Chapter 920

Recently, Lena had been in a constant state of distraction. Aaron’s decision to sever ties with the Aces weighed heavily on her mind. He hadn’t told her the reason, only saying she would find out in due time. She could live without knowing why, but she feared the fallout. When the truth came to light, she worried her grandparents and her mother would crumble under the weight of the news, collectively breaking down. Aaron had assured her he would handle everything, but she didn’t trust that he could shield the family from such devastation.

Most importantly, she couldn’t understand why he would choose to leave the Aces. Could it really be, as the old saying went, that someone else’s child was like an ungrateful wolf? If it were anyone else, she might believe it, but this was Aaron. She couldn’t bring herself to believe he would be so heartless, so ungrateful. And yet, he had said it to her himself. It felt so unreal that Lena wondered if she had imagined it all.

This turmoil took a visible toll on her, to the point that even Nate noticed something was wrong. “Are you facing some trouble, or are you feeling unwell?” Nate asked, sitting across from her in the cafeteria during lunch. Lately, their interactions had been limited to work. Nate hadn’t brought up their past relationship again, which made their conversations easier and more natural. Still, Lena’s troubles weren’t something she could share with him. She shook her head lightly. “No, nothing.”

Nate didn’t press her when he saw her reluctance. Instead, he changed the subject to work. “The post-surgery monitoring for the pregnant woman and her fetus is complete. We can now confirm that the fetal heart correction surgery was a total success.” Lena, who had been closely following the case, nodded. “Aside from congratulations, I also owe you a thank-you.”

The success of the surgery didn’t just save a life—it saved a family and spared a mother from lifelong regret. It was also a beacon of hope for families facing similar challenges. This breakthrough wasn’t just medical; it was profoundly emotional. Ever since Aaron had told her about the brother she never met, Lena had come to realize how even an unborn child could hold immense significance to a mother.

“You should thank yourself more,” Nate replied, bringing a smile to Lena’s face. “Then let’s toast to ourselves,” she said, lifting her bowl of soup. They exchanged a smile and clinked their bowls together.

“I’ll be heading to Mercy Hospital next week,” Nate said, catching Lena off guard. This place had been just a stop for him, and it was a stop he’d made because of her. Now that their work here was done, it was time for him to move on.

“Oh,” Lena responded softly, unsure what to say. If they had a simple, ordinary relationship, she could have said anything. But because they shared a history, her words felt weighted. She knew Nate still had feelings for her, and the wrong words might give him false hope. That was something she wanted to avoid. “Can I take you out to dinner tonight?” Nate asked, extending another invitation. Since returning, he hadn’t had a chance to be alone with her—not for lack of trying, but because Lena had never given him the opportunity. Now, with his departure imminent, he wanted to try one last time. There were things he wanted to say.

After a moment of hesitation, Lena didn’t refuse. Instead, she nodded. “Alright. I’ll pick the place. I know this area better.” Nate didn’t argue. He knew Lena disliked unnecessary debates over trivial matters. Before leaving work, Lena sent Aaron a message: [Uncle, I won’t be home for dinner tonight.] Aaron didn’t reply. Lena gathered her belongings and left with Nate.

She had chosen a quiet riverside tavern, a small, cozy spot with few patrons and a pleasant atmosphere.