Four Brothers and a Bride

Chapter 98: Chapter 98

ASHTON

| can’t believe father. What sick joke is he trying to play 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 | met your mother at the last AGM. Kristy Randall." Mother adds.

Beside her, father almost chokes. Good for him. He wants to play dirty? Four can play that game. | 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

replacement, a new face in a clean-cut suit, accepts the drink and disappears into the kitchen. Josh slips into his

chair and nods at father.

"I've met Kristy too. She cby my office to buy a car a while back."

"Really?"

"Yes mom." | exchange looks with Josh and father. "She had A LOT to say toabout my looks and how she

doesn’t think they match up with father’s looks in his hay days."

Josh laughs. "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 places his napkin on his thigh and steals a glance at

father who is busy watching me.

"I met Kristy at the AGM too. | recall the long, nasty red nails." Asher quips with a sly smile. "In fact, father

recently demanded something of me. He requested | go over and have lunch with..."

"BOYS, SHALL | 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 Josh company in the meantime. Josh, consider this your second home

and help yourself with anything you like. I'll just be back."

| drop my cutlery with a loud clatter, glare 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!" | 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 accept 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 | had asked and had a simple lunch with

Josh and his mother instead of insulting them badly, | would have had the heart to turn down Josh's request to

have lunch with us like this."

"Are you kidding me?" | lash at him. "That's your grand excuse for breaking your promise to us by bringing Josh

in here?" | slam my hands on his desk. "You have two minutes to make him leave or | will personally reveal what

a cheating, lying scumbag you are to mother!" My heated glare cuts through father’s defensiveness and | watch

his shoulders sag.

"You wouldn't dare, Ashton."

| scoff at him. "Mom's going to find out anyway, right? How about today? How about now?" | 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 | 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 tlook up as the

table is surrounded.

"Something wrong?" Mom asks, looking around.

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I incline my head. "Are you going to ask him to leave or do | 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." | tell her as politely as | 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 glances 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. | 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 places."

| pull away his chair so he can leave unfettered. "Good bye, Randall. Don’t ever stop by again."

"Ashton!" Mother chidesbefore turning to Josh. "I’m sorry about my sons. | have no idea why they're

behaving like this. | 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 glares 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 biggest competition 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 |

know I didn’t. | was too focused on getting Josh out of the mansion.

"I'm sorry mom. This is probably the best tto tell you that Josh Randall is not the sweet and kind gentleman

he claims 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 | supposed to believe he was lying? | 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 glass. 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 toand 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. | 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 | 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 | misunderstood you. | 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, | apologize. | 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.

"| didn’t even know Josh was coming until he walked through that door. How exactly am | supposed to invite

someone to have lunch with our family when | don’t own the mansion? | 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 towardsthan my own brother-in-law

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 | 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 draginto it." With that, she walks to the

elevator and gets in.

Twenty minutes later, my brothers and | are in groom. Ashley is still sulking.

"| confronted Nicola 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 place last night. That's where | spent the night."

"What?" We all gasp.

"Why would you do that? That woman is bad news too, Ashley." Asher utters.

| think Asher is focused on the wrong thing here. How could Ashley do that? He literally gavehell 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 tothat he only wanted to sleep with her. He never planned to make a life with her. While

everyone cautions and chides him over his poor decision to keep Nicci in his life, Ashley doesn’t break his gaze

which is trained in my direction. | also pin him with a hot glare.

"I didn’t plan 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

twhen Demi threw up on father. Is she really pregnant?

"The test cout negative." Ashley continues, still studying my face. "I thought | would be relieved but instead,

| felt a bit sad. | didn’t realize | 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? | 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 becomes 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 glance my way.

"What do you have to say, Ashton?" Ashley asksdirectly. "Should | keep trying to win Demi over and have a

baby with her or should | give up and divorce her in six months?"

He's baiting me.

"Maybe you should ask Shay. | wonder what plans she’ll cup 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 | add, was

just uncovered as the mastermind behind your most recent traumatic experience. | 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 relationship is also unrequited and if Mila 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 sboat as me.

