Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 192

Chapter 192

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Warn

The tension in the room was thick enough to choke on, a powder keg waiting for a spark.

Aubrey enunciated every word with lethal precision. “Even without my memories, hearing you talk about my lost child makes my chest ache. I can’t imagine what the old me had to endure dealing with ‘family‘ like you. It’s no wonder my depression spiraled. I’m sure I have you two to thank for a good portion of that, don’t I?”

Evan let out a harsh, mocking laugh. “What does your depression have to do with us? And let’s get one thing straight–we aren’t family. You haven’t exactly managed to marry Damon yet, have you?”

“Evan, that’s enough-“Damon’s voice cut through the air like a blade, his temper finally snapping, but Aubrey held up a hand, cutting him off before he could explode.

Her tone remained unnervingly calm. “Bloodlines and legalities are clearly very important to you. In that case, Cousin, you should make sure to run a DNA test the second that baby is born. It would be such a shame if you spent all that effort raising another man’s child.”

Nina’s fists clenched so tight her knuckles turned white. She was shaking, her gaze fixed on Aubrey with a feral, murderous intensity. Her chest heaved with every ragged breath, her jaw locked so hard it felt like her teeth might shatter.

Aubrey, meanwhile, remained perfectly composed, her face lit with a radiant, effortless smile.

It didn’t actually matter if the baby was Evan’s or not. The damage was done. The moment those words left her mouth, a rift had been torn between them. Evan would spend the next few months drowning in suspicion. If he demanded a DNA test once the child was born, their marriage would crumble under a crisis of trust. If he didn’t, the doubt would remain a permanent thorn in his side, festering forever.

It was a low blow, perhaps a bit petty, but seeing them suffer was exactly what Aubrey wanted.

Evan and Nina were beyond livid; they were practically vibrating with suppressed rage.

Damon felt a flicker of grim satisfaction, but he couldn’t ignore the subtext: Aubrey didn’t care about anyone anymore. And that included him.

She was fearless now, untethered by expectations. She didn’t care what his family thought of her; she wouldn’t even lift a finger to appease his grandfather.

She had always had this fire in her, but she had suppressed it out of love for him. Back then, she had been the picture of grace and patience, enduring his family’s slights and swallowing her own pride until it ate her alive from the inside out.

Damon let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. This–this version of her, fierce and unyielding–was exactly what he had wanted to see.

Nina burst into tears, looking at Old Man Blackwood with a face full of grievance. “Grandpa, how could Aubrey say something so horrible?” she

sobbed.

Caught off guard and clearly uncomfortable, Old Man Blackwood tried to pivot the conversation. “Maybe… maybe we should all just head in for lunch.”

No thank you, Grandpa,” Aubrey said, her tone light but cutting. “For some reason, I’ve suddenly lost my appetite. I’ll come back to see you when I’m feeling a bit less nauseated. I’m heading home.” With a polite, final nod, she turned and walked away without a single backward glance.

Panic flared in Old Man Blackwood’s eyes. He stood up, reaching out as if to call her back, but she was already out of reach.

Evan and Nina stood there, their expressions thunderous. They glared at Aubrey’s back, reeling from her parting shot. A lawyer’s tongue was truly lethal. They realized now that the demure, soft–spoken woman she used to be was nothing but a mask. This–this sharp, biting edge was her true self

“Grandpa, I’m going too. I’ll see you soon,” Damon said, saying his goodbye.

Old Man Blackwood waved him off urgently. “Go, go! Look after Aubrey. And make sure you both come back next time!”

“I will,” Damon promised. He turned immediately, his long strides carrying him out of the room as he hurried to catch up with Aubrey

Outside, the courtyard was bathed in the glow of the warm afternoon sun.

Aubrey hadn’t made it far before Damon caught up, blocking her path. Before he could even open his mouth, she beat him to it. “Go back to your grandfather. I’m not going back in there, and I am definitely not apologizing to your family”

Damon let out a soft, warm chuckle. “You don’t have to go back, and you certainly don’t have to apologize. To be honest, I think you handled that brilliantly. My parents raised me with so much ‘decorum‘ that I’m often too polite for my own good–too respectful to say what actually needs to be said. But you? You’re saying everything I’ve always wanted to.”

“I didn’t show your grandfather any respect,” she countered, her brow furrowing. “And I wasn’t just rude to your cousin and his wife; a few days ago, 1

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told your aunt and uncle to their faces that they weren’t welcome at Blackwood Crescent. I’ve effectively offended every relative you have. Do you really have no issue with that?”

Damon’s gaze softened, turning even more intense. “You can offend anyone in this world, Aubrey. My parents, my extended family… even me. You don’t need to play nice for anyone. Just be yourself. If you want to wreak havoc, go ahead. I’ll be the one to pick up the pieces. As long as it makes happy, then whatever you do is right.”

It was as if a stone had been tossed into the still waters of Aubrey’s heart, sending ripples across her entire soul.

Was there really a man this perfect in the world?

Was it just an act? But even if it was, what could he possibly hope to gain from faking it?

you

Aubrey had always been fiercely independent, even a bit prickly, but his unconditional support caught her off guard, sending a flicker of guilt through

her chest.

She hesitated, then decided to compromise. “Forget it. I can handle your cousin and his wife for a bit. Let’s go back inside and have lunch with your grandfather.”

“No. Seeing Evan and Nina makes me sick, too. Let’s eat out.” Damon reached out, his fingers hovering just inches from hers. For a split second, a sharp flash of hesitation crossed his eyes before he pulled back. “You shouldn’t have to force yourself. Let’s go.”

He turned and headed toward the car.

Aubrey watched his retreating back, her gaze drifting down to her own hand. She’d seen it–the way he’d reached for her, only to recoil at the last second. Why?

Was he afraid she’d push him away? Was he worried about making her feel trapped?

Every one of his subconscious movements felt like a practiced rhythm, a habit born from a thousand repetitions.

The way he brushed her hair back, reached for her hand, and prioritized her every mood–those were the hallmarks of a man deeply, hopelessly in love.

Aubrey quickened her pace and climbed into the passenger seat. She pulled the seatbelt across her chest as the door thudded shut. “So, where are we going?”

Damon clicked his own belt into place and started the engine. “Anything specific on your mind?”

“Cantonese,” she said.

Damon stiffened slightly, turning his head to look at her, a strange look in his eyes.

Aubrey offered him a soft, wistful smile. “So much of my memory is gone, but it hasn’t vanished entirely. It’s more like I’ve lost the details of certain people and events. I still remember the taste of the food from back home, and I know I had two best friends–a boy and a girl–who I grew up with. I just can’t remember their names.”

Damon let out a soft, resigned chuckle as he started the engine and pulled away. “Sierra and Ethan.”

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