Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 67

Chapter 67

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The night was quiet and still, broken only by the sporadic chirping of crickets from the hospital garden.

On the third floor, the private room was utterly silent. The scent of antiseptic subtly permeated the air, and a faint, warm yellow light fell across Damon’s somber, handsome face.

He sat silently on the lounge sofa, his broad shoulders feeling impossibly heavy, as if crushed under the weight of a mountain. He leaned back, utterly spent, his dark eyes fixed, unblinking, on Aubrey, unconscious on the bed.

A profound sense of self–blame and guilt settled over him, making it impossible to leave the hospital room, not even for a step.

From afternoon, well into the night, the IV drip finally finished its course. Still, Aubrey didn’t stir.

Tracy pushed the door open, her steps light. Carrying a box of late–night food, she asked softly, “Is Aubrey still not awake?”

Damon’s gaze didn’t waver. He simply shook his head.

Tracy walked over to him and placed the late–night food on the coffee table. “Damon,” she said gently, “you haven’t had dinner. You should eat something.”

“I’m not hungry.” Damon leaned his head back against the sofa, closing his eyes and letting out a heavy sigh. “Did you notify her brother?” “He’s been notified. He’s taking a late flight and will arrive tomorrow morning.”

“Okay.”

Tracy sat down beside him. “Damon, why don’t you go home and get some rest? I can stay here with her.”

Damon remained motionless, not saying a word.

Tracy, a little hesitantly, reminded him, “You’re a man with a fiancée. It’s not appropriate for you to spend the night here with her. Veronica would certainly have something to say about it if she found out.”

Damon lifted a hand, pinching the bridge of his nose, his voice impossibly deep. “I just want to wait for her to wake up and get an answer. Why did she lie to me? Why did she lie to me for six whole years?”

“I know you’re angry, but does the answer even matter now? Do you think Aubrey cares about your feelings?”

“Exactly. If she cared about my feelings even a little, she wouldn’t have abandoned me twice.” Damon gave a bitter laugh, then let out a self–deprecating scoff. “The answer truly doesn’t matter anymore.”

With that, he stood up.

Tracy looked up at him.

He stood still, his gaze still fixed on Aubrey. His shadowed eyes stared deeply at her, as if he’d made a monumental decision. “If you need anything, call

me.”

“Okay.” Tracy nodded.

Damon turned, resolute, and left the hospital room.

The door closed.

Moments later, Aubrey slowly opened her bloodshot eyes, her hands slowly gripping the covers, her knuckles white.

Tracy rose, crossing the room to Aubrey’s bedside. The moment her hand brushed Aubrey’s forehead, she froze.

“Aubrey…” Tracy’s voice was barely a whisper, a beat passing before she seemed to fully grasp the situation. “You were awake when my brother was here, weren’t you?”

Aubrey slowly closed her eyes, each blink a dull ache. Her tears had long since run dry, leaving her too exhausted to even form a single word. She simply

nodded.

Tracy let out a soft, regretful sigh. “A relationship where both sides end up utterly broken, huh?”

Aubrey remained silent.

“Aubrey, want something to eat? I picked up some late–night food.”

She shook her head.

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Tracy sat on the edge of the bed, taking Aubrey’s cold hand and gently rubbing it. “I’m just glad you’re awake,” she said. “You had me worried sick.”

“Tracy,” Aubrey managed, her voice raspy and weak. “What exactly happened when my mom went to your place?”

“I’m so sorry, Aubrey.” Tracy’s face was etched with guilt. She lowered her head and began to speak, her voice soft but steady: “Mrs. Layla arrived with a storm of fury. The moment she stepped into our yard, she started yelling that my second brother, Damon, was a scumbag, accusing him of hurting you. To avoid provoking her further, Damon admitted he had wronged you, admitting it was all his fault. He tried to invite her inside, but she refused. He offered to take her back to the hospital, but she wouldn’t budge. She insisted on seeing Hannah, saying she needed to get justice for you.”

‘Aunt Hannah did come, and she brought two security guards with her. An argument broke out between her and Mrs. Layla. The two security guards ried to force Mrs. Layla out, and that’s when a physical struggle ensued.”

‘My second brother, Damon, was trying to protect Mrs. Layla, but Mrs. Layla became too agitated and passed out. My second brother and I were both Frantic then. We rushed Mrs. Layla to the emergency room as fast as we could. We never expected anything like that to happen. I’m so sorry, Aubrey.”

Aubrey’s heart felt like it was being torn apart, yet her voice remained eerily calm. “Don’t blame yourselves, or feel guilty. This has nothing to do with you. My mom was diagnosed with a rare illness a year ago. They could never find the cause, and it dragged on for so long that multiple organs started

ailing. The disease itself was dangerous. She had heart failure, and absolutely couldn’t get angry. She was stubborn, fiery, and refused to listen. Maybe his was just fate.”

Tracy clenched her fist and angrily pounded the bed. “It was all my Aunt Hannah, meddling where she shouldn’t have, coming to the hospital to bother you. That’s what enraged your mom. If it weren’t for Aunt Hannah, your mom would never have snuck out of the hospital.”

Aubrey didn’t reply. She reached out and felt around the bedside table. “Where’s my phone?”

Tracy pulled open the nearby drawer, took out the phone, and placed it in her hand.

Aubrey held the phone. She texted Brendan, personally informing him of their mother’s passing.

Tracy looked at Aubrey’s pale, haggard face, a pang of sympathy twisting in her gut. She paused for a moment, then said, “Aubrey, your mom told us verything about what happened. My second brother knows too.”

