Four Brothers and a Bride

ASHTON The shock splattered all over her face matches the reaction I expected from her as someone affiliated with Billion-Err. However, it fades almost instantly to anger as she glares at me.

"Why the hell would you think I am connected to that blog? Why would I be worried that father intends to unmask the one behind it, Ashton? I can’t believe you right now." Throwing her hands in the air, she sidesteps me to go sit on the bed. "Have you forgotten so soon that I have been the victim of Billion-Err’s damaging posts several times? Did you forget how I was forced to lock myself in my room, bawl my eyes out and shut everyone out because I was hurting from their posts about me? If I controlled Billion-Err, why would I be dumb enough to target myself so harshly?"

Her eyes flare up as she rises. "I’d admit that somewhere deep down inside me, I still blame your family for the untimely passing of my parents. I detest the lack of morals in the Rollins family. I am appalled by how much your familial bonds blind you all from seeing the devastating consequences of your decisions and actions, especially as it affects other who you consider beneath you." She grabs the lapels of my shirt and tugs me down. "I hate that not one of the quads is man enough to stand up to your father’s inhumanity to prove, if for nothing else, that some good runs in the Rollins’ veins. I hate that and more, Ashton but that doesn’t mean I want to drive a knife down your throats while you are all asleep. I am just a lady who’s been hurt and betrayed all her life by family and strangers alike. That doesn’t mean I am the devil."

She shoves me away and dabs a stray tear that runs down her cheek.

"But I understand that your family always needs a culprit to hang the blame on. They never truly accepted me anyway so this doesn’t come as a shock truly." Her eyes find mine again. "The only shocking thing about it this time is that you are the one hanging the noose around my neck. You’re the last person I thought would doubt me."

"Demi..."

"I get it, Ashton. I understand it clearly. Sure, I will be your culprit. I am behind Billion-Err. I leaked the photos of father and Mrs. Randall. I did everything. So, are you going to drag me out by my hair, throw hand-cuffs on me or what?"

I hate the game she’s playing. I might not have direct evidence linking her to Billion-Err but I am not stupid. It’s clear as day that she’s connected to it somehow. She’s got the motive too. Of course, the surest way to deflect suspicion of being responsible for a blog like Billion-Err is to make yourself a target too. I am not stupid.

I wish she could trust me to understand her grievance instead of playing the pity card. I hate that she’s looking at me the same way she would look at Asher. She considers me no different from the rest of my family and I can’t fault her for that. I have been compromising a lot lately I actually don’t know the difference between father and I anymore.

"Demi, I didn’t confront you because I wanted to capture you. I am deeply hurt that you think seeing you being punished over your past would make me happy. That’s not why I am here."