ASHAL
I’ve been having sleepless nights ever since Olivia begged to give our relationship one more chance for the sake of our unborn baby. I wake up earlier than usual and spend hours on the treadmill, hoping to distract myself from the dilemma. I am yet to give her a response and frankly, I don’t know what to say.
She was right. There’s still a part of that cherishes her and the mories we share from my penthouse, the days before Maddi filled my thoughts and my dreams. However, those residual feelings are nothing compared to the love which burns inside for the first woman to accept , flaws and all. I love Maddi now, better than I loved Olivia before. Olivia used to be my world, but now it’s Maddi.
But Liv’s words got my wheels spinning though. Is it possible that my feelings for her sister are not as deep as I imagine and rely a reflection of everything I wanted from Olivia? Could my feelings for Maddi be subject to change eventually if the circumstances differ between us?
No, I could never allow that. I love Maddi through and through, but what will Liv do if I decline her plea? Will she hurt herself and our baby? Distracted, I almost slip off the treadmill. Jumping down, I turn the machine off and dry my face with a towel just as Ashley strolls in. From the look on his face, I can tell he hoped to have so alone ti in the gym.
"Trouble sleeping too?" I ask him before downing so water. He rely shrugs. The scene at the hospital cos back to , him pulling Demi by the hand to go have a talk outside and Ashton losing focus on our discussion with Skylar afterwards.
I have no idea what is going on between the three of them but it appears to be a strong love triangle, just like the one I am having with Liv and Maddi. A thought crosses my head. Maybe my brother and I can help each other.
"Hey, that scene at the hospital between you and Demi seed intense. I’ve noticed you getting riled up by her presence every ti she shows up. Is it what I’m thinking?"
His face is sared with a massive scowl as he looks at . "And what is it that you’re thinking?"
"That you might not be over her?"
He grits his teeth. "I was never into her. I just wanted to have her because we were married. That’s in the past now. We’re divorced and after everything that’s been revealed about her lately, I just find it hard to stand her. I don’t know how any of you can. Fine, maybe she did save your life but guess what? That doesn’t compensate for the other atrocities she’s committed against us. How can you let your guards down around that manipulative, ho wrecking..."
"Wow. Ok, dude, I get it."
I can’t believe how angry he’s getting over the ntion of her na. Ironically, it reminds of Ashton a couple of weeks back and how the tides have turned now and Ashton is playing Demi’s knight in shining armor.
Sotis, loud emotions like this can be masking a hidden truth which in this case could an that Ashley doesn’t totally hate Demi like he claims. Maybe he’s frustrated and hates that a part of him still fancies her despite everything that happened between them. However, I keep these thoughts to myself.
He sits on the bench press and chugs so water. "Tell her in whatever language she understands to keep her distance from our family. She’s a bad on. I can feel it."
"She’s already very involved, it’s too late to cut her off now."
"What?"
"She’s the reason we even found out about our father and grandfather. Don’t you think she wants to know how everything plays out? Besides, I believe we are still going to need her." I edge closer to him seeing how miserable he looks. "Ashley, is there sothing more to this? You can confide in ." Uncomfortable with my hand on his shoulder, he moves away.
"There’s nothing more to it. I just don’t like having Demi around. That’s it."
"Are you still in love with her?"
"Excuse ?"
Sighing, I give him a aningful stare. "C’mon, it seems like it. You don’t look like you’re over her and this agitation to stay far away from her only tells you don’t trust yourself around her. If that’s the case..."
"THAT IS NOT THE CASE." He yells defensively into the quiet morning. "Don’t confuse for Ashton. He’s the one who can’t get over her, not ."
"What are you talking about?"
"Don’t pretend like you haven’t noticed the way he looks at her lately. The sa man who swore whenever her na was uttered around him especially after you were kidnapped suddenly starts defending her before everyone. Shaful. It’s not just the classic chivalry we’ve co to know him for. They’re sleeping together."
My eyes widen in shock. "You can’t just make such accusations..."
"She spends nights in his house at the old Navy Road. I’ve seen them together." Ashley streaks a hand through his hair. "Look, I am not jealous or anything. I am just highly disappointed that he didn’t deem it necessary to tell . If she had been his ex-wife, I wouldn’t touch her with a ten-foot pole without pre-informing him first. It’s common courtesy. Instead, he goes about defending her in front of us even when it makes no sense and then kissing her in corners of the hospital. It’s disgusting."
Crap. So, that’s where the annoyance is stemming from. Ashton and Demi are secreting seeing each other and Ashley feels betrayed?
"Have you talked to him about it?"
