CHAPTER 182: CHAPTER 182

ASHLEY

I don’t understand what is happening today. My brothers and I have seen blood and a hospital room twice in under two hours, from two different women that are valuable to our family. Is this going to be the new normal? Just when I was starting to think that things were taking a turn for the better?

Doctor Ezra appears from the theatre and we all dash forward.

"How’s she?" Ashton enquires, mirroring our thoughts.

"She’ll be fine. We stopped the bleeding. Thankfully, there was no skull fracture or internal bleeding, just a mild concussion." Everyone exhales in relief.

"Thank you." Asher tells the doctor. Doctor Ezra nods his head while glancing meaningfully at each of us.

"I don’t mean to pry but I couldn’t help but notice some striking features between the patient and you guys. I want to believe I have been introduced to all members of your family but that woman...how is she related to you, if you don’t mind me asking of course."

Asher pulls a straight face. "You’re right. She’s indeed a relative, one you haven’t met. I hope the next time I make a proper introduction would be under more favorable circumstances. In the meantime, I trust I can count on your discretion?"

"Of course." The doctor replies, bobbing his head. He gives us a paternal smile before walking away. When I follow his brisk steps down the hallway, I spot Demi taking cautious steps towards us. Her head hangs low and a contrite expression is smeared across her face.

I haven’t seen her in a while. The only thing I recall right now as she edges closer is how she played games with my family only to change her mind when her plan went south, and pretend to save Ashal’s life. I don’t trust her. She must have pushed Skylar down the stairs.

"You’ve got some nerve coming here, you know that?" I spit angrily, ambling towards her with clenched fists. My brothers all turn at my outburst. When I draw closer, I realize there are tears in her eyes but they only serve to rile me up even further. She’s such a drama queen. Does she really expect us to fall for the act?

Yanking her wrist, I push her away.

"GET LOST OR I’LL PRESS CHARGES!" I warn her with sizzling eyes.

Ashton appears next to me. "Hey, calm down."

"Don’t ask me to calm down. This she-devil tried to kill our sister days after she had Ashal kidnapped and assaulted."

"That’s not true." Demi counters me. At her defense, I slide a burning look towards her.

"You’ll do well to shut the fuck up when I am talking to my family."

"Ashley, that’s enough." Ashton warns me.

"Whose side are you on? Have you forgotten so soon all she did to us in the last few weeks?"

Ashal comes to pat my shoulder. "Don’t be like this, Ashley. I told you what happened. Demi was also a victim."

"To hell with that!" I rebut him, shoving his hand off my shoulder. "Who got the ball rolling in the first place? She worked with Liam. She’s been plotting our ruination even before she stepped foot into our home. Asher always had a hunch that she was a bad omen for our family and it turned out to be the truth. Every time we’re in a crisis, guess which stranger is always in the picture: DEMI! Look at the state our sister is in. We literally just found her and this woman was already plotting to take her life."

Ashton ranges himself in front of me when I try to reach for Demi who is fake crying.

"ENOUGH." He growls with a loud warning in his eyes. "If you’re going to point fingers and throw accusations, be sure to get your facts right at least because things aren’t always what they seem. She didn’t mean to push Skylar. It’s clear from the security footage. It was purely accidental." He turns to Asher and Ashal to repeat the last sentence like he wants to ram into everyone’s skull that Demi isn’t guilty.

My attention is drawn to Demi and back on Ashton. What the hell is he doing taking her side after everything she’s done? How gullible can he get just because of her?

"You’re advocating for her now? A week ago, you didn’t even want to hear her name uttered around you and now you’re defending her?" Eyes ablaze with disappointment and rage, I turn to Demi. "You finally sunk your fangs into him, didn’t you? You’ve always had a manipulative streak."

"Enough, Ashley." Asher cautions me to my disbelief. "This is a hospital, remember? We can hash this out some other time but right now, our baby sister needs us. I’m going to see her. You guys should come too."

He turns and retreats to go check on our sister. Ashal joins him. I wait for Ashton to leave but he continues to stand like a barricade between me and my ex-wife.

"Move. I’d like to speak with her first."

He doesn’t budge. My stomach sinks. This is no ordinary support by a gentleman for an ostensibly helpless woman; this is protection fueled by something deeper than a sense of chivalry.

I rein in my misplaced sense of jealousy and betrayal, dismissing the possibility that both of them could hook up so soon after my divorce was finalized. If that was the case, Ashton would definitely have told me. Hence, I decide not to read unnecessary meanings until he does.

"Move, Ashton. What do you think I’m going to do to her in a public place like this? I just have a few things to say."

