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.

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

quickly, my

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

Isabelle said, holding up her hands like she was

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

gently, sitting beside her.

nodded but

so tired lately," I said. "Maybe you should take a break, and get some rest. I can handle

her eyes narrowing. "Rest? What's your solution? While she's downstairs making herself

said, sighing. "Not this

not just here, Richard," Sarah said, her voice rising. "She's in everything. She knows things about us-personal things. Don't

trying to keep my patience. "She's been through a

what you call

what?" I

manipulating you," Sarah said, her voice trembling. "She's crossing lines, and you're

my head. "Sarah, you're reading too much

defending her!" Sarah shouted, cutting me

stared at me, her eyes filled with something I couldn't quite place-hurt, frustration,

walked away, leaving

tension between Sarah and me. It was like a wall had gone up, and neither of us knew how to tear it down. Meanwhile, Isabelle's behavior only grew bolder. She started finding excuses to touch me-a light hand on my shoulder, brushing past me

she asked, leaning against the

I said, not

of tea on the desk. "I thought you could use

her presence

papers on my desk. "Busy

shortly, hoping she'd

hand brushing against mine as she reached for one of the papers. "What's this?" she asked, her voice

paper away, my tone firmer now. "Just work

smiled, unfazed. "You're so protective, Richard. It's one of the things I admire

focus," I said, trying to keep my