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."

repeated, frowning. "What are

yourself-and Richard. I've seen

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

same smile that had always unnerved me. "Enough to ruin everything for you and Richard if I

keep the anger out of my voice.

Richard's not the same man he was when we were friends, and neither am I.

a chill down my spine, but I

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

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

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

inside me. "If you know so much, why don't you just tell

a long, considering look, then leaned forward, his

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

feeling a wave of doubt wash over me. Part of me wanted to get up and leave, to walk away from this conversation

at things that could

want from me?" I asked quietly,

Make him understand that

"The network? These people you're working

thought, Sarah. Yes,

my voice steady. "And what if I don't? What if I

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

to back down. "You're just trying

said with a shrug. "But that

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

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