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.

everything, I just... I don't have anywhere safe to go. But really, if it's too much, I can still look for somewhere else." She gave a faint smile, looking to Richard

hand on her shoulder. "Nonsense, Isabelle, it's no trouble at all.

Isabelle would be gone this morning, and now he was inviting her to stay indefinitely? I took a slow breath, reminding myself

suggested, trying to keep my tone even.

trouble. Besides, she's been through enough. Let's just let her rest here a

not before I caught a flicker of satisfaction in her eyes. She knew she'd won

made herself more and more at home, always finding ways to

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

a smile. "Yes, actually. I know about

nothing. "Oh, Isabelle, I told Sarah that story ages

closer made me feel like she didn't care. She was

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

day, I found myself washing dishes, scrubbing a plate harder than I needed to as I listened to

let the maids do it. I glanced 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

have someone like Richard," she said,

I was holding, turning to face her. "I know that, Isabelle. And I'd like to keep our relationship strong. We don't really

innocent smile. "Of course not. I'm just here for support. He's been so kind

them, like she was trying

I couldn't shake the feeling that