# Chapter 16: The Unraveling Threads
Hello everyone, it's me again! How are you all doing today? I'm so glad you've joined me for another chapter of "The Girl of His Dreams." Let me tell you, Chapter 16 is an emotional rollercoaster that will have you reaching for tissues one moment and holding your breath the next. So grab your favorite cup of tea—or coffee, if that's your thing—and let's dive deep into this beautiful, heartbreaking chapter together.
---
The chapter opens in the aftermath of a devastating revelation. Jordan returns to his condo to find that Aubrey has already made quick work of gathering her belongings. The lights she left on feel almost like an afterthought, a ghostly reminder of her presence in a space that now feels hollow and empty. The dining room table is bare—her laptop and papers gone. The bathroom has been stripped of her toiletries. Almost all of her clothes have vanished.
But here's the part that truly shatters the heart: the things she left behind are the items Jordan bought for her. The beautiful yellow gown she wore to the ball just hours earlier, the gold shoes that matched, the diamond jewelry that sparkled against her skin—all of it remains, deliberately abandoned. It's a statement, a painful one. She doesn't want anything that ties her to him, anything that might remind her of what they shared.
Jordan doesn't have the energy or will to move these remnants to the depths of his closet. He tells himself it's penance—forcing himself to look at her things every single day, to remember all the glorious moments they shared, how happy they had been together. Until he was too much of a coward to be honest with her, too afraid of angering or upsetting her with the truth. And because of his utter stupidity, everything is now ten times worse, ten times more complicated. He wonders wearily if there's any chance at all that Aubrey will ever speak to him again, much less allow him back into her life.
But there's one call he must take. One apology he owes. When his phone buzzes and he sees Tessa's name, he hesitates, taking a deep breath before answering.
"Tessa. How—how are you this morning?" he asks tentatively.
Her voice is both sad and reproachful. "Not especially well, Jordan, as I'm sure you can imagine," she replies frostily. "After all, it isn't every day that you come face to face with your twin or doppelganger or whatever the correct term is. How is—Aubrey?"
Jordan sighs heavily and admits that Aubrey is "good and pissed off." She planned to catch a flight back home to San Diego that very morning, and who knows when or if she'll ever consent to speak to him again. He fully accepts the blame—no one to blame for this whole mess but himself. He apologizes to Tessa, explaining that if he'd known she and Ian were going to attend the ball, he would have made sure everyone knew about this situation ahead of time. When Ian originally told him Tessa wouldn't be attending, he figured he'd caught a little break, bought himself more time to explain things. But fate, as he puts it, is a bitch at times.
Tessa's response is surprisingly gentle. She thanks him for apologizing and reveals that, believe it or not, she didn't call to give him a piece of her mind—even though Ian insisted she should. That's not who she is, not how she reacts. She's too upset for that kind of confrontation, and yelling at him would only make her feel worse. Instead, she wants to talk about Aubrey.
When Jordan mentions he has a patient arriving in five minutes, Tessa suggests meeting for lunch or coffee. She reassures him that Ian is well aware of her desire to see him. Jordan chuckles despite his exhaustion, relieved that Ian won't accuse him of anything inappropriate.
They arrange to meet at a quiet little bistro two blocks from his office. After hanging up, Jordan leans his head back against his leather desk chair, wondering how much worse this day could possibly get.
The answer comes five minutes later when he realizes his next scheduled patient is Jessica Coleman.
---
Now, let me pause here and tell you about Jessica Coleman. If ever there was a patient designed to test a doctor's patience, it's her. Jordan has become something of an expert at fending off unwanted advances from female patients over the years, but Jessica is in another league altogether. She has outright propositioned him during appointments, made it painfully clear that she finds him attractive and wouldn't be adverse to a "personal as well as professional relationship."
For a time, she sent him emails almost daily—most having nothing to do with medical issues—until he casually mentioned that all incoming emails are reviewed by nurses before being forwarded to doctors. The risqué emails stopped immediately. She then asked, none too discreetly, for his personal cell number for "after hours emergencies." He refused and instructed her to call the general office number instead.
