Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 171

Aubrey’s gaze darkened as she stared at the yellow charm in Hannah’s hand. She didn’t say a word, the silence between them growing heavy.

Hannah remained perfectly poised. “I was so naive last time. I let that crooked jeweler scam me with a piece of jade that turned out to be radioactive. I didn’t dare buy jewelry again, so I just got this instead. It’s been blessed for your protection. It’s just a simple charm.”

Aubrey didn’t reach for it, but Damon did. He took the charm and tucked it under her pillow, his voice flat and unreadable. “That was thoughtful of you, Aunt Hannah. Thanks.”

Hannah stood by the bed, her left hand elegantly clasping her right wrist, playing the part of the concerned elder to perfection. She let out a long, heavy sigh. “Oh, Aubrey… you poor, poor thing. Life has been so cruel to you, hasn’t it? Your father is in prison, your mother is gone, the wedding was a disaster, and you’re still so sick. And then, just when you finally managed to get pregnant, you lose the baby–and the culprit has already fled the country…”

She hadn’t even finished her sentence before the entire room turned on her. Everyone’s eyes flashed with irritation. “Hannah!” Grandpa Blackwood barked, his voice sharp enough to cut her off mid–breath.

Aubrey kept her eyes lowered, her silence heavy and suffocating. Every bit of color had drained from her face, leaving her looking ghost–pale and fragile.

Victoria finally snapped, her patience worn thin. “For God’s sake, Hannah, is it physically impossible for you to just stay quiet?”

Hannah immediately clamped a hand over her mouth, her eyes widening in a practiced show of guilt. After a few beats, she slowly lowered her hand, her voice dripping with faux–remorse. “I am so sorry, Victoria! I completely blanked on what you told me that we weren’t supposed to bring up the baby while visiting Aubrey.”

She slapped her forehead with a sharp thwack. “Ugh, my brain is like a sieve lately. I must be losing my mind in my old age.”

Aubrey didn’t look nearly as broken as Hannah had expected. She looked up, meeting Hannah’s gaze with a cool, thin smile. “I appreciate the concern, Aunt Hannah. Truly. But there’s no need to worry. Once I’ve recovered, Damon and I will just have another. Maybe you should focus that energy on your own son and daughter–in–law instead–give them a little nudge. At this rate, my next child will still be the first–born heir to the Blackwood legacy.”

Hannah’s face fell, her features tightening into a stiff, forced smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

Tracy flashed Aubrey a quick, subtle thumbs–up, whispering under her breath, “Damn, Aubrey. Total badass.”

Victoria and Liv felt a profound sense of relief wash over them. Seeing her find her fire again and look toward the future was the best thing they could have hoped for.

Only Damon didn’t buy the act. While the others looked relieved, his face remained etched with worry, his eyes dark with a raw, aching tenderness that seemed to see right through her.

Seeing how Aubrey had found her strength, Grandpa Blackwood beamed with pride. “Well said! And I’m making it official right now: whoever gives me my first great–grandchild–boy or girl, it doesn’t matter–will inherit a significant portion of the family estate. Plus, they’ll get a family heirloom. Each subsequent child will also receive an heirloom. In this house, we don’t play favorites based on gender. A girl is just as precious as a boy.”

The words we don’t play favorites hit Aubrey like a physical blow, echoing in her mind with a deafening roar.

Tears blurred her vision instantly.

Her baby… whether it had been a boy or a girl, they would have been the most cherished, most adored child in this entire family.

Why did they have to be so unlucky? Why was her baby denied that life?

Her sudden outburst of tears caught the room off guard, leaving most of them hovering in a state of panicked uncertainy Hannah, however, temalow perfectly composed, masking a cold, silent sneer.

Damon pulled a tissue and tenderly wiped the droplets from her cheeks, his voice dropping to a protective whisper. “What is it, Aubrey? Why the

tears?”

“I’m just…” Aubrey’s voice hitched, thick with emotion. “I’m just moved by what Grandpa said”

“Did I say something wrong?” Grandpa Blackwood asked, his voice laced with sudden anxiety.

with mu

Aubrey shook her head quickly, offering a fragile smile. “No, Grandpa. Not at all”

offering a fragile amil

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Grandpa Blackwood pulled a small bundle wrapped in gold silk from his pocket. He eased himself into the chair beside the bed and carefully unfolded the fabric, revealing a pair of jade bracelets that shimmered with an ethereal, deep–green light. “Aubrey, dear, these are for you. They’re emerald grade

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jade, passed down since the Tang Dynasty. You’re my first granddaughter–in–law, and I realized I haven’t properly welcomed you with a gift yet.” Hannah’s eyes lit up the moment she saw the priceless heirlooms, her expression instantly souring. “Dad,” she said, her tone sharp with resentment, “Aubrey isn’t officially your granddaughter–in–law yet. Your first one is Nina–Evan’s wife.”

