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 mean... it's both,

he? You've said that much,"

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

"what if you're running away because you're scared?

saying. Was it really that? Was I just

could answer, Zoe added, "I mean, Sarah,

before you've given it a chance. Don't let fear make your choices for you." Her words stung because they were true. "It's not that simple,"

don't confuse protecting yourself with shutting everyone out.

took a deep breath. Maybe she was right. Maybe I was

Richard's POV

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

thoughts were already spiraling, and the last thing I needed

up, man," I muttered under

Martin's face appeared, blurry at first but soon coming

his couch, looking like he'd just woken

asked, squinting at

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

away again. And this time,

time we talked, you were all high on that kiss, and now you

know, man," I groaned. "We had this huge argument. She thinks I haven't changed, and maybe she's right. Maybe

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

I don't blame her. I

a bad guy' mode. You've changed, Richard. I know it. She'll know it too, eventually. But

"Yeah, I've noticed. But listen, you can't force her to trust you. You can't make her forget the past. All you can do is be there, prove to her with every

what if it's too late? What if she's already made

"Then at least you'll know you gave it everything. But until then, don't give up. The old Richard would've

over his words. Maybe he was right. Maybe

that... that was going to take

Sarah's POV

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

wasn't wrong, but what if protecting myself

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

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

to him in a while, not since