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

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

conversation would go. Richard wasn't Wesley. He

I had to do it. I had to close this chapter for my

after a few

as if he'd

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

he said cautiously. "What's on

feel the tension already building in

about everything that happened. And I want you to know

his head. He wasn't sure where this was

he said

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

now. "What

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

calm. "But what I need right now is space. I need to move

lost you

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

need time to heal, to focus on my

not the same person I was

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

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

exasperated. "I'm asking for space. There's

he said, his tone

hoped. "Richard, I appreciate that you're trying, but this is what

voice was quieter. "Fine. I'll

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

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

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

"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,

long breath, leaning back in

had said my piece, and now, it was up to him to

course,

reminders that Richard wasn't giving up

small gifts that I

me over with