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.

I knew he'd only

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

sit across from him, watching him work. His

he'd ask me something. Instead, he just offered me

lie sitting heavy in my chest. "Yeah. Just... thinking about some

he didn't press.

sighing. "Feels like I'm just going in circles

on?" I asked, trying to sound casual, but my heart was pounding. I wondered if he'd tell me what was weighing on

back at the screen. "It's nothing, just work stuff. Some things... they don't add up." His voice trailed off, and I saw the flicker

trying to meet his gaze. "Richard, you know you can tell

softening for a moment. But then he shook his head, his defenses going back up. "I know, Sarah. But...

a sigh, frustration bubbling up inside me. Here we were, both keeping secrets, both trying to

me, just as I was doing the same for him. But instead of bringing us closer,

the unsaid words between us. "Just... if you need someone to talk to, I'm

distance in his eyes was still there. "I know, Sarah. Thank

I wanted to tell him about James, about the warning, about

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

like a string stretched too tight, ready to snap. Richard was lost in his own world,

was wrong. But another part of me was grateful for the space, knowing that

I sat in the kitchen, going over the notes I'd

questions than answers. I couldn't help but wonder what he had meant by "the network's