Chapter 32
DEMI
"It's not what it looks like." I tell Asher. I don't know how pictures can lie but this one clearly is a lie. I wasn't as comfortable or compliant with the kiss as the picture portrays. "Tell him, Kira. You saw everything."
"Exactly. I saw you and your ex kissing in an alley. That's exactly what I captured." I can't believe this snake of a girl. Asher has been unusually quiet and brooding. His eyes are dark and scary when they find my face. I can't believe Kira will go this far. I delivered on my own end of the bargain so why did she betray me like this?
"Aunt, you know I wouldn't." Aunt looks away and doesn't utter a word in my defense. Now, I realize she and her daughter planned this. She isn't as clueless as I think.
"You wouldn't even let Ashley kiss you but you're happy to offer your lips to that broke cheat? What has my family not done for you, Demi Branson? We accepted you into our family and polished you up. We've helped you every time that bastard tried to drag you down. We face backlash from the media constantly because of your ties to our family. Any other family would have thrown you to the wolves or kicked you out but we didn't and this is how you pay us back?"
"Asher, I am telling you that picture isn't the truth. Iman forced that kiss on me."
"You're not a very good liar, Demi."
"SHUT UP KIRA. I AM TALKING TO ASHER." Kira is momentarily stunned by my angry outburst but comports herself. I turn to Asher, grab his hand and lead him to my room. With aunt and Kira, I am certain I won't be able to get him to see the truth.
I explain everything that happened that day to him while he studies me with cool eyes.
"So, your aunt and Kira are lying? That picture is a lie, Demi?" He sighs and jams his hands in his pocket. "Those people have lived with you for years. They know you better than we do. If they say you're capable of doing something like this, there might be some truth to it."
"They are lying, Asher. Please believe me. Why would I go back to Iman? That makes absolutely no sense!"