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."

"What are you

lowering his voice. "An opportunity to save yourself-and Richard. I've seen the mess he's gotten himself into, Sarah. I know

tightened, but I tried not to show it. "And what exactly do you know,

me. "Enough

to keep the anger out of my voice. "You were supposed to be his friend,

"Things change. People change. Richard's not the same man he was when we were friends, and neither am I. But that

spine, but I

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

to throw it in his face. "And you

you'll start

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

then leaned forward, his

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

Part of me wanted to get up and leave, to walk away

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

asked quietly, my voice barely

cooperate. Make him understand that fighting back will only make things

who?" I pressed. "The network? These people you're working

than I thought, Sarah. Yes,

kept my voice steady.

do, there's no going back. Once you pull back the curtain, there's no way to

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

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

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

you're only hurting yourself. Richard's secrets... they're bigger than you think. And they're going to come crashing down around you sooner or