Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 186: Let It Out

Chapter 186: Let It Out

Aubrey’s eyes widened, and her lips parted in disbelief. The room felt still, as if the world itself had stopped moving. She stared at Gerald, her chest rising and falling as she tried to process the words he had just said. The warmth of his confession wrapped around her, but instead of sinking into it, she pulled back, shaking her head slowly, as though trying to undo everything.

"No," she said. "No, Gerald, that’s... that’s not right. You don’t feel that way."

Her words were shaky, she stumbled over her words as she tried to dismiss what he had just admitted. She couldn’t handle this right now—couldn’t even begin to process the idea of Gerald loving her. He had always been her rock, her friend, someone she relied on without question. But this? Love? It felt overwhelming, like too much all at once.

Gerald saw the panic in her eyes, tensed up as if she was ready to run. His heart ached, but he kept his voice calm. He reached out, gently placing his hand on her arm. "Aubrey, please, just listen to me," he said. "I know this is a lot, and I don’t want to push you, but I need you to hear me out."

Aubrey shook her head again, her breathing growing faster. She was still trying to make sense of it all, to push the weight of his words away. "Gerald, no, you don’t have to say this," she whispered. "I’m not... I’m not in a place for this right now."

He gently tightened his grip on her arm, not enough to hurt, just enough to make her stay, to make her listen. His eyes softened, and he took a breath. "I’m not trying to take advantage of how you’re feeling right now," he continued. "This isn’t about that, Aubrey. I’ve felt this way for a long time, way before today. I didn’t want to say anything, but seeing you like this... it hurts me. I need you to know."

Aubrey’s lips trembled, her eyes darting down to the floor as if she couldn’t bear to look at him anymore. "Gerald, please..."

"No, Aubrey," Gerald said gently. "Please, listen to me first. Just let me get this out."

Aubrey blinked, her lips pressed together, clearly torn between wanting to run away from everything he was saying and the part of her that couldn’t turn away from him.

Gerald swallowed hard, his heart racing as he prepared to speak the words he had held inside for so long. His thumb grazed her arm softly, a small gesture of reassurance before he began.

"I’ve loved you for a long time, Aubrey," he revealed. "Not as a friend, not as just someone who’s always been there. I love you, and I have for longer than I care to admit. And I never said anything because I didn’t want to ruin what we had. I didn’t want to mess things up for you. You had Mason, and I thought... I thought you were happy."

Aubrey looked up at him then, her brow furrowed as she listened, her lips parting as if she wanted to say something, but Gerald stopped her with a look, his eyes pleading.

"I’m not saying this now because I want something from you," Gerald said. "I’m not asking you to choose, or to say anything. I just need you to know how I feel. Because watching you hurt over someone who doesn’t see you the way you deserve to be seen... it’s killing me, Aubrey. You deserve more than that. You deserve someone who loves you for who you are, all of you."

Aubrey’s eyes glimmered with tears, her breath catching in her throat. Part of her wanted to deny everything he was saying, to push him away and pretend this wasn’t happening. But another part of her—one she had buried deep inside—felt something else, something different, something she hadn’t wanted to acknowledge.

"I’m not telling you this to make things harder for you," Gerald said, his hand gently cupping her cheek now, wiping away a tear that had escaped down her face. "I’m telling you because I can’t keep it inside anymore. I’ve been here, Aubrey. I’ve been right here the whole time, and maybe you didn’t see it, or maybe you did, but I’ve always been in love with you."

She opened her mouth to speak, but the words caught in her throat. She didn’t know what to say. She didn’t know how to respond.

Gerald lightly pressed a finger against her lips, wearing a gentle yet serious look. "You don’t have to say anything," he whispered. "I’m not asking for anything from you right now. I don’t need you to say yes, or no, or even to give me an answer. I just needed you to know the truth."

Aubrey gasped a little, her chest rising and falling as his words sunk in. Her thoughts were racing, yet it felt like time had stopped, trapping her in this moment. She felt Gerald’s hand still resting on her cheek, his touch warm and gentle, helping her stay calm.

"I don’t want to see you hurt anymore," Gerald continued. "I hate seeing you like this, broken over someone who didn’t appreciate you. And maybe I’m selfish for saying it now, but I love you, Aubrey. I love you more than anything, and I’ve been here, waiting for you to see that."

Gerald’s eyes softened, and he leaned in closer, his forehead gently resting against hers. "You don’t have to say anything," he repeated softly. "Just... just let me be here for you, okay? Let me be the one who’s always been here."

Aubrey’s breath hitched again, and before she could process what was happening, Gerald closed the small distance between them and kissed her softly.

The kiss was tender, a bit hesitant, as if he was afraid of pushing her too far. But when his warm lips touched hers, it sent a shiver down her spine, and for just a moment, nothing else mattered.