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

Chapter 27

Sarah's

pov.

I stood in the middle of the buzzing office trying to focus on the stack of paperwork in front of me, but my mind was miles away.

The past few weeks had been exhausting, with the press conference taking a toll on me.

We are about to reveal our latest products at the business event in two days' time. It was supposed to be the big reveal, something we had worked months on perfecting. But today, something went wrong-horribly wrong.

I glanced over at the clock. It was already past 10 a. m., and the day was just beginning. The formulator had screwed up. Again.

My hand trembled as I reached for the clipboard. Weeks of sleepless nights flashed before my eyes-this couldn't be happening, not now.

If this formula didn't work, we were finished. My throat tightened as I scanned the data, the numbers blurring.

A knock at the door pulled me out of my thoughts. "Come in," I called, my voice sounding more tired than I intended.

"Sarah, there's an issue with the latest batch," Nina, one of my lead chemists, said as she stepped inside, holding a clipboard.

"What kind of issue?" I asked, already feeling my stomach tighten.

She sighed, looking as stressed as I felt. "It's the consistency. We thought we had it right, but the formula's separating. It won't hold."

I swore under my breath. This was supposed to be the final version, the one that went to production.

I'd invested too much into this-too much time, too much energy. I couldn't let it fail now. Not after everything.

"I'll come down to the lab," I said, grabbing my notebook. "We'll fix it."

As I walked toward the lab, I thought about how different my life was now. A few years ago, I would've let someone else handle this.

Back when I was Richard's wife, I didn't have the confidence to speak up, to be the one in charge.

Richard used to tell me I wasn't cut out for business. "You're better in the background," he'd say, barely looking at me.

But look at me now, standing in the middle of my own empire. I didn't need him then, and I certainly don't need him now.

shook off the memories of Richard and focused on

been supportive throughout this entire journey, but I was still cautious, always wondering if his intentions were purely business-or something more. The way he looked at

amount of time or success

and beakers cluttered every surface, the

huddled around the workstation,

I said, rolling up

By the time we had a workable solution,

but I ignored it. Whatever

just as much pressure as I had. "Thanks, Sarah," Nina said, giving me a tired smile.

shrugged it off. "We're all in

the

home and get some rest, but as soon as I stepped inside, I was met by Wesley,

asked, holding out a cup

"You didn't

to soften the edges of a hard day. "I know,

warmth spreading through me. It was a kind gesture, but part of

sitting down in my chair. "It's been a rough one. The formula almost tanked, but we managed to save it in time." Wesley sat on the edge of my desk, too close for comfort,

had been a great support to me since we started working together, always there when

at me, the way he lingered a little

you've been incredible," he said, his voice softer now. "I've watched you handle all of this with so much strength. You've really built something amazing here." I smiled, but it felt forced. "I've had help," I said, glancing

who made this happen. You who

eyes searching mine. "You've changed, Sarah. I can see

"I had to change,"

"I admire that about you.

took the cup of coffee, my hands shaking. Wesley's eyes were on me, and I felt the weight of his gaze-too heavy, too intimate. I shifted in my

head home," I said,

stood too, not moving away, his eyes still on me. "Sarah, wait. Before you

but a part of

tell you something," he said, his voice

first started working together, it was just business. But over

at him, not

he said, finally breaking the silence.

felt my breath catch in

hear me out," he said quickly, holding up a

your relationship with Richard left you with scars. But I'm not him. I don't want to