Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 179: Familiar Ground

Chapter 179: Familiar Ground

Aubrey got out of her car and stood in front of her and Mason’s old high school. The building looked the same as it did back then, but time had aged it slightly—faded paint, a few cracked windows, and overgrown bushes lining the front. She felt a rush of memories hit her as she stared at the entrance. This was the place where everything started, where her happiest memories were made—when she and Mason had been together, back when life felt simpler and more full of promise.

She glanced down at her phone, reading Mason’s text one more time.

"Meet me at the high school, 7 p.m., schoolyard."

She knew they weren’t supposed to be here—trespassing after hours wasn’t exactly allowed—but she trusted Mason. If he wanted to meet here, there had to be a reason.

Letting out a slow breath, she started walking toward the schoolyard. The memories came flooding back—walking these path with Mason, holding hands, laughing and sharing secrets. High school had been the best time of her life, and the time she felt the happiest because Mason was still with her then. It felt like nothing could ever go wrong when they were together.

As she reached the schoolyard, Aubrey’s eyes settled on the old benches by the field, the ones where they used to sit and watch other students play sports. She made her way over and sat down, smoothing out her clothes as she did. Though this wasn’t the fancy restaurant or romantic setting she had imagined, she had still put in the effort to look her best for Mason. She had dressed gorgeously, her makeup flawless, her hair done to perfection. Even though she couldn’t wear the elegant dress she had planned, she still felt beautiful, knowing that Mason would notice.

Aubrey pulled her jacket tighter around herself as she waited. She checked her phone again, the screen lighting up with Mason’s message still sitting there, but no new texts. She glanced around the empty schoolyard.

What would Mason say? What would this meeting mean for them? A ton of questions raced through her mind, but she shook them off, telling herself to focus on the moment. He had asked her to meet him. That had to mean something. Something good.

A few more minutes passed, and Aubrey began to feel the chill seeping through her clothes. Just as she was about to check her phone again, she saw a figure in the distance, walking toward her. Her breath caught in her throat as the figure came closer, and she could see Mason’s familiar figure. He moved with his usual steady pace, hands in his pockets. Relief washed over her—he had come.

Mason finally reached the bench and stopped a few feet away, his eyes meeting hers. "Sorry I’m late," he said. He took a seat on the bench next to her, not too close but not too far, either.

Aubrey shook her head quickly. "No, not at all," she replied, her voice a little breathless. She had been nervous, but now that he was here, her heart seemed to settle. There was a brief silence between them, and Aubrey’s eyes flicked to the side, watching him out of the corner of her eye.

Mason looked the same—handsome and calm, with that quiet confidence that always caught her attention.

The silence stretched on, and Aubrey couldn’t stand it any longer. Slowly, she shifted closer to Mason, inching toward him until her shoulder brushed lightly against his arm. The touch was light, but it was enough to make her heart race. She could feel his warmth next to her, and it was like the gap between them had disappeared.

Without thinking, Aubrey reached out and gently wrapped her arms around Mason’s, leaning her head against his shoulder. For a moment, it felt like no time had passed, like they were still in high school, sitting on this very bench.

"I’ve missed this," Aubrey whispered. She closed her eyes, breathing in the moment, hoping that Mason would understand just how much she meant it.

Aubrey couldn’t believe it—Mason was letting her hug him, he hadn’t pulled away. She blinked slowly, trying to take in the moment, to etch every second into her memory. For the first time in a long while, it almost felt like old times—the times she cherished, the times she often found herself dreaming of late at night when the loneliness would creep in.

She tightened her grip around his arm just slightly, not enough for him to notice, but enough to convince herself that this was real, that he was really there. Being this close to Mason again, feeling him by her side like this, brought back a flood of emotions she had been trying to keep buried for so long.

The good memories, the ones she held onto tightly, came rushing back. Those high school days when they used to laugh together, their inside jokes, the way he would look at her like she was the only one who mattered. She’d spent countless nights replaying those memories, hoping, praying that someday, they could go back to that.

And now, here she was, holding onto him in a place where it all started—their high school. What if this was a sign? she thought. Maybe tonight could be the beginning of something new, a way to go back to the way things used to be, or maybe even something better.

Aubrey let herself stay there for a moment longer, savoring the feel of his shoulder against her cheek. She breathed in, catching the faint scent of his perfume mixed with the cool night air. It was comforting, in a way that made her heart ache just a little more.

Slowly, she lifted her head and turned her face up toward him, her eyes searching for his. Mason’s expression was hard to read, but Aubrey didn’t care. She just wanted him to know how she felt, to hear the words she had been holding in for so long.

"I miss you, Mason," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. She wanted him to see how much she meant it, to really feel her words. "I miss you so much."

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