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

Chapter 88

Sarah's

pov.

I walked into the living room, my heart pounding in my chest, the words I'd been holding back now feeling too big to keep inside.

Richard was sitting on the couch, looking tired, as if everything was pressing down on him, too. Part of me wanted to keep silent, to shield him just a little longer, but I couldn't. Not anymore. "Richard," I began, trying to keep my voice steady. He looked up, his eyes narrowing slightly at my tone. "We need to talk."

He sighed, leaning back, his face showing that wary look I'd come to recognize. "What's going on, Sarah?"

I took a deep breath, every part of me tensing. "There's something I haven't told you... about James. And Susan."

I could see his expression shift, the lines on his face tightening. He didn't say anything, so I continued, words spilling out faster than I'd intended.

"James has been reaching out to me. He's in town. I met with him a few days ago, trying to figure out what he wanted, why he was coming back now."

I gauge his reaction before continuing, "He said some things about you, about your past. I didn't want to believe it at first, but he hinted that... there's more to this. That some people are watching you, wanting something from you." Richard's gaze darkened, but he kept his voice calm. "And you thought meeting him alone was a good idea?"

I felt my face heat up. "I had to know, Richard. I didn't want you to get pulled into it if it wasn't serious."

"And Susan?" he asked, his tone sharper now.

"She came to me too," I admitted, barely able to meet his eyes. "She's involved, somehow. She's furious that you left her, that you came back to me, and now she wants revenge."

"She threatened to expose everything from your past if you don't... comply. I think she's connected to this network that James mentioned."

I saw the anger flicker in his eyes, but more than that, there was something else-hurt, maybe, or disbelief.

he asked, his voice softer now. "After everything she's done, after what she put

wanted before she came to you. I thought if

"Together, Sarah. That's what we're supposed to be. But I can't help if I don't

I swallowed them back. "I know. I just... I didn't want to add to your burdens. You have enough

his voice low but intense. "Sarah, that's exactly why I need you to tell me everything. I can handle it if I know what

a moment, I couldn't speak. All the fear, all the guilt, bubbled

let out a long breath, his face softening as he reached for my hand. "We'll figure this out, but only if we're

with James and then

she told me everything. Part of me felt a pang

felt relief. At least she'd come to

searching for words that didn't come easily. "Sarah...

could handle it on my own. I just didn't want you getting

face. "I understand. I know what it's like to want to protect someone, even if it means keeping them in the dark." Her eyes softened, and I could tell she understood. And

I'd almost convinced myself they were gone. But now, with everything coming to the surface, with Sarah staring at me, I couldn't hold them back any longer. "I need to tell you something, Sarah,"

looked at me, a bit wary but listening, and I found myself going back to

to share

I was young, I didn't know much about running a business, and all these vultures

like someone I could trust, someone who had my back. And

the hurt in her

I admitted, rubbing a hand over my face, the shame of it washing over

usual way of business. I thought I could show Dad I could

that it was darker than that, that there was more at stake than I'd realized. And by then, it was too late. I was already tied in with these people." "People like James," she

knew the

thought she was on my

Sarah's voice

my head. "Now, she wants control. She wants to hurt us, Sarah. And