"Hey" Ashal calls out to us from the far end of the hall, next to Skylar’s room. "She’s regained consciousness. Get in here."

Ashton immediately moves like a blur, and Demi follows closely. I watch them suspiciously. Their hands don’t touch but I strongly feel they’re itching to. There’s a reasonable distance between them yet the wheels of my mind continue to turn, painting pictures of them in my head that I am not ready to see.

I dismiss the unpleasant imagination. Yes, Demi and I are divorced for almost two months now. Yes, she’s free to do whatever she wants with her life, including going after the Rollins brother she always loved.

However, with everything she’s done to my family, I don’t think Ashton still looks at her the same. I bet he was just being his normal self and standing up for her because he already confirmed her innocence from the security footage. That has to be all there is to it.

Inside, Skylar is making a fuss as Asher plops the pillow behind her head. It’s clear she’s very uncomfortable being surrounded and nursed by the very people she had tried to hurt. Though her eyes look tired, it also manages to convey pain and anger over her plight. I take one look at her and wonder if she’s a spitting image of our biological mother.

"I don’t want it." She mutters through gritted teeth, knocking down the water Ashal tries to give her. "Stay away from me, ALL OF YOU." Tears glisten in her eyes. "I don’t want your charity!"

"Unfazed, Ashal thanks the nurse who hastens to clean the mess. He sits at the corner of her bed and smiles when Skylar withdraws her hand before he can hold it.

"You’re not a charity case, Sky. You’re my baby sister."

"DON’T.CALL.ME. THAT." She narks, baring her teeth at him. The rest of us get an icy glare.

"Don’t call you what? Sky or baby sister?" He goes for her hand in a flash but she wrenches it free and calls for the nurse to have her room cleared. Asher steps in.

"How are you feeling, Munchkin?"

"What?"

Clueing in to their game, I step up. "Where does it hurt, Sweet Pea? Tell big bro number three so I can find a way to make it better. Do you need anything? Is this room to your liking? We can have you upgraded if you like."

"I think this is one of the best VVIP rooms in here." Ashton adds, pulling Skylar’s right big toe to her horror. "Of course, we can have it redecorated if it’s not to your taste, Kye."

"What do you all think you’re doing?" She smacks Ashal’s hand when he tries to scoop a stray hair out of her face. Our humor dies when tears stream down her face. "You’re mocking me, aren’t you? I wouldn’t expect any less."

"No, Sky, that’s not what’s happening here." Ashton clarifies.

Our hearts clench tightly when she heaves a breath, crying so much. Shit. Did we overdo it?

"Hey, hey, please don’t cry. You just came out of surgery." Ashal exchanges worried glances with the rest of us as Skylar continues to bawl her eyes out like a baby. Her face turns red.

"Hey, Sky, it’s okay. They were just being playful to ease the tension you must be feeling. They are really worried about you."

Now, her eyes flash at the sound of Demi’s voice, then darts across our faces.

"Worried about me? You expect me to believe that? I had one of you abducted and beaten up. I threatened to expose your family for the injustices you’re guilty off. I brayed for your blood essentially and you expect me to believe you don’t want to punish me for all that? Why? Since when have the Danvarr quads been known to forgive their enemies?"

"You’re not our enemy, Sky." Ashal continues, ignoring her annoyed face at the nickname he keeps using. "You’re our baby sister, and God knows we always wanted one. I don’t hate you for almost making me miss my birthday. What are little sisters for if not to torment their brothers and vice versa?"

"Exactly." Ashton nods. "We know you didn’t have a life as easy as the one we’ve had. We don’t plan to hold grudges but to be understanding as we navigate this phase of getting to know each other. We just ask that you be willing to give us a chance like we are willing to give you a chance."

"Listen." I say to her. Thankfully, her tears have stopped and the anger in her eyes has slowly faded to something akin to remorse. When I take her hand, she doesn’t yank it off. Everyone notes that with a smile.

"I think we’ve been given a second chance to be a wholesome family again. Look at us. There’s no mistaking that we’re blood. We’re family. Please Sky, give us a chance to make up for lost time, to love and cherish you four times over. You have four big brothers now. You never have to walk alone again."

Asher dabs the single tear that tries to fall down her cheek with his perfumed handkerchief.

"No more tears." To our surprise, he pulls her in for a hug, her head in range with his stomach. Though her arms are hesitant at first, they eventually go around his waist.

"I’m sorry." She mutters, crying further. Asher rocks her while we all assure her that she’s forgiven.

We take turns hugging it out until it’s Demi’s turn, during which Skylar withdraws.

"Can you make her leave? I don’t want her here."

