The Ex-Wife They Begged To Keep - Chapter 44: Chapter 44

"Enough," Lucia snapped at her daughter, raising her voice. Realizing she had overreacted, she quickly forced a stiff smile at Mr. Brannon.
"She doesn't know any better, Mr. Brannon. Please don't take it to heart. It's all just a misunderstanding," Lucia tried to explain.
Cade's face darkened further at the sight of his wife and daughter in this state, beads of sweat continuing to form on his forehead. "Enough," he barked. "You two, apologize to Mr. Brannon this instant."
The little girl was startled by her father's sudden outburst. Her previously haughty demeanor vanished instantly—her lips trembled in a pout, eyes brimming with unshed tears.
Cade snapped, his voice growing even harsher. "Apologize, now."
Though resentment churned within her, Lucia finally lowered her head under her husband's glare. Through clenched teeth, she muttered to Serena and Alyssa, "Sorry, I was wrong."
The little girl, sniffling through her tears, followed suit and choked out, "I-I'm sorry."
Keith's icy gaze swept over the family of three. "You think a mere apology can settle this?"
Cade stammered nervously, "Mr. Brannon, w-we're at fault here. P-Please be lenient and don't stoop to our level."
All of Lucia's earlier defiance had vanished. Head bowed, her body trembling slightly, she clutched her daughter's hand in a death grip.
Keith cast a downward glance at Lucia and her daughter, both trembling with their heads lowered. He usually couldn't be bothered with such people. But when his gaze shifted to Alyssa in Serena's arms, he could no longer suppress the fury rising in his chest.
Alyssa's scraped knee was already oozing blood, thin crimson streaks trickling down her leg.
Keith snapped, his voice icy and commanding, "Get out."
After thanking Keith once more, Cade dragged his wife and daughter away, their steps hurried and unsteady. As they left, he kept looking back over his shoulder, terrified that Keith might suddenly change his mind.
Keith crouched down, tenderly caressing Alyssa's cheek with concern. "Does it hurt, Alyssa?"
Alyssa shook her head, clutching the cake box tightly to her chest.
Serena frantically rummaged through her bag and finally pulled out a box of newly purchased Band-Aids.
She tore open the packaging and crouched down carefully, but as she tried to apply the band-aid to Alyssa's wound, bright red blood continued to well up. It wouldn't adhere at all.
"Mr. Brannon," she said anxiously, "Alyssa's bleeding just won't stop."
Keith frowned upon hearing this, his jaw tightening as he examined c. He saw that the wound was small but deep. No wonder the bleeding wouldn't stop.
He looked up at Serena, his tone tinged with self-reproach. "Let me check."
With gentle hands, he carefully lifted the hem of Alyssa's dress, revealing her injured knee. The skin around the wound had turned pale, a clear sign of blood loss.
His gaze fell on Serena's handkerchief, already completely soaked through with blood.
"Let's get you to the hospital," he said. Clutching Alyssa tightly in his arms, Keith raced to the hospital.
In the emergency room, the doctor carefully examined Alyssa's wound while Serena stood by, visibly anxious. "Doctor, how is she?" she asked anxiously.
The doctor looked up, removed his mask, and said calmly, "She's fine, just a superficial wound with mild clotting issues. Nothing to worry about."
At the doctor's words, Serena finally felt relieved. She exhaled deeply and slumped against the wall.
After dressing the wound, the doctor ran some additional tests on Alyssa. Only after ruling out any complications did he allow Serena and Alyssa to leave.
By the time they got back to the hotel, it was already deep into the night.
Keith set Alyssa down on the sofa, his tone serious. "Alyssa, you mustn't run off like that again, understand? If it weren't for Serena today, you could have been in serious danger."
Alyssa lowered her head and gave a silent nod.
Fiona stood to the side, her face filled with remorse. She walked up to Sir, bowed deeply. "Mr. Brannon, I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. I failed to keep a proper eye on Alyssa."
Keith waved his hand dismissively. "Not your fault, Fiona. Go get some rest."
Fiona thanked him again softly, then quietly excused herself and left.
Serena noticed something was off about Alyssa's mood. She asked softly, "Mr. Brannon, would it be okay if I took Alyssa to her room for a little chat?"
Keith, who had also sensed Alyssa's unease, gave a nod of consent.
Gently holding Alyssa's small hand, Serena led her to the bedroom.
Serena gently cradled Alyssa in her arms and asked softly, "Alyssa, were you scared by what happened today?"
Alyssa shook her head, remaining silent.
"Then what's making you sad?" Serena asked softly.
Alyssa wriggled out of Serena's embrace, walked over to the desk, picked up some crayons and paper, and quietly began to draw.
Serena stood silently by her side, watching as Alyssa focused on her drawing.
After a while, Alyssa handed the finished picture to Serena.
On the paper was a little girl crying, with a bigger girl beside her holding a cake.
When Alyssa saw Serena had finished looking, she added more. The bigger girl was now pushing the little one down, her knee scraped and bleeding, the cake smashed on the floor.
Serena watched Alyssa draw with gentle patience, softly stroking the little girl's hair before asking in a tender voice, "Alyssa, is there something you want to tell me?"
Alyssa hung her head, nervously tracing the cake in her drawing with her finger, then pointing at herself. Her finger kept rubbing the paper, her eyes brimming with self-blame.
"Are you saying what happened today was your fault?" Serena asked gently.
Alyssa nodded, tears shimmering in her eyes as she kept gesturing toward the cake.
Serena gently pulled Alyssa into her arms, her heart aching with sympathy. "Alyssa, you did nothing wrong. It was her fault.
"She shouldn't have taken your cake, and she definitely shouldn't have pushed you. Standing up for what's yours is never wrong."
Alyssa kept her head down, first tapping her finger on the cake in her drawing, then pointing at the older girl on the paper. After a moment's hesitation, with a few strokes of her crayon, she moved the cake into the older girl's hands.
Serena understood what Alyssa was trying to say through her drawing.
Gently, Serena asked, "Alyssa, do you think that if you gave her the cake, everything would be okay? But even if you did, she might still find other reasons to pick on you.
"We can't give up what's rightfully ours just because we're afraid of being bullied."
Alyssa's eyes widened, her rims growing red as she fought back tears. Her lips pressed tightly together, waves of emotion swelling in her chest—too overwhelmed to speak, and too upset to even cry.
Her fingers traced aimless patterns across the paper, clutching it so tightly that it began to crumple in her palm.
Sensing the waves of emotion in her, Serena gently took her small hand and smoothed out the crumpled drawing. She said softly, "You did great, Alyssa. You protected what's yours. That's something to be proud of."
Alyssa looked up at Serena, a faint spark lighting up her eyes, and she gave a determined nod.
Serena smiled, gently wiping the dampness from the corners of Alyssa's eyes before pulling her into a warm embrace.
"Alyssa, you're so sensible and brave. I'm so proud of you, you know? No matter what happens, you can always tell me. I'll always be here for you," Serena promised.
Alyssa rested her forehead lightly against Serena's shoulder, then slowly wrapped her arms around her neck, finally letting go of the weight in her heart.