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

Chapter 41

Sarah's pov.

Sitting in my office, I stared at the email that just came through. "Congratulations, Sarah Williams. The deal has been approved. Looking forward to working with you."

It was official-my company had just landed the biggest deal of its career, a partnership that would launch us into a whole new level of success.

I sat back in my chair, letting the weight of it all settle in. This was the moment I'd been working toward for a year now.

The validation that every late night and stressful meeting had been worth it. I should have been over the moon.

And I was-at least, on the surface. But why did I feel like something was missing?

Before I could dwell on it too much, my phone buzzed. It was Emma.

"Hey, superstar!" Her voice was bright and cheerful. "Just heard the news. How does it feel to be on top of the world?"

I laughed, but it came out a little forced. "It feels... surreal. I mean, I knew we had a good chance, but seeing it in writing makes it real, you know?" "That's because it is real," Emma said firmly. "You've earned this, Sarah. You've worked your butt off to get here."

"Yeah, I guess so," I said, still staring at the email."It just feels... weird. Like, I should be celebrating, but something's holding me back."

There was a pause on Emma's end. I could practically hear her wheels turning, trying to figure me out, as usual.

"Alright," she said slowly, "spill. What's really going on? Is it Richard again?"

I sighed. Emma knew me too well. "I don't know," I admitted. "Maybe? I mean, I've been telling myself I'm over it, that I've moved on, but..." "But you haven't," she finished for me.

"Exactly," I said, rubbing my temples. "And I hate that. I hate that he's still in my head, even after everything. I'm finally where I want to be professionally, but emotionally, I feel like I'm stuck." Emma let out a soft laugh. "Sarah, you're not a robot. You don't just flip a switch and turn off years of feelings. You're human. It's okay to feel conflicted, even when you're killing it in business." I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my desk. "Yeah, but I don't want to feel conflicted. I want to feel like I've truly moved on. Like this deal, this success is enough to close that chapter for good."

"Look," Emma said, her tone softening, "you've been through a lot. Richard put you through the wringer, and it's not going to magically disappear just because you landed a huge deal." "But you're doing the right thing. You're focusing on your future, not your past."

"I know," I said, nodding. "It's just hard sometimes. I feel like every time I make progress, something pulls me back."

his name pop up somewhere, or I'll get a stupid reminder of our

you're noticing them and still moving forward? That's growth. You're not letting him define you anymore." I leaned back in my chair, staring out the window. "I guess I just thought by now, I'd be... free. Like, completely over it. But I'm realizing

far you've come. A year ago, you wouldn't have

change your

a way of putting things into perspective. "You're right," I said. "I just need to stop being so hard

a laugh. "Besides, this deal is just the

confidence, but there was still a part of

like I couldn't fully enjoy it because I hadn't let go of Richard? "Thanks,

go celebrate. Have a

staring at the city skyline outside

way. My business was

me wondered if I'd ever be able to fully separate

I was moving forward without him, I couldn't help but reflect on how much of my success was tied to him-both the good and the bad. He had pushed me, in a way. His betrayal had lit a fire under me, driven me to prove to myself that I didn't

this point, I had to wonder-how much of my drive

was driving me? Could I really

my phone buzzed again. I glanced at

but I knew I couldn't keep avoiding him forever. We had history, sure, but I couldn't let that dictate my

the call with a sigh.

as always.

said flatly, not in

continued. "It's

is," I said, not quite sure what he was getting at.

could hear him shifting, probably trying to figure out how to phrase whatever he

he said finally. "Maybe grab coffee or something.

my eyes.

I figured, you know, now that you've forgiven me..." "Richard," I interrupted, "I forgave you, yes. But that doesn't mean I want to get coffee

another long pause. I could

said slowly. "I do. But I just thought,

more annoyed than I'd meant to sound. "You think we can just go back to the way things were? Pretend none of it

what I mean. I just...