Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 136

he morning light filtered through the curtains, hazily illuminating the entire room.

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The air conditioning was set to a perfect, comfortable temperature. Aubrey Hayes stirred from her gentle, lingering dream and slowly opened her eyes.

The first thing she saw was the man’s exquisitely sculpted features, so deep and handsome as if carved by a master.

He lay on his side, facing her. His breathing was light and even, his sleeping face serene and tender.

Aubrey’s heart surged with a tempest of emotions, an indescribable love for him, intertwined with apprehension and unease, fearing he might one day regret his current choice.

He had chosen a life without children, to stay with her, imperfect as she was, for the rest of their days.

Putting herself in his shoes, she realized she hadn’t even loved herself this much. That’s why she lacked the confidence to believe Damon would continue to love her this way.

When she thought about the future, her heart felt shrouded in smog, heavy and bleak, like a city under a drizzling, damp rain.

She couldn’t resist reaching out, her fingers tracing the dark, handsome lines of his brow. She followed the arch, fingertips gliding over the peak and down to the tail, feeling the warmth of his skin.

Her fingers drifted lower, brushing against his clean–shaven cheek, the faint stubble creating a rough texture. Finally, she gently pressed her fingertip against his soft lips.

His nose was strong and high, his lips thin yet plush, a pale rose color that looked incredibly kissable, hinting at a sweet, sugary taste.

They say men with thin lips are cold and detached. Guess appearances can be deceiving.

Suddenly!

Damon reached up, seizing her wandering fingers in his hand and pressing them firmly against his lips.

Aubrey trembled, stunned.

Damon slowly opened his eyes, his deep, dark pupils shimmering with a hazy light as they met hers.

Aubrey’s heart skipped a beat. She felt a little guilty, a little awkward.

Damon didn’t say a word. His warm hand held her fingers tightly, his gaze lingering on her. Neither of them spoke, the air filled with the soft, cozy feeling of morning.

At that moment, they both felt so much.

It was a release from the past, but also a fear of the uncertain future–a feeling that as long as they were strong, they could overcome anything.

But the future stretched out so far, and sadness was inevitable.

They looked at each other for a long, long time.

Damon released her fingers, reached out, and cupped the back of her head, pulling her into his chest. He rested his chin on the top of her head, wrapping his arms around her in a tight embrace. His voice was husky with sleep as he murmured, “Woke me up with all that touching first thing in the morning. You just want a bug? Or were you hoping for another round?”

Aubrey nestled against him, his warm, clean scent filling her senses. Her voice was soft with shyness as she replied, “Your foot isn’t healest yet. Take i easy. A hug is enough”

Damon tightened his arms around her, closing his eyes. “Starting today, move into my room

“Okay.”

“We’ll change the sheets to a color you like. Gray is too depressing for you”

“Whatever you say.”

“I’ll set up a big makeup area for you, with a large vanity, and fill it with all your favorite makeup, skincare products, perfumes, little trinkers, and all the cute things you like.”

Aubrey felt a warm glow in her heart and couldn’t help but smile sweetly into his chest. “Okay, the room will have your office area and my makeup

area.”

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“We’ll use our old couple phone cases, and we’ll use couple profile pics on the messaging app too.”

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Manay

Aubrey’s mood suddenly dropped, her voice heavy. “My phone case was thrown away by my brother’s mother–in–law.”

Damon heard the change in her tone and quickly lowered his head to kiss her forehead. “It’s okay, we’ll get a new pair made.”

“Okay.”

“I can’t really take you out for sports since my leg’s not in the best shape, so starting tomorrow, I’ll arrange a yoga instructor for you.”

“Why?” Aubrey asked, puzzled.

“After you fell asleep last night, I couldn’t. I was up late researching ways to treat severe depression. Apparently, it requires family support and love, systematic treatment from a hospital, medication, therapy, lifestyle changes, exercise, travel, and a whole bunch of other stuff. You’re swamped with work right now, and I’m still recovering, so traveling isn’t really an option. Let’s start with changing our habits and exercising.”

“Whatever you think is best,” Aubrey snuggled closer, feeling an immense sense of security.

“From now on, if you ever run into trouble or a setback, or if you’re feeling down, you have to share it with me. We’ll face it together.”

“Okay.”

“Bree, you were so confident, cheerful, and full of laughter in college. I want you to find that version of yourself again.”

“I will.”

“What’s on the agenda for today?”

This morning, Ryan and Sierra’s divorce case is scheduled for pre–trial mediation. This afternoon, Vance Corp’s environmental pollution case goes to

court.”

Is there anything I can do to help?”

Hire a nanny to look after Buddy. Sierra and I are heading to court to see Ryan.”

“Alright.” Damon kissed her hair, holding her close, reluctant to get out of bed. He closed his eyes, wanting to steal a few more minutes of sleep.

Pre–trial mediation is a necessary step.

At the courthouse, inside the mediation room.

Aubrey accompanied Sierra, finding Ryan already there.

He looked much thinner than he had two weeks ago, and utterly defeated.

Aubrey could see in Sierra’s pained expression that she still loved Ryan, which made the whole situation even more regrettable.

A mediator was also in the room.

Ryan and Sierra sat across from each other, with Aubrey sitting quietly beside Sierra to support her.

The mediator asked about their situation, listened to their requests, and tried to understand the current state of affairs.

Ryan was contrite and earnest. “I don’t want a divorce. I love my wife and child very much. I haven’t done anything to betray them. I work hard to earn money to support them. My wife doesn’t work; if she leaves me, she and our child will suffer. I don’t want my family to fall apart, and I don’t want my child to grow up in a single–parent home”

Sierra’s request was simple: “The relationship is broken beyond repair. I want a divorce, and I want custody of our child”

The mediator advocated against divorce, focusing on the child and repeatedly trying to persuade Sierra to reconsider.

Since the husband hadn’t committed any major offense, why not give him a chance and the child a complete family!

Think about how miserable the child would be growing up in a single parent household

Sierra’s resolve, wavered at the thought of her child

Aubrey’s heart ached even more. She envied Sierra for having a lovely child, yet pitied the child for not having a complete and happy family

Ryan pulled out his phone then and there, opened the messaging app, and swore to Sierra, “I can delete Lily Moore’s contact info and never see her again.”

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