All Chapters of BEYOND GOODBYE: Take Me Back EX WIFE : Chapter 111 - Chapter 120

Samuel POVWhile my mind was in turmoil, Shan had a different expression.It distracted me from my own mental struggle, so I eventually abandoned it to focus on her.I could see resignation on her face, but much to my consternation, it radiated a sense of peace.She looked like a person who had come out of a fight. She was bruised and battered, but she survived, which made her appreciate and give value to whatever was left of her.She looked like someone who had already accepted her fate and was now ready to move on with her life.She was turning a new page and closing in on the chapter that involves me.While the realization left me floundering, Shan must have already processed this in her head a thousand times, that there was no resistance left in her. Only acceptance.“It’s alright, Samuel.”Her reaction made me confused, but if the last few weeks taught me anything, it was that Shan is the most resilient person I know.She is this life’s best example of a survivor.Even before, sh

Shan POVMy chest tightened at his words.Again, silence settled around us like a warm cocoon.Something inside me shifted with the weight of his stare.I shook my head, trying to dispel this feeling.I don’t know what he was doing to me.I already told myself and him that I am better off without him, but why do I still feel this tingling sensation in my stomach when he does things for me?Why does he affect me so much?I shook my head.I shouldn’t waver.I can’t be dissuaded from my decision.Samuel Burke shouldn’t distract me from my only purpose - that is to become the best mother Shelly could hope for.I am done with love.Now, I am only focusing on my daughter.I have so many things to make it up to her.I swallowed and cleared my throat.“I'd better get our things ready,” I told Samuel, but my feet wouldn’t move.We stared into each other’s eyes and, against my better judgment, my feet carried me close to Samuel until only a few inches separated our bodies.I closed my eyes and

Shan POVIt sounded so easy when Shelly put it that way.But sounding easy does not mean that it was easy.Marriage without love would be inviting disaster.I already had a f*cked up life. I need to be better this time.Besides, Samuel already made it clear. He wanted me, but he did not love me.And marriage was never on the table. He was not offering marriage. He wanted us to cohabit and make it appear like we were one happy family.I can’t live another lie. Even for my daughter.She was the reason I wanted to turn a new leaf. I wanted to become the best version of myself for her.Shelly deserves the best mom that I could be, and I can never do that if I live yet another lie.I had been living a lie for a long time.I lied about Shelly’s origins.For years, I lied to Pepper about having a s*xual relationship with her suitor.I can’t lie anymore.I wanted to live a less stressful life where I don’t have to be anyone for people to accept me.All I wanted was to be me - a good mother t

Samuel POV“Something changed,” Pepper announced after sipping from her coffee cup.We just had dinner at Pepper’s house.Pepper, Victor, and I retired to the living room for our nightcap while Shan accompanied the children in the playroom.Althea wanted to show Shelly her giant dollhouse, claiming she had not played with it since her daddy bought it for her, because her brothers did not want to play girly games with her.During dinner, Pepper’s hawk eyes went back and forth between Shan and me. She had so many questions in her head. I could read it through her eyes, but she dared not voice them.She did not want to make Shan feel embarrassed.Besides, the children were also present.It was not good to discuss adult stuff in front of the children.“So…” Pepper refused to take my silence as is and wanted to know all the juicy details, but I don’t know where to start.So, I veered off course, looked pointedly at them, and grinned.Now, I am throwing the ball in their court.I let the si

Shan POV​I stopped resisting and, with resignation, spread my arms wide before pulling them back to rest at my sides.​“Why?” The word came out hoarse because my throat suddenly felt dry.​That was the only word that managed to escape my lips as it embodied my confusion and the need to seek out answers.​Samuel’s look became tender.He seemed to understand the struggle.​“I did not give you any reason to trust me. If you failed me. I also failed you. I did not give the assurance you needed so you could come to me with your problems. How can I blame you for lying when I caused all of it?”​A sudden sting of emotion surged—I wanted to cry, but uncertainty held me back.​Samuel is saying all the right things, but a growing doubt inside me keeps me from believing him. The conflict within me feels sharp and persistent.​“You are only saying that because you don’t want us to leave your house.”​To my surprise, Samuel laughed out loud.​His laughter rang out, its raw and natural sound reach