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

Chapter 70

Richard's

pov.

The house felt different, brighter maybe, even with all the dust and spray paint cans scattered around.

I leaned back, watching Sarah go from corner to corner, eyeing each wall with a level of focus that honestly made me smile. It was like watching her unlock some creative part of herself I hadn't seen in years. "Okay, I think I'll leave you two to the heavy lifting," she said with a small grin, dusting off her hands. "I've got some painting to finish upstairs."

I caught her arm, meeting her eyes. "Don't strain yourself up there. Call if you need anything moved."

She just rolled her eyes. "I'll be fine. You two have got this."

With that, she left us, disappearing up the stairs and leaving me and Martins to face the chaos of unpacked boxes and mismatched furniture in the living room.

Martins gave a low whistle. "She's serious about making this place hers, isn't she?"

I nodded, folding my arms. "Yeah, and... I'm grateful for it." The words slipped out, maybe a little more vulnerable than I intended.

I glanced at Martins, and he raised an eyebrow, smirking. "What? It's true."

"No, no, I get it," he said, still grinning. "Look at you, all grateful and reformed."

her throw herself into making this place her

of us, of everything I'd let

elbow. "She's really

she is," I murmured, more to myself than to him. "It's... a lot to take in. I

the couch. "So, what are you gonna do to

one day at a time. Trying to listen more, not just assume I know everything." Martins gave me a thoughtful look. "You really sound different, you

laughed a little, rubbing the back of my neck. "Guess that's what happens when you've got everything to lose. Makes you rethink

you two. Moving boxes and picking paint like you're teens just starting out." "Yeah," I said, feeling that warmth in my chest again. "Feels like a reset button,

his expression softening. "Well, here's

But honestly, I'm not

I tackled the mountain of boxes, I could hear Sarah moving around upstairs, humming softly as

rolling paint onto the walls

had a knack for getting lost in a project, even if it meant paint splatters on her clothes

Martins had shifted most of the boxes, giving me a knowing look. "So, you finally feel like

it just... it makes everything feel like it's in the right place. Like

said, nodding approvingly. "It's good to see you

clapping him on the shoulder. "Well, I couldn't have

Sarah's POV

layer of soft blue paint across the wall, watching it dry

a sense of purpose I hadn't felt in ages. Our old bedroom, now painted and filled with a few of my

from one wall to the next, I found myself lost in the process, imagining