Go for it. Trust you to make the right decision." I watch her return to the living room. In the kitchen alone, I ease a hip on the oven and expel a deep breath.


    Am I a thousand percent certain things can still go wrong with multiple ns in ce? Yes. However, the chances are slimmer than with one n and that¡¯s good enough for me. I whip out my phone to make a call that will set my secret n in motion. Just like I expected, he answers.


    "You¡¯ve got some nerve, you know that?"


    "I don¡¯t like this anymore than you do but I need to talk to you, in person."


    He hesitates for a bit.


    "I¡¯ll send an address. Meet me there." The line cuts abruptly. So typical of him.


    ***


    Thirty minutester, I walk up to his car and slide into the passenger seat. Asher takes one good look at me and sighs.


    "What exactly is this about?"


    I turn to him. "I think you already know."


    "Quit the cryptic talk and get specific, Demi. I¡¯m not in the mood for jokes. In case you¡¯ve forgotten, my brother has been abducted and my family is about to be ruined on MY birthday in the hopes of getting him back. I don¡¯t have the time to y games with you!"


    "If you believed for a second that I truly did that to Ashal, I wouldn¡¯t be walking freely, Asher. I know that much about you. You didn¡¯t buy into that fake video or the call I was forced to make to Ashton. That¡¯s why you have been uncharacteristically calm about getting back at me." He only looks away from me, proving my point. "Anyway, I¡¯m not here to defend myself to you. I have a favor to ask."


    "About time." He mutters under his breath, then turns to me with a grim look. "I¡¯m not convincing Ashton of your innocence."


    "Good. I don¡¯t need your help with that."


    "Then why the fuck are you in my car, Demi? Out with it!"


    "I recognized the people you nted at Liam¡¯s and I¡¯m going to tell your sister about them."


    His eyes get hooded. "Why?"


    Again, the dyedsh out surprises me. "Because I need to deceive her to move Ashal out of Liam¡¯s guarded housest minute. With so many eyes outside, they wouldn¡¯t have time to drag security along to Ashal¡¯s new location. If they do, I¡¯ll need you to be prepared to rescue your brother instead." I proceed to give him details of my ns before he can demand for them.


    "Asher, if we¡¯re going to rescue your brother and stop Liam and Skr all in the nick of time, there isn¡¯t a better way than for us to work together. By us, I mean your family has to cooperate with me and my people. I know they don¡¯t want anything to do with me right now so I¡¯m going to need you to pass along my ns. They¡¯ll y along if they believe it¡¯s your idea."


    He taps his fingers impatiently on his steering wheel as he ponders on it.


    "Asher, I can¡¯t fight billionaires with just my might. I know that much. You have the men and the money at yourmand. Things would be faster and easier with your support. Do I even have to stress that?"


    "Do you honestly think I don¡¯t already have ns to rescue my brother?"


    "I know you do but doing it your way will be riskier. Skr and Liam are heavily expecting a rescue mission from you and your family. They don¡¯t necessarily suspect the people on MY team or expect us to join forces with the Rollins family. That¡¯s how we get Ashal back safely, by working together secretly. Skr also joined forces with Liam to execute their shared goal. Alone, she couldn¡¯t havee this far. Why can¡¯t we do the same?"


    I can tell he concurs with my words but he remains hesitant.


    "What I want to know is why you¡¯re helping us in the first ce, Demi. I know this goes beyond what you feel for Ashton. You¡¯ve earned the right to desire our destruction so why are you the captain of the ship that¡¯s meant to save us? Enlighten me."


    I huff out a breath. "I am doing this for me first before anyone else, Asher. I don¡¯t know how your family copes with all the guilt from your past actions but I can¡¯t live with mine knowing I led Liam here. This isn¡¯t the justice I set out to achieve with him. He¡¯s be the monster he was supposed to fight. I need to stop him before things get out of hand." I lock eyes with Asher. "Your family still deserve to pay for everything you¡¯ve done and in time, you will but not like this."


    He says nothing for a while.


    "Did you have to involve so many people in these ns of yours?"


    "Yes, I had to. I needed and still need help bringing the truth to light. They¡¯re not just random people. They¡¯re my family and I trust them. You know all about trusting family, don¡¯t you?"


    "Well, they better not screw this up is all I¡¯m saying."


    "With a little luck, Ashal will be home in time to cut his birthday cake." I assure him, borrowing Maddi¡¯s words. "And you¡¯ll have the real culprit on your hands; your little sister."


    If I ever saw Asher express some fear, this was the moment. Something strange moves over his face at my words. He isn¡¯t excited about busting his sister for some reason. I would expect that from Ashton but Asher? Unbelievable.


    "I¡¯ll take it up from there. Is that all?"


    "Yes." I unlock the car, get down and shut it.


    "Demi?"


    "Mhmm?" I hum in reply.


    "Ashton will be at the..."


    "I¡¯ll see you all at the party. Got it." I cut him off. I don¡¯t need to know where Ashton will be at. I want to face him after Ashal is safely returned home. Until then, I am not interested in pleading my case in futility.


    I watch Asher struggle to say whatever else is on his mind. Finally, he caves. "Don¡¯t wear that damn dress to our party. I¡¯m not sharing all that media attention with you." The car roars to life as he zooms off. A hint of a smile ys on my face. Did he just make an attempt at humor?


    I stop by the Spellman mansion on my way back, clutching a bouquet of flowers. The security gives me a hard time before clearing me in. The tasteful furnishing and luxurious appeal of the home is lost on me as I make my way to the living room where Mr. Spellman awaits me. I know a lot goes on behind the walls of families like this. I am just not swooned by such grand mansions anymore.


    I spot a brte in a bikini walking away just as I enter.


    "This is a surprise, Demi Rollins." Mr. Hugh utters, reclining on his chair.


    "Actually, it¡¯s Demi Branson now." I ept the seat he offers with azy gesture of his hand.


    He scoffs at my reply. "I¡¯d never invite you into my home if I thought you were just Demi Branson. This is the first time you¡¯re visiting me. It¡¯s either has to do with my son whom you¡¯re working with to exact justice or it has to do with your inws. Which is it?" He eyes the flowers in my hands. "Is that all Brett sends to appeal to my son¡¯s conscience?" He throws his head back andughs. "How broke he must be."


    "This isn¡¯t from my former inws or about them. This is about Liam and by extension, your family¡¯s reputation."


    Now, the humor drains from his face. "What do you mean by that?"


    "Firstly, these flowers are in honor of yourte wife¡¯s death anniversary. Please ept them from me in good faith. I don¡¯t know the address to the ce where she¡¯s buried so I brought them here instead."


    The gesture disarms him as he receives the flowers with unsteady hands. "How¡¯d you know?"


    "It¡¯s online."


    "Oh. Thank you." A domestic staff hustles forward and relieves him of the bouquet.


    "Contrary to what you might believe, I am not working with your son, at least not anymore. I backed out a few days back but Liam went rogue and turned on me. He¡¯s currently ckmailing me to do his bidding by threatening Ashal Rollins¡¯ life. Are you aware of that?" I pass my phone so he can watch the video.


    Seeing his son¡¯s guilt unequivocally disyed in the video makes him clench his jaw. I am certain he knows where I am going with all this.


    "I understand Liam is still hurting from the loss of his mother. I lost my parents too and I know all about that pain. I also know about the wing need to avenge the death of loved ones. As someone who has been down that road and back, I tried to tell Liam that revenge when served isn¡¯t all it¡¯s cut out to be. If he continues down this path, he¡¯ll drag his family down with him."


    Hugh returns my phone. "Are you threatening me?"


    "Of course not. I am only here to warn you of the consequences that would follow if you don¡¯t stop him now. Spellman Group might be topping the leaderboard right now and dominating the stock market but don¡¯t forget the Rollins family were once there. A little leak and it all came crashing down. Right now, Liam¡¯s home is about to be raided by the authorities in search of Ashal Rollins. Imagine the headlines if it makes the news tomorrow that Ashal Rollins was found almost beaten to death in your son¡¯s basement? Your family¡¯s image will be tarnished and everything you¡¯re enjoying now will disappear in a sh. Is that what you want?"


    "Brett has already seen this video? He is sending the authorities to my son¡¯s house?"


    "No, he hasn¡¯t but he strongly suspects Liam. Can you me him? I¡¯m telling you that he has finalized ns to make the raid but I don¡¯t just want you to alert Liam. I need you to make him realize it¡¯s time to count his losses. If he persists with the war he¡¯s raging using Billion-Err, it will certainly backfire. Billion-Err was built upon exposing the ugly truth billionaire families sweep under the rug. Liam is now manipting it and spinning unfounded stories just for clout. He¡¯s telling bits about my parents¡¯ story that never happened and I won¡¯t stand for it. That¡¯s not how I want to get justice." I rise to my feet. "I¡¯ve never seen my former inws more resolute about pay back. They¡¯ll hit you when you least expect it. It¡¯s best to stop your son now before he crumbles the empire you¡¯ve built because he can¡¯t get his emotions in check."


    When I turn to leave, M is in the doorway with folded arms. I walk up to her and halt.


    "Thanks for the flowers...and the tip off." She whispers to me.


    "Don¡¯t thank me yet. If you sit idly and watch your brother hurt people unjustly in the guise of avenging yourte mom, you¡¯re no better than the evil people you¡¯ve convinced yourself he¡¯s stomping out. Maybe it¡¯s something to do with the air billionaire families breathe but I¡¯vee to realize they all have secrets that can topple their lives." I lock eyes with her. "Don¡¯t wait till the damage is irreparable. Save Liam from himself."


    She follows me outside.


    "Are you just saying all this because you fell in love with Ashton and forgot all they did to you?"


    "Forget?" I reiterate, anger sizzling in my eyes. "How could I ever forget, M? Which part? The image of the mangled bodies of my parents crushed in that elevator still haunts my dreams. I get chills when I hear the cry of babies because it reminds me of the one that was ripped from my womb. I could go on about the injustices that the Rollins family have meted out to me. Forgiveness didn¡¯te easily even after I fell in love with Ashton, M. I wish it did but it didn¡¯t. <i>I chose to forgive</i> because holding onto the pain and the drive for revenge was killing me. For six years, I felt like I hadn¡¯t moved an inch from where I was after I got informed of my parents¡¯ death. I felt stuck in a whirlwind of revenge. I hated the person I became just to teach that family a lesson. THAT Demi was unrecognizable by her loved ones, including the very people she sought to avenge."


    I dry the tears from my eyes. "The more I tried to avenge my parents, the harder it got to be myself. I cultivated habits I wasn¡¯t proud of just to keep up with my plot. I drowned in pain every day trying to convince myself that I was doing the right thing. Here¡¯s the truth, M. If I hadn¡¯t gone on that spree, I wouldn¡¯t have added a failed marriage, a brutal miscarriage or a hopeless love story to the list of my pains. That¡¯s why I know that Liam is making a mistake by trying to y the Punisher. His pain will only grow. His losses will rack up and for what? Do you think your mom is jumping for joy seeing him doing all this in the name of avenging her? I know mine would want me to move on with my life, to be happy. To not live in constant fear because of the toes I have stepped on."


    M says nothing in reply.


    "Unforgiveness is a disease, M. It eats deep into you the longer you hold onto it. I didn¡¯t forgive that family because Ashton apologized on their behalf. I FORGAVE THEM FOR ME! I did it for my sanity, and it¡¯s okay if nobody understands how difficult and yet important that decision was for me. I¡¯m choosing to let thew and karma do their thing rather than soiling my hands and my life trying to do their job for them. Eventually, Karma gets her way. When that happens, maybe I¡¯ll heal a bit but till then, I¡¯m choosing to live. If you truly care about your brother, you¡¯d save him before he¡¯s lost forever."


    I turn around and walk away without looking back.

 Chapter 171

    <h4>Chapter 171: Chapter 171</h4>


    ASHAL


    I have been slipping in and out of consciousness all day. Each time my eyelids fluttered open amidst my drowsiness, Skr was either walking away after leaving me some food or after recing my bandages with fresh ones. I struggled to keep my eyes open each time because I wanted to get a better look at her face. She has the cutest freckles I have seen and up close, her blonde hair has tints of grey at the tips.


    I bat my eyelids open again after what seems to be hours of sleep and realize I am in a proper room, and on a bed. The lights are turned on low. From a small window, I can see dusk on the horizon. With some effort and a stab of pain shooting up my spine, I heft myself into a sitting position. I ignore the fact that my right hand is handcuffed to the bed and concentrate on the window, and the balmy breeze whistling outside.


    How long have I been away from my family? Has my birthday passed or not? My memory keeps getting all jumbled up because of the stuff they kept injecting into my bloodstream through syringes while I was in the basement. Though it helped numb the pain all over my body for a few hours, I hope all that is over now.


    My mind drifts to my family and how they must be coping. How¡¯s mother holding up? I wish I could assure her that I am okay. I wish I could calm her nerves. And my brothers? I hope they¡¯re being strong.


    I¡¯m certain father is holding up well. He must me me for being gullible and visiting the same family he tried to warn me against. Anyway, I can¡¯t deny how right he was. I shouldn¡¯t have gone to see Maddi just to escape from my thoughts being haunted by Demi¡¯s words about my sister.


    It¡¯s terribly ironical that the same sister is now punishing me. Why though? Why does she hate my brothers and I so much? Did someone poison her heart towards us during her childhood? I don¡¯t just get it.


    Though hearing about her existence felt like a lie at first, my brothers and I have been thrilled at the discovery. We¡¯ve looked forward to spoiling our baby sister with all the good things if life she never had as a child. We¡¯ve mapped out strategies to keep her safe. We¡¯ve loved her from a distance without necessarily knowing the full story about her so why is the feeling not mutual when ites to Skr? Why does she bear a toxic grudge against us that¡¯s so strong she¡¯s prepared to end my life without batting an eye?


    A small movement in the shadows tell me that I am not alone. I blink severally, trying to make out the silhouette of a person standing by the door, watching me intently. Something about the stillness and the grim stance gives off a coldness that I havee to associate with my estranged sister.


    "Are you just going to stand there? Come forward, Sky. I also have a lot to get off my chest."


    She flicks on the light to a higher setting, revealing herself. She¡¯s not by the door after all, but lounging on the chair close to it. Her legs are crossed. Her eyes are frosty. She inclines her head with a slight curve of her mouth.


    "Tell me," I begin, propping my back up against the bed frame. "What¡¯s on your mind."


