The Ex-Wife They Begged To Keep - Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Keith was just about to take Alyssa to the children's play zone at the mall when an unexpected call disrupted their plans.
"Mr. Brannon, there's been an urgent issue," came his assistant's anxious voice over the phone.
"What is it? Explain it to me," Keith replied.
As the assistant spoke on the other end, Keith's expression grew increasingly grave, and he finally said, "I'll head over right away."
He ended the call and turned toward Alyssa. She was looking up at him with eyes full of anticipation, making it even harder for him to speak. He crouched down and gently brushed his hand over her soft hair.
He spoke up, "Sweetie, Daddy has something urgent to take care of. Jaclyn will take you to the mall for now, okay?"
Alyssa looked disappointed but still nodded with a small smile. Beside her, Jaclyn took her hand and said cheerfully, "Alyssa, we'll go ahead to the mall. Once your dad finishes his work, he'll come join us, alright?"
Seeing Alyssa's quiet agreement, Jaclyn turned to Keith and said, "Mr. Brannon, see you later."
Keith nodded. "Alright."
At the mall, Jaclyn brought Alyssa to the play zone. Alyssa clung tightly to Jaclyn's hand, her small frame shrinking behind Jaclyn.
Children darted back and forth through the brightly colored playground, and flickering lights danced across every surface, overwhelming Alyssa's senses. Her tiny fingers tightened their grip, her lips pressed into a line.
Jaclyn gently pulled Alyssa out from behind and coaxed, "Look, there are so many kids. Alyssa, why don't you join them?"
Alyssa's eyes flickered uncertainly. The colorful lights blurred in her vision into pulsing blobs, while the running children looked more like flickering shapes than real people. It all made her feel even more frightened.
Seeing Alyssa still stand behind her, Jaclyn began to grow impatient, thinking, 'Why is this kid so hard to handle?'
Without warning, she gave Alyssa a small shove, pushing her into the ball pit.
Alyssa stumbled, nearly falling, her face clouded with fear.
Jaclyn encouraged her. "See? All the other kids are playing too. Go have fun with them, Alyssa."
Alyssa glanced back at Jaclyn, then down at the sea of plastic balls. She shook her head and didn't move an inch.
Jaclyn frowned and said, "Alyssa, be a good girl. Go ahead. I'm right here watching you."
Alyssa hesitated for a moment, then finally gave a timid nod and slowly made her way toward the ball pit.
Not long after, Jaclyn's attention was drawn by a long line forming nearby—it was in front of a trendy café. Jaclyn wanted to grab one, and she thought, 'She'll be fine for a few minutes. What could possibly go wrong?'
She glanced back to check that Alyssa hadn't noticed her. Then she quietly stepped away and began walking toward the café.
The children's laughter and squeals blended into a chaotic wall of noise that Alyssa couldn't filter. It was overwhelming, making her unsettled.
Her steps grew smaller as she wandered to a corner behind a giant stuffed animal. Curling her body inward, she hid herself.
Elsewhere in the mall, Serena and her best friend Kristy were browsing for clothes. Kristy was cheerfully trying on one pretty dress after another, while Serena offered her ideas with amusement.
"Seri, what do you think of this one? Doesn't it make me look super curvy?" Kristy asked excitedly.
Serena examined the dress and smiled, "Very pretty. Makes your skin look even fairer."
Pleased, Kristy spun in front of the mirror and then picked up a sapphire-blue dress. "What about this one? I think it's gorgeous too."
Serena nodded. "That one suits your vibe perfectly. The color brings out your confidence."
"Great. I'll take both," Kristy said without hesitation while turning to the saleswoman.
After paying, she linked arms with Serena and said, "Let's go check out shoes next. I'm treating myself today."
As they left the boutique, chatting about Alyssa while heading toward the escalator, Serena glanced down casually, only to stop short.
Near the children's play area below, a woman was tugging at a little girl's hand and speaking to her with visible impatience. The girl stood with her head lowered, her tiny body hunched as though trying to disappear.
Serena's heart gave a sudden jolt. She wondered with a frown, 'That figure looks so much like Alyssa.'
The escalator carried Kristy steadily upward, but Serena stopped in her tracks, her eyes locked onto the small figure below.
Kristy, noticing Serena hadn't followed, quickly turned around and leaned over the railing while asking, "Seri, what's wrong? Why are you standing there?"
Serena didn't answer. She suddenly spun around and ran toward the down escalator. Pushing through the crowd, she almost jogged down, weaving her way against the flow of people.
A voice snapped, "Stop it right now. If you keep this up, I'll just leave you here."
Alyssa shook her head furiously, trying to pull her hand free from the woman's tight grip, but the hand only clamped down harder.
The woman said again, "I said no. We're not buying anything. Keep this up, and Mommy will really get angry."
The woman's voice was harsh, her grip nearly yanking Alyssa's tiny arm out of its socket. "Come on, we're going home."
Alyssa cried from the sharp pain, while silent tears rolled down her cheeks.
Some people around them passed in a hurry, and others strolled by. They glanced over with disinterest but kept moving. To them, it looked like nothing more than a stubborn child throwing a tantrum with her mother.
Serena's eyes darted across the scene below, scanning anxiously for that little girl. Then she saw a woman aggressively pulling at a little girl's arm right beside the play area.
After a close watch, Serena found it was really Alyssa.
Serena didn't hesitate. She rushed forward, grabbed the woman's wrist, and yanked her hand away.
Startled, the woman turned sharply, glaring at Serena. "What are you doing?"
Serena's voice was firm. "Ma'am, may I ask your relationship with this girl?"
The woman hesitated for a moment and then forced a stiff smile. "I'm her mother. She insisted on getting some toys. I'm just taking her home."
Alyssa's eyes were brimming with tears as she shook her head desperately. She struggled against the woman's grip, extending her other hand toward Serena, reaching out with all the strength she had.
Serena pulled Alyssa from that woman's grip and held Alyssa in her arms tightly. "Alyssa, you're safe now. I'm here."
Alyssa's tiny body trembled as she wrapped her arms tightly around Serena's neck, burying her face in her shoulder.
Seeing that Serena was alone, the woman straightened up and grew bolder. She planted her hands on her hips and snapped with an aggressive tone, "Who the hell are you? Why are you snatching my daughter? Let her go, or I'll call the police."
"Is that so?" Serena replied calmly. "I think she looks terrified of you."
"This is none of your business. She's just throwing a tantrum," the woman shot back.
Serena snapped, "Drop your act. You look more like a kidnapper."
Just then, Kristy came running up, slightly out of breath. She supported herself with one hand on her knee and asked, "Seri, are you alright?"
When the woman saw Kristy arrive, she instantly turned nervous and turned to flee.
But Serena was quicker. She caught the woman's arm in a firm grip and shouted, "Don't even think about it. Kristy, call the police!"
Realizing what was happening, Kristy immediately took out her phone and dialed 911. "We have a suspected child abduction here at..."
Seeing that the situation was slipping out of control, the woman began shrieking and throwing herself on the ground. "Help! Somebody help me! They're trying to take my child!"
Onlookers started murmuring. Some frowned at Serena, muttering about her meddling in someone else's business.
But Serena paid them no mind. She only tightened her hold on Alyssa, shielding her from everything.
Within minutes, police officers arrived and restrained the woman. Only then did Serena finally let out a breath of relief. She looked down at Alyssa, who had clearly been deeply frightened. She clung to Serena like a lifeline, her small body trembling nonstop.
Serena whispered, "It's over now. You're safe, sweetie."