Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart
Chapter 35

Sarah's POV.

The afternoon sun warmed my skin as I stood outside on the lawn, staring at nothing in particular.

My thoughts kept drifting back to Richard. He had married me for his inheritance.

I always wondered why he went through with the marriage when it was clear he didn't love me. But now, I had my answer.

It hurt. It hurt more than I wanted to admit. All those times I hoped he'd see me, really see me, were wasted. I was just a pawn in his game for money.

I took a deep breath and shook my head. I couldn't dwell on this. I needed to focus on what mattered now-my work, my company.

If Richard married me for money, that was his problem, not mine.

My company was my future, and I wasn't going to let it be dragged down by Richard or anyone else.

I had made sure that my business no longer competed directly with his. I wanted success on my terms, not by playing dirty.

I would rise without cheating, without making enemies. That was how I would win.

Just as I was mentally preparing myself to head back inside, I heard the sound of a car pulling up.

I frowned and turned around, and sure enough, there was Wesley, climbing out of his car with a sheepish expression on his face.

My chest tightened. I wasn't in the mood for whatever game he was playing today.

"Sarah," Wesley said, holding up a hand like he was surrendering. "I know you're mad, and you have every right to be."

I crossed my arms, narrowing my eyes at him. "You think?"

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. I just thought you deserved to know the truth."

I shook my head. "You didn't tell me out of concern. You did it to mess with Richard."

Wesley's face fell a little, guilt flashing in his eyes. "Okay, maybe that was part of it. But I didn't think it would blow up like this. I didn't think you'd-" "That I'd what?" I cut him off, my voice sharper than I intended. "That I'd be angry? That I'd be hurt?"

Wesley opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say anything, another car pulled up behind his.

My stomach dropped when I saw Richard stepping out, looking almost as surprised as I felt.

"Richard?" I asked, my voice full of disbelief. "How did you even get my address?"

He gave me a tired look, as if he had been through a battle just to get here. "I have my ways," he muttered.

Wesley couldn't resist snorting at that. "Oh, look, Mr. Big Shot Private Investigator. Did you stalk her or something?"

Richard shot him a glare. "I asked around. Unlike you, Wesley, I don't barge into people's lives uninvited."

I held up a hand, trying to stop the bickering before it started. "Enough. Both of you. I can't believe this is happening right now."

They both stood there awkwardly, shuffling their feet like two boys caught in the principal's office. For a second, I almost laughed at the absurdity of it.

"Why are you here?" I asked, my patience wearing thin. "What do you both want from me?"

Wesley spoke first, his tone softer than usual. "I'm sorry, Sarah. I really am. I didn't mean for things to go this way."

Richard cleared his throat, looking down at his shoes. "I came to apologize. For everything."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Everything?"

He nodded, his voice quiet. "For marrying you for the wrong reasons."

My heart twisted painfully at his words, but I didn't let it show. "You should have told me the truth from the start, I would have convinced Grandpa to give you without us marrying." "I know," Richard said, his voice thick with regret. "I should have."

Wesley glanced at Richard, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Well, at least he admits it. That's a step, right?"

I shot Wesley a look, and he immediately dropped the grin. "Sorry," he muttered.

Richard looked over at Wesley, a flicker of irritation crossing his face. "You think this is funny?"

"No, I don't," Wesley said quickly, raising his hands in surrender. "I'm just saying... it's not often you admit when you're wrong."

I sighed, rubbing my temples. "I'm not here to referee whatever this is between you two."

Both of them went quiet. They were both standing here, apologizing, but it didn't change the fact that they had both hurt me.

And I was tired of being caught in the middle of their rivalry.

"You know what?" I said, finally breaking the silence. "I'm done. I'm done being stuck between you two."

I continued. "You both made mistakes. I've made my decision to move on. I'm focusing on my company and my life. You two need to figure out your own issues."

I crossed my arms, watching both of them shift awkwardly in front of me.

There was a strange tension between them, one I knew all too well.

Neither Wesley nor Richard wanted to admit it, but their apologies didn't mean they were ready to back off.

It was like they were waiting for the other to say or do something stupid.

