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.

I messed up," Richard said, his voice a little lower, like he didn't want the whole room to hear. "But I didn't realize just how much

realize what he lost until now? Typical

a good thing until it wasn't in your back pocket anymore, is that what you're saying?" I asked, turning to face him fully now. "Because that's what it sounds

I could almost see the vulnerability

caught up in my father's business, the pressure,

his neck. "I lost sight

I said, crossing my arms. "You did. But here's the thing-you lost me a long time ago. You didn't even realize

eyes meeting mine, and for the first time in a long while, he actually seemed...

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

never wanted to hurt you, Sarah. I

curious now. "Your bitch? Because it sure wasn't to me. I didn't need some rich

his mouth to respond,

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

just didn't know how to show it. And by the time I

the people who didn't have a clue about the tension building in

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

from me now, Richard?" I asked finally, my voice softer, but still guarded.

his jaw tightening. "I want to make things

wasn't even a pretty laugh. It was that kind of laugh that comes out when you're so done with everything that

right? Richard, there's no 'making things right' here. What happened, happened. You made your

undo what I did, but... I don't want to lose you completely. Not

him because suddenly, it was

me back into the past. And worse, part of me still... cared?

started, choosing my words carefully, "I don't hate you. I did for a while, but I don't anymore. I've moved on,

closer, his voice lowering. "What

"You don't have a

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

said quietly.

relieved that he wasn't going to push it further. But just as I was about to turn and walk away,

I'm not giving

eyebrows raised. "Excuse

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