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.

didn't want the whole room to hear.

didn't realize what he lost until now? Typical Richard. Only seeing value

that what you're saying?" I asked, turning to face him fully now. "Because that's what it sounds

floor, and for a moment, I could almost see the vulnerability there. But

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

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

the thing-you lost me a long time ago. You didn't even

meeting mine, and for the

wasn't buying into his sadness. Not when I'd spent so long rebuilding

to hurt you, Sarah.

asked, genuinely curious now. "Your bitch? Because it sure wasn't to

to

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

care, Sarah," he said quietly. "I just didn't know how to show it. And by the time I

the people who didn't have a clue about the

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

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

tightening. "I

of laugh that comes out when you're so done with everything that it's almost

here. What happened, happened. You made

"I know I can't undo what I

from him because suddenly, it was

trying to drag me back into the past. And worse, part of me still... cared? God, I

"I don't hate you. I did for a while, but I don't anymore. I've

his voice lowering. "What if I don't

look. "You don't have a choice. That ship sailed. I'm not going

fell, and for a second, I thought he might argue,

quietly.

push it further. But just as I was about to turn and walk away,

I'm not giving

eyebrows raised.

not giving up," he repeated, his jaw set in that stubborn way he gets when he's determined about something. "I know I