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

Chapter 66

Richard's

POV

I'd never been one to feel nervous, not like this. Standing by the window in my apartment, I stared out at the snowy street below, hands tucked deep into my pockets.

The apartment was calm, quiet, but inside, my mind was a whirlwind. Today felt different.

This wasn't just another step forward; this was everything.

For weeks, Sarah and I had been figuring each other out again. We'd laughed, stumbled through awkward moments, and come out closer each time.

I'd seen her smile like she hadn't in years and felt myself growing, too. In the quiet moments, when she'd look at me like she trusted me again, I felt something shift inside, something I wanted to hold on to. And now, I wanted to take that final step-to ask her, to be sure she was in this with me for good.

I'd spent the entire morning pacing, rehearsing what I wanted to say, how I'd bring it up.

I even called Martins, my best friend, for advice. He'd just laughed and said, "Man, just be real. You love her, right? Then show her that." Easy to say, harder to do. But it was good advice.

I looked over at the small table set up near the fireplace. Nothing fancy-just two plates, some candles, and a bottle of red wine.

I wanted tonight to feel like us. Real, simple. No grand gestures, just a quiet, honest proposal.

A light knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts. I took a breath, forcing myself to stay calm, and went to open it.

There she was, Sarah, wrapped in her coat, her cheeks pink from the cold, and a small smile tugging at her lips.

in. "It's

and hanging it up. "Glad you made it

here. Tonight was

table and the

have a quiet night," I said, hoping I didn't sound as nervous as I felt. "Something simple.

and for a second, all my worries faded. I pulled out a chair for her, and we settled in, talking, eating, and laughing about the snow

the couch, where the fire crackled softly, casting a warm

reaching for her hand, feeling the warmth of her skin

to say it, or I might never get

I started, my voice quiet but steady. She looked up, her eyes soft and patient,

something I've been thinking about, something I feel

head, curious but not nervous. "Go on," she

fresh, really build something new together. Not just

pounding. "Sarah, I'm asking you to come with me,

widened slightly, and I saw the

something, but I kept going, feeling like if I stopped, I'd lose my

you, and I

be partners, to build something solid and lasting. I love you, Sarah. And if you're willing... I'd like you

a moment, silence filled the room, broken only

looked at me, her eyes soft and searching. Her hand tightened around mine,

a whisper. "I... I never thought I'd hear

this-to feel like we were on the same page, like you truly wanted me

hard. I knew I hadn't always shown her how much she meant to me and