Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart

Sarah's POV

Sometimes life throws curveballs at you when you're least expecting it. Like today, for instance. I had just gotten into my car to head over to Richard's place for "the talk"-you know, the kind where you lay all your cards on the table, brace for the awkwardness, and hope to come out without a bruised ego.

But of course, my car wouldn't start.

I tried turning the key again. Nothing. Just a pathetic click.

"Really? You're going to do this to me now?" I muttered, slapping the steering wheel. It wasn't like I was already nervous about seeing Richard again or anything.

After about ten more tries-and a quick but useless prayer to the car gods-I gave up and grabbed my phone.

I wasn't about to walk over there like a stray puppy. So I did what any grown woman would do.

"Hey, Zoe?" I called my assistant. "I'm gonna need a ride. My car just decided to betray me."

There was a pause on the other end before Zoe's voice crackled through, clearly trying not to laugh. "Oh no, not again. You and cars just don't mix, do you?"

I groaned. "Just get over here, please."

When I finally arrived at Richard's house, courtesy of Zoe's overly chipper mood-she wouldn't stop making jokes about how my car was trying to "save me from heartbreak"-I stood outside his door for a good minute, just staring at it. I wasn't ready.

Was I ready?

The door swung open before I had the chance to knock. Richard stood there, looking slightly disheveled but handsome in that effortless way that always annoyed me.

His hair was a little messy, and he had that half-smile on his face like he was amused by something.

"Were you planning on standing out there all day?" he teased, leaning against the doorframe. "Maybe," I shot back. "Keeps things... less complicated."

He chuckled softly, stepping aside to let me in. "Come on in, Sarah. Let's get this over with."

The living room felt oddly familiar, like I hadn't spent months away from it, trying to forget every good memory I had here. But now, standing in the middle of it, I couldn't ignore the knot in my stomach. Richard sat down on the couch, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, watching me carefully. "I know this isn't easy," he said, his voice low and serious. "Are we ready to talk."

I nodded, still standing, my arms crossed like they could shield me from the emotions bubbling up inside.

"Yes," I agreed quietly. "We really do."

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I've thought a lot about what's happened. About what Wesley and Susan did to us."

"But I've also thought about the mistakes I made... the times I let you down. And I just-" He looked up at me, his eyes soft and full of something I hadn't seen in a long time. "I don't want to hurt you again." I swallowed hard. This was it. The moment I had been dreading, but also hoping for. Richard was giving me an out, the chance to walk away.

But did I want to?

"I need to know something," I said, my voice wavering slightly. "How do I know you've really changed? How do I know you won't just... hurt me again like before?"

Richard's face tightened for a second, and then he stood up, slowly walking over to where I stood. He didn't come too close, just enough that I could feel his presence, the warmth of him.

"You don't," he said softly. "There's no guarantee I won't screw up. I'm not perfect, Sarah. But I swear, I've learned from my mistakes. I'm not the same guy who messed up before. And I won't pretend to be." I looked at him, really looked at him, trying to see past the doubt clouding my mind.

His eyes were sincere, but there was a raw vulnerability there too, like he was just as afraid of losing me as I was afraid of trusting him again.

"So what now?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "Do we just... start over? Like none of it happened?"

Richard shook his head. "No. We can't erase the past. But we can decide what to do with it. I can't change what I did, but I can promise to do better. To be better."

He reached out, hesitating for a moment before gently taking my hand. His touch was warm, comforting, and suddenly, everything felt real. Too real.

"But it's your choice, Sarah," he continued. "Whatever you decide, I'll respect it. Even if you don't want to give me another chance, I'll understand. I won't push you."

My heart pounded in my chest as I looked down at his hand holding mine. His words hung in the air like a challenge, daring me to face the truth I had been avoiding for so long.

Did I still love him?

Could I forgive him?

I didn't know the answer, but what I did know was that standing there with him, the thought of walking away felt... impossible.

The idea of losing him-again-made my chest ache in a way that no amount of fear could suppress.

Before I could stop myself, I closed the distance between us and kissed him. Hard.

It was sudden, desperate, like all the words I couldn't say were poured into that kiss. For a moment, Richard seemed surprised, but then he kissed me back, his hands moving to my waist, pulling me closer. We broke apart, both of us breathless, our foreheads resting against each other.

"Sarah..." Richard whispered, his voice shaky, "Are you... sure?"

I nodded, my heart racing. "I'm ready to try again," I said, my voice stronger now. "But you better not hurt me. Because if you do-"

"I won't," he said, cutting me off with a soft smile. "I promise."

I pulled back a little, looking up at him, my heart still pounding.

Richard's POV

As Sarah stood there, catching her breath, I felt like I was seeing her for the first time all over again. This was the woman I had hurt, the one I had let down, but also the one I couldn't let go of.

And now she was giving me a second chance.

I took a deep breath, still feeling the taste of her lips on mine. But I couldn't mess this up. I wouldn't.

"Come here," I said softly, motioning her to sit down. "You look like you could use something warm."

She gave me a curious look, but didn't protest as she sat on the couch. I went to the kitchen and grabbed a couple of mugs, filling them with hot water and dropping a tea bag in each. Nothing fancy, but it was something. I wanted to make sure she was comfortable.

When I came back, I handed her the mug, sitting beside her on the couch. Our legs brushed lightly, and I could feel the tension between us shift-less heavy now, more... hopeful. "Thanks," she said, taking a sip. Her fingers wrapped around the mug, warming her hands.

I watched her quietly for a moment, trying to figure out the right thing to say. But no words came. So instead, I leaned back, just... being there, with her, in this moment that felt like a small miracle. After a while, Sarah set her mug down and leaned against me, her head resting on my shoulder.

I wasn't sure if it was the tea or just the closeness, but something about it felt right. Like maybe, just maybe, we could figure this out together.

No guarantees. No promises we couldn't keep. Just... us.

And for now, that was enough.