Chapter 873

Nate stared at her face, carefully observing her expression and movements. He had a rough idea of her condition but still asked, “Bitten on the ankle, right? Let me see the wound.” As he spoke, he bent down. However, before he could touch Lena, she was moved away.

Nate looked up at Aaron. “Mr. Ace, even if the snake isn’t venomous, its teeth carry a lot of bacteria.”

Aaron’s response was as sharp as ever. “Oh, so you can see the bacteria and have a chat with them, asking them to leave? Or can you wipe them out with your bare hands?”

Without waiting for Nate’s reply, Aaron scooped up Lena and walked off. Nate crouched there for a few seconds, stunned, before standing up and following quickly.

Lena was seated in a chair as the doctor lifted her leg. Just as Nate reached out to roll up her pant leg, Aaron had already done it. Nate had no choice but to awkwardly withdraw his hand. The doctor began cleaning the wound with disinfectant. Meanwhile, Aaron gently placed his hand on Lena’s head, his voice soft and soothing. “If it hurts, say something.”

Lena couldn’t help but feel a little embarrassed. She was a doctor herself, used to treating others. Now, having the roles reversed felt odd. She wasn’t supposed to be this delicate.

“Uncle, Nate, both of you leave,” Lena said, unable to bear the tension anymore, shooing them out. She could tell Nate was equally uncomfortable. Every time he tried to help, Aaron blocked him. It wasn’t that she felt sorry for him; she just thought it was unnecessary.

“Both of you, please wait outside,” the doctor chimed in with a joke. “Your presence is making me nervous, like I’m under surveillance.”

Aaron gave Nate a glance before walking out. Nate nodded at the doctor and followed suit.

Outside, the two men stood face-to-face in silence. After a few seconds, Nate spoke first. “Mr. Ace, you seem to have a strong dislike for me now, don’t you?”

“Dr. Neumann,” Aaron replied directly, “you and Lena are no longer a couple—just colleagues. It’s important to maintain proper boundaries.”

Nate didn’t shy away. “But I’m still a doctor. Checking her wound earlier and providing emergency care was for her sake. Your interference could have harmed her.”

Chapter 873 (continued)

“Dr. Neumann, don’t you think that excuse is a little weak?” Aaron’s mocking gaze swept over Nate’s empty hands. “No medical tools, no supplies—how exactly were you planning to treat her?”

“But I truly care about her,” Nate said earnestly. “Even if we’re no longer together, my love for her hasn’t changed.”

The corridor’s lights reflected in Aaron’s dark eyes, only to be swallowed by their shadows. His voice was low and ominous. “Your so-called love is nothing but a burden to her now.”

Nate’s face paled slightly, but Aaron didn’t hold back. “Even if you’ve returned to the country and can be by her side now, can you really give up everything to stay with her forever?” Aaron’s words were like daggers. “You’re just dating, but what about marriage? If she has children, will you leave her alone to endure the hardships of pregnancy and raising a child while you’re absent? Have you even considered these things? Or do you think love is enough as long as you feel it?”

“Nate, you say you love her, but you have no idea what she wants—or why she broke up with you in the first place,” he said coldly.

Nate was struck silent. He had always assumed Lena loved him, that their breakup was because she was upset he couldn’t spend enough time with her. He had never considered the deeper issues Aaron had brought up.

“In the future you envision, Lena doesn’t even have a place,” Aaron continued, tearing apart Nate’s notion of love.

“If you truly love her, then stop interfering in her life. Don’t cling to her. Let your past stay in the best memories,” Aaron said firmly before turning back toward the treatment room. His hand rested on the door handle, ready to enter, when a broken voice called out from behind him.

“Mr. Ace, you like Lena, don’t you?” Nate asked, his voice cracking.

Chapter 874