DEMI
I’m staring at my reflection in the mirror, at the heavy gunk of makeup layered over the skin of my face as well as the deep, wavy hair that fras it. Put plainly, I look extrely beautiful today. Ashley’s stylists have been going out of their way to rebrand for the little show I have been putting up for the caras. 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 dia focused on 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 et up for days now since my security detail has been quadrupled and my movents 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 , I have co 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 first.
When Billion-Err strikes up a conversation about Nicola Grey’s sudden disappearance after rebutting the pregnancy rumors, a warm feeling fills my chest as the fog covering the eyes of the dia 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 he co in? Shit. It’s his room after all.
"You’re smiling. Sothing funny?" He asks dryly. I dump the brush with a sigh and turn to stare at him.
"What exactly do you want from ? You had a problem when I didn’t smile at all for the caras and when I smiled too little. You complained when I smiled too much because it didn’t look genuine. Now, you have a problem with practicing my smile before we put on a show for those clueless fans of ours out in the real world?"
Wordlessly, he advances towards and cups my chin. "That smile was worriso, Demi. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you’re enjoying the fact that everyone has started asking questions about Nicci’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 , you still feel entitled to my loyalty and support? Where was yours when you left a baby in Nicci’s womb or when I was hauled away and locked up in my room because I refused to play pretend mom for you and Nicci’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 so nerve expecting 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 ." I order him through gritted teeth. His very presence disgusts .
Rather than oblige , he steps closer to stand behind and snakes a hand over my tummy. I writhe uncomfortably in his grip as he tugs closer to his body. His hot breath fans my ear when he leans to whisper to .
"You’re lucky you look hotter than you usually do. That’s the only reason why I’m letting this arrogance slide."
"FUCK YOU!"
"Gladly! 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 short laugh 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 that much."
"You ordered your stylists to use..."
"Whatever." He spins to face him, his hands interlocked behind my waist. "I felt bad for you for a really long ti. I allowed the guilt eat up each ti I couldn’t be enough for you. While I shalessly craved your acceptance, Nicci on the other hand loved in spite of my flaws. I ignored her for a long ti because I felt I owed my wife loyalty. My point is, Demi, that you have never loved . It was a blatant waste of my emotions to ever dream of being loved by you. That is why in hindsight, I no longer feel guilty for accommodating Nicci. At least she has true feelings for regardless of her flaws and mine."
"Then why don’t you two ride off into the sunset and be happily wed? Why don’t you leave 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. Imdiately, I attempt to wriggle away from his lustful gaze.
"You’re shaless. In one breath, you speak of being in love with a woman and in the sa breath, you’re ogling another."
"I said Nicci was in love with . I never said she’s the one I have feelings for." He corrects matter-of-factly, pinning with a heavy look that reminds 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 ." I deny his manipulation. "You have done nothing but hurt ."
"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 black-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 word co 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. Imdiately, I free myself. We haven’t brought it up since I ntioned it at the dining table. I ignore the pained expression on his face.
"I know you don’t love , Demi and to a large 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 . 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 and still I threw tantrums just because I imagined you wanted to in spite of his restraint. It pissed off that you craved him even while in bed with ." He takes a step towards and I take two backwards. "Have you truly been loyal to and my family, Demi? Tell you’ve truly been loyal and that is why I feel a smidgen of remorse each ti 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 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 playing 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-in-law has sent so fruits up to you. Shall I leave them here or..."
"I am not pregnant as you know, Halle, so thank her for and tell her to dial down on the pretentiousness."
"DEMI!" Ashley growls behind . 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 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 up. I want to claw at his neck but that would only spill the beans in front of my aunt and niece.
Ashley is playing dirty right now. He must have intentionally invited my aunt and Kira here just so I play nice around him and his family. Does he think my hatred for them would stop from revealing my unfortunate condition of living?
Kira stares jealously at while her mom struggles to keep up the fake smile.
"Congrats, Demi. Pregnancy looks good on you." Aunt says.
"Congrats." Kira chis 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 ?"
"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 place and her manners. Please forgive her." The wench turns to 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 before speaking loudly. "They’re still your family, darling. I know your emotions are all over the place right now but try to calm down. I thought if you spent more ti 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 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 and now you’re complaining I stink? YOU ALL TURNED 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 caras for strangers three tis 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 that you’d be nice, I’ll send your family back ho imdiately."
"And if I refuse?"
"They’ll have to spend a few months with us till the ti 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 sa warning as Anna. Then, I’d go get William, you ex, to spend so ti with us. I’ll keep bringing people and coming 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 ho. 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 unzip my dress and keeps her head bowed like she can’t hear the low cusses under my breath.
"You’ll have to play 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 ?"
Her head is firmly held high as she regards . "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 played my role so well they would never suspect . You’re slacking 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 plans went awry. We didn’t see this coming. I feel trapped."
"Liam isn’t. He has new sches up his sleeve. In fact, he’s working on getting Nicci’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 plan. 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 play 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 sa 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. Rember, stay in character as long as it advances our goals. You can’t treat differently after learning this secret. I only had to deliver Liam’s ssage."
"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 every day."
"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 glad 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 sothing inside him.
"You look..."
"What?" I prompt him, brimming with hope. If he says sothing nice, I’d feel less guilty about the subtle flirtatious moves I am making with my fluttering lashes, doe eyes and the slipping sleeves of my dress.
"Different."
Dang it. Why does he have to censor everything that cos 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 unrecognizable even to myself." I pretend to try to reach my zipper and struggle in vain. "I’m sorry. Can you help get that?"
It pleases 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 my lacey bra and my naked back.
When his fingers reach for the zipper and graze my skin, they’re cold to the touch. He zips 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 Nicci? Is she on the island 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 , I’ll make it worth his while until soone 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 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 towards him. He knocks the breath out of my lungs with a fiery kiss that makes sothing 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 our last kiss."
"Ashton..."
"I never got to kiss you. That one was for . I needed that." He grabs my shoulder when I edge close to him, more to stop from coming 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 less complicated love story."
"Ashton, don’t..."
I need little monts 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 and my goals to so extent.
He turns around and leaves in a flash 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 with laundry and other chores.
Mila appears just as I try to reenter my room. Forrly, I would have been scared shitless but right now, I wish she had co 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 . Don’t give him a hard ti."
She crosses a hand over her arm. "I know. He told he was coming to see you." She smirks as my face falls flat. Did he really tell her?
"Quit playing 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 an to divorce Ashley, you would simply fake an accident in front of the caras 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 plans, Ashley will certainly divorce you. Voila, you’ll be free."
"Why are you telling this? Is this a ploy to set up against the family?"
She leans closer. "Trust , I want to be rid of you as fast as possible. This family’s fixation on your failed marriage is distracting them from my upcoming wedding. I just want us to both have what we want; a divorce for you and a wedding for . I think it’s fair ga. You do as I say and we could both have our desires in record ti. If you don’t and continue to play 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?"
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