Reborn As Mr. Coldwell's Wife
Chapter 76: Wish You Can

Chapter 76: Wish You Can

Gerald sat quietly on the edge of the couch, his gaze fixed on Aubrey. She had fallen asleep, her head resting on a throw pillow, her body curled up in a comfortable position. The rise and fall of her chest was steady, her breathing deep and even, a stark contrast to the tension that had filled the room earlier as she had ranted about Ellen and Mason.

Aubrey had been so animated, so full of frustration and anger, her words tumbling out in a heated stream as she vented about how much she despised Ellen, how she couldn’t wait for Mason to come back to her. Gerald had listened patiently, nodding along and offering soft words of comfort whenever he could, but there was little he could say to ease her pain.

Now, as the quiet of the night settled in around them, Gerald found himself watching Aubrey with a mix of emotions swirling in his chest. She looked so peaceful in her sleep, so vulnerable and delicate. The tension that had lined her features earlier was gone, replaced by a serene expression that made her look almost like the girl he had first met all those years ago.

Gerald leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on his knees as he studied her face. The soft curve of her cheek, the way her hair framed her face, the gentle flutter of her eyelashes as she dreamed—every detail was etched into his memory, a picture of the woman he had loved for so long. A woman who, despite all his hopes and silent wishes, had never seen him in the same way.

He remembered the first time he had seen Aubrey, the moment that had changed everything for him. It was their first day of high school, and the memory was still so vivid in his mind, as if it had happened just yesterday.

He had been fumbling with the strap of his backpack, trying to find an empty seat, when he saw her. Aubrey was sitting by the window, her long hair catching the light as she absentmindedly twirled a strand around her finger. She was staring out at the schoolyard, lost in thought, and something about the peacefulness of her expression had caught his attention.

She had looked so serene, so at ease in a room full of strangers, and Gerald had been captivated. He had never seen anyone so effortlessly beautiful before, and it had left him breathless. It was in that moment, standing in the doorway with his backpack slung over one shoulder, that he knew something had shifted inside him.

From that point on, Aubrey had been the center of his thoughts. Gerald found himself looking forward to seeing her in class, to be around her, always finding some reason to be near her. They had become friends quickly, they got along so well in a way that made it easy to talk, to laugh, to share moments that felt like they belonged to just the two of them. Gerald had cherished every second of it, every smile she had given him, every laugh they had shared. But then Mason had come into the picture.

Mason, his best friend, the person he had trusted and confided in for years. Mason, who had always been the charming one, the one who could make anyone feel special with just a few words. Gerald had known, even before Aubrey did, that she was falling for Mason. He had seen the way her eyes lit up when Mason entered the room, the way she hung on his every word, the way her laughter was just a little bit brighter when Mason was around.

And what could Gerald do? He had loved them both—Aubrey, with all the intensity of a heart that knew it had found something precious, and Mason, the brother he had never had, the friend who had been there through thick and thin. So he had done the only thing he could: he had stepped aside. He had cheered them on, supported them, been the friend Aubrey needed and the best man Mason deserved. It had hurt, of course it had. But Gerald had always been good at hiding his pain, at putting others’ happiness before his own.

As he sat there, watching Aubrey sleep, Gerald felt a familiar ache in his chest. He remembered her words from earlier, how she had said she wished someone had told her how hard it was to love someone. Gerald had chuckled at the time, glancing at her with a sad smile, knowing all too well what she meant. If only she knew...

He reached out slowly, almost hesitantly, his fingers brushing a stray strand of hair away from her face. The touch was feather-light, so gentle that Aubrey didn’t stir, she slept soundly without being bothered. Gerald’s hand lingered near her for a moment before he pulled it back, a sigh escaping his lips as he leaned back against the couch.

His mind drifted back to all the moments they had shared, the times when it had just been the two of them. Those memories were bittersweet now, tinged with the knowledge that they had always been just friends in her eyes, while Gerald had been holding on to something more, something she had never seen. He had been the one to pick up the pieces when Mason hurt her, the one to listen to her fears and hopes, the one who had always been there, just not in the way he had wanted to be.

Gerald gave a sad smile, his lips curling up just a bit. He had always known this was how it would be, hadn’t he? He had always known that Aubrey would never see him the way he saw her, that she would always look at Mason with those eyes that Gerald wished were meant for him. But he had accepted it, because loving her was better than not having her in his life at all.

Gerald let out another sigh, his eyes never leaving Aubrey’s face. "I wish you will see me, Bree," he whispered softly, the words meant more for himself than for her. "I wish you can see how much I love you."

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