Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 51

Chapter 51

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As their eyes locked, the oppressive atmosphere felt like it was crushing the air from her lungs. Aubrey’s heart sank, heavy as lead.

Ethan took a step, moving toward Damon.

Tll go explain everything to Damon.”

Aubrey quickly grabbed his sleeve.

Ethan paused, turning to Aubrey. “If you don’t make it clear now,” he whispered, “he’s definitely going to get

the wrong idea.”

Telling Damon about his sexuality would only lead Damon to start digging into the real reasons behind her abrupt breakup five years ago, wouldn’t it?

Ethan knew she was too scared to tell him.

“You don’t need to explain,” Aubrey said, her voice carefully even.“He’ll believe me.”

Ethan scoffed, a sneer twisting his lips. “Are you kidding me? Do you seriously think you understand men better than I do?”

“What about Damon? What makes him so special?”

Aubrey didn’t answer, but her thoughts raced.

Yes, he was different. Completely.

When Damon loved, he loved fiercely and without conditions. He’d trust you completely, wouldn’t let anyone drive a wedge between you.

That was Damon. Her Damon. The man she’d loved for nine long years.

Damon’s gaze settled on Aubrey’s hand, still clutching Ethan’s shirt. His eyes, already stormy, darkened further, a dangerous glint in their depths.

He strode forward, his steps predatory. His hand closed around Aubrey’s wrist, a non–negotiable grip. Without a word, he pulled her, almost dragged her, toward the main exit.

Aubrey wasn’t in a hurry, but Ethan was, chasing after them.“Damon, you need to explain to Bree that this wasn’t some setup I planned. I honestly had no idea you were leaving work this early. You have to clear my name on this.”

Damon’s steps faltered, and he stopped.

A cold stillness radiated from his back. He hesitated for a few seconds before turning to face Ethan, his voice icy.“What did you just call her?”

Ethan seemed unfazed.“Bree!”

Damon frowned, then looked at Aubrey.“You let him call you Bree?”

Aubrey didn’t dare to speak. It was true Ethan Sterling had been calling her Bree, a childhood nickname, for over twenty years; she was numb to it now, felt absolutely nothing.

Damon pressed his lips into a bitter line, his jawline going rigid. A flicker of anger sparked in his deep black eyes as he looked at Ethan.“What do you want me to explain?” he bit out.“It’s obvious this was intentional, wasn’t it?”

Ethan stared at Damon, wide–eyed. He shook his head, a stunned laugh escaping him.“My God, I never thought even you, Damon, would be so manipulative. You framed me! I’m truly disillusioned with you.”

Damon ignored him, hauling Aubrey into the building’s main entrance and then into the elevator.

The entire way up, Damon’s face remained grim, not uttering a single word.

Aubrey’s wrist throbbed from where he’d roughly pulled her home. The moment the front door clicked shut, Damon finally released her.

He didn’t even bother to take off his shoes, striding to the living room couch and sinking down. His heavy frame leaned back, his grim, troubled expression profoundly unsettling as he closed his eyes, feigning sleep.

Aubrey rubbed her wrist, slipped off her shoes, and set down her bag.

She walked over and sat beside Damon, turning sideways to press her cheek against his chest, her arms wrapping around his waist as she held him tightly.

The sudden embrace made Damon’s body stiffen slightly.

“Shouldn’t you explain first?” Damon didn’t push her away, nor did he hug her back, his voice cool and deep.

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Damon coffed, cutting her off, his voice faced with palpable dispute “Yon you, I can say all res walkylar Can’t yis is the case for with him?”

Aubrey couldn’t meet his game “If this was intentional again, I won’t forgive him, the wiegenet.

And what if i was just a coincidence this time?” Damon pressed, his voice deceptively soft. “Are you going to forgive everything fw did before? Der yone still love him?” He spoke them so casually, yes each word was a dagger ring in his own heart, a pain as sharp ir made his gener

Aubrey froze, started into looking up to meet his blazing gaze

The moment she saw the raw redness in Damon’s eyes, she knew she’d wounded him again.

She knew Damon’s love was sincere, pure, and fiercely passionate.

When he loved, he gave his trust completely, 100 percent, believing every word she said without question

This was why she hadn’t feared Damon would misunderstand her and Ethan, even if she hadn’t explained herself.

But she couldn’t exploit Damon’s genuine and fervent love, hurting him repeatedly.

She couldn’t bear it.

Now that her father’s case was on the brink of being overturned, she could finally envision a future with Damon, forever.

She didn’t want to hide her heart anymore.

“No, I don’t love Ethan. There’s never been anything romantic between us, not ever since we were kids. In my heart, he’s always just been a childfood friend.”

Her words made Damon let out a profoundly bitter laugh.“Aubrey, have you forgotten why we broke up five years ago

“Five years ago, I didn’t love Ethan either.” As Aubrey recalled the scenes from their breakup now, her heart still ached so much she could barely breathe. She let out a heavy breath and whispered, her gaze lowered, “Ethan and I grew up together; if I loved him, I never would have dated you for four years. Everything I said to hurt you when we broke up, it was all lies. I was in so much pain then too,” Damon suddenly cupped her face, tilting her chin up to meet her clear, glistening eyes. Shock filled his. Aubrey stared into Damon’s bloodshot, glistening eyes, her heart aching with a dull throb.

