Four Brothers and a Bride-Chapter 104

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."

"Just come out with it already!" Ashton snaps at him. They exchange heated glares. "Say whatever the fuck you have in mind."

’Fine. I have come 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 I comfort mother and reassure her that everything will be fine.

"This was such a happy occasion. Ashton just got engaged last 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 claim. 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 peace comes first before your motherly wishes. You want a daughter-in-law for the fun of it, Mila 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 blank 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’s laden 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 in coming to meet me in my car where I am parked outside their apartment complex. She heaves a deep breath and burrows her fingers between her thighs. I can tell she’s uncomfortable being back in my car so soon after the last 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 slash 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 claims 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 plan? 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 blame 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?" fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm

"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 welcome 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 account is millions of dollars 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 account. At least with me, Liv never had to want for anything. Maddie’s case is worse. There’s no telling what plans 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 playing 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 accepted the money and even groveled at my feet. Why are you going back on your promise now?"

Hunter laughs. "I didn’t plan 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 calculative 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 lovely lady."

"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-class 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 blame 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 call comes 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 a commoner’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 planned to use her to milk me financially?" I laugh 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 plan would have failed."

"I don’t think so. You wouldn’t give half a million dollars 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." He laughs 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 too late 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 dollars to the account 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."