The Ex-Wife They Begged To Keep - Chapter 182: Chapter 182

Serena was still lost in the sea of fireworks, so when Keith made his move, it took her a moment to process what was happening.
Keith said, his voice low and sincere, "Seri, we haven't been together for long, but I believe I can give you the future you want. I know you might not trust marriage because of Victor, but I truly want to be the one you can count on."
Beside them, fireworks burst into the night sky, spelling out both their names. It was only then that Serena realized Keith must have been planning this for a long time.
However, she hadn't noticed a thing.
The world around them was utterly still—no strangers peeking in, no friends or family to add pressure. It was just the two of them, hearts burning with emotion. For a moment, Serena didn't know what to say.
"Was it too sudden?" Keith asked, a trace of nervousness in his voice as he watched her closely.
But then he saw Seri shake her head, and relief washed over him.
"I just didn't see it coming. When did you set all this up? We're together almost every day, and I never noticed a thing," she said softly.
It was true—she'd been busy with the studio lately, but they still spent every evening together.
The fireworks and drones around them recorded every second of this moment, making it obvious that Keith had been planning everything for a long time to create such a perfect scene.
A gentle breeze drifted by as Keith waited expectantly for her answer, but instead, Serena couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"Where's the ring? Aren't you supposed to have a ring when you propose?" she teased.
Just as the words left her lips, the fireworks shooting into the sky transformed into the shape of a ring, as if they were answering her question.
Keith immediately understood what she meant, and for once, the always composed man couldn't hide the joy lighting up his face.
He pulled a ring from his pocket, and the flawless princess-cut diamond sparkled even brighter under the fireworks.
Serena's eyes grew misty, and she reached out her hand to him. "Since you've decided to be with me, you can't hurt me. Otherwise, I really won't talk to you ever again."
Even when she was making threats, she was still as gentle as ever. Keith slid the ring onto her finger, which perfectly fit her finger. He had measured that before.
He stood up, meeting Serena's gaze with solemn sincerity.
Keith said in an earnest tone, "I swear I'll always treat you right. I won't ever let you feel upset. If you ever think I'm not good to you, you can hit me or scold me.
"That's my promise to you, and I hope you can believe in me."
Serena nodded seriously. "I won't hit you or scold you. I'll just quietly leave, and you'll never be able to find me again."
The two of them embraced under the fireworks, while not far away, Keith's secretary, James, watched the scene with a relieved smile.
James wondered, 'Ms. Gray is really an amazing person. Mr. Brannon might always look decisive and successful, but everything he's been through since he was a kid has left him seeming aloof and withdrawn.
'It wasn't until Ms. Gray showed up and brought light into his once-shadowed heart. From now on, Mr. Brannon finally has a place to call home.'
At that moment, James turned around and suddenly noticed a car parked not far away. He had no idea when it had arrived. As he walked closer, he realized it was Victor's car.
'How did he end up following us here?' James thought to himself.
Victor had spotted James as well. He stood there, holding Leon's hand, his face clouded with complicated emotions.
"Mr. Powell," James said, locking eyes with Victor. There was no longer any need to hide, so James walked over and nodded politely. "Is there something you need from Ms. Gray?"
Victor was carrying a cake and a box of gifts, making his intentions all too obvious.
But he never expected to see Keith propose to Serena right in front of him. It was like someone had driven a knife straight through his heart.
Victor thought he was already numb to it all. But at that moment, he realized pain didn't always hit right away. Only now did he truly feel like he had lost Serena forever.
"Mr. Powell?" James called, snapping Victor back to reality.
Keith and Serena, not far away, had already noticed what was happening.
When Serena saw it was Victor, her expression grew a bit complicated, but for Leon's sake, she still walked over to them.
"Happy birthday, Seri," Victor said.
Feeling out of place, Victor held out the cake and gift box to Serena, not quite sure what else to do.
But Serena didn't take them. Instead, she turned her head to look at Leon, her expression softening.
Leon's eyes were rimmed red with tears. He was just a kid, but he could tell exactly what that scene meant.
'Now that Mom said yes to Keith, she's going to be his wife and someone else's mom. Does that mean I can't ever go back to her again?' Leon thought, his heart aching.
"Mom, does this mean you and Dad will never have another chance?" Leon's voice trembled, thick with sobs.
Serena pressed her lips together. She'd always been gentle and never wanted to hurt anyone, but right now, telling the truth was the only way to be fair to everyone.
Serena replied, "Yes, I've already agreed to be with Keith. We're going to get married and start a new family."
"You'll always be my son, and that will never change. But..." Serena glanced over at Victor.
As for her and Victor, there was no going back—things between them were truly over.
Victor felt like his heart was being ripped apart. Even though Serena didn't spell it out, her attitude made everything clear.
Leon burst into tears and started wailing, pounding on Victor's leg with his fists.
"It's all because you were mean to Mom before, and you never tried to get better. Now I'm going to lose her. It's your fault. Why didn't you say sorry to her sooner?" Leon sobbed.
Leon actually understood everything. He knew it wasn't just about saying sorry—sometimes, no matter how much one apologized, things just couldn't go back to how they were.
But he was just so sad. He couldn't help but remember all the times he spent with his mom. He regretted not cherishing those days before.
'Dad and I were both so blind, thinking Eliza was the one who truly loved us. In the end, we just pushed away the one who is closest to us,' Leon thought, regret filling his heart.
"An apology can't fix this. Victor and I don't have any feelings for each other anymore, so there's no way we could ever get back together," Serena said.
She turned to look at Keith and took his hand. As their eyes met, Keith gave her a warm smile.
"I told you before, as long as you try to change and be a good kid, I won't be distant with you like I was before," Serena said softly.
"Feelings go both ways between people. If I can feel that you respect me and love me, then I'll always stay by your side." As she spoke, Serena reached out and gently patted Leon's head.
Leon couldn't hold it in anymore—he rushed straight into Serena's arms, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Mom, I'm sorry. It was our fault before," he choked out, his voice muffled against her shoulder.
Serena held Leon close, gently whispering words of comfort as he sobbed in her arms. Off to the side, Victor and Keith walked away together, giving Leon and Serena a moment alone.