Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 59

Chapter 59

New Haven City in June

Concord Hospital was bustling with people, the clamor muffled by the ment of disinfectar

Aubrey sat on a chair in the hallway, dutching the bank card Damon had left for her, lost in though.

She hadn’t used that bank card once in a year and two months.

But now, her mother’s condition had worsened too quickly. She was already in Concord Hospital’s ICU, and the doctors estimated the cost at around $600,000. While insurance would cover a portion, the treatment would likely take two to three months, meaning Aubrey would need to rear a hotel oom or an Airbnb in New Haven City for that period.

With her mother clinging to life and Aubrey battling her own depression, she couldn’t avoid spending his money anymore, even if she wanted to.

Aubrey’s heart was heavy. After a moment of profound thought, she picked up her bay and stood, walking towards the payment hall

Clutching the deposit slip the doctor had given her, she went to the payment window and paid the $200,000 deposit.

She tucked the receipt into her backpack, then turned and left.

Sister–in–law.” A familiar, clear voice called out. Aubrey heard it, but ignored it, continuing to walk forward.

After all, she wasn’t anyone’s sister–in–law; it couldn’t possibly be for her.

Suddenly, a hand gently tapped her shoulder.“Sister–in–law?”

Aubrey turned her head to look.

That instant, her heart seized, a painful clench in her chest. She froze, her gaze locking onto the familiar girl’s face before her–Tracy.

Damon’s younger sister, three years his junior, had a beautiful, wholesome round face. Her big, clear eyes were bright, curving into warm crescents when she smiled, a smile as radiant as cherry blossoms in full bloom.

Tracy?” Aubrey murmured.

Tracy beamed, then rushed forward, arms wide, pulling Aubrey into a solid, warm embrace.“Oh my god, it’s really you! I thought I’d mistaken you for someone else. Long time no see! I can’t believe I ran into you here at Concord Hospital!”

The sudden embrace instantly melted Aubrey’s icy heart, and she froze, unsure how to react.

Tracy had always been cheerful and warm, but that familiar address weighed heavily on Aubrey’s heart, making her ache.

Tracy, your brother and I broke up ages ago,” Aubrey said softly.

Tracy let go of her, taking a step back, and chuckled awkwardly.“Oh, sorry! I’ve been calling you that for four years, it’s just a habit. Then I’ll call you Aubrey.”

Aubrey nodded.

Tracy looked her up and down.“What are you doing at Concord Hospital? Are you sick?”

I brought my mom in to see a doctor.”

Tracy, her voice laced with nervousness, gripped Aubrey’s cool hand.“What happened to Auntie? Is it serious? Do you need me to help find a pecialist?”

Thanks, but everything’s already settled, and she’s undergoing treatment.” Aubrey countered, “Why are you at the hospital? I follow your videos, and 1 thought you were abroad?”

“The videos on my account are posted on a delay. I just got back to the States myself. A colleague got injured on assignment and is hospitalized here, so I came to visit him.”

“Is it serious?”

“He’s okay, nothing life–threatening.”

Aubrey pressed her lips together and nodded, her hand slowly withdrawing from Tracy’s warm palm.

Tracy’s smile faltered, her gaze lingering on Aubrey’s slender frame. Her pretty face was slightly drawn, her hands cool to the touch. A palpable melancholy clung to her, making her seem fragile, tugging at Tracy’s heartstrings.

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“Does my brother know you’re in New Haven Chy?” Tracy asked softly.

“He doesn’t need to know.”

“Even exes can be friends.”

Aubrey forced a stiff smile. “No.”

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They’d tried. It was impossible to be friends. When you’ve truly loved someone, those feelings never really fade, no matter how much time passes,

Anyone who claimed to be friends with an ex was just suppressing their love, allowing themselves to continue interacting, tangling, and staying in rouch. It was nothing more than an immoral, lingering entanglement.

She wouldn’t disrupt Damon’s life again.

Tracy offered a sweet smile. “What about us, then? Can we be friends?”

Of course,” Aubrey replied, a soft smile gracing her lips.

Tracy linked arms with her, gently tugging her towards the exit.“Let’s grab lunch outside. It’s been too long, and I have so much to tell you.”

She’d always found Tracy’s exuberance hard to resist.

Back in college, when she and Damon were dating, Tracy would constantly follow her around, calling her sister–in–law, and always competing with Damon for her attention, constantly vying to be the one by her side.

Whenever Tracy was around, Damon could never get a moment alone with her.