Meril

Keeping his back to Hannah, Grandpa Blackwood’s voice turned icy. “The only person I recognize as my granddaughter–in–law is the one who earns my approval. I met your daughter–in–law exactly once. We hadn’t even finished three sentences before she decided visiting an old man was boring‘ and never came back. Hah! I’ve practically forgotten what she even looks like.”

Hannah was left speechless, her face darkening as she bit back a retort. A toxic mix of jealousy and spite flickered in her eyes. She stood there in silence, her fists clenched tightly at her sides, staring at those bracelets with a predatory, heavy gaze.

Grandpa Blackwood ignored her, nudging the jade bracelets toward Aubrey again. “Take them.”

Aubrey shook her head, her hands retreating instinctively. “I can’t, Grandpa. Really. Damon and I aren’t even married yet, and the baby isn’t here… I don’t have the right to accept something so incredibly precious.”

Grandpa Blackwood’s expression soured. “I never had a marriage license with Damon’s grandmother. We didn’t even have a reception. We just shared a imple meal, honored our ancestors, and lived as husband and wife for a lifetime. By our family’s tradition, we were deemed married. Isn’t that nough?”

Aubrey felt the weight of the moment pressing down on her chest, a heavy burden of guilt and expectation.

Damon didn’t say a word. He reached out, took the two jade bracelets, and slowly slid them onto her wrists. Then, he looked at his Grandpa with a espectful nod. “Thank you, Grandpa.”

Aubrey lifted her wrists, her fingers fumbling as she tried to slide them off. “Damon, I can’t. These are too valuable. I can’t accept a gift like this from Grandpa.”

Say thank you to Grandpa,” Damon commanded, his tone low and leaving no room for argument.

Aubrey blinked, momentarily dazed by his intensity. She quickly lowered her head in a respectful bow. “Thank you, Grandpa.”

A satisfied smile spread across Grandpa Blackwood’s face. “Don’t let it weigh on you. I have a whole vault full of treasures like these, and they’re all neant for you. Consider this just the beginning. Once I’m too old to appreciate these things myself, everything goes to the younger generation.”

Damon offered a faint, knowing smile.

The old man then turned his gaze toward Olivia, his voice firm with a new instruction. “Liv, you need to move into Zach’s place, too. Get that marriage cense sorted out as soon as possible.”

Caught completely off guard by the sudden attention, Olivia stammered, “I… well…”

Grandpa Blackwood shifted his look to Victoria Stone. “What’s the matter? Do you not like Liv?”

Victoria Stone put on a look of pure innocence. “Like her? I adore her! My eldest is getting on in years and swears he’ll never marry. I’ve been worried o death. If a girl as young and gorgeous as Liv is willing to take him on, it would be the greatest blessing our family has ever seen.”

Grandpa Blackwood turned his gaze toward Olivia. “You heard your future mother–in–law. This family welcomes you with open arms. Now, go and

et the paperwork started.”

Olivia looked hesitant, her voice small, “Grandpa, Mr. Blackwood doesn’t like me, and he certainly doesn’t want to marry me. Please, don’t make things lifficult for him.”

Grandpa Blackwood’s face darkened with an immediate flash of fury.

Victoria planted her hands on her hips and let out a sharp, frustrated scoff. “He’s basically robbing the cradle, and he has the nerve to act like you’re problem? I swear… that man is going to drive me to an early grave. No, this won’t do Come on–I’m moving you into his house right now, and that’s

inal.”

Olivia pointed toward Aubrey, her voice trembling slightly. “But… I need to take care of Aubrey. I’m her personal assistant.

That won’t be necessary,” Victoria countered. “You just focus on whipping my eldest into shape I’ll make sure Aubrey has a team of professional

nurses to look after her.”

Victoria squeezed Liv’s hand before turning to Aubrey, her voice softening into a warm maternal tone “Sweetheart. Ins saking your future sister in law over to your brother–in–law’s place. You focus on resting and getting your strength back. I’ll be back to check on you before you know it

Aubrey nodded. “Of course. Take care, Victoria.”

Victoria took Liv by the hand and led her out of the room

14.16

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