Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 4

at the hospital.

ubrey paid the bills and walked out of the hospital, receipt in hand.

Caleb caught up to her, grabbing her arm. “So, have you given any thought to my suggestion from last time?”

ubrey angrily yanked her arm free. She whirled around, glaring at him. “You’re out of your mind!”

Caleb’s face twisted into a furious scowl. He gritted his teeth, hands on his hips, embodying the arrogant belief that she owed him everything. “Aubrey, Il you have to do is marry me. I’ll drop the eight hundred thousand dollars in compensation, and you won’t have to pay a dime for my dad’s medical ills. I’ll even meet your mom’s demand, taking out a six hundred sixty thousand dollar bank loan as a settlement for our families. Our families‘ feud? Viped clean, just like that.”

Aubrey couldn’t even bring herself to speak.

Another look at him would make her stomach churn.

iting back a scathing retort, she just kept walking.

Caleb strode after her, grabbing her arm again, his voice menacing. “Your mom already agreed, so what are you being so difficult for=”

Then go marry my mom!” Aubrey snapped, cutting him off.

Caleb’s jaw twitched with anger, his eyes glinting with predatory certainty. He hooked a hand around the back of Aubrey’s head and yanked her

orward.

It’s your damn luck I’m even looking at you,” he snarled. “My patience is wearing thin. Don’t make me take what I want, because I promise you, you von’t be able to handle it.”

Nausea churned in Aubrey’s stomach, threatening to make her throw up as his filthy hand stayed hooked around her head. She glared at him, each word ripping with venom. “This is a lawful society, Caleb. If you dare lay a hand on me, I will make sure you spend the rest of your life in prison.”

Oh, please! Don’t try to lecture me about the law,” Caleb scoffed, his arrogance boundless. “This is what your father owes our family, and it’s only ight and fair that you repay it.”

Aubrey stated firmly, “My father is innocent.”

he would get the verdict overturned. They wouldn’t receive a dime in compensation, and they would have to pay back the medical expenses. Her ather had served five years for a crime he didn’t commit, and the court would owe him restitution.

Caleb sneered, “He was sentenced to over twenty years. Still innocent?”

Aubrey forcefully pushed his hand away, not wanting to waste another second talking to him.

she strode away, Caleb’s angry roar echoing behind her, “Aubrey, you’re mine. You’re not getting away from me.”

Aubrey felt her ears were being polluted, and she quickened her pace, taking larger, faster strides.

Talking to someone so ignorant of the law was sickening.

A week later, at one in the morning.

Aubrey was deep in a hazy sleep, jolted awake by the insistent ringing of her phone. She fumbled in the dark, expertly swiping the screen before bringing it to her ear. “Hello….?”

“Bree… I’m not getting married, boo–hoo… I’m breaking up with Ryan…”

Sierra’s drunken sobs came through the phone.

Aubrey was instantly wide awake. She shot up in bed, her voice laced with concern. “Where are you? Have you been drinking?”

They were only fifteen days away from their wedding. The marriage was registered, invitations sent, wedding photos taken, and the venue booked. All that was left was the ceremony itself.

They couldn’t just break up.

Something huge must have happened.

She quickly threw back the covers and got out of bed. “Sierra, where are you?”

“The Corner Lounge.”

“Stay put. Don’t go anywhere. I’m coming to get you right now.” Aubrey quickly pulled open her closet and snatched out some clothes.

Damon, cool and regal in a black shirt and black pants, had eyes that were dark and unreadable, his gaze settling steadily on Aubrey.

“Yes, she’s heartless.” Damon’s voice was low, almost a whisper, yet it carried an icy edge.

Heart pounding, Aubrey dodged Damon’s intense gaze. She helped Sierra to her feet, scooping up both their bags. “Sierra, I’ll take you home.”

Sierra was unsteady, leaning heavily on Aubrey and causing her to stumble back a couple of steps. They swayed, stumbling towards the exit.

Outside the bar, Aubrey hailed a taxi and helped Sierra inside.

“Sierra, I’ll take you back to your mom’s place,” Aubrey said, wrapping an arm around her and gently stroking her hair.

Sierra pouted, on the verge of tears, shaking her head. “No, I don’t want Mom to see me like this. She’ll be so worried.”

“Then come to my place.”

“No, I don’t want to bother you. Just take me back to our apartment.”

“But Ryan will be there too, and I’m afraid you two will just fight again tonight.”

Sierra sat bolt upright, drunkenly yelling in anger, “He’s still a mama’s boy! He’s definitely gone back to his mommy’s house to get spoiled, not our shared apartment!”

Aubrey probably figured out why they were arguing,

Ryan came from a single–parent home, raised by his mother, while Sierra was a pampered princess who yearned for freedom, comfort, and the ability to do exactly as she pleased. She definitely wouldn’t want to live with an older person.

With no other choice, Aubrey had to take Sierra back to their shared apartment.

It was a spacious condo, particularly comfortable and cozy.

Once inside.

Aubrey gently guided Sierra Vance to the large bed in the room. She slipped off Sierra’s shoes and socks, wiped her down with a warm cloth, carefully removed her makeup, and changed her out of her clothes, putting her into comfortable pajamas.