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.

her heels clicking on

dress was tight, her makeup perfect. But

snapped, hands on her hips. "You didn't even bother to

People

have the

the bed. "That's all you ever say! You're

"Do you even care about us anymore? Or are you just

words hit too close to home. I

you want me to say, Susan? That I'm sorry for not going to some

about you showing off to

me at all!" she shot back, her voice

notice when you look at

tighten. I didn't want to have this fight. Not now, not ever.

"I know what's going on. It

world. I bet you regret letting her go, huh? I bet you wish she was still

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

for you! She didn't understand this life-our life. She was weak, Richard. She-" "Stop!" I shouted, louder than I

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

throat. I took a deep breath, my heart racing. "I should

that a knife could

stared at me like I had just slapped her. Maybe, in

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

didn't know how to answer that. My mind was a mess. Did I

it out loud felt like a

don't know," I

I saw real hurt there. "You're unbelievable," she spat, grabbing her bag and storming toward

just say that and everything will be fine? Well, guess what, Richard? You lost her. And now you're gonna lose me

slammed behind her, leaving me alone

I sank back down

didn't chase after her. I couldn't. Because deep down, I knew she was

Sarah. And now, I

me, useless. I stared at

that she'd forgive me, that everything would go back to the way it was. But I knew

maybe, just maybe, I had

***

lights were dim, the music loud, and

booths, the kind with leather seats that stick to

my whiskey, feeling the burn in my throat. I wasn't here to drink, but I needed something to take the edge

was leaning back in his seat, his eyes fixed on the stage. A group of girls danced, their bodies moving in sync with the beat. He