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

Chapter 41 Sarah's pov.

Sitting in my office, I stared at the email that just cthrough. "Congratulations, Sarah Williams. The deal has been approved. Looking forward to working with you." It was official-my company had just landed the biggest deal of its career, a partnership that would launch us into a whole new level of success.

I sat back in my chair, letting the weight of it all settle in. This was the moment I'd been working toward for a year now.

The validation that every late night and stressful meeting had been worth it. I should have been over the moon. And I was-at least, on the surface. But why did I feel like something was missing? Before I could dwell on it too much, my phone buzzed. It was Emma.

"Hey, superstar!" Her voice was bright and cheerful. "Just heard the news. How does it feel to be on top of the world?" I laughed, but it cout a little forced. "It feels... surreal. I mean, I knew we had a good chance, but seeing it in writing makes it real, you know?" "That's because it is real," Emma said firmly. "You've earned this, Sarah. You've worked your butt off to get here." "Yeah, I guess so," I said, still staring at the email."It just feels... weird. Like, I should be celebrating, but something's holdingback." There was a pause on Emma's end. I could practically hear her wheels turning, trying to figureout, as usual. "Alright," she said slowly, "spill. What's really going on? Is it Richard again?" I sighed. Emma knewtoo well. "I don't know," I admitted. "Maybe? I mean, I've been telling myself I'm over it, that I've moved on, but..." "But you haven't," she finished for me.

"Exactly," I said, rubbing my temples. "And I hate that. I hate that he's still in my head, even after everything. I'm finally where I want to be professionally, but emotionally, I feel like I'm stuck." Emma let out a soft laugh. "Sarah, you're not a robot. You don't just flip a switch and turn off years of feelings. You're human. It's okay to feel conflicted, even when you're killing it in business." I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my desk. "Yeah, but I don't want to feel conflicted. I want to feel like I've truly moved on. Like this deal, this success is enough to close that chapter for good." "Look," Emma said, her tone softening, "you've been through a lot. Richard put you through the wringer, and it's not going to magically disappear just because you landed a huge deal." "But you're doing the right thing. You're focusing on your future, not your past." "I know," I said, nodding. "It's just hard sometimes. I feel like every tI make progress, something pullsback." "Like, just when I think I'm over him, I'll see his npop up somewhere, or I'll get a stupid reminder of our past, and it throwsoff." Emma chuckled. "You're going to get reminders, Sarah. That's part of life. But the fact that you're noticing them and still moving forward? That's growth. You're not letting him define you anymore." I leaned back in my chair, staring out the window. "I guess I just thought by now, I'd be... free. Like, completely over it. But I'm realizing that it's not that simple." "It's not," Emma agreed. "But look how far you've come. A year ago, you wouldn't have been able to take a step like this, professionally or personally." "Now? You're making deals that will change your company's future. You're building something incredible." I smiled. Emma always had a way of putting things into perspective. "You're right," I said. "I just need to stop being so hard on myself." "Damn right, you do," she said with a laugh. "Besides, this deal is just the beginning. You're going to be unstoppable." The words gavea boost of confidence, but there was still a part ofthat couldn't shake the doubts.

I had achieved something big-no question. But why did it feel like this success was tied to my past, like I couldn't fully enjoy it because I hadn't let go of Richard? "Thanks, Emma," I said. "I needed that." "Anytime, superstar," she said. "Now go celebrate. Have a glass of champagne or something. You deserve it." After we hung up, I found myself staring at the city skyline outside my office window.

Emma was right-I had ca long way. My business was thriving, and I was standing on my own two feet. But part ofwondered if I'd ever be able to fully separate my personal and professional lives. Richard had been such a big part of both for so long, and now that I was moving forward without him, I couldn't help but reflect on how much of my success was tied to him-both the good and the bad. He had pushed me, in a way. His betrayal had lit a fire under me, drivento prove to myself that I didn't need him or anyone else to succeed.

But now that I'd reached this point, I had to wonder-how much of my drive was fueled by the need to escape him? And now that I was free, what was driving me? Could I really keep moving forward without looking back? As if on cue, my phone buzzed again. I glanced at the screen and, of course, it was Richard.

I groaned, tempted to ignore it, but I knew I couldn't keep avoiding him forever. We had history, sure, but I couldn't let that dictate my future.

I answered the call with a sigh. "Richard." "Sarah," he said, his voice smooth as always. "I heard about the deal. Congratulations." "Thanks," I said flatly, not in the mood for pleasantries.

"I'm serious," he continued. "It's a big win for you." "Yeah, it is," I said, not quite sure what he was getting at. "Is that all, Richard?" There was a pause, and I could hear him shifting, probably trying to figure out how to phrase whatever he was about to say next.

"I just wanted to... talk," he said finally. "Maybe grab coffee or something. Catch up." I rolled my eyes. "Catch up? Really?" "Yeah," he said, sounding almost sheepish. "I mean, we haven't really talked in a while. And I figured, you know, now that you've forgiven me..." "Richard," I interrupted, "I forgave you, yes. But that doesn't mean I want to get coffee and chat like old friends." There was another long pause. I could almost feel his frustration through the phone.

"I get that," he said slowly. "I do. But I just thought, maybe..." "Maybe what?" I snapped, more annoyed than I'd meant to sound. "You think we can just go back to the way things were? Pretend none of it happened?" "No," he said quickly. "That's not what I mean. I just... I don't know, Sarah. I miss you." I froze, my heart skipping a beat.

I miss you.

The words hung in the air, and for a second, I didn't know how to respond.

Part ofwanted to scream, to tell him that he had no right to missafter everything he'd putthrough.

But another part of me-the part that still cared, no matter how much tried d to deny it-felt a pang of something I couldn't quite name.

"Richard," I said, my voice softer now, "I'm not the sperson I was when we were together. And don't think you are either. But that doesn't mean we can just pick up where we left off." "I know," he said quietly. "I just... I wish things were different." "So do I," I admitted. "But they're not. And we have to accept that." There was a long silence, and I wondered if this was finally the end of it-if he would finally let go.

"I'm not accepting it." he said at last, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm not." He's such a stubborn Di...

I nodded, clearly frustrated. "Goodbye, Richard." "Talk to you later, Sarah." As I hung up the phone, I felt a twitch in my lips. He said he missed me. I shook my head.

I had forgiven him, but letting go completely? That was still a work in progress.