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."

phone and stared at it for

more to go. And, of course, the next one

contacts and found Richard's name. My finger hovered over the call

Richard wasn't

I had

and after a few rings, he

His voice was steady, as if

Richard." I took a deep breath. "We need

cautiously. "What's on

in my chest, but

thinking a lot about everything that happened. And

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

hear," he said

I need you to stay away from

interrupted, his voice sharper now. "What do you

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 make

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

his voice lower now, "I've already lost

eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Richard, this isn't about you anymore. This

my future without constantly being reminded of

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

you have," I admitted, "but that doesn't change what I need

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

I said, exasperated.

said, his tone hardening. "Sure.

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

he finally spoke, his voice was quieter. "Fine. I'll give you space.

feeling the familiar frustration bubbling up again. "I'm not asking you

voice firm. "I've lost too much already. I'm

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

"Goodbye, Richard."

respond right away, and for a moment, I thought maybe he wouldn't. But then, just before I could hang up, I heard him say, "See you soon,

a long breath, leaning back in

done. I had said my piece, and now,

of course,

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

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

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