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

Chapter 79

Sarah's

pov.

The evening started with a quiet, tense mood that I was determined to shake off. Richard had been distracted ever since his old associate, James, had shown up out of nowhere with some vague warning. I could see it in his eyes-a darkness, a worry that gnawed at him, even though he tried to hide it behind a calm face. I wanted to pull him out of it, just for a while. "Let's play a game," I blurted out, grinning and hoping he'd get into the spirit.

He looked up, confused. "A game?"

"Yes, a game. Something simple, fun." I grabbed a stack of cards from the living room drawer. "Come on, when was the last time we played anything? Besides, I'm feeling pretty competitive tonight." Richard's mouth quirked into a small smile. "You're challenging me to a game night?"

I leaned in, waggling my eyebrows. "Scared?"

He chuckled, finally giving in. "Alright, bring it on. What are we playing?"

Half an hour later, we were knee-deep in cards and dice, with the coffee table covered in snacks.

I could see his tension melting away, replaced by that playful side of him I loved. I held my breath, ready to roll for my turn, when I noticed him sneaking a look at my cards.

"Hey! No peeking!" I smacked his hand, laughing.

"I was just... assessing my opponent," he said, shrugging innocently.

I rolled my eyes. "Assess all you want. I'm still going to win."

We played round after round, laughing and tossing playful insults back and forth. It felt like we were two teenagers again, just enjoying each other's company, with no one else in the world.

James and his warning. But every so often, I'd catch Richard glancing toward

reaching across the table to take his

down at our intertwined fingers and then back up at me. "Sorry," he muttered, shaking his head. "I'm

"But whatever it is,

could see a bit of the worry fade from his eyes. "Thanks, Sarah. I...

squeezed his hand back,

into one of those endless nights of laughter. Richard had relaxed completely by now, his laughter filling the room as we

and happy, watching him like this. The tension from earlier was gone, replaced by the easy, comfortable silence of

making the victory speech?" I

"I'll let you have this one. I don't think I could stay up for

watched him as he packed up, feeling a surge

next time,"

seriousness.

off my lap. "We'll

we finally decided to call it a night, Richard leaned down and gave me a quick kiss on the forehead. "Thanks, Sarah. For distracting me." "Anytime," I murmured, feeling a flutter in my

fun before heading back to bed, I couldn't sleep, and

had evened, I snuck up to work. Zoe had been such a

Madrid, and to be honest, I've missed Madrid. But my life

so peaceful and handsome in contrast to his worried

why did Rochard look so worried about

fallout and nothing else. I finished up with the work with Zoe and headed

***

usual, my mind still drifting back to last night. It was peaceful-just us, no stress, no

as I made my way to the kitchen, the