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.

replied, taking her coat and hanging it up. "Glad you made

I was glad she was here. Tonight was

and the

I said, hoping I didn't sound as

for her, and we settled in, talking, eating, and laughing about the snow and all the little things we'd done together lately. It felt natural, comfortable, just the way

the fire crackled softly, casting a warm

myself from reaching for her hand,

it. I had to say it, or I might never get

I started, my voice quiet but steady. She looked

But it's something I've been

head, curious but not nervous.

a deep breath. "I want us to start fresh, really build something new together. Not just here, but back in the States. I want to

feeling my heart pounding. "Sarah, I'm asking you to come with me, to go back together as partners, as

slightly, and I saw the surprise and warmth

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

and I can't erase that. But

something solid and lasting. I love you, Sarah. And if

silence filled the room, broken only by the gentle crackling of

soft and searching. Her hand tightened

she started, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I never

I wanted to feel this-to feel like we were on the same

how much she meant to me and hadn't been the partner she'd deserved. But now, I wanted nothing