The Ex-Wife They Begged To Keep - Chapter 69: Chapter 69

Serena thought of Leon lying helplessly in the hospital bed, her heart tightening. But she quickly calmed down and said to Victor, "I see." Victor was about to say more, but Serena hung up directly.
Listening to the dial tone, Victor trembled with anger. He slammed his phone on the desk, unable to fathom how this woman could be so cold-blooded.
He stormed to the door, yanked it open, and shouted downstairs, "Leon."
Moments later, Leon appeared timidly at the study door. "Daddy, did you call me?"
Looking at Leon standing there, Victor's hard face softened slightly. He reached out to lift Leon into his arms, holding the small body firmly. Victor turned back into the study, murmuring, "I need to talk to you."
Leon instinctively wrapped his arms around Victor's neck and pressed his cheek to his shoulder. "Dad?"
Victor carried Leon to the sofa, gently placed him on his lap, and asked, "Leon, do you miss Mommy?"
Leon's eyes lit up, then dimmed. "Yes, but Mommy doesn't want us anymore..."
Seeing Leon's dejected expression and recalling Serena's indifference, Victor gritted his teeth in anger. He refused to believe Serena could be so heartless, ignoring her own son.
"Let me take you to see Mommy, okay?" Victor said.
Leon's eyes instantly shone, and he nodded vigorously.
The next day, Leon woke up early and neatly packed his tiny suitcase. He trotted to Victor's door and knocked gently. "Daddy, Daddy, are you up?"
No reply. Leon knocked again, louder. "Daddy, we're going to find Mommy!"
Still no answer. Leon grew anxious, pounding the door with his small fist. "Daddy, hurry up!"
After a while, the door opened. Leon immediately grabbed Victor's hand. "Daddy, come on! Let's go find Mommy!"
Hearing Leon's shout, Eliza went upstairs curiously and caught his excited words. She stopped in her tracks, grabbing the stair railing to steady herself.
Standing at the stairwell, Eliza watched Victor carry Leon downstairs. Hesitating, she asked, "Vic, where are you going?"
Victor avoided her gaze and marched downstairs with Leon. He knew he had to take Leon to see Serena first, pushing other thoughts aside.
Eliza eyed Victor's stiffer-than-usual back and quietly followed. Victor placed Leon at the dining table, settling him in a high chair. "Leon, eat first. We'll go to Mommy after breakfast."
Leon nodded obediently, sitting up straight.
Unyielding, Eliza asked again, "Vic, are you taking Leon to see Serena?"
Victor turned to her. "Yes. I can't believe she'd be so heartless as to ignore Leon."
Watching Victor gently feed Leon, Eliza bit her lip to hold back tears. "Vic, are you going to Glonia today?"
Victor didn't look up, continuing to feed Leon. "Yes. I've booked the tickets. We leave soon."
"Then... what about me?" she asked.
Victor's spoon paused mid-air, cereal dripping onto Leon's plate. After a beat, he resumed feeding and said, "Ellie, stay home and take care of Oliver. We'll be back."
Tears spilled from Eliza's eyes. She choked, "When will you be back?"
Victor avoided her gaze, wiping Leon's mouth with a tissue after the last bite. "Leon, full?"
Leon nodded eagerly, face bright with excitement.
Victor crouched to pinch his cheek. "Good. Go get your luggage. We're leaving soon."
Leon slid off the high chair and stood at the door with his tiny suitcase.
Victor drove up, loaded the suitcase, and buckled Leon in. Eliza stood at the door as they got in.
From the driver's seat, Victor glanced at Eliza through the window but said nothing. In an instant, he looked away, his expression darkening.
He gripped the steering wheel, stepped on the gas, and drove off. Eliza was left behind, wind tossing her hair to hide her red-rimmed eyes.
Rubbing his eyes, Oliver came out and saw Eliza alone. He tugged her clothes. "Mommy, what's wrong?"
Eliza snapped back, anger flaring at Oliver. She resented the child for not pleasing Victor. She swatted his hand away coldly. "Don't touch me."
Oliver staggered, nearly falling. He stared at her. "Mommy, why did you push me?"
Eliza grabbed his arm, voice icy and sharp. "How dare you ask?!"
Oliver flinched at her sudden anger. "Mommy, did... did I do something wrong?"
"Of course you did! It's all your fault—you can't even please Vic. Useless thing!" Eliza threw his arm down, stormed inside, and left Oliver alone at the door.
As night fell in Nexopolis, Serena finished dinner and washed dishes in the kitchen. The warm light made her life seem cozy.
Suddenly, a rapid knocking shattered the peace. Serena paused, frowning at the door. She turned off the tap, dried her hands with a towel.
Then, she tiptoed to the door. Instead of opening it, she asked softly, "Who is it?"