The Ex-Wife They Begged To Keep - Chapter 152: Chapter 152

"Now that we've sorted everything out at the company, Ms. Gray should be free to grab dinner with me, right?" Keith stood up and loosened his top button.
These past few weeks with Winnie around had clearly affected Serena. She hadn't said anything directly, but Keith could feel it weighing on her.
Watching Serena constantly compromise for the company's sake made Keith feel terrible. He should have been protecting her completely, shielding her from any harm.
Sensing the guilt in Keith's eyes, Serena smiled and shook her head. "It's fine. You've made your position crystal clear, and I know a lot of this stuff puts you in impossible situations. I'm not hurt, just frustrated sometimes."
She added, "If I were more capable, maybe no one would be able to get past me to go after you."
Serena's eyes were solemn as she spoke. These weren't the words she'd usually say, and Keith fell quiet for a moment.
"Seri, you're already incredible," Keith said.
Serena couldn't help but laugh. "Well, thanks for the compliment, boyfriend. But I can't do dinner tonight. I already promised to visit Tiana at the hospital."
When Keith heard Tiana's name, his expression went cold. Serena was still looking down and organizing her things, so she missed the change altogether.
She said, "Why don't you come with me? Tiana's pretty close to me, and if it's convenient, I'd like you two to meet."
Keith stayed quiet for a couple of seconds, then finally agreed. "Alright, I'll go with you."
Something in Keith's tone struck Serena as oddly subdued, though his expression seemed normal enough.
She nodded. "See you after work then."
Keith drove Serena to the hospital, where they found Tiana just finishing up with her IV drip. Her face lit up the moment she saw Serena walk in. "You must be swamped at work. It's been forever since you've visited."
Tiana took Serena's hand, then noticed Keith standing beside her. Before, she might not have recognized him.
Still, after what happened last time, she immediately knew he was the man who'd adopted Alyssa.
Tiana's uncertain gaze moved between Serena and Keith. 'Something felt off about the atmosphere between them.'
She remembered Serena telling her that she and Alyssa's adoptive father were good friends, but this didn't feel like friendship.
Serena said, "Work has been crazy lately. I'll come visit more when things calm down. And this is—he's my boyfriend."
Hearing Serena say it out loud confirmed what Tiana had suspected. She nodded, looking genuinely pleased.
Keith said, "Seeing you happy is all I could ask for. Mr. Brannon does seem like someone worth trusting. It's wonderful that you two found each other."
Keith stood there like a statue, and Serena sensed something was off. She tugged at his hand gently.
Actually, Keith had been acting strange for a while now.
"It's okay, Mr. Brannon just seems like the quiet type. He's solid and reliable, though." Tiana jumped in to smooth things over.
Serena found it odd but didn't show it. She just nodded and looked at Tiana.
Tiana had been doing much better lately because of her new medication. Serena asked how she was feeling, then spoke up with guilt, "I've had people looking for that person you mentioned, but we still haven't found any leads."
Tiana's eyes dimmed. She shook her head slowly. "I appreciate you trying, but like I said before, maybe this is just how things are meant to be. I can't force it, and you shouldn't stress yourself over it.
"It's been so many years, no news is normal. Don't worry about me."
Serena shook her head without saying much, but inside she remained determined. She had to find the child Tiana was looking for.
It was one of the few things she could actually do for Tiana. She didn't want her to have any regrets.
Serena said, "Can you give me any more specific details? Like, did the child have any birthmarks or distinguishing features? Even one or two details would help our chances a lot."
Tiana let out a long sigh but nodded anyway. "The child does have a special mark—a black birthmark on the lower back. It's not very big, but the shape is unusual, like a crescent moon." Sadness flickered in her eyes.
Serena quietly memorized this detail. Maybe someday she could use this birthmark to find the person. "Got it."
After finishing the conversation about the child, Serena and Tiana chatted about recent small matters. Tiana seemed much better lately and was talking a lot more than usual.
She said, "Mr. Brannon, when you and Seri are together in the future, please help me look after her. This girl always keeps her troubles to herself instead of speaking up."
Tiana's expression grew wistful. "What happened before with that awful man wasn't her fault, but I really hope Seri can be happy for the rest of her life."
Keith lowered his head and just nodded without saying anything.
The atmosphere became a bit awkward, but Tiana didn't push it. She turned back to Serena and said a few more words.
As evening settled in, Tiana patted the back of Serena's hand.
She said, "Alright, dear, it's getting late. You two should head home now. You've been working all day and still came to visit me. I don't want to keep you any longer."
Serena pressed her lips together and shook her head. "It's not a burden at all. Being here feels like home."
After saying their goodbyes, Serena and Keith left the hospital room. Only then did Serena turn to him with a puzzled expression. "Keith, do you not like Tiana?"
She'd noticed this during their previous visits, but it had never been as evident as today.
Sure, Keith could be cold with strangers, but he was never rude. He definitely wouldn't treat an elderly person with such distance, especially someone Serena had told him countless times was one of the most important people in her world.
"It's nothing. Just tired today." Keith brushed off her question with a vague excuse.
Serena knew he was holding something back, but she couldn't push him for answers, given how the day had gone. She simply nodded.