Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 60

Chapter 60

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Aubrey emerged, carrying a glass of apple juice, with Tracy right beside her, a platter of watermelon and cantaloupe cradled in her hands. “Grandpa, who are you on the phone with?” Tracy asked, her curiosity piqued.

Old Man Blackwood hung up, setting his phone down. A playful grin spread across his face.“Heh heh, I’m not telling you.”

“Grandpa, your juice.” Aubrey presented him with the apple juice, offering it with both hands.

“Thank you, Aubrey.” Old Man Blackwood took the glass, taking a small sip. His eyes crinkled into crescent moons.“Mmm, this is so good.”

Aubrey settled onto the long mahogany sofa. Tracy sat beside her, slipping an arm around hers and leaning in close. Even after years apart, there was no awkwardness, only the comfortable closeness of best friends.

Old Man Blackwood set his juice down. He asked kindly, “Aubrey, are you here in New Haven City for work?”

“No, Grandpa,” Aubrey replied.“My mom’s sick, and I’m here with her for treatment at Concord Hospital.”

“Traveling all the way to New Haven City for treatment, is it very serious?”

Aubrey was silent for a few seconds. Not wanting them to worry, she forced a smile. “It’s actually okay. It’s just the more complex cases that are a bit tricky. Our doctors back home suggested we come to Concord Hospital; they’re just more specialized here.”

“Whatever you need, just say the word,” Old Man Blackwood said, his eyes full of sincerity.“Please, don’t ever think you’re troubling us. Our paths crossing like this, it’s destiny.”

“Thank you, Grandpa.” Aubrey smiled and nodded.

Every act of kindness from the Blackwoods only amplified the crushing weight in her chest, deepening her guilt. She felt utterly undeserving.

“You’ll stay for dinner tonight,” Old Man Blackwood said, rising from his seat and heading toward the door.“I’ve got some free–range chickens out back. I’ll have the housekeeper butcher two for you. You need to put some meat on those bones, look how thin you are…”

Aubrey’s eyes widened, and she started to rise from her seat.“Oh, no, Grandpa, you really don’t have to go to any trouble for me…”

Before Aubrey could finish, Tracy grabbed her arm.“Aubrey, don’t ruin his good mood,” she chided softly. “Look how happy Grandpa is.”

“But…” Aubrey began, her words trailing off, unable to decline Old Man Blackwood’s genuine hospitality.

“No buts,” Tracy insisted, tightening her grip on Aubrey’s arm.“You’re staying for dinner. Come on, let’s go stroll around Grandpa’s little garden and play with those two mynah birds. They’re hilarious.”

Aubrey offered a soft smile, letting Tracy lead her out by the arm.

As dusk settled, the slanting sunlight streamed into the courtyard, bathing the flowers and greenery in a warm, rosy glow.

Aubrey and Tracy kept Old Man Blackwood company in the garden, playing chess, chatting, enjoying the view with tea, and amusing themselves with the mynah birds.

The housekeeper slaughtered the chickens and prepared a lavish dinner.

A sound from the main door drew their attention. Steady footsteps approached, accompanied by a man’s deep voice and a woman’s gentle tone. In unison, they called out, “Dad…”

The three in the pavilion looked up at the sound.

Aubrey stood up nervously, her gaze fixed on the two newcomers.

It was Damon’s parents–Chase Blackwood and Victoria.

The man stood tall and straight, radiating an innate uprightness. The woman was graceful and poised, her eyes reflecting a calm, expansive clarity. Standing together, they were the perfect embodiment of a venerable, well–respected family.

The moment their eyes landed on Aubrey, they, too, paused for a beat, a flicker of surprise crossing their features,

“Come on in!” Old Man Blackwood called out.

Tracy, utterly surprised, hurried over and linked arms with Victoria. “Dad, Mom, what are you doing here?”

“Your grandfather asked us to come for dinner,” Victoria replied softly.

Tracy’s brow furrowed, a ripple of unease washing over her.

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The trio headed towards the gazebo.

As they drew closer, Aubrey’s nervous fingers picked at the hem of her dress. Her heart lurched, a thin sheen of sweat breaking out along her spine. She offered a polite nod. “Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood, it’s been a while.”

Chase Blackwood, his expression unsmiling, simply gave a curt nod.“Yes, it has been.”

Victoria stepped closer, her smile warm and kind. “Aubrey? When did you come to New Haven City? Are you here for work?”

“No, Auntie, I brought my mom to Concord Hospital for treatment.”

“What’s wrong with your mother?” Victoria’s expression sobered, her voice grave as she grasped Aubrey’s hand firmly.“Is it serious? Do you need arry help?

