Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart

Sarah pov.

Richard glanced over at me, concern clear on his face. "Sarah, do you think we could help her out? Just for tonight?"

Why the change of mind?

"I..." I hesitated, feeling my stomach twist. "Maybe we could help her get into a hotel like you said, Richard. I mean, that's probably for the best, right?"

Isabelle managed a weak smile, waving her hand like it wasn't a big deal. "No, no, A hotel is fine," she said, voice soft. "You two shouldn't have to do that. I'll be alright. I just need to find my way around a bit."

But Richard didn't look convinced, and I could feel the gears turning in his mind. "Come on, Isabelle," he said, shaking his head.

"It's not a problem. You can stay with us for the night, and tomorrow, we'll help you get sorted out with a hotel. Right, Sarah?"

Why did he change his mind? He was about to lodge a hotel before.

I didn't want to argue with him, not right here on the sidewalk in front of Isabelle. I nodded slowly, managing a polite smile. "Of course," I said, though I was sure he could see the doubt in my eyes.

"Thank you so much," Isabelle said, putting her hand to her chest. "I don't know what I would've done without you two. Really."

On the way back, I stayed quiet, trying to keep my thoughts under control. I wanted to be compassionate; I wanted to believe this was just an innocent situation.

But my instincts kept firing off signals, every one of them telling me that Isabelle wasn't being completely honest. Still, what could I say?

Richard seemed genuinely concerned, and I didn't want to come off as unreasonable or, worse, jealous. After all, what reason did I really have?

When we reached the penthouse, I tried to keep my cool, watching as Richard settled Isabelle in the guest room.

I stood by the doorway, offering a polite smile, but my patience was wearing thin.

Isabelle looked around, smiling like she'd just walked into a fancy hotel suite. "Wow," she murmured, putting her bag down carefully by the bed. "You have a beautiful place. Thank you, both of you. I promise I won't be in any trouble." "It's not a problem at all," Richard replied, looking genuinely pleased to help. "You're safe here, and that's what matters."

I forced a smile, nodding in agreement. But inside, I couldn't shake the feeling that Isabelle wasn't planning on leaving anytime soon.

It wasn't anything she said directly, but there was this casual ease in the way she set her things down, like she was already making herself at home.

And her bag... It wasn't a small purse or an overnight tote. It was a full suitcase, one big enough for a week or more.

Richard closed the door behind us, and we walked back to the living room. "I think it's really nice of you to help her out," I said, trying to keep my voice even.

"But... Did you notice her suitcase? It seemed a bit much for a short trip."

He chuckled, brushing it off. "Sarah, she's probably just overpacked. You know how some people travel."

I bit my lip, debating whether to push the issue. "I just... I don't know, Richard. I feel like there's something she's not telling us."

"Come on," he said, putting a hand on my shoulder and giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"You're just feeling a bit protective. Which is fine, but Isabelle's harmless. I'm sure she just needs a safe place for the night."

I wanted to believe him, but every glance I'd caught from Isabelle had felt a bit too calculated.

Still, I didn't want to fight, so I nodded, letting it go for now. Maybe Richard was right, and I was just reading too much into things.noveldrama

Later, as I walked past the guest room, I noticed Isabelle had left her door ajar. Her suitcase was open on the floor, clothes neatly folded and arranged, like she was ready for a long stay.

I swallowed, feeling that familiar knot in my stomach tighten. I tried to shake it off, reminding myself that I didn't have any real reason to doubt her.

The rest of the evening was oddly tense, though. Every time I caught Richard's eye, he would give me a reassuring smile, clearly trying to tell me it would all be okay.

But that wasn't the point-I didn't feel secure, and seeing him brush my worries aside only made it worse.

Later that evening, I worked up the courage to step out of the bedroom. I found Isabelle in the kitchen, already making herself a cup of coffee.

She smiled at me over the rim of her mug, a little too comfortably. It was as though she'd always been here, like she belonged here.

"Hi," she said cheerfully. "I hope I'm not disturbing."

I shook my head, managing a polite smile. "No, of course not."

Richard joined us soon after, looking relaxed, and I felt my frustration bubble up again.

He was just so... oblivious. I wondered if he'd noticed her suitcase still unpacked in the guest room, clothes spread out as though she had no intention of leaving. "Isabelle, let's get you sorted with a hotel," Richard said brightly, pulling out his phone. "We'll find a nice place for you nearby."

She hesitated, her expression shifting just slightly, almost like she was disappointed. "That's... very kind of you," she said, her voice soft. "But I wouldn't want to impose. Really, it's okay." Before I could say anything, Richard smiled, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Nonsense. You're not imposing. We're happy to help."

I wanted to keep my frustration in check. I really did. But as the night went on, Isabelle's presence in our home started to feel like a splinter I couldn't ignore.

She'd been robbed, and she was in a rough place-it was only for a night. I could manage that, couldn't I?

"Thank you so much, really," Isabelle said, flashing us a grateful smile. "I promise, I'll be out of your hair first thing tomorrow."

Richard grinned, looking pleased with himself for doing a good deed. "It's not a problem at all. You're safe here."

I forced a nod, but there was something about the way Isabelle had set her things down, how she'd tossed her jacket onto the armchair and unzipped her suitcase right there on the floor.

She wasn't just staying for a quick night's rest-she was making herself comfortable. And that suitcase wasn't a small bag; it was big, almost suspiciously so. I pressed my lips together, forcing myself to let it slide. Richard turned to me as we headed back to our room. "You okay?" he asked, noticing my expression.

I shrugged, forcing a small smile. "Yeah, I'm fine," I said, though my voice sounded tight. "It's just... I wasn't expecting a guest tonight."

He chuckled, waving it off. "Come on, Sarah. You're acting like she's moving in. It's one night-she's harmless."

I swallowed my protest, nodding, even though his casual dismissal stung. Of course he thought I was overreacting.

Why would he suspect anything when he was the one making the decision to help? But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that something here wasn't adding up.

As we finally got ready for bed, Richard sensed my unease again. "Sarah, it's okay," he said, pulling me into a hug. "She's just here for tonight. You're acting like she's a threat or something."

I managed a smile, leaning into his embrace even though my mind was miles away. "I know. Maybe I'm just... overthinking things," I said, though a small voice in the back of my mind whispered that I was right to be cautious. "Exactly," he murmured, rubbing my back gently. "Let's just get some rest, okay?"

We went to bed, and while he fell asleep quickly, I lay awake, staring up at the ceiling and wondering why my instincts were making so much noise.

Every creak in the hallway made me tense up, and my mind raced through every scenario that could make me feel so off about this woman. Eventually, though, exhaustion pulled me under, and I managed to drift off.