Richard’s pov.After the karaoke night, something in me had changed. I hadn’t expected to feel this way again, but here we were, picking up where we’d left off all those years ago. Only this time, there were no expectations, no pressure. Just… us.The next weekend, I decided to take her hiking. It felt like a good idea. We needed some fresh air, something different from our usual city dates. I figured it’d be nice, simple, maybe a little adventure to keep things interesting. Plus, I’d read somewhere that outdoor activities are supposed to bring people closer together. Not that I was researching anything… okay, maybe I was. Just a little…well…a bit too much.I met Sarah in front of her place, and she came out dressed for the trail, wearing a smile that made my heart do an odd little flip.“So,” she said, grinning as she threw a small backpack over her shoulder. “You sure you know where we’re going?”I chuckled, shrugging. “Absolutely not. But that’s the fun part.”She laughed