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 for a moment,

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

contacts and found Richard's name. My finger hovered over the call button for longer than I'd like

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

I had to close this chapter for

after a few rings, he picked

was steady, as if he'd been expecting this

deep breath. "We need

cautiously. "What's on

could feel the tension already building in my chest, but

thinking a lot about everything that happened. And I want you to know that I

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

to hear," he said slowly.

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

he interrupted, his voice sharper now. "What do

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

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

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

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

focus on my future without constantly being reminded

insisted. "I'm not the same person I was

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

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

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

his tone

way I'd hoped. "Richard, I appreciate that

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

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

he said, his voice firm. "I've lost too much

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

"Goodbye, Richard."

wouldn't. But then, just before I could hang up, I heard him say, "See

let out a long breath, leaning back in

piece, and now, it

of course,

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

could win me over with gestures,