Aubrey lowered her gaze. Everyone in the Blackwood family cared so deeply about her mother, filling Aubrey with a complicated mix of gratitude and an overwhelming sense of burden. What had she ever done to deserve such heartfelt concern from them?

She replied politely, “My mother is doing well, thank you, Auntie.”

Victoria gently kneaded her slender fingers, her gaze drawn irresistibly downward. A soft frown creased her brow, and her voice, thick with tenderness and concern, emerged. “It’s the dead of summer, darling, how are your hands so icy? We haven’t seen each other in years, and you’ve wasted away. Are you truly not eating enough?”

The simple question, Have you been eating properly?‘ was enough to make Aubrey’s eyes well up.

The words struck the softest, most vulnerable part of her heart, a sudden liferaft in a raging sea, a beacon in a pitch–black cave.

A fresh wave of aching sadness washed over her.

Her own mother had never once cared if she’d lost weight, if her hands were freezing, or if she was even eating properly.

After six long years, she felt a mother’s warmth radiating from Victoria once more.

She was fiercely envious of Damon and his siblings, who had grown up in such a loving home, blessed with such wonderful parents and a funny, adorable grandfather.

She fought back the hot tears, forcing a shaky smile as she feigned composure. “I’m doing really well, Auntie,” she insisted.

Victoria sighed softly, her gaze softening as she looked up at Aubrey. Her voice, though affectionate, held a hint of playful complaint. “You little rascal, you’ve been doing just fine all these years, but it’s my son who’s suffered.”

Aubrey’s breath hitched, her chest tightening as if a massive stone had settled there, stealing the air from her lungs.

“Honey, what are you saying?” Chase gently chided.

Victoria snapped out of it then, letting out a soft sigh as she patted Aubrey’s hand.“Don’t mind me, dear, I just speak my mind. I was truly just speaking from the heart.”

“I let Damon down.” Aubrey lowered her gaze, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill.

Victoria rubbed Aubrey’s still ice–cold hand.“Oh, it’s all in the past now, let’s not dwell on it. But I’ve been holding your hands for ages, and they’re still so cold. Have you thought about seeing a holistic medicine practitioner?”

“Auntie, I’m really fine.” Aubrey tried to pull her hand away.

Victoria gripped Aubrey’s hand again, gazing up at her sharp, thin face. “How can you be fine? Look how pale and drawn you are! And so thin! No, I’m not reassured.” Then, she looked towards Old Man Blackwood. “Dad, please call the old holistic doctor and ask him to come over.”

Old Man Blackwood immediately pulled out his phone.

Aubrey panicked.“Really, there’s no need, Grandpa…”

But no one paid her any mind.

Aubrey was at a loss. She’d only come to visit Old Man Blackwood, whom she hadn’t seen in years. How had it suddenly turned into a medical consultation for her?

Half an hour later.

The living room was illuminated by warm white light.

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Doctor Taylor’s eyes were closed, his old, strong fingers resting on Aubrey’s slender wrist, completely absorbed in her pulse. After a few minutes, he suddenly opened his eyes, gazed at Aubrey’s face, and let out a long sigh.

That sigh made everyone’s hearts leap into their throats, their expressions tense. The atmosphere abruptly grew heavy.

“What’s wrong with the child?” Old Man Blackwood asked, his voice tight with worry.

Aubrey quickly pulled her wrist away.

She was certain there was nothing physically wrong with her organs. She didn’t believe Doctor Taylor could diagnose depression just by taking her pulse.

It was impossible.

The old doctor, his expression gentle, spoke to Aubrey in a soft voice. “My dear,” he said, “your spirit has taken a severe blow, a deep emotional trauma.”

At his words, a shiver of dread ran through Aubrey. Goosebumps prickled her skin, and an inexplicable coldness seeped into her bones. Her fingers trembled, curling into tight fists as she stared, wide–eyed and anxious, at the old doctor.

“Her spirit is damaged? Her emotional state compromised?” Victoria interjected, her face etched with worry.“Is it because your mother’s illness has left you completely drained?”

A surge of panic tightened Aubrey’s chest, leaving her speechless.

The old doctor, though he’d detected her compromised emotional state, didn’t know the reason. When Aubrey remained silent, he continued, his voice gentle but probing, “Do you find yourself uninterested in everything now? No desire to socialize, work, or even go out? Do you lack the energy for anything, feel perpetually exhausted, prone to tears, and easily agitated? Do you feel like you’re just barely hanging on, forced to fight to keep living for the sake of someone or something else?”

