Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 183

Chapter 183

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The moment Victoria left the room, Hannah Pierce dropped her facade of politeness. Her smile vanished, replaced by a cold, sharp arrogance. “I’m sure our mother–in–law hasn’t told you the truth yet,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain. “Your family background is an absolute disaster. You aren’t ven close to being worthy of the Blackwood name.”

Aubrey froze, the words hitting her like a physical blow.

Jannah leaned in, her eyes narrowing. “You come from the bottom of the barrel. Your father is a criminal–he’s serving twenty–plus years for a violent ssault that ended in death.”

ubrey sat there, paralyzed. A sharp, jagged pain sliced through her chest, leaving her breathless.

And your mother? She’s dead too,” Hannah continued, relentless. “You practically killed her yourself by waiting too long to get her medical help. That’s why your brother treats you like an enemy. He wants nothing to do with you.”

Don’t go dreaming about a life with the Blackwoods. Damon was never going to give up his career for someone like you. That’s why you lost the baby.”

ubrey’s hands flew to her stomach, her face drained of all color. “How?” she whispered, her voice trembling with horror. “How did I lose it?”

lannah gave a non–committal shrug, deliberately playing coy. “How should I know what goes on between you two?”

ubrey sucked in a sharp, ragged breath. She pressed a palm to her forehead and sank back into the sofa, her mind reeling as she tried to process the nslaught of trauma.

eeing the look of utter devastation on Aubrey’s face, a small, triumphant smirk tugged at the corners of Hannah’s mouth.

fter a long moment of silence, Aubrey finally looked up, the words tumbling out of her mouth. “Aunt Hannah… am I being targeted by some kind of

aborate romance scam?”

he question hung in the air, absurd and unexpected. The four people in the room went still, staring at her in total bewilderment.

or once, they were all completely speechless.

harles looked displeased. “What do you mean, a ‘romance scam‘?”

ubrey began her reverse analysis. “Think about it. You’ve described my life as a total train wreck–absolutely worthless. Then you have Damon lackwood: the golden boy from a powerful dynasty. He’s wealthy, influential, successful, and apparently a saint with the face of a god. That’s the assic blueprint for a long con, isn’t it? Why else would a man like that stoop so low just to be with a woman like me?”

lina gave a sharp, mocking laugh. “What could you possibly have that would make it worth Damon’s time to scam you?”

ubrey smiled back at her. “Exactly. I have no idea what I have. But still, thank you all for telling me all of this.”

You…” Hannah narrowed her eyes, her curiosity piqued. “You aren’t upset?”

ubrey’s smile remained bright and steady. “Why should I be upset? If anyone should be miserable, it’s Damon. He’s the one who found such a ‘terrible‘ irlfriend and can’t seem to shake her off.”

he faces of everyone in the room darkened instantly.

eeing their shift in mood, Aubrey realized their intentions were anything but kind. She leaned in, adding, “Actually, I bet your whole family is

iserable, too. After all, I’m the blemish on your prestigious legacy, dragging down your social standing. You clearly value your reputation above all Ise, so my very existence must feel like a thorn in your side, right?”

van Blackwood couldn’t help but chuckle. He actually found Aubrey interesting now, finally speaking up for the first time. “Aubrey Hayes, did you get

brain transplant or something?”

Was I really the type to waste my mental energy spiraling over stuff like this?” Since Aubrey had no memory of the past, she couldn’t feel the pain. She licked her tongue in distaste, looking at her former self like a disinterested bystander. “Good men aren’t exactly an endangered spectes–they’re verywhere. There’s nothing for me to feel bad about, and I’m definitely not going to lose sleep over it. If you think I’m not good enough for Damon hat’s your subjective reality. It has nothing to do with me.”

The room fell into a stunned silence.

Aubrey stood up, offering a polite but hollow parting. “I’m going out to help pick pears. Sorry I’ve been such a poor host. Please excuse me.”

She turned to leave, but then her footsteps faltered. She turned back, adding, “I’m sorry I forgot who you were. But honestly, after getting to know you ll over again today? Do me a favor and stay away from my house. I don’t really like you.”

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Charles Blackwood exploded. The veins in his neck bulged as he slammed his hand down and stood up. “You’re an outsider! You have no respect, no manners–no class! Since when does someone like you get a say in Blackwood family business?”

Aubrey didn’t even blink. She just shrugged, her tone light and airy. “My mom says that even if I burned this house to the ground, Damon would just tell me I did a great job. So yeah, I have every right to tell you you’re not welcome.”

