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?"

words hung in the air for a moment, heavier than I expected. "I

isn't he? You've said that much," Zoe pointed

is all

you're running away because you're scared? Scared of being

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

mean, Sarah, look-if you think he's

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

not. But don't confuse protecting yourself with shutting everyone out. They're not the same

took a deep breath. Maybe she was right. Maybe

Richard's POV

waiting for the video call to connect. The spinning circle seemed to mock

were already spiraling, and the last thing I needed was more

up, man," I muttered under his

Martin's face appeared, blurry at first but

on his couch, looking

Martin asked, squinting

a hand through my hair. I hadn't shaved in days, and the exhaustion was visible on my

away again. And this time, I

back in his chair. "Why? Last time we talked, you were all high on that kiss, and now you look like you lost your wallet and your dog on the

She thinks I haven't changed, and maybe she's right. Maybe I'm still that

digging your own grave just yet. You've put in the work, haven't you? You're not

she'll ever see it. She's holding onto the past, and I don't blame her. I was awful to her, Martins. I can't just snap my fingers and make all

send you spiraling into 'I'm a bad guy' mode. You've changed, Richard. I know it. She'll know it too, eventually. But you gotta be patient." "Patient?" I huffed. "That's not

trust you. You can't make her forget the past. All

my drink, feeling his words. "And what if it's too late? What if she's already made up her

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

mulling over his words. Maybe he was right.

that was going to take more than

Sarah's POV

words echoed in my mind-"Don't confuse

wrong, but what if protecting myself meant pushing Richard

hurt me again, that I was being

I was about to bury myself in work to avoid thinking about it, my

spoken to him in a while, not since