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.

little lower, like he didn't want the whole room to hear.

laughed at that. Now? He didn't realize what he lost until now? Typical

you'd lost a good thing until it wasn't in your back pocket anymore, is that what you're saying?" I asked, turning

for a moment, I could almost see the vulnerability there. But I wasn't about to fall for

took you for granted. I got caught up in my father's business, the pressure, and... I thought

sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I lost sight

here's the

meeting mine, and for the first time in

his sadness. Not when I'd spent so long

wanted to hurt you, Sarah. I was

sure wasn't to

his mouth to respond, but

golden boy, to inherit the empire. 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 for going in so hard. But he needed to hear

quietly. "I just didn't know how to show it. And by

beat of silence between us. I looked around the room, at all the people who didn't have a clue about the tension building in this tiny

the only two people there, even though I could hear the chatter and clinking

you want from me now, Richard?" I asked finally, my voice softer,

jaw tightening. "I want to make things

pretty laugh. It was that kind of laugh that comes out when you're so done

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

he said quickly. "I know I can't undo what I did, but... I

because suddenly, it was all too much. I'd

here he was, trying to drag me back into the past. And worse, part

but I don't

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

a choice. That

might argue, but he didn't. He

said quietly. "I

But just as I was about

I'm not giving

turned back, eyebrows

not giving up," he repeated, his jaw set in that stubborn way he gets when he's determined about something. "I know I messed up, but I'm going to prove to you that