"What’s wrong?" Ashal asks.

"I just don’t want her around me." She shakes her head. "I feel she’s two-faced and very skilled at getting people to believe what she wants them to believe."

"Skylar." Demi calls softly. "What are you saying?"

"You never really quit your revenge plot, did you? You just made a show of not working with Liam because I came on the scene and benched you from taking the lead. It was your plan all along to absolve yourself of the blame and to play the victim when things don’t go the way you want. I know I am no saint but at least I don’t pretend to be an angel. If you’re still holding a grudge against people, don’t lull them into a false sense of hope that all is forgiven." She turns to Asher. "I saw it in her eyes. She truly meant to hurt me and I suspect she hoped it would hurt you all too. She’s not so nice when she’s alone with me. She said she would have preferred you tied me up on a chair, had me blindfolded and gagged rather than keeping me in a comfortable house."

My eyes burn as I turn to Demi.

"You said that?"

"No, that’s not how I meant it..." Her voice falters. "Skylar, you know I didn’t mean that literally."

"I turn to Ashton. "You’ve seen the security footage. Did Demi make such a comment or not?"

"She didn’t mean it in a malicious way."

Throwing my hands up, I shake my head in disbelief. "Are you just going to turn a blind eye to all the signs around you, Ashton? Why do you have to doggedly defend her just because she saved Ashal’s life when it’s clear as day that she was only trying to save her hide?"

"Ashley" Demi calls me with a shaky voice. "I’m not pretending, not anymore. I swear, I have no ill intent towards your sister or any other member of your family. I regret my actions and I’ve moved on from my mistakes." She turns her misty eyes to Skylar. "I’m sorry I hit you. I was triggered by the hurtful things you said but I didn’t push you, Skylar. I would never do such a malevolent thing. I never meant for you to get hurt like this. And you know I was only being sarcastic when I made those comments."

"No, I don’t." Skylar replies flatly. "I don’t know much about you, Demi. I am only speaking based on the version of you that I have met. I just don’t trust you."

"Skylar, I..."

"Maybe you should give us some privacy, Demi." Asher interrupts her. "Can you wait outside, please?"

That’s when I see it, Ashton’s subtle glance at Demi that though brief, communicated volumes. Invigorated by the quiet assurance given to her, she dries her eyes and shuffles out.

"I’m sorry. I just don’t feel safe around her. I know it’s rich coming from someone like me with my past actions against you but I dislike her and I couldn’t pretend not to." Skylar adds after Demi leaves.

"I’m sure everything will be sorted out. She’s a kind person once you get to know her as well as we do." While Ashal helps Skylar to lay down, her eyes remains trained on Ashton who keeps stealing glances at the door. I bet she’s wondering the same thing I am; why he appears torn between catering to his sister and worrying about his ex-sister-in-law. Something nasty starts unfurling in my belly, an ugly truth that I am unprepared to accept.

"Excuse me." Ashton hums before walking out of the room.

"He’s mad at me, isn’t he? He believes her over me. That is to be expected. I’m no more than a stranger anyway."

Asher pats her head. "Don’t pout. He’s just had a long day. We all have. Don’t draw hasty conclusions."

I lock eyes with him and wonder if he also nurses the same suspicions as I do. Could Ashton really be hooking up with my ex-wife in spite of everything going on? Frankly, I am not pissed because of how hollow I feel. I have always known it could happen but right now? Especially given everything she’s done to us?

I excuse myself as well and leave the room to find no one waiting outside. That’s the first sign that spikes my suspicious nerves. Where the heck are they? I want to believe Ashton asked Demi to leave or that she had the dignity to leave on her own steam. I sincerely hope he didn’t leave Skylar to chase after Demi.

Bending the corner, I crane my neck, searching for any sign of them. Did they already leave? Ashton wouldn’t disappear on us without so much as a message. Scratch that, he’s done it countless times before but I hope he didn’t do it today.

"I didn’t push her. I swear, I didn’t."

My ears prickle at the sound of Demi’s tearful voice sailing from the restroom area. When I edge closer, I find her in Ashton’s arms, sobbing.

"You have to believe me. I never meant to hurt her." She sniffles loudly and continues her defense. "I was just angry over the things she said to me and lost my cool. Maybe I hit too hard and she lost her footing but I swear, I would never push your sister down the stairs. I wouldn’t do that to anyone." She utters with clasped hands. Tears are streaming down her face.

"I believe you. You know I do." His hands cradle her head, assuring her of his unwavering trust. He dabs her eyes dry while she stares longingly into his eyes. Finally, he lowers his head and kisses her as passionately as she kisses him back.

Everything inside me withers.