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

Chapter 25

Richard's POV

I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the city lights outside the window. The penthouse was too quiet, too cold.

Susan had left hours ago, angry at me for not going to her stupid party. I couldn't focus on her anymore.

All I could think about was Sarah.

I don't know when it started, this gnawing feeling in my gut.

Maybe it was when I saw her in the news a few weeks ago, sitting next to Wesley. Smiling. Confidence. Happy.

And that's what twisted me up inside. Happy. Without me.

I shook my head, trying to push it away, but the thoughts kept coming back.

I thought being with Susan was the right thing. I thought she would fit into my life better, that she wouldn't ask for too much. But now, sitting here alone, it hit me like a slap in the face.

I had made the biggest mistake of my life.

I sighed and reached for my phone on the nightstand. My thumb hovered over Sarah's name in the contacts.

I hadn't deleted it yet, even after the divorce. Maybe I didn't think of it much. Maybe I hadn't cared.

I hit the call button. My heart pounded in my chest, and I felt my mouth go dry as the phone rang once, twice. Then, a robotic voice cut through. 'The number you have dialed is no longer in service.'

Gone. Just like that.

I slammed the phone down, my hand shaking. "Damn it, Sarah."

Well. What was I thinking? Of course, it only made sense that she changed her sim. New life. New contacts.

How had I missed it? Why didn't I see it earlier? Well, I was either blind or pretended not to notice.

Everyone liked her more than Susan. And when they saw me with Susan, it felt as if they were pitying me-including my best friend.

Martin's words still echoed in my ear. 'Maybe they're right, Richard! You think hundreds of people are all wrong? You think it's just rumors?'

I ruffled my hair in frustration. Were they right? Was I wrong?

I was still sitting there, lost in my thoughts when I heard the door to the bedroom swing open.

heels clicking on the hardwood floor. She looked

makeup perfect. But all I

hips. "You didn't even bother to show up

People are asking

my temple. I didn't have the energy for this. Not tonight.

onto the bed.

spat. "Do you even care about us anymore? Or

words hit too close to home. I stood up slowly, trying to

say, Susan? That I'm sorry for not

about you showing off to people who don't

you care about me at all!" she shot

think I don't notice when you look at

I didn't want to have this fight. Not

done. "I know what's going on. It is Sarah you're still

you're off in your little world. I bet you regret letting her go, huh? I bet

spun around to face her, my voice low. "Don't.

widened, but she didn't back down. "Why not? Can't you see? She was never good enough for you! She didn't understand this life-our life. She was weak, Richard. She-" "Stop!" I shouted, louder than I meant

a damn thing about her, Susan. She wasn't

breath, my heart

heavy that a knife

me like I had just slapped

voice was quieter now, but still sharp. "So, that's it, then? You regret choosing me? You wish you were

that. My mind was a mess. Did I

was clear, but saying it out loud felt like a final nail in the

know,"

crumpled, and for the first time, I saw real hurt there. "You're unbelievable," she

Well, guess what, Richard?

behind her, leaving me alone

like a heavy blanket. I sank back down

her. I couldn't. Because

had lost Sarah. And now, I was

I stared at it, hoping for

everything would go back to

just maybe, I had

***

music loud, and the air thick with cigarette smoke

in one of those private booths, the kind with leather seats that stick to your skin after

burn in my throat. I wasn't

of girls danced, their bodies moving in sync with the beat. He smirked, his eyes glistening as he turned to