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."

it for a moment, feeling

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

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

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

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

after a few rings, he picked

was steady, as if he'd

I took a deep breath. "We need to

cautiously. "What's on

in my

everything that happened. And I want you to

could almost hear the wheels turning in his head. He wasn't sure where this was going, and honestly,

good to hear," he said slowly. "Thank

continued quickly, "I need space. I need you to stay away from

he interrupted, his voice sharper now. "What do

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 to move on." There was a heavy silence on his end,

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

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

focus on my future

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

doesn't change what I need right

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

exasperated. "I'm asking for space.

he said, his tone hardening.

knowing this wasn't going the way I'd hoped. "Richard, I appreciate

was a long pause, and when he finally spoke, his voice was quieter.

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

firm. "I've lost too much already. I'm not losing

I didn't. I just let the silence hang between us until finally,

"Goodbye, Richard."

respond right away, and for a moment, I thought maybe he wouldn't. But then, just before I could

out a long

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

of course,

filled with little reminders that Richard wasn't giving

my office, small gifts that I didn't

was like he thought he could win me over with gestures,