Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 80

Chapter 80

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A knot of anxiety twisted in Aubrey’s stomach the entire way.

The Vance Corp’s chemical plant was situated in a remote, outlying area, home to only a dozen or so households and some surrounding farmland.

Aubrey met with the villagers, collecting their grievances and evidence. She also took samples from the nearby fields and ditches.

She meticulously canvassed the area around the chemical plant, pushing her legs until they were practically streaming.

No lawyer wanted to take on the case, and the substantial expenses were a major deterrent.

The legal fees, a mere few tens of thousands of dollars, wouldn’t begin to cover the extensive work. The lawsuit itself could drag on for months, even years, and the cost of all the necessary lab tests and analyses to gather evidence would come straight out of her own pocket.

It was late when Aubrey finally made her way back from the distant suburbs.

By the time she stepped out of the subway station, it was already ten–thirty at night.

The sidewalk leading back to the apartment complex was unusually quiet, with few pedestrians. Dense bushes bordered one side, while the other was a secluded two–way street, its curbs packed with parked cars.

With every step, Aubrey felt a growing chill of dread, convinced she heard footsteps trailing close behind.

Despite the summer heat, an unnatural, bone–chilling cold seemed to seep into the air.

She’d had the unsettling feeling since she left home that morning.

The hazy yellow streetlights barely pierced the gloom, and Aubrey’s heart hammered against her ribs. She quickened her pace, but the more hurried she became, the clearer the footsteps sounded behind her.

She whirled around.

A dark shadow flashed past, darting into the roadside bushes.

So, she wasn’t imagining it. Someone was following her.

Aubrey took off, sprinting down the path. Her lungs burned, and she was panting by the time she reached her apartment complex, still glancing Frantically behind her.

No one was there. Not anymore.

Monday morning.

On her way to work, Aubrey felt like she was being followed, but this time, the tail felt even more secretive; even when she looked back, she saw no one.

She once again wondered if she was developing paranoia.

Entering the law firm, the receptionist stood, a bouquet of flowers cradled in her arms, a bright smile on her face.“Ms. Hayes,” she offered, “someone ent you these.”

Aubrey was taken aback.“Thank you,” she murmured, reaching out for the bouquet. She gazed down at the vibrant blooms–flowers so rare they were Imost impossible to find, their names completely foreign to her.

A delicate floral scent enveloped her. The bouquet was exquisitely wrapped, its presentation practically screaming luxury.

Her heart remained utterly still. She rummaged through the bouquet, found a small card, and opened it as she walked.

nside, a single line of elegant script.

Flowers for a beauty, hoping to brighten your day

–

Alex.

Alex Definitely not a last name.

The only person she could think of was Alex. As she entered her office, she tossed the card into the trash can and placed the flowers on a counter in the

comer.

Alex was her client, and she couldn’t risk him finding out she’d tossed his gift. Losing him as a client would be far too detrimental.

Aubrey had just settled into her desk chair when another insulated lunchbox appeared before her, a folded note resting on its hid.

Aubrey set down her briefcase, picked up the note, and unfolded it

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“Aubrey,” the note read, “My mom makes amazing breakfast. I brought some for you to try. You really have to eat it; don’t let her efforts go to waste.-

Garrett”

Seriously, Garrett? Was he actually trying to guilt–trip her?

All her life, she’d had no shortage of admirers, but her heart had only ever truly belonged to Damon.

She crumpled the note into a ball and tossed it into the wastebasket. Pushing the lunchbox to the corner of her desk, she pulled out her work files and started her busy day.

Later that evening.

Damon’s father called, telling him to come home for dinner.

As he stepped through the door, he saw his parents and Veronica sitting in the living room, waiting for him.

Veronica stiffly rose, smiling as she greeted him, “Damon.”

Damon’s face instantly darkened. He didn’t say a word, just turned and walked away.

“Stop,” Chase Blackwood called out, halting him.“Come with me to the study; we need to talk.”

Damon paused, considered for a moment, then reluctantly turned and followed his father into the study.

The two men sat on the casual sofas in the study, sunlight streaming through the windowpanes, filling the room with brightness.

Chase Blackwood said in a serious tone,“Damon, I never interfered with your marriage decisions before because I believed you were mature and stable enough, rational enough, that your chosen partner wouldn’t be too bad. Moreover, men of the Blackwood family don’t need to marry to climb the ladder, but you absolutely cannot let a woman hinder your future.”

Damon’s gaze darkened. He remained silent.

Chase Blackwood continued, “If Aubrey’s family were respectable, I would never object to you marrying her. But now it’s clear there’s no future for you two. Break it off for good.”

Damon replied flatly, “I can’t break it off.”

Chase Blackwood frowned.“Is she clinging to you?”

Damon lowered his head, letting out a soft breath. “I’m clinging to her.”

Chase’s voice was commanding. “Let her go and give Veronica a chance. Your aunt might be a bit overbearing, but her intentions are truly for the honor of our whole family, and she genuinely wants what’s best for you.”

“I don’t want to try.”

“Veronica, she has good character and is capable. She’s also good–looking enough. I think she’d make a good daughter–in–law.”

“She might be a good fit for your daughter–in–law, but she’s not a good fit for my wife,” Damon stated, each word imbued with unwavering conviction.

Chase Blackwood frowned.“Then why did you agree to marry her in the first place? She passed every background check, and right at the finish line, just because Aubrey came along, you went back on your word.”

“It’s not about Aubrey.”

“If Aubrey has nothing to do with it, then you need to get married and start a family.” Chase declared, his face grim, his eyes burning with a commanding, unyielding intensity.“You’re not getting any younger. Given your brother’s current life choices and demanding schedule, I don’t expect him to settle down and have kids. All the pressure is on you now. Whether it’s Veronica or another woman, you need to marry, and fast.”

Damon leaned back against the sofa, his deep, shadowed gaze fixed on the blue sky outside the window. “Dad, I’m sorry, but I don’t plan to get married or have children.”

Chase Blackwood stared, stunned, his face turning cold and grim as he looked at him. “Why?”

“Not getting married, not having children–that solves everything” Damon’s guilty eyes met his father’s chilling gaze, his voice heavy “I just want to quietly devote myself to one person for the rest of my life, without children, without even a marriage certificate.”

Chase clenched his fist, veins bulging in his neck as he barely suppressed his rage. “Damon, I’ve come to terms with your brother’s decision net to marry I’ve even compromised. But if you’re not getting married and not having children either, are you trying to make the Blackwood line die out?”

23.05

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“The Blackwood line won’t die out. We still have our cousins, don’t we?” Damon offered a helpless, faint smile.“Besides, it’s the modern age. There will always be people willing to have children. Our genes aren’t anything special; there’s no need to continue them.”

With that said, Damon stood up straight and bowed to Chase in apology.“I’m sorry, Dad.”

Chase’s fists trembled, and his entire face went black with fury.

He didn’t explode in anger. Instead, as Damon turned to leave, his father’s voice, sharp and demanding, sliced through the quiet:“If Aubrey gets married, will you still devote yourself to her?”

Damon’s steps faltered, and he stood with his back to his father, utterly silent.

A moment later, he spoke, his voice laced with a terrifying possessiveness:“I won’t let Aubrey marry anyone else. Her whole life, she’ll only ever be with

me.”