Chapter 80
ASHTON
I don’t think I heard him right.
"What?"
"Yes, Ash. I need you to tell Demi the truth about that night. She told me she is willing to start afresh with me on the basis of truth. She only wants to know the real identity of the man who denied her after that night. I didn’t think it was my place to tell her so I kept stalling. I think it’s only fair that you come clean now."
Bullshit. I know his intentions aren’t as noble as he is trying to portray. He won’t rest until he is able to make Demi feel nothing but hatred for me. Why does he consider me so big a threat that he would go this far? The plan was for Demi to never find out until after her divorce. Why is Ashley going back on this?
"Ashley, why would you ask that of me? You know mother made us promise not to tell Demi the truth about that night until after your divorce. Are you really asking me to go against mother?
"You said you’d do anything to help me forge ahead in my relationship with Demi. Why are you hesitating now? This was her specific condition, Ashton. She wants me to reveal your identity before she can give me a shot, God’s truth. Why do you think I resorted to cheap antics to draw her closer to me? I was trying to protect you and keep the promise I made. Apparently, you hate my antics so now, you’ll have to tell Demi the truth yourself and deal with her and mother. The ball is in your court."
I wipe a hand over my face and gnash my teeth angrily. He’s really going to make me rue my words. I can’t do this. Demi will hate me. Mother will blame me. This can’t be the only way to make peace with my brother.
"I can’t do it, Ashley. There has to be another way."
"There isn’t. You think I haven’t thought about that?" He huffs out a breath. "I don’t have a lot of tricks up my sleeve, Ashton. How else am I supposed to make Demi want to bond with me? Even our pubic dates are being done perfunctorily by her. This isn’t what I was hoping for when I asked for a shot with her. It’s no different from what we’ve been these last four months under our contract, except now she pretends to be happy going on dates with me. Ashton, if you do this, she has given me her word that she’ll really give me a chance. You have to tell her."
"And mother? Why don’t you tell her about Demi’s condition and obtain her consent for the secret to be revealed? You know she only recently forgave me for everything. I can’t dump this on her too soon."