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

Chapter 143

Richard pov

The hum of the kettle filled the kitchen as I leaned against the counter, waiting for it to boil. It had been a peaceful morning-no sharp comments, no awkward silences-just Sarah and me enjoying the calm. But as my phone buzzed on the counter, the name flashing on the screen made my stomach twist: Marina.

I hesitated for a second before picking up. "Hey, Marina," I said, trying to sound casual.

"Richard, hi! I hope I'm not catching you at a bad time," she chirped. Her voice was overly sweet, the kind of tone people use when they're about to dive into something uncomfortable. "No, it's fine. What's up?" I replied, keeping my voice even.

"I just wanted to check in after I left. You know, make sure there's no hard feelings. I feel like things got... tense while I was there."

I gripped the counter, reminding myself to stay calm. "It's been fine. We're good."

She sighed, a dramatic sort of sigh that made my eye twitch. "Look, I know Sarah can be a bit... sensitive. I honestly didn't mean to upset her. I was just trying to help."

Help? My jaw tightened. I ran a hand through my hair, forcing myself not to snap.

"Marina, you made a lot of comments that probably didn't come across the way you intended. Maybe it's best we all take a step back and let things settle."

There was a pause, just long enough to make me think she might actually take it on board. But then she spoke again, her voice softer but no less condescending.

"I just didn't expect her to take things so personally. It's not like I was attacking her, Richard. You know that, right?"

I pressed my fingers to my temple, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "Marina, I think we just need to move on. Sarah and I are figuring things out together, and that's what matters." Her laugh was light but carried an edge. "Of course, of course. Well, I won't keep you. Just wanted to clear the air."

"Appreciate that," I said, though the words felt hollow.

as I hung up, I exhaled deeply, shaking my head. Clearing the air, my ass. It felt more like she was trying to justify herself, not

sat on the couch, her legs tucked under her as she stared blankly at the TV. The sitcom playing in the background didn't seem to hold

the way her fingers tapped lightly against her

onto the couch beside her, I

small smile but didn't

keeping my

a half-shrug. "Marina, I guess. Some of

setting my mug on the coffee table. "What about

she said quickly,

not silly if it's bothering

to face me. "She just made me feel like... like I'm not ready for this. Like I don't know what I'm doing. And maybe

reached for her hand, wrapping mine around

her eyes flicked down to her lap. "What if I mess up? What if I'm not as good at this

And you're not supposed to have all the answers

you go, and that's all anyone can do. Marina's opinions? They

just hard to brush off, you know? She said so much, and I keep replaying it in

don't have to carry her words around. Let me do that for you,

a soft smile tugging at her

not," I admitted. "But

at the kitchen table with our coffee and tea, I decided we needed to do something. Anything to shake

we get out of here today?" I suggested, breaking the comfortable

looked up from her mug, raising an eyebrow.

said with a shrug. "Somewhere peaceful. A drive, maybe? Or a walk by the lake? Just...

considering it. "You think

people's opinions for a while. Let's just do