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

Chapter 45

Sarah's pov.

Meeting for coffee and 'business talks' had become a routine between Richard and me.

I sat across from Richard, stirring my coffee for no reason other than to avoid looking at him directly.

The way he was watching me made me uncomfortable, like he was waiting for something.

Did he expect me to thank him for showing up? Or for his latest 'good guy' act? Maybe if I stirred long enough, the awkwardness would dissolve into the cup.

"So," he said, breaking the silence. "How's the expansion going?"

There it was-the safe, businesslike tone. Every time we met, Richard kept things as neutral as possible, like we were just two old friends catching up over coffee, not two people who had once shared a life filled with hurt and mistakes. I should've appreciated it. But every now and then, I felt a twinge, a tiny spark, like something old was waking up inside me.

"It's going well," I answered, trying to keep my voice steady. "We just closed the deal with the New York firm."

"That's amazing, Sarah," he said, and for a split second, I saw something soft in his eyes.

Pride, maybe? He'd been doing that a lot lately-throwing around compliments, offering support, as if that could erase all the years he'd spent pretending I didn't exist. "You've come so far."

I nodded, sipping my coffee to avoid responding to that. He always said things like that now, and it was starting to get under my skin.

Where was this version of Richard when we were married? Back then, he didn't even bother to ask how my day went, let alone care about my work.

Now, he wanted to be my personal cheerleader?

"Thanks," I said, a little too quickly, like I was brushing it off. But the truth was, every time he said something like that, my guard cracked a little. And I hated it.

We spent the next twenty minutes talking about my business-how I was planning to expand into more cities, and how the new offices were coming along. Richard listened, nodding and asking all the right questions, and for a moment, it felt... nice.

But just as soon as I relaxed, the old memories would creep back in, reminding me not to get too comfortable.

I glanced at him, noticing how different he looked now-less arrogant, more... human.

was unsettling, really. It was like the man I once knew was gone, replaced by someone I didn't quite recognize. Or maybe I never really knew him in the first place.

before he recovered. "I know," he said quietly. "I'm just glad to be

that. Part of me wanted to tell him to back off, that he was making things harder than they needed

me-the part I wasn't ready to admit existed-was starting to like having him

***

of meetings, phone calls,

which was probably for the best. Every time I started to get used to him being back in my life,

you're not going to believe this," she said, her voice buzzing

just landed that partnership with the West Coast firm. The one we've

halfway to my

us. Made sure they knew how great our work is. It must've been a big deal because they signed off without even negotiating down the terms." "Who?" I asked, my heart pounding. I had my suspicions, but I needed

"but rumor has it

course. Of

standing outside Richard's apartment, fuming

come here, but before I knew it, I

because he'd meddled in my business or because a part of me

I needed

surprised but not entirely shocked

invitation. "Did you have something to

"I might've mentioned to a few people

around, glaring at him. "Why?

simplest thing in the world. "I've seen how hard you've worked, and

my voice rising. "I can handle my business on my own. I don't need

expression calm but serious. "I know you don't need me, Sarah. You're more than capable of doing this on your own.

got stuck in my throat. It was hard to stay angry when he was looking at me

trying to fix the past but just be there for

I said, my voice softer now, "this... it's too much. I told you we can't go back to how things

I'm not asking for that," he said quietly. "I'm not asking for anything, really. I just want to be someone you can count on, even if it's

saw me, who supported me without

a deep breath, trying to steady myself. "I

he asked, his eyes

with you," I admitted.