Luckily for Tracy, she was the most pampered daughter in the family back then; otherwise, Damon would have absolutely throttled her.

Tracy took her to a famous local roast duck restaurant.

They ordered half a roast duck, along with other specialty dishes, and every single one was her absolute favorite.

Back then, Tracy’s affection for her was no less than Damon’s. Six years had passed, yet Tracy still remembered her tastes.

She liked Tracy just as much, seeing in her the qualities of a sunflower: bright and vibrant, pretty and outgoing, always turning towards the sun.

“We haven’t seen each other in six years, have we?” Tracy mused.

“Yeah, six years and two months.”

Tracy teased, a playful lilt in her voice as she quirked an eyebrow at Aubrey.“Remembering that clearly… was that the day you broke up with my

brother?”

A pang of self–consciousness hit Aubrey. She managed an awkward smile, lowering her gaze as she busied herself folding a piece of roasted duck into a wrapper, slowly bringing it to her mouth.

Two years ago, my brother was transferred to Crestview City for work. Skylar called my mom, complaining that he’d rented a place and moved in with you just to avoid her. So, no sparks flew between you two?”

‘No.” Aubrey felt a lump form in her throat, the bite of duck suddenly turning to sawdust in her mouth, impossible to swallow. She forced a stiff smile, quickly changing the subject.“Tracy,” she said, her voice a little strained,“tell me about your work. It’s so dangerous, you always running to the front lines where there’s fighting abroad.”

“It’s fine,” Tracy replied casually. “I like adventure.” She brushed Aubrey’s concern aside, leaning closer, subtly steering the conversation back. “You should come over to my place when you have a free moment. My grandpa misses you terribly.”

“How’s Grandpa doing?”

“He’s getting on in years, what do you expect? Since you’re already in New Haven City, try to make some time to visit him. It’s the least you could do, considering how kind he used to be to you.”

“Please give him my regards. It wouldn’t feel right for me to see him again.”

Tracy sighed softly, setting down her fork. Her voice softened, taking on a serious tone. “Your breakup with my brother, that’s between the two of you. It has nothing to do with us. We’re friends, and Grandpa sees you as his own granddaughter. So, as his granddaughter, now that you’re finally in New Haven City, shouldn’t you go see him yourself?”

Guilt gnawed at Aubrey. She dropped her gaze, torn.

“Don’t worry, Aubrey. My brother doesn’t live with Grandpa, so you won’t run into him.” Tracy tried to ease her apprehension, but then her voice

Chapter 59

dropped, suddenly heavy. “Besides,” she added, “my brother’s getting married.”

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Aubrey’s hand, gripping her fork, froze. She stiffened, her body going rigid as a sharp pang of pain erupted from deep inside her, spreading through every fiber of her being

The air around her seemed to thin, making it hard to breathe. A hot, ragged breath escaped her lips as her fork clattered softly against the plate. She mer Tracy’s gaze, forcing a calm she was miles from feeling. For a moment, she was utterly speechless, her mind a blank.

Tracy’s face fell as she gazed at Aubrey, “Aubrey, are you married?”

“No.”

“Are you single?”

“Yes.”

“I just don’t understand. You two dated for four years, you were so in love, so devoted to each other. Why did you suddenly stop loving my brother? Aubrey offered a small, bitter smile. “He’s getting married. Please don’t say that,”

Tracy let out a soft sigh.“Six years ago, after my second brother broke up with you, I don’t think he’s ever been truly happy since. He went from being this sunny, warm–hearted guy to someone silent and cold, utterly gloomy, drained of all his life, and picked up nasty habits like smoking and drinking, All these years, my aunt kept trying to set him up with suitable matches, but he wouldn’t even give them the time of day. He was transferred to Crestview City for a year, and when he came back, my mom said he’d become even more withdrawn, practically a stranger to us. Then my aunt set him up with someone, and he actually agreed without hesitation. After just one meeting, he agreed to marry her… Tsk, it’s just ridiculous.” Aubrey slowly picked up a tissue from the table and lowered her head to wipe her trembling palms. Her eyes burned, wet with unshed tears, and a raw, burning dryness clawed at her throat with every shaky breath. Her numb heart, in that moment, began to ache with every beat.

She wanted Damon to marry a woman who would make him truly happy, who would fill his life with joy and promise him a bright future. But hearing Tracy’s words, Aubrey understood Damon was unhappy, discontent, treating even his own marriage with such dismissive indifference. Tracy leaned back in her chair, her shoulders slumping. In a heavy voice, she asked, “Aubrey, do you know what visceral attraction is?” Aubrey was shrouded in a cloud of gloomy emotion, her heart throbbing painfully, tears stinging behind her eyes. She couldn’t bring herself to lift her head and meet Tracy’s gaze, remaining utterly silent.