Asher, you'll never marry for love because you don’t believe in it. You'll marry whomever father asks you to on

command 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 relationships, why can’t I? Why is everyone pushing forto end MY relationship with Demi?"

No one says anything in response.

"That's what | thought." Ashley tucks his hands in his pocket. "Like | 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. | don’t appreciate anyone dumping their opinions about that particular matter

on me. As for Nicci, consider it asupholding 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?"

ork

While my brothers converse, | excuse myself to go handle sprivate matters. Ashal notices my exit and

comes rushing after me. | already know what he wants to say.

"Look, | am not telling them anything, okay? You have my word. | just want to get to the bottom of you know

what so | can nip it in the bud. | really can’t ignore it however | try."

"Fine, do what you have to do." He hesitates. "Be careful." He murmurs before returning to the groom.

Cree has been avoiding my calls ever since Ashal treated her discourteously. | need to get her back on my side. |

still need her to find my sister whom | believe is out there somewhere. | call Cree but it goes to voicemail.

"Cree, callback. You and | have unfinished business. | know you're mad atbut | really need your help.

Call me." | 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 forto realize | hadn't said anything that would rouse his suspicion.

He is clearly still angry over how Josh was treated but | hardly give a fuck.

"Ashton!" He callswhen | brush past him and head for the door. Hesitantly, | 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." | reply before turning on my heel and disappearing

out of the door.

Father's hardened face remains on my mind as | take a drive to find Cree. Ashal sentthe address of her new

apartment. While on the way, | notice | am being tailed by a particular vehicle. To be certain, | keep making

sharp turns and following short cuts but with every new turn, the car is difficult to lose.

| allow the SUV get a tad bit close and try to make out the plate number. When | spot the customized plate

number, a huge frown seeps into my face. | pull over by the corner of the road and jump down from my car.

While the SUV tries to dodge me, | stand in front of it till the driver is forced to stop. | go around but he won't roll

down his window.

"STOP FOLLOWING ME, DUNCAN. GO BACK TO FATHER AND TELL HIM YOU LOST ME. | WON'T WARN YOU AGAIN."

When | get into my car and leave, the SUV does a U-turn and goes away. | can’t believe father had him tail me.

That's bad. Is he onto me? Not now. | can’t have him watching my every move while | am searching for my

biological sister. Father will do everything to keepaway from her just so his brutality towards our biological

parents will never be exposed.

Does mother know about his cruelty? Is she complicit in his crimes? | don’t want to believe it. | decide to focus on

finding my sister and worrying about other things later.

Before | get to her place, Cree textsan address.

[This is the best | can do. Go to this address. It's the last foster hyour sister was in. Try to get as much

information from them about her whereabout. Good luck]

[Thank you]

| take a U-turn and head towards the address. It's a quaint hon 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 atas | 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

"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

leadstowards the house with a big smile. "Please, right this way. This is my wife, Collette. Dear, please get

stea brewing for our guest." On cue, his wife beams atbefore heading to the kitchen. I try to hide my

discomfort over their niceties.

After we are settled in their living room and | explain why | have come, 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 providewith

good information on her whereabout. It’s kind of urgent. Please tellwhat 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 sof her while

she was unaware, she ransacked his room, stole his camera and destroyed it." Collette explains with a sad

expression. "She was one troubled child."

"Was that her name? Zoe?"

"No." Collette answers. "That's the nwe chose to call her after she arrived because she kept forgetting the

fake names she gave us. We don’t know what her real nis. Even after she went off to college, my family and

| 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 | supposed to find her if she keeps changing names?

"Finding her will be more difficult than | thought." | mutter. "You've got no picture of her. Her real nis

unknown. How am | supposed to find her?"

"Keith. He was very fond of her. He drew her while she slept one tand hid it from her. | think | can find his

drawing book somewhere in the basement." Hope blossoms in my heart at Collette’s words.

"Collette, if you find it, | 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 | 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." | 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 cto enquire about your sister, Zoe. He wants to help find her and give

her a better life." Keith's eyes dilate 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 | can take it, shreds it to pieces in front of everyone and chucks the pieces into the

fireplace.