Four Brothers and a Bride-Chapter 112

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 claims?"

"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. According 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 blame 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 Nicola’s call. For a split second, I had forgotten all about our conversation. She claims to be pregnant with my child.

Though this is hardly the ideal time to tackle the issue or the way I planned to come into fatherhood, I can’t ignore her. That will only make worse an already combustible situation. Demi just went through a traumatic ordeal and lost our child in the process. The last 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 plans. 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 accrue to my wife, Nicci." 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 am coming 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 blab to him so her pregnancy becomes 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. Nicci’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 plan 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 blame for the loss of our baby? Fine, pin all the blame 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 accident. 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 blaming 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 articulate." 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 blaming 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 planned 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’t last longer than stipulated 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 blaming 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 played in all of this. I am deeply sorry."

"Please leave my room, Asher. I can’t even look at you." I slam the door behind him and rake my hands through my hair. The knock on my door few minutes later 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?" I laugh 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 months later 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 out completely. 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 Nicci? 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 Nicci. 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 accident. 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. Nicci 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 Nicci’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 manipulates 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. Nicola 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 Nicola 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 Nicci 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’t come 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.

"Nicci is having your baby???"