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

Chapter 102

Sarah

pov.

I wasn't sure what to expect when Richard suggested a hike. Hiking wasn't really my thing; I usually liked my exercise in a nice, controlled environment-like a gym or a quick run.

But seeing his excitement, I couldn't resist. There was something about Hawaii that made me feel open to anything, like there was no room for complaints or doubts here. So, I laced up my shoes, determined to give it a shot.

"Ready?" he asked, flashing me that grin that always made my heart skip a beat.

I rolled my eyes, pretending to be annoyed, but inside, I was as excited as he was. "Lead the way, mountain man."

As we started up the trail, the forest around us was lush and alive, thick with towering trees and the scent of wet earth.

Birds chirped somewhere above us, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, making the path ahead look like something out of a storybook.

I glanced over at Richard, wondering if he felt the same thrill, that quiet amazement that made you want to just... be still and take it all in.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he said, as if he could read my mind.

I nodded. "I've never seen anything like it. Everything feels... I don't know, like it's alive in a way I've never noticed before."

"Yeah," he said, smiling down at me. "Nature's got a way of doing that."

We walked in comfortable silence for a while, just soaking up the peace around us.

Every so often, I'd feel his hand brush against mine, and each time, it sent a small thrill up my spine. It felt good to be close to him like this, without a care in the world.

Eventually, we reached a small clearing, where we could see the ocean far below, a stretch of blue that seemed to go on forever. I leaned against a tree, catching my breath and taking in the view. "Reminds me of home, in a way," he said, his voice quiet.

"Home?" I asked, curious.

"Yeah," he replied. "Well, not exactly like this, but Grandpa lived near the water, so it's kind of... comforting, I guess."

I smiled, imagining a younger Richard, maybe running along the shore or watching the waves like he was now.

how you were when you were younger." I said, turning to

middle school before our

to be honest. Always getting into things

it. "I can't imagine you

me," he said, smirking. "I had

closer than ever. "Well, I guess it's good to know you've got a bit of a rebellious side," I teased, poking him playfully. "Might come in handy one day." He laughed, shaking his head.

hesitated, feeling a pang of insecurity rise up. I'd always tried to keep things together, but there were times when

I've always felt like I had

me, his gaze softening. "Enough? Sarah, you are more

my cheeks heat up, but I couldn't help smiling. "It's just... sometimes I feel like I'm always chasing something. Like I have to prove myself, to everyone. Even

nodded, understanding in his eyes. "You don't have to prove anything to me. I love you for exactly

up. It was something I hadn't admitted to anyone before, not even myself. But here, in this place, with him, it felt safe to let down my guard, just for a moment. "Thank you," I whispered, feeling the words stick in my throat.

deserve the world, Sarah. And if I have to spend the rest of my life showing you that,

feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. "I don't know what I'd do without you,"

replied, kissing the top

***

our voices softer. It was as if we'd crossed an invisible line, one that brought us closer, and made everything between us feel stronger,

got lost at the zoo and cried for an hour, the way

his own stories-the time he snuck out to see a midnight movie with his friends, the trouble he got into for stealing his

little troublemaker," I teased, bumping him with

"But I turned out alright,

had

in the view. The entire island spread out below us, a patchwork of green and blue that took

turned to Richard, feeling a sudden urge to just... hold him, to pull

I said, my voice

warmth. "You don't have to thank me, Sarah. I'm just glad we're here.

kissed him, pouring every feeling I had into that one

just us, suspended in this perfect, beautiful moment. When we finally pulled apart, I felt a bit breathless, my heart pounding in my chest. I looked up at him, smiling, feeling a little silly but too happy to care. "You're amazing,

strand of hair from my face. "Right

holding hands, both of us a little lost

was floating, caught in the afterglow of that

on a loose rock, and I felt a sharp pain shoot

gasped,