Semua Bab BEYOND GOODBYE: Take Me Back EX WIFE : Bab 51 - Bab 60

Pepper POVI looked up from my desk. The one I gained possession of after constant haggling with Victor.It was past lunchtime. We already finished discussing the proposal. The fundraiser will start with a dinner that costs five hundred dollars per plate.“We can do it in one of the cruise ships of Gunner Holdings, Inc. instead of some hotel. This way, we hit two birds with one stone. You earn. We earn. Fair deal?” He asked.I shook my head. Not because I did not agree with him. It was more because I could see how the wheels in his head worked in full gear.Victor’s a brilliant businessman. No doubt about it.He had been touted as the next game changer six years

Pepper POV“Why are we still here? Why haven’t you powered up the engine so we can leave that bad man here?” Asher demanded when I did not make any move to leave the parking lot.From the rearview mirror, I caught their eyes. My gaze went from Aaron, Asher, and finally Althea.“What you did back there was not nice,” I said to make them realize that I am not condoning their rude behavior to anyone, especially their father.“He deserves it.”“He was still your Daddy.” I reminded them.“He’s not. My Daddy is Samuel Burke.” Althea insisted, joining in on the argument.

Pepper POV“Are you crying?” Althea asked suspiciously when she noticed Victor’s glistening eyes.“No.” Victor denied immediately.He must have been embarrassed that Althea and I witnessed his moment of weakness, that he quickly spun around, evading our watchful gazes.“Don’t be sad.”Althea pulled on the hem of his shirt to get his attention.Victor turned his head in the direction of our little speaker.“I am not sad, sweetie. I am happy.”Althea pursed her lips. She had a thoughtful expression on her face that said she did not believe a word Victor said.“Happy people don’t cry.”“And….” she trailed off, making Victor and me gaze at her in rapt attention, waiting for what she had to say like we were both waiting for a judge’s verdict after a trial.“Don’t call me sweetie. I am a big girl now. My name’s Thea. That’s what Mommy and my brothers call me.”We were both stunned.Victor and I were reduced to silence after hearing the verdict of our daughter.It was as if she were giving

Pepper POVVictor lied.He said that busy hands calm the mind, but the more my hands were busy, the more thoughts ran around in my head.“I just wanted to be sure,” I grumbled to myself while my hands were busy scraping off leftover food from the plates before sudsing them with a sponge and rinsing them under the faucet.Didn’t Victor know that I was risking the children’s well-being and happiness when I allowed him entry to our quiet life?We already established a fatherless family with certain rules and traditions.The children knew I was their sole provider and custodian.By letting Victor integrate into our lives, some old rules will be discarded in place of new ones to accommodate him.“He was not even appreciating what I was doing. I am protecting my children. I will bite bullets for them.”“I know. That is why I also wanted to prove to you that I am worth that risk.” Someone said from behind me.I spun around in surprise.My eyes widened in shock when I saw Victor standing a f

Victor POV“Bye, Mr. Victor!” The triplets chorused when I bid them goodnight.Pepper walked me out of the children’s room.She let me lead the way as we navigated the narrow hallway to wind down the stairs.We passed by the main living room until we reached the main door.“Will the four of you be alright, here?” I asked, sounding very much concerned.I did not hide from Pepper that I was worried about leaving the four of them, but Pepper dismissed it.“Have you forgotten? I knew how to defend myself and the children if needed.” She told me smugly, and as an afterthought, she informed me that Shan will be coming later.“Shan lives with us now.” She added as if the information would assuage my worries.I nodded, not wanting to make a fuss, but I could not help myself.In recent months, Pepper had become a public figure. Her foundation, The Women Project, had been noticed by the media, and she had been in the constant spotlight because of it.“You should hire bodyguards,” I told her.The