Love's Redemption (Chris and Maddie)

Aaron didn't give Nate an answer, but silence itself was an answer.

Lena's test results came back negative: no traces of snake venom were found in her system. The wound had been treated, and in the end, it turned out to be a false alarm. "Sorry, Uncle," Lena said apologetically. "I ruined your camping trip."

When she had been bitten by the snake, her screams were so terrifying that they startled everyone else. The others quickly packed up and left, bringing the camping trip to an abrupt, messy end. "It's fine. You can make it up to everyone another time," Aaron replied in a way that defied all expectations.

Shouldn't he be comforting her?

He didn't play by the rules, and Lena decided she wouldn't either. "I'm not making it up to anyone. If anything, you owe me, Uncle."

"How would you like me to compensate you?" This time, he sounded more reasonable.

Lena blinked mischievously. "I haven't decided yet. I'll let you know when I figure it out."

After saying that, she sighed. "Uncle, I don't think I'll ever go camping again in my life."

Aaron's expression remained calm, but there was a subtle undercurrent in his eyes. "What's this? Bitten by a snake once and afraid of ropes for ten years?"

"That depends on the situation," Lena replied. She wasn't the kind of person to give up after one setback, but when it came to snakes, she admitted she was terrified.

few days off work so you can rest properly," Aaron offered. Lena didn't know what kind of relationship he had with the hospital director, nor had

can't. Things are busy in my department, and we have

work ethic better than anyone. "Fine, but make sure you rest. If you're not

"Understood," Lena replied playfully.

and take you home,"

words reminded Lena of the lengthy comments on his social media. Thinking of her mother's tone in those comments, she felt a headache coming on. "Uncle,

"Watch how you speak. Are you saying your mom's scarier than snake venom? If she

along with you anymore, and I

he murmured,

stay, but compared to going back home, it was

thoughtless, Lena wasn't foolish enough to say that out

-

chaotic events,

the hospital, it was nearly eleven o'clock. It turned out that Aaron had turned off

is your injury

at work already?

with her stopped to ask