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

Chapter 55

Sarah's

POV.

You know when Zoe handed me my coffee with a smirk? I instantly knew something was up.

Usually, she would just plop it on my desk without a word. But today? Oh no, she had that mischievous glint in her eyes that usually meant trouble. "Okay, what did you do?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.

Zoe feigned innocence, her hands raised. "Who, me? I just thought you might want a little extra sugar in your life today."

She gave me a wink and strutted off before I could say anything else.

I took a sip. Ugh. She'd put way too much sugar in it. But before I could complain, my phone buzzed. Another message. From Richard.

I hadn't replied to him since our blowout. In fact, I was trying my best not to think about him at all.

Easier said than done, though. My mind was a tangled mess, and no amount of sweet coffee was going to fix it.

"Hey," Zoe popped her head back in, leaning on the doorframe, "you look like a kicked puppy."

"Thanks for that," I muttered.

"You want to talk about it? Or do you want to sit there in silence, staring at your phone, hoping it'll give you answers?" Zoe raised her eyebrows.

I sighed. There was no escaping her, and maybe, just maybe, I did need

someone to talk to.

"Richard," I said simply, not bothering to explain the rest. She already knew enough about my chaotic love life.

"Ah, the infamous Richard," she said, walking in and sitting on the chair opposite me. "Okay, spill. What's he done this time?"

"He hasn't done anything... not recently anyway," I admitted.

"It's just-every time I think maybe things could be different, that maybe he's changed, something happens. And it all comes crashing down. Like, I want to trust him, Zoe, but I can't shake the past." Zoe crossed her arms, studying me for a moment. "Is it Richard you don't trust, or is it the fear of getting hurt again?"

heavier than I expected.

he's also trying now, isn't he?

if he's just pretending? What if this is all some game, and I end up exactly where I started-hurt and

forward, "what if you're running away because you're scared? Scared of being vulnerable, of opening up, of giving him

she was saying. Was it really that? Was I just too afraid to let go of

added, "I mean, Sarah, look-if you think he's

a part of you that thinks maybe, just maybe, he's being real this time, don't run before you've given it a chance. Don't let fear make your choices for you." Her words stung because

confuse protecting yourself with shutting everyone out.

breath. Maybe she was

Richard's POV

phone, waiting for the video call to connect. The

thoughts were already spiraling, and the last thing I needed

man," I

screen flickered, and Martin's face appeared,

his couch, looking

up?" Martin asked, squinting at

hand through my hair. I hadn't shaved in days,

away again. And this time, I

you were all high on that kiss, and now you

this huge argument. She thinks I haven't changed, and maybe she's right. Maybe I'm still that same guy who

up a hand. "Don't go digging your own grave just yet. You've put in the work, haven't you?

it. She's holding onto the past, and I don't blame her. I was

send you spiraling into 'I'm a bad guy' mode. You've changed, Richard. I know it. She'll

trust you. You can't make her forget

words. "And what if it's too late? What if she's

then, don't give up. The old Richard would've walked away by now. You're not that

mulling over his words. Maybe he was right.

that was going to

Sarah's POV

staring at the wall. Zoe's words echoed in my mind-"Don't confuse protecting

if protecting myself meant pushing Richard

the fear that he would hurt me again, that I was being naïve by even

avoid thinking about it, my phone buzzed. Another message, but not

hadn't spoken to him in a while, not