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.

the first place. "Richard," I said, deciding to rip off the bandage. "I appreciate all of this, I do. But you know we're just friends, right? That's all this can ever

flinch, but I could tell it hit him. His smile faltered for just a second before he recovered. "I know," he said quietly.

him to back off, that he was

part of me-the part I wasn't ready to admit existed-was starting to

***

meetings, phone calls, and

time I started to get used to him being back in my life, those old wounds would remind me why I shouldn't. Then, one evening, just as I was

to believe this," she said, her voice

just landed that partnership with the West Coast firm. The

my hand halfway to my coat.

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

know for sure," Zoe said, "but rumor has it Richard had something

course. Of course, he

night, I found myself standing outside Richard's apartment,

I knew it, I was knocking

wasn't sure if I was mad because he'd meddled in my business or because a part of

way, I needed

door, looking surprised but not entirely shocked

apartment without an invitation. "Did you have something to do

might've mentioned to

at him. "Why? Why would you

the simplest thing in the world. "I've seen how hard

your help, Richard," I snapped, my voice rising. "I can handle my business

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

throat. It was hard to

to fix the past but just

I said, my voice softer now, "this... it's too much. I told

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 just as a friend." His words hung in the air, and for

who saw me, who supported me without any hidden agenda. But it was too late

myself. "I don't know

asked, his eyes searching

you," I