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

Chapter 110 Richard pov "Richard, can we talk?" I paused mid-step on my way to the kitchen, catching the unmistakable edge in Sarah's voice. Her arms were crossed, her brows furrowed like they'd been all week. I could guess what this was about. Isabelle. Again.

"Sure," I said, trying to sound casual, though I could already feel a headache brewing. I leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "What's on your mind?" Sarah hesitated, glancing toward the living room where Isabelle had just gone. "Don't you think it's weird? How she's always around, how she keeps inserting herself into everything?" I tried not to groan. I knew this was coming, but I'd hoped we were past it after our last talk. "Sarah, con," I said with a laugh. "You're not still jealous, are you?" Her eyes flashed. "Jealous? Seriously, Richard? I'm not-okay, fine. Maybe I am a little. But it's not just that! I can feel something's... off about her." I straightened up, shaking my head with a small smile. "You're reading too much into this. Isabelle's just... talkative. She's been through a lot, and we're just helping her out. It's not like she's smastermind plotting to ruin our lives." Sarah's lips tightened, and I could tell she wasn't buying it. "She talks to you, Richard. Not me. Not anyone else. Just you. Don't you think that's strange?" I shrugged, doing my best to play it cool. "Maybe she just findsapproachable." Sarah scoffed. "Yeah, 'approachable.' Sure." I grinned, stepping closer to her and placing my hands on her shoulders. "Hey, don't be like that. You know you're the only one I'm interested in. Isabelle isn't my type at all." Sarah let out a bitter laugh. "Your type? That's what you're going with?" I kissed her forehead, trying to lighten the mood. "You're the one who said you were jealous. Honestly, I think you just like the . Keeps things exciting, right?" Her jaw dropped, and she shovedlightly. "You're impossible, Richard." I chuckled, pulling her into a hug. "I mean it, Sarah. There's nothing to worry about. Isabelle's just... someone in need. And besides, you're way too beautiful to be worried about anyone else." She sighed against my chest, relaxing slightly. "Maybe I'm overthinking it. But I still don't trust her." "Fine," I said, stepping back with a smile. "If it makes you feel better, I'll keep my distance." That was the plan, anyway. But keeping my distance was harder than I thought. Isabelle always seemed to have something to say, something urgent or fascinating-or at least it seemed that way at first.

I'd try to slip away to check emails or finish swork, and there she'd be, corneringwith a question or a story.

And the thing was, she wasn't boring. Her stories were long-winded, sure, but they were interesting.

"So, Richard," she began one afternoon as I was cleaning up lunch. "Have you ever felt like you're constantly misunderstood?" I paused, giving her a blank look. "Uh... not really. People usually get me, I think." She nodded thoughtfully, as if I'd just said something profound. "That's good. I just... I don't know. Sometimes I feel like the world's against me, you know?" "Mm-hmm," I mumbled, trying to wrap things up. But before I could escape, she launched into a story about a tshe'd been "betrayed" by a close friend.

I half-listened, glancing toward the doorway, hoping Sarah wouldn't cin and get upset.

When Sarah did appear, I wasn't sure if I was relieved or nervous. Her eyes narrowed as she took in the scene: Isabelle leaning casually against the counter, talking animatedly while I stood there like a captive audience.

"Richard," Sarah said, her voice tight. "Can I talk to you for a second?" "Of course," I said quickly, excusing myself from Isabelle's monologue. I followed Sarah to the hallway, where she turned onwith her arms crossed.

"This is exactly what I'm talking about," she said, her voice low but intense. "She doesn't talk tolike that. Only you." I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Sarah, she's just... I don't know. Maybe she feels more comfortable around me. It's not a big deal." "It is a big deal, Richard," she shot back. "Because it's not normal. She's... clingy. And you're just letting her be." I tried not to laugh, but a small chuckle escaped. "Babe, con. You're being ridiculous. She's just lonely. You don't have to be jealous." Sarah's eyes flared. "I said I was jealous, Richard! But it's not just that. Something about her doesn't feel right. I can't explain it, but I know I'm not wrong." I sighed, pulling her into my arms. "Alright, alright. You're jealous and suspicious. Got it. But listen to me-there's nothing to worry about. She's harmless." Sarah didn't pull away, but she didn't relax either. "I hope you're right," she murmured.

*** The next few days didn't do much to ease her mind-or mine. Isabelle's presence was starting to feel... heavy. She was always around, always talking, always inserting herself into our lives. And Sarah, naturally, wasn't having it.

"I'm going for a walk," Sarah announced one evening, her tone clipped.

"Wantto cwith you?" I offered.

"No," she said, grabbing her jacket. "Enjoy your conversation with Isabelle." I winced. She'd been making little digs like that all day. After she left, I found Isabelle in the living room, flipping through a magazine.

"Hey, Isabelle," I started, trying to sound casual. "You're, uh... doing okay, right? You don't need anything?"

She looked up, her smile bright but her eyes... something about themfelt calculating, "Oh 'm fine, Richard. Thanks for asking. You're such a good person."

I nodded, muttering something about needing to check on something in the other room, but her words stuck with E me. "You're such a good person." It was flattering, sure, but also... weirdly specific. I couldn't shake the feeling that Sarah might be onto something.

When Sarah cback, I could see the tension in her shoulders. "Feel better?" I asked.

She shrugged, avoiding my gaze. "Sure. Did you have fun chatting with your new best friend?" "Sarah," I said, sighing. "Con. Let's not do this again." "Do what?" she snapped, rounding on me. "Point out that she's manipulating you while you pretend it's all fine?"

I took her hands, pulling her closer. "Babe, listen to me. You're the only one I care about. Isabelle's just.m someone in need. You're reading too much into this." Sarah stared at me, her expression a mix of frustration and sadness. "I hope you're right," she said softly. "But I can't shake the feeling that you're not." Later that night, as we lay down to sleep. I glanced at Sarah, asleep beside me, and felt a wave of guilt. Was she right all along?