Aubrey froze slightly. “What… what happened?”

‘After you broke up with my second brother, Damon, you stayed locked in your room, crying constantly. You practically cried yourself to death. It was only when you decided to appeal your father’s case that you started to pull yourself together.”

Aubrey feigned composure, her fingers still moving across the keyboard. “It has nothing to do with your second brother, Damon. I cry every day >ecause my dad’s in jail, that’s all.”

And a second time…?”

Aubrey cut her off. “My mom was sick back then, and I was in agony.”

Tracy let out a soft sigh. “You’re so stubborn, Aubrey. Always so intent on guarding your heart and keeping your mouth shut about what you truly feel. No wonder my second brother, Damon, is utterly disappointed in you.”

Aubrey didn’t want to talk about him. She quickly changed the subject. “Tracy, my brother, Brendan, is here. Don’t tell him what happened to Mom.”

Why?”

He’ll try to demand hefty compensation from the hospital and your family.”

From a humanitarian standpoint, our family should offer compensation.”

My mom brought this on herself. It has nothing to do with your family.” Aubrey sent the message, then put down her phone and turned her back to Tracy. “Tracy, I’m okay now. You should go home and rest.”

I don’t feel right leaving you. I’ll stay here and sleep beside you.” Tracy lay down on Aubrey’s hospital bed.

The single bed, nearly four feet wide, wasn’t exactly cramped.

Aubrey shifted, making a little room, then closed her eyes and murmured faintly, “Thank you, Tracy.”

Sleep, Aubrey,” Tracy turned on her side to face Aubrey’s back, placing a hand on her arm and stroking it gently. “Everything will be alright.”

The next morning.

Before dawn, Brendan arrived with Chloe

Their child was left with his maternal grandmother. The two of them then went to the morgue to see Layla’s body.

< Chapter 67

Brendan broke down, sobbing uncontrollably in the morgue.

After he had cried his fill, they came to Aubrey’s hospital room.

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Aubrey came back to herself, her face gaunt and pale, a profound weariness etched onto her features.

Brendan sniffled, “Sis, did you ever buy Mom any life insurance?”

“No.”

“Would you be able to cover the cremation and funeral expenses?”

“I can.”

“Did Mom leave behind any assets?”

“No.”

“Then…” Brendan sadly raised a chubby hand to wipe away his tears. “When’s the cremation?”

“I’ll call the crematorium to make the arrangements.”

“Are we having the funeral back home?”

“Yes. Even if Dad’s gone, Mom still deserves a proper funeral.”

“The money for the funeral… I… I don’t have that either.”

Brendan was indecisive and broke, completely dependent on his sister for everything. He couldn’t shoulder the family’s responsibilities, nor could he be its backbone. With their mother gone, he was utterly lost, his mind a chaotic mess.

“I do,” Aubrey replied.

Just then, Tracy rushed into the hospital room, a bank card in her hand. “Aubrey,” she said, “this is compensation from my aunt, Hannah. There’s one

hundred ten thousand dollars in it.”

Aubrey was stunned.

Brendan and Chloe shot to their feet, exchanging bewildered glances.

“Compensation for what?” Brendan’s voice trembled.

Aubrey looked at Tracy, skeptical. “Hannah Pierce? Offering compensation without being forced?”

“She didn’t exactly offer it,” Tracy clarified. “My brother, Damon, went to see her. He’s still at Aunt Hannah’s place now. He just told me to bring the card over to you.”

Aubrey walked over and took the card.

If it was Hannah’s compensation, Aubrey deserved every cent.

After all, Hannah had indirectly caused her mother’s death.

Still, she had no idea how Damon had managed to make Hannah part with the money so willingly.

“Aubrey, what’s going on?” Brendan asked, his curiosity piqued.

Aubrey thought for a moment, then explained concisely, “Mom had heart failure and couldn’t handle getting angry or stressed. She had an argument with someone right before she collapsed, and this is the compensation from that person.”

Chloe gasped. “Wow, they offered to pay without a lawsuit? And one hundred ten thousand dollars? Are people really that decent these days?”

Brendan quickly stepped forward, his voice righteous. “Aubrey, you can’t just keep Mom’s compensation. You have to give me half.”

Tracy frowned at the couple.

“This money,” Aubrey said, looking at them, her voice cold, “I’m putting it in Dad’s name for his old age. Neither of us can touch it.”

Brendan clenched his fists, his face darkening. “Dad still has over ten years before he gets out. He’ll be in his seventies by then Who knows if be’ll even live to see his release day? Besides, doesn’t he have me to take care of him in his old age?*

Aubrey gave a cold laugh, retorting, “When Mom was sick, did you contribute money or effort? Is that what you call taking care of him?*

Brendan opened his mouth, but no words came out. He was speechless.

323.02

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Chloe’s face hardened. She subtly nudged Brendan, signaling him to quickly fight for the money.

Brendan pushed her away, a frustrated gesture. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to help, but he simply couldn’t ever stand up to his sister.

“Thank you, Tracy,” Aubrey said.

Tracy smiled faintly. “Don’t thank me. You should thank my older brother, Damon, instead.”

Aubrey stared at the bank card in her hand, her gaze dropping, a heavy weight settling in her chest.

In the spacious, elegant living room.

Hannah sat rigidly, barely containing her fury, her expression profoundly mortified.

It was all because of Damon’s words: “Aubrey’s mother passed away. We can’t escape our responsibility. Are you going to cover the compensation, or