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

Chapter 109

Sarah pov. That morning, I woke up hoping Isabelle would be on her way. Maybe she'd slip out with a polite thank you and let us have our life back.

I knew it was a long shot, but I needed things to feel normal again, especially since Richard had completely dismissed my worries last night.

When I walked out to the living room, though, I stopped dead in my tracks. Isabelle was sitting at the kitchen table, chatting with Richard over breakfast like she'd lived here for years.

She didn't even seem like she was getting ready to leave.

"Good morning, Sarah!" Isabelle called, smiling like we were best friends.

I forced a smile back, grabbing my coffee mug and pouring myself a cup. I could feel a knot of irritation forming in my stomach. How long did she plan to stay?

"Sarah, you wouldn't believe what Isabelle's been dealing with," he said, shaking his head.

"She tried checking in at a budget motel nearby last night, but apparently, there was a break-in the night before. They warned her it wasn't safe, especially for a woman alone in the city. So she was thinking she might stay here another night." "Oh... really?" I said, trying to keep my voice neutral.

"And I was thinking of checking her in the best hotel, but she refused."

The story felt too convenient, too perfect. I didn't know if I was being paranoid, but every part of me felt on edge, like Isabelle was twisting things to her advantage.

But when I looked at Richard, I could see he was hooked.

nodding solemnly. "I don't want to intrude, Sarah, but after everything, I just... I don't have anywhere safe to go. But really, if it's too much, I can still look for somewhere

"Nonsense, Isabelle, it's no trouble at

I was hoping Isabelle would be gone this morning, and now he was inviting

she'd be more comfortable finding a temporary place?" I suggested, trying to keep my

off like it was no big deal. "It's no trouble. Besides, she's been through enough. Let's just let her rest

I caught a flicker of satisfaction in her eyes. She knew she'd won him over. I gave Richard a tight smile, but inside I felt like I

herself more and more at

be talking to Richard, sharing something important, and she'd jump in with her own story, pulling his attention away. I tried to ignore it at first, but the more it happened, the harder it became. "Hey, Sarah, did you know Richard used to go cliff diving?" she asked one afternoon, as if she were telling me something about my own boyfriend that I

my teeth, forcing a smile. "Yes, actually. I know

nothing. "Oh, Isabelle, I

in closer made me feel like

feel the tension between us growing, even if Richard didn't seem

plate harder than I needed to as I listened to Isabelle sharing yet another story

over my shoulder, watching as they laughed together. I knew I should just let it go, but it was hard when she kept monopolizing his attention. After dinner, when Richard left to take a call, Isabelle and I were alone in the kitchen.

you're lucky to have someone like Richard," she

to face her. "I know that, Isabelle. And I'd like to keep our relationship strong. We

head, giving me an innocent smile. "Of course not. I'm

but I could feel an edge to them, like she was trying to get under my skin. And I hated

off, I couldn't shake the feeling