The Ex-Wife They Begged To Keep - Chapter 36: Chapter 36

After Keith left, Kristy immediately leaned in beside Serena with a conspiratorial grin. "Come on, spill it. What exactly is going on between you and that man?"
Serena gave a small laugh and replied, "We've only met a few times. I only got to know him because I happened to run into Alyssa. We're... just friends, if you ask me."
Kristy raised her eyebrows. "Just friends? That's not how it looked to me. The way he spoke to you and the way he looked at you conveyed more information. Come on, Seri, he's definitely into you."
She waggled her brows teasingly and added, "By the way, where's the kid's mom? I didn't see her around."
Serena replied, "I remember Keith saying... Alyssa doesn't have a mother."
Kristy gave Serena a gentle nudge with her elbow and spoke up, "Hey, he's seriously handsome. You're really not going to consider it? I mean, he looked at you like you were the only person in the room."
"Stop it," Serena said with a soft smile, shaking her head. "We're really just friends."
Kristy scoffed, "Come on, I don't buy it. And what's wrong with a single dad? Alyssa is so adorable and well-behaved."
Serena only smiled, not saying anything else.
The next day, Keith returned with Alyssa and said, "I'm so sorry to bother you again, Ms. Gray. After Alyssa woke up and didn't see you, she cried the entire day. Nothing I did could calm her down. She insisted on coming to see you."
The moment Alyssa saw Serena, she wriggled out of Keith's arms and ran straight into Serena's embrace, wrapping her little arms tightly around her neck.
Serena looked down at the girl clinging to her so stubbornly, and her heart softened. She could guess Alyssa had grown attached to her after the trauma of nearly being abducted. It made sense to Serena.
Kristy, standing to the side, couldn't help but comment, "Mr. Brannon, this isn't a long-term solution, you know. Alyssa can't be glued to Seri forever."
Keith said with a sigh, "I know that, but right now, Alyssa won't go to anyone else. She only trusts Serena. Would it be too much to ask if you could take care of her for a few more days? When she calms down, I'll take her back."
Serena looked at Alyssa's pleading face and felt her resolve slipping. Finally, she nodded. "Alright. Just leave her here."
The moment Alyssa heard Serena's answer, she threw her arms tighter around Serena and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Kristy clutched her chest with exaggerated delight. "Oh my, that's so sweet. Seri, just accept that man."
Serena rolled her eyes and replied, "Would you stop? There's nothing going on between us."
Overhearing Kristy's teasing, Keith cleared his throat awkwardly, his eyes briefly flicking toward Serena.
Serena lowered her gaze slightly, clearly a bit flustered.
Keith leaned down and said softly to Alyssa, "Sweetheart, Daddy has to go back to work now. Be a good girl and listen to Seri, okay?"
Alyssa didn't say a word but gave a small nod, her tiny hands still gripping Serena's collar tightly.
Keith looked at Serena and said sincerely, "Seri, thank you again. I really appreciate this."
Serena met his gaze and replied in a gentle tone, "It's alright. You don't need to thank me. I enjoy having her here."
Keith hesitated, as if he wanted to say something more, but in the end, he simply said, "Then I'll be going." After that, he turned to leave.
Over the next few days, Serena discovered that Alyssa was even better-behaved than she had expected. She was a little picky with food, but after Serena reasoned with her, she'd always finish her meals.
Kristy also adored Alyssa. She constantly tried new ways to entertain her, such as making funny faces and telling her stories. The apartment was always filled with laughter.
When Keith dropped Alyssa off, he and Serena finally exchanged their WhatsApp. Every evening, Serena would message Keith updates about Alyssa, sometimes attaching photos and short videos.
The next day, Serena stared at the message on her phone from Keith, feeling a little stuck.
Kristy had flown back to Zowerin, and she had to go to work. No one could take care of Alyssa.
Biting her lip, she hesitated a moment before dialing Keith's number. "Hello, Keith? Are you done with your work?"
"Ms. Gray, I'm so sorry. I'm still in the middle of negotiations. It's going to take a bit more time. Is something wrong with Alyssa?" asked Keith.
Serena replied, "Kristy flew back yesterday, and I should go to work this morning. I'm not comfortable leaving Alyssa alone at home."
There was a short pause on the other end of the line, then Keith said, "I really can't make it back today. Would you be willing to watch her for one more day? I promise I'll pick her up as soon as I get back."
Serena said hopelessly, "Fine."
Keith answered, "Thank you so much, Ms. Gray. I really appreciate it."
After ending the call, Serena sighed and thought, 'It looks like I have no choice but to bring Alyssa to work with me.'
She crouched down in front of the little girl and said gently, "Alyssa, would you like to go to work with me today? You have to be on your best behavior, okay?"
Alyssa nodded drowsily and reached out with both arms to be held.
Serena carried Alyssa into the office. All the way there, Alyssa clung to Serena, her wide eyes curiously observing the world outside.
The moment Serena stepped into the office, Erika's sharp, mocking voice rang out, "Oh, where did you get a girl, Serena? Why bring her to the company? Hey, is she the love child of you and your sugar daddy?"
Serena shot her a cold glance and said nothing.
Erika added, "Why don't you say something? Don't tell me she really is yours. Wow, I never would've guessed that. You always act so pure and innocent. What a show that was..."
Erika's voice was abruptly cut off. "Erika, watch your damn mouth."
The sharp reprimand came from Stacey, who had just stepped out of her office. Her gaze landed on Alyssa, and a flicker of recognition crossed her face. Stacey thought, startled, 'Isn't that Keith's daughter? What is she doing here?'
Stacey studied Alyssa and Serena closely, suspicion rising in her eyes. With a frown, she muttered in her mind, 'Could it be Keith and Serena...'
Turning to Erika, Stacey snapped, "If I hear one more word of nonsense from you, you can pack up and leave."
Erika shrank back, startled by the sternness in Stacey's tone. Without another word, Erika sulked back to her seat.
Serena gave Stacey a faint smile and said, "Thank you, Ms. Mosher."
She could guess that Stacey had recognized Alyssa. That was probably why she helped her. After all, from the way Stacey and Keith had interacted that day, it was clear they'd known each other a long time.
Stacey approached Serena casually, her tone light but probing. "Serena, how come Alyssa is with you?" Her eyes flicked briefly to the child as she added, "Are you sure there's nothing going on between you and Keith?"
"Mr. Brannon had a project he absolutely couldn't step away from. Alyssa doesn't do well with strangers, and she seems to trust me, so he asked if I could take care of Alyssa today," Serena replied.
Stacey's eyes glinted, yet she didn't seem to believe what Serena explained.
"Oh, I see," Stacey said with a vague smile, her voice laced with something unspoken.
She crouched down, putting on a gentle face and speaking in a sugary voice. "Hi there, Alyssa. Do you remember me, sweetie? Want some chocolate?"
She pulled a handful of colorful chocolates from her pocket and held them out.
Alyssa looked at Stacey for a moment, then turned to Serena. She buried her face into Serena's neck, clinging tightly to her and refusing to look up.
Stacey's smile froze awkwardly on her face. Her outstretched hand hung in the air, visibly stiff.
Still trying to win the girl over, Stacey adjusted her posture and offered the chocolates again. "Look at these chocolates. So pretty, aren't they? Which one do you like? Let me unwrap one for you."
Alyssa didn't move. She only nestled deeper into Serena's arms, her little body tensing slightly, as if trying to hide.
Stacey straightened slowly, chuckling awkwardly as she slipped the chocolates back into her pocket.