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

Chapter 114

Richard's POV

Sitting across from Isabelle in the dimly lit living room, her words lingered in the air like smoke. I don't want to lose you too.

I didn't know how to respond. It felt like she was pouring her heart out, but the timing was strange-too convenient, too calculated. I tried to brush it off.

"You're not losing anyone, Isabelle," I said, my tone careful. "You've been through a lot, I get it. But Sarah and I are here for you."

Her eyes glistened as she smiled, that same sweet, innocent smile that had started to make my stomach churn. "Thank you, Richard. That means more to me than you'll ever know." I nodded, standing awkwardly. "Well, uh... it's late. Maybe you should get some rest."

She stayed seated, her gaze holding mine a beat too long. "Goodnight, Richard," she said softly.

I turned and left, but the unease followed me upstairs.

***

The next morning, I found Isabelle already in the kitchen. She was humming to herself, flipping pancakes like we were in some sort of sitcom.

"Morning," she chirped, flashing me a smile.

"Morning," I muttered, grabbing a mug for coffee.

"Pancakes?" she offered, sliding a plate toward me before I could answer. "I made them just how you like-light on the syrup."

I stared at the plate. How did she know that? I hadn't even mentioned it to Sarah. "Uh, thanks," I said, forcing a smile.

She beamed, sitting across from me at the table. "I thought it might be nice to start the day with something cheerful. Things have been so tense lately."

I nodded, though I didn't say much. My thoughts kept drifting to Sarah, who hadn't come downstairs yet. She'd been sleeping more, her energy drained. I was starting to worry. "Sarah still sleeping?" Isabelle asked, as if reading my mind.

"Yeah," I said, sipping my coffee.

turned thoughtful. "She seems... distant. Is everything

my voice sharper than

tilted her head, her smile soft and understanding. "I didn't mean anything by it. It's just... I know how hard it is when someone you love starts keeping secrets." Her words hit a nerve, but I brushed it off. "Sarah's not keeping secrets," I said, my tone

hands like she was backing off. "Forget I

up on the couch with a blanket. She looked exhausted, her skin pale,

gently, sitting beside

nodded but didn't say

"Maybe you should take a break, and get some rest. I can handle things

What's your

I said, sighing. "Not

"She's in everything. She knows things about us-personal things. Don't you see how wrong that

"She's been through

let out a bitter laugh. "Connect? Is that what you call it?

I asked,

voice trembling. "She's crossing

"Sarah, you're reading too much into this. Isabelle's

Sarah shouted,

with something I couldn't quite place-hurt, frustration, maybe even fear. "Fine," she said finally, her voice cold. "If

got up and walked away, leaving me sitting

grew bolder. She started finding excuses to touch me-a light hand on my shoulder, brushing past me in the hallway. One evening, as I was sitting at my desk going

asked, leaning against

up," I said,

placing a cup of tea on the desk. "I

I said, though her presence was starting

her eyes scanning the papers on my desk.

hoping she'd

reached for one of the papers.

the paper away, my tone firmer now. "Just work

smiled, unfazed. "You're so protective, Richard. It's one of

"Isabelle, I need to focus," I said, trying to keep my