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."

see his name pop up somewhere, or I'll get a stupid reminder of our past, and it throws me

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

"But look how far you've come. A year ago, you wouldn't

making deals that will change your company's future. You're building

perspective. "You're right," I said. "I just need to stop being so hard on

"Besides, this

a boost of confidence, but there was still a part of

this success was tied to my past, like I couldn't fully enjoy it because I hadn't let go of Richard? "Thanks,

celebrate. Have a glass of champagne or something. You deserve

found myself staring at the city skyline outside my office

had come a long way. My business was thriving, and I was standing on my

I'd ever be able to fully separate my personal and professional

him, I couldn't help but reflect on how much of my success was tied to him-both the good and the bad.

point, I had to wonder-how much of my drive was fueled by the need to

free, what was driving me?

again. I glanced at the screen

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

the call

as always. "I heard

said flatly, not in the

he continued. "It's a big

not quite sure what he was getting

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

said finally. "Maybe grab coffee or

rolled my eyes. "Catch up?

talked in a while. And 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 and

I could almost feel his frustration through

get that," he said slowly. "I do. But I

sound. "You think we can just go back to the way things were? Pretend none of it

quickly. "That's not what I mean. I just... I don't know, Sarah.