Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart by Hayley

Chapter 86

Sarah pov.

After that meeting with James, I left feeling like the air was heavier, clinging to me in a way I couldn't shake.

I should've known better than to think I'd get a straight answer from him, but the little he did share was enough to send my mind spinning.

Every word he said hinted at something deeper, something that could hurt Richard, and possibly, both of us.

I knew if Richard found out about this meeting, he'd go into protective mode, trying to shield me from all of it. But this time, I couldn't let him.

As I drove home, my mind kept replaying the conversation. James, calm and cold as ever, hinting at secrets and alliances, all while refusing to tell me anything that actually mattered.

But the way he looked at me, that smug look as he said, "Not everything is as it seems," sent a chill down my spine.

I knew there was more at play here, but what, exactly, I couldn't say. All I knew was that if James wanted something from us, he'd stop at nothing to get it.

The house was dark when I got in. Richard was still up, sitting in his office, tapping away at his laptop, the only light coming from the screen.

He looked up when I walked in, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "You're back late," he said, trying to sound casual, but I could see the worry in his eyes.

"Yeah, just went for a drive," I replied, hoping my tone sounded natural. My heart pounded as I hung up my coat, avoiding his gaze.

for lying, but I knew he'd

studying me for a second before going back to his screen. Normally, he'd press me with questions, but lately, he'd been too wrapped up in his own stress, too distracted to notice the little things. Part of me was relieved, but another part of me longed for

him, watching him work. His face was tense, his fingers tapping restlessly on

ask me something.

nodded, the lie sitting heavy in my chest.

gaze lingered on me, but he didn't press. Instead, he rubbed

sighing. "Feels like I'm just going in circles with all of this." He gestured at his laptop, frustration clear in

I wondered if he'd tell me what was weighing on him, hoping he'd let me

work stuff. Some things... they don't add up." His voice trailed off, and I

"Richard, you know

his defenses going back up. "I

inside me. Here we were, both keeping secrets, both trying to protect each other, and

doing the same for him. But instead of bringing us closer, it

between us. "Just... if you need someone to talk

but the distance in his eyes was

I felt a pang of loneliness. I wanted

knew Richard well enough to know that if he knew about James, he'd throw himself into the fire to protect me, even

ready to snap. Richard was lost in

frustrated, wanting him to see that something was wrong. But another part of me was grateful for the space, knowing that it kept him safe, at least for

sat in the kitchen, going over the notes I'd scribbled down from my meeting

help but wonder what he had meant by "the network's power." How far did it go? And how much