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

Chapter 40

Sarah's

pov.

I sat there, staring at my phone for a good fifteen minutes. Just staring, no calls, no texts, just pure silence.

My mind was racing, bouncing between the two people I knew I had to call-Richard and Wesley.

This was going to be awkward, painful even, but it was necessary. I had spent days reflecting, mulling over everything.

I had forgiven them, sure. That part was done. But now I had to tell them what came next.

I picked up the phone and dialed Wesley first. Of course, he answered on the second ring.

"Sarah?" His voice had that hopeful edge to it, like maybe I was calling to give him another chance. Spoiler alert: I wasn't.

"Hi, Wesley," I said, keeping my tone neutral. "I wanted to talk. About everything."

There was a pause on his end, but I could hear him shifting, probably adjusting himself in whatever fancy leather chair he was sitting in. "Yeah, of course. I've been waiting to hear from you."

I let out a slow breath, gathering my thoughts. "I've had a lot of time to think, and I want you to know that I forgive you."

There it was. The words I'd been practicing in my head for days now, out in the open.

Wesley let out a breath, like he'd been holding it this whole time.

"Wow," he said softly. "I don't know what to say. I-thank you, Sarah. You don't know how much that means to me." "Don't get too excited," I said, a small smile tugging at the corner of my mouth. "There's more."

"Right," he said, his voice dropping a bit. "I figured."

"I've forgiven you, Wesley, but I can't go back to the way things were. I need space. You need to stay away from me." There was silence on the line, and for a second, I thought he might argue. But then I heard him sigh.

"I get it," he said, sounding surprisingly mature.

"I really do. I messed up, and I hurt you, and I can't take that back. If space is what you need, then... I'll give it to you."

I nodded, even though he couldn't see me. "Thank you. I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for, Wesley. But it's not with me."

"Yeah," he said quietly. "I get that now. I'm sorry, Sarah. Truly."

"I know you are," I said softly. "Goodbye, Wesley."

"Goodbye, Sarah."

up the phone and stared at it for a moment, feeling the weight

next one was going to

finger hovered

would go. Richard wasn't Wesley. He wouldn't

do it. I had to close

a few rings, he picked

His voice was steady, as if he'd been expecting

a deep breath. "We need

said cautiously. "What's

could feel the tension already building in my chest,

about everything that happened. And I want you to know that I

a pause, and I could almost hear the wheels turning in his head. He wasn't sure where this

to hear," he

space. I

now. "What do you mean, stay

forgiven you, but I need to focus on myself, on my business, and I can't do that with you constantly... lingering." "Lingering?" he repeated, his tone incredulous. "I'm not lingering, Sarah. I'm trying to

said, trying to keep my voice calm. "But what I need right now is space. I need to move on." There was a heavy silence on

he started, his voice lower now, "I've already lost you once. I'm not

nose. "Richard, this isn't about

to focus on my future without constantly being

he insisted. "I'm not the same person I was

that doesn't change what

like the word tasted bitter in his mouth. "So that's it?

you away," I said, exasperated. "I'm

his tone hardening. "Sure.

way I'd hoped. "Richard, I appreciate that you're trying,

pause, and when he finally spoke, his voice was quieter. "Fine.

"I'm not asking you to wait for me, Richard. I'm asking you to let me move

firm. "I've lost too much already. I'm not losing you

to say to that, so I didn't. I just

"Goodbye, Richard."

for a moment, I thought maybe he wouldn't. But then, just before I could hang up, I heard him

let out a long breath, leaning

done. I had said my piece, and now, it was up to him to accept

of course, he

few weeks were filled with little reminders that Richard wasn't giving up as

delivered to my office, small gifts that I didn't need

win me over