Chapter 959

Aaron had a knack for handling people, never revealing all his cards at once.

“I’m pursuing Lil’ Lena,” he said calmly.

Ron’s eyes widened, his breath catching in his throat. A few seconds later, he finally reacted, and everything became clear. Lena had asked him to play the role of her boyfriend. Out of respect for her privacy, he hadn’t pried into the reason. Later, he’d asked Hayden, who simply told him to go along with it and not ask too many questions.

Now he understood—it was because Aaron was pursuing her.

“You’re already aware of my situation with her,” Aaron continued. “This process won’t be smooth, so it’s a good idea for her to use you as a stand-in boyfriend for now.”

Ron understood perfectly. His role was to act as a cover, fooling the fake mother-in-law like yesterday, while giving Aaron and Lena space to start a secret relationship.

This was precisely Aaron’s plan. He wanted Lena to first accept him, to spend time together, and build their connection before going public. That way, no matter the external challenges, she wouldn’t retreat like she had this time.

“Well…” Ron took a sip of his coffee, feigning hesitation.

“Mr. Shane, if you have any requests or concerns, feel free to share,” Aaron said, his tone calm yet authoritative.

Ron smirked. “I don’t have any requests. But does Lena agree to this?”

“That’s why I need your help,” Aaron replied. Though he was seeking assistance, there wasn’t the slightest trace of humility in his demeanor.

Ron felt so cornered by Aaron’s composure that even his breathing felt stifled. “Mr. Ace, just tell me what you want me to do. If there’s anything else you have in mind, lay it all out.”

The two men’s conversation revolved entirely around Lena, leaving her ears burning red, even as she stayed busy with work.

When Keira went in for her prenatal checkup, Lena was sitting there, distracted.

“Why are you here?” she asked when she saw Keira.

“Dr. Lane, you called my number. I came in,” Keira teased.

Noticing the dark circles under her eyes and the redness in her ears, Keira couldn’t help but quip, “What did you do last night? Don’t tell me it was with your unc—”

“Stop right there,” she cut her off, her tone firm. “I just didn’t sleep well.”

Her sleeplessness wasn’t just due to Aaron but also because she was sleeping in a different place. She had already decided she wouldn’t go back to Ron’s place tonight. After all, even if she stayed there, Aaron would still find her. There was no escaping him.

“Why couldn’t you sleep?” Keira pressed, though her denial had already clued her to the reason.

“Because I missed you, happy?” Lena rolled her eyes and opened Keira’s checkup information. Then she glanced behind Keira. “Where’s your husband, Hayden?”

“Missing my husband now, are you?” Keira teased her back.

Lena tapped Keira’s forehead with her pen. “Be serious. This is work. Any discomfort recently?”

Since she was getting to the point, Keira stopped joking. “My legs have been swelling badly, and so have my feet.”

Lena crouched beside her, lifting her pant leg to examine it. Pressing her fingers into the swollen area, she noted the obvious indentation it left. She then pressed on the top of her foot and frowned.

“The swelling is pretty severe. Are you getting up frequently at night?”

Keira gave a wry smile. “Don’t even get me started. I can’t sleep through the night anymore. Why is having a baby so exhausting?”

“You still have thirteen weeks to go, but this level of swelling is unusual. I’ll write an order for further tests,” she said, helping Keira straighten her pant leg. “I’ll call Hayden in.”

Lena walked to the door, but after looking around, she didn’t see Hayden anywhere. She came back and said, “Call him yourself.”

Kiera dialed Hayden, and it took him a while to answer. When he did, his breathing was heavy.

“Babe.”

“Why are you panting like that? What were you doing?” Keira asked, suspicious. Hayden paused for two seconds before replying, “Nothing. Do you need me there?” Keira confirmed with a hum, and he promised to come immediately.

Ten minutes later, Hayden arrived, but she noticed a fresh scratch on his jawline.