    "Call me Sky again and you won¡¯t live to find out."


    Though she literally just threatened my life, I can¡¯t help but stifle a smile. "I¡¯m sorry."


    She scoffs at that.


    "May I call you Skr?"


    She gets on her feet but doesn¡¯t take a step forward. "No, just shut up and go back to sleep before you piss me off enough to lure Ashley to join you here." She sucks in her teeth. "It¡¯s amazing how much the Rollins quads care for each other without giving a flying fuck about others. I called him from your phone while you were knocked out, you see. Even though he knew it was likely a trap, he was prepared toe meet me. Can you imagine the sentimental buffoon?" She cackles loudly.


    "He wasn¡¯t necessarilying for me. It¡¯s <i>you</i> he wanted to see." I exin Ashley to her as I realize my brothers must be aware of Skr¡¯s true identity. Skr isn¡¯t touched by the import of my words.


    "Oh, he¡¯ll see me really soon but it¡¯s not going to be the reunion he¡¯s hoping for."


    "Why do you hate us so much?" I query her. She pauses on her way out of the door, her fingers balling into tight fists. "We literally just learnt about your existence a couple months back but we were thrilled about the change, about having a little sister. You seem to have known about us all your life and yet all you feel for your siblings is deep hatred. I just want to know why."


    She turns to me. "How did youe to find out about me?"


    The question catches me off guard because it¡¯s not what I expected she¡¯d pick up from everything I just said. Her curious eyes darken to suspicion as she approaches me.


    "HOW???"


    "It¡¯s a littleplicated. One of us kept getting what we assumed were prank calls telling us we had a biological sister. This was shortly after we learnt about our adoption. The stranger kept leaving us crumbs and it led right to a farmhouse where you apparently lived as a foster child." The arch of her eyebrow denote recognition as she continues to listen to my story.


    "Ashton met a guy there, Keith. The rest is history, I guess."


    "Keith told you about me? No way! He wouldn¡¯t..." she shakes her head, struggling to ept the betrayal.


    "Apparently, he didn¡¯t. You are not the sister he presented to us. He lied to us. Her name¡¯s Adriana. For thest two months we¡¯ve held her in our hearts and nned our lives around that face. I don¡¯t know why he did that to us despite our best intentions or why you..." I trail off when she bursts into augh. She cackles for a bit but when she finishes, the anger seeps back into her face.


    "You¡¯re just like that father of yours. You lie so smoothly. You almost had me convinced."


    "What are you talking about?"


    "You don¡¯t know why I despise you? Really, brother? What are you going to say next? You don¡¯t know why your ex-wife offered you up on a silver tter or why the entire nation loathes your family right now? You don¡¯t know what happened to Liam¡¯s mum or Demi¡¯s parents? You don¡¯t know about Halle too?" She tugs on her hair. "And Lily, your faithful housekeeper? Will you tell me you don¡¯t remember her too? Are you kidding me?"


    She grows even more upset with how confused I look. My mind is racing. Lily? Lily is a part of this? Even Halle, our domestic staff at the mansion? My heart skips with fear. Mother trusts Halle blindly. Who knows what Halle¡¯s been up to this whole time. But the growing list of people who have been hurt by my family makes me feel ashamed. How have we managed to inflict pain on others and gloss over it so much that we can¡¯t even recognize when our victims are around us?


    Skr sits at the end of my bed. "This denial right here is all the proof I need to know that though you might look like the man who fathered me, you¡¯re NOT my blood. Family runs deeper than that. You are Brett¡¯s minion through and through. Everything you and your brothers say or do is reminiscent of the devil who raised you."


    I grind my teeth in annoyance. "Couldn¡¯t the same be said of you? Is it right to assume that my biological father who raised you is vengeful and vile because that¡¯s all I¡¯ve seen from you?" I anticipate the fist before it connects with my sore nose. Blood dribbles down from the fresh bruise.


    "Watch your mouth! You¡¯ll not speak of my father, you hear me?"


    I wipe the blood off with my left hand. "God, you punch really well for a girl."


    Another uppercut follows through with more blood spills. I get it. She has lived a hard life and obviously learnt how to protect herself.


    "You¡¯re really asking for it, aren¡¯t you?" She surges to her feet and stomps towards the door.


    "YOU ARE RIGHT." I call after her. "You are NOT my sister. I grew up in a particr household with my brothers. For almost twenty-six years, we didn¡¯t know anything about you or our biological parents. That¡¯s our excuse for taking so long to find you. But you? You knew about us the whole time but you never tried to reach out or to tell us the truth about our real parents. Still, you hate us because of the man who raised us. You me us for things we knew nothing about." I struggle to sit up straight and instantly regret it when a riot of painful sensations make themselves known all around my body.


    "If the roles were reversed and you had been taken from us in your infancy, we¡¯d go to the ends of the earth to find and bring you back. We wouldn¡¯t me you for not having a choice as a baby. We wouldn¡¯t ¡¯punish¡¯ you because you loved and trusted the only family you¡¯ve ever known. All that will matter is that we have the same blood in our veins. "I sh my bloody palm at her for dramatic effect. "But you¡¯re not my sister anymore than Adriana is. If this is all you are or a reflection of who our real father is, then maybe my brothers and I are better off being the Rollins¡¯ quads."


    Thest bit pisses her off. Isn¡¯t that what she¡¯s been saying? Why does it sting when I affirm your words?


    "I was right when I told him his sons died the night they were taken." She mutters through gritted teeth. "I told him it was useless pining for you bastards!" Tears shimmer in her eyes. Though she refrains from saying anything further, I help finish her thoughts.


    "You¡¯re all he has. You¡¯re the only child he should have been focused on and not the ones he lost." Her eyes sh at me as though I just read her mind.


    Is that it? Did our biological father neglect her all these years while mourning the loss of his sons? Is that part of the reason she hates us?


    Skr blinks away the tears. "You want to know why I am not giving you hugs after years of our separation? Because I don¡¯t consider myself as having siblings. You are all dead to me! That blood means nothing when your entire essence and character scream of Brett¡¯s influence. You are nothing like the man who gave you life and I will not let you or your brothers taint his memory and legacy."


    "Then you shouldn¡¯t have dragged us into this fight. You only blew the lid off your secret life and the rtionship we share. Now, you can¡¯t go back to being unknown after this and we certainly can¡¯t pretend you don¡¯t exist."


    A soft knock on the door is followed by Olivia walking in. Skr gives her a quick once-over.


    "You¡¯re early."


    Olivia adjusts her sunsses. "I need to clear up a few things with him. It¡¯s of a personal nature." She closes a hand over her baby bump for emphasis.


    "One second." Skr tells her before turning back to me. Whatever emotion I almost pulled from her with my words arepletely gone now.


    "I know I can¡¯t go back to being unknown after this. I don¡¯t intend to. I¡¯m done living in fear of Brett Rollins. Anyway, I wanted to reveal myself while giving your family exactly what you deserve since Karma seems to be under your payroll as well. Don¡¯t worry about me, Ashal. If things go south which I highly doubt, I¡¯m very good at hiding. I¡¯ve been doing that my whole life but you know what I¡¯m even better at? It¡¯s giving my enemies the idea that I am not that big of a threat. They fall for it every time, dismissing me as weak." She chuckles. "You think I don¡¯t know about the fake neighbors your parents hired to keep watch on Liam¡¯s house or the moves Demi has been making to save your ass? I just love it when people think they¡¯re in control only to get their bubbles busted when they least expect it."


    Her smile dries up as she looks at me. "Like the way you think you have me all figured out right now or the way Demi thinks Ick the heart to truly take your life." She retreats towards the door without taking her eyes off me, then stands next to Olivia. "People continue to think less of me, giving me a rare opportunity to blow their minds. That right there is my super power. Isn¡¯t that right, Madeline Dunn?"


    I crane my neck to Olivia and instantly gasp at the shock written all over her face. I see it now. The lips. The sses inside the house were to hide her eyes which are different from her sister¡¯s. Even the baby bump is slightly smaller than Olivia¡¯s at the moment.


    Skr yanks off the fake belly strapped around Madeline.


    "You must be really stupid to not do your research beforeing here to pose as your sister. I just spoke with her an hour ago and she¡¯s out of town. She never visits my prisoner without informing me first." She whacks Maddi in the face, causing her to fall over.


    "MADDI!" I tried to go for her but get stopped when my handcuffed wrist snaps me back and burns with pain. Crap, I need the damn drugs.


    Skr¡¯s eyebrows nt up. "You should be ashamed." She snaps at me. "She¡¯s your pregnant ex-wife¡¯s little sister and you let yourself think of her in that way?" When Maddi tries to fight back, she sadly realizes Skr is too strong for her.


    "Please, your fight is with me. Let her go." I beg.


    But Skr continues to yank Maddi¡¯s hair. "She just joined the party all by herself."


    In one move, Maddi slips something out of her shoe and shoves it under Skr¡¯s arm. The taser makes Skr jerk and sputter like a car engine until she passes out cold on the floor. Maddi rises, flinging her disheveled hair out of her face like a diva.


    She waves the taser at me. "I could have taken her down easily but I yed her game and made her believe I was weaker. Her dropping her guard down around me made the sudden surprise of this bad boy more epic."


    I shoot her a warm smile. "Cool. Are you okay though?"


    "Yeah. You should see the other girl."


    "Please, could you check on her?"


    Maddi tries to rouse Skr. "I think she¡¯ll be out for a bit but her pulse is strong. Don¡¯t worry. Your crazy sister will be fine." She shoves the taser back in her boot, retrieves the key to the handcuffs and runs to me. Her arms wrap around my body as she pulls me into a hug.


    "Ouch."


    "Sorry. I¡¯m so sorry." She leaves little kisses all around my bruised face. "Look what they did to you. Poor baby. Why did this have to happen right after you got your condition in check. ck out Ashal would have busted his way out a long time ago..."


    I ignore her humor and cup her face with my hands. "Maddi, you shouldn¡¯t havee here. That was too risky."


    "I had to. I couldn¡¯t stand you being hurt or even killed. I could never recover from that." Heavy emotions flit across her eyes. She leans forward and kisses me softly on the lips. "I¡¯m getting you out of here. It¡¯s all Demi¡¯s n. I made Liv suggest to Skr that you be moved from Liam¡¯s ce. Demi worked on getting Liam¡¯s dad to call him off his revenge plot by telling them how your family was nning to invade Liam¡¯s house with FBI agents to rescue you. Thankfully, there¡¯s no one else here but Skr. Then, I made Liv travel to..." I capture her lips with mine, tugging her close against my aching body. The pain I formerly felt is lost on me now. Maddi is all the drug I need.


    "Thank you for loving me back. I mean that."


    She smiles sheepishly. "Let¡¯s get you out of here."


    She helps me to my feet. When we get to Skr, her breath is shallow.


    "What are you doing?" I panic when Maddi starts pulling Skr by her legs.


    "Give me a sec." I watch her heft Skr onto the bed and cuff her the same way I had been cuffed. "Someone wille get her in a few minutes."


    "We can¡¯t leave her here..." I begin to protest but she hushes me.


    "It¡¯s okay, Ashal. She won¡¯t be harmed but we can¡¯t let her escape either, not after everything she¡¯s done." Maddi gives her a pitiful nce. "I bet you don¡¯t want her slinking back into the shadows again. Asher too. He¡¯sing himself to move her somewhere safe until the party fiasco is over. Then you all can decide what needs to be done about her. For now, my priority is getting you home."


    When we shove the door open, we almost bump into someone behind it. Our eyes simultaneously widen with shock but only Maddi has the courage to speak first.


    "Liv?"

 Chapter 172

    <h4>Chapter 172: Chapter 172</h4>


    ASHTON


    The D-day is finally here. I wake up with the nastiest hangover I ever had in a while. It takes an hour for the world to stop spinning and for the banging inside my head to stop. I contemte staying in bed for the better part of the morning but decide against it the second I open my blinds and see the madness downstairs. Mother is in full party nning mode, supervising the arrangements she had already made.


    As usual, the courtyard has been transformed. There are so many uniformed people moving furniture, making decorations etc. It irks me to see the over-the-top decorations that had been made just to please Demi. Some of the media personnel are already in thepound, filming the scene. I grit my teeth as my rage bubbles hot. I won¡¯t be able to stay here. I¡¯ve got to go somewhere to clear my head before the party tonight.


    Three hourster, I find myself behind the wheels of Ferrari, taking off my hand gloves and gnashing my teeth over the race I just lost by a wide margin. I am too embarrassed and disappointed in myself to bother asking for a rematch to prove any point. I know for certain that I will lose again. I can me it on being scatterbrained but that has never stopped the best racers. They never let their moods fuck up their race. That is something I am yet to learn.


    When my eyes flick to my wrist watch, it¡¯s still a few hours before the party kicks off. I put my foot back on the gas and honk three times. When my opponent does the same, I know he¡¯s cool with a rematch. This time, I intend to win.


    We return to the start of the line, revving our engines as the countdown begins. At the sound of the gunshot, I whiz across the tracks like the life of a loved one depended on it. For the most part, the world skipping by me felt like a blur. I pummel the steering wheel in anger when unweed thoughts start to filter into my head again.


    I just want to forget about everything that¡¯s been happening in my lifetely. However, it feels especially difficult to do that today. I can¡¯t seem to stop beating myself up about the roles I yed to make such a sad day happen for my family. I hurt Demi¡¯s parents. I married her and brought her into my family. I failed to protect her during her time as the daughter-inw of our family. In a way, I created the monster she has be. Now, she¡¯s punishing me by going after the people I care about.


    My inside voice begins to chide me. "Get over yourself, Ashton. Did you really think she was going to let all that pain go just because of the butterflies you gave her stomach? Did you think loving her was ever going to be enough to save her from the drowning pain of losing her family? She was already lost before you met her at the Blue Cave. Nothing and absolutely no onees before her revenge. Stop making the mistake of forgetting that bitter truth."


    I jerk back to reality with the roar of cheers and apuse in the air just as I cross the finish line. I won? Like hell. I swing the car to the right, jump down and storm to my opponent¡¯s car, tapping on the window.


    "A word?"


    When he gets down, his helmet is still on. At my behest, he takes it off. The first thing I notice is the tumble of lush brown hair, cascading over her shoulders. Well, that stings.


    "Congrattions." Thedy tells me, offering a slender, well-manicured hand.


