Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart by Hayley

Chapter 09

RICHARD'S POV.

I leaned back in my chair, letting the smooth jazz from the speakers fill the room. We sat in the bar lounge in the mansion.

Martins sat across from me, swirling his wine like he always did when he was about to say something serious.

I could see that look in his eyes-the one that said he was about to dig into things I didn't want to talk about.

"You know," he started, his voice low, "sometimes I feel pity for her. Sarah didn't deserve all that."

"Pity?" I couldn't help the laugh that escaped, harsh and cold. "For her?" I shook my head, taking a long sip of my own wine.

The taste was bitter on my tongue, but it matched the mood. "I don't feel anything for Sarah, except maybe... hatred."

Martins raised an eyebrow at me, clearly not buying it. "Hatred? Come on, Rich. She's not that bad."

"Not that bad?" I shot him a look. Was he serious? I stared down at my glass, watching the red liquid swirl.

"You know how this all started, don't you?" I felt the anger rise in me again, just thinking about it.

"Back in high school, I was with Susan. She was... well, she was everything. Confident, strong, not some clingy little girl who followed me around like a lost puppy."I could feel the disgust creep into my voice. "Then my dad and her dad got this bright idea-'Hey, let's marry off our kids and strengthen our business ties.' Like I was just some piece in their game."

"Yeah, I remember that," Martins said, but I could hear the sympathy in his voice. It irritated me. "But Sarah-"

voice sharper than I meant it to be. "Sarah was

me with those wide

there she was. Smiling, blushing, trying to get my attention. And everyone thought it was cute." I let out a bitter

what she wanted. She had pride. She didn't throw herself at me like

her for liking you?" Martins asked, his

it so easy for them to control me. My father used

to say

was like I was trapped in some twisted fairy tale, where everyone wanted the perfect love story.

Martins said quietly.

glass down with a thud. "What was the point? She was so blind, so hopeful. Even if I told her, she'd just keep

she wanted." I looked away, staring at the flickering candle on the table. "I was just the prize at the end of her silly dream." Martins sighed, rubbing

weak like Sarah. She knows what she wants, and she's not afraid to go after it. She's not some fragile little flower." "But she's

anger at his words. "Yeah, well, that was the deal, wasn't it?

sounded bitter even to my ears. "And look where

at the mere thought of it. The old man-Sarah's father-was the real reason I was stuck in this mess. "He was the

at me, his eyes searching for something. Understanding,

words carefully. "You know it was an accident.

the one driving, Martins! They drove themselves to death at the prospect of bonding

none of this would

could have rejected Sarah after that, you know. Both your fathers were gone. No one would have stopped

look, my eyes narrowing. "As if you didn't know," I snapped. He was