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

Richard

pov.

It had been a month since our trip to the nearby town. Sarah was now in her eighth month, and every day, I marveled at how gracefully she handled the ups and downs of pregnancy. But today was about more than just her strength-it was about giving her a moment to remember forever.

I had planned a re-engagement surprise for her, one that would let her know how much she meant to me, now and always.

"Martins, hurry up with the banner!" I called out as my best friend tried to figure out which end of the ribbon went where. He muttered something about not being a decorator, but I ignored him.

The house was chaotic, but the good kind. At least, that's what I kept telling myself as I rushed from one end of the living room to the other, adjusting balloons and making sure the decorations didn't look like a Pinterest project gone wrong. I wanted everything to be perfect for Sarah. After everything we'd been through, she deserved that-and more.

"Richard, mate, you need to chill," Martins said from the sofa, holding up a banner that read "Will You Marry Me Again?" with a half-amused grin. "You're acting like she's gonna grade you on this."

I stopped mid-step, glaring at him. "She's not grading me. I just want her to feel special."

"You could've just handed her some flowers and said, 'Let's do this again.' She'd say yes," Martins teased. "But no, you've got candles, lights, balloons... what's next? Fireworks?"

"Don't tempt me," I muttered, walking past him to double-check the table setup.

"Seriously, though," Martins continued, "what's the point of all this? Sarah's already locked you down. You're just giving her a reason to roll her eyes at you later." "She's not going to roll her eyes," I said, glancing over my shoulder. "This is about making her feel special. After everything she's been through, she deserves this." Martins smirked, his sharp features crinkling with amusement. "You're whipped, my friend. Completely, utterly whipped."

"And proud of it," I shot back, though the corner of my mouth twitched.

The doorbell rang, cutting off whatever comeback Martins had lined up. I hurried to answer it, finding Zoe standing there with her suitcase in one hand and her free hand propped on her hip. I called her. It was part of the surprise. And I really needed someone who knew what Sarah would like.

"Finally!" she exclaimed, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. "I thought I'd walk into a grand masterpiece, and instead, I find chaos. Typical Richard."

"Good to see you too, Zoe," I said dryly.

She dropped her suitcase by the door and took in the decorations. "Okay, first of all, what is this color scheme? Pink and gold? Were you planning a princess party?" "Leave him alone," Martins said, getting up from the couch. "It's endearing, in a pathetic sort of way."

"Don't you have something useful to do?" I asked, glaring at him.

"Nope." He plopped back down with a satisfied grin.

Zoe interjected, clapping her hands. "Richard, where do you need me? I'm here to

my neck.

her sleeves. "But if this looks bad, I'm taking

out at her prenatal yoga class, blissfully unaware of the chaos unfolding at home. It gave us a few hours to get everything ready-or at least, that was the plan. My phone buzzed on the table, and I frowned

minute," I said, stepping

a deep

"Speaking," I replied.

the precinct. We need to inform you that Ms. Isabelle

grip on the phone

almost apologetic. "We've been trying to locate her

My voice rose despite my best

your frustration, sir. We've been

off. "Do you have

no," the officer admitted.

the phone into my pocket. My chest felt tight, a

voice

find both him and Zoe watching

I said through gritted teeth.

hand flew to her mouth.

days ago," I replied, my voice flat. "And

out a low whistle, shaking his

snapped, already moving toward the door. "Sarah's out there. I

stepping

the way," I said, my patience

can't tell her. She's eight months pregnant, Richard. Do you really want to

right

to protect her," Martins chimed in, his tone serious. "Look, we'll

hesitated, torn between the urge to run out the door and the logic of their argument. Finally, I

"But I'm

shower

Zoe said, her