Chapter 878

Lena’s mother’s face flushed with embarrassment at the questioning, but she quickly retorted, “Aaron, what kind of talk is that? Lena is my daughter. I gave birth to her and raised her. How could I possibly harm her?”

“Then what do you call what you’re doing today?” Aaron’s voice and gaze were both ice-cold.

“Your sister is just worried that Lena hasn’t moved on from Nate,” Lena’s father chimed in, trying to mediate.

“That’s right, Aaron. Your sister and brother-in-law would never hurt Lena. Besides, the Goodwick family isn’t bad. It’s just that from the moment you two walked in, you’ve been giving them attitude, making sharp remarks at every turn,” added Aaron’s father, who had been silent until now.

As the person in question, Lena couldn’t remain silent any longer. “Grandpa, Grandma, Mom, Dad, I know you all care about me and want the best for me, but I really don’t want to start a new relationship right now. That doesn’t mean I’m stuck in the past with Nate, though. Can you just let me handle this at my own pace?”

“Alright, as long as you’re comfortable with it, we won’t interfere anymore,” her grandmother finally relented.

Lena smiled. “Then that’s settled. Let’s just pretend today never happened.”

“This girl,” her grandmother chuckled, feigning a scolding tone. But then her gaze shifted to Aaron. “And you. What was with you today? Losing your composure like that—where’s your dignity as an elder?”

“I don’t see where I was wrong,” Aaron replied, unapologetic.

“Of course, you’re always right. Not finding a wife is right, too. We’ve introduced you to so many, but you dismissed them all, saying you’d find someone yourself. So, where is she?” Her grandmother’s frustration now turned toward him.

Aaron remained calm. “Still looking.”

“Still looking! You always use that excuse to brush us off!”

“Grandma,” Lena quickly stepped in to defend him. She couldn’t just sit back and watch them put her uncle on the spot. “Can you not push him? If he ends up settling for someone unsuitable and ends up unhappy, would you be okay with that?”

“As long as he’s willing to settle down, we don’t care whether he’s happy or not,” her grandmother retorted, leaving Lena speechless. Just how desperate were they to see him married? It didn’t seem to matter who he married, as long as he did.

“Aaron, we’re getting older, and our biggest concern is you. We just want to see you with someone who can care for you. That way, when we’re gone, you’ll have a family and won’t be left all alone.”

Hearing her grandmother’s words, Lena glanced at Aaron. She then looped her arm around his. “Grandma, if you say that, what about me and my parents? Doesn’t my uncle already have us?”

“That’s not the same,” her grandmother sighed. “Once you get married, you’ll have your own family. No matter how much your parents care for him, they’re not truly his family. A real family is formed when a man and a woman come together to build a home.”

“Mom, I understand what you and Dad mean. I’ll work on it, okay? But you’re both in good health, so don’t say such unlucky things,” Aaron finally conceded, softening his stance. “At our age, health is uncertain. Just look at Mr. Musk from across the street—he’s three years younger than your dad. Last night, he said he wasn’t feeling well, and when they took him to the hospital, he never came back.”

“Mom, that’s enough,” Lena’s mother interrupted, unable to listen any longer.

“Aaron, you grew up with Lena. As her uncle, you should set an example and find someone to settle down with. And Lena, you should help your uncle out. Don’t you have plenty of young nurses and interns joining the hospital every year? Play matchmaker and introduce him to someone,” Aaron’s mother added, assigning Lena a new task.

Knowing she couldn’t outright refuse without inviting another round of nagging, Lena stood up straight and raised her hand in a mock pledge. “Got it, Mrs. Lane. From now on, my primary mission will be finding the perfect girlfriend for my uncle. She’ll be beautiful, talented, filial—ah!”

Her dramatic vow was interrupted by a pillow her mother threw at her. “Stop being cheeky.”

“I’m just telling the truth,” Lena muttered with a pout.

“Alright, enough with the nonsense. Since you’re all here, let’s have a nice family meal,” her grandmother said, ushering everyone to the dining table.