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.

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

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

tell him to back off, that he was making things harder than

part I wasn't ready to

***

next few weeks were a blur of meetings, phone calls, and late

which was probably for the best. Every 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 about to head home,

to believe this,"

partnership with the West Coast

my

someone put in a good word for 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 to hear it out

rumor has it Richard

Of

that night, I found myself standing outside

before I knew it, I

I was mad because he'd meddled in my business or

way, I needed

but not entirely shocked to see me. "Sarah,"

past him, storming into his apartment without an invitation. "Did you have something to do with

might've mentioned to a few people how talented

him. "Why? Why would

you deserve it," he said, as if it were the simplest thing in the world. "I've seen how

ask for your help, Richard," I snapped, my voice rising. "I can handle my business on my own. I don't need you swooping in like some kind of knight

you don't need me, Sarah. You're more than capable of doing this on your own. But that doesn't mean I can't

It was hard

to fix the past

too much. I told you we can't go back to how

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

supported me without any

breath, trying to steady myself.

what?" he asked,

you," I