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.

seems... distant. Is

I said quickly, my voice sharper

how hard it is when someone you love starts keeping secrets." Her words hit a nerve, but I brushed it off.

said, holding up her hands like she was backing off. "Forget

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

sitting

nodded but didn't

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

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

said,

Sarah said, her voice rising. "She's in everything. She knows things about us-personal things.

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

laugh. "Connect? Is that what

what?" I asked,

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

my head. "Sarah, you're reading

defending her!" Sarah

her eyes filled with something I couldn't quite place-hurt, frustration, maybe even fear. "Fine," she said finally, her voice cold. "If you won't see it, I'll deal with

walked away, leaving

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 in the hallway. One evening, as I was sitting at my desk going through some paperwork,

she asked, leaning against the

catching up," I

stepped into the room, placing a cup of tea on the desk. "I thought you could

presence was starting to

eyes scanning the papers on my

hoping she'd

mine as she reached for one of the papers. "What's

paper away, my tone

protective, Richard. It's one of the things

focus," I said, trying to keep