Lahat ng Kabanata ng TAKE ME BACK EX WIFE: Kabanata 131 - Kabanata 140

132JOANA'S POVJapheth stood now as well, in that knotting of his brows, which always brought to the front of my mind, Clinton. “Why can’t we stay here?”The question was like a slap to me.I swallowed. “This isn’t how this works. You live with me. I’m your mother.”‘But we have both of you here, ’ Mirabel said in wide, pleading eyes. “Please, Mommy.”I was losing this battle.“Sweetheart…” I cupped her face. “This was never permanent. We had to stay there as some nasty people were trying to injure us. That’s over now. We are going back to a time when things had a certain quality.“But I don’t want things to return,” Jake mumbled.“You’ll have your rooms” – I tried again. ‘We’ll get ice cream tomorrow, and you can have sleepovers.’ Everything will be okay.”Japheth folded his arms. “But, it’s not just about stuff, Mom. ”Caleb finally stepped forward. “Hey,” he said gently. “You’re not leaving your father with your mother. She’s only bringing you home for a while. You’ll still visit

134JOANA'S POV“I don’t know any longer,” admitted my voice, barely audible. “Perhaps I do not wish to know”.“Why?” he stepped closer.“Because if I begin to unravel this, I am not sure if I will be able to stop. I’m already hanging by threads, Clinton”.“Then let go.”“I can’t!” I yelled, finally blatant, looking him in the eye. “I can not jump into something with you again and then risk destroying everything I have built. Caleb—he’s been here. He was my stand-by when you weren’t. He did a clean-up after your absence!”Clinton’s face fell with disgrace, but he did not move.“He’s not a rebound,” I added shakily, too. “He’s real. And he gave me a future.”“Did you say yes?” Clinton asked, voice strained.“I haven’t decided.”“That’s because part of you knows he isn’t the one”.“And perhaps the other part knows you ruined it all!” I snapped. “You left me. You left them. You did have your reasons, yes, but not by trust amount did you confide. You didn’t come back sooner. You leave fir

136 JOANA'S POV Her voice echoed in my head – her innocent mask, desperate face, and warning laced with venom. I grinned back, looking collected while burning inside. At last, I saw her for who she really was. It was no longer a choice for her to front gentleness or indifference. Still, I couldn’t stop thinking, just a bit... awkward. Such intervals leave you feeling empty. The kind of depletion, nothing, not even coffee, can really calm. The kind that bleeds itself into your very existence, wanting nothing but a peaceful glimpse into the ocean and an escape to sleep for a week. But that wasn’t the option for me. Certainly not, when a jewel bidding contract was ready to run, sitting on my desk and bearing the weight of the entire international expansion of my company. I entered the lobby, propagating my heels across the lustrous stone floor ever so softly. Her warm smile blinked and then quickly went back to her keyboard when she greeted me. But then I saw him. Cli

138 JOANA'S POV Mr Gates looked at me briefly, “I convinced myself I was supporting the family. I considered you a danger to what I wanted to uphold. All I accomplished was to undermine what I said I wanted to defend.” A bitter chuckle escaped me. “You almost succeeded in separating me from my children.” His eyes welled up. “I know, and there is no way for me to take that back. But I want you to realise that I finally see it now. The pain I caused. Not just towards you, but toward Clinton.” With a hard swallow, he repeated, “I was wrong. My feelings about Clinton influenced the way I interacted with you. I didn’t like that you didn’t give in. Because you wouldn't yield like the rest of them did.” “For that reason, I won’t do what others want me to,” I said calmly. He nodded. “That is the reason I now have the greatest respect for you. Almost dying made me realise it—but I finally see you clearly, Joana. You are not the person I accused you of being. You’re strong. Brav

140 JOANA'S POV As soon as Ciara was gone, the room filled with an unsettling quiet I couldn’t seem to get rid of. Sitting still on the edge of my bed, my legs crossed under me, I watched the glass of wine getting closer to being drained on my nightstand. Her words kept coming back to me, over and over again. You’re going to have to pick soon, Joana. In the end, one of them won't be able to stay. I wish she weren't so right about it. Caleb and Clinton. Two names. Two men. There was a constant fight in my heart between them. One brought me peace. He brought up all the pain I thought I’d healed over. Still, he was always the one who rushed to me when I was at my lowest. A chime broke the silence. My phone screen lit up. “Are you free tomorrow? There’s a project thing I need your help with. I looked down at the screen and tried to keep from smiling. Being plain and trying to bring work and relationships closer together is so much like him. I gave a small laugh and