The Ex-Wife They Begged To Keep - Chapter 197: Chapter 197

Serena had expected Chloe to say yes, but hearing her speak with such clarity and calm made her realize she might've underestimated her.
She smiled and nodded, her gaze steady. "All right. Then we'll stick to the plan for the wedding day. He took your phone, didn't he? I called and texted, but never got a response."
Chloe let out a frustrated sigh and nodded. "He wants control. That's all this has ever been about, control and his business. I used to wonder why he didn't love my mother.
"But I get it now. Men like him don't love. To them, wives and daughters are just leverage. They don't have hearts, so there's no point in trying to reach one."
Serena pulled a phone out of her pocket and handed it to her. "Here. Keep it hidden. If he finds it, we might not be able to reach you again."
She had debated whether it was too risky, but if they couldn't communicate before the ceremony, Chloe might panic or freeze when the time came.
Chloe took the phone and tucked it away. "I'll only use it if I have to. For now, we better try on these dresses or they'll get suspicious."
Serena nodded and helped her pick out a few gowns. Even though this wedding was destined to fall apart, something about seeing Chloe in a wedding dress felt surreal.
"Serena," Chloe asked softly, standing before the mirror, "what do you think people feel when they get married?"
Serena watched her reflection for a moment before smiling. "If they're marrying for love, I think they must feel like the luckiest person in the world."
Chloe turned and pulled her into a hug. "Well, right now," she said quietly, "I already feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Thank you. You and Keith... you didn't give up on me.
"Even now, you're still giving me a way out. I don't know how to thank you."
Serena smiled and gently ruffled her hair. "You don't have to thank us. That's what friends are for. Besides, I'm counting on you to come back to Studio Delune. Someone's got to keep that place running."
Chloe gave a small laugh and nodded. "If we pull this off, I'll help you overhaul that studio and turn it into something amazing. We move forward together."
After switching uniforms with another employee, Serena returned to the car. Not long after, her phone rang. It was Lana.
"You've been acting weird lately," Lana said, suspicious. "I couldn't shake the feeling that something was going on, so I had to call."
"It's not about me..." Serena sighed, knowing she couldn't hide it anymore. She told Lana everything about what had happened to Chloe.
"That poor girl," Lana muttered.
She hadn't liked Chloe much at first, but in hindsight, the girl had just been a little arrogant. Nothing unforgivable.
"What the hell? Who still does arranged marriages? If you're crashing this wedding, count me in."
Serena chuckled, a warm smile in her eyes. "I thought you didn't like Chloe?"
"She's still one of our team, isn't she? I can care a little."
"I'll fill you in when we're back," Serena said. "But if Chloe finds out you helped, I think she'll be really touched."
"Pfft," Lana scoffed. "She doesn't need to thank me. Just whip the studio into shape when she's back. That's thanks enough."
Time flew by, and soon, the wedding day arrived.
Keith, despite the fallout, still had received an invitation. After all, he was the CEO of Brannon Creative Group, and Sterling didn't want to burn that bridge completely.
Thanks to that, Serena didn't have to come up with another plan to get in.
"I'm not going," Keith said, his voice low. "No matter how this ends, I can't forget that Sterling helped me in the beginning."
Serena nodded, squeezing his hand. "Chloe won't hold it against you."
"If anything happens, if Sterling tries anything, call me immediately," Keith said, clearly still worried.
"I'm not the same Serena I used to be," she said. "I know when to push and when to fall back. I'll take care of myself. Just wait. We'll bring her back."
Serena and Lana met outside the hotel. Most of the guests were strangers from the business world. Still, a few recognized Serena and gave her curious looks, as if trying to figure out what kind of connection the designer Siren might have with either the Whitmore or Kingsley family.
As soon as they reached the entrance, a doorman stepped in front of them. He looked the two of them over, clearly taking in their looks, and assumed they were just another pair trying to charm their way into high society.
"Excuse me, ladies," he said. "I don't believe I've seen you on the list. No one enters without an invitation."
Lana frowned. "You didn't check everyone else. Why stop us?"
The man's gaze swept over their faces with thinly veiled condescension. "Girls like you, I've seen it all before. You think looking pretty's enough to get in. But let me tell you—these rich men? They've seen better. You two don't stand a chance."
Lana's temper flared, and she stepped forward, ready to argue.
But Serena caught her wrist and shook her head.
They couldn't afford to make a scene. They were here for Chloe. Any misstep now could ruin everything.
Serena calmly pulled an envelope from her purse and handed it over. "Here's our invitation. If everything checks out, we'd like to go in now."
The doorman froze, realizing the invitation was real. His smug expression vanished, replaced by awkward stammering. "I—I'm terribly sorry. I didn't realize. My mistake, really..."
Lana gave him a sharp look and scoffed.