Lahat ng Kabanata ng TAKE ME BACK EX WIFE: Kabanata 91 - Kabanata 100

091 JOANA'S POV Heavy air surrounded us when we entered the Gates Estate through its gates. Everyone in the car maintained absolute silence instead of their typical conversation. Japheth sat in a tense posture beside me while he observed the entrance gates move like in a whodunit movie. Jake wore earbuds as he tapped his hands while Mirabel held her teddy bear for comfort because she felt her world had nothing else familiar. And me? I was trying not to overthink. The mansion came into full view, its stone walls almost glaring in the morning sunlight. Elegant, imposing, and far too big. A place that reeked of power and old money. The entrance was already met by Clinton, who wore a black shirt and trousers that fit him perfectly. He walked over and opened the car door. “Welcome.” I stepped out, nodding curtly. “Thanks.” The kids followed, eyes scanning the place like tourists arriving in a new country. Clinton crouched to Mirabel’s level and gave her a soft smile.

093JOANA'S POVClinton's body pushed me against the floor with more weight than I had anticipated.He carried physical tiredness beyond purely just being tired. His words remained in my mind as his speech became slower and more truthful. "I miss you," he said.He slouched against me, too weak to stand still from his drunken state, which paralyzed me for a moment.He needed help because I could not let him remain on the hallway floor unattended. Despite my mixed feelings toward him and sleepless nights suppressing my old emotions, I still cared enough to help him even though my emotions for him seemed to have faded.I grabbed his arm to rest it on my shoulder, then carefully assisted him to pass through the building without attracting undue attention.Clinton muttered to himself occasionally while also trying to move nearer as if fearing I would disappear if he stopped looking at me.The room stayed dark because he pulled closed the drawn curtains while the light produced small patche

095JOANA'S POV“You want me to close my business so Anita here can come save the day?” I spat, jabbing a finger in Anita’s direction. “So she can wear the crown and play the heroine while I fade into the background with the kids like some charity case?”“Joana!” Clinton rose beside me. “Stop.”But I couldn’t. Not when the truth was bursting at the seams.“You people think I’m a puppet you can position wherever it suits your legacy. But I’m not your pawn. And I will not sacrifice what I’ve built so Anita can be the family’s golden girl.”“I never asked for that,” Anita said, voice suddenly quiet.“Didn’t you?” I said coldly. “Then why have you been sniffing around Clinton? Why paint a portrait of me without telling me? Why meet with someone in secret?”Her eyes widened—just for a second—but it was enough.Mr. Gates looked between us, eyes narrowing. “What meetings?”“Nothing,” Anita snapped quickly. “It’s nothing.”Clinton frowned. Caleb sat forward finally, voice low and measured. “J

097JOANA'S POVI didn’t knock. Opening the door, I made the wood surface strike the wall before me. Clinton stared up with a surprised expression when I entered his study space, where he sat with his pen suspended midair while his forehead was slightly lifted.“Joana,” he started, voice soft.But I wasn’t here to be soft.I threatened that I would leave the house along with my children before sunset unless he took appropriate action in that instant.“I will come back to my home base to assemble enough strengths which will defeat your grandfather's ambitions by interning them permanently.”The troubled look in his eyes grew apparent as he failed to discuss whatever burden rested on him.“I warned you, didn’t I? I vow to leave the house with my children because I refused to let my children be under that man's influence. A lawyer now resides in this house, preparing something that God only knows about.”Clinton ended his writing and rested back in the chair to speak his words.“What's g

099 JOANA’S POV My arms trembled when I put my phone inside my jacket pocket. As the weight of her message pressed down, I sensed my space, choking me from all sides. Anita's words echoed in my mind as though they were a fatal mistake I kept repeating. “Don’t fail me again.” No. Not this time. I left the bedroom by slamming my heels on the wooden floor. Without thinking, I rushed toward the exit. I couldn’t. When Caleb promised to come in five minutes, I needed to leave now, or I would reach my breaking point. As I approached the stairs, I discovered Clinton standing by the corner with a confused expression on his face. He hurriedly glanced at me as though I were someone he didn't recognize. He asked,. "Where are you heading?" I didn’t stop. “Out.” “Joana—wait.” He moved to block my path. “What’s going on?” “I said I’m going out.” “You’re clearly upset. What happened?” I sighed sharply, eyes narrowing. “Move, Clinton.” He would not let me pass until I expla