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.

lower, like he didn't want the whole

almost laughed at that. Now? He didn't realize what he lost until now? Typical Richard. Only seeing value in something once

your back pocket anymore, is that what you're saying?"

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

got caught up in my father's business, the pressure, and...

the back of his neck. "I lost sight of

here's the thing-you

looked up, his blue eyes meeting mine, and for the first time in a

I'd spent so long rebuilding myself from the wreckage he

never wanted to hurt you, Sarah. I was just... trying to

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

to respond, but I

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,

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

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 corner of

though I could hear the chatter

now, Richard?" I asked

"I

even a pretty laugh. It was that kind of laugh that comes out when

here. What happened, happened. You made your choices. I made

quickly. "I know I can't undo what I

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

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

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

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

"You don't have a

thought he might argue, but

said quietly.

further. But just as I

giving up

turned back, eyebrows

he's determined about

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