    "I wanted a fair race. Do you think I am stupid? I was distracted the whole time and did even worse than thest race. You practically let me win."


    She winces a bit. "It¡¯s your birthday, isn¡¯t it? Consider that my gift to you."


    Frowning, I make way for the bleachers. Being won by M never stung like the way I feel right now over this stranger. Maybe it¡¯s time to go home before more people get on my already raw nerves.


    At home, I manage to weasel my car into thepound because our property is crawling with uninvited guests lounging in their cars outside the gate. Even Demi¡¯s aunt and her daughter keep screaming on top of their lungs that they are rtives of our family as Duncan and his men start to chase them away.


    Cameras sh in my face as I get down from my minivan and make my way into the house, stifling the urge to smash a face or two the whole time.


    "You¡¯re back." Mother says bright-eyed. "The party starts in less than three hours."


    I give her a forehead kiss. "I know, mother. You should get a nap before then. You look stressed." My eyes scan the area, slightly ufortable with the over-the-top decorations that make our living area far from recognizable. "You outdid yourself, huh?"


    She shrugszily. "I don¡¯t know how tonight will go but when it makes the news, they shouldn¡¯t be able to fault my party d¨¦cor at the very least." She offers a thin smile. Behind her, I spot Anna and two other strangers conversing while they assist some of our domestic staff with finishing touches.


    "She¡¯s been very helpful today." Mother whispers, following my eyes. "I wasn¡¯t sure whether she came to help out of the goodness of her heart or because Demi needed eyes in here. Either way, she¡¯s been really sweet and helpful."


    "And the other two unfamiliar faces next to her?"


    "Oh, that¡¯s Kat and her brother, Maddox. Their mother works at the HQ. ording to Anna, Demi wants them here. Said she needs to be able to look around and spot familiar faces that aren¡¯t braying for her blood at this party."


    "She what?"


    As if she can hear us, Anna beams at me and waves. I ignore her. There¡¯s no reason to be mad at her just because of her affiliation to Demi. Yet, I find myself struggling to rein in my anger. How the hell am I supposed to be civil around Demi when shees in as my date if I can¡¯t keep it together?


    Mother¡¯s hand on my chest snaps me out of it.


    "Any word about Ashal? Asher isn¡¯t taking my calls. I don¡¯t know if he already left to try and save Ashal." I pull her close and kiss her hair.


    "Asher¡¯s working on it. He will return with Ashal, okay? We already have Ashal¡¯s outfit picked out, remember? Don¡¯t worry." I leave her and head straight for Anna who drops what she¡¯s doing and meets me halfway.


    "What¡¯s with thest-minute invite?"


    "Demi wanted..."


    "Cut the crap. Where is she?" Anna is visibly taken aback by my harshness. "Where is Demi? She has no right to do as she pleases at MY party without running it by me first. She won¡¯t even let me talk to my brother and here she is, sneaking more people into my party to spy on my family?"


    "Ashton, we¡¯re not spying on anyone..."


    "Save it." I whip out my phone and hastily scroll to find and unblock Demi¡¯s number. When I dial it, it¡¯s switched off. "ssic Demi Branson." I jam my phone back into my pocket and re at Anna. "Tell your best friend that I won¡¯t be making any confessions until I see and speak to Ashal, got it? We¡¯ve done everything she¡¯s asked. She has to keep her own side of the bargain or the show won¡¯t go on."


    "Ashton!"


    I crane my neck as Asher enters. He briefly hugs mother, apologizes before hurrying towards me.


    "Enough. You don¡¯t have to be rude to her. She¡¯s <i>not </i>Demi." He goes to stand next to Anna who feels relieved to be defended. Mother edges close to put out the fire before we give the reporters the heated appetizer they¡¯ve been yearning for.


    "That¡¯s okay, everyone. Let¡¯s all retire to our rooms and get freshened up for the party." She implores me with her eyes.


    "I¡¯m sorry." I apologize to Anna before leaving for my room.


    "Where¡¯s Ashal?" I query Asher the second he walks into my room. "Tell me he¡¯s safe."


    Wordlessly, Asher taps his phone and shes it at me. Joy floods my chest when I see Ashal sleeping soundly in what appears to be a hotel room. Doctor Ezra and a nurse are hunched over, checking his vitals. He has clean bandages wrapped around his injuries and it appears he¡¯ll be fine after all. By his side, I spot his hand intertwined with Madeline¡¯s who¡¯s seated next to his bed, watching him sleep.


    "He needs rest." Asher informs me. "If he feels up to it and shows upter, good. However, I won¡¯t jeopardize his health by forcing him to make an early appearance at this birthday party."


    I dab my teary eyes. "That¡¯s such a relief." Then sink on my bed. "What¡¯s the status on Liam, Demi and Skr? They must know by now that we¡¯ve rescued Ashal and they¡¯ve lost their leverage on us."


    Asher joins me on the bed. "Yeah. They¡¯re not so happy, especially after I abducted one of their own." Because his facecks the humor I expect from it, I instantly know whom he has in his custody.


    "How is she?"


    "Cranky. Aggressive like a wild animal. Feisty. Kind of reminds me of little Ashton, the hothead." He sighs deeply. "She¡¯s safe even if she doesn¡¯t know it yet. I need to get to the bottom of these stories regarding our biological parents and for that reason, father must not know of her existence or her location. I¡¯ll find a way to make her tell us all we need to know."


    "She appears to be a tough shell to chip. That might take..."


    "Weeks? Months? I¡¯m good with that. Gives us more time to catch up with her." We exchange smiles at the fond thought. "Cheer up. There won¡¯t be any need for an awkward confession. This is our show now. Let¡¯s make merry."


    A thought crosses my mind. "We have the entire country at a standstill, Asher. There won¡¯t be another opportunity like this for us to clear the air regarding these usations." Asher¡¯s eyes are somber when I turn to him. "People hate us right now, and for good reason. I think our family needs to redeem itself."


    "How do you propose we do that?"


    I inhale deeply, wringing my hands. "Someone has to take responsibility for our wrongs. We¡¯ve hurt a lot of people. We can¡¯t gloss over their pain anymore."


    "Ashton, if you¡¯re thinking..."


    "I¡¯m going through with it, Asher." I cut him off. "This all began with me and it will end with me. If I take the fall, our victims will be appeased to a small extent. Then it will be up to the rest of you to do ALL you can to show your remorse and help the victims."


    "Help?" Asher leaps to his feet. "How do you help someone who lost loved ones because of you? What could we possibly do to make that right? Buy them a car, a house? Nothing will pacify them more than seeing ALL of us behind bars, Ash. Don¡¯t you get it? They won¡¯t be satisfied with just you! They¡¯d mor for our entire family to be incarcerated." He runs a hand through his blonde hair. "No. You¡¯re not doing that. Look, I understand, okay? I do now. We¡¯ll definitely make amends but I can assure you that what you want to do will not yield the result you¡¯re hoping for. Things will turn out much worse."


    "Then find a way, Asher. I¡¯m sick of the dirty looks we get, the curses whispered under their breaths. They¡¯ve vandalized all our offices. They say terrible things about us every day on the news. Today, we managed to get Ashal back. What if a fresh band of victims gang up against us again and try to hurt another family member? I¡¯m sick of this cycle. We need to break this streak."


    Asher rubs the tension off my shoulders. "We will. We just have to think it through so we don¡¯t end up making a sacrifice that won¡¯t appease our victims." He exhales. "I¡¯ll go check on Ashley. He¡¯s a little sad about Ni moving on. Everything will be fine. I need you to trust me and not do something rash. Can you promise me that?" When I don¡¯t respond, his voice cranks up a notch. "ASHTON!"


    "Ok. Ok. I hear you."


    He taps my back before heading for the door. There, he stops. "Oh, Ash?"


    "Yeah?"


    "Try to keep it together around Demi. You don¡¯t have to be nice to her but at least be...civil."


    I arch a brow at him. "Since when did you care about her feelings?"


    "I don¡¯t. I just don¡¯t want more drama than we already have on our hands." With that, he walks away.


    I go freshen up and put on the custom outfit Ashley made for us allst minute. Downstairs is a hive of entertainment as thepound is sprawling with guests in their pricey outfits. The red-carpet photos and interview sessions are in full swing.


    Asher informs us quads to meet for a photoshoot at our own red carpet. When I make my way there with the help of the bodyguards, a huge smile stretches my lips at the sight of Ashal draped in a custom suit like the rest of us. The telltale signs of his ordeal are artfully hidden under light makeup. I hug him carefully.


    "Are you strong enough for this, man? You went through hell." I whisper to him.


    "I¡¯ve missed you guys. Wanted to be a part of this memory however things go down tonight." He nces at each of us. "I¡¯ll hang around a bit and rest if I feel tired. Don¡¯t worry about me. I feel almost as good as I look. Plus, it¡¯ll only raise eyebrows if one brother is noticeably missing."


    "I¡¯m d you could make it." Ashley squeezes his hand.


    With the reporters scrambling for our attention and bright camera lights shing in our faces, we all take pictures tomemorate the beginning of our twenty-sixth birthday party.


    That¡¯s when she entered.

 Chapter 173

    <h4>Chapter 173: Chapter 173</h4>


    DEMI


    "What do you mean you¡¯re not going?" Anna reiterates my words in shock.


    "Exactly that. Ashal is back to his family. Skr¡¯s been stopped. Liam is...well royally pissed at me but what else is new?" I shove what was supposed to be my dress back into the closet and shut the door. "Skr was the one who was forcing me to attend the party. I have no reason to go there much less as Ashton¡¯s date. I¡¯ve had enough embarrassments tost me a lifetime. No need to add to the long list."


    Saying nothing, my best friend drops on the closest couch and stares intently at me while I fuss round the dresser, tidying up.


    "So, you believe you¡¯ve yed your part in assuaging your guilt and your mission to stop Liam isplete?"


    "It appears so." I try to grab my phone off the bedside drawer and knock it down identally. Anna arches her eyebrows at me.


    "You seem a little disoriented, don¡¯t you think?"


    "It¡¯s not polite to stare, Anna." I snap back.


    "I just don¡¯t understand why you¡¯d ask me, Kat and Maddox to go to the party when you weren¡¯t nning on attending yourself."


    "I know you want to be there, to see Asher." She doesn¡¯t even try to deny it. "I¡¯m sure he¡¯s still Asher but I can feel something simmering beneath the surface. Can¡¯t put a name on it yet but for the first time, I¡¯m starting to think he isn¡¯t..pletely hopeless. As for Kat and her brother, they¡¯re fans of the quads and would secretly loathe me if I didn¡¯t smuggle them into a high-profile party like that."


    Anna chooses to be understanding.


    "Ok. I get it. They¡¯ll be expecting you though. What do I say?"


    "Keep them expectant till they figure outter that I am a no-show."


    She inhales deeply, staring at me with warmth in her eyes. "So, what¡¯s next for Demi Branson?"


    What¡¯s next? If only I had the foggiest idea. I give her a thin smile before going into the bathroom to fend off the tears. Thest time I felt this empty and clueless about my life was when I lost my parents. I feel like I am dropping head first into a bottomless pit, too emotionally drained to scream for help. I slide to the floor of the bathroom, press my hands to my lips to stifle the moan of pain as misery overwhelms me.


    "Hey, are you okay in there?" Anna calls, knocking softly.


    "Yeah, I just need a minute." I mutter, then hate how spineless I sound. Before she can insist, her doorbell chimes. I expel a breath of relief when she leaves to get the door, while half-praying that the visitor isn¡¯t here for me. Anna doesn¡¯te back to me until after ten minutes. In that time, I manage to get the worst of my emotions under check.


    "Hey, Demi?"


    "Yeah?"


    "That was Kat and Maddox. They¡¯re off to the party."


    "Why aren¡¯t you leaving with them?"


    She says nothing until I unlock the door and find her poor attempt at taking off the beautiful dress Asher sent for her. "What do you think you¡¯re doing?" I zip her right back up and spin her towards me. "You¡¯re going to that party! You hear me?"


    "I¡¯m not leaving you like this. You¡¯re not fooling anyone with that brave face." She reaches for the diamond studs on her ears, still a gift from Asher, and grunts when I p her hands off them.


    "Don¡¯t make this harder for me, Anna. Staying back here to babysit me will only make me feel worse for ruining such a beautiful day for you. You deserve to be there. Asher will be expecting you."


    "And Ashton will be expecting you too."


    "Not for the same reasons." I grab her hand. "I can¡¯t do it, Anna. I am not in the right headspace to go over there. I DON¡¯T WANT TO." She must have seen the fear in my eyes because she pulls me into a hug that feels warm and safe. "I just need...I need some alone time. Please, I feel a bit lost and unsure of my next moves. I want to soak in the bathtub and convince myself that though it feels like I failed my parents by not avenging them, they¡¯re still proud of me."


    Anna¡¯s hands tighten around me. "Are you sure you don¡¯t want me here? I can be a fly on the wall while you process everything. I won¡¯t get in your way..."


    I ease back and beam at her misty eyes. "I¡¯ll be fine. Now, off you go. Have fun. I¡¯ll keep my phone close if you¡¯re worried."


    "Thanks. I¡¯ll call every hour for proof of life. Love you." She kisses my cheeks after I fix up her dress and hair, then dashes out.


    I wait until her Uber pulls away before locking myself in. The deafening silence hits me like a punch in the face. The emptiness I feel swaddles me. Why do I feel so hollow inside even after doing what I consider ¡¯the right thing¡¯?


    I spend the next two hours in the bathtub, toying with the idea of noting up to the surface each time I immerse myself in the foamy water. Wouldn¡¯t it be easier on my heart to go be with my parents? But each time I start choking under the water, I surge to the surface, not because of the few people who would be hurt by my suicide, but because I can¡¯t ept defeat like this.


    I went through hell and back to get here. Though it¡¯s not at all what I envisioned the AFTER would feel like, I certainly won¡¯t be a coward and take my own life. If all the pain I went through never drove me to the edge of that cliff, I don¡¯t think anything will at this point.


    Dressed in an oversized T-shirt with my hair freshly washed, I pull out a bottle of wine and a bucket of ice cream, unsure which way to go.


    Don¡¯t do it. Don¡¯t do it, my inside voice cautions me. Curiosity gets the better of me and before I can think better of it, I turn on the TV. The quads¡¯ birthday is on almost every news channel. The mansion is positively unrecognizable with borate decorations in ce.


