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."

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

to go. And, of course, the next one was going to be more difficult.

finger hovered over the

go. Richard wasn't Wesley. He wouldn't take this

it. I had to

after a few rings, he picked

His voice was steady, as if

Richard." I took a deep breath. "We

cautiously. "What's

building in my chest, but I pushed through

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

hear the wheels turning in his head. He wasn't sure where this

hear," he said

continued quickly, "I need space. I need you to stay away

voice sharper now.

my business, and I can't do that with you

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

"I've already lost you once. I'm not going to let

nose.

need time to heal, to focus on my future without constantly being

I've changed," he insisted. "I'm not the same

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

muttered, like the word tasted bitter in his mouth. "So that's it? You're just going to

you away," I said, exasperated. "I'm asking for space. There's a

said, his

hoped. "Richard, I appreciate that

a long pause, and when he finally spoke, his voice was quieter. "Fine. I'll give you

up again. "I'm not asking you to wait for me, Richard.

I can't," he said, his voice firm.

to that, so I didn't. I just let the silence hang between

"Goodbye, Richard."

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

a long breath,

had said my piece, and now, it was

course, he

that Richard wasn't

to my office, small gifts

he could win me over with gestures, but I wasn't buying