Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart by Hayley

Chapter 77

Sarah's pov.

Richard tried to brush it off, but I could see something had caught his attention. He kept glancing out the window, his smile tight, eyes a bit too serious.

My own stomach twisted a little. The dinner, the laughs - it had felt like we'd slipped into our own little world, but now, something about his unease tugged me back to reality. "Richard," I nudged, my voice softer, "what is it, really? You're worrying me."

He looked at me, then back at the window, like he was trying to figure out what to say. "It's just... There's a car out there. Been sitting there for a while now."

A prickle ran down my spine. I shifted in my seat, glancing out the window without trying to look too obvious.

Sure enough, there it was. An old sedan parked across the street, the lights dimmed, engine humming. Whoever was in there didn't seem to be in any hurry to leave. "Maybe they're just... lost?" I offered, trying to make it sound convincing, though I wasn't sure if I was trying to convince him or myself.

"Maybe," Richard murmured, but his tone wasn't exactly comforting. "But it's late. And they've been parked there since... I don't know, since right before we sat down to eat."

My mind raced, pulling up every movie scene I'd ever watched about mysterious cars lurking in the shadows.

I wanted to shake off the feeling, to laugh at myself for being paranoid, but something about the way Richard was watching that car told me this wasn't just my imagination.

"Maybe... maybe it's a neighbor's friend or something," I said, my voice a little weaker than I wanted it to be. But even as I said it, I knew it didn't feel right. "Or maybe I'm just being dramatic." He gave me a faint smile, but I could see the worry etched in his eyes. "You're not. It's not just you."

He squeezed my hand, holding on tightly. "I'm probably overthinking it, but... just in case, let's keep the curtains drawn tonight."

to focus on the warmth of his hand around mine, but the thought kept tugging at me - was that car just a coincidence? Or was there

to our dinner, but it was hard to pretend everything was normal. I could hear the silence between

take it anymore. I set my fork down

there. My pulse quickened, and I felt Richard's hand

he said softly, "it's probably nothing. But if it makes you feel better, I can

gut told me that calling someone wouldn't

- to the guy with the camera, to the strange vibe I'd felt at the comedy club, to the laughter that had just a hint of nervousness beneath it. But I didn't want to

want him to think I was

at that car, I couldn't help

to Richard, doing my best to muster a small smile. "Maybe

see the lingering worry in his eyes, matching the nervous flutter in

seats, trying to pick up the conversation where we'd left off, but it was hard to

different tonight? Change the mood. It's been a while since we did something

mischievous. "You'll see. Come

of the house, my eyes went straight to the spot across the

Nothing. It was gone.

a mix of relief and confusion swirling through me.

I was being paranoid. But after that message on Richard's phone, I couldn't shake the feeling that something

expression, and he gave me a reassuring smile. "Looks like our mystery car finally took the hint," he said,

replied, my voice a little quieter than I intended. "I guess it's silly to think someone would be...

hand gave mine a gentle squeeze, bringing me back to the present. "Hey, we're going out tonight. You need a break, and so do I.