Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 239

Climbers

There were only three days left until the Winter Gala.

Since Damon was at the base, his calls and texts to Aubrey were few and far between.

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As more of her memories came flooding back, Aubrey went to the hospital for a psych evaluation. She asked the doctor if there was any chance her condition might relapse.

The doctor said it was hard to give her a definitive answer.

Recovery was always a gamble. Some people got their memories back and moved on. For others, the truth brought nothing but pain, triggering the depression all over again.

The doctor also told her that healing the mind required healing the heart. To get a permanent cure, she had to fix the root cause of the emotional stress. He said some people started getting their memories back within three to six months.

The bigger the emotional shock, the faster the memories would return. Intense brain activity, pain, grief, or fear–those were the things that could speed up the clock. The key, however, was to stay calm. She needed to take life slow and keep her emotions from spiraling.

Aubrey left the hospital, the doctor’s words weighing heavy on her mind. She couldn’t shake the feeling of unease.

Damon had been at the base for the past few days. Aubrey kept her life simple, a dull loop between the office and the apartment.

She spotted a middle–aged woman lingering outside the firm. The woman looked exactly like Madison Lewis.

Since her memory loss, Aubrey had only seen Madison in photos. The woman had been MIA for a long time, but she’d suddenly resurfaced over the last couple of days. It was a sign–whoever was pulling her strings was finally making a move.

Madison didn’t actually do anything. She just loitered around the entrance of the firm, her eyes tracking Aubrey’s every move like a

hawk.

It was the night before the Winter Gala.

The temperature in New Haven City plummeted again. By nightfall, a light snow began to dust the streets.

Damon texted her: [Bree, it’s freezing out. Dress warm and don’t catch a cold. I’ll wrap things up here tomorrow morning and be at Grandpa’s by noon. See you tomorrow.]

Aubrey replied with a single word: [Okay.]

After sending the text, a memory of a past Winter Gala suddenly hit her. Damon making sweet rice balls for her, the fireworks they watched together, the drone show…

Every image that flashed through her mind was sweet and full of happiness.

The day of the Winter Gala.

The whole family got up early, packed their gifts, and drove to Grandpa’s estate.

It wasn’t snowing, but the sky was overcast and the wind was biting.

As they pulled into the courtyard, several luxury cars were already parked there.

Most likely belonging to her aunts‘ families and her uncle.

Aubrey stepped out of the car, and Tracy immediately came over to link arms with her. “Don’t worry, Bree. Damon will be here

soon.”

Aubrey felt a flicker of unease, but she just nodded and gave a small smile.

The two of them followed Chase and Victoria inside.

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The massive living room was already full of elders, with smaller groups scattered throughout the lounge chairs in the side parlor.

As soon as they walked in, Chase and Victoria greeted Grandpa first, then started mingling. The room instantly filled with noise and

energy.

Her aunts were loud and excited, their laughter ringing through the room as they traded jokes.

When it was time for the younger generation to give their greetings, Tracy put on her best “good girl” act. “Grandpa, Aunties, Uncles, Aunt Hannah… Happy Winter Gala!”

Aubrey followed suit, giving a polite nod. “Hello, everyone.”

The smiles on the elders‘ faces vanished the moment they looked at Aubrey. Only Grandpa stayed warm, his face beaming with kindness. “Aubrey, Tracy, come here. We’ve got sweet rice balls, dumplings, and all sorts of pastries on the table. There’s plenty of good food–go on, go eat.”

Aubrey glanced over at the dining area.

Olivia was the only one there, happily digging in.

Zach was on the other side of the room, shooting the breeze with a few cousins.

“Sure thing, Grandpa. We’re headed over,” Tracy said, pulling Aubrey along by the arm. They made their way to the table and sat down next to Olivia.

Olivia’s mouth was stuffed, her cheeks bulging like a squirrel’s. Her eyes lit up when she saw them. She started chewing frantically, trying to swallow the mouthful of sweet rice balls so she could speak.

“Hey, Olivia,” Aubrey and Tracy said in unison.

Olivia swallowed her food and made a face. “Aubrey, Tracy! Thank god you’re here. I was dying of awkwardness over here by myself.”

Tracy glanced at Zach, who was standing a short distance away, and leaned in to whisper, “Olivia, you’re new to the family. You barely know anyone here. Why isn’t Zach sticking by your side?”

“It would’ve been even more awkward if he stayed,” Olivia said, stirring her sweet rice balls. “I actually chased him off so I could just eat in peace.”

Aubrey noticed Zach glance toward them before quickly looking away. She gave Olivia a small smile. “Still in that ‘newlywed adjustment phase,‘ huh?”

“He’s busy, and so am I. We haven’t really had time to ‘adjust.‘ We just stay out of each other’s hair,” Olivia said with a shrug, looking totally unfazed. She scanned the room. “Where’s Damon?”

He’s working at the base,” Aubrey replied. “He’ll be here later to join everyone for lunch.”

“Aubrey, you want some sweet rice balls?” Olivia asked, pointing to the pot on the table.

Aubrey shook her head. “We already ate breakfast. You go ahead.”

Just then, Tracy nudged Aubrey with her elbow. She cut her eyes toward the door and whispered, “Aubrey, the cousins are here.”

Aubrey and Olivia both turned their heads, their eyes snapping toward the door at the same time.

Evan Blackwood walked in, supporting Nina Hall’s arm. She was wearing loose clothing, her baby bump already starting to show. Maybe she was just putting on weight, but she looked at least four months along.

They went over to greet the family elders first.

The reaction was a world away from the one Aubrey Hayes had received. The relatives were beaming, their enthusiasm on a whole different level.

The sofa area instantly buzzed with life. Everyone crowded around Nina, fussing over her health and asking about the baby

< Chapter 239

Aunt Hannah’s grin was so wide it looked like her face might split open.

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Nina, you need to be careful,” his aunt’s voice drifted over, sharp and pointed. “You’re carrying the first legitimate Blackwood grandson. I’m just worried some jealous soul might try to trip you up. That would be a disaster.”

Hannah Pierce shot Aubrey a meaningful, lingering look. “Isn’t that the truth? You never really know what people are thinking deep down. My daughter–in–law is carrying a boy, and the whole family is protecting her like she’s made of gold. We won’t let anything happen to her or the baby.”

Exactly,” Second Aunt sneered. “You really do have to treat a pregnant daughter–in–law like a treasure. Otherwise, you end up like Damon’s… “situation“. Since they aren’t even married, nobody takes it seriously. One little ‘accident‘ and the baby is gone.

Victoria’s blood boiled, she was sick of the aunts sucking up to one side while stepping all over the other. She snapped, “Damon has never not taken her seriously. He’s completely devoted to her. But no amount of care matters when someone is intentionally playing dirty. After all, a clear attack is easy to dodge, but a hidden arrow is hard to guard against.”

The aunts went silent, not daring to say another word.

Charles Blackwood looked around the room, his expression grim. “Is everyone here?”

Victoria answered calmly, “Damon is still at the base. He might be late.”

Charles straightened his posture, his voice heavy with authority. “We won’t wait for him, then. I have something very important to say. Get everyone into the living room. Now.”

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