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

Chapter 117

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?"

hiding her feelings." He smirked. "So, what's going

wasn't sure how to

I

eyebrow. "The houseguest? What about

something. She's

"That's heavy. What

voice lacked conviction. "Isabelle's been nothing but polite.

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

"Come on, you're not seriously

shrugged. "I'm just saying, if Sarah's feeling this strongly, maybe there's something you're not

"Like what?"

you want to help her? Fine. But why not get her an apartment somewhere? That way, Sarah

he said, leaning back with a satisfied grin. "Trust me, you don't want

felt like I had a plan. Get Isabelle a place of her

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 she

said, sitting

softening. "You seem

what Sarah had been talking about. Isabelle's constant

good," I

her head, studying me. "Are you sure? I hate seeing you like

repeated, standing up. "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about

Her smile faltered. "Oh?"

think it might be a good idea for you

"A

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 something

Sarah and I need some time to work things out, and having you here makes things

with tears. "I thought we were

sure I believed it anymore. "This isn't

reaction to hit me so hard. She had looked so shaken

the best-for Sarah,

stayed seated, rubbing my temples and waiting for the sound of her footsteps on the stairs. I thought she'd slam the door, pack her things, do something.

enough to send a chill down my spine. I

I called out, my voice

No response.

I reached the

shallow. My chest tightened as I patted her cheek gently. "Isabelle, wake up. Can you hear me?"

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

"I'm here. Are you okay?

brushing weakly

I echoed

eyes barely open. "It happens

mixing with frustration. "You should've told me if this

paused, taking a shaky breath. "I didn't think

against the

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

clutching my sleeve. "No... I'm fine.

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