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

Chapter 23

Richard's POV.

I sat at my desk, my head pounding as I stared at the same damn numbers. Sales were down, Vitalé Wellness was eating into our market share, and nothing I did seemed to make a difference. Vitalé Wellness was eating away at my business faster than I could react. Nothing I did seemed to work. Every move we made, they were ten steps ahead. The stress was piling up, and I was starting to feel like I was drowning.

I massaged my temples, the familiar pulse of a headache building behind my eyes. I'd been here before-staring at the same problem, night after night.

Only this time, it felt like everything was falling apart. My company, my sanity...even my engagement.

I heard the door to my office creak open but didn't bother looking up.

"Still buried in work, huh?" Martin's voice cut through the silence. He walked in, hands in his pockets, studying me with that look he always gave when he knew I was in too deep.

I let out a sigh, rubbing my temples. "What does it look like?"

"You're killing yourself, man." He leaned against the doorframe. "What's going on? You've been glued to that desk for days. It's like you're not even living anymore."

I slammed the laptop shut, frustration boiling beneath my skin. "What choice do I have? Vitalé's ripping us apart, and nothing I do works."

Martin gave me that look-the one that said he could see through my crap. "Have you tried taking a break? You're burning yourself out, Richard."

"A break?" I let out a bitter laugh. "I can't afford a break, Martin. This is my life we're talking about."

"Susan's not helping either, is she?" Martin's voice was soft but knowing, cutting right to the core of what was really eating me up.

I didn't answer, my eyes fixed on the desk. I didn't want to tell him how Susan barely noticed when I came home, how she scrolled through her phone, saying something half-hearted like, 'It'll get better.' I didn't need better. I needed a partner, someone who got it. And Susan...she just wasn't that.

And if I told Martin that, he'd bring up Sarah. He'd remind me of how Sarah stood by me when things were tough, even though I never appreciated it.

That wasn't a conversation I wanted to have tonight.

it

moment, like he could see right through me. That was the thing about best friends-they didn't need you to say it out loud. "Alright, fine.

about this? Forget work for a night. Come to my place. You need to step away before you lose it completely." I hesitated,

while she scrolled through her phone and barely noticed my mood, made

her disinterested expression, the same empty words about

and part of me wondered

the office

grabbing

more like it. Trust me, you'll thank

of drinks, some bad TV, and a few jokes

worked, a little. But by the time morning came, everything hit me again. I had to face the real

familiar knot in my chest. I stepped inside,

hallway, arms crossed like she'd been waiting for me. Her eyes were narrowed, and

snapped, not even giving me a second

I said, keeping my tone as neutral as I could.

From what?" Her voice dripped with sarcasm. "From your

hell are you talking about?" I asked, feeling my patience slipping. "I

me to believe that?" she shot back, her eyes flashing with anger. "It's always Martin. Or work. Or something else. You think I don't notice?" "Susan, I'm dealing with a lot right now," I said through gritted

matter?" she snapped, stepping closer. "You always

rising. "I'm

this business from falling apart, Susan! What do you want me to do? Sit here and pretend everything's fine?" "I want you to actually care about us!" She threw her hands up, her face flushed

sit there with your useless platitudes, telling me 'it'll get better' like it's that easy. I'm drowning, Susan! And all you

flash in her eyes. "If you wanted someone who understood, maybe

words were out before I could stop them.

Silence. Fuck. Fuck.

Sarah was so great, why did you divorce her?

I didn't know why I was comparing them.

I started, but she cut me

Forget it." She grabbed her purse and headed toward the door. "I can't do