    The quads are interviewed as a group and my heart thuds with joy at the sight of Ashal, safe and back with his family. The reporter teases about the big reveal but no brother takes the bait.


    I silently wonder what the big n is regarding the reveal, especially since we already diffused the threat. To smother the awkwardness of not getting his question answered, the reporter pushes with yet another ufortable question. This time, I abandon the bowl of ice cream for the bottle of wine.


    "It¡¯s slightly unusual to see the famous Danvarr quads unapanied by the best-looking women at any party, least of all at their own birthday party. Apart from Ashley who just went through a divorce, what¡¯s the update on the rtionship status of the rest of the quads? Will we be seeing anymore arranged marriages or what?" Stupidly, he shoves the microphone under Asher¡¯s mouth, nursing a big grin that nearly said, ¡¯I dare you to try to dodge this bullet.¡¯


    Asher only smiles but before he can answer the question, Ashton beats him to it by swiping the mic instead.


    "It¡¯s a shame that a reputable reporter like you who¡¯s privileged to have an audience with us is doing a poor job of asking the right questions. As everyone knows, this is more than just a birthday party to us. Though our personal lives are none of your business until we say otherwise, we¡¯re the least bit concerned about unting women on our arms tonight. That¡¯s not all we¡¯re about."


    "Exactly." Asher continues, steering the mic to himself almost as though he is afraid of Ashton saying something they¡¯ll all regret. "The only reason this party was organized this way was because it was our best shot at getting the people¡¯s attention in spite of everything going on, and not because we¡¯re insensitive to the situation around us." He gives his brothers a quick stare. "We do intend to address the rumors. In fact, we n to run a proper investigation of the allegations made in order to get to the bottom of things. We¡¯re not perfect and if our decisions and actions have caused unfavorable circumstances to anyone in anyway, we¡¯ll devote our time and resources to reach an amicable settlement and making things right as much as we can."


    The reporter looks slightly disappointed as the response wasn¡¯t what he set out to stir up from them. He bobs his head as an afterthought and congrattes them once more on their birthday. He scurries off to interview Kristy Randall and Josh, her son.


    The sound of my ringtone tears my eyes away from the party. I turn the TV off and instantly feel less tensed about everything. My phone rings just as I am shrugging into a shirt and jeans.


    "Where have you been. I called trice."


    "Calm down, Anna. I still have breath in my body."


    "Well, that¡¯s good to know. Changed your mind yet?" I sense a flicker of hope in her tone.


    "Nope."


    "Let me guess. You¡¯re drinking, aren¡¯t you?"


    I nce at the bottle that¡¯s half empty. "What? Are you the only ones entitled to make merry because you¡¯re at a party? I¡¯m having the time of my life here as well."


    "Take it easy, Demi. I¡¯ll be home as soon as its..."


    The sound of the doorbell interrupts our call.


    "My pizza¡¯s here. Got to go. Love you." I hang up and try not to feel bad about the lie. When the knock persists, loud and impatient, my heart skips a beat. Who could it be? Everyone I expect toe calling at this hour is at the quads¡¯ party. I sidle to the peephole and gasp in surprise at the visitor.


    "What are you doing here? Did your invite to the party get lost in the mail?"


    "I could ask you the same thing." Cree Baxter replies, struggling not to roll her eyes at me. "Look, I¡¯m not here on Liam¡¯s or Skr¡¯s behest."


    "Why? You got a new hirer for your versatile services?" When I start heading into the living area, she pulls me back.


    "I don¡¯t have time to banter with you, Demi. This is personal business, one that happens to be dear to my heart." Her seriousness captures my attention but I tread cautiously with her. For all I know, she could still be here to fulfil Skr or Liam¡¯s instruction which right now could be to poke holes in the false sense of security I feel for the Rollins¡¯ family.


    "I am not even going to bother asking how you found me. So, what is this really about, Cree?" Folding my arms across my chest, I ease my butt on the wall and re at her. Maybe this is part of the reason I¡¯ve been feeling quite uneasy, because everything isn¡¯tpletely over.


    "You wanted to know what Liam¡¯s got on me, right? Why I was doing his bidding vishly even though I had no bone to pick with the Rollins family? Well, it was never about him. It was between me and Skr. I did what she wanted."


    "Why?"


    She huffs out a breath, rubbing at her eyebrows. "It¡¯s because of my grandpa."


    "What?"


    "No, actually, he¡¯s not biologically rted to me but I don¡¯t consider him any less." With tensed shoulders, she moves to sit on the couch, holding her head in her hands. "I met this innocent old man a while back while volunteering at an Old age home. He was very high-spirited, funny, bubbly. Although he struggles with Alzheimer¡¯s, there are moments when he often shares detailed stories about his life, his children and even his grandchildren. When he does, his eyes light up. At first, I thought he was just making stuff up but there were days he would cry his eyes out over the death of his precious daughter-inw or panic over his son¡¯s safety."


    "Get to the point, Cree." I snap impatiently, unsure where the story is headed. Cree nces up at me.


    "The point is that he wasn¡¯t making stuff up, not the stories or the emotions. I know this because he never got the names wrong."


    "What names?"


    "The names of his grandchildren: Asher, Ashton, Ashley, Ashal and Skr Sawyer!"


    Now, I struggle to pick my jaw off the floor. "What are you saying right now?"


    Cree stands to emphasize her point.


    "How do you think I got to know so much about the quads¡¯ past, their adoption story and the death of their biological parents? Grandpops always confided in me during his lucid moments whenever I took him out for a stroll to get some fresh air or whenever I was reading to him. No one else cared to believe his stories so he grew fond of me because I never doubted him. I even showed him pictures of the quads one time to confirm my hunch. He clutched my iPad for dear life, sobbing over the pictures." Cree shakes her head. "I know I ckmailed Ashton with the information just to make some money at the time but grandpops is still dear to my heart. And right now, I fear for his safety."


    I sink into the couch to process everything. "So, you¡¯re certain that this old man is actually the grandfather of the quads?"


    "And Skr too. That¡¯s how I met her. She paid her grandfather a visit twice every month. When she saw how close I was to him and what I meant to him, she grew jealous. She started making threats about moving him to a distant elderly home and banning me from ever seeing him. Grandpops is like the only family I have and I couldn¡¯t lose him. So, I did whatever she asked. Skr acts like she doesn¡¯t give a shit about him but she actually does. It hurt her that he struggled to remember her name but always got mine."


    There again with Skr struggling to be ¡¯seen¡¯ by her own loved ones, just like Ashal exined.


    "Demi, I am justing from the Old age home and I was told grandpops was moved. I can¡¯t reach Skr and Liam is at the quads¡¯ party. I was hoping you could find a way to reach them? I just want to know where she¡¯s taken him. Please, I need to know he¡¯s safe. He¡¯s quite fragile and if he doesn¡¯t see me for a week, he gets cranky. Even if I never get to see him again, I¡¯d like to say a proper goodbye. Please, can you help me?"


    But my eyebrows are already nted in panic. "Cree, are you sure Skr is the only one who could have moved her grandfather?"


    "Yes. She threatened to do so. Maybe she followed through because she was mad that Ashal escaped"


    I shake my head while rising to my feet. "Why would she punish you for that? The whole escape n was MY idea and thedy who actually executed it has nothing to do with your grandpops. This isn¡¯t adding up."


    Cree¡¯s eyes widen with fear as she starts to see my point. "But, maybe Skr did it to punish her brothers..."


    "Brothers who have ZERO idea their grandfather still exists? I highly doubt that." I lock eyes with her. "Even if she thought it was a good leverage, Skr couldn¡¯t possibly have been able to arrange for the old man to be moved." I wait a beat before dropping the bombshell. "She¡¯s currently being kept safe at a secluded property downtown. She¡¯s got everything she needs to befortable except ess to a phone or sharp objects. No one even knows where she is. Cree, I don¡¯t think you and Skr are the only ones who knew about grandpa Sawyer. Is it possible...?"


    "Oh God." Cree gasps with blurry eyes. "Please Demi, we have to find him. You have to help me find him."


    "I wouldn¡¯t even know where to begin."


    Cree wipes her eyes. "We have to inform the quads. They¡¯ll definitely want to help. I know how invested they are in the truth about their past. Please, I am sure you can get into that party. You are on the guest list, aren¡¯t you?"


    "I can¡¯t..."


    "Yes, you can." We both turn to find Katherine at the door. I didn¡¯t even hear her open it.


    "Kat, what are you doing back here? Is the party over?"


    She walks in tentatively. "I had to tell you this in person but after hearing snippets of your conversation, I¡¯m convinced this is fate." She grabs my hands. "Demi, Maddox found out the identity of the person sending Skr the postcards." She slides a nce at Cree and then back at me. "I think you¡¯ll have to go to the party after all. Who else is better suited to give the quads¡¯ the biggest news of their lives by informing them that their biological grandfather AND father are still alive?"


    I stagger backwards in shock. "W-What?"

 Chapter 174

    <h4>Chapter 174: Chapter 174</h4>


    ASHTON


    "You actually won that race, you know? I don¡¯t understand why you want to believe you lost. I¡¯m not even a good racer myself. I took advantage of your distraction the first time but the second time, you were locked in. I don¡¯t know what you had going on in your head but you managed to cross that finish line before I could. That¡¯s the honest truth and if you bother to watch the rey, you¡¯d see it too. No foul y, just a fair game."


    I take a long sip of my champagne and wish I was anywhere else. In a different life and under different circumstances, being in Monaco¡¯s presence would have been a true delight. She¡¯s draped in a spiral dress, a nod to the iconic Parisian couture. With its thigh-high leg slit, elegant long skirt and cut-out spiral bodice that shows off her toned torso, it¡¯s the perfect mix of futuristic and elegant with a hint of sexy.


    But I am just in a bad mood generally. Between the tension of wondering what the night holds and anxiety for my loved ones, I can only keep my drink down and nothing else. I¡¯ve tried to avoid unnecessary media attention, disallowing interviews from reporters begging to talk to me and all. The only reason I am still listening to Monaco yap is because I don¡¯t want any reporters in my face.


    My eyes stray to the far end of the gate. Why isn¡¯t she here yet? Is this another one of her games? What has she got nned? Why am I even bothered? I take another long sip and frown on realizing my ss is empty. Before I can request for another, Monaco pulls a champagne flute off a tray being carried by one of the wait staff and offers it to me.


    "Thank you." I mutter before downing it in one gulp.


    "Whoa, easy."


    "Don¡¯t tell him what to do." M says, sidling up to us in a killer red dress that entuates her curves. She ces a gentle hand on my shoulder and beams at Monaco. "See those charming eyes, don¡¯t let them fool you. A storm¡¯s brewing behind them."


    "Why don¡¯t youdies catch up. Don¡¯t let me interrupt you." But M hangs onto me when I try to leave. "I¡¯m trying to be nice, Spellman." I hum under my breath. "Don¡¯t push it."


    "Save the growl for your date." She replies, unfazed by my anger. Then she hooks an arm around Monaco¡¯s shoulder and steers her away. "He¡¯s a lost cause. Trust me, you¡¯re better off redirecting your energy towards one of the many fine gentlemen in here that doesn¡¯t have the Rollins¡¯st name. Have you met my brother, Liam?"


    As I watch her y the wingman for her brother, I don¡¯t know if I should feel slighted by herments or grateful to be rid of Monaco. Speaking of which, Monaco continues to steal surreptitious nces at me while she¡¯s introduced to Liam. Liam locks eyes with me, not for the first time since his family arrived my party, and nods.


    He¡¯s barely said a word to any of us, just calmly sticks by his father¡¯s side. I wonder why he¡¯s not pulling punches over Ashal¡¯s escape or at the very least, throwing shades. Has he got ulterior motives for attending this event? A ball of unease unfurls in my belly once more. Everywhere I look, I sense foes and not friends. Everyone at this party secretly nurses an ill-intent towards my family. They¡¯re not here to make merry with us; they¡¯re here to have front row seats to our ruination.


    Even the wait staff hovering around with drinks and treats seem to be nursing a secret grudge against my family. My vision blurs asionally as my eyes dart across the room. How the fuck did I think gathering our enemies under one roof was a good idea? What if they¡¯re all working together to ensure my family and I are totally screwed before midnight?


    Hugh Spellmanughs loudly as he converses with a prime minister. He hasn¡¯t even greeted father like he used to the second he enters our ptial mansion. Right now, he¡¯s the top dog in our industry given the setback being faced by Rollins Group. Everyone of importance is jostling for his attention like they used to do to father.


    And father? He¡¯s pretending not to be bothered by the tant show of disregard. He¡¯s cruising with mother from one VVIP guest to another, trying to make small talk.


    My fingers tighten around the stem of my ss. Will this night truly go well? Why does my heart rate say otherwise?


    Ashal¡¯s hand over my shoulder quells my racing heart.


    "Calm down. I can sense the turmoil radiating off of you." He herds me to a corner of the room free of guests.


    "I¡¯m starting to rethink all this. Maybe this party was a mistake. I have a gut feeling..."


    "I know." Ashal cuts me off with both hands on my shoulders. "Take a deep breath. It¡¯ll all be over soon, okay?"


    "I¡¯m going to need a stronger drink for that."


    "You¡¯ve had one too many. Keep it together, Ashton. Remember, you¡¯re the host. You can¡¯t get drunk."


    He¡¯s right. I don¡¯t do too well when I am drunk. I get destructive sometimes.


    "I¡¯m ready for this party to be over. They want a big news? Let¡¯s give them something."


    Ashal looks confused. "I thought we weren¡¯t doing that anymore. Demi wouldn¡¯t..."


    "I don¡¯t care about Demi. Can you stop bringing her up?" I rake a hand through my curls and steady my breath. "I don¡¯t know what Asher intends to do but let him know that it¡¯s time. I need these people out of our house soon enough. I¡¯m sick of this."


    Just on cue, Asher locks eyes with me across the hall. His hands are jammed in his pocket as he converses with a few politicians. I text him about my concerns. After excusing himself to check his phone, he advances towards us.


    "Brothers huddled together in secret conversation isn¡¯t a good look tonight, bros. Can we pack it up?" He eyes a few reporters already wheeling their cameras in our direction.


    "How long is this going to go on for?" I ask him impatiently.


    "The party kicked off barely two hours ago, Ashton. What¡¯s your hurry?"


