Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart
Chapter 46

Richard's

pov.

As I watched Sarah walk out the door that night, the same knot formed in my chest-the one that had been there since the day I realized just how badly I had messed up with her. She left without looking back, and I stood there in my apartment, feeling every mistake I'd made hanging between us like a fog.

But this time, it was different. For the first time in years, I felt like we were making progress.

Real progress. Sarah had come to me, not because she needed something, but because she cared enough to confront me. That had to mean something, right?

I sighed, sinking into the couch and rubbing my face with both hands. What was I doing?

Was I really going to keep chasing after something that might never happen? Sarah had made it clear-so clear-that we were just friends.

But every time we talked, every time we sat across from each other at those coffee shops, I could see it in her eyes. Something was shifting.

Not that I deserved it. I knew that much. The years I spent ignoring her, pretending she didn't matter, were burned into both of us.

I used to tell myself that I never loved her. Susan was the one for me, oh! How wrong had I been. I? Now, all I felt was regret.

That night, I lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Every time I closed my eyes, all I could see was Sarah-her face, the way she had looked at me earlier when she said she didn't need my help. She was right. She didn't need me. But I needed her.

The next morning, I couldn't focus on anything. I had meetings lined up and calls to make, but my mind was stuck on that last conversation.

Mind you, my company is running perfectly fine back in the States, and thank God for working on computers.

I could be and oversee things in my company without being there physically. Until Sarah-hopefully-became mine. This is my home.

The conversation kept replaying in my head, trying to figure out if there was something more I could have said-something that would've made her stay longer, talk more, anything to keep that door open.

I needed to do more. Something bigger. Something that would show her, really show her, that I wasn't the same man who walked away from our marriage that year ago.

Then, the idea hit me.

***

A week later, I found myself pacing outside Sarah's office. My nerves were on edge, but there was no turning back now.

I could hear her voice from inside, calm and professional, talking with someone about a new project.

It was impressive how far she had come with her business, and it made me even more determined to follow through with my plan.

Finally, the door opened, and she stepped out, pausing when she saw me standing there.

"Richard?" She was surprised. "What are you doing here?"

I took a deep breath, holding up the paperwork in my hand. "I wanted to talk to you about something. It's... important."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "What's going on?"

I handed her the papers, watching as her eyes skimmed over them. When she looked back up at me, her expression was unreadable.

"Is this real?" she asked, her voice quieter now.

"Yeah," I said. "It's real. I invested in your company."

Her mouth opened slightly, and for the first time in a long time, I saw her completely speechless.

That alone was worth the nerves I'd been battling all day.

"Why would you do that?" she finally asked, her tone cautious.

"Because I believe in you," I said, keeping my voice steady. "And I want you to succeed. No strings attached."

She stared at me for what felt like forever, her eyes searching mine for something-what, I wasn't sure.

Maybe she was trying to figure out if I had an ulterior motive, or if I was just trying to worm my way back into her life. But this wasn't about me. Not this time. "Richard," she said slowly, "this is... a lot."

"I know," I replied. "But I wanted to show you that I'm serious about supporting you, about being there for you in a way I never was before."

She didn't say anything for a while. I could see the conflict in her eyes, the way she was fighting with herself.

I wanted to reach out, tell her that she didn't have to decide anything right now, but I knew better than to push.

Finally, she sighed, folding the papers in her hands. "I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything," I told her. "I just wanted to help."

"Help," she repeated, her voice soft now. "I'm not used to that from you."

Her words stung, but I knew they were true. I had been so absent, so wrapped up in my own issues back then, that the idea of actually helping her had never crossed my mind. Now, though, I would do anything to show her that I'd changed.

"I know," I admitted. "But I'm trying to make up for that, even if it's too late."

Sarah looked at me, her expression softening just a little. "You're not who I expected you to be," she said quietly.

I wasn't sure if that was a compliment or not, but I took it as a good sign. At least she was seeing me for who I was now, not the man I used to be.

"I'm not trying to win you over, Sarah," I said, taking a step closer. "I know I can't fix the past. I just want to be here for you now, however you'll let me."

For a moment, she didn't respond. I could see the struggle in her face, the way she was trying to reconcile the old me with the person standing in front of her now. Finally, she let out a small laugh, shaking her head.

"You're making this very complicated, you know that?" she said.

I chuckled, relieved to see a smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Yeah, I've been told I have a talent for that."

She laughed again, a real one this time, and for a moment, it felt like we weren't carrying all the history between us.

It was just the two of us, standing in her office, laughing like old friends.

"Look," she said, her tone turned more serious now. "I appreciate what you're doing. I do. But this doesn't change anything between us. I still don't know if I can trust you... not like that."

"I get it," I said, nodding. "And I'm not asking you to. I just want to be in your life, however you'll have me."

She was quiet again, biting her lip as she thought it over. Then she sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I don't know, Richard. I don't know if I'm ready for... whatever this is." "Friendship?" I offered with a small smile.

She smiled back, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Yeah. Even that feels complicated right now."

"I'll take whatever you're willing to give," I said softly.

Sarah studied me for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Okay. We'll try this. But no promises."

"That's all I'm asking for," I said.

As she turned to leave, I felt a strange mix of relief and hope. I knew this wasn't a guarantee, not by a long shot. But it was something.

And for now, that was enough.