"Look, Sarah," Wesley started, stepping closer.

"I'm really sorry about the way things went down. But you know I've always had your back. Richard... he's the one who hurt you. Not me."

I shot him a glare. "Really, Wesley? You're trying to turn this into a competition?"

Wesley held up his hands defensively. "No, no, that's not what I meant-"

Richard interrupted him, taking a step forward. "Of course, that's what you meant, Wesley. That's all you ever do. Twist things to make yourself look better."

Wesley snorted. "Please, like you're any better? You're the one who married her for money!"

I clenched my fists, the frustration boiling inside me. "I can't believe this. Are you both seriously doing this right now? Here? In my house?"

They both turned toward me, looking like two children caught fighting in the playground. Richard tried to speak, his voice lower. "Sarah, that's not-"

"Enough!" I shouted, my patience snapping. "I'm not doing this! I am not going to stand here while you two try to one-up each other over who cares more or who's sorry. This isn't about you!" Wesley blinked, a slight frown forming. "Sarah, I'm not trying to-"

"You are!" I cut him off, feeling the heat rising in my chest. "You both are. And I'm sick of it. I've been sick of it for years! I'm not some trophy to be fought over in your little rivalry." Richard opened his mouth to say something, but I didn't give him the chance.

"I'm done!" I yelled, throwing my hands up. "I'm done with this whole back and forth. You both hurt me in your own ways, and I'm not going to let you keep dragging me through this." There was a stunned silence. I could see the guilt on both their faces, but I didn't care anymore.

"Sarah, please," Richard said softly, stepping closer. "I know I made mistakes, but I-"

"No, Richard," I said firmly, taking a step back. "This isn't something you can just apologize for and make better."

Wesley cleared his throat. "Sarah, I get that you're angry, but I'm just trying to fix things. Don't I deserve a second chance? At least I'm much better than him."

Richard shot him a look. "Oh, come on. You really think this is about second chances for you?"

"And you think it's about you?" Wesley fired back. "She's not going to forgive you just because you showed up here!"

"I showed up because I care!" Richard barked.

"Guys!" I shouted, throwing my hands up again. "Stop it! You're making this worse."

They both went quiet, but it was clear neither of them was ready to back down. Wesley glanced at Richard, then at me, as if sizing up his next move. "Sarah," Wesley started again, his voice softer now, "I know I messed up, but at least I was honest with you. You know I've always been straight with you, unlike some people." Richard's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing at Wesley. "You don't know anything about what we had, Wesley."

"And neither do you," I snapped, turning on Richard. "You never even tried to know me. You married me for your inheritance, remember?"

Richard flinched at that, guilt flashing in his eyes. "I know... I know I did. But things changed."

"They didn't," I shot back, my voice cold. "You only want me now because I'm gone."

Wesley grinned, and I turned to him, glaring. "And you? You're no better! You told me the truth just to mess with him. And also used me to get back to him."

My breath hither. "You both made this about your stupid rivalry. Well, congratulations, because I'm done playing."

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the shaking in my hands. "I want both of you to leave. Now."

Wesley frowned, stepping forward. "Sarah, come on, don't be like that-"

"Leave," I repeated, my voice firm. "I mean it."

Richard stepped forward too. "Sarah, please. Just give us a chance to explain."

"I don't need explanations," I said, feeling the anger rising again. "I need you both to get out."

Wesley raised his hands, clearly trying to smooth things over. "Sarah, don't do this. We can work this out."

I turned on him, my voice sharp. "What part of 'leave' don't you understand, Wesley?"

Richard stepped in, his voice pleading. "Sarah, please. I came all this way because I care about you. Just give me five minutes-"

"That's it!" I snapped. "I'm done."

Without another word, I spun around, marching toward the house. Behind me, I could hear both of them calling my name, pleading, but I didn't stop.

I was done with their apologies, done with their excuses.

As I reached the door, I slammed it shut behind me with a satisfying thud. I leaned against it, my heart pounding in my chest.

Outside, I could hear them both still talking-no, arguing-but I tuned them out. This was my house. My space. My life. And I wasn't letting them take control of it anymore.