"Why should I? He didn’t bother to talk to first so we’re just going to leave it at that. The fact that they’re sneaking around only goes to show their guilt. They know what they’re doing is wrong. Anyway, all I care about is that Demi not get in the way of our family’s happiness ever again. I don’t believe for a second that her intentions are pure. She’s very good at getting people to believe what she wants them to believe. She ca into our family like an innocent victim of a drunken night only for us to realize she was the mastermind of a five-years long revenge plan aid at our destruction. That’s no longer hatred; it’s an obsession and obsessions just don’t disappear overnight. She’s still hiding sothing and the sooner you all realize that, the better for us all." He abandons his planned workout and heads for the door, leaving with my mouth hanging open.
Crap. And here I was hoping to gain so insights from him on how to handle my own problems. I dab my face with my towel, thinking about Ashton and Demi. I can imagine why they’ve kept us all in the dark about their relationship; because the timing of it sucks.
Frankly, what we were all hoping for was for them to go back to being at least civil with each other after the misunderstandings that occurred. I for one thought Ashton would need ti to fully embrace his feelings for Demi after everything they’ve been through but this is as sudden as sudden gets.
Hence, I understand Ashley’s pain. It must sting, terribly. Demi even spends nights at Ashton’s ho? That’s...a whole other level. They’re a ring away from being locked in for life.
When I finish showering and dressing up by 5am, I make a detour to Maddi’s room. She’s all snuggled up in bed, purring softly. I’d hate to leave without letting her know. Hence, I crawl up next to her and nibble her neck. She flips over, crushing her lips to mine almost ferociously. Feeling the massive band of her tummy, I pull away instantly, shock splattered all over my face as Olivia sits up in bed.
Bile tickles my throat. "What the fuck is this, Olivia? Where’s Maddi?"
She scratches her eyes. "We switched rooms last night, Madeline’s idea not mine. She figured it’d be better for and the baby to be closer to you." Her smile irks .
"She wouldn’t do such a thing, not without telling ." Which ans Liv is lying.
Liv’s eyes darken with pain. "Were you even going to kiss good bye too? I’m carrying your legacy, Ashley. I’m not a baby breeder. I AM A HUMAN WITH EMOTIONS TOO!" The waterworks start as her eyes grow misty. "Why is it so difficult for you to show so level of affection too? Do you find unattractive because I’ve put on a bit of weight due to the pregnancy?"
"Liv, please, don’t go there. We both know that’s not what this is about. I LOVE YOUR SISTER. I need you to respect that. Whatever you’re trying to do...it’s only going to ruin four lives. You and I can’t be together that way. My heart yearns for soone else now."
She yanks off the bedsheet and climbs down. Her hair is disheveled. Her eyes are furious.
"So, I’m just being used? Is that it? All the affection your mother’s been showing is just because of this baby?" In a flash, she grabs sothing from her vanity. The sharp edge glints in the slant of sunlight filtering in from her half-open window. "I’m sorry but I can’t live like that, Ashal." She shakes her head as she navigates the blade to her wrist. "I might as well just die now."
"Olivia, that is not funny. Put the fucking blade down!" Fear claws at my insides when her empty, teary eyes fail to register my order. Blood trickles from her wrist following a quick slash. "OLIVIA!"
"Stay back!" She warns with red eyes. "I’ll cut deeper if you co any closer."
"Olivia please, you’re bleeding."
"What do you care? You’re just worried about your baby, aren’t you?"
Fuck the soundproof door of this room. I wish soone could hear and give a helping hand here. Panicking, I drop to my knees.
"Please, you’re losing blood. We can talk about us later. Let get that cleaned up."
Her eyes roll to the back of her head as she begins to stagger. Yet, when I attempt to edge closer, her warning remains the sa. Her voice is clipped with frustration.
"Tell you want the baby AND . Tell you’ll make us a family again, Ashal. That’s all I want, please. That’s the only way I can survive this horrible life of mine. I don’t want to have our baby and be kicked out of the picture while you and Maddi raise my child. I want my family back. Maddi will easily find her own man. You, you belong to , Ashal. We are fated to be together."
Her words fade in my head as I watch her blood pool at her feet.
"PROMISE !"
"Okay! Okay, Liv. You win." Hands in the air, I cave in to her demands. "We’ll be a family again, okay?"
"And Maddi? You’ll break up with her and send her ho, won’t you?" The words co out in a slur as she struggles to keep her weak eyes open. Slowly, I advance towards her.
"Yes, I’ll do as you say."
"You won’t break your word, w-will you?"
I catch her before she collapses to the floor, a sheen of sweat coating her forehead. I stop the bleeding by tying a cloth over her wrist before dialing for dical aid. Within seconds, everyone floods into the room, panicking when they find Olivia passed out in my arms. The doctor arrives within minutes and attends to Maddi.
I retreat backwards, trembling slightly. I ignore the rapid-fire questions being thrown at and head for the door. Even when Maddi reaches for with worried eyes, I avoid her touch and silently walk away.
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