Valeria also noticed a bite mark immediately appearing on his ankle, with fresh blood seeping out.


    "You are injured! Could it be a poisonous snake?" She eximed in concern.


    She suddenly felt a bit panicked and thought, "What if it was a venomous snake? We are quite far from the hospital here. By the time we get there, would it not be toote?


    Seeing how nervous Valeria was, Hackett oddly enjoyed it and deliberately pretended to be in pain as he responded, "Seems like it was a venomous snake."


    Just as he mentioned the word "venomous snake," Valeria''s eyes widened instantly, filled with fear. She cried out in a panic, "It was really a venomous snake! What do we do? Call 911 quickly! But wait, will theye here? What should we do..." Valeria became flustered, not knowing what to do.


    she


    She thought, "Could he really die?"


    The moment she thought of death, tears welled up in Valeria''s eyes and fell into the man''s palm, scalding hot.


    Watching her crying anxiously, Hackett felt a strange sense of satisfaction, wanting to watch her a little longer.


    "It might be a cobra," he said, intentionally trying to scare Valeria


    A cobra" Valeria internally gasped.


    Valeria became even more panicked upon hearing the word "cobra." She thought, "This could really be fatal! The wound had to be treated and disinfected at the hospital as soon as possible!


    "Hurry, hurry, quick, call Tyler to pick you up, and go to the hospital. It is life-threatening!" Valeria cried.


    She pulled the man, forgetting that Alex was still sleeping inside the tent.


    The man grabbed her delicate wrist and reminded her, "What about your child? He is still sleeping in the tent."


    "Right, Ipletely forgot about Alex. I will go wake him up. Let us leave this ce quickly, Valeria said. As she spoke, she was about to go into the tent to wake up Alex. She waspletely flustered, and her brain had lost its ability to think. Her mind was filled with thoughts of what would happen if Hackett died...


    Seeing her so anxious, Hackett could not bear to tease her any longer and pulled her into his arms, saying, "I was lying to you. I am fine. There is no need to panic."


    Valeria cried even harder, but this time, she did not push the man away, knowing that he was injured.


    She cried angrily, "What do you mean ''fine? That was a venomous snake! A cobra! It can really kill people. What if you die? The hospital is so far from here. Can I ask Mr. Barron to send a helicopter to pick you up


    As Valeria spoke, she was about to take out her phone to call Barron


    The man stopped her again and said, "Valeria, Valeria! Calm down a bit. I was lying. It was not a venomous snake. There are no venomous snakes here. It is just an ordinary snake, and the wound is not that deep. It is not that painful; we can clean and disinfect it easily."


    "How do you know it''s an ordinary snake? It''s pitch ck, and you can''t see clearly. What if it really was a venomous snake..." Valeria replied in a panic.


    Hackett could not help butugh and gently touched her icy chek, soothing her anxious heart as he said, "This is a campsite chosen by a kindergarten. How could there be venomous snakes Think about how many children are here. The kindergarten would be even more cautious and afraid of taking responsibility"Content rights belong to N?velDrama.Org.


    Valeria calmed down and stared nkly at the man, seeminglying to her senses.


    She thought, "Indeed, he is right. With so many children here, the kindergarten''s choice of a campsite would undoubtedly


    be the safest."


    "Then why did you say was a cobra just now? Did you lie to me just now?" She questioned, her facial expression changing instantly despite the still-wet tears on her cheeks.


    Hackett wiped away her tears and slowly said, "Seeing how worried you were for me made me a bit happy, so I wanted to watch a little longer."


    Valeria was at a loss for words and silently cursed, "Is this man a pervert? He lied about being bitten by a venomous snake to watch me worry?"


    Valeria looked at the man in front of her with an incredulous expression and eximed, "Hackett James, are you out of your mind? Do you want to get hurt?"


    After uttering those words, she ruthlessly pinched the wound where the snake had bitten the man.


    This time, it genuinely hurt. Hackett James let out a painful, muffled groan. He clenched his teeth and expressed. "Are you trying to inflict harm on your spouse?


    Valeria sneered, emphasizing, "You are my ex-spouse!"


    Witnessing her anger, Hackett James, for some reason, burst intoughter. He just felt likeughing.


    Observing how frantic Valeria had been earlier, it did appear like she had some feelings for him. Perhaps Valeria was genuinely afraid of revisiting the past, so she was keeping her distance.


    Hackett gazed at her, wiped away her tears in frustration, and couldn''t resist asking, "Valeria, are you avoiding my pursuit because you fear repeating history, wanting to maintain a safe distance from me?"


    Valeria was momentarily stunned, meeting the man''s intense gaze. His fiery and focused eyes left her exposed, with nowhere to hide.


    "It is not!" she vehemently denied.


    She denied it with fervor, but her heart raced as if fearing the man could read her thoughts.


    Hackett persisted as he questioned, "Then why?"


    Valeria''s mind was in turmoil, and she retorted, "There''s no specific reason. I do not love you anymore. Is that not allowed? When I loved you, you did not reciprocate. Now that you want to love me, must I love you back? There is no such rule." Hackett stayed silent, his gaze prating. His deep eyes concealed numerous unspoken sentiments, tempting exploration Being scrutinized this way by the man, Valeria felt uneasy and avoided his eyes.


    questioning me. You''re exasperating. "Why are you staring at me like that? I already told you I don''t love you anymore. Sto You are a deceiver. You lied to me four years ago, and you''re lying now. Should being bitten by a snake make you proud I will have you know my concern earlier was not because I still love you but because I''m the one who invited you on this cumping trip. Valeria dered


    She rified to ensure Hackett


    ett didn''t misconstrue her feelings. 80%


    However, the truth was she had always reserved a special ce for Hackett in her heart, an exclusive space no one else could upy or him escape from.


    At times, she loathed herself. Why was she so vulnerable? Hackett had perpetrated so many injustices against her, yet sh harbored a ce for him in her heart.


    she


    Contemting this, tears welled up in her eyes once more. She stood and turned to head back into the tent.


    At this point, she did not wish to be alone with Hackett, dreading the exposure of her true emotions


    Hackett watched her rise and be somewhat flustered. He, too, stood and said, "Valeria, I apologize. I did not mean to deceive you earlier. It was just meant to be a joke. I did not expect you to take it seriously.."


    He believed Valeria would see through the jest, but he had not anticipated her taking it seriously and immediately contemting the possibility of his demise.


    "Hackett, please refrain from joking with me. We are not in a position for silliness anymore. I am genuinely afraid that something will happen to you now, and I can''t bear that responsibility. I''m merely your former spouse, Valeria responded.


    After stating this, she pivoted and entered the tent, ignoring the man behind her.


    Hackett was left standing alone, gazing at the tent in the dim firelight in silence.