Despite these boundaries, Jessica continued creating excuses—real or imagined—to schedule appointments every couple of months. Today, there's no medical reason for her visit. She's already had her annual pap smear, been assured she doesn't have endometriosis, and isn't due for a birth control implant replacement for two more years.
Realizing he needs reinforcements, Jordan beckons urgently to Lucy, the most respected and feared nurse in the practice. Lucy is in her mid-forties, of Samoan heritage, over six feet tall, and tolerates absolutely no nonsense from anyone—especially flirtatious patients who don't know how to take a hint.
"What is it, boss?" she asks cheerfully. "I'm due to take my break in five minutes, so make it fast, okay?"
Jordan grins at her audacity but doesn't dare take her to task, especially when he's about to beg for her help. He tells her about their "favorite patient" waiting in Room Four. Lucy makes a horrible face, describing Jessica as "the redhead with the huge fake boobs who always wears too much perfume."
"I scare the crap out of her, boss," Lucy says with a sly nudge. "And I'm guessing you need old Lucy here to protect you, is that it?"
He chuckles and promises to owe her big time. Lucy agrees, but warns that "Miss Hot To Trot" had better make it fast—nobody makes her late for her mid-morning latte.
Reassured that Lucy has his back, Jordan knocks on the exam room door. Lucy whispers that at least Jessica is wearing the hospital gown today and isn't sitting there topless like she did that one time.
Jordan grimaces at the unwanted memory and strides into the room, avoiding direct eye contact. He greets Jessica professionally, introducing Lucy as his assistant. Jessica can't suppress a tiny shudder as Lucy gives her a polite but terrifying smile.
Then Jessica drops her bombshell: "I've found a lump in my breast, Doctor Reeves. It's cancer, isn't it? Oh, God, I'm too young to have cancer!"
Jordan sighs, in no mood to calm a semi-hysterical patient who's likely convinced herself of a problem that doesn't exist. Jessica, in addition to being a notorious flirt, is also something of a hypochondriac. Still, he can't dismiss her concerns without checking her out first—even though it will involve a breast exam, something he's willing to bet the cunning redhead has given very careful consideration to.
He instructs Jessica to lay back, asking which breast she felt the lump in. She simpers, "My right one. Oh, no. Actually, it's the left one. Hmm, maybe you should check both of them out just in case." She thrusts her chest upward as she speaks.
From his peripheral vision, Jordan sees Lucy roll her eyes heavenward. He motions her closer so they're standing on either side of Jessica. With a patient as manipulative as Jessica, he wants zero chance of being accused of misconduct—having Lucy's eagle eye observing everything guarantees that.
He completes the exam quickly, efficiently, and impersonally. Jessica flinches at his brusque touch and is visibly dismayed when he finishes much faster than she probably anticipated.
"It's not a lump," he declares confidently. "I believe what you felt is simply some scar tissue. Very common with implants." He recommends she schedule a mammogram just to be certain, but suggests she also consult with her plastic surgeon. But he's quite sure it's not a lump, and certainly not cancer.
Jessica sits up, not bothering to hold the paper robe together, revealing considerable cleavage. "Are you sure, Doctor Reeves? It feels like a lump to me."
Jordan is already halfway to the door. He assures her he's ninety-nine percent sure, instructs Lucy to write a referral to the radiology lab, and tells Jessica to consult further with her plastic surgeon after getting results. Then he's out of the exam room like a shot, practically jogging to his office, where he shuts himself in as though a horde of barbarians is chasing him.
He's always hated predatory women, and Jessica Coleman is pushier than most.
---
This encounter only highlights, by contrast, how different Aubrey is. She's so beautiful and sexy and utterly tempting that she would never need to actively pursue a man or try to attract one's attention. It would be just the opposite—she'd need to beat interested men off with a stick. Jordan doesn't need anyone to tell him how lucky he'd been to snag a prize like her. And he definitely doesn't need to be told just how idiotic he's been to let her get away.
He hardly slept last night, worried sick about Aubrey, wanting nothing more than to call and make sure she was okay, that she'd gotten to her hotel safely. But she'd been so angry, so adamant that he leave her alone—he forced himself to respect her wishes. Still, he was hard-pressed not to text or email her, longing to know where she was. He would cut off a limb just to hear her voice.
