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

Chapter 69 Sarah's pov As I moved things around the living room, deciding which wall our old, oversized clock should go on, I noticed Richard watching me.

He had this gentle smile that madefeel like I wasn't just rearranging furniture-I was bringing a bit of warmth and color back into our lives. "Do you think the clock should go above the bookshelf?" I asked, stepping back to get a better view.

He shrugged, that playful look in his eyes again. "I think you'll know what feels right, Sarah. It's your touch that's making this place feel alive." I chuckled. "Wow, you've becso agreeable. I don't remember you being this flexible with decor before." He laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Maybe I wasn't ready to see the place in a new way then. But now? Now, it's different." His words warmed my heart. It felt good to feel like I belonged here again, like he genuinely wantedto make this house ours.

As I adjusted a picture frame-one of us from the hike in Madrid -Richard moved behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist. I felt this little spark, the kind that remindedhow well we fit. "You know," he started softly, "seeing you here again, bringing your touch to everything... it feels right." My throat tightened with a mix of nostalgia and gratitude. "It does feel like hagain, doesn't it?" He nodded, and for a moment, we stood there staring at the walls, then we went to bed and the rest of history.

*** Later in the day, I called Zoe and we discussed a lot. Trust her to be very iniquitive, she wanted to know every details.

And I did, next was my mom, it had been a while we've spoken through calls, most times has been through emails.

She was glad I got hsafe and I promised to csee her soon. Emma. She sounded off, giving the 'dont say I didn't warn you.' I assured her we were good but she just said anything that worked for me, I knew she was only looking out forbut I didn't want any more negativity.

And I was going to prove it to her that Richard and I were gonna make it work.

The doorbell rang just as I was thinking of what to tackle next. I wiped my hands on my shirt and opened the door to see Martins, Richard's best friend, standing there with a small plant in his hand. "For the redecorating," he said with a sheepish smile, handingthe plant-a peace lily.

Laughing, I waved him in. "Well, I've always wanted to add more green around here. Con in, Martins." He glanced around, his expression one of approval as he took in the changes. "I see you've been busy. It feels... different." I grinned. "Different is exactly what this place needed." We moved to the living room, and Martins sat on the couch, looking around thoughtfully. After a moment, he cleared his throat, shifting a bit.

"Sarah," he started, sounding serious, "I wanted to cby to say... I'm sorry." "For what?" I asked, surprised.

"For, well, that whole thing with the divorce papers and submitting the papers Richard asked," he admitted. "Even though he is my friend, he's still my client." I took a breath, Martins had liked me, he had always been the one consolingso I understood what he meant. Richard could be stubborn.

"I get it, Martins. You were just being a professional. And it was a rough tfor all of us. No hard feelings." He looked relieved. "You're taking it better than I expected. I cprepared to grovel, you know." I couldn't help but tease him. "Oh, I thought about holding a grudge. But then I realized I already got my revenge by redecorating this place in cheerful colors." Martins laughed, throwing his head back. "Alright, you win. But I'll have you know, I'm impressed. This place has sserious charm now." "Glad you noticed," I said, smiling. "I think it's starting to feel like home." We shared a laugh, and I noticed how much more comfortable it felt to have him here. It was like picking up with an old friend, the kind where everything falls into place naturally. Just then, Richard walked back in from grabbing a drink. "Martins," he greeted, surprised to see him still around, "decided to stay for the full house tour?" "Oh, she's gothooked now," Martins said, grinning. "And by the way, Richard, I've already apologized, so don't go holding it over my head." Richard looked from Martins to me, a hint of surprise on his face. "Oh, really?" "Yes," I replied, smirking. "He did. And he even brought a peace offering," I added, gesturing to the lily.

They laughed, Martins stretched out on the couch, looking way too comfortable. "So what's next? m Moving furniture? Need a third set of hands?" Richard crossed his arms, giving Martins a mock glare. "I think you've done your good deed by just showing up with a plant." "Oh, please," I cut in, laughing. "You know we could use the help, Richard. Plus, I think Martins is actually enjoying himself. Right, Martins?" Martins put his hands up. "Alright, alright, I'm in. Showwhat needs moving." An hour later, we had rearranged half the living room. With each piece of furniture moved, I felt more at home, like I was reclaiming our space.

Richard and Martins kept up a steady stream of banter, mostly poking fun at each other's lack of style and questionable muscle strength.

At one point, while moving a particularly heavy bookshelf, Martins shota look. "You know, Sarah, if you're redecorating this much, you'll En. need to cby and do the sat my place." "Oh, please, that bachelor pad?" I teased. "I wouldn't know where to start." Richard laughed, wiping his brow. "Don't listen to him, Sarah. His idea of decor is a pizza box tower in the corner of the room." Martins clutched his chest in mock horror. "Alright, alright, I get it. No Sarah-magic for my place."

After a while, the place started feeling even more like ours, with little m touches of personality scattered around. And, honestly, I was grateful that Martins was there, too.