Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 62

Chapter 62

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Pushing open the fire exit door, Tracy dragged Aubrey into the stairwell.

Tracy snatched her hand away, bristling with anger. She planted her hands on her hips and began pacing in front of Aubrey, taking deep, shuddering breaths as her gaze darted from the ceiling to the floor. Her expression was absolutely thunderous.

Aubrey’s stomach clenched with a sudden unease.“Tracy, what’s gotten into you?”

Tracy’s eyes stung with unshed tears. She glared at Aubrey, her voice thick with emotion.“You’re asking me what’s wrong? Aubrey, just the thought of you keeping this from us for over six years–it makes my blood boil…”

Aubrey’s legs felt like jelly. She leaned against the wall, her head bowed.

Tracy: “Did you ever stop to think about this from my brother’s perspective? Why did you lie to him? Why did you hide it from him? If he found out, he would be absolutely devastated, Aubrey. It would genuinely kill him.”

“What’s there to be angry about?” Aubrey managed a bitter smile, feigning a calm she didn’t feel.“I broke up with him because I didn’t love him, not because my dad went to prison. They’re completely unrelated.”

Tracy frowned, demanding angrily, “Aubrey, do I look like an idiot?”

Aubrey couldn’t muster a response.

Tracy tipped her head back, exhaling a long, shaky breath that hitched in her chest. After a tense moment, her gaze, sharp with accusation, found Aubrey’s again. “Six years ago, less than a month after your dad’s accident, you just suddenly stopped loving my second brother. How convenient is

that?”

“It just was that coincidental.”

“You can be as stubborn as you want,” Tracy declared, her voice sharp.“But I’m absolutely telling my second brother.”

“What would telling him change?” Aubrey’s eyes instantly reddened, as if an old wound had been ripped open and salt poured in, a raw, tearing agony.“Is he supposed to quit his job and be with me? Or beg your uncle to intervene and get my father out?”

Tracy was momentarily stunned by the question.

Aubrey forced a bitter smile, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and spoke, each word raw,“If it won’t change the outcome, what’s the point of saying it, only to cause him more pain?”

“So, you’re admitting you broke up with my second brother because of what happened with your dad?”

Aubrey lowered her head, discreetly wiping away a tear before forcing a stiff, brittle smile.“I’m truly not as noble as you think,” she insisted, her voice tight.“I just don’t love him anymore. It has absolutely nothing to do with my dad.”

“If you’re not noble, if you don’t love my second brother, then why do you still care if he’s hurting, if he’s torn between two impossible choices? You’re even afraid he’d sacrifice his career for you, yet you keep claiming you don’t love him while bearing all this pain by yourself. That ‘I don’t love him‘ of yours? It just doesn’t convince me.”

“Whatever you think, just don’t tell him, okay?”

“No. He has a right to the truth, and I couldn’t care less what your ending is.” Tracy declared, then turned and walked away.

Aubrey immediately caught up, clasping Tracy’s wrist. “He’s getting married. Shouldn’t we wish him the best? Why stir up trouble in his life now?”

“Marrying someone he doesn’t love, he won’t be happy. I can’t bless that, not even a little bit.” Tracy pushed Aubrey’s hand away, her voice exceptionally serious.“Even if you can’t be my sister–in–law, even if your outcome won’t change, that doesn’t mean my brother loses his right to know

the truth.”

“It won’t change anything. It’ll only cause him more pain.”

“Then that’s his fate, and he deserves to feel troubled.”

“Fine.” Aubrey took two steps back, her body weak and drained, leaning against the wall. Her faint voice carried a profound sense of helplessness.“Go ahead and tell him. Whatever you want.”

Tracy stood in the doorway, turning back to gaze deeply at Aubrey’s haggard face. The glint of tears in Aubrey’s eyes was clearly one of deep love and profound sorrow, yet why wouldn’t she admit she loved her brother?

Tracy couldn’t understand it. Could someone truly suppress their love for another to such an extent?

Chapter 62

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After a long momen, Tracy asked cofily, “Aubrey, have you ever considered that if you had told my brother about this, maybe he wouldn’t have given up his future, wouldn’t have broken the law, and certainly wouldn’t have left you? What if he had a fourth colution?”

Auley gave a tearful smile, but said nothing.

Tracy warched her end smile. Instead of leaving, she turned and walked back, wrapping her arms around Aubrey

The sudden embrace brought Aubrey’s weak frame a surge of warmth and a touch of strength.

