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

Chapter 85

Sarah's POV.

Sitting in a quiet booth at the back of a small cafe, I wrapped my hands around a mug of coffee, letting the warmth seep through my fingers.

I glanced at the door again, nerves buzzing through me as I waited. James was late, but I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not.

Every second that passed made me question my decision to come here, to meet him alone. But after everything I'd found-and everything Richard still wouldn't tell me-I had to know.

I had to understand what James wanted and what he knew.

Just as I was considering leaving, the door opened, and there he was. James looked different than the last time I'd seen him-older, and a bit worn down.

But his eyes still had that same sharpness, that same hint of something dark. He spotted me right away and walked over, his expression unreadable.

"Sarah," he said, sliding into the seat across from me. "Didn't expect you'd actually show up."

I forced a smile, trying to keep my voice steady. "Well, you left me little choice, didn't you?"

He chuckled, a low, mocking sound. "Guess I didn't. I always knew you were curious, Sarah. But I didn't think you'd go this far."

I straightened in my seat, ignoring the way his words made my skin crawl. "What do you want, James? Why are you here?"

He leaned back, studying me with that unsettling gaze of his. "Why am I here?" he repeated, his voice soft, almost amused. "I think you know the answer to that."

"I don't," I said, meeting his eyes. "I wouldn't have asked if I did."

For a moment, he didn't say anything, just kept looking at me, his expression shifting from amusement to something colder. "Alright," he said finally, "let's say I'm here to offer you... an opportunity."

I repeated, frowning. "What are you

I've seen the mess he's gotten himself into, Sarah. I know things you

show

me. "Enough

asked, trying to keep the anger out of my

change. People change. Richard's not the same man he was when we were friends, and neither am I. But that doesn't mean I don't still care. I'd hate to see you both go

down my spine, but I forced myself to

pitying. "You really don't know, do you? He's kept so much from you, Sarah. You think he's being honest

my coffee cup, fighting the urge to throw it in his face. "And you expect me to just

you want," he said with a shrug. "But if you're smart, you'll start asking Richard some real questions.

bubbling up inside me. "If you know

long, considering look, then

that would change the way you look at him forever. I'm giving you a chance

wanted to get up and leave,

couldn't. Not when he was sitting here, hinting at things that could destroy everything Richard and I had

do you want from me?" I asked quietly, my voice barely more

a cold, triumphant smile. "Simple. Convince Richard to cooperate. Make him understand

pressed. "The network? These people

smarter than I thought, Sarah. Yes, the network.

but I kept my voice steady. "And what if I don't? What if I tell Richard everything

harsh sound. "Go ahead. But you should know that once you do, there's no going back. Once you

narrowed my eyes, refusing to back

am," he said with a shrug.

for a moment, the tension between us thick and heavy. I wanted to scream at him, to demand he tell me everything he knew, but I knew it wouldn't make a difference. James was holding all the cards, and he knew it. Finally, he leaned back, his expression softening just a

by keeping this from him, by pretending everything's fine. But you're only hurting yourself. Richard's secrets... they're bigger than