Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart by Hayley

Chapter 57

Sarah's POV

Sometimes life throws curveballs at you when you're least expecting it. Like today, for instance. I had just gotten into my car to head over to Richard's place for "the talk"-you know, the kind where you lay all your cards on the table, brace for the awkwardness, and hope to come out without a bruised ego.

But of course, my car wouldn't start.

I tried turning the key again. Nothing. Just a pathetic click.

"Really? You're going to do this to me now?" I muttered, slapping the steering wheel. It wasn't like I was already nervous about seeing Richard again or anything.

After about ten more tries-and a quick but useless prayer to the car gods-I gave up and grabbed my phone.

I wasn't about to walk over there like a stray puppy. So I did what any grown woman would do.

"Hey, Zoe?" I called my assistant. "I'm gonna need a ride. My car just decided to betray me."

There was a pause on the other end before Zoe's voice crackled through, clearly trying not to laugh. "Oh no, not again. You and cars just don't mix, do you?"

I groaned. "Just get over here, please."

When I finally arrived at Richard's house, courtesy of Zoe's overly chipper mood-she wouldn't stop making jokes about how my car was trying to "save me from heartbreak"-I stood outside his door for a good minute, just staring at it. I wasn't ready.

Was I ready?

The door swung open before I had the chance to knock. Richard stood there, looking slightly disheveled but handsome in that effortless way that always annoyed me.

His hair was a little messy, and he had that half-smile on his face like he was amused by something.

there all day?" he teased, leaning against the doorframe. "Maybe," I shot back. "Keeps

aside to let me in. "Come

I hadn't spent months away from it, trying to forget every good memory I had here. But now, standing in the middle of it, I couldn't ignore the knot in my stomach. Richard sat down

they could shield me from

agreed quietly. "We

a lot about

and full of something I hadn't seen in a long time. "I don't want to hurt you again." I swallowed

did I want

I said, my voice wavering slightly. "How do I know you've really changed? How do I know you

face tightened for a second, and then he stood up, slowly walking over to where I stood. He didn't come too close, just enough that I could feel his presence, the

don't," he said softly. "There's no guarantee I won't screw up. I'm not perfect, Sarah. But I swear, I've learned from my mistakes. I'm not the same guy who messed up before. And I won't pretend to be." I looked at

was just as afraid

a whisper. "Do we just... start

can't erase the past. But we can decide what to do with it. I can't change what I did, but I can promise to do better. To

before gently taking my hand. His touch was warm, comforting, and suddenly, everything felt real.

Sarah," he continued. "Whatever you decide, I'll respect it. Even if you

as I looked down at his hand holding mine. His words hung in the air like a challenge, daring me to face the truth I had

still

Could I forgive him?

didn't know the answer, but what I did know was that standing there with him, the thought of walking

ache in a way that no amount of

stop myself, I closed the distance between us

all the words I couldn't say were poured into that kiss. For a moment, Richard seemed surprised, but then he kissed me back, his hands moving to my waist, pulling me closer. We broke apart, both of us breathless,

Richard whispered, his voice shaky, "Are

ready to try again," I said, my voice stronger now.