She paused, then, unable to hold hack, buried her face in Tracy’s shoulder, silent tears streaming down.

Tracy wrapped an arm around her, gently stroking her back. Her voice, thick with sympathy, whispered, “Don’t carry everything on your own. What I see isn’t that you don’t love my brother. It’s that you love him too much. You couldn’t bear to ruin his future, to let him get involved in anything illegal, or to force him into an agonizing choice that would leave him riddled with pain and guilt, inevitably leading to a heartbreaking separation.”

As she spoke, Tracy gave a bitter smile.“You played the villain, all so my brother could keep his good name.”

Aubrey bit down on her lip, her body shaking with uncontrolled sobs, Muffled against Tracy’s shoulder, she choked out, “Tracy, Veronica is a good woman. They’ll be happy.”

“Veronica will be happy, but that doesn’t mean my brother will,” Tracy said, gently easing Aubrey back.“Aubrey, I believe, more than ever, that he has a fourth way out.”

With that, she turned and left, not looking back.

Aubrey watched Tracy’s retreating back, her heart sinking deeper.

A case that couldn’t be reversed. What fourth solution could there possibly be?

Aubrey sank weakly onto the stairs, her arms draped over her knees as she buried her face in the crook of her arms. It took a long, long time for her to gather herself.

When she returned to the hospital room, Layla asked her,“Where’s your friend?”

“She left.” Aubrey walked over and sat on the edge of the hospital bed.“Mom, did you tell Tracy about my illness?”

“No.” Layla sighed, her voice tinged with resignation.“I was afraid if she knew you had this kind of illness, she’d find you depressing, too much negative energy, and then what if she stopped wanting to be around you?”

That was one thing Aubrey wasn’t worried about.

“Don’t tell anyone, okay?”

“I know.” Layla nodded, her eyes full of worry.“I know you’ll get better.”

Aubrey forced a smile.“Once you’re well, I’ll be well too.”

Layla reached out and gripped Aubrey’s ice–cold hand, rubbing it between hers.” “Thank you, Aubrey, for taking such devoted care of me. It’s cost you a fortune. I’m much better now, maybe I should just be discharged. I can go home, take some herbal medicine, and slowly recuperate.”

“This isn’t just a common cold or flu. Your organs are in a state of failure, and you have to get proper medical treatment. Herbal medicine won’t fix this.” Aubrey patted her mother’s hand.“Don’t you worry about the money. Once you’re a little stronger, I’ll find a part–time job in New Haven City. I can earn money and take care of you at the same time.”

Layla wiped away tears, her voice thick with emotion. “I was so terribly wrong back then. I actually favored your brother, and I didn’t care enough about you. I even called you ungrateful, and I often hit you. But in the end, it’s my daughter who’s the most devoted, the most caring. I…”

Aubrey cut her off.“Don’t talk about the past. Just rest. I’ll go back to the Airbnb and make you some porridge. If you need anything, call the nurse or the aide, or you can call me.”

“Okay,” Layla replied, pulling a stack of cash from under her pillow and pressing it into Aubrey’s hand.“Here, take this. It’s for the medical bills.”

“Mom, this is too much money. We can’t take it. Should we give it back to Tracy?” Aubrey asked.

“It really is a lot,” Layla admitted, looking a bit embarrassed.“Alright, you decide what to do with it.”

Saturday evening.

The Grand Gardens were bathed in the orange glow of the evening sky. Bright lights illuminated the grand Blackwood mansion, specifically its opulent

recreation room.

(Chap 2

garbering for de ray’s atx, the chubben of powerful familles.

Incase mobe curled lady, and the mh aroma of ten filled the wir

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After dine, Tracy Blackwood pulled on a deck of cards and tossed them onto the table, “Come on, we’re bored. Let’s play some cards.”

*I’m far from twined,” Alex Fourt said, leaning languidly in the corner of the sofa, eyes fixed on a work report.

Tracy glanced over at him, Skylar’s older brother, Alex Foster, had just taken over the family business, and the weight of his responsibilities was clear. “jor relax this weekend. It’s a rare get together, so no work,” Logan Lewis said.

Ales Fours put file phone down and sat down “Sounds good,” he said.“Let’s just have fun this weekend. Damon, come on, play cards.”

Damon leaned again the window sill, a wine glass in hand, his gaze fixed on the disappearing twilight outside. He responded, his voice an indifferent marmur, “Lat my older brother play.”

