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.

distant. Is

my voice sharper

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

Isabelle said, holding up her hands like

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

gently, sitting beside

but didn't

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

"Rest? What's your solution? While she's downstairs making herself at

please," I said,

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

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

what you call it? You don't even see it,

I asked,

trembling. "She's crossing

"Sarah, you're reading too much into

her!" Sarah shouted,

Sarah's chest heaved as she stared at me, her eyes filled with something I couldn't quite place-hurt, frustration, maybe even

and walked away, leaving

next few days, I couldn't shake the 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 in the hallway. One evening, as I was sitting at

late?" she asked, leaning

catching up," I said, not

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

said, though her presence

her eyes scanning the papers on my desk. "Busy man," she said,

shortly, hoping she'd take the

reached for one of the papers.

my tone firmer now. "Just

Richard. It's one of the things I admire about

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