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

Chapter 117

Richard

pov.

The house was too quiet. The kind of quiet that made you second-guess your decisions.

Sarah had left again in a whirlwind of anger yesterday, and even though I understood why, I still felt like I'd been blindsided.

She'd accused Isabelle of... what? Stalking? Manipulating? It sounded ridiculous when I thought about it.

Still, I couldn't shake the memory of Sarah's face before she stormed out. She'd looked hurt. Betrayed. And maybe, deep down, I knew I had something to do with that.

Her message about not finding her grounded me from following her, but of course, I knew where she slept, the hotel, and the room and I paid extra security to look after her. I sighed and pushed my coffee mug aside. The sun streamed through the kitchen window, casting long shadows on the table.

Isabelle walked in, humming softly. She looked like she didn't have a care in the world.

"Good morning," she said with a cheerful smile, heading straight for the kettle.

I forced a nod, trying to act normal. But Sarah's words lingered in the back of my mind.

"You and Sarah okay?" Isabelle asked.

"Yeah," I lied. "Just... a rough night."

Isabelle tilted her head, her brows knitting together in concern. "I hate to think I'm the reason for any of that."

Her voice was sweet, almost too sweet, and I felt a pang of guilt. Sarah thought Isabelle was up to something, but here she was, acting kind and understanding. Was Sarah overreacting?

"It's not your fault," I said quickly. "Sarah just gets worked up sometimes."

She gave me a small smile, but there was something in her eyes I couldn't quite place.

Later that morning, I was in my office, staring at the pile of work I was supposed to finish. My thoughts kept drifting back to Isabelle.

Sarah's accusations were still fresh, but they didn't line up with the woman I'd gotten to know. Isabelle was kind, and always ready to help.

I thought about the little things. The way she always seemed to know exactly what I needed, even before I said it.

How she'd bring me coffee in the exact way I liked it. How she'd laugh at my jokes a little too easily.

Was I imagining it?

"Knock, knock," a familiar voice called out, snapping me back to the present.

I looked up to see Martins leaning against the doorframe, a grin on his face. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

I laughed, relieved to see him. "No ghosts, just work. What brings you here?"

Martins strolled in, plopping down in the chair across from me. "Figured you could use a break. Heard things have been tense at home."

I groaned, leaning back in my chair. "That obvious, huh?"

say Sarah's never been good at hiding her feelings." He

was my best friend, but I wasn't sure how to explain the mess I'd found myself

I finally

raised an eyebrow. "The

she's... I don't know, up to something. She's convinced Isabelle's trying

whistled low. "That's heavy. What

think Sarah's overreacting," I said, though my voice lacked conviction. "Isabelle's been nothing but

leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You sure about that? Sometimes, the

on, you're not seriously buying into this, are

"I'm just saying, if Sarah's feeling this

"Like what?"

her an apartment somewhere? That way, Sarah feels more comfortable, and Isabelle still gets

a great idea," he said, leaning back with a satisfied grin. "Trust me, you don't want this thing blowing up any more

Get Isabelle

walked back into the house, my confidence wavered. Isabelle was in the living room, curled up on the couch with a book. She looked so at home, like she belonged here. "Richard!" she said brightly when

sitting down across

closed her book, her expression softening. "You seem stressed. Is there

exactly what Sarah had been talking about. Isabelle's constant attention,

I'm good," I

tilted her head, studying me. "Are you sure?

I wanted to talk to you about

Her smile faltered. "Oh?"

for you to find a

thought she might cry. "A place of my own? Are you... are you asking me to

I can help you find an hotel, then an apartment, cover the rent if you need it-" "I don't understand,"

feeling like I was on thin ice. "It's just... Sarah and I need some time to

at me, her eyes filling with tears. "I thought we were friends, Richard. I

I said, though I wasn't sure I believed it anymore. "This isn't about that.

She had looked so shaken like I had betrayed her

Sarah, for me, even for Isabelle-but guilt gnawed at my

sound of her footsteps on the stairs. I thought she'd slam the door,

enough to send a chill down my

out,

No response.

hurried up the stairs, dread coiling in my stomach. When I reached the landing,

her side, dropping to my knees. Her skin was pale, her breathing shallow. My chest tightened as I patted her cheek gently. "Isabelle, wake up. Can you hear me?" Her eyelids fluttered,

through me. I reached for my phone, fumbling to dial emergency services, but then she stirred, her voice weak.

froze. "I'm here. Are you

hand brushing weakly

echoed in

eyes barely open. "It happens sometimes...

"You should've told me if this was something

paused, taking a shaky breath.

her back against the wall.

to get you checked out," I said firmly. "You need

shook her head, her hand clutching my sleeve. "No... I'm