The Ex-Wife They Begged To Keep - Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Victor said coldly, "You're nothing but a cheap, disposable tool."
Serena stared at him, her voice trembling. "So that's what I am to you? A tool? I must've been out of my mind to ever fall for a jerk like you."
Victor opened his mouth to speak again, but Serena didn't want to hear another word. She cut him off and snapped, "Get out. I don't want to see either of you ever again."
"Serena, apologize to Ellie," Victor ordered.
"If you don't leave now, I'm calling the cops. Or do you want to get arrested again?" Serena said.
Eliza gently tugged at Victor's sleeve. "Vic, let it go. Let's just leave."
Victor looked at Eliza, feeling bad for her, and let her pull him away. He didn't want to go to the police station again either. If Albert found out, he'd get another earful.
Then, the door slammed shut behind them with a loud bang. Victor's face darkened with anger while Eliza stood by his side, trying to calm him down.
Inside the room, Serena slowly crouched down, her back against the door as tears streamed down her cheeks, falling to the floor.
It felt like something had clenched her heart in a brutal grip. She fought to keep the overwhelming rush of emotions from breaking loose.
Victor and Eliza returned to Powell Villa. As soon as they stepped inside, Oliver ran toward them. When he saw Eliza's swollen cheek, he asked worriedly, "Mommy, what happened to your face?"
Eliza's eyes filled with tears. "It's nothing, Oliver. I just tripped and fell."
Leon, standing nearby, shrieked, "Tripped? You're lying. That wretch must've hit you. She's always bullying you, Ellie."
Victor's anger flared up again the moment he heard Leon say that. Eliza shot him a quick look, signaling him to stay quiet.
Then she took Oliver's hand and said softly, "Oliver, I'm tired. I want to go back to my room and rest for a bit. Can you and Leon go play for a while?"
Oliver nodded obediently and ran upstairs with Leon.
Victor looked at the red mark on Eliza's cheek, guilt flooding his chest. He gently cupped her face and spoke tenderly, "Ellie, I'm sorry. This is all my fault. I never should've let you get hurt."
Eliza shook her head, her eyes brimming with tears. "Vic, don't say that. This isn't your fault. It's mine. I never should've come back."
Victor brought over the first aid kit and carefully dabbed ointment on her cheek. Eliza winced from the sting.
His touch grew gentler. At the same time, a wave of disgust for Serena surged in his chest—he wished he could erase her from his life completely.
Victor thought, 'Ellie's so kind, so gentle. I have to protect her. I won't let her get hurt ever again.'
The next morning, Eliza gently knocked on Victor's door. "Vic, wake up. It's time for breakfast."
Victor slowly opened his eyes, still half-asleep. But the moment he saw Eliza's soft smile, the haze of sleep lifted. "Morning, Ellie," he chuckled.
Eliza urged him, "Come on, get up. Oliver and Leon are already hungry."
Downstairs, the boys were already getting restless, chasing each other around the living room and filling the house with laughter.
Soon, the four of them were ready and heading out for breakfast at a new restaurant downtown. Eliza held onto Victor's arm, as if she could already see herself becoming Mrs. Powell.
Just then, Victor's phone rang. He answered, "Hey, Dad, what's going on?"
Albert said, "Victor, come back to Powell Manor with Leon. Now."
Victor was confused. "What's the rush? We were just about to go out and have breakfast."
"Enough talk. Come back immediately." With that, Albert hung up.
Eliza asked, "Vic, what happened?"
Victor ran a hand through his hair in irritation. "My dad wants me to take Leon back to Powell Manor right now."
A flicker of calculation passed through Eliza's eyes, but she quickly masked it. "In that case, why don't I come with you? I could take the chance to say hello to Mr. Albert Powell."
"But—" Victor hesitated.
"I've been back for so long and still haven't had a chance to visit him. I do feel a little guilty about that." Eliza clung to Victor's arm, putting on a look of thoughtfulness and grace.
Leon pleaded, "Dad, let Ellie and Ollie come too. Ellie's pastries are really good—Grandpa's gonna love them."
Victor finally nodded. "Alright, let's all go."
Then the four of them hurried back to Powell Manor.
Victor called out, "Dad, we're back."
Albert looked up and noticed Eliza was here too. His frown deepened. "Why'd you bring her?"
Victor quickly explained, "Dad, Ellie's been meaning to stop by and see you since she got back. She happened to be nearby, so I thought we'd drop in together."
Albert snorted, "No need. Powell Manor's not exactly a place to accommodate such an important guest."
Eliza stepped forward and greeted him politely, "Mr. Albert Powell, it's been a long time. I've wanted to come see you for a while now, and today I finally got the chance."
Albert's face remained stony, but he didn't say anything else.
The housekeeper soon had the table set. Just as Eliza was about to sit beside Victor, Albert suddenly cut in, "Ms. Stone, that's Victor's wife's seat. You should sit over here."
Eliza froze, her face stiff with embarrassment as she stood awkwardly between the chairs.
Victor quickly got up and led her to a different seat. "Ellie, don't mind him. My dad just—"
Eliza forced a smile and gently shook her head, trying to act like she didn't take it to heart.
The tension at the table grew heavier. Albert asked, "Leon, what do you want to eat? I'll get it for you." Then he placed a piece of chicken pot pie on Leon's plate.
"Thanks, Grandpa," Leon said. He glanced at Eliza and added in his soft little voice, "Ellie, have some too."
Eliza felt a rush of satisfaction, though her face remained calm. She replied gently, "Leon, you're such a sweet boy."
Albert looked at him meaningfully. "Leon, mind your manners. You shouldn't call her Ellie. You should call her Ms. Stone."
Leon bit down on his fork, glanced at Albert, then looked timidly at Eliza. In the end, he didn't talk back.
Victor kept his head down, not daring to speak. The meal dragged on in silence, everyone lost in their own thoughts.
As the servants began clearing the table, Eliza spoke up thoughtfully, "Mr. Albert Powell, it's getting late. We should head back now. Take care."
She took Oliver's hand. "Oliver, say goodbye to Mr. Albert Powell."
Oliver sweetly said goodbye to Albert.
Victor couldn't understand why Albert disliked Eliza so much. To Victor, Eliza was gentle, considerate, just like before—maybe even better than before.
"Dad, why do you hate Ellie so much?" Victor asked.
Albert didn't hide the disappointment in his eyes. "Eliza didn't get close to you or Leon because she cared for you. She just wants to use you."
Victor looked confused. "Dad, what are you talking about? Ellie is—"
"Enough. She's only good at playing cheap tricks. Only a fool like you would fall for it."
"Dad, did Serena say something to you again? Don't let her manipulate you. Ellie's not like that."
"I might be old but I'm not blind, Victor. I see right through Eliza's pathetic little games."
Hearing Albert say that only made Victor more convinced that Serena was the one stirring things up behind his back.
Albert noticed Victor staying silent and spoke with a heavy tone, "Victor, Eliza is calculating. Take my advice—stay away from her."