Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 197

“It is.” Aubrey didn’t even try to deny it. She set her spoon down and looked him in the eye, her expression calm and sincere.

Tracy looked stunned. She stared at Aubrey, her face full of confusion.

Chase’s brows furrowed, and a cold, commanding aura suddenly filled the room. “We’re family. Why would you be so disrespectful? You need to learn some humility. Family members, especially, should respect one another.”

Aubrey let out a cold, sharp laugh. “Dad, respect is a two–way street. What does it say about them when they use my dead child just to get a rise out of me? Sure, it didn’t work because I don’t remember anything, but your son was right there. He lost his child, and his own cousin and his wife dug that up just to spit on his grave. They sounded like they were pitying us, like they felt bad, but we aren’t idiots. We know the difference between a kind word and a slap in the face. If we have to play nice and pretend everything is fine after that, then what’s the point of this ‘family‘? Who are we even putting on this show for?”

Chase’s face darkened instantly. A heavy silence filled the room for a few seconds before he looked up at Aubrey. Family shouldn’t hold onto hate like this. People say things they don’t mean in the heat of the moment. Sometimes you just have to suck it up and let it go.”

“Exactly, they said it,” Aubrey countered. “So why couldn’t they suck it up? Why couldn’t Aunt Hannah let it go? Is it just because they’re the ‘elders‘ that Damon and I are the ones who have to take the hits?”

Tracy jumped in immediately. “Dad, Aubrey is right. Aunt Hannah’s side of the family has always been out of line. They do these disgusting things while pretending it’s ‘for our own good. You can’t blame Aubrey for this.”

“I’ll let it slide this time,” Chase sighed, his voice heavy with resignation. “But don’t be so reckless next time. We’re family, Aubrey. We see each other all the time. You need to think about the bigger picture and stop burning bridges.”

Aubrey felt a wave of disgust. It was so ironic. “Aunt Hannah and her family are always taking shots at us,” she snapped, her frustration boiling over. They only act like that because they know you care about the family name and keeping the peace. They’re taking advantage of you. Why should I have to put up with that?”

Chase’s expression soured. His voice dropped an octave, dripping with displeasure. “Aubrey, you’re with Caleb. You call me Dad,‘ and I treat you like my own daughter–in–law. But you need to start acting like one. You can’t let your personal feelings tear apart the unity my brother and I have worked so hard to build. In the real world, you need family to get ahead. What do we gain by making enemies out of your own relatives?*

Aubrey understood where he was coming from. Chase was old school. To him, family legacy, reputation, and the appearance of a united front meant everything.

He knew damn well that everyone had their own hidden agendas and that they weren’t actually one big happy family behind closed doors. But he still wanted to keep up the act. He wanted to maintain that polished image of ‘family harmony.”

That was exactly why Old Mr. Blackwood insisted on these monthly family dinners. It was all about the optics.

To survive in a family this powerful and messy, she was supposed to play the game. She had to follow the “rules” Chase was talking about.

But God, it was exhausting.

Aubrey wasn’t built for family politics or playing nice with snakes. If she kept biting her tongue, she’d either spiral back into depression or… she’d just lose it. Right here, right now.

“Dad, do I have to wear a mask just to live in this house?” Aubrey stood her ground, her voice hardening. If ‘family unity means putting up with fake people, I could do it. I just don’t want to.”

Chase’s hands tightened on the table, his knuckles turning white. His gaze was heavy, suffocating. If you want a place in the Blackwood family, you follow the rules. You respect your elders. You treat your relatives with love.”

Things were spiraling. Tracy panicked as the tension hit a breaking point. She pulled out her phone and shot a quick text to Damon Damon get to the dining room now. Aubrey and Dad are getting into it‘

Aubrey let out a cold laugh. Damon and I might not be legally married yet, but you accept me as your daughter–in–law, Uncle Charles is a top prosecutor in Crestview, yet has he ever lifted a finger for me? He wouldn’t even sign the appeal to reopen my father’s case. And that’s the man you want me to suck up to? That’s the elder I’m supposed to respect?”

Chase’s face darkened, his expression as hard as stone. His voice was low, but every word hit like a hammer. To be a daughter–in–law of the Blackwoods, you need poise and grace. If this life requires a mask, you put it on

You still haven’t answered my question. Dad.‘

“Are you a lawyer trying to tell a federal prosecutor how to do his job? Chase’s voice simmered with irritation “If there was any merit to that appeal,

1905

< Chapter 197

your uncle would have signed off on it long ago.”

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Aubrey felt a wave of exhaustion wash over her. It was pointless. She let out a long, weary sigh. “I get it. You’re loyal to a fault–too bad that loyalty only extends to your brother.”

You’ve become far too insolent!” Chase slammed his hand onto the table, the sound echoing through the room. You have no respect, no sense of duty, and no restraint. You don’t even know when to shut up and back down. How can a woman like you possibly be worthy of Damon?”

In that moment, a knot of bitterness tightened in Aubrey’s chest, burning and churning deep inside.

A sharp memory flashed in her mind, making her heart ache. She could still hear Chase’s voice from years ago, cold and calculating:

My son is stubborn–obsessive, even. He knows you love him, and as long as you’re single, he’ll never move on. So, you have two choices: leave him, or narry someone else. I know you have a stable career here in New Haven City, so just get married. What’s your type? I’ll find a man for you.”

The dark, ugly memories came rushing back, suffocating her.

She hated how this sudden wave of sadness hit her–a cold, heavy tide that threatened to pull her under.

t turned out even this man, the elder she’d respected most, had been the one to cut her the deepest.

How much had she been forced to swallow back then?

Aubrey stood up. Her voice was ice–cold, every word sharp as a blade. I’m sorry, but I won’t be your submissive little puppet. I don’t do ‘kissing ass,‘ ind I won’t play the socialite just to fit in. If I don’t have what it takes to be Damon’s wife, then fine. I’m done.”

Damon burst into the dining room, chest heaving. He froze just as those words left her mouth.

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