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."

frowning. "What are you talking

yourself-and Richard. I've seen the mess he's gotten himself into, Sarah. I know things

tightened, but I tried not to show it. "And what

smile that had always unnerved me. "Enough

that?" I asked, trying to keep the anger out of my

was when we were friends, and

my spine, but

head, his expression almost pitying. "You really don't know, do you? He's kept so much from you, Sarah. You think he's being honest with you now, but he's not. Not even

my coffee cup, fighting the urge to throw it

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

him, anger bubbling up inside me. "If you know so much, why don't you just

then leaned forward,

off not knowing. Things that would change the way you look at him forever. I'm giving you a chance to save yourself, Sarah.

of doubt wash over me. Part of me wanted to get up and leave, to walk away from this conversation and never

at things that could destroy everything Richard

I asked quietly, my voice barely more

Convince Richard to cooperate. Make him understand that

I pressed. "The network?

I thought, Sarah. Yes, the network. They're not people

smug tone, but I kept my voice steady. "And what if I don't?

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

my eyes, refusing to back down. "You're

am," he said with a shrug. "But that doesn't mean

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

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