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

Chapters 54

SARAH

POV.

The day started with a burnt piece of toast. That's how you know things are about to go downhill.

First, you burn your breakfast, then you burn your bridges. I stared at the blackened slice, smoke curling lazily toward the ceiling, and sighed.

"Figures," I muttered, tossing the toast into the trash. "Can't even make breakfast without things falling apart.

It wasn't just the toast, though. It was everything. My life has felt like a pile of burnt toast lately, and today, I was finally going to scrape it off my plate for good.

Richard had to go. There was no point dragging this mess out any longer. I was done being the fool.

The last few days had been a blur of confusion and hurt. After everything Wesley had said and Susan's cryptic messages about Richard being the same liar he'd always been, I just couldn't shake the feeling that I was walking back into a fire. Every time I tried to convince myself that Richard had changed, that we could somehow make it work, the old wounds started to throb.

Memories of him leaving, choosing Susan, all came flooding back, leaving me paralyzed with fear.

Emma, my best friend and my occasional moral compass, had seen me spiraling. We'd met up for a video call the day after my blowout with Richard.

The way I'd confronted him, accusing him of being in contact with Susan... It was a disaster. His face had looked so hurt, like I'd stabbed him in the chest. I hated it. But I couldn't help it.

"Sarah," Emma had said, her voice calm but firm, "you can't keep doing this to yourself. If you don't trust him, if you really believe he hasn't changed, then why are you holding on?"

absentmindedly. "I guess I just... I want to

a look of sympathy. "Sometimes people don't change. You've already seen what he's capable of. Do you really want

ache in my chest. Emma was right. I couldn't risk getting hurt again. Richard had broken me once,

a tight bun,

office, Richard was already there, sitting at

days. Guilt tugged at me for a second, but I pushed it down.

up when he

my desk, pretending to go through my emails, even though I knew I wouldn't be able to focus on anything

bracing myself. "Yeah. We need

my desk, leaning against it as he crossed his arms over his chest. "I've been thinking about what you said the other day. About Susan." I kept my eyes on the computer screen, not wanting to look at him.

talking to her. I

want to believe you, Richard. I really do. But it's not just about Susan. It's everything. Our past, what you did,

up, Sarah. I know I hurt you. But I'm not that guy anymore.

we could start over. But every time I let myself get close to

his sides, his shoulders slumping in

I said the words, but I pushed through. "I can't keep pretending that things are different. You left me for her once, and I don't know if I can trust that you won't do it again." "Sarah, please," he said, stepping closer, his voice desperate. "I love

myself believe him. Not after everything. But I couldn't ignore what Wesley, Susan and Emma had said, no matter

turning away from him. "I just... I don't think I

let out a shaky breath. "So that's it? After everything we've

tears from falling. "I have

and heartbreak. "I never wanted to hurt

"But I can't keep living in fear of what might happen. I have to let

that, I walked out of the office, my heart heavy but my mind made up. I didn't look back, didn't give him a chance to