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.

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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.

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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

am I?”

The implication was clear: if she didn’t pay, Damon would undoubtedly pay it himself.

As the family elder, Hannah had always taken charge of every detail of the family’s affairs.

Damon’s words undeniably put her on the spot. To refuse to contribute even a dime would make her seem impossibly petty, shattering the carefully cultivated authority she’d upheld for years as the family’s matriarch.

She had no choice; the money would have to come from her.

Damon took her money and handed it over to Tracy to take to the hospital.

Hannah, still believing she was in the right, explained, “Damon, my approaching Aubrey was all for you. I never expected things to turn out this way.”

Damon’s eyes were like ice. “Six years ago,” he said, each word sharp, “when Aubrey broke up with me–was that your doing too?”

“I did speak with her,” Hannah countered, “but I hardly have that kind of influence.”

Damon leaned languidly against the chair back, his voice laced with disappointment. “You certainly couldn’t make her break up with me, but what you said to her led her to hide it from me for six years. Back then, she’d rather ruin her reputation and carry the shame of infidelity than tell me the real reason we broke up was that her father went to jail.”

“And what then, if I had told you?” Hannah snapped, her voice tight with anger. “Were you going to throw away your future to be with the daughter of

a murderer?”

Damon gave a chilling, humorless laugh, his eyes suddenly burning crimson. He gritted his teeth, inhaling a deep, shuddering breath, his fists clenching into unforgiving knots.

Hannah snapped, “Aubrey didn’t love you that much. She couldn’t even withstand my pressure, let alone face the pressure of our entire family just to be with you. She didn’t want to marry you and become the person who ruined your future. She’s beautiful and smart; finding a richer man than you would be easy for her. She only broke up with you after carefully weighing the pros and cons, not because I forced her,”

Damon’s voice was laced with ice. “You’re completely shifting the goalposts. The core of the issue was never whether Aubrey loved me enough, but you, using the pressure of our entire family to intimidate and coerce her. You disguised your vile coercion as a test she couldn’t possibly pass, and then you stood on a moral high ground to accuse her of not being steadfast enough?”

Hannah’s face went livid. Her breathing grew heavy, her chest rising and falling as her sharp, imperious gaze fixed on Damon.

Damon’s tone grew more resigned. “Stop playing these word games. She didn’t weigh her options and abandon me; she chose to protect me from your olade.”

Hannah sighed and sneered, “If that’s what you believe, then resign and go find her. See if she’ll be with you, if she’ll continue to love you.”

Damon gave a wry smile. “She won’t.”

“Since you know she’s not an option, then forget the past, forget Aubrey, and focus on planning your wedding to Veronica

Damon slowly rose, letting out a heavy breath “Aunt, I told you before I’d marry anyone. But now, I’m telling you definitively. I will absolutely not marry the person you’ve chosen for me.”

With that, Damon turned and walked out.

Hannah surged to her feet, bristling with anger. “Damon, for a woman you’ll never truly have, are you going to forsake Veronica

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Damon stopped dead, his back to Hannah. His desolate silhouette was strikingly forlorn. “A woman I’ve met three times, had two meals with, and never even held hands with. How have I wronged her?”

Hannah scoffed, “Do you really believe that refusing to marry Veronica will allow you to marry Aubrey?”

Damon offered no reply.

He strode out of the mansion, pausing at the doorway to take a deep, shaky breath, and looked up at the vast sky.

The June sun’s glare blurred his vision, red, wet, and stinging.

Aunt Hannah’s words-“a woman you’ll never have“-pierced his heart like a volley of arrows, agonizingly painful, stealing his very breath.

He’d known for a long time that he would never marry Aubrey.

Not because of his job, nor his family’s disapproval.

It was simply Aubrey who wouldn’t.

He pulled out his phone and called Veronica.

“Let’s meet up. I’ll pick you up.”