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?"

at hiding her feelings." He

best friend, but I wasn't sure

I

raised an eyebrow. "The houseguest? What

something. She's convinced

heavy. What

"Isabelle's been nothing but polite. She's had a tough life,

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

you're not seriously buying into

feeling this strongly, maybe there's something you're

"Like what?"

apartment somewhere? That way, Sarah feels more comfortable, and Isabelle still gets support." I considered his suggestion, rubbing the back of my neck. "It's not a

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

the time Martins left, I felt like I had a plan. Get Isabelle a place of

the couch with

sitting down

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

This was exactly what Sarah had been talking about. Isabelle's constant attention, her way of making me feel like the center of

good,"

studying me. "Are you sure?

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

Her smile faltered. "Oh?"

good idea for you to find a place of your

cry. "A place

space. I can help you find an hotel,

just... Sarah and I need some time to work things out,

stared at me, her eyes filling with tears. "I thought

sure I believed it anymore. "This isn't about that. It's about what's

didn't expect her reaction to hit me so hard. She had looked so shaken like I had betrayed her in the

for the best-for Sarah, for me, even for Isabelle-but guilt gnawed at

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

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

out, my voice

No response.

my stomach. When I reached the landing, I saw her crumpled on the floor at the end

I rushed to 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, and for a second, I thought

fumbling to dial emergency services, but then she stirred,

here. Are you

weakly against my arm. "I...

echoed in

open. "It happens sometimes... when

frustration. "You should've

shaky

the wall. She looked fragile,

get you checked out," I

clutching my sleeve. "No...

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