Chapter 923

“Because this love didn’t give me the happiness I imagined,” Lena explained with a faint smile. “It’s like going to the supermarket, picking out a snack you’re excited about, and then finding out it doesn’t suit your taste. After that, you just don’t like it anymore and won’t bother with it again.”

Her metaphor was strikingly apt.

“And what does the happiness you imagine look like?” Aaron asked, as though playing the role of a persistent interviewer.

Lena, softened by the alcohol, answered obediently, “I don’t know. But whatever it is, Nate didn’t give it to me.”

Aaron observed the peaceful resignation in her expression and pressed further. “Do you still believe in love? Do you still want to start a new relationship?”

“Of course,” Lena said, finally lifting her gaze to meet his. Her eyebrows arched into a cheerful expression. “I’m not the kind of person who gets scared off by a bad experience. If I meet someone who makes my heart race again, I’ll love them boldly and passionately.”

As she spoke, she raised her hand from the shoe cabinet, intending to make a welcoming gesture toward her imagined happiness. But the alcohol muddled her balance, and she stumbled forward.

Aaron instinctively reached out to steady her. His injured arm limited his movement, so he could only brace her gently. She ended up collapsing against his chest.

“Uncle, I feel so dizzy,” she murmured, her breath brushing against his chest through the thin fabric of his loungewear, seeping into his very core.

Aaron froze, his entire body going stiff. Fighting to maintain control, he said softly, “You’re drunk. Let me take you to your room to sleep.”

“Uncle,” she said suddenly, tilting her head to look up at him. Her voice was soft, but her question was clear. “Earlier, you said you had someone you liked. Who is she? Do I know her?”

He didn’t answer.

Lena stopped walking, turning her full attention to him. “Tell me. Who is she?”

She clung to his waist, her petite figure leaning against him, soft and pliant. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. “She’s a fool.”

“What?” Lena blinked, her eyes wide with surprise.

Aaron gazed at her, her delicate features filled with curiosity. “She’s silly. She’s obviously smart, but when it comes to love, she’s completely clueless.”

Lena frowned. “That sounds awful. Why do you like her, then? She doesn’t deserve you.”

“But I like her,” Aaron said quietly. “What should I do about that?”

Lena sighed. “Then you should just tell her how you feel and be with her. Maybe after spending some time together, you’ll realize you’re not compatible and stop liking her. Just like me.”

“I’m afraid to tell her,” Aaron admitted, his gaze softening as he looked at her. “I’m scared I’ll frighten her.”

“Uncle, how could confessing scare her? Stop being so dramatic!” Lena exclaimed, tapping his chest lightly with her hand. “If you’re too shy to say it yourself, write her a love letter, and I’ll deliver it for you—just like when girls used to ask me to give you their love letters in school.”

Aaron chuckled lightly. “You have the nerve to bring that up? How many of those letters did you actually deliver? Didn’t you intercept them all?”

Lena laughed along. “So you knew all along, Uncle?”

Of course, he had known. And he had allowed it because even if she had delivered them, he wouldn’t have read them.

“Lil’ Lena,” he asked softly, “can you tell me why you intercepted those letters?”

Lena blinked and thought for a moment. “Because I didn’t want them to like you, and I definitely didn’t want you dating them.”

Aaron’s breath hitched. “Why didn’t you want me dating them?”

“Because…” Lena hesitated, searching for the words. “Because I was afraid if you started dating, you wouldn’t care about me anymore.”

Aaron’s heart trembled. “You were afraid I wouldn’t care about you?”

She nodded, then reached up and gently touched his face, her fingers tracing his nose and lips. “Uncle, you’re mine. I don’t want any other girl taking you away from me.”

Aaron’s throat bobbed as he swallowed hard again. “Then… then would you… would you stay with me? Forever?”

“Of course,” she said without hesitation.

“I mean for a lifetime, always together…”

Her hand paused mid-movement, then slid down as she mumbled, “A lifetime? Always?” That’s just a fairy tale.”

“Lil’ Lena,” Aaron called her name gently. “I’m not lying to you. I—”

“Uncle, I’m so sleepy,” she interrupted, leaning fully into his chest and closing her eyes.

Aaron looked at her, helplessly shaking his head. Still, he let the words he had held back escape his lips.

Chapter 923

“Lil’ Lena, I want to be with you for a lifetime. But first, I need to pave the way for us.”

Chapter 924