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

Chapter 87 Sarah's Pov.

I took a deep breath, clutching the steering wheel as I pulled up in front of the small cafe where I was meeting Susan.

My mind was still reeling from the encounter with James, the way he dropped hints and threats so casually.

And now here I was, facing another ghost from our past. Susan had been circling around us like a shark, but something insaid I needed to face her myself, away from Richard, to truly understand what she wanted. As soon as I walked in, I spotted her at a corner table, swirling her coffee with a thin smile that didn't reach her eyes.

She looked different from how I remembered-still polished and poised, but something in her eyes was colder, sharper.

This wasn't the sSusan from back when Richard and I first got married. She'd changed, or maybe she'd always been like this, and I'd been too naive to see it.

"Sarah," she greeted, her tone oozing a false warmth. "So brave of you to cmeet me." "Susan," I replied, keeping my voice steady as I slid into the chair across from her. "Let's skip the small talk. You calledhere, so let's get to the point." She laughed softly, her fingers tapping against the coffee cup. "Oh, I like this new version of you. Less innocent, more... bold." Her gaze fixed on me, eyes sharp and unyielding. "But you're still clinging to Richard, aren't you? Hoping he'll love you enough to protect you." I felt my jaw tighten, but I forced myself to stay calm. "You didn't askhere to talk about my marriage, Susan. So why don't you just tellwhat you want?" Her smile faded, replaced by something much colder. "Fine. I want you to understand just how serious this situation is, Sarah." "Richard's little games and deals... they're going to catch up to him, whether you like it or not. And unless he complies with certain expectations, I'll make sure his past gets revealed in the worst possible way." Her words stung, but I kept my face steady. "And why would you want to do that?" I asked.

"I get it-you're mad that he left you, mad that he choseagain. But dragging up his past just to hurt him? Isn't that a bit much, even for you?" Susan's gaze sharpened, her expression almost vicious. "You think I care about him leaving me? No, Sarah. This is about power." "Richard was mine before he was yours. I was there for him when he needed someone, when his entire world was falling apart. And then you cin, and suddenly, he's all devoted to you? As if I meant nothing?" Her bitterness was thick in her voice, almost makingpity her. Almost. "So, this is just revenge then?" I asked, my voice low. "You're trying to punish him for falling in love with someone else?" She leaned forward, her face inches from mine. "Revenge?" She let out a cold laugh. "It's not that simple, Sarah. This is about showing him-and you-that there are consequences to crossing me." I felt a shiver run down my spine. "Susan, this isn't a game. What you're doing could ruin people's lives, people who don't deserve it. Richard's past... whatever mistakes he made back then, he's paid for them. Why drag it all up now?" "Because," she said slowly, her voice laced with venom, "he still owes me. He owesloyalty, and if he's not going to give it towillingly, then I'll make him regret turning his back on me." I took a deep breath, my heart racing. "You don't have to do this, Susan. If you want to settle things with Richard, then talk to him directly. But don't draginto your mess." "Oh, but you are in this mess, Sarah," she replied, her smile icy. "You're the reason he turned away from me. You're the one he's willing to risk everything for, the one he's so desperate to protect. And that makes you the perfect target." Her words hitlike a punch to the gut. She was right-I'd been naive to think I could keep out of it, to think that her anger was only aimed at Richard.

"What exactly are you planning to do?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

Susan's gaze narrowed, her voice cold and calculated.

"Unless Richard complies with the demands from people much more powerful than you realize, I'll make sure every little detail about his past comes out. The shady deals, the mistakes, the secrets he's kept even from you. And when I'm done, he'll have nothing left." I clenched my fists under the table, feeling a surge of anger. "You think that'll bring him back to you? Destroying his life?" She laughed, a low, humorless sound. "Oh, Sarah. This isn't about bringing him back. This is about making him regret ever walking away from me. And if you're so desperate to protect him, you'll tell him to comply. Because believe me, what's coming for him will be far worse than anything you can imagine." I felt my hands trembling, a mix of fear and fury coursing through me. I'd known she was bitter, but this... this was pure spite, a vendetta she'd been nurturing.

And now, she was ready to destroy Richard just to make a point.

"Susan," I said slowly, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "If you think I'm just going to let you ruin his life, you're wrong." Her smile didn't falter, but I saw a flicker of something in her eyes-annoyance, maybe, or even respect.

"Oh, I know you won't make it easy for me. But you don't have a choice. Either convince him to comply, or watch as I tear everything he's built to shreds."

I forced myself to stand, even as my legs felt like they'd turn to jelly, "You can threaten all you want, Susan. But Riehard and l-we'll find a way out of this. We always do."

She raised an eyebrow, smirking.

"We'll see about that. But just remember, Sarah this isn't just about Richard anymore. If you keep pushing, you'll both go down. And I'll make sure you feel every bit of the fall." Her words echoed in my head as I turned and walked out of the cafe, my heart pounding.

The cool air hitlike a slap, snappingback to reality. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

I knew what I was up against now, knew just how far Susan was willing to go. And as much as I wanted to shield Richard from this, I realized I couldn't do it alone. For the first time, I felt the full weight of what I'd gotten myself into. This wasn't just spetty rivalry or lingering jealousy.

Susan was out for blood, and she wasn't going to stop until she'd torn us both apart.