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

Chapter 140

Sarah pov.

By mid-morning, I'd had enough of Marina's relentless remarks. She had barely been awake for an hour and had already managed to critique my toast, my tea, and my posture at the breakfast table.

I needed an escape-or at least some good advice.

I grabbed my phone and slipped into the guest room, locking the door behind me for some much-needed privacy.

Zoe answered on the first ring, her chipper tone cutting through my frustration like a breath of fresh air.

"Sarah! How's my favorite boss lady-slash-baby incubator?"

I groaned. "I'm surviving. Barely."

"Oh no, Marina's still there, isn't she?" Zoe asked, her voice laced with amusement.

"She's practically set up camp," I said, flopping onto the bed. "This morning, she told me I should replace my toast with oatmeal because it's better for my digestion. And yesterday, it was water. She counted how many sips I took, Zoe. Counted."

Zoe burst into laughter, the kind that made me laugh too, even though I was still annoyed. "Wow. She sounds like the pregnancy police. Have you tried distracting her?" "Distracting her?" I asked, intrigued.

"Yeah! Give her something else to focus on. Like, throw some random household project her way. Or, better yet, just start agreeing with her in the most dramatic way possible. She'll either back off or think you've lost your mind."

I chuckled, the tension in my shoulders easing a bit. "That's... actually brilliant. Maybe I'll suggest she alphabetize the pantry or something."

"And if that doesn't work,

I don't know what I'd do

her tone softening, "you've got this. Don't let her get to you,

long after we hung up. For the first time in days, I

with Zoe's advice, I headed back to the kitchen

owned the place. Richard had gone

about how staying active during pregnancy can improve the baby's health. Have

in my cheeks, but instead of snapping, I plastered on a smile. "That's a great

blinked, clearly not expecting that response. "Oh,

That's a shame," I said, grabbing a glass of

I fought back

tone light, "I've actually been talking to my doctor about staying active, and we've got a great plan in place. So no need to worry-I've got it under control." For once, she didn't have a comeback. I took my seat at the table, relishing the rare

the time evening rolled around, I felt like I was finally finding my

entirely-she'd still managed to slip in a comment about the "processed snacks" I'd bought during our grocery run-but they were starting to roll off me in a way they hadn't before. As I stood in

favorite mom-to-be holding up?" he asked, pressing a kiss to my

finally learning how to handle

said,

I said, laughing. "Every time she offers advice, I either agree with her in the most over-the-top way or change the subject. It's actually kind of fun watching her try to keep up." Richard chuckled. "You're

slightly. "It's just... hard sometimes. She always has something to say, and it feels like no matter

doing an amazing job. Marina doesn't get to dictate how you feel or what you do. You're the one carrying this baby, and you're the one

right," I said, my voice steadier now. "I'm not going to let her get to me. This is our journey, and I won't let anyone take

he said, pulling me into a

leaned into him, I realized something important: Marina's comments