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

Chapter 111

Sarah's

POV

I don't know when exactly the unease grew more intense, but it was there now, gnawing at the edges of my thoughts every time I saw Isabelle.

She was always around, always smiling that too-bright smile or lingering just a little too close to Richard.

"Sarah, you're overthinking it," I muttered to myself for the tenth time that day. But even as I said it, I knew it wasn't true. Something about Isabelle didn't sit right with me.

It wasn't just the way she talked to Richard, though that was bad enough. It was the way she looked at him, like he was the only thing in the room that mattered. And Richard, being Richard, was completely oblivious.

I spotted them in the kitchen one afternoon, Isabelle leaning against the counter, laughing at something he said. Her laugh was too loud, too eager, and the way she tilted her head made my stomach twist.

I cleared my throat as I entered, making sure they noticed me. Isabelle straightened up, her smile faltering for just a second before she turned to me. "Oh, Sarah! I didn't see you there." Of course, she didn't.

"I'm making tea," I said, brushing past her to grab a mug. "You want some?"

"No, thank you," Isabelle replied sweetly, her voice dripping with politeness. "I was just telling Richard about this amazing little café I used to go to. You two would love it."

I glanced at Richard, who shrugged, clearly unaware of how annoyed I was.

"Sounds nice," I said flatly, hoping she'd take the hint and leave.

But she didn't.

her in the living room, flipping through one of my photo albums. My

through that?" I asked, trying to keep my

looked up, her expression all innocence. "Oh, I'm sorry, Sarah. I saw it on the shelf and couldn't resist. Your wedding photos are beautiful. You and Richard look so happy." I took the album from

nodded. "Of course. I didn't mean

had. And it wasn't

***

go away; it

Richard again. He was fixing the sink, crouched under the counter, and Isabelle stood nearby, holding a

didn't need to be there. He didn't need help. But there she was, staring at him like he was

you need something?" I asked,

startled, then smiled. "Oh, Sarah! I was just helping Richard. You

I said, crossing my arms. "Richard, do you want

"It's fine,

Of course, she did.

more on edge than ever. It didn't help that I'd been feeling off for days-tired, queasy,

the stress of having a third person in the house, especially

her in the kitchen later, humming to

when I walked in. "How are you feeling? You look

I said

should rest more," Isabelle said, pouring her coffee. "Hawaii must have been exhausting for you.

repeated, her smile too wide. "You mentioned you went forest hiking, right? It sounded so lovely.

my mind racing. I *hadn't* mentioned our specific sightseeing to her. Richard hadn't

My mind kept replaying every little interaction with Isabelle, every comment she'd made, every lingering

errands, I decided