Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart
Chapter 31

Sarah's

POV.

The cafe was cozy, with soft lighting and the comforting scent of freshly brewed coffee filling the air.

Wesley was already seated at a corner table, his usual spot, looking relaxed and content.

As I walked in, I felt the tension in my chest grow. I'd been replaying Richard's message in my mind over and over again, trying to make sense of it, but nothing sat right.

Could Wesley really be using me to get back at Richard? It seemed impossible. He had always been so kind, so supportive.

But then again, why would Richard make something like that up?

Wesley smiled as I approached the table, standing to greet me with a hug. His touch was normally comforting but it felt strangely foreign today. I forced a smile in return, but my mind was racing. "Hey, you," Wesley said, his voice warm. "You look tired. Is everything okay?"

I hesitated for a moment before answering. "Just... a lot on my mind."

I wasn't ready to let him know what was really bothering me. I needed to be sure, to hear it from him before I jumped to conclusions.

He gestured for me to sit, and I slid into the chair opposite him, keeping my face as neutral as possible.

"Long night?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

I nodded, taking the coffee cup the waiter placed in front of me. "Yeah, something like that."

Wesley didn't seem to notice my unease.

He leaned back in his chair, casually talking about the latest developments in his business.

Normally, I would have been interested, even excited to hear him talk about his work.

Today, though, I was listening for something else. I was listening for clues, for anything that would confirm or deny Richard's claim.

"You've been working so hard lately," I said, trying to sound light and conversational. "What's the plan for the next few months? Expanding into new markets?"

Wesley nodded, smiling proudly. "Yeah, I've got some big plans in the works. It's all about positioning, you know?"

No, I don't. "Getting ahead of the competition before they even realize you're in the game."

I sipped my coffee, hiding the tightness in my throat. "So, is that why you got involved with my company? You saw potential... or something else?"

His eyes flickered, just for a moment, but then he laughed lightly. "I saw potential, of course. Your business is on the rise, Sarah. I just wanted to help you make the most of it."

I tried to keep my voice steady, though my heart was pounding in my chest. "But you weren't worried about any conflicts? You know, stepping on toes?"

Wesley shrugged, taking a sip of his own coffee. "It's just business, Sarah. In this world, you've got to do what it takes to stay on top."

It looked like it. "There's always going to be someone you upset along the way. But that's how you grow."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. Just business. Was that all I was to him? Just another piece in his plan to get ahead?

I forced myself to stay calm, but I could feel the betrayal bubbling up inside me. "And... Richard?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Wesley's face changed slightly, but he quickly covered it with a grin. "Richard and I... well, we've crossed paths before. Nothing personal, though. Like I said, it's just business."

My grip tightened on the coffee cup, the ceramic warm against my skin. Everything suddenly clicked into place.

The late-night phone calls, the strategic advice he'd offered me, the way he always seemed so invested in my success.

It wasn't because he cared about me. It was because he wanted to hurt Richard.

I stared at him, my heart racing as the truth settled in. Richard had been right all along. Wesley had been using me, manipulating me, just to get back at him.

I stood up abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor as I pushed it back. Wesley looked up, startled.

"Sarah?" His voice was full of confusion, but I couldn't bear to look at him anymore.

I felt the tears welling up in my eyes, but I blinked them away. "I am going home," I said, my voice shaking.

"Wait, what's going on?" Wesley reached out, grabbing my hand gently, but I pulled away.

"I feel tired," I muttered, grabbing my bag and heading for the door. My head was spinning, my chest tight with anger and hurt.

Wesley called after me, but I didn't turn around. I couldn't. The cafe's door swung shut behind me, and the cool air hit my face as I stepped outside.

The world felt like it was closing in on me, the betrayal too fresh, too raw. How could I have been so blind?

Wesley had been by my side when everything fell apart with Richard. He'd been my rock, the one person I thought I could trust.

But now, it all felt like a lie. Had he ever cared about me? Or was I just a pawn in some twisted game between him and Richard?

I hurried down the street, not sure where I was going, just needing to get away. In the cafe, Wesley, everything suddenly felt too overwhelming.

When I got home, I dropped my bag on the floor and sank onto the couch, burying my face in my hands.

The tears I'd been holding back finally spilled over, and I let them.

I cried for the trust I'd lost, for the way Wesley had manipulated me, and for how stupid I felt for not seeing it sooner.

Everything made sense now. Wesley's sudden interest in my business, the way he had seemed so eager to help me succeed...

It was all part of his plan to hurt Richard. And I had fallen for it.

I wiped my eyes, feeling the familiar sting of anger rising in my chest. How could he do this to me?

How could he pretend to care, all while using me to settle some petty rivalry?

My phone buzzed on the coffee table, but I ignored it. It was probably Wesley, trying to call me and explain. But what was there to explain?

He'd been caught, and there was nothing he could say to make this right.

After a few minutes, I reached for my laptop, pulling up the financial reports for my company.

I hadn't paid close attention to the market share in recent weeks, trusting that Wesley's advice was steering me in the right direction.

But now, as I scanned through the numbers, I could see it clearly. My company had been edging closer and closer to Richard's territory, cutting into his market without me even realizing it.

I stared at the screen, my heart sinking. Richard had been right. Wesley hadn't been helping me out of the kindness of his heart.

He'd been using me to hurt his competitor, to push Richard out of the game.

I slammed the laptop shut, frustration boiling over. How could I have been so stupid?

I had let myself get swept up in Wesley's charm, believing that he genuinely cared about me. But it had all been a lie.

The tears came again, harder this time, and I buried my face in my hands. I didn't want to believe it, but the evidence was right in front of me.

Wesley had used me, and I had let him.