Chapter 871

“Then why are his photos identical to yours?” Keira demanded.

Lena didn’t answer immediately. She understood what Keira meant, opened her social media app, and found Aaron’s post. Sure enough, he’d shared the exact same photo as hers. To make things worse, the comments underneath included a particularly mortifying one from her mother:

[You’re with Lena, huh?]

Her mother probably didn’t mean anything by it, but the comment still felt inappropriate. As Lena silently cursed her mother’s lack of tact, she noticed another reply under that comment. This one, from Aaron himself, read:

[Wherever she goes, I’ll take her with me and make sure she’s well taken care of. Don’t worry, Sis.]

Lena was absolutely speechless. These two siblings were a perfect match: one was clueless, and the other oblivious. Her mother, as an older woman, could be excused for her lack of social awareness. But Aaron? Why was he commenting like this, knowing full well that their mutual friends could see it?

Frantic, Lena quickly sent Aaron a private message:

[Uncle, can you block my mom’s comment and yours too?]

His reply came almost instantly:

[Why? Are you worried people will misunderstand?]

Lena began typing a response: [Yes! I don’t want people to get the wrong idea.] But before sending it, she hesitated, feeling it wasn’t the right tone. She deleted it, retyped it, and deleted it again, unsure of how to express herself properly.

Meanwhile, Keira had access to both Aaron’s and Lena’s social media profiles. Naturally, she saw the comments too. Laughing uncontrollably, she pulled Hayden over and said, “If Lena adds her own reply, this will be pure comedy gold.”

No sooner had Keira spoken than Lena’s response appeared: an angry emoji. This was priceless.

Keira thought the drama would end there, but then Aaron’s sister (Lena’s mom) escalated things by posting a comment:

[Bring a knife back tomorrow and see me with it.]

What a domineering tone. Aaron replied: [Don’t scare her, or she won’t come back at all.] Her mother shot back: [If she doesn’t come, I’ll bring the knife to her instead.]

The comment section was turning into a battlefield, complete with knives and threats. What had started as two simple starry sky photos was now spiraling into the prelude of a dramatic “blood-soaked” family reunion.

Lena decided to ignore it all, unwilling to engage any further. She focused on enjoying the moment. But just as she started to let the tension go, Aaron sent her another message:

[Tomorrow evening, Grandpa and Grandma have asked us to come back. They said they have something important to announce.]

If her mom was a drama queen, then her grandparents were the ultimate kings and queens of theatrics. The elderly duo loved stirring up chaos when they were bored.

Lena had no intention of going. She had a pregnant patient’s surgery to prepare for, and that took priority. She decided to brush it off and didn’t reply to Aaron’s message.

Though her mood was slightly dampened, she still managed to relax under the starry sky. Closing her eyes, she felt peaceful for the first time in a long while. That peace was shattered moments later when Lena felt something wriggling against the back of her hand. Half-asleep, she thought it was one of her stuffed animals. But when a cold, slithering sensation spread up her arm, her drowsiness evaporated.

Opening her eyes, she saw it—a red and green snake slowly making its way across her arm. In sheer terror, she let out a piercing scream that ripped through the quiet night.

“A snake! There’s a snake!” Her voice broke into a high-pitched shriek.

Aaron, who hadn’t yet fallen asleep, rushed over the moment he heard her. “Lil’ Lena!”

“A snake! There’s a snake!” Lena’s panicked voice was so shrill it hardly sounded like her own.

Aaron unzipped the tent in one swift motion. Inside, he saw the snake startled by Lena’s screams, writhing wildly and slithering toward her feet. Without hesitation, Aaron scooped Lena up and, in the same motion, stomped down firmly, pinning the snake at its critical point. His aim was precise and unyielding, and within moments, the snake stopped moving.

Lena, however, was trembling violently in his arms. Aaron held her tightly and strode out of the tent.

The commotion had woken everyone else. People began emerging from their tents, their gazes all locking on Aaron and the trembling Lena in his arms. Their appearance alone was enough to make the entire camping group fall silent.