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

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

not to show it. "And

me. "Enough to ruin everything for you and Richard

asked, trying to keep the anger out of my voice. "You were supposed to be

it didn't matter at all. "Things change. People change. Richard's not the same man he was when we were friends, and neither am I. But that doesn't

down my spine, but I forced myself to stay

"You really don't know, do you? He's kept so much from you, Sarah.

to throw it in his face. "And you expect me to

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

glared at him, anger bubbling up inside me. "If you know so much,

look, then leaned forward, his voice

there are things you're better off not knowing. Things that would change the way you look at him forever. I'm giving you a chance to save yourself, Sarah. A chance to protect what's left of your

a wave of doubt wash over me. Part of me wanted to get

when he was sitting here, hinting at things that could destroy everything Richard

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

Richard to cooperate. Make him understand that fighting back will only make things worse for

with who?" I pressed. "The network?

smarter than I thought, Sarah. Yes, the network. They're

felt a surge of anger at his smug tone, but I kept my voice steady. "And what if I don't?

ahead. But you should know that once you do, there's no going back. Once you pull back the curtain, there's

refusing to back

a shrug. "But that doesn't mean

thick and heavy. I wanted to scream at him, to demand he tell me everything he knew, but I knew it wouldn't make

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