Chapter 29 You’re Blushing…
Charles POV
Because Aubrey leaned in close, a faint, cool scent surrounded me. My heart started racing, and I needed before I even thought about it. By the time I realized what I’d done, I was already regretting it becauer [ had a feeling whatever she wanted to show me wouldn’t be anything good.
I parked the car on the driveway outside, about to knock on the door when Aubrey stopped me and pointed to the side.
“Hide over there.”
I obeyed without thinking. I didn’t even know why I was listening to her so easily.
Aubrey rang the doorbell. The one who opened it wasn’t Ka–it was Aurelia.
The moment she saw Aubrey, soaked to the bone, her face actually shed with satisfaction.
“What are you doing back here? I thought you were all grown up now, spreading your wings. And now you’re out here threatening and sowing discord? What’d you tell Charles? You think he’d believe you?”
Aubrey answered quietly, “I came back because I don’t have any money. I’ve got nowhere else to go. Maybe give me a little cash, and I’ll leave right away.”
“Pah!”
Aurelia didn’t even hesitate before snapping, “You little brat. Are you stupid fromst night’s scare or just so desperate for money you’ve lost your mind? You’ve got the nerve to ask me for money? I fed you, clothed you, sent you to school–and now you want cash? Keep dreaming!”
Aubrey gave a coldugh. “You always brag about how generous you are with me, how much money you gave me. Aren’t you afraid someone might find out you never actually gave me a cent? That you made me wear factory rejects and eat leftovers? What happens to your image then?”
That shut Aurelia up–but only for a second. Her face instantly twisted in rage. Her carefully shaped brows shot up like knives.
“You little b*tch. Go ahead, say whatever you want! You think anyone would believe you? After all these years, people already have their minds made up about you. No matter what you say, they’ll just think you’re lying!”
Aubrey smiled and shook her head. “You wouldn’t be this bold with me if you hadn’t already found someone to ghostwrite Bailey’s paper, huh? They say overprotective mothers ruin their kids–Bailey’s already useless. Even if she gets into the program, she’s going to be a total failure.”
Aurelia looked like she was going to explode. Sheughed out of pure fury.
“What business is that of yours? You think you can keep threatening me forever? You’re sleeping outside tonight! Anyway, dressed like such a tramp, I’m sure some random guy will be happy to take you in!”
Then she mmed the door shut.
Aubrey turned and looked at me, her expression unreadable, then smiled. “Charles, looks like I’ll have to trouble you to drive me to a motel in the city.”
Z(PNVH??3
Chapter 20 You’re Blushing
<b>28 </b>
D+ Pearls
I couldn’t hold back anymore. “Te this how she usually treats you? She can’t treat you like that! That’s—this is
I’m going to talk to her!”
Aubrey stopped me. Under the streemp and rain, her face was calmno anger, no panic–just a quiet. deep exhaustion.
“Don’t make trouble for me. If she finds out I yed her, it won’t stop at just kicking me out.<i>” </i>
Her calmness hit me like a punch in the gut. I couldn’t believe the difference between how Aunt Aurelia acts in public and how she treats Aubrey behind closed doors.
For over ten years, she kept saying how hard she worked to be a good stepmother. We all believed her. But the truth… couldn’t be more different.
I didn’t want to imagine what these past years had been like for Aubrey, an unawakened Omega in that house.
“Come stay at my ce.”
I hesitated a second, then said it out loud.
Aubrey suddenly let out a softugh. “You gonna be the guy who takes in a stray girl?”
My face flushed red. “Aubrey!”
But she had already turned away. “Just take me to a motel.”
“No way!” I gripped the steering wheel tight. “An unawakened Omega staying alone is too dangerous.” And with how gorgeous she is? No chance.
Aubrey gave me a look and then suddenly asked,
“Charles, have you thought about what might’ve happened if I hadn’t run into you this afternoon?”
I blinked,
“Let mey it out for you,” she said softly, eyes glinting. “Imagine you came over to the Mary family’s ce, and Aurelia told you that something happenedst night between me and those two scumbags. That for the sake of the family’s reputation, they can’t be allowed to talk. You’d probably think I caused more trouble again. You’d be annoyed with me, but because you think she’s just a poor, helpless stepmother, you’d still help, wouldn’t you?”
I didn’t answer. Because… if she had said that, maybe I really would have helped cover it up.
Thinking back now–how fast Aunt Aurelia called me over, how she treated Aubrey–it’s very possible that’s what she nned. me everything on Aubrey.
Aubrey smiled. “Then today, when you interrogated those two bastards, they told you the truth. And what did you say to me? You told me I must’ve misunderstood Bailey…”
“No…”
I started to panic. If this were before, I would’ve believed it was just a misunderstanding without hesitation. But now? I wasn’t so sure.
“Save it. Truth is, you, Aurelia, and Bailey are real family. I don’t mean a thing to any of you.”
Chapter 29 You’re Blushing…
Aubrey’s voice was final.
I pulled over to the side of the road and said seriously.
“You’re my cousin too.”
<b>28</b><b>% </b>
* Pearls
“Funny. You never cared before, but now you’re using thatbel like it means something? Don’t you think it’s a littlete?”
Aubrey gave a coldugh and leaned in closer. “Or maybe… you’ve got other thoughts about me, and that’s why you suddenly care?”
“Don’t talk nonsense!”
I instinctively pushed back.
“Is that so?”
Aubrey leaned even closer. Her longshes curled slightly, like two little brushes hiding her true emotions. Her eyes looked almost dreamy.
That cold, clean scent surrounded me again. I could hear my own heart pounding in my ears.
Then I heard herugh.
“Charles,” she whispered, “you’re blushing…”
。
30