“I haven’t,” Aubrey quickly denied.

The old doctor sighed softly.“You feel like you’ve moved on, found your peace, and let go of the past. But in reality, it’s merely a symptom of a deeply wounded spirit, of profound emotional scars.”

Aubrey shot to her feet, snatching up her bag.“I’m sorry, Doctor, but you’re mistaken. I… I’m perfectly healthy.”

She finished speaking, then turned to Old Man Blackwood, offering a quick, apologetic nod.“I’m so sorry, Grandpa,” she said, her voice a little rushed. “But I just remembered some urgent matters at the hospital I need to attend to, so I won’t be able to stay for dinner.”

She then apologized to Chase Blackwood and Victoria.“I’m sorry, Uncle and Auntie, I need to go.”

She simply couldn’t bear to linger any longer. After a hurried goodbye, Aubrey rushed out, keenly aware of the concerned gazes following her every step.

Beyond the courtyard, the twilight stretched, vast and dim.

Aubrey’s steps were hurried, frantic. Just as she was about to reach the gate, she slammed to a sudden halt, freezing in place.

The encroaching twilight blurred around her, but her gaze snagged on the man walking in. Her heart lurched, then began to pound a tight, painful rhythm in her chest.

One year and two months. That’s how long it had been since she’d seen Damon.

Damon was impeccably dressed in a black shirt and trousers, still standing tall and commanding, with that same cool, striking handsomeness. His deep, captivating dark eyes, which usually held a remote, almost detached glint, were now just as frozen.

Their eyes met, and in that exchange, an unmistakable, suffocating density–a heavy, unspoken weight–settled between them.

A mere year and two months, yet it felt like a lifetime had passed.

Aubrey had arrived in New Haven City, having long prepared herself for the possibility of encountering Damon. So now, beyond a quiet tension, she wasn’t overly shocked.

Damon, however, was blindsided. Finding Aubrey at his grandfather’s house was a complete shock–unexpected, bewildering, and left him utterly

disoriented.

Whatever other emotions warred within him, they were all masked in that single, momentary pause.

Aubrey took a deep, shaky breath, sweat beading on her palms as her knuckles slowly tightened around her purse strap, turning stark white.

His letter. She remembered the last line.

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“Life is long, and I won’t pretend we’d never meet again. If our paths should cross, let’s share a polite smile and then go our separate ways, strangers

once more.”

It took nearly every ounce of strength she had to force down her grief, to plaster on a serene, composed smile. She offered him a polite nod, a silent greeting.

Without a word, just that brittle smile, she lengthened her stride, brushing past him.

A gust of wind swept through, carrying a faint scent of flowers. In the sudden quiet, she could almost hear the whisper of the breeze, the rustle of falling leaves, and the frantic thrum of her own heartbeat.

She walked fast, disappearing beyond the main gate.

“Aubrey!” Tracy rushed out after her.

She called out, running past Damon, only for his hand to shoot out, clamping around her arm.

Tracy stopped short, turning her head to him, her brow furrowed in confusion. “Damon, what are you doing grabbing me? I need to get Aubrey back to stay for dinner.”

A dark cloud seemed to hang around Damon. His gaze fixed straight ahead, his voice flat and laced with a hint of displeasure.“You brought her here!” “Yeah”

“What do you mean?” Damon asked, his voice sharp with anger.

“What do I mean?” Tracy huffed, annoyed, shoving his too–tight grip away and rubbing her sore arm.

“You brought my ex–girlfriend to Grandpa’s place, and then Grandpa called me back.” Damon slowly turned to face her.“What exactly are you trying to pull?”

Tracy put her hands on her hips, taking a deep breath.“Damon, I honestly had no idea Grandpa called you back for dinner. I met Aubrey at Concord Hospital; I wasn’t trying to set you two up. Besides, you’re getting married. I certainly don’t want Aubrey to be the other woman.” “Remember what you said.” Damon’s voice was icy, unyielding. With that final, cutting remark, he turned and walked back into the house. Tracy watched Damon’s cold, retreating back and couldn’t help but huff. She muttered to herself, “I give up. Doesn’t anyone care why Aubrey went to the hospital? So utterly indifferent. No wonder Mom says you’ve become a stranger, like you don’t even recognize your own family anymore.”

Suddenly, a large hand settled on Tracy’s head, giving it a smooth twist that spun her around.

As she looked up, a chiseled, stern, handsome face filled her vision.

Tracy’s face lit up, a brilliant smile spreading across it.“Zachary! You’re back too?”

Zachary’s voice was warm with indulgence.“What were you just muttering about, little one?”