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."

and stared at it

of course, the next one was going to be

hovered over the call button for longer

knew how this conversation would go. Richard wasn't Wesley. He wouldn't take

had to close this chapter for

a

was steady, as if he'd been expecting this

a deep breath. "We need

cautiously.

in my chest,

happened. And I want you to know that I

the wheels turning in his head. He wasn't sure where this was going, and honestly,

he said slowly.

I need you to

his voice sharper now.

business, and I can't do that with you constantly... lingering." "Lingering?" he repeated, his tone incredulous. "I'm not

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

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

nose. "Richard, this isn't about you anymore. This is about

focus on my future without constantly being reminded of the

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

have," I admitted, "but that doesn't change what I need right now. And what I need

tasted bitter in his mouth. "So that's it? You're just going to push

not pushing you away," I said, exasperated. "I'm asking for

he said, his tone hardening. "Sure.

the way I'd hoped. "Richard, I appreciate that

voice was quieter. "Fine. I'll give

bubbling up again. "I'm not asking you to wait

he said, his voice firm. "I've

didn't. I just let the silence hang between

"Goodbye, Richard."

thought maybe he wouldn't. But then, just before I could hang

a long breath, leaning

piece, and now, it was up to

of course, he

that Richard wasn't giving up as

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

thought he could win me over with gestures, but I