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.

when you were younger." I said, turning to

until middle school

to be honest. Always

to picture it. "I can't imagine you being anything but this... calm,

said, smirking. "I had my wild

rebellious side," I teased, poking him playfully. "Might come in handy one day." He

I'd always tried to keep things together, but there were times when I felt like I

always felt like I had to be. I've always wanted to feel...

"Enough? Sarah, you

sometimes I feel like I'm always chasing something. Like I have to prove

prove anything

looked away, feeling a little choked 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

And if I have to spend the rest of my

a weight lift off my shoulders. "I don't know what I'd do

replied, kissing the top

***

while, we continued up the trail, our steps slower, our voices softer. It was as if we'd crossed

in years-the time I got lost at the zoo and cried for an hour, the way I used

see a midnight movie with his friends, the trouble he

were a little troublemaker," I teased,

"But I turned out alright, didn't

I had in

island spread out below us, a patchwork of green and blue that took my breath

to just... hold him, to pull him close and never let

you," I said, my voice soft. "For

eyes full of warmth. "You don't have to thank me, Sarah. I'm just

up and kissed him, pouring every feeling I

close. It was like the world faded away, leaving 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,

of hair from my face. "Right back at

down the trail, still holding hands, both of us a little

felt like I was floating, caught in the afterglow of that kiss,

foot slipped on

I gasped, stumbling