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? You've said that much," Zoe

what if he's just pretending? What if this is all some game, and I end

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

saying. Was it really that? Was I just too

I could answer, Zoe added, "I mean, Sarah, look-if you think he's trash, cut

if there's even a part of you that thinks maybe, just maybe, he's being real this time, don't run before you've given it a

"I know it's not. But don't confuse protecting yourself

she

Richard's POV

at his phone, waiting for the video call to connect. The

were already spiraling, and the last

man," I muttered under his

screen flickered, and Martin's face appeared, blurry at first but

couch,

Martin asked, squinting

hair. I hadn't shaved

again. And this time, I think

all high on that kiss, and now you look like you lost your wallet and your

haven't changed, and maybe she's

a hand. "Don't go digging your own grave just yet. You've put in the work, haven't you? You're not the same guy. But you gotta give her time to see

problem," I said, exasperated. "I don't think 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

you can't," Martins agreed. "But you can show her. You keep showing her. Don't let one fight 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

you. You can't make her forget the past. All you can do is be there, prove to her with every action that

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

until then, don't give up.

his words. Maybe he was right. Maybe

of that... that was going to

Sarah's POV

Zoe's words echoed in my mind-"Don't confuse protecting

wasn't wrong, but what if protecting myself meant pushing Richard away for

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

thinking about it, my phone buzzed. Another message, but

hadn't spoken to him in a while, not since he bought me