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?"

for a moment, heavier than I expected. "I mean... it's both, I guess.

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

if this is all some game, and I end up exactly where

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

it really that? Was I just too afraid to let go

added, "I mean, Sarah, look-if you think

maybe, he's being real this time, don't run before you've given it a chance.

know it's not. But don't confuse protecting

took a deep breath. Maybe she

Richard's POV

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

and the last thing I needed

man," I muttered under

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

on his couch, looking like he'd just woken

up?" Martin asked, squinting at the

hand through my hair. I hadn't shaved

she's pulling away again. And this

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

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

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

ever see it. She's holding onto the past, and I don't blame her. I was awful to her, Martins. I can't

spiraling into 'I'm a bad guy' mode. You've changed,

her forget the past. All you can do is be there, prove

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

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

his words. Maybe he was right.

that... that was going to take

Sarah's POV

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

what if protecting myself meant pushing

that I was being naïve by even considering giving him

to bury myself in work to avoid thinking about it, my phone buzzed. Another message, but not from Richard this

I hadn't spoken to him in