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. "I mean... it's both, I guess. He's hurt me

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

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

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

bit my lip, trying to process what she was saying. Was it really that? Was I just too afraid to let go

added, "I mean, Sarah,

given it a chance. Don't let fear make your choices for you." Her words stung

confuse protecting yourself with shutting everyone out. They're

a deep breath. Maybe she was right. Maybe I

Richard's POV

call to connect. The spinning circle seemed to

last thing I needed was

man," I muttered under

Martin's face appeared,

was lounging on his couch,

asked, squinting at the

through my hair. I hadn't shaved in

again. And this time, I think it's for

you were all high on that kiss, and now you look

know, man," I groaned. "We had this huge argument. She thinks I haven'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

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

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 gotta be patient." "Patient?" I huffed. "That's not exactly my

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

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

gave it everything. But until then, don't give up.

words. Maybe he was right.

was going

Sarah's POV

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

wasn't wrong, but what if protecting myself meant

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

about to bury myself in work to avoid thinking about it, my phone buzzed. Another

Wesley. I sighed. I hadn't spoken to him in a while,