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

Chapter 39

Sarah's pov.

Richard was getting desperate. I could feel it in the way he kept showing up.

It was like every event, every networking dinner, and every conference somehow had him lurking in the background. Coincidence?

Yeah, right. The man was a master of accidentally being wherever I was.

I was at this gala for my company's expansion into Europe-big deal, lots of investors, very important faces.

I had on my favorite black dress, the one that made me feel like I owned the whole room, and for a while, I did.

Until, of course, Richard appeared like a bad plot twist.

I'd see him across the room, talking to someone important, his eyes constantly scanning until they landed on me.

Then, there it was: that small smile, like we shared some private joke. Newsflash, Richard: the joke's over, and it wasn't funny to begin with. "Sarah!" His voice cut through the mingling hum of the crowd. My heart did that stupid little leap thing it always does when I hear his voice. Annoying. I turned to face him, putting on my best "I couldn't care less" expression.

"Richard." I smiled politely, but my eyes were already searching for the exit.

"Fancy seeing you here," he said, with that stupid smirk that used to charm me and now just made my skin crawl.

"Is it though?" I said, raising an eyebrow. "You seem to be everywhere I go these days."

His smile faltered for a second, but he recovered quickly. "I just wanted to congratulate you. The expansion, it's... it's impressive."

"Thanks," I said, shifting slightly, hoping he'd get the hint that I didn't want to have this conversation. But of course, he didn't.

"You've really built something amazing, Sarah." His tone was softer now, almost... genuine? No, no way.

"Yeah, well, I had to pick up the pieces after you and Wesley, didn't I?" I said with a tight smile, turning my attention back to the crowd.

Maybe if I looked busy, he'd get the message.

said, his voice a little lower, like he didn't

he lost until now? Typical Richard. Only seeing value in something once it's out of

wasn't in your back pocket anymore, is that what you're saying?" I asked, turning

almost see the vulnerability there. But I wasn't about to

I got caught up in my father's business, the

the back of his neck. "I lost sight of what

arms. "You did. But here's the thing-you lost me a long time

for the

into his sadness. Not when I'd spent so long

Sarah. I was just... trying

it sure wasn't to me. I didn't need some rich

to respond, but

And that's fine, Richard, if that's what you wanted. But don't stand here now and act like you didn't know what you were doing. You knew. You just didn't care." He flinched at that, and part of me felt a little guilty

know how to show it. And by the time I figured it out, it was

people who didn't have a clue about the tension building in this tiny corner of

two people there, even though I could hear the

Richard?" I asked finally, my voice softer, but still

jaw tightening. "I want to make

that kind of laugh that comes

things right' here. What happened, happened. You made

know," he said quickly. "I know I can't undo what I did, but... I don't want to lose you completely. Not

sighed, looking away from him because suddenly, it was all too much. I'd moved

built something for myself, and here he was, trying to drag me back into

words carefully, "I don't hate you. I did for a while, but I don't anymore. I've moved on, and I'm doing just fine without you.

closer, his voice lowering. "What if I don't want to move

shot him a look. "You don't have a choice. That

face fell, and for a second, I thought he might argue, but he didn't. He just nodded, like he

quietly.

he wasn't going to push it further. But just

not giving

turned back, eyebrows raised.

jaw set in that stubborn way he gets when he's determined about something. "I know I messed up, but I'm