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

was my best friend, but I wasn't

I

"The houseguest? What

up to something. She's convinced

low. "That's heavy. What do

I said, though my voice lacked conviction. "Isabelle's been nothing but polite. She's

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

not seriously buying into this, are

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

"Like what?"

Isabelle doesn't need to 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,

"Trust me, you don't want this thing

Get Isabelle a place

curled up on the couch with a book. She looked so at home, like she

I said, sitting

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

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

good,"

me. "Are you sure? I hate

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

Her smile faltered. "Oh?"

might be a good idea for you to find a place

thought she might cry. "A place of

quickly. "Just... I think it'd be better for everyone if you had your own space. I can help you find an hotel, then an

feeling like I was on thin ice. "It's just... Sarah and I need some time to work things out, and having you here

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

do," I said, though I wasn't sure I believed it anymore. "This isn't about that. It's about what's best

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

was for the best-for Sarah, for

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

chill down my

I called out,

No response.

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

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

phone, fumbling to

"I'm here. Are you

brushing weakly against

echoed

barely open. "It happens sometimes... when

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

taking a shaky breath.

up, leaning her back against the wall.

you checked out," I said firmly. "You

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

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