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

Chapter 135

Richard

pov.

The doorbell rang earlier than expected, cutting through the quiet of the morning.

I glanced at the clock on the microwave-9:30 a. m. Marina wasn't supposed to get here until noon. I was in sweatpants, barely awake, and halfway through making tea. "Must be Marina," I muttered, setting the kettle down.

Sarah looked up from the couch, where she'd been scrolling through her phone. Her face immediately shifted, her smile tightening in a way only I could catch. "Already?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"She's early," I said, trying to keep my tone casual, though I felt a twinge of guilt. Marina always had a knack for surprising us, and not always in a good way.

I headed for the door, taking a deep breath. Marina and I had always been close, but I knew how she could come across-especially to Sarah.

She had this way of making her opinions feel like lectures, delivered with just enough condescension to make you question every decision you'd ever made. "Richard!" Marina exclaimed as soon as I opened the door, her arms outstretched. She engulfed me in a hug that smelled like perfume and hairspray, her usual combination. "Marina," I said, forcing a smile. "You're early."

"I wanted to surprise you!" she chirped, stepping inside before I could invite her. Her suitcase clattered against the floor as she looked around the room. "Where's Sarah?" "Right here," Sarah said, standing up from the couch. Her voice was friendly, but I caught the slight edge beneath it.

"Sarah," Marina said, drawing out her name like she was trying it on for size. She smiled brightly and gave Sarah a once-over. "Look at you! Glowing already. I can see it."

Yeah. I told her about Sarah's pregnancy and all the drama of the past and I made her promise not to bring those up in Sarah's presence.

Sarah's hand moved instinctively to her stomach, even though there wasn't much to show yet. "Hi, Marina. It's been a while."

me to claim the armchair. "I've been dying to catch up. And what perfect timing. Early pregnancy is so important, you know. Every little decision makes such a difference!" And there it was-the opening volley. I glanced at

cross-legged in the armchair, sipping her tea like she owned the place, and had already transitioned into full-on pregnancy consultant mode. "So," she said, setting her mug down with a decisive clink, "what are the doctors saying about your

mug tightened ever so slightly. "They said small amounts are

said, tilting her head in that way she always did when she disagreed. "Well, I wouldn't risk

throat, jumping in before Sarah could respond. "Hey, Marina, did you catch the match last night? I know you're always rooting

so trivial compared to raising a child, don't you think? But back to the

said, nodding as if she were personally responsible for the prescription. "And exercise! Light yoga is excellent. Helps keep the baby in the right position

She looked like she wanted to scream, but instead, she

and I were left alone in the living room. She sank back onto the couch, letting

down next to

shot me a look that could've melted steel. "Not

said, raising my hands

hours, Richard. Four. Hours. And she's already questioned

just excited," I said, though I didn't entirely believe it. "You know how she is. She means well,

'well-meaning.' It feels like she's waiting for me to fail so she can swoop

hand, giving it a squeeze. "Look, if she crosses a line,

want this to be a happy time,

a happy time," I said, my voice firm. "We're going to have a baby,

her expression softening. "You're right. It's

in to kiss

that night, after dinner, Marina joined us in the living room for what she called "family

you have a birth plan yet?" she asked, looking directly at

chamomile tea. "We're...