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

Chapter 27 Sarah's pov.

I stood in the middle of the buzzing office trying to focus on the stack of paperwork in front of me, but my mind was miles away.

The past few weeks had been exhausting, with the press conference taking a toll on me.

We are about to reveal our latest products at the business event in two days' time. It was supposed to be the big reveal, something we had worked months on perfecting. But today, something went wrong-horribly wrong.

I glanced over at the clock. It was already past 10 a. m., and the day was just beginning. The formulator had screwed up. Again.

My hand trembled as I reached for the clipboard. Weeks of sleepless nights flashed before my eyes-this couldn't be happening, not now.

If this formula didn't work, we were finished. My throat tightened as I scanned the data, the numbers blurring.

A knock at the door pulledout of my thoughts. "Cin," I called, my voice sounding more tired than I intended.

"Sarah, there's an issue with the latest batch," Nina, one of my lead chemists, said as she stepped inside, holding a clipboard.

"What kind of issue?" I asked, already feeling my stomach tighten.

She sighed, looking as stressed as I felt. "It's the consistency. We thought we had it right, but the formula's separating. It won't hold." I swore under my breath. This was supposed to be the final version, the one that went to production.

I'd invested too much into this-too much time, too much energy. I couldn't let it fail now. Not after everything. "I'll cdown to the lab," I said, grabbing my notebook. "We'll fix it." As I walked toward the lab, I thought about how different my life was now. A few years ago, I would've let someone else handle this.

Back when I was Richard's wife, I didn't have the confidence to speak up, to be the one in charge.

Richard used to tellI wasn't cut out for business. "You're better in the background," he'd say, barely looking at me.

But look atnow, standing in the middle of my own empire. I didn't need him then, and I certainly don't need him now.

I shook off the memories of Richard and focused on the problem at hand.

Wesley had been supportive throughout this entire journey, but I was still cautious, always wondering if his intentions were purely business-or something more. The way he looked atthese days, like he saw more than just a business partner... It was hard to ignore.

I still carried those scars, and no amount of tor success could heal them overnight.

When I reached the lab, the lab was a mess. Tubes and beakers cluttered every surface, the faint scent of chemicals hanging in the air.

Nina and the team were huddled around the workstation, staring at the failing batch.

"Letsee it," I said, rolling up my sleeves.

We spent the next few hours troubleshooting, adjusting, and testing. By the twe had a workable solution, it was nearly evening.

I could feel my phone buzzing in my pocket, but I ignored it. Whatever it was, it could wait. This was more important.

"Alright, I think we've got it now," I said, standing up and stretching. The team looked relieved, and I knew they had been under just as much pressure as I had. "Thanks, Sarah," Nina said, givinga tired smile. "I don't know what we would've done without you." I shrugged it off. "We're all in this together." As the team packed up for the day, I headed back to my office.

I needed to go hand get srest, but as soon as I stepped inside, I was met by Wesley, leaning casually against my desk.

"Long day?" he asked, holding out a cup of coffee.

I blinked, surprised. "You didn't have to bringthis." He smiled, that easy, charming smile of his that always seemed to soften the edges of a hard day. "I know, but you look like you could use it." I took the cup and sipped, the warmth spreading through me. It was a kind gesture, but part ofcouldn't help but feel... conflicted.

"Thanks," I said, sitting down in my chair. "It's been a rough one. The formula almost tanked, but we managed to save it in time." Wesley sat on the edge of my desk, too close for comfort, but I didn't say anything.

I wasn't sure if I wanted to. He had been a great support tosince we started working together, always there when I needed him.

But lately, there was something more in the way he looked at me, the way he lingered a little too long when he didn't have to.

"Sarah, you've been incredible," he said, his voice softer now. "I've watched you handle all of this with so much strength. You've really built something amazing here." I smiled, but it felt forced. "I've had help," I said, glancing up at him.

"Sure, but it's you who made this happen. You who pushed through the hard times." He paused, his eyes searching mine. "You've changed, Sarah. I can see it. You're not the swoman you were when we met." I shifted in my chair, feeling the tension rise in the room. "I had to change," I said quietly. "I couldn't stay the way I was." Wesley nodded, his gaze intense. "I admire that about you. I... I admire you a lot." I took the cup of coffee, my hands shaking. Wesley's eyes were on me, and I felt the weight of his gaze-too heavy, too intimate. I shifted in my seat, my stomach twisting.

"I should probably head home," I said, standing up and grabbing my bag.

He stood too, not moving away, his eyes still on me. "Sarah, wait. Before you go..." My heart lurched at Wesley's words, but a part offroze. I wasn't ready. Not after Richard.

"I've been meaning to tell you something," he said, his voice hesitant now, but still steady.

"When we first started working together, it was just business. But over time... it's becmore than that for me." I stared at him, not sure what to say.

"I like you, Sarah," he said, finally breaking the silence. "More than just a business partner." I felt my breath catch in my throat. "Wesley..." "Just hearout," he said quickly, holding up a hand.

"I know you've been through a lot. I know your relationship with Richard left you with scars. But I'm not him. I don't want to hurt you." I swallowed, trying to process what he was saying. This was the last thing I expected today.

"I'm not asking for an answer right now," he continued, his eyes om softening. just. I just want you to know how I feel. And I want you to think about it. About us." I looked down at the floor, my mind spinning. Wesley had been nothing but kind to me, supportive even when I doubted myself.

But the thought of jumping into something new, so soon after Richard...

"I don't know if I can do this," I said finally, my voice barely above a whisper.

He nodded, his expression understanding but still hopeful. "Take your time. I don't want to rush you." I looked up at him, grateful for the space he was givingbut still feeling the weight of his words. "I need to think." He smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Of course. Take all the tyou need." Later that night, I found myself standing on the rooftop of my apartment.

The view was breathtaking-the city lights twinkling against the dark sky, the sounds of Madrid buzzing below me. But my mind was elsewhere.

I thought about Wesley's words, about the way he had been there forthese past few months.

And I thought about Richard-the man who had broken my heart but still lingered in my thoughts, no matter how much I tried to forget him.

Wesley madefeel appreciated, and seen. But was I ready to open up again? To trust someone with my heart after what happened with Richard? I sighed, leaning on the railing and staring out at the city. Wesley wantedto be his girlfriend.

He said his feelings were real, that they weren't about business.

But how could I know for sure? And even if they were real... was I ready to let myself feel the same? I pulled out my phone, and my finger hovered over Wesley's number.

My finger hovered over the call button, but my mind was alreadyn retreating, back to the nights I waited for Richard's calls-calls that never came. I shoved the phone back into my pocket. No. I wasn't ready.