A fresh wave of overwhelming guilt crashed over her, remembering the pain she’d once caused him.

Damon’s brows knit together into a furious knot, frustration choking him. His gaze lingered on her for a long moment, heavy with unspoken pain, his voice a raw, mournful whisper: “But why? Why did you break up with me back then? Why did you do that to me

“Because…” The words that were about to spill from Aubrey’s lips caught in her throat.

Her mind flashed back to what Damon’s aunt had told her.

For a prominent family like the Blackwoods, the eldest aunt wasn’t just an aunt; she was the family’s undisputed matriarch. Every decision she made, every move she orchestrated, stemmed from a single purpose: to uphold the family’s glory and reputation, and to meticulously chart a brilliant future for each of its younger members.

She’d promised her aunt she wouldn’t tell Damon about her father’s imprisonment; otherwise, he’d surely get involved.

If Damon got involved, his future and career would be irrevocably shattered.

So, she had to carry this burden alone, until her father walked out of prison, his name cleared. Only then could she finally explain everything to him. Her silence fueled Damon’s suspicions. He couldn’t wait to ask, “Is it about money?”

Aubrey stiffened.

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Damon’s heart twisted in his chest. “You don’t love Ethan, but you wanted more money, more material comfort, right?”

Aubrey let out a shaky breath.“You can see it that way if you want,” she said, her voice softer. “But I’ve never loved Ethan, not for a single day. The only man I have ever loved, from the very start, is you, Damon. Only you.”

His eyes blazing red, Damon yanked her into his arms, holding her fiercely.

Aubrey felt the powerful grip of his arms, so strong they nearly squeezed the breath from her.

She was a tangle of sadness and fierce tenderness, wrapping her arms around his waist and gently stroking his back.

“I’m sorry, Bree.” Damon’s voice was hoarse, each word a raw, bleeding wound. “For making you endure hardship alongside me during those four years.

I regret my youthful pride, insisting on earning everything myself. My meager part–time wages, after tuition, rent, and food, left you with so, so little. You were with me for four years, and I never even bought you a single decent gift.”

His words sliced into Aubrey’s heart like a knife, leaving her raw and bleeding. Tears welled uncontrollably, spilling over and tracing hot paths down her pale cheeks.

She had never once cared, never once resented him.

Damon’s agony and guilt tore at her, and she still couldn’t explain anything.

“I’m the one who’s sorry, Damon,” Aubrey choked out, murmuring.“Don’t blame yourself. It’s all my fault.”

“Never again. I won’t let you suffer with me ever again.” Damon gently pushed her away, cupping her face in his hands. His red–rimmed eyes, brimming with unshed tears, were filled with a burning sincerity. He rasped, “I’ll give you everything. I’ll give you the best life, materially.”

Aubrey’s heart was a chaotic mess of emotion. She bit her lip, trying to hold back her tears, but thick tears, like a broken string of pearls, streamed down

her cheeks.

Damon wiped her tears away with his thumb, then lowered his head and kissed her.

The kiss started soft, then deepened. It grew fervent and wild. As passion consumed him, he found himself losing control.

Aubrey was pushed back until she lay on the sofa.

His kiss seemed to shift, moving beyond tenderness and towards pure desire. His body instinctively pressed down against her soft, yielding form. His hand traced a path from her neck, drifting lower.

His lips drifted from hers, trailing a hot path across her cheek and down.

It was what she’d longed for, what she’d anticipated for so long.

Just as it seemed inevitable, a wave of nerves washed over her, preventing her from fully surrendering to the moment.“Damon,” she blurted out, the words surprising even herself, “I bought you a gift. Do you want to see it?”

Damon froze, reason crashing back into him. He lingered over her for a beat, then pushed himself up, pulling her gently with him until they were both seated.“What gift?”

Aubrey beamed, reaching for her backpack. She pulled out a small bag and eagerly handed it to him.

A flicker of curiosity sparked in Damon’s eyes.“You bought this specifically for me?”

‘Mm–hmm, take a look.” Aubrey’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

Damon looked down. The instant his fingers brushed the opening of the bag, Aubrey’s hand shot out, pressing firmly over the top. She spoke quickly, nervous tremor in her voice.“Just so you know, it’s really not expensive. Please don’t get your hopes up too high. I’d hate for you to be disappointed.”

Damon tenderly ruffled her hair. “Even if you folded me a paper airplane, I would cherish it. I wouldn’t be disappointed.”

“Okay then.” Aubrey pulled her hand back, a happy flush coloring her cheeks. Her heart was thrumming even more anxiously than the recipient’s, desperate to see his reaction.

Damon reached into the bag and pulled out the phone case. The moment he saw the design on it, his eyes lit up like stars, and a smile he couldn’t suppress curved his lips.

“Why is it only your back? Where’s mine?” Damon recognized the image at once.

Aubrey pulled out her own phone, flipping it over to reveal its back. “You’re on mine,” she said.

Damon’s face instantly lit up as he saw the design on her phone case, the matching half of their couple’s set. He eagerly pulled out his own phone, unable to wait to swap on the new case.

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With the new case on, his smile sweetened even further, as if he’d just tasted honey, making him look incredibly gentle, refined, and softly handsome.

“It’s beautiful,” he murmured.

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