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

Chapter 81

Richard's

pov.

Sarah stood there, still holding the file like it was her only shield. Her shoulders were tense, her head slightly bowed.

I wanted to run over and pull her into my arms, to ask her a thousand questions, but I stayed back, waiting for her to gather herself. She needed a minute, and I wasn't about to take that from her. Finally, she looked around, her eyes scanning the area until they fell on me. Her expression shifted, a mix of surprise and relief flooding her face.

She didn't look angry that I'd followed her-if anything, she looked grateful.

I stepped out from the shadows, walking over slowly. "You alright?" I asked, my voice soft.

She let out a shaky breath and nodded. "Yeah. Just... a bit shaken, I guess."

I glanced at the file she was clutching. "Who is he? What did he give you?"

Her gaze dropped to the file, a frown creasing her forehead. "I don't know yet," she murmured. "But whatever it is... it can't be good."

I put a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently. "We'll figure it out. Together."

She gave me a small, tired smile. "I know. I just... I thought maybe if I did this alone, I could keep you out of it."

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head. "Sarah, there's no way I'm letting you handle this by yourself. We're in this together, remember?"

She looked down, nodding slowly. "Yeah... together." But there was something in her eyes, a flicker of doubt, like she was still holding onto a part of the burden on her own.

the way she always tried to carry everything

going to open that thing again? Or are we just going to

lips. "Let's get out of here first. This place gives me

car. Every step I took, I kept glancing around, half-expecting the man to jump out

feeling that

kitchen table, the file lying between us like a ticking

documents, and notes-all neatly organized, like they'd been prepared just for her. Her face paled as she flipped through

I

holding up a photo-a grainy, black-and-white shot of me, standing outside one of

and me too." She pulled out another photo, one of her leaving her yoga class, her expression distant, unaware of the camera capturing her every move. A chill ran down my spine. "This is Susan, isn't it?" I said, gritting my teeth. "She's the only

know if she's really the one.

"She's trying to scare

back of the file. Her hands trembled as she held up a document, the words blurring

a contract-an agreement from years ago, back when I'd been naive enough to

document, her face a mixture of confusion and anger

began, "why is your name-your signature-on a contract like

I admitted, taking a deep breath. "Sarah, this was years ago. I was young, too trusting. I got caught up with

down at the papers again, her knuckles white as she gripped them. "And if they do... your career-everything

could feel her doubt, her skepticism. And I couldn't blame her. From her perspective,

you, I didn't know what I was signing back then. It was just business, I thought. Legitimate, or at least as close as

narrowed her eyes, still studying me. "How can I be sure

to get out of it. And the moment I did realize, I cut ties. I had no idea they'd keep records, use them as a threat years later." Her

to expose this, they can force