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?"

just say Sarah's never been good at hiding her feelings." He smirked. "So,

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

I finally

an eyebrow. "The houseguest? What

to something. She's convinced Isabelle's trying to

low. "That's heavy. What do you

Sarah's overreacting," I said, though my voice lacked conviction. "Isabelle's been nothing but polite. She's had a tough life, and we're just helping

on his knees. "You sure about that? Sometimes, the polite ones

"Come on, you're not

"I'm just saying, if Sarah's feeling this strongly, maybe there's something

"Like what?"

be living in your house," Martins said bluntly. "Look, you want to help her? Fine. But why not get her an apartment somewhere? That way, Sarah feels more comfortable, and Isabelle still

with a satisfied grin. "Trust me, you don't want this thing blowing up any more than it

Get Isabelle a place of her own. That would fix everything, wouldn't

my confidence wavered. Isabelle was in the living room, curled up on the couch with a book. She looked so

I said, sitting

expression softening. "You seem stressed.

had been talking about. Isabelle's constant attention, her way of making me feel

I'm good," I

you sure? I hate seeing you like

fine," I repeated, standing up. "Actually, I

Her smile faltered. "Oh?"

for you to find

I thought she might cry. "A

I think it'd be better for everyone if you had your own space. I can help you find an hotel, then an apartment, cover the rent if you need it-" "I don't understand," she interrupted, her voice shaking. "Did I do

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

filling with tears. "I thought we were friends, Richard.

believed it anymore. "This isn't about

reaction to hit me so hard. She had looked so shaken like I had betrayed her in the worst

telling myself this was for the best-for Sarah, for me, even for Isabelle-but

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

loud, but it was enough to send a chill down my spine. I shot up from the couch,

called out, my

No response.

the stairs, dread coiling in my stomach. When I reached the landing, I saw her crumpled on the floor at

gently. "Isabelle, wake up. Can you hear

phone, fumbling to dial emergency services, but then she

"I'm here. Are you

her hand brushing weakly against my arm.

echoed

her eyes barely open. "It happens sometimes...

mind raced, guilt mixing with frustration. "You should've told me if

She paused, taking a shaky breath. "I

against the wall. She looked fragile, her usual confidence stripped

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

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