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.

kept it

me. That was the thing about best friends-they didn't need you to

lighter. "How about this? Forget work for a night. Come to my place. You need

from Susan while she scrolled

the same empty

got it, and part of me wondered why

I couldn't stay in the office all night. Maybe a

grabbing my jacket.

it.

some bad TV, and a few jokes to try and get my

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

familiar knot in my chest. I stepped inside, bracing

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

were you last night?" she snapped, not even giving me a second to catch

my tone as neutral as

with sarcasm. "From your oh-so-stressful life? Or were

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

something else. You think I don't notice?" "Susan, I'm dealing with a lot right now," I said through gritted teeth, trying to stay calm. "Vitalé is crushing

us? Or do I not matter?" she snapped, stepping closer.

rising. "I'm

but it was too late. "I'm trying to keep 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

your useless platitudes, telling me 'it'll get better' like it's that easy. I'm drowning,

eyes. "If you wanted someone who understood,

words were out before I could stop

Silence. Fuck. Fuck.

and fury. "If Sarah was so great, why did

why I was comparing

but she

her purse and headed toward the door. "I can't