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.

teased, leaning against the doorframe. "Maybe," I shot

aside to let me in. "Come on

here. But now, standing in the middle of it, I couldn't ignore the knot in my stomach. Richard sat down on the couch,

like they

quietly. "We

a lot

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

I want

need to know something," I said, my voice wavering slightly. "How do I know you've really changed? How do I know you won't just... hurt

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 warmth

But I swear, I've learned from my mistakes. I'm not the same guy who messed

there was a raw vulnerability there too, like he was just as afraid of losing me as I was afraid

a whisper. "Do we

can't erase the past. But we can decide what to do with it. I can't change what I

before gently taking my hand. His touch was

"Whatever you decide, I'll respect it. Even if you don't want to give me another chance,

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

I still

Could I forgive him?

I did know was that

in a way that no amount of fear

I could stop myself, I closed the

couldn't say were poured into that kiss. For a moment, Richard seemed surprised, but then he kissed me

Richard whispered, his voice

nodded, my heart racing. "I'm ready to try again," I said, my voice stronger now. "But you better not hurt me.