Tracy answered her own question.“My second brother, Damon, has that visceral attraction for you. From the first moment he saw you, his heart was yours. His love for you was an open book; our entire family could see it. No matter how you treated him, no matter how many years passed, whenever he saw you, his heart would pound, and he couldn’t resist the urge to get closer. You’re still single, so why don’t you reconsider him? I truly don’t want to see him trapped in an unhappy marriage.”

Aubrey shook her head, her heart heavy with guilt.

Damon hadn’t cared about her “betrayal” six years ago. Not even Tracy had held it against her. The Blackwoods truly were so good.

“I really don’t like the woman my aunt set him up with. She’s too overbearing and high–maintenance. Aside from her good family background, she doesn’t hold a candle to you in any way, and she’s totally wrong for my second brother.”

I’m sorry, I need to use the bathroom.” Aubrey shot to her feet, choking out the words before she spun around and bolted for the bathroom.

Tracy froze, watching Aubrey’s retreating back. A sudden unease settled over her; something was definitely off. She sprang to her feet, following closely behind.

Aubrey bolted into the restroom, dashed into a stall, slammed the door shut, and collapsed onto the toilet lid.

An icy chill enveloped her, her hands trembling so violently she couldn’t control them. Tears gushed from her eyes in an unstoppable torrent, stealing her breath.

Her stomach clenched in a painful spasm, her heart throbbed with a suffocating ache, and every bone in her body felt as if a million ants were relentlessly gnawing at them.

The pain stole her breath. Her hands trembled as she gripped the wall, biting down hard on her lower lip, desperately trying to keep from crying out.

But her body trembled uncontrollably, and that suffocating, near–death sensation washed over her once more.

The world around her blurred into a gray haze. The air felt thin and heavy, crushing her, making it impossible to straighten up.

From outside the door came Tracy’s worried voice.“Aubrey, are you okay?”

Aubrey quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, closing her eyes, and took a deep breath, then another. Struggling to control the overwhelming

< Chapter 59

physical discomfort, she cleared her throat, trying her best to keep her voice steady.“I’m fine,” she managed.

“Okay, I’ll wait for you outside.”

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Tracy was still worried. She waited outside the door for a moment, and when she heard no more sounds, she finally left the restroom.

Inside the restroom, Aubrey dry–swallowed her antidepressants. It took nearly half an hour for her body to gradually calm down.

She splashed some water on her face, then walked out.

Thirty minutes was too long; Tracy’s face was etched with worry as she gazed deeply at Aubrey’s face.

Pale, gaunt, and somber, her reddened eyes starkly revealed she’d been crying, yet she feigned an extraordinary calm.

“Tracy, I have to go, I have something to take care of. I’m so sorry…” Her voice was hoarse and weak; a closer listen would reveal the tell–tale rasp of

tears.

Tracy quickly interrupted her, grabbing her phone as she stood.“Aubrey, let’s exchange our Grid info. It’ll be easier to keep in touch.”

“Okay.” Aubrey pulled out her phone, scanned Tracy’s QR code, and added her as a friend.

After Tracy accepted the request, she smiled. “You go take care of whatever you need to now. Later, when you have some free time, let’s make plans to visit Grandpa together. He’ll be so happy to know you’re in New Haven City.”

“Mhm.” Aubrey pressed her lips together, silent for a few seconds, before she couldn’t help but say, “Your brother and I both want nothing to do with each other anymore. So, there’s no need to mention me in front of him.”

Tracy gave a helpless, soft laugh.“I respect your choices.”

After parting ways with Tracy, Aubrey went to the hospital.

Her mother was still in the ICU, receiving specialized monitoring and treatment from the medical staff, so Aubrey wasn’t needed for her care.

She rented a small, rundown private room near the hospital, shuttling back and forth daily between the hospital and her temporary lodging.

With her mother’s condition improving under the doctors‘ care, Aubrey put visiting Grandpa Blackwood on her agenda.

Before going, she messaged Tracy to arrange a time, specifically stating that she didn’t want to run into Damon.

Tracy vowed, “I promise you won’t run into my second brother. He’s incredibly busy. I even messaged him specifically to ask if he’d be coming to Grandpa’s today, and he said he didn’t have time.”

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