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

Chapter 86 Sarah pov.

After that meeting with James, I left feeling like the air was heavier, clinging toin a way I couldn't shake.

I should've known better than to think I'd get a straight answer from him, but the little he did share was enough to send my mind spinning.

Every word he said hinted at something deeper, something that could hurt Richard, and possibly, both of us.

I knew if Richard found out about this meeting, he'd go into protective mode, trying to shieldfrom all of it. But this time, I couldn't let him.

As I drove home, my mind kept replaying the conversation. James, calm and cold as ever, hinting at secrets and alliances, all while refusing to tellanything that actually mattered.

But the way he looked at me, that smug look as he said, "Not everything is as it seems," sent a chill down my spine.

I knew there was more at play here, but what, exactly, I couldn't say. All I knew was that if James wanted something from us, he'd stop at nothing to get it.

The house was dark when I got in. Richard was still up, sitting in his office, tapping away at his laptop, the only light coming from the screen.

He looked up when I walked in, a soft smile tugging at his lips. "You're back late," he said, trying to sound casual, but I could see the worry in his eyes.

"Yeah, just went for a drive," I replied, hoping my tone sounded natural. My heart pounded as I hung up my coat, avoiding his gaze.

I felt guilty for lying, but I knew he'd only worry if he knew the truth.

He nodded, studyingfor a second before going back to his screen. Normally, he'd presswith questions, but lately, he'd been too wrapped up in his own stress, too distracted to notice the little things. Part ofwas relieved, but another part oflonged for him to see that something was wrong.

I moved to sit across from him, watching him work. His face was tense, his fingers tapping restlessly on the keys. He glanced up, and for a moment, I thought he'd asksomething. Instead, he just offereda tired smile. "Everything alright?" I nodded, the lie sitting heavy in my chest. "Yeah. Just... thinking about sthings." Richard's gaze lingered on me, but he didn't press. Instead, he rubbed his eyes, looking exhausted.

"You're not the only one," he said, sighing. "Feels like I'm just going in circles with all of this." He gestured at his laptop, frustration clear in his eyes.

"What's going on?" I asked, trying to sound casual, but my heart was pounding. I wondered if he'd tellwhat was weighing on him, hoping he'd letin for once.

He hesitated, glancing back at the screen. "It's nothing, just work stuff. Sthings... they don't add up." His voice trailed off, and I saw the flicker of doubt in his eyes.

I leaned forward, trying to meet his gaze. "Richard, you know you can tellanything, right?" He looked at me, his eyes softening for a moment. But then he shook his head, his defenses going back up. "I know, Sarah. But... this isn't something I want to worry you with. You've got enough on your plate." I bit back a sigh, frustration bubbling up inside me. Here we were, both keeping secrets, both trying to protect each other, and yet, it was like we were miles apart.

He was trying to shield me, just as I was doing the sfor him. But instead of bringing us closer, it was pushing us further apart.

"Alright," I murmured, feeling the weight of the unsaid words between us. "Just... if you need someone to talk to, I'm here." He nodded, but the distance in his eyes was still there. "I know, Sarah. Thank you." I forced a smile, but inside, I felt a pang of loneliness. I wanted to tell him about James, about the warning, about the fear gnawing at me.

But every tI opened my mouth, I stopped myself. I knew Richard well enough to know that if he knew about James, he'd throw himself into the fire to protect me, even if it meant risking everything he'd worked for. The days that followed felt like a delicate balancing act. I tried to be normal around Richard, pretending like everything was fine.

But I could feel the tension building, like a string stretched too tight, ready to snap. Richard was lost in his own world, barely noticing the little hints I was dropping.

Part ofwas frustrated, wanting him to see that something was wrong. But another part ofwas grateful for the space, knowing that it kept him safe, at least for now.

One evening, I sat in the kitchen, going over the notes I'd scribbled down from my meeting with James.

It felt like a puzzle with missing pieces, each hint leading to more questions than answers. I couldn't help but wonder what he had meant by "the network's power." How far did it go? And how much did Richard know?

Richard walked in, catchingoff guard. I quickly shoved the papers into a drawer, my heart racing. He NO looked at me, brow furrowed. "What were you looking at?" "Oh, just... bills," I replied, forcing a smile. He nodded, but his eyes lingered on the drawer. I could see the question in his gaze, but he didn't push.

Instead, he walked over to the fridge, grabbing a bottle of water. "You've seemed a bit distant lately. Are you sure everything's alright?" I forced another smile, my stomach twisting. "Yeah, just... stressed, I guess. With everything going on." He gavea small nod, taking a sip of his water. "Shere." For a moment, we just stood there, both of us too tired to break down the walls we'd built.

I wanted to reach out, to tell him the truth. But every tI thought about it, I remembered James's warning, the threat hanging over us.

I couldn't risk putting Richard in the line of fire. Not when I knew he'd do whatever it took to protect me.

That night, as I lay in bed next to Richard, I stared up at the ceiling my mind racing, could feel the secrets between us, pressing down like a heavy blanket. I wanted to reach over, to hold him, to let him know that we were in this together. But something heldback.

The fear, the doubt, the knowledge that he'd go to dangerous lengths if he knew what I'd done.