Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart

Sarah's

POV.

You know when Zoe handed me my coffee with a smirk? I instantly knew something was up.

Usually, she would just plop it on my desk without a word. But today? Oh no, she had that mischievous glint in her eyes that usually meant trouble. "Okay, what did you do?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at her.

Zoe feigned innocence, her hands raised. "Who, me? I just thought you might want a little extra sugar in your life today."

She gave me a wink and strutted off before I could say anything else.

I took a sip. Ugh. She'd put way too much sugar in it. But before I could complain, my phone buzzed. Another message. From Richard.

I hadn't replied to him since our blowout. In fact, I was trying my best not to think about him at all.

Easier said than done, though. My mind was a tangled mess, and no amount of sweet coffee was going to fix it.

"Hey," Zoe popped her head back in, leaning on the doorframe, "you look like a kicked puppy."

"Thanks for that," I muttered.

"You want to talk about it? Or do you want to sit there in silence, staring at your phone, hoping it'll give you answers?" Zoe raised her eyebrows.

I sighed. There was no escaping her, and maybe, just maybe, I did need

someone to talk to.

"Richard," I said simply, not bothering to explain the rest. She already knew enough about my chaotic love life.

"Ah, the infamous Richard," she said, walking in and sitting on the chair opposite me. "Okay, spill. What's he done this time?"

"He hasn't done anything... not recently anyway," I admitted.

"It's just-every time I think maybe things could be different, that maybe he's changed, something happens. And it all comes crashing down. Like, I want to trust him, Zoe, but I can't shake the past." Zoe crossed her arms, studying me for a moment. "Is it Richard you don't trust, or is it the fear of getting hurt again?"

Her words hung in the air for a moment, heavier than I expected. "I mean... it's both, I guess. He's hurt me before."

"But he's also trying now, isn't he? You've said that much," Zoe pointed out.

"Yeah, but... what if he's just pretending? What if this is all some game, and I end up exactly where I started-hurt and alone?"

"Or," Zoe said, leaning forward, "what if you're running away because you're scared? Scared of being vulnerable, of opening up, of giving him another chance."

I bit my lip, trying to process what she was saying. Was it really that? Was I just too afraid to let go of my walls?

Before I could answer, Zoe added, "I mean, Sarah, look-if you think he's trash, cut him loose."

"But if there's even a part of you that thinks maybe, just maybe, he's being real this time, don't run before you've given it a chance. Don't let fear make your choices for you." Her words stung because they were true. "It's not that simple," I said quietly.

Zoe nodded. "I know it's not. But don't confuse protecting yourself with shutting everyone out. They're not the same thing."

I took a deep breath. Maybe she was right. Maybe I was running.

Richard's POV

I stared at his phone, waiting for the video call to connect. The spinning circle seemed to mock me.

My thoughts were already spiraling, and the last thing I needed was more time to think.

"Pick up, man," I muttered under his breath.

Finally, the screen flickered, and Martin's face appeared, blurry at first but soon coming into focus.

Martin was lounging on his couch, looking like he'd just woken up.

"Rich, what's up?" Martin asked, squinting at the camera.

"Everything's messed up, man," I said, running a hand through my hair. I hadn't shaved in days, and the exhaustion was visible on my face.

"Sarah... she's pulling away again. And this time, I think it's for good."

Martins leaned back in his chair. "Why? Last time we talked, you were all high on that kiss, and now you look like you lost your wallet and your dog on the same day."

"I don't know, man," I groaned. "We had this huge argument. She thinks I haven't changed, and maybe she's right. Maybe I'm still that same guy who messed everything up."

"Whoa, whoa," Martins held up a hand. "Don't go digging your own grave just yet. You've put in the work, haven't you? You're not the same guy. But you gotta give her time to see that."

"That's the problem," I said, exasperated. "I don't think she'll ever see it. She's holding onto the past, and I don't blame her. I was awful to her, Martins. I can't just snap my fingers and make all that disappear."

"No, you can't," Martins agreed. "But you can show her. You keep showing her. Don't let one fight send you spiraling into 'I'm a bad guy' mode. You've changed, Richard. I know it. She'll know it too, eventually. But you gotta be patient." "Patient?" I huffed. "That's not exactly my strong suit."

Martins chuckled. "Yeah, I've noticed. But listen, you can't force her to trust you. You can't make her forget the past. All you can do is be there, prove to her with every action that you're different."

I stared into my drink, feeling his words. "And what if it's too late? What if she's already made up her mind?"

Martins shrugged. "Then at least you'll know you gave it everything. But until then, don't give up. The old Richard would've walked away by now. You're not that guy anymore."

I leaned back in my chair, mulling over his words. Maybe he was right. Maybe I wasn't that guy anymore.

But convincing Sarah of that... that was going to take more than words.

Sarah's POV

I sat at my desk, staring at the wall. Zoe's words echoed in my mind-"Don't confuse protecting yourself with shutting everyone out."

She wasn't wrong, but what if protecting myself meant pushing Richard away for good?

I couldn't shake the fear that he would hurt me again, that I was being naïve by even considering giving him another chance.

Just as I was about to bury myself in work to avoid thinking about it, my phone buzzed. Another message, but not from Richard this time.

It was Wesley. I sighed. I hadn't spoken to him in a while, not since he bought me pizza.

Curious, I opened the message. It was short, just a simple "Hey, how are things going with you and Richard?"

The way he phrased it made me uneasy, like he was fishing for information.

I didn't respond immediately. Something about Wesley had always felt... off.

I couldn't put my finger on it, but I knew he had his own agenda. I just didn't know what it was.

Then I remembered something. That day in the office, when Wesley had subtly mentioned Richard's past, planted seeds of doubt in my mind.

It had worked, too. I'd started questioning everything again. Was Wesley really looking out for me, or was he just trying to get between me and Richard?

I put my phone down, my stomach twisting. Something wasn't right, and for the first time, I wondered if Wesley had been manipulating me all along.

Zoe's words lingered in my head for the rest of the day. Was I running from Richard because I was afraid of getting hurt, or was I being smart? And Wesley... what game was he playing?

I was still deep in thought when the door to my office opened. Zoe peeked her head in, a wide grin on her face.

"Guess what?" she said, barely containing her excitement.

"What now?" I asked, half-expecting some new chaos.

"You'll never believe it. I just ran into Wesley downstairs."

My heart sank. "What did he say?"

Zoe's grin faded. "He didn't say much, but... something's off about him, Sarah. I don't know how to explain it, but you might want to be careful around him."

And just like that, the doubts came flooding back. About Wesley. About Richard. About everything.

As Zoe left, I felt a pit in my stomach. I knew one thing for sure-nothing about this was simple anymore.

At the end of the day, Zoe stuck her head back in the office with a smirk. "Oh, by the way, I added extra sugar to your coffee this morning on purpose. Figured you needed a little sweetness in your life." I rolled my eyes. "Thanks, but next time, leave the coffee-making to the professionals."

She grinned. "Or, you know, let me just keep making your life interesting."