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."

stared at it

course, the next one was going to

My finger hovered over the call

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

do it. I had

pressed call, and after a few rings, he picked

if he'd been expecting this call

took a deep

he said cautiously.

building in

lot about everything that happened. And

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

to hear," he said slowly. "Thank

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

interrupted, his voice sharper now.

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...

calm. "But what I need right now is space. I need to move on." There was a heavy silence on his end, and I could practically

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

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

heal, to focus on my future without constantly being reminded of the

"I'm not the same person I was back

change what I need right now. And what I need is

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

pushing you away," I said, exasperated. "I'm asking for space.

said, his tone

hoped. "Richard, I appreciate that

long pause, and when he finally spoke, his voice was quieter. "Fine. I'll give you space. But I'm not

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

I'm telling you, I can't," he said, his voice firm. "I've lost too much already. I'm not losing

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

"Goodbye, Richard."

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

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

and now,

of course, he

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

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

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