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

Richard

pov.

The call from the police came just after dawn, jarring me awake in the cold, uncomfortable chair next to Sarah's hospital bed.

I fumbled with my phone, heart pounding as I stepped into the hallway to answer.

"We've located Susan," the officer said. "She's in custody. We'd like you to come down to the station."

My grip tightened around the phone. The relief I felt was fleeting, quickly replaced by anger. "I'll be there," I said, my voice low.

Zoe appeared beside me as I hung up. She had been sitting with Sarah through the night, taking turns with Martins to ensure I wasn't alone.

Her eyes were heavy with exhaustion, but her concern for Sarah mirrored my own.

"Was that about Susan?" she asked.

I nodded. "They've got her. I'm heading to the station."

"I'm coming with you," she said firmly.

"No," I said, shaking my head. "Stay here. I need someone I trust to be with Sarah."

She hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. But keep me updated."

When I arrived at the police station, Martins was already there, leaning against a wall in the waiting area. He straightened when he saw me, his expression grim.

"This better be good," he muttered.

"Let's hope it gives us answers," I replied.

The officer led us to the interrogation room, where Susan sat handcuffed to the table. She looked nothing like the woman I remembered-the confident, polished ex who had once been a part of my life. Instead, she was disheveled, her hair tangled and her face pale. But her eyes still held that familiar glint of cunning, a reminder of why I had ended things with her in the first place.

"Richard," she said with a small, almost mocking smile as I entered. "Long time no see."

"Susan," I said coldly, taking the seat across from her. Martins stood beside me, his arms crossed.

The officer gestured for Susan to speak, and for a moment, she just sat there, staring at me. Then, she shrugged. "Well, I guess this is the part where I spill my guts, huh?"

"Start with why," I said, my voice hard. "Why did you do this? Why involve Isabella? Why target Sarah?"

Her smile faltered, and she leaned back in her chair, studying me. "You really don't get it, do you?" she said bitterly. "You think you can just toss people aside and move on without consequences?"

I frowned. "What are you talking about? We broke up a year ago. You were the one who couldn't let go."

one who humiliated me," she shot back. "You moved on so quickly, parading your perfect little fiancée around while I was still

mentally unstable woman escape a psychiatric hospital. You gave her access to their home. You put Sarah and her unborn child in danger. Why, Susan? What was

her voice low and venomous. "Because I wanted you to feel what

"So you manipulated Isabella? Used her as

laughed, a bitter sound that grated on my nerves. "Isabella was easy to manipulate. She was already obsessed with you, convinced you were her dead fiance. All I

I said, my voice shaking with

Sarah is lying in a hospital bed, your baby's future uncertain. And you're here, scrambling to put the pieces together. Tell me, Richard, how does it feel?" I stood abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor.

to escort Susan out of the room. She didn't resist, but as

ending while it lasts," she whispered. "It's only a matter of time before it all comes crashing

didn't respond, refusing to

***

at the hospital, I relayed everything to Zoe and Martins. Sarah was still unconscious, her face pale against the hospital pillows. The sight

paced the room, his frustration evident. "The good news is we have enough

Sarah and the baby." "Burying her

"But right now, you need to

kind of relief mixed with fury. I knew this was

by Sarah's bedside, her pale face and the sound of the machines hooked to her creating an ache in my chest that

gently, scared that even

Susan's involvement. The doctors assured me Sarah's condition was stable, but the word "coma" loomed over me like a dark

machines, and offering me sympathetic smiles, but none of it lessened the weight in

They stayed close, taking turns

other hand, was already in full lawyer mode, piecing together a case that would hold Susan accountable for everything

to the station to review the evidence. Martins came with me, his calm,

what they had uncovered

one who orchestrated Isabella's escape from the psychiatric hospital," he said, pointing to a series of grainy security footage stills.

posed as a nurse. We're still working to identify how she

staring at the screen. "And

years, and she likely still had it from when you two

the gut. I'd been so focused on protecting Sarah that I hadn't thought to check something

running a hand through

not you. You

or

a whirlwind of preparation. Martins took the lead, combing through every piece of evidence the police gathered and building a case so airtight that Susan wouldn't have a chance to wiggle out of it. He

probably plead not guilty," he said one evening as we sat in the hospital cafeteria. Zoe had

we have her confession on record. That's

thoughts of Sarah-her pale face, the steady beep of the machines, the tiny movements I swore I saw when I stared at her long enough. "Richard, are you listening?" Martins asked, his tone

I said, shaking myself out of it. "Confession. Strong weapon. Got

Your mind's with Sarah, and it should be. But this case is important.

just... I can't stop thinking about her, about what might have happened

there," Martins interrupted. "She's alive. The baby's alive. That's what

into weeks, and Sarah's condition remained unchanged. The doctors said her body was healing, but