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

Chapter 47

Richard's

pov.

It had started out simple, really. Just a couple of dinners here and there, an event or two where we both had to be for work.

Casual, nothing heavy. Sarah had made it clear, so many times, that we were just friends. I was just as tired as you are, but you know Sarah; she kept singing it anytime we were getting close. And I kept telling myself that I was fine with that. But the more time we spent together, the harder it became to ignore the growing connection between us.

We'd slip into these easy conversations, like we'd never been apart. I'd watch her laugh, really laugh, and I couldn't help but feel this warmth inside me.

It was a laugh I hadn't heard in years, and it was always genuine when we were alone. And yet, every time things got too comfortable, I'd see her pull back.

It was like there was a wall between us, and no matter what I did, I couldn't get past it.

One night, we were out at this industry event, surrounded by people we knew but didn't really care about.

Sarah was standing by the bar, looking effortlessly beautiful in a way that made my chest ache.

She always did that-just existing like she wasn't the most captivating person in the room. I made my way over, hoping to steal a moment away from the noise. "Need a refill?" I asked, gesturing to her empty glass.

She smiled softly. "Yeah, why not? But nothing too strong. I have meetings tomorrow."

I nodded and signaled the bartender. As we stood there, shoulder to shoulder, I couldn't help but feel how natural it was.

Like we were supposed to be doing this, sharing drinks, stealing quiet moments. It was easy, and that scared me. Because the easier it felt, the harder it was to pretend that I didn't want more. "So," she said, turning slightly to face me, "how's everything going with the new investments?"

"Good, actually. Thanks to you." I smiled at her, but she just shook her head.

"Don't put that on me, Richard. You've been doing the work."

"Maybe," I said, handing her the drink, "but you've been there. I haven't done this alone."

She looked at me, her expression softening. There it was again-that flicker of something more.

could hold onto it, she glanced away, changing

if I'll stay much longer. These things

if you want. Grab a late dinner, something casual. Just the two

might say no. But then she nodded. "Okay, yeah. That

***

as it always was with Sarah. We found a quiet little place, tucked away from the busy streets,

same. It felt like old times

didn't really matter. But underneath it

us. I wasn't stupid-I knew she could feel it too. But every time I tried to push, even just

looked up from her plate, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Think

hesitated, unsure if I should go there. But we'd been dancing around it for too long, and I couldn't keep pretending everything was fine. "About us. About what

she wasn't going to answer. But then she sighed, setting it down and looking at me. "Of course I

swallowing hard. "I've been thinking about

for me to continue. So

wasn't fair to you, Sarah. I know that now. I was... I was selfish. And I regret it. Every

hadn't been there before. "You hurt me, Richard," she said, her voice steady but quiet. "More than I think you'll ever really

her words settle heavily between us. "I know. And I'm

but you did it anyway. And for a long time, I blamed myself for that. I thought there was something wrong

but I couldn't argue with her. She was right. I had done that

than

"But I want you to know that I've changed. Losing you made

don't know, Richard. It's not that simple. You can't

"I'm not asking for everything to be okay. I'm just... I want to be

looked at me, and for the first time in a long time, I

she always kept up, was starting to crack. But just as quickly as it had happened, she pulled it

back, Richard," she said softly.

to move forward. As friends, if that's all you can give me." A

saw her wavering. But then she looked away,

I can trust you again," she admitted, her

it. "I know. And I'll