But hard as it is, Jordan resigns himself to giving her the space she needs. She has every right to be furious with him, as well as feel hurt and confused. He wonders if Aubrey has already contacted her parents, asking what they might know about Tessa, and if there's any possibility the two women could be related. The same questions, he realizes, that Tessa is likely to ask him over lunch.
---
Jordan arrives at the bistro five minutes early, asking for a quiet corner table where he and Tessa can talk privately. He knows exactly when she walks in—every masculine head in the place turns automatically in her direction. Even for a weekday lunch, she's dressed to the nines, looking every bit the elegant, sophisticated wife of a very wealthy man.
She wears a short-sleeved, olive green shirtdress of lightweight fabric, expertly tailored to fit her tall, curvy figure. Her discreet gold jewelry coordinates with the buttons, while her sling-back pumps and leather satchel are nearly the same shade of taupe. Her long hair is pulled back into a sleek ponytail, makeup minimal but expertly applied.
She's thirty now, he realizes—a full five years older than Aubrey. There are subtle differences between the two women. Aubrey still has a youthful glow; Tessa's looks have matured beautifully. She's far more subdued, and Jordan guesses there will always be an air of vulnerability about her.
And for the first time since meeting Tessa five years ago, he's startled to realize there's no spark of awareness as she reaches the table. No ridiculous flutter of his heart. He will always notice and appreciate her beauty—what normal man wouldn't? But there's no longer the urge to yank her into his arms and kiss her senseless, no impulse to flirt until she blushes, no tendency to curse his bad luck that Ian saw this rare jewel first.
Meeting—and falling in love with—Aubrey is responsible for those changes. He no longer has to pine in secret for someone else's woman or entertain ridiculous fantasies, because he has his own woman. A woman much better suited to him, who makes him laugh and smile and enjoy every minute together. A woman who could have been the love of his life if he hadn't screwed things up so badly.
"Hello, Jordan," Tessa greets him quietly. "Thank you again for meeting me this afternoon."
He holds her chair, sliding it in once she's seated. "There's no need to thank me, Tessa. In fact, I should probably be thanking you for not greeting me with a punch in the face. I wouldn't have blamed you in the least."
She smiles faintly, and up close he can detect faint circles under her eyes and a strained look around her mouth. "Violence never solved anything. Though I did have to convince Ian of that last night. He was—not especially happy with you."
Jordan sighs heavily. "Yeah, I'm not exactly Mister Popularity at the moment, am I? But thank you for convincing your husband not to use me as his punching bag. I've seen him in action at the gym. What he can do with those fists is a pretty terrifying sight."
Tessa shakes her glossy blonde head. "He would never do anything like that unless it was self-defense or to protect me or the children. And he'll calm down eventually. He wasn't too thrilled about my asking you to meet me today."
Jordan gives a short, sardonic laugh. "Probably the understatement of the century. I'm surprised he didn't insist on coming along, just to make sure I didn't put the moves on his wife. Don't think I haven't noticed over the years that he's never left the two of us alone. But I hope you know, Tessa, that I would have never seriously considered—"
"I know," she assures him gently. "Despite how much you flirt, you're still very much a gentleman, Jordan. And I always knew you'd never cross a line."
He grins. "My not-so-secret crush on you never went further than some harmless flirting?"
Her cheeks pinken, as they often do when he teases her. "Yes."
Jordan waves a hand in dismissal. "Believe me, Tessa, there were many times when I was sorely tempted to do a hell of a lot more than just flirt. A woman like you doesn't come around very often in a man's life. But I could tell from the very first time I saw you and Ian together that there would never be anyone else for either of you. I never believed in falling in love or fairytales or soulmates, but I figured the two of you just might be the exception. At least until I met Aubrey."
Tessa's smile fades rapidly at the mention of the other woman. "You care for her then, Jordan? You didn't become involved with her just because, well, you know."