Hannah’s face soured until it looked like she’d swallowed a lemon. She ground her molars together, her eyes turning predatory and dark as her fists trembled with suppressed rage.

Evan Blackwood didn’t look angry, though; instead, he kept his gaze fixed on Aubrey, his eyes gleaming with newfound interest.

Just then, Victoria walked in carrying a heavy crate. “Charles, Hannah, I’ve finished picking the pears. Make sure you take these back with you.”

Charles was fuming, his pride wounded beyond repair. He didn’t even look at the fruit. “We don’t need your damn pears,” he spat, his voice thick with indignation. “Let’s go.”

Hannah let out a sharp, derisive snort. She threw one last venomous glare at Aubrey before turning to Victoria. “Ava, you’ve certainly got yourself a prize for a daughter–in–law, haven’t you?”

Evan and Nina Hall followed them out in silence, leaving the room heavy with the aftershocks of the confrontation.

Victoria stood there, utterly bewildered. She set the crate down on the coffee table and looked at Aubrey, her brow furrowed in confusion. “What on earth happened? Why are they so upset?”

Aubrey didn’t seem bothered at all. She reached into the box, grabbed a pear, and took a large, nonchalant bite. “Who knows? Maybe they’re just greedy. Maybe they decided one box wasn’t enough and threw a tantrum about it.”

Victoria couldn’t help but let out a startled laugh at the sheer absurdity of the comment. She quickly reached out and snatched the pear from Aubrey’s hand. “You silly girl, these haven’t even been washed yet. Let me peel it for you first.”

As Victoria picked up a paring knife, Aubrey leaned in, looping her arm affectionately through her mother–in–law’s and resting her head on her shoulder. “Mom,” she said, her voice dropping into a sweet, playful pout, “I’m starting to think I’m actually your long–lost daughter, and Damon is the ɔne you just found in a dumpster.”

Victoria’s brow furrowed into deep lines as she continued her slow, steady task of peeling the fruit. She let out a soft, playful sigh. “Aubrey, honey, put down the law books and go write a romance novel instead. I’m genuinely impressed by the melodrama you can cook up. You’ve got quite the imagination.”

With Damon Blackwood away on a business trip and both Tracy and Chase working long hours, Aubrey and Victoria were left to their own devices most days. Spending so much time together had forged a bond Aubrey hadn’t expected. She grew more fond of her mother–in–law every day–actually, she didn’t even think of her as a mother–in–law anymore. She was just “Mom.”

Victoria gave her the kind of warmth and comfort she’d only ever associated with her own mother.

‘Are you going to the airport to pick up Damon the day after tomorrow?” Victoria asked, handing the perfectly peeled pear to her.

Aubrey nudged the fruit back toward Victoria. “Mom, you have a bite first.”

No, you enjoy it, sweetie,” Victoria said, gently pushing her hand away.

Aubrey grinned, her eyes sparkling. “Come on. I’m not grossed out by sharing a snack with my own mom.”

Victoria laughed, her eyes softening with pure maternal affection. She took a small bite, a warmth spreading through her chest that was far sweeter

than the fruit itself.

She found Aubrey more endearing by the minute. It was no wonder her youngest son had always been so head–over–heels for her. Now that the veil of sorrow had finally lifted from the girl, her true personality was shining through–and it was utterly charming.

Aubrey took a crisp bite of the pear, her tone casual but thoughtful. “Damon called me ages ago making sure I’d be there the second he landed. I was thinking of bringing a bouquet–does he have a favorite flower?”

“Wait, what?” Victoria looked at her, blinking in surprise.

Aubrey took a crisp bite of the pear. “Isn’t it a thing to bring flowers when you pick someone up from the airport?” she asked, her voice slightly muffled by the fruit.

“Oh. Honestly? He’ll love whatever you bring him.”

“Are you sure?” Aubrey’s eyes were clear and bright, shimmering like a still lake, she nudged the pear toward Victoria again, insisting she take another

bite.

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Victoria didn’t hesitate, taking another small bite from the fruit her daughter–in–law was sharing. “That’s enough for me, sweetheart.”

Aubrey nodded and flopped onto the sofa, pulling out her phone. She scrolled through her notifications as she finished the pear.

There was another message from Damon.

It was a photo of his boarding pass, followed by a short text: I’ll be waiting for you at the gate.

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