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.

she said, stepping in. "It's

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

teased, though really, I was glad she was here. Tonight was important,

around the room, taking in the table and the candles. "What's all this?" she

I didn't sound as nervous as I felt.

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 I'd

moved to the couch, where the fire crackled softly,

stop myself from reaching for her hand, feeling the warmth of her skin

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

my voice quiet but steady. She

sudden. But it's something I've been thinking about, something I

curious but not nervous. "Go on," she said, squeezing my hand

something new together. Not

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

widened slightly, and I saw the surprise

kept going, feeling

you, and I can't erase that. But I've learned, and I promise I'll

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

silence filled the room, broken only by

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

whisper. "I... I never thought I'd hear you say those

like we were on the same page,

I knew I hadn't always shown her how much she meant to me and hadn't been the partner she'd deserved. But now, I wanted nothing more than