    Ashal closes a hand over my stomach to stop me from losing my cool. "I guess he¡¯ trying to find out what the big n is for tonight. What do you n to do for the big reveal? We obviously can¡¯t share anything about the usations, can we?"


    I stare at Ashal in disbelief. "Look around you. Everyone here is thinking the exact same thing. They came here to hear our side of the story, our defense or our admission of guilt. They¡¯re not here to admire the decorations or eat anything they haven¡¯t had before." I turn to Asher. "You know I am right. We can¡¯t ignore the elephant in the room for much longer. Let me speak. I have a few things to say."


    "You don¡¯t have to. I have a little surprise of my own." He leans closer. "We don¡¯t have to say anything about the usations because Liam will do the talking tonight. A little birdie helped me uncover most of the dirtiest secrets of everyone judging us in this room right now. Some of their actions even make father look like a saint."


    "He¡¯s not exaggerating." Ashley appears, smiling. "The information is confirmed. We¡¯re not saints but neither are they. Liam will be rebutting the false ims he made on his blog about us tonight. He will also tender a public apology. As for the others who have a serious bone to pick with our family, we¡¯ll be having a meeting with them to discuss how we can appease them. We already invited them all." He angles his chin in a certain direction while looking at Ashal. When we follow his lead, we find Maddie helping Olivia to a seat. Even the Woodleys are in attendance.


    I am amazed that I am just noticing them in the crowd.


    "This was your n all along?"


    "I told you I¡¯d find a way." Asher assures me. "Our victims are here of their own ord. Nothing was forced on them. No threats. I extended an olive branch and some took it. Those who showed up tonight clearly epted our offer of peace. After tonight, we¡¯ll have a sit-down with them to forge the way forward for our family and theirs."


    "And those who don¡¯t show up?" Ashal inquires.


    "We¡¯ll cross that bridgeter." Ashley answers. "The victims are here to show the world that they¡¯re open to forgiveness. We¡¯ll do our part, apologize for our wrongs and do what it takes to earn their forgiveness. As for our guests, none of them will dare disrupt the program of events because their hidden atrocities will already have been mailed anonymously to them."


    "How did you get Liam to agree to that?"


    Asher smiles at me. "Isn¡¯t that what his blog is about? Exposing the secret wrongs of wealthy people to get them to take responsibility? When he got the file containing all the atrocitiesmitted by everyone in here, including his own family, he was dumbfounded. I gave him all the proof he needs to make tons of mind-blowing articles on Billion-Err for months toe but he still didn¡¯t post any of it till date. His so-called blog values are a lie. To buy my silence, he volunteered to diffuse the rumors even before I could ask." He smiles warmly as he looks at me. "What do you think of MY surprise?"


    "Better than anything I could havee up with, honestly." I expel a sigh of relief. "I actually feel less tensed right now. Couldn¡¯t you have shared this with me earlier? I didn¡¯t need half the alcohol I¡¯ve had to keep my nerves down."


    "Sorry. Liam only just confirmedst minute. Plus, I wanted it to be a surprise for you too. I know how much you me yourself for everything that has led us to this night." He hugs me amidst the clicks of camera shutters.


    The sound of the microphone gets our attention. Father has taken to the middle of the room.


    "It¡¯s show time." Ashley mutters under his breath.


    "Thank you all for honoring ourst-minute invitation to celebrate the birthday of my sons. I know a thing or two about how busy the wealthy can be so your presence here means a lot to us." A round of apuse follows his statement to my surprise. Everyone is beaming too., like they¡¯re under a spell.


    When I look at Asher, he confirms that the anonymous mail has already been sent. Little wonder they¡¯re looking less judgmental and more friendly.


    "Before we carry on with the festivities, I¡¯d like to address some of the steaming usations levied against my family by the popr blog known as Billion-Err." A sudden hush falls over the room. A pin drop would he heard at this point. Mother stands close to father, a demure look on her face. She looks so graceful and beautiful it¡¯s hard to fault her. In the crowd, Kristy doesn¡¯t appear pleased by the sight of a family bonded amidst trials.


    Father carries on and finally wees Liam to the stage to address the elephant in the room.


    "Good evening, everyone. My name is Liam Spellman and I am the face behind the Billion-Err blog." The cameras continue to sh at him. "Like I have always said in the past, my reason for creating the blog was to shine the lens on injustices perpetrated by the wealthy ss against themon man. I hoped to make the wealthy and powerful answer for their offences just like anyone else, with the entire country as the jury. I always made sure to have solid and irrefutable proof backing my ims because I never wanted to tarnish anyone¡¯s image if they didn¡¯t deserve it. For a while, I seeded, until recently."


    Subdued murmurs echo round the hall before he continues.


    "I got a lot of anonymous allegations regarding the Rollins family. As usual, I wrote and published articles about them only to find out a little toote that a bunch of them were false. I have no idea why someone would go to great lengths to forge evidence targeted at ruining the Rollins family but I me only myself for being fooled. This family has lost a lot financially and socially because I wasn¡¯t meticulous at verifying my evidence. For that, I am here first and foremost to clear their names and to extend a heartfelt apology for every inconvenience they¡¯ve suffered due to my recent blog articles." He turns with sped hands and a contrite expression towards father, then bows his head in plea. "Please find it in your heart to forgive me."


    Father goes ahead to hug him, and everyone ps thunderously. The drama makes me sick to my stomach as I anxiously wait for the ¡¯real¡¯ part of this script. From the look of pure disgust on Ashal¡¯s face seeing his assaulter tend a fake apology, I can tell he feels the same way as I do.


    After Liam returns to his ce by his family, father¡¯s face drains of all humor.


    "Thank you very much Liam Spellman. I just want to add that my family and I are definitely not saints. We have trampled on many egos, hurt a lot of feelings and even altered lives irreparably on our journey to sess. These usations helped us take a step back and appraise our actions both as a family and as apany. We saw our errors. We saw our failings and we collectively decided to have a sit-down with the individuals and families that have truly been hurt by us. We will be doing all in our power to make things right. I want to appreciate each and every one of them that epted our invitation and joined us here today. That¡¯s proof that they¡¯re prepared to forgive and forge ahead."


    More apuse.


    He gestures to us and my brothers and I go to nk around him and mother.


    "Thank you once again to everyone for celebrating with us today."


    Standing as a family, we all bow our heads in reverence and mutter ¡¯Thank You¡¯ to everyone. That¡¯s when a fragile hand shoots up in the crowd. Who the hell is trying to ask a question right now? I wonder silently.


    When I zero in on the guest, I inhale a deep breath. What question could Monaco have to ask? Asher shoots me a cool look that fails to hide his unease because we both know a Q&A wasn¡¯t part of the n. Did she even get the memo?


    "One question, Mr. Rollins!" She yells. The reporters waste no time in capturing the moment. Duncan tries to cut her off but Father stops him from fueling fresh suspicions from the viewers at home. He sustains his forced smile as he urges Monaco to speak.


    "Yes, dear?"


    "My question is for the entire Rollins family." Silence envelopes the room. She folds her arms across her chest and peers at us. "If your victims collectively decide that the only way they¡¯ll feel appeased is if you all rot in jail for the pain you have caused them, would you ept it in good faith to demonstrate your genuine remorse for your actions before the good people of Danvarr?

 Chapter 175

    <h4>Chapter 175: Chapter 175</h4>


    DEMI


    "Are you sure? Skr¡¯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 toe 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 n 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 wee 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 exims.


    "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 im 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 moring for your joint arrest and prosecution for every evidence-backed allegation against your family, would you ept 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 atw."


    "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.


    "Well, I happen to be attending on behalf of Senator Ackerman. I¡¯m his legal adviser and he couldn¡¯t make it. Does that disentitle me to ask pertinent questions that your other guests don¡¯t have the spine to ask in front of the media?"


    "No, dear. You¡¯re wee to." Brett continues. "In response, I¡¯d like to reiterate that my family and I are prepared to do the best we can tofort those who feel truly wronged by us. As for being carted off to prison 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 ce in Danvarr and a due process to be followed. But even if the due process ofw is followed, my family won¡¯t submit to trial without a fight because we know all of the heinous usations against us are fabricated. Hope that answers your question?"


    "Beautifully." Monaco replies, pping her hands as she walks forward. "Hear that people? As much as you all want to y the judge and crucify them, you can¡¯t just 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. I mean, look at them. They got it all and that can be so annoying." Everyoneughs.


    "Listen." She continues with a stern look on her face. "An used is deemed innocent until proven otherwise. THAT¡¯S OUR LAW SO DIAL BACK 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 ount to diss them. Be an adult and get legal aid. Don¡¯t take thew 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 family in the middle of the room.


    "Now that that¡¯s out of the way, I just have one more question. This time, it¡¯s directed to Ashton Rollins, the curly ck-haired quad."


    Ashton¡¯s demeanor doesn¡¯t change when the camera zooms in on him, almost like he expected it.


    "Kat?"


    "Way ahead of you." Kat responds to me, doing a quick background check on Monaco. I turn back to the screen and note with a hint of green the sparksing out of Monaco¡¯s eyes as she regards Ashton.


    "What is it?" He asks her, struggling not to be rude.


    "Can I have a dance? I think you owe me."


    Everyone guffaws, breaking the palpable tension that had seized the hall for thest 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. I don¡¯t know how I am able to read his lips before the camera decenters the couple.


    "...you did all that just for a dance?"


    She smiles radiantly at him, star spangled eyes and all. "Go BIG or go home, right?"


    "Anything?" I ask Kat to distract myself from Ashton and his new date.


    "Her profile checks out. Nothing suspicious. She is who she says she is, and maybe who she thinks she is too." I follow Kat¡¯s eyes to find Monaco killing it on the dance floor to everyone¡¯s admiration, including Ashton¡¯s.


    "You¡¯re right. It¡¯s a bad idea to go there. Not a single reporter 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. How could they act like you were never in the picture?"


    "Kat, please." I stop her rant. "It¡¯ll be a bliss if that family forgets me, trust me." I give the TV onest look. "My life always seems to 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 family.


    I continue to urge Kat to press Maddox for the address he¡¯s meant to supply while Cree continues to inundate the old age home with calls, trying to figure out more details about the transfer of Skr¡¯s grandfather. My attention is drawn once more to the TV after a few minutes at the words of a reporter.


    "Looking good, Mr. Ashley Rollins."


    I whip my head in time to see Ashley being surrounded. Oh, here we go.


    "Your ex-wife is noticeably missing in this event and no one seems to give a shit about her. Care to rify why that is the case, Mr. Ashley? Was the divorce that messy or are the two of you still on good terms but she just couldn¡¯t make it to your birthday party?"


    I grind my teeth. Of course they had to ask. Snatching the remote control, I turn off the TV and shoot Kat a sizzling look that makes her swallow whatever she had wanted to say. Then, I grab my phone to call Anna but suddenly see Ashton¡¯s iing call. I don¡¯t feel like talking to any of the quads right now so I abruptly end the call and phone Anna instead. She answers after a long ring.


    "Hey, I¡¯m about toe home..."


    "Not yet. You need to inform Asher about his biological father being alive. Cree stopped by and through her, I just learnt that Asher¡¯s biological grandfather is also alive but there¡¯s more. He has been moved from an old age home by someone unknown. Cree believes the old man might be in danger. I know this is all too much information in one stretch but the matter seems dire and you¡¯re the fastest way to get the info across to them."


    "I understand."


    "I¡¯ll see you when you get back."


    "Uhm, Demi?"


    "Love you."


    She remains uncharacteristically mute. "I said I love you!" I repeat then 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. See you soon..."


    "Please pick up your call. We need to talk." My insides freeze over.


    Ashton?


    ***


    "I¡¯m noting to your party." I reiterate for the umpteenth time when he calls me back. "If you have something to say to me, leave a text, a voice mail or better yet, send a letter." I bite down on my lower lip to stop myself from yapping. What am I even saying right now? Get it together, Demi, I caution myself internally.


    "That¡¯s not how conversations work, Branson." He replies coolly, the mention of my maidenst name a stark reminder of the version of him I met during my first few days at the mansion. If I wasn¡¯t already used to the lilt in his voice, I¡¯d assume it was Asher on the line.


    "I know how conversations work." I answer defensively.


    Kat and Cree already left when they saw how agitated the call got me. I don¡¯t me them. Initially, I tried to y it cool like I would have if 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 far, he hasn¡¯t rified why I have to go there.


    "Then,e over. It¡¯s important that you do. I¡¯ll send a car to make things easy."


    "I¡¯m noting over, Ashton. Why aren¡¯t you listening to me?"


    "I heard your response clearly but your presence is required here. You¡¯re the one who¡¯s not listening to me."


    "Stop yelling at me! I am not your family¡¯s puppet anymore!" I scream atop my lungs for no reason, then regret it instantly. Why am I being overdramatic? How anxious am I right now to be acting so out of character like this just because I keep expecting more from him. I keep expecting him to be rude to me after all that he thinks I¡¯ve done against his family.


    Thest bit about me no longer being his family¡¯s puppet stuns him into silence for a good five seconds. Afterwards, he breathes calmly into the phone and apologizes. Another awkward five seconds of silence hums between us before I break it.


    "You got your brother back. That should settle our scores. Do you have to humiliate me in front of your proud rich friends just to make a point?"


    "Wait. You think I am inviting you over to embarrass you?"


    "What other reason could you possibly have for inviting me overst minute?"


    He expels a deep breath. "Listen, we both have legitimate reasons to doubt each other¡¯s intentions right now but this isn¡¯t about us, ok? That ship sailed." That bit causes a fresh tear in my heart before he adds. "In case you didn¡¯t watch the coverage of the party on TV, my family means to have a sit-down with...the people we¡¯ve hurt in the past. I know we can never make it up to people like you whose lives have been irreparably altered because of us but there must be something we can do to cate you. I personally feel responsible for you and that¡¯s why I wanted to be the one to call you over. There¡¯s no other ulterior motive to it. That¡¯s why I called."


    I am momentarily taken aback by the cracks in his voice towards the end of his exnation.


    "Ashton..."


    "I know you don¡¯t want to be here. It must hurt for a plethora of reasons. However, I think it will mean a lot to your parents if youe hear us out and join us figure out a way to make peace. This is not a PR stunt. I genuinely want to appease you, Demi."


    "Why?"