In the corner, Zachary eat upright, deeply engrossed in a game of Chinese chess with a like–minded friend. His stoic, intense expression was profoundly serious, his brow furrowed in concentration. He simply offered, “Playing chess.”

Tracy rose, walked to Damon, and linked her arm through his. She pulled him toward the large coffee table, urging him into a seat.“Come on, just play with us.

Damon set down his glass, leaned forward, and picked up the cards, instinctively shuffling the deck.“Alright, I’ll play.”

Over there, the two upright and unyielding older brothers were deep in a game of chess.

Meanwhile, Damon, Tracy, Alex, and Logan were playing cards.

As the only woman among them, Tracy was clearly the favorite, everyone indulging her. Damon, naturally, was no exception.

Skylar had wanted to come with Alex Foster, but Damon’s single declaration had stopped her:“If she’s there, I’m out.”

So Alex hadn’t brought Skylar along.

Damon

Damon and Zachary didn’t typically reside at the Blackwood family mansion. They only came home occasionally to visit their parents and gather with friends.

Everyone was playing cards and chatting casually,

Tracy had been agonizing over the matter for days, and finally, she couldn’t resist subtly probing them. Slowly, hesitantly, she began, “My brothers, I have a friend who’s run into a really sticky situation, and I was hoping to get your advice.”

“A pair of sizes,” Alex said, laying down two cards. “Tell us, what’s going on?”

Chelsea played a pair of tens, her gaze darting to Damon as she collected her thoughts.“I have a friend who got into some trouble and now has a criminal record. Her boyfriend is in a government job, and they’re so deeply in love, they truly believe they won’t be happy for the rest of their lives without each other. What do you think they should do?”

Logan played a pair of twos.“Someone with a criminal record? What kind of good person is that? You should stop hanging out with people like that. It sounds like fate is trying to tell the guy they’re not meant for marriage.”

Alex nodded in agreement.“I agree with Logan. There’s no such thing as true love in this world. Anyone can live perfectly well without anyone else; it’s just a matter of time. Give it a year or so apart, and everything will be fine. Their next partner will be a better match.”

Chelsea looked at Damon.

Damon played his card, looking up to meet Chelsea’s gaze.“What are you zoning out for? Do you want it?”

“Huh?” Chelsea blinked.

“Four of Clubs. Do you want it?”

“Oh!” Chelsea threw down a King, realizing she’d played the wrong card. She frowned and sighed lightly, then pressed, “Damon, if you were that guy, what would you do?”

Damon played his last card, winning the round, and leaned back in his chair.“Just switch jobs, wouldn’t that solve it?”

Chelsea flinched, clutching her cards tight.“It’s a really good government job; he can’t just up and leave it!” she retorted, exasperated.

Damon frowned, countering, “Didn’t you just say they wouldn’t be happy for the rest of their lives without each other?”

“Exactly!”

Chapter 62

“Then he should change jobs!

“This job is his dream; he doesn’t want to change.”

Alex piped up, curious, “Chelsea, are you going to play or what?”

Chelsea glared at him. “Stop talking.”

Alex was left speechless.

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Damon offered a faint smile, his gaze bewildered as he looked at her. “Why are you so worked up, hounding me with questions about situation?”

“I just want to know what you think.”

“Change jobs,” Damon said offhandedly. “Didn’t I just say that?”

Furious, Tracy flung her cards onto the table. She gritted her teeth, her cheeks puffed out, and fixed Damon with a furious glare.

He was absolutely infuriating.

Aubrey truly knew him best, alright. Her brother’s love–blinded brain was something else entirely.

Did he have no ambition whatsoever?

your friend’s

Damon glanced at the cards scattered across the floor. He lifted an eyebrow, a faint, almost amused smile touching his lips.“Heh, little princess. You called me here to play, and you’re the one throwing a fit when I say something you don’t like. What exactly are you trying to achieve?”

Tracy furrowed her brows, her gaze locked on him.“What if he isn’t just a regular civil servant?” she challenged.“What if he’s an aerospace propulsion engineer? What if his dream, his lifelong ambition since he was a kid, has been to explore planets, to conquer the universe? Would you still tell him to change jobs?”

Damon’s face abruptly darkened, his playful demeanor vanishing. His voice, now laced with an icy edge, cut through the air. “What exactly do you mean by that?”

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