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.

you were younger." I said, turning

wasn't until middle school

embarrassed. "A bit of a troublemaker, to be honest. Always getting into things I shouldn't, driving my

can't imagine you being

me," he said, smirking. "I had

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. "And what about

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

like I had to be. I've always wanted to feel... enough, you

me, his gaze softening. "Enough? Sarah, you are more than enough. More than anyone I've

smiling. "It's just... sometimes I feel like I'm always chasing something. Like I have to prove

eyes. "You don't have to prove anything to me. I love you for

to anyone before, not even myself. But here, in this place, with him, it felt safe to

a hug, holding me close. "You deserve the world, Sarah. And if I have

off my shoulders. "I don't know what I'd do without you," I murmured, my

out," he replied, kissing the top of my head. "I'm

***

voices softer. It was as if we'd crossed an invisible

years-the time I got lost at the zoo and cried for an hour, the way I used to dream about being a

out to see a midnight movie with his friends, the

were a little troublemaker," I teased, bumping him with

grinning. "But I turned out alright,

laughed, feeling lighter than I had in ages. "Yeah, I

the trail, we stopped to take in the view. The entire island spread out below us, a patchwork of green and blue

turned to Richard, feeling a sudden urge to just... hold him, to pull him close and never

you," I said, my voice soft.

me, his eyes full of warmth. "You don't have

thinking, I leaned up and kissed him, pouring every feeling I had into

arms wrapping around me, holding me 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

strand of hair from my

hands, both of us a little

was floating, caught in the afterglow of that kiss, of everything

just as I was about to say something, my foot slipped on a loose rock, and I felt

I gasped, stumbling