    He pauses a bit. "Because it feels like I am killing your parents a second time whenever I recall the kind of woman you¡¯re prone to be due to the pain lodged in your heart courtesy of our actions. I know you can be better than that and I want to make sure you never have to lead that life. If my brothers and I can forge a new path different from the course that was charted for us from infancy, no one is irredeemable, least of you."


    "I¡¯m nothing..."


    "...like us, sorry. That was a bad analogy." He speedily apologizes.


    I imagine him scratching his eyebrows and feeling embarrassed.


    "Why do I have toe over now? It¡¯ste already. Why can¡¯t we do this tomorrow with less cameras in my face?"


    "Every other person of interest is here. You can eithere now and join the others ore alone tomorrow and have the sit-down with my entire family. I figured you¡¯d prefer the former."


    "Fine. I¡¯lle over but it better be worth my while."


    "I¡¯ll try."


    "How soon is the driver going to get here?" I ask, eyeing the new outfit I had bought to rece Skr¡¯s and then deciding I¡¯m just going to wear some jeans and no make-up instead.


    "I¡¯m already here." Ashton replies, before a loud car honk res outside Anna¡¯s apartment.

 Chapter 176

    <h4>Chapter 176: Chapter 176</h4>


    ASHTON


    I finally get a moment to pull away from Monaco to get a breather. Talk about a woman being intense! I take the elevator and upon arriving on the first floor, I overhear Ashal¡¯s conversation drifting through the balcony. When I look, he is indeed talking to Olivia. Mother stands behind a wall, eavesdropping with nervousness sttered all over her face.


    "Hey."


    But she shushes me. I pull her away to the piano room.


    "What are you doing, mother?"


    "I don¡¯ know how to face her. Nothing I can say or do now will strike her as genuine. She already used me of pretending to care because of my grandchild in her womb, when I had someone bring her upstairs to rest."


    I rub her shoulders reassuringly. "It¡¯s going to be okay. Remember, we always knew this was going to be hard. It¡¯ll take time to win their trust again. The most important thing is that you don¡¯t stop trying." I pull her in for a hug. "Have you thought about Madeline, the sister Ashal is madly in love with? How does that make you feel?"


    She pulls back with an easy smile on her face. "As much as it was unexpected, I can¡¯t help but love her too. Have you seen the way she looks at your brother? I prayed for years for Olivia to have that look in her eyes for Ashal. Maddie truly loves him. She doesn¡¯t see a monster or a sick man. She sees a diamond in the rough and is willingly to help shape it into something more beautiful. Ashal is himself around her. He feels SEEN for once. This is the happiest and most peaceful I have ever seen him and it¡¯s all because of Maddie. I am happy for them."


    "And father?"


    "He¡¯s beginning to have an open mindtely. What other choice does he have? He saw Asher cozying up to Anna and didn¡¯t feel the need to question it. I think he¡¯s slowly giving up on matchmaking his sons to billionaire heiresses."


    "Probably because he knows none of those families are eager to arrange a marriage to us right now."


    Her smile is thin as she looks up at me. "Your happiness is now his true priority." Her hands curve over my chin. "Ashley¡¯s taking a break from rtionships to rediscover himself. What¡¯s your excuse for flying solo?"


    An uneasyugh escapes my lips as I ease away from her and run a finger over the white piano keys. "My feelings are on par with Ashley¡¯s. I don¡¯t even want to think about that for a long while. I¡¯ve got more important things to worry about."


    "Ashton, I know what a turmoil this period has been for you but I want you to remember that it took a lot of team effort for us to be here tonight, smiling and not crying. It¡¯s high time you stop torturing yourself with guilt and move on."


    Before I know what is happening, she¡¯s grabbing my wrist. "I don¡¯t want you slipping back into your old ways. That always happens when you shut the world out. Please, I want you happy and in love. Those were some of your best moments..." Then in a whisper, "...when Demi was here."


    What? The mention of Demi surprises me as I yank my wrist free. What is up with everybody and why are they constantly trying to push her in my face? Don¡¯t they know how hard I worked to resent her? How could they turn around now and serenade her every chance they get? Who¡¯s next? Father?


    "Please mother, I really don¡¯t want to talk about all this. We have apany to resurrect and an image to redeem. There¡¯s enough on my te as it is." Then because I can¡¯t help myself, "By the way, what is up with all of you? Why is everyone suddenly taking Demi¡¯s side? Have you all forgotten the events that transpired over thest week? Ashal was kidnapped and tortured, and while I understand Demi¡¯s motivations for orchestrating that, I don¡¯t have to be cool with it."


    "You¡¯re getting it all wrong."


    "No." I cut her off. "I¡¯m not."


    "Yes, you are." Ashal interjects, joining us. He kisses mother¡¯s forehead. "Olivia is in my bedroom. She¡¯ll see you now."


    "Really?" Mother¡¯s eyes light up. "Ok, I¡¯ll go talk to her." She scurries off.


    Ashal turns back to me. "Why are you struggling to ept the truth that¡¯s right in front of you, Ashton? Even after I narrated what truly happened at Liam¡¯s basement and all the tiny details of my assault and eventual rescue, you still won¡¯t believe Demi¡¯s innocence? Why?"


    "Ok, I think it¡¯s time you tap out bro."


    "Don¡¯t bro me." He replies, scowling. "This is exactly why I wanted Demi to leave me at Liam¡¯s. I knew that no matter what she did, she¡¯ll always be our family¡¯s culprit. If she had listened to me and left, Liam will not have forced her to make that call. Look Ashton, I am not saying that you two have to be friends again if you can¡¯t handle it. I just hate the me she¡¯s forced to bear for something she is clearly innocent of. I WAS THE VICTIM. I saw everything that happened and I told you the truth. If you don¡¯t trust her, why can¡¯t you trust me and my ount of the story?"


    "I¡¯ve been down this road before, Ashal. I constantly chose to trust her blindly and she always proved to me that there¡¯s more to her than meets the eye. Yes, all of that might have happened before your eyes but it could all have been part of her n anyway; to lull us into a false sense of security before her next surprise attack."


    "I understand your concern but I doubt Demi would ruin her best chance at getting back at our family just to go n another surprise attack. She knows it¡¯ll be difficult to get us so perilously close to going bankrupt and begging on our knees. She¡¯s never going to have a better opportunity for revenge than thest couple of weeks. SHE WASN¡¯T ACTING, Ashton. I know it. Maybe I don¡¯t know her heart and what goes on in her head but I know what happened in Liam¡¯s basement and the role Demi yed to save my life. Can you at least acknowledge that and cut her some ck?"


    But I am afraid. If everyone in my family starts trusting Demi the way I once did, who¡¯s going to be on the lookout for her next move? What if none of us sees iting and we eventually getpletely destroyed? There¡¯ll be no end to my guilt in this, because I brought her into our lives. I have to find a way to appease her once and for all so she can permanently shelf her revenge ns against us.


    But just what will do it? What does she truly want?


    "Fine. I¡¯ve heard you. She saved your life and I will continually be grateful for that." I hug him. Spotting Maddi, I jerk my chin towards the door. "The party awaits."


    His smile is full and bright when he sees her leaning by the door. That look painfully reminds me of Demi and a time when her presence quickened my heart rate. I really thought I had found the one. Anyway, I am happy Ashal finally found his person.


    Even Asher has been intentional with Anna. Though he ignored the reporters trying to weasel a statement from him about his rtionship with the unfamiliar Anna all night, he spared no effort in unting her in front of the cameras knowing what the headlines will read. Ashley and I are both on a quest of rediscovery. Too bad we were forced here by the same woman.


    "Happy birthday." Josh quips, cheering me with a ss of wine. I clench my teeth.


    "Keep moving, Randall. We don¡¯t need this scene tonight."


    "Jeez, why are all the celebrants so stiff tonight? It was a great party, way less chaotic than I anticipated. I just wanted to wish you a happy birthday."


    "Where¡¯s Nessa?" I ask. He had the nerve to parade her here hoping to spite Asher but it didn¡¯t work. Asher has long moved on. "Did you dump her because you couldn¡¯t pull the right reaction you hoped to from Asher?" I chuckle lightly. "If you¡¯re done kidding around, go find your mummy and get her to drive your drunk ass home." I shove past him and go downstairs to rejoin the party.


    Thankfully, Monaco is engrossed in a conversation with some of the lingering party guests.


    "Hey" Asher calls, marching up to me. "So, father and I spoke to the victims. We¡¯ve rescheduled the sit-down date ording to their convenience. It will be happening next weekend at our resort."


    "Oh, yeah?"


    "Yes. I¡¯ll handle everything."


    "Ok." My eyes momentarily stray to the door.


    "She¡¯s noting." Asher quips.


    "What?"


    "Demi. She never nned to attend. Anna already confirmed that she isn¡¯ting."


    "Good. Should have told me earlier so I could have rxed a little rather than worrying about her showing up and ruining the vibe."


    Asher gives me a lopsided grin. "I find that a little difficult to believe because every time I caught you watching the door for her appearance, the look in your eyes was hardly that of anxiety or fear. If anything, it was anticipation. Even when the crowd was awestruck by Monaco¡¯s appearance, your eyes quickly went t with disappointment when you realized she wasn¡¯t Demi."


    I grab his drink and drain it in one gulp. "Are you quite finished? Yes, I anticipated her arrival all night but it¡¯s nothing remotely close to the reasons you think."


    "Really?"


    "Yeah." I reply with my poker face. He leans close to whisper to me.


    "I will always have my guard up around Demi but this one time, she did save our brother¡¯s life." My phone buzzes in my pocket. "Check your phone, then make up your mind on whether or not she deserves your contempt. I¡¯d respect your decision either way. I just feel obligated to ensure you have the full picture before making a decision."


    He strides off to entertain guests as the party draws to a close. I plug in my air pods and go watch the video in a corner.


    My expression doesn¡¯t change when I watch Skr and Liam boss Demi around, forcing her to do their bidding. It doesn¡¯t change when she begs for Ashal to be spared or when she makes the phone call saying exactly what Liam had instructed. Something warm floods my chest when I realize how soon she could have cleared her name by sending the video to me, but she hadn¡¯t in order not to jeopardize my brother¡¯s safety at the time.


    I run a hand through my hair and gasp softly. "Who exactly are you, Demi Branson?"


    Momentster, I whip out my phone and call Demi. She fails to pick up. Sighting Anna, I head over to her just as she takes a call from her best friend. I signal to her not to drop the call because I need to speak with Demi and just before she can respond, I grab the phone impatiently and hear the words.


    "Love you." I know she¡¯s referring to Anna but something still flutters in my belly nheless. In that moment, I know our story is far from over.


    ***


    Shees out of Anna¡¯s apartment, looking cute in some jeans and a yellow T-shirt. The face cap is an adorable touch but if she meant to use it as a disguise, I¡¯d say it won¡¯t work. Anyone can make her out in that outfit or is it just me?


    "You?"


    "Yeah. Me." Seeing how dapper I look in my custom-tailored suit, she struggles not to feel underdressed. I, in turn, try not to make her feel self-conscious by raking my eyes over her outfit, despite what a struggle it is for me.


    "Why did you have toe yourself?" She finally asks the burning question on her lips. "A driver or even an Uber would have been fine. Aren¡¯t you missing your birthday party or something?" Her eyebrow nts upward when I help her get the passenger door of my Porsche.


    "Hardly any of the guests would notice I am gone. I¡¯ve got three identical faces to keep them distracted in the meantime."


    She slides in and draws her legs close in an anxious move. "Those dark curls of yours beg to differ."


    I stifle a smile as I climb in next to her. Closed in with our arms almost grazing, my breath hitches in my throat. I start the car and speed off. I drive in silence for about three minutes, painfully aware of every move she makes beside me, every intake of breath, every nervous sp of her fingers and the fact that she keeps her eyes peeled to the streets.


    "Uhm, Ashton, this is not the way to the mansion. You just passed it." She informs me with a hint of concern. I turn to her for the first time since the car ride. Have her eyes always been so brown and captivating? She blushes really hard and turns away, her heart undoubtedly beating wildly.


    "We are going in the wrong direction." She mutters.


    "No, we¡¯re not."


    "But the mansion..."


    "We are not going to the mansion." Ignoring her shocked eyes, I step on the gas and zoom off.

 Chapter 177 - 176

    <h4>Chapter 177: Chapter 176</h4>


    ASHER


    "Thank you foring." I say to Mrs. Olga, a youthful looking CEO in her forties, just before kissing her cheeks. "It was a pleasure to have you." She palms my cheek with a naughty look glistening in her eyes.


    "It¡¯s Ms. Olga. My divorce was recently finalized." She rifies, fluttering her thickshes. "You¡¯re a very good-looking man, Asher Rollins. Why don¡¯t you pay me a visit at my vacation home on Kingston Avenue? I assume you¡¯d be interested in discussing Rollins Group and how we can do business together." Her eyes are literally undressing me at this point.


    "That¡¯s very sweet of you, Ms. Olga..."


    "Oh, please, just call me Olga. No formality needed." A seductive wink follows as she skims my shoulder with her hand. "That¡¯s a strong arm you¡¯ve got under there. Can¡¯t wait to see everything under these clothes. Call me?"


    I just nod my head. Thankfully, her chauffeur steers her away to her car.


    "Was that thest one?" Anna asks,ing up behind me.


    "I hope so because I am done with seeing these guests off! I need a shower and a shut eye for at least four hours. "Then after a brief nce at my watch, "Make that three. I have an early meeting tomorrow..." I trail off when I note her demeanor. "Oh, you¡¯ve got something on your face."


    "What?" She reaches for her cheek and starts wiping. "What is it? Is my makeup running? Is it a food stain?"


    "Yeah, looks like a stain all right." I lean close to have a better look. "What did you eat? Your face is all GREEN." Then I burst outughing at her. She gives my shoulder an impressive punch and scowls at me. "Careful, if I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d think you¡¯re being jealous right now."


    "You wish, Asher Rollins." Rolling her eyes, she fluffs her hair. "I¡¯m just a very good actress if you haven¡¯t noticed." Her eyes dart around the mansion, over the thinning guests and the uniformed cleaners taking down decorations and transforming the mansion back to it¡¯s original look. "Tonight was...interesting."


    I join her to peer at the view. "That¡¯s one way to put it." I draw in a sharp breath. "Thank you for showing up. I would have lost my marbles if I had some pompous and cocky heiress tethered to my hip all night."


    "Wow, never thought the day woulde when Asher Rollins would loathe the attention of gorgeous women from affluent families jostling for him." She chuckles at me. "Seriously, you went to town with our performance. I can only imagine the headlines tomorrow. I know you¡¯re used to it but I am not. What if people criticize my looks, height, weight and so on? Will I be able to have a normal day at the work next week?"


    "Hey, hey, calm down." I take her hands in mine. "I¡¯m sure those reporters present tonight will have more than enough fodder to write clickbait articles about my family to be bothered by our little disy. If at all they happen to mention us, it definitely won¡¯t be a cover story. You have nothing to worry about."


    "Are you sure?"


    I squeeze her cheeks. "I¡¯ll make sure."


    She grins at that and I mirror the same expression, hoping to mask the slight sting I feel over her concern. Frankly, I¡¯m not sure if I am more disappointed in myself for not having the courage to admit and embrace my strong feelings for her or the fact that she seems ostensibly unbothered by my indecision.


    There¡¯s definitely something between us, a connection that I never thought would survive the strain on our ubeled rtionship caused by our differing views on Demi¡¯s revenge. The break was a real struggle for me. It opened my eyes to the fact that a single woman can cloud my brain so much there were days I couldn¡¯t sleep. Was this what my brothers went through over one woman?


    I don¡¯t know what to call it or if I want to have that conversation, but whatever it is, it¡¯s gaining ground in my head, cluttering up my mind. So, instead of asking Anna to be my date tonight like a sensible and confident young man, I yed it safe.


    I sent her a beautiful dress, jewelry and shoes. Since she was already used to such gestures from me, I didn¡¯t expect it to raise any rms in her head. After she arrived tonight, I asked her to pretend to be my date just to get other ogling women off my back. Lame excuse but if she clocked it, she didn¡¯t show it.


    I¡¯m looking forward to the pictures tomorrow because I want to gauge how I handle the media pressure of our alleged romance without worrying about anymitment to Anna. Maybe this will help me be clear on my feelings and whether or not I want to pursue this officially.


    I steal a nce at Anna. Is she really unbothered? Doesn¡¯t it hurt her just a teeny-weeny bit that I am not taking her as seriously as she would hope or is she truly over me? My insecurity kicks in as I wonder if she also loathes my family after learning all Demi must have shared with her. Anxious, I scan the room for a drink, but then decide against it.


    "Did you see that?"


    "What?" I ask Anna who¡¯s subtly pointing at Monaco lounging near her car.


    "Thatdy, Monaco. Isn¡¯t the woman she¡¯s talking to one of your staff here?"


    "That¡¯s Halle." I admit. "What could they be talking about?"


    "Halle is one of your family¡¯s victims and she was helping Liam. Demi told me but that¡¯s not the point. I just saw Halle take Monaco¡¯s business card. I think she¡¯s not interested in the peace talk."


    My eyes stray to Monaco and Halle as they bid each other farewell.


    "It¡¯ste. Ask any of our drivers to take you home. Tell them I said so. Thanks for the party favors." Absentmindedly, I give Anna a kiss on her temple before heading towards Monaco who¡¯s sliding into the driver¡¯s seat of her car. She intentionally keeps the window down at the sight of me.


    "Which one is it?"


    "Asher Rollins." I reply.


    Her eyes dim with something unclear before she steps down and folds her arms across her chest.


    "You¡¯re the one who avoided me all night but never took his eyes off me though. I recognize that suspicious glint in your eyes."


    "Well, you made quite an entrance at my party and even went further to steal the spotlight a number of times during the event. I¡¯m not sure what that was about but it didn¡¯t look like you needed the five minutes of fame." She scoffs at my choice ofnguage. "As distracting as that pretty face of yours is, I can¡¯t get past the hunch in my gut that your attendance today was more than just filling in for senator Ackerman."


    "Wow, you live up to my expectations, Asher Rollins."


    "What was that?"


    She shrugs her shoulders. "Nothing. Does this have to do with Halle or the four other victims that havee asking for my business card? Does it bother you that not all of them are buying into your peace campaign?"


    There were four others? I silently wonder. But we had six victims who attended tonight. Does that mean only one of them hasn¡¯t approached Monaco for legal assistance? Who? I keep a straight face to mask my growing anxiety.


    "I never expected a full cooperation. It¡¯s their choice at the end of the day and my family will respect it no matter what they decide. I am not here because of your potential clients. I just want to make sense of the unexpected stranger that appeared at my party and made several scenes on national TV. I am curious to know why and whenever I have this hunch, there¡¯s always a reason for it." I edge close to her. "I have a feeling this isn¡¯t goodbye, Ms. Vaughn."


    "Oh, definitely not." She gets into her car. "I sincerely hope the next we meet isn¡¯t in a courtroom. That face wasn¡¯t built for a mugshot."


    I watch her slide her tinted windows up and pull out of the driveway like an expert driver.


    Who the hell is she? While I watch her car leave, I notice some chaos outside the main gate. I signal one of the security personnel.


    "What¡¯s the ruckus about? I thought you cleared the gate."


    "There¡¯s a young man out there that won¡¯t leave. He demands to see Mr. Ashton. ims his sister was abducted by your brother. He¡¯s threatening to go to the media if he isn¡¯t given audience."


    The hell? Could that be Skr¡¯s foster brother that Ashton spoke about? My fingers ball into fists by my side. He had the nerve toe here and put on a show?


    I let out a long sigh and knead the kinks in my neck. "Take him to our Sky Lounge Hotel. Tell him Ashton will meet him there in an hour with his sister. If he tries anything funny, it¡¯ll be to his detriment."


    Turning to head back inside, I whip out my phone and call Ashton but his phone is switched off. "Damn it, Ash. Not now." My head is already starting to ache. I need some fucking sleep. I can¡¯t go handle this right now or entertain that erratic fellow.


    I drop a message in our group chat for all my brothers and ask if anyone is up for the challenge. No response. Apparently, none of them kept their phones handy.


    I guess I have no choice but to clean up this mess myself, as usual.


    ***


    His eyes darken when I walk in.


    "You¡¯re not Ashton." He says, springing to his feet with eyes narrowed to slits.


    "And you¡¯re not myfy bed so how about we deal with this and get back to our lives, huh?"


    He growls silently as he drops back in his chair. "Why exactly is she here?"


    I slide a nce at Ka, the fake sister he foisted on us. "What do you mean, Keith? You came to make a fuss about your sister at my property only for you to not recognize her? Is this a joke?" The vein jutting out of his head gives me sterling pleasure. I bet he is wondering if Ashton never disclosed to us that Ka is a fake. I turn to Ka.


    "As you can see, Adriana is perfectly fine. I don¡¯t understand why you would think she had been kidnapped by none other than her own loving brother! Do you care to borate on that, Mr. Keith?"


    He grinds his teeth. "She¡¯s not your sister if you don¡¯t already know it!" His eyes sh at me. "Where is Skr? What have you done with her? The second Ashton learnt of her true identity; she goespletely off grid? Very convenient, don¡¯t you think? Listen here mate, I¡¯m not letting this go. If you and your brothers don¡¯t tell me where I can find my sister, I¡¯ll burst the tiny bubble of peace you think you have right now. You better hope I don¡¯t find as much as a scratch on her!" He finishes, heaving with breath.


    My silence only makes his patience run thin.


    "Are you quite finished, farm boy?"


    "SHE¡¯S NOT YOUR SISTER!" He yells in my face. "She could never be your sister. She¡¯s nothing like you corrupt quads. I won¡¯t let you poison her with your evil traits!"


    I clench my fist to stifle the urge to punch his face. "Are you done now?" But before he can say another word, my fist goes flying into his face. He topples down on his seat, his hands closed over his face as blood dribbles from his broken nose. Beside me, Ka flinches. It¡¯s a good thing that the VIP bar was reserved for this meeting.


    I flex my neck and lean close to him with a deep frown etched on my face. "You want to try raising your voice at me one more time? Yeah, I didn¡¯t think so. Now, YOU listen up, mate. Be a good son and go take care of the family you already have, not the one you¡¯re trying to force. Skr is MY sister. She¡¯s got the same blood as me, running through her veins. Nothing you say will ever change that." I draw in a sharp breath as I recall the result of the DNA test I secretly had done between Skr and I. She¡¯s indeed my sister.


    "She¡¯s MY responsibility now, Keith, and I suggest you BACK THE FUCK OFF if you can¡¯t ept her true family. Tell the world about her and see if she thanks you for blowing up the identity she¡¯s spent her whole life keeping a secret. Selfish Prick."


    I walk away, leaving Ka to tend to him and hopefully talk some sense into him. What a shitty evening.


    But as I swing open the door to the hallway, my fingers go numb on the door knob. Standing right outside the door is father.

 Chapter 178

    <h4>Chapter 178: Chapter 178</h4>


    DEMI


    Ten minutes after Ashton drives us to the middle of nowhere, I remain frozen in the passenger seat, watching him pacing a few feet ahead of the car. What the hell is he thinking? Why did he bring me here and why won¡¯t he talk to me? asionally, he¡¯d turn to nce at me, like he wants to make sure I¡¯m still in the car.


    I have no idea what is going through his mind but if his eyes are any indication, it¡¯s a turmoil in there. With a deep sigh, I unlock the door and march over des of grass to stand next to him.


    "What¡¯s going on, Ashton? Why¡¯d you bring me here?" I ask with my hands crossed over my chest defensively. He turns and the impact of his blue eyes hits me afresh, hard and daunting. Still, I refuse to tear my eyes away. If we¡¯re going to talk, it has to be now.


    A small chuckle escapes his lips. "I¡¯ve been wracking my brain for thest ten minutes, trying and failing to understand just what kind of a person you are, Demi Branson. The more I try to figure you out, the more confused I get." Now, the humor drains from his face. In its ce, a sudden cloud of sadness hovers. "I¡¯ll admit this once. I have no fucking clue what to believe about you, because I really don¡¯t know you, Demi. At some point, I thought I did, and I was ready to go to bat for you even against my own family. Right now, it¡¯s no longer the same."


    The pain in his eyes shatter the wall I spent thest few days building between us. Nervous, I unknowingly take two steps back even when he hasn¡¯t moved towards me.


    He doesn¡¯t react to my action but continues with the same intense look in his eyes.


    "A lot has happened between our families, between us. I¡¯ve said and done a lot of things that I am not proud of, things that will haunt me forever. You haven¡¯t been a saint yourself but it¡¯s nowherepared to my own sins and that of my family. Demi, everything that has happened has only made one thing clear; whatever we thought we could be was a lie. Every time I take one step closer to you, you suffer all over again and my world burns."


    My heart tightens with a familiar ache.


    "I never thought the day woulde when I¡¯d be too scared to trust you or to trust myself not to hurt you. This isn¡¯t the man you formed months ago. I¡¯m...broken. I¡¯m a mess and if you don¡¯t keep your distance from my family and I, we¡¯ll only keep tainting you. You know that as well as I do."


    "Yes, I do."


    He arches his eyebrows at my quick eptance only to cloak his surprise secondster.


    "Thank you, for saving my brother. I¡¯m sorry it took me so long to believe it."


    "I thought we already said our goodbyes. You didn¡¯t have to lie to me, take me on a fucking twenty minutes¡¯ drive only to bring me to this aridnd just to rehash that. A damn text would have been enough." Feeling Angry, hurt and defeated, I pivot on my heels and start heading for the car. Too dramatic? Certainly, but tears are already blurring my vision and this move is the only way to hide them from him.


    "Demi, please wait."


    Don¡¯t follow me, please, I beg in my head. My chest already hurts. My head is spinning. It feels like my entire world just crumbled. I thought I was over him. Why is it so damn painful still? My heart races when I hear him trailing behind me. How can he not realize that I want to be left alone? He can¡¯t see me like this, not as a weak, crybaby. Sighting a b of stone, I intentionally knock my foot right into it and yelp in pain when it hurts more than I anticipated.


    "Demi!"


    Strong arms wrap around me when I buckle down, groaning in pain. Ashton¡¯s face is a study of pain and horror when he sees my teary eyes.


    "It¡¯s okay. Let me see it. Please?"


    Slowly, I withdraw my hand from my right foot. Gently, he slips my t shoe off and I stifle a gasp of shock at my reddened foot. When I try to flex it, pain slices up my calf. I¡¯m so stupid. Why did I take things too far?


    My eyes widen in shock when Ashton sweeps me off the ground in one fell swoop. Ignoring my awkward protests, he deposits me carefully inside the car, shrugs off his jacket and puts it on me before strapping on my seatbelt.


    Then he crouches to dry my eyes with the sleeves of his shirt. "You¡¯re going to be fine. There¡¯s a small clinic a few meters from here. I¡¯m sure they can patch it up before we get to a proper hospital. Don¡¯t cry."


    Somehow, the hollow feeling overwhelms me again, making my sore foot pale inparison to the sinking feeling in my chest. More tears threaten to spill from my eyes as Ashton circles the car to the driver¡¯s seat. He steps on the gas and in less than five minutes, he¡¯s carrying me into the clinic.


    While my foot is being cleaned, treated and dressed, he stands next to me, squeezing my hand reassuringly.


    "Ok, she¡¯s all set, Mr. Rollins." The nurse says to him, beaming.


    "Thank you so much."


    "The pleasure is all mine. Take care, Mrs. Rollins. You¡¯ll be walking just fine in a few hours."


    Ashton and I exchange a brief awkward nce over the incorrect way she addressed me. Saying nothing, he helps me to my feet.


    "I¡¯m fine. I can walk."


    "It still hurts. Let me carry you to the car."


    "No, it¡¯s really ok. I feel much better."


    The nurse continues to grin at us.


    Ashton thanks her again while we head out. Unfortunately, when we approach the door, the entrance is surrounded by B-list reporters who didn¡¯t make the cut to the birthday party. Like ravenous wolves, they stand poised with their cameras ready, waiting to take newsworthy pictures and videos of us.


    "How did they know...."


    Then my eyes stay back to the nurse.


    "You called them here, didn¡¯t you?" Angrily, I drag my sore foot towards her. "Why? You don¡¯t get enough business around here so the first time a celebrity graces your establishment, you want your clinic in the news? Have you considered that he¡¯s just a human too and craves some privacy like the rest of us? If you wanted an autograph or a picture, you could have asked. Why did you have to call them here knowing what his family has been going through recently because of reporters like that who are desperate for gossip and would write damaging articles with no remorse?"


    "Demi, it¡¯s okay."


    "Is it?" I query Ashton. "You know how this works. You¡¯ve barely managed to clear your name and now this? What will they say in their blogs when we¡¯re photographed together? That I wasn¡¯t at the party but waster seen frolicking around town at dusk with my ex-husband¡¯s brother?"


    He ces his hands on my shoulder to calm me down. "Let me handle this, please?"


    I bob my head before I can think better of it. He steps out through the door and as we expected, the cameras sh continually. What follows is a muffled conversation between him and them. Suddenly, they all pack up and leave.


    "I¡¯m sorry." The nurse mutters. "I thought he was your ex-husband. I didn¡¯t mean to call anyone here but I told someone and she must have...I apologize."


    "I¡¯m not the one you should be apologizing to. Tell that to him."


    Having lived both lives as amoner and someone in the public eye, I have grown sympathetic towards people like Ashton. It¡¯s so infuriating to never have a moment of peace or privacy every time you step out.


    The nurse apologizes to Ashton when he returns and he dismisses it.


    "Shall we leave?" He says to me.


    "Are they all gone?"


    "Yes."


    "How did you..."


    "Never mind. Let¡¯s just go."


    He helps me to the car and we start the drive back home.


    "It wasn¡¯t all a lie." He begins, breaking the awkward silence. "We¡¯re truly having a sit-down with people whom we have hurt. It¡¯s happening next weekend, at our resort. I promise it¡¯s not going to be another PR stunt. You shoulde." He stops at a traffic light.


    "I¡¯ve moved on. I don¡¯t need any favors from your family." I turn to him. "Don¡¯t worry. I don¡¯t n to execute any revenge on your household. Learnt my lesson the hard way thanks to Liam." Sighing, I look out the window. "There¡¯s so much more I want to do with my life, so much I feel I¡¯ve missed out on. I need a fresh start."


    "That¡¯s...beautiful. You deserve all the happiness in the world."


    I burrow my hands in my thigh. "You too. Don¡¯t beat yourself up about your past. You didn¡¯t kill my parents and even if you did so identally, I forgive you. No one¡¯s perfect."


    We lock eyes for a second, then another second longer. My breath trembles in the charged silence humming between us. Suddenly, his eyes be aglow with the same fire that has always burned between us, so hot my throat dries up. Thankfully, the sound of rain drops pelting the windshield distracts him. At the sight of the green light, he swings the car back in motion.


    But now it¡¯s hardly awkward; it¡¯s ufortable. I can¡¯t breathe right. Sweat starts to bead my forehead and each time Ashton works the steering with his beefed arms, I feel hot all over. Every nce he gives me sends a horny shiver with the sweet ache of forbidden desire, down my wet center. I grip my seat and stare at him. Is something wrong with me? Why am I suddenly feeling like this? How is he so cool and collected?


    "Stop the car." My voice is a little above a whisper. He swerves sharply to the side of the road and kills the engine. When I try to get out despite the rain for some fresh air, he stops me from unlocking the door. Our faces are so close, our breaths mingling. The air is thick with anticipation. In a sh, he unbuckles our seatbelts.


    "FUCK IT." He growls as he pulls my face to his and smashes his hungry lips into mine.

 Chapter 179

    <h4>Chapter 179: Chapter 179</h4>


    <strong>DEMI</strong>


    The rain is falling down in steady sheets, tapping against the car roof like the rhythm of a racing heart. Outside, the world is shrouded in midnight shadows, but inside the parked car, it¡¯s warm, breathless, and pulsing with tension.


    With our lips throbbing from the rough kiss, we each keep our distance. Ashton streaks his left hand over his curls, his jaw tight. The other hand is clenched around the steering wheel as if it is the only thing keeping him grounded.


    "You shouldn¡¯t have done that if you knew you were just going to change your mind," I mutter thickly, my voice low, breaking.


    He let out a quiet, humorlessugh. "Demi, don¡¯t say such things if you¡¯re not sure you¡¯re prepared to go all the way with me." His eyes bear into mine with a sudden tenderness that makes my heart ache. He skims my face with his hand, surprised when I rub my cheeks over it. "Tell me you want this as much as I do because if we give into this heat between us..."


    I grab him by the scruff of his neck and silence him with a hungry kiss, prying his mouth open with my tongue, probing. He grabs my face and plunges deeper with me. Our breaths intertwine. My heart pounds furiously in my chest as the need for him ws down my core. Breathless, we ease back.


    "Are you still confused about what I want and how far I want to go? I WANT YOU TO FUCK ME, ASHTON, NOW!" Then my hands slide between his legs to massage his cock. "Please? Enough games. Enough pretense. I want you..." This time he moves in on me with a mind-numbing kiss.


    "ept my apologies in advance. You deserve better than this for out first time." His eyes rake the cramped car, before settling back on me. His thumb pads my lower lip, teasing. Lightning forked in the distance. The brief sh illuminates the contours of his face¡ªcut jawline, those eyes that have haunted my dreams since I identally kissed him in Ashley¡¯s room.


    My hands cradle his face like I have done a thousand times in my dreams. His fingers tangle in my shirt, pulling me closer, but when his lips are only a breath away, I shove him back.


    "The tenderness can wait but I can¡¯t." I swallow hard as the next words roll out of my tongue. "I don¡¯t want you to make love to me, Ashton, not tonight. I want you to fuck me. Do you understand?" My bright eyes eagerly watch his for a reaction. Shock? Disappointment? Nothing is clear from his facial cues. Finally, his lips break into a sinful smile, like a feral wolf.


    "Happy birthday to me." He hums before unlocking the car doors. The road stretches ahead of us, empty, dark. There are no houses or humans within range. He walks to my side, yanks the door open and gives me his hand. Smiling, I take it, mming into his chest excitedly. He sweeps me off my feet and takes me to his side of the car next to low bushes that are swaying and whistling under the night.


    The road is quiet but for the sound of light rain and our shared breath. A kind of intimacy born not of touch, but of proximity¡ªlike the brewing storm inside us is peeling away the rules, and all that it left was a raw ache.


    "I¡¯ve been dreaming about this," he says suddenly, his voice rough. "You. Us. In a space where nobody¡¯s watching. Where I don¡¯t have to pretend I don¡¯t care or pretend you are just a ghost from a life I can¡¯t have." His fingers trace the curve of my spine through my soaking shirt.


    Greedily, he kisses my lips. "Where I don¡¯t have to hate myself for all the dirty things I have dreamt of doing to your body even when you were still wearing my brother¡¯s ring," He bites on my lower lip, tugging with his teeth. Then he nuzzles my neck. "And even when it was proven that you were after my family, that ache to fuck you never truly left my brain."


    His warm breath fans my face, tingling my spine. Despite the desire ring in his eyes, every rough kiss he gives me still feels like a confession. Every breath a vow.


    Thumbing the edge of my cheek, he continues. "When I thought of punishing you, I always imagined doing it in a red lighted room filled with sex toys Ashley has never seen." He gives a lopsided grin at the eagerness welling in my eyes.


    A delicious sensation travels through me as he unbuttons his shirt, revealing the wide, ripped expanse of his chest. My lips brush his jaw, his neck, his corbone. In a sh, he hefts me down from the bumper and wrenches off my jeans. He teases the band of my cotton panties with a finger.


    "Tenderness can wait. Get on your knees!"


    ***


    I unbuckle his belt and jerk his pants down, exposing custom briefs stretched out by his rock-hard cock. As I run my hand over the bulge, something moist trickles into my panties. Taking out his shaft with both hands, I flick my tongue over the sulent tip and suck on it as I would a lollipop. Slowly and furtively at first like a nun. The taste of his him numbs my senses and in a blink, the whore inside me awakens.


    Brimming with surging confidence, I take him further into my mouth, inch by pulsating inch till it¡¯s pushing hard against the back of my throat. My brain fogs with sheer excitement over how unbelievably good it feels to finally have him in my mouth.


    His hands push back the wet hair from my face till it¡¯s slicked behind my neck. I continue to suck gently on his dick, in and out, stroking the veiny shaft dribbling with my saliva. Then my tongue slides down the length of him to lick his balls. He tilts his head up at the night sky and lets out a throaty moan.


    His fingers cup my chin and angle it upward.


    "Look at me. I want to see you." He says with a husky voice. So, I obey, vishly. An hour ago, my face would have contorted with saintly mortification at the thought of this scene but right now, something unbridled and feral is coursing through my body. His loving eyes stimte me more than anything else.


    Feeling naughty, I grab his hand and steer it to the back of my head. With a nod of understanding, he straightens and begins to thrust his cock further down my throat. My thighs pulses with raw heat, a sensual ache simultaneously hardening my nipples. He pulls away just as I start gagging. He grins like a wolf, sending shivers down my spine.


    Damn it, I want more. I want everything.


    I swallow the urge to whine when he hoists me upon the bumper, and mps his lips over my mouth. This time, it¡¯s a blend of understated fury and a hint of reverence as his tongue scrapes the roof of my mouth. He nuzzles against my throat, smattering wet kisses up to my earlobe. His wandering hands skim over my quivering frame, under my wet shirt till they fasten over my caged breast. He lifts my hands and yanks the shirt off of me. Swiftly, he unsps my bra and tosses the wet items into the car.


    "Finally!" He hums, cupping my drenched breasts. His tongue and hands battle for control, nibbling, fondling, sucking as the rain patters down. I hold him close, trailing the damp skin of his back seconds before I lose my breath to the hand he slides between us, between my legs. My body arches as one finger slides inside my wet core. Bending down, Ashton rides my panties off my legs, spreads my thighs wide open before burying his face between them.


    His tongue savagelyps the wetness. Then he parts my clits with two fingers, rubbing in circles. A surprised moan rumbles out of me when those fingers disappear into my body in a fluid stroke. Craving the fullness of him stretching her to bursting, I push my hips forward, eager to grind against him. As he resumes eating my pussy, his blue eyes stay on me, crinkling with satisfaction as my body jerks with pleasure.


    Oh god, it feels so good I could cry.


    <strong>ASHTON</strong>


    I know that I¡¯ll explode if I give in to the exquisite tightness of her, to the heat pulsing through my veins. So, I take my time giving as much pleasure as I got. Demi¡¯s eyes roll back to her head. Her hips buckle but each time she identally draws her knees together, I pull them further apart.


    Rising, my fingers go inside her again, plowing through her moist hilt. Hooking her legs behind my back, she rotates her hips, rising to meet my thrusts, riding my hand.


    "Careful. You¡¯re going to make him jealous." I state, jerking my chin towards my cock.


    She reaches down and closes a cold hand over it, stroking with a lustful gaze.


    "Please, tenderness can wait, remember? I need you...right now." She moans again at the brutal strokes from my hand.


    The walls of her pussy coils tighter, drowning my fingers with hot fluid. Pleasure spears through me as her body vibrates.


    She¡¯s just as I¡¯ve always wanted her; naked, wet, horny. Impatient, my arms wrap around her legs while I positioned my cock at her center. When I slide into her, our bodies jolt and shudder with pleasure. The thrusts are shallow at first, then deeper and faster.


    "Oh God!" She cries, her head rocking back.


    "Hold onto me. Don¡¯t let go." I mutter heavily. She obeys. Greed is a tight fist around my neck as I yearn to take us to the peak. But I don¡¯t want this beautiful night to end so soon. I want to enjoy every tiny moment of it. I¡¯ve yet to master the taste of her, the smell her rain-soaked her. Yet to carve the image of our damp skins gliding sinuously over each other in my frontal lobe. My eyes grow feral with each deep thrust stretching her out. Our breaths collide, our heartbeats syncing rhythmically.


    I stare at her beautiful face pulled tightly by arousal, watching her rise over the peak. Her pink-tipped breasts strain upwards, bouncing as I plunged her, goading me towards the edge of insanity. Her pussy is a warm, scious slice of heaven. While I continue to sink my cock deeper insider her, their walls begin to convulse. Demi¡¯s body trembles ruthlessly. The wild expressions on her face, a testament of the fiery whip of pure pleasure.


    As my blood starts bubbling hot with a surging climax, I pull out with great restraint. Not yet. I am not quite finished with her.


    Her eyes are half-hooded now. Helping her down, I flip her around, grab her ass cheeks and knead each globe. She chuckles at the sting of myrge palm smacking her jiggling ass.


    "Is this what you want?"


    "Yes." She replies huskily, throwing a heated gaze over her shoulder. Then bites down on her lips as my fingers disappear inside her once more. She sys her legs apart,ys over the car to give me more ess. I pull her hands and cage them behind her back, before plunging my cock inside her again. A fever burns inside me as our bodies rock together, as the sound of my balls pping against her vagina harmonized with the rain.


    Gosh, it¡¯s perfect. The rain. The street sex. Us alone in the dark. I throw my head back and savor every deep stroke like it¡¯s myst. Desperate to feel her body, I grab the tail of her hair and pull her to me, till her breasts are bouncing in the cup of my hands. Our mouths reunite in a sloppy kiss, marked by her intermittent echoes of pleasure.


    "I love you, Demi." I rasp into her neck. "I never stopped."


    "I love you so much." She replies, then presses her eyes shut as I pummel her. Her moans and cries grow louder. Finally, our screams go off like gunshots when a wicked orgasm rips through our core. Pleasure sings through our veins as our legs turn to jelly. Demi¡¯s head crashes into my shoulder, panting wildly for breath, Instinctively, I fill my lungs with the fragrance of her skin while our bodies buzz with the aftershock.


    Twenty minutester, she¡¯s down on her knees again,pping up the warm jizz from my dripping cock, swallowing each stream. A silent howl escapes my shut eyes. She strokes and sucks with a satisfied grin on her face like she hadn¡¯t just gone limp after the exhaustion of her climax. The rain finally stops and the cool air blows icily over our warm skins.


    Finished, she kisses the cap before wiping her mouth. "Happy birthday, Ashton.".


    "I see someone¡¯s got her second wind. Come here." Pulling her up, I ravish her mouth, stunned at how much I still want her. "Thank you. Best birthday gift ever." She chuckles as we put our clothes back on.


    "We should really get going before someone sees us." She adds. Giggling like teenagers, we slip into the car but when we lock eyes with each other in the cramped space, out breaths hitch with need all over again.


    "You were right. Maybe I should really keep my distance from your family." She says sarcastically.


    Scoffing, I ignite the engine. "For the record, that conversation never happened. I¡¯m not letting you out of my sight." I swing the car back onto the road amidst her loudughter.


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