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

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

show it. "And what exactly do

that had always unnerved me. "Enough to

would you want that?" I asked, trying to keep the anger out of my voice. "You were

were friends, and neither am I. But that doesn't mean I don't still care.

my spine, but

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

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

whatever you want," he said with a shrug. "But if you're smart, you'll start

bubbling up inside me. "If you know so much, why

considering look, then

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

of me wanted to get up and leave, to walk

Not when he was sitting here, hinting at

from me?" I asked quietly, my voice barely

Make him understand that fighting back will only

pressed. "The network? These people

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

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

But you should know that once you do, there's no going back.

to back down.

with a shrug. "But

scream at him, to demand he tell me everything he knew, but I knew it wouldn't make a difference. James

fine. But you're only hurting yourself. Richard's secrets... they're bigger than you think. And they're