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

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

finger hovered over the call button for longer than I'd like to

this conversation would go. Richard

do it. I had to close this chapter for

after a few

was steady, as if he'd been expecting this call

deep breath. "We need to

cautiously. "What's

feel the tension already building in

that happened. And I want you to know that I

and I could almost hear the wheels turning in his head. He wasn't

hear," he said slowly.

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

voice sharper now. "What

mean exactly that, Richard," I said firmly. "I've 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 need right now is space. I need to move on." There was a

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

of my nose. "Richard, this isn't about

my future without

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

change what I need right now. And what I

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

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

his tone hardening. "Sure.

"Richard, I appreciate that you're trying, but this

finally spoke, his voice was quieter. "Fine.

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

his voice firm.

didn't know what to say to that, so I didn't. I just let the silence hang between us until

"Goodbye, Richard."

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

the phone and let out a long breath, leaning back in my chair.

had said my piece, and

of course, he

reminders that Richard wasn't

notes, flowers delivered to my office, small gifts that I didn't need or ask

was like he thought he could win me