Lahat ng Kabanata ng TAKE ME BACK EX WIFE: Kabanata 81 - Kabanata 90

082 JOANA'S POV I kept my gaze on him, "I apologize for causing you to feel like you were simply second place." “That was never my intention.” “I’m not trying to compete. I just… I want to be enough.” The words left my lips, and I intended them to be true. “But I need you to trust me. The relationship ends when a partner doubts me during every encounter with my past. " The silence brought forth no weight this time. It was… necessary. A quiet voice escaped his lips as he said, "I regret my harsh words." I was just scared.” “I know,” I said. “But next time? Talk to me. Don’t explode. Don’t accuse. Just… talk.” He nodded slowly. “Okay.” The engine started once more as I navigated the car onto the streets again. He kept observing the passing city lights before starting his description with these words. "Your present connection with him continues to irritate me profoundly." The extent of your concern for his influence on you is greater than actual reality according to

084JOANA'S POVThe room, already tense, shifted again.Mr. Gates’ phone buzzed — sharp, urgent. He raised it slowly, probably expecting some harmless update from one of his assistants. But as his eyes scanned the screen, something in him cracked.He stood up abruptly, cane forgotten by his chair, hand trembling slightly. “What... what is this?” he murmured, voice breaking. He changed his stare to Louisa the second he became expressionless.“Tell me this isn’t true.”Louisa’s eyes turn blue with worry. “Excuse me?!”Mr. Gates was completely shaken, “Your... your father. He's been under federal investigation. Fraud, embezzlement, bribery—”Louisa’s eyes widened. “That’s absurd. My father—”“I trusted your family,” Mr. Gates cut in, eyes narrowing as he shook the phone. “I believed in your image, your upbringing. How could you lie to me like this?”“I didn’t know!” Louisa snapped. “My actions remain independent from what my father did.”Clinton crossed his arms while standing during th

086JOANA'S POVThe drive home was quiet, but my mind was anything but. I had escaped the dinner with Mr. Gates, Clinton, and Caleb, only to be greeted with Louisa’s venomous tongue in the parking lot.Putting Louisa in her place should have been a relief, but my weary body resisted any feelings of pride. I was completely beaten down.Peter took care of the children before I arrived home, so they had already drifted into sleep. I moved through the rooms quietly to look at all their tranquil expressions.Peter's exhausted appearance matched his body where Jake was holding on during sleep.My heart ached with love, protectiveness—and a tinge of fear. Mr. Gates’ words about their paternity still lingered in my mind.I was certain that Clinton would not go back on his words, but Mr Gates was someone that I needed to be wary of.But not tonight. I’d deal with it when I had to.I changed into my pyjamas and collapsed onto the bed, only to be greeted by a soft ding from my phone. Groaning, I

088 JOANA'S POV Clinton maintained his normal posture without showing any reaction to my sudden shock. Clinton. Always the quiet storm. Without shouting, he generated dangerous tension in his surroundings. I gazed at him calmly while my heart raced. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit.” I shifted my tone to deliver the words like nothing bothered me inside. He stepped closer. He placed his right hand on my desk while keeping his left hand in his pocket as if no one else existed in the space. He made his request even more subdued this time by saying it. More certain. “We need to talk…” I nodded stiffly. “So talk.” There was a pause. The only way I could describe his gaze was through unreadable emotions crossing his pupils. He stood up and relocated behind me as he walked his way toward the chair. “I want you and the kids to move into the mansion with me.” I blinked. Once. Twice. “What? Tell me you're joking!” “I’ve already prepared rooms for Japheth, Jak

090 JOANA'S POV The ride home took longer than normal despite all the contrary conditions. Very few cars were on the road as the light approached dusk, making the sky calm. My hand stayed on the wheel as I terminated my path home without recognizing the turning points. Driving back home, Clinton's speech played repeatedly in my thoughts. “There isn’t much time…” The idea made me angry because my thoughts were leading me in this direction. I truly disliked both Caleb and him, agreeing with each other. Above all else, I disliked that taking this step could provide essential safety to the children. The heavy burden of my choice became too heavy to bear when I parked in front of the house. I just wanted to return home without creating a false impression of things having returned to ordinary. Because it wasn’t. Not anymore. The comforting smells of my house relaxed me when I entered quietly and shut the door. Peter worked at chopping vegetables while the children watc