"Because she looks exactly like you, Tessa?" he replies knowingly. "I'll admit her resemblance to you was the reason I initially approached her, but after talking to her for less than ten minutes, I realized the two of you weren't much alike. And after spending time with her in Hawaii, and especially since she came to visit me here, I can truthfully say that I love her exclusively for herself. Aubrey is her own very unique, very special person, and that's who I love. Not, as your husband so charmingly phrased it last night, because she's a substitute for the woman I really want."
Tessa places a hand on his forearm. "I'm sorry he said something like that, Jordan. And even sorrier that Aubrey apparently overheard him. Ian is—well, not only protective but also extremely possessive. At least where I'm concerned. I'm sure he didn't mean it to come out quite that way."
"Sure he did," Jordan chuckles. "Your husband never says anything he doesn't mean. And I'm sure he's been dying to tell me to back off for a very long time. He said the only reason he never said anything before last night was because it would have embarrassed you."
She nods briefly. "He's right, it would have. And, well, I do like you, Jordan. Very much. I've always sensed that beneath all your charming, flirty ways, you have feelings just like everyone else. And I never wanted to hurt your feelings. Besides," she admits somewhat reluctantly, "while I'm admittedly crazy in love with my husband, I couldn't help feeling flattered by your attention. I doubt very many women could."
"Careful," he teases. "If I can't find a way to convince Aubrey to speak to me again, I may have to resume my campaign to steal you away from Ian. In the meantime, why don't we order lunch?"
---
Over lunch, Jordan shares the limited information he has about Aubrey's family history. Tessa tenses immediately upon learning Aubrey was adopted, but looks dismayed to discover she was brought up in San Diego.
"I know for a fact that I've never lived there," Tessa remarks. "Which is rather surprising, considering what a gypsy my mother was, and how often she moved us around. But she didn't like California very much, and while we did live in Palm Springs once, we never came any further west."
"Oh, but Aubrey wasn't born in San Diego," Jordan recalls. "I remember because she was telling me how her parents first met. They were both professors at the University of New Mexico. Which I believe is located in—"
"Albuquerque," finishes Tessa tautly. "Which is one of the many different places my mother and I lived over the years. In fact, we may have passed through there two or three different times. How old is Aubrey?"
"Twenty-five. And her birthday is in February, if that helps at all."
Tessa shrugs. "I'm just not sure, Jordan. I would have been not quite five years old at the time, considering my birthday is in May. And while I remember certain things from when I was that age, I definitely don't recall my mother having another child or being pregnant."
"I can't say I remember much of anything when I was that age," Jordan acknowledges. "Not until I was seven or eight, and even then some memories are fuzzy. So it's not all that surprising you might not recall that time clearly. But do you think you were at least living in New Mexico at the time?"
"Maybe. We moved around so often it would be almost impossible to say for sure. But I know I went to kindergarten in Santa Fe, one of those fleeting childhood memories we have sometimes. And I would have started school in September of the year Aubrey was born, so I'm almost certain we were living somewhere in the state at the time. I've started doing a little digging, some research, asking for school records and things so I can try to establish some sort of timeline of my childhood. Needless to say, my mother couldn't be bothered with that sort of thing. Not to mention the fact that I lost everything we owned—photos, papers, documents—in an apartment fire when I was sixteen."
"The same fire that killed your mother, I take it," Jordan comments somberly.
"Yes. Ian must have told you that, because it's not something I usually care to talk about. It was the worst time in my life, Jordan, and considering how many bad times there were, that tells you something. At least Aubrey seems to have had a happy life, good parents. Did she ever discuss her biological parents?"
Jordan shakes his head. "She knows nothing about them. Her choice, apparently. Her adoptive parents have always been willing for her to learn about her biological family, but Aubrey insisted she didn't want to know. She adores her parents and her two brothers, and said they're the only family she'd ever want or need. But I get the impression she would have her parents' blessings if she changed her mind."
Tessa hesitates. "The last thing I want to do is upset Aubrey more than she's already been. But all I've been able to think about since seeing her last night is whether the two of us might be related in some way. And, well, you're going to think this sounds crazy, but even though we didn't say a word to each other, I felt this weird connection, something I couldn't explain even if I tried. I'd like to at least reach out to her and ask if she'd be willing to meet me, talk to me. Do you think she'd agree?"
"Possibly. I can't imagine why she'd be angry at you, since you were just as much in the dark about this whole doppelganger thing as she was," Jordan muses. "So if you're asking for her contact information, I'm happy to give you her cell phone number. Whether or not she'll take your call or agree to meet is anybody's guess."
"I understand. And that's a chance I'm willing to take."
Tessa hands him her phone so he can enter Aubrey's number. He gives her a wry smile as he returns it.
"If and when you speak to Aubrey, I don't suppose you'd like to put in a good word for me?" he asks meekly, doing his best to look contrite.
But even though Tessa laughs at his sad puppy dog face, she shakes her head. "Sorry. You're on your own there, Jordan."
---
Meanwhile, in San Diego, Aubrey has been in a thoroughly rotten mood for two days. Her natural inclination is to let the incoming call go to voice mail. If she's being perfectly honest, what she really longs to do is fling the phone against the wall or flush it down the toilet. She can't remember a time when she's been so angry, so worked up. The last thing she's in the mood for is a conversation with anyone.
She called her parents, of course, not wanting them to panic when their nosy next-door neighbor contacted them about the unexpected occupant in their house. They're still back East on vacation, due to return in three days. While Aubrey didn't want to upset them or ruin their last few vacation days, she had to give them some reason for her sudden return to San Diego. All she told them was that she and Jordan had argued, that she was furious with him, and badly needed to be alone. She certainly didn't get into specifics—there was no way she was going to inform her parents that she'd met a woman who looked exactly like her. Time enough for that bombshell face to face.
Now, staring at her phone, she doesn't recognize the number but notices it has a San Francisco area code. It's not Jordan's number—neither his personal nor office phone. She's prepared to follow her initial inclination and let it go to voice mail. But her fingers hesitate over the Accept Call button. Some weird little sixth sense tells her she needs to answer, that it's important in a way she can't begin to explain.
Sighing, and telling herself she'll probably regret this, she taps the green button.
"Hello?" she greets warily.
There's a brief pause on the other end, making her think she should have followed her instincts—probably a telemarketer or spammer. But then a soft female voice comes on the line, and Aubrey feels an odd little sensation in her tummy the moment she hears the woman speak.
---
And that, my dear listeners, is where Chapter 16 leaves us—hanging on the precipice of what promises to be an extraordinary conversation. The threads of fate are weaving together, and I, for one, cannot wait to see what happens next.
---
## Reader's Impressions & Star Rating
What a chapter! This installment beautifully balances multiple emotional threads—Jordan's regret and introspection, the awkward and slightly humorous encounter with Jessica Coleman, the bittersweet lunch between Jordan and Tessa, and the tantalizing cliffhanger of Tessa finally reaching out to Aubrey. The author masterfully contrasts the predatory Jessica with the genuine, self-assured Aubrey, highlighting exactly why Jordan fell so deeply for her. The exploration of Tessa and Aubrey's possible connection is handled with sensitivity and intrigue, and Jordan's realization that his feelings for Tessa have completely transformed is a powerful moment of character growth. The chapter's pacing is excellent, moving seamlessly between tension, humor, and heartfelt emotion. My only complaint is that cliffhanger—I need to know what happens next immediately!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ **Rating: 4.8 / 5 Stars**
---
## Next Chapter Prediction
Based on the cliffhanger, the next chapter will almost certainly feature the first conversation between Tessa and Aubrey. This will be a moment of intense emotion—two women who look identical but have lived completely different lives, finally connecting. I predict Aubrey will initially be hesitant and guarded, but Tessa's gentle, vulnerable nature will slowly break through her defenses. They'll likely discover shocking connections about their shared history, possibly uncovering the truth about their biological relationship. Meanwhile, Jordan will be anxiously waiting in the wings, desperate for any news about Aubrey. Will this conversation bring the two women closer together—and perhaps pave the way for Jordan's redemption? Or will it open old wounds that make everything even more complicated? One thing is certain: nothing will ever be the same after this call.
---
To listen free the next reviews chatpers, please access website novelsaudio.com and search keyword: The girl of his dreams or click the link in the description of this video or if you want to listen or read full the The girl of his dreams please access website novelsaudio.com