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

Chapter 33

Sarah's

POV.

It had been a week. A whole week of avoiding both Wesley and Richard.

My phone buzzed nonstop with missed calls, messages, and voicemails, but I didn't bother responding.

I needed space-away from their drama, away from the constant back and forth between two men who seemed more interested in their rivalry than in me.

Stepping out of the cab, I pulled my bag tighter over my shoulder and walked toward my office building.

The fresh air of the morning helped clear my head a bit. I was determined to throw myself into work and forget about everything. Forget about how complicated life had become.

But of course, as if the universe wasn't already testing me enough, Richard was standing outside my office.

Great. Just perfect. Just what I needed this early morning.

I stopped in my tracks, my heart raced for a second. He was leaning against the wall, his hands shoved deep in his pockets, looking like he hadn't slept well.

His hair was slightly messy, but in that annoyingly attractive way, it always got when he was stressed.

I shook my head, trying to push that thought away. This is not the time.

"Sarah," Richard called out, pushing himself off the wall and walking toward me. His voice was soft, pleading almost.

I sighed. "Richard, what are you doing here?" I tried to keep my tone neutral, but I couldn't help the frustration from seeping through.

"We need to talk. Please, just hear me out," he said, standing directly in front of me, blocking my way.

I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes. "I'm busy. I have work to do. So unless you plan on helping me meet my deadlines, I really don't have time for this."

He winced, like he wasn't expecting the cold reception. "Sarah, I... I messed up. I shouldn't have-"

Just as I was about to step around him, another voice chimed in from behind me.

"Oh, this should be good. This is what you do now, Richard?"

wouldn't he show up right when things were already spiraling into chaos? Wesley walked up

"This doesn't concern you, Wesley.

crossing his arms as he leaned against the building. "Oh, I'm here for Sarah. You know,

about Sarah more than you ever will. I just made mistakes, that's

company, your engagement to Susan, and everything else before her. She deserves better than being someone's afterthought." Oh no. This

my life into their

put my hands up, trying to get between them. "Guys, stop it. This

them paid

a finger at Wesley. "You swooped in when she was

You're giving yourself too much credit. You're not

darkened, and he stepped closer. "Then why

part of your petty games. You don't care about her. She's just another piece in your rivalry

fall for her, Richard. Unlike you, I wasn't too busy getting engaged to someone else to realize what I had." "Fell for her?" Richard scoffed. "Don't make me laugh.

frustration. "I'm not a prize to be won in your ridiculous competition!

as if just now realizing I was standing

began, his voice low. "I'm not trying to 'claim' you.

had your chance,

fell. "It

a sharp laugh, feeling the anger bubble up inside

sure seemed like it. You got engaged to her. You

chimed in again, "She's right, Richard. You didn't

Wesley. You only went after her to get back at me. You're not

his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, fine. I'll admit it. At first, yes, I wanted to mess with you. But then I realized something,

looked me dead in the eye, and for the first time, his usual cocky demeanor dropped. "I actually

blinked, feeling a cold knot twist in my

then turned to me, eyes wide

you, I didn't need some twisted motivation to realize how

a moment, there was silence. The air

didn't know what to say. Wesley's words felt like they should mean something,

over you, and that's something I'll regret for the rest of my life. But Wesley... he's using you." Wesley's eyes flashed with something sharp. "Yeah, maybe I did at first. But that changed, Richard. Unlike you, I didn't have to marry her just to secure my inheritance." I blinked. Wait.

draining of color, like

I'd just been sucker-punched right in the stomach. The words hung in the air,

shaking despite my effort to hold it together. There was

only married you because his grandfather said he wouldn't get his inheritance if he didn't marry you." For a second,