Semua Bab TAKE ME BACK EX WIFE: Bab 171 - Bab 180

171JOANA'S POVCaleb returned a few hours later, holding a tablet. He hesitated, then handed it to me.“You need to see this,” he said grimly.“What is it?”“It’s security footage from a small resort about an hour away. A private investigator friend pinged Clinton’s car GPS after I begged for a location.”I stared at him, confused, and pressed play.The footage was grainy but clear enough.Clinton was there—stepping out of his sleek black SUV, laughing… with Louisa. Her hand was tucked into his arm as if it belonged there. They walked into a villa, luggage trailing behind them.The timestamp was from just hours before Mirabel collapsed.I didn’t know what shocked me more—that he was with Louisa again or that he looked… happy. Relaxed.I put the tablet down on the seat next to me.I said quietly, “I don’t understand.”“Same here,” answered Caleb, brushing his hair away from his face. “I have never witnessed him act that way with the kids before.”And that was what unsettled me the mos

173JOANA’S POVHer apartment was tastefully furnished—or at least trying too hard to be. It screamed curated elegance, but beneath the surface, it felt like a museum of someone else's taste. A collection of designer pillows she probably couldn’t even pronounce. I wondered if she had ever sat on this couch or if it was just for show. A life built on appearances. Just like her.I sat on the couch, took a leg across my knee, and put my hands together in my lap. My fingers did not shake, and I kept my smile simple.Not a crack to be found. It unnerved people when you were too calm. Especially when they expected a storm.As she shut the door, her steps made a soft clicking noise as I looked at her on the polished floor.“Coffee sounds great, or are you better with tea?” she asked, smiling so kindly you would never guess the knife she held.“No, thank you.” I smiled brighter. “I’m not staying long. I'm just here to talk.”She gave a single, amused huff and walked over to the sideboard. Her

175JOANA’S POV A week passed, and for the first time in a long time, it actually felt like a week—not a war zone compressed into seven days.Louisa had vanished into silence, which suited me just fine. Clinton kept his space, respectfully distant. He didn’t hover, didn’t ask questions, didn’t give me that look of longing that made breathing difficult. And Caleb... he was like air—there, vital, soft in presence but deeply grounding.We were learning from each other in a way I never thought possible—through shared coffee, knowing glances, and quiet moments that didn’t demand more than what we could give.Life was beginning to settle again, like dust after a storm.But of course, life is never that generous for too long.Today was already a disaster—and it wasn’t even noon.My heels clicked sharply as I rushed through the hallway of the downtown office, nerves frayed, chest tight. I was thirty-five minutes late for a meeting with one of the most high-profile clients I’d ever landed, an

177JOANA’S POVCaleb was beside him, laughing at something a guest had said, but even from across the room, I could feel it.That aura.That energy.Clinton wasn’t just present.He was the presence.“Mommy, guess what?” Mirabel chirped, her curls bouncing. “It was Daddy’s idea! He planned everything!”My eyes slowly returned to her face.“What?” I asked quietly.Jake nodded so hard his curls flew. “Uh-huh! Daddy planned it all! He said it had to be perfect!”Japheth grinned and added proudly, “He even picked the cake himself. Triple chocolate fudge.”I stared at them. Then, over at Clinton again.He was still watching.Still smiling.But there was something else there now.Not pride.Not amusement.Something… deeper. Sadder. Like he’d poured his soul into this, but wasn’t quite sure he had the right to be proud of it.“Daddy said no talking to you about it,” Jake continued like he was telling a simple fact. “He also said keeping the whole thing secret made it more fun.”“And he got h

179 JOANA’S POV Outside, a sleek black mini-van waited for us, prepared ahead of time since none of us were in the condition to drive after the champagne and wine. The city night wrapped around us like a comforting blanket lights flickering like distant stars. For a moment, everything was just… still. We got in. The ride home was a peaceful experience, except for the whisper of the kids’ snores and the clicking of the hazard lights. I was occasionally looking right and left between Caleb and Clinton. One was my present and maybe my future. The other was my past—a closed chapter but an unforgettable one. When we pulled into the driveway, Clinton carefully got out first with the boys. Caleb followed with Mirabel, and I trailed behind them, my gown rustling softly with each step. I was welcomed by the house with its bright lights and familiar smell. The moment my children were asleep and settled, I went into my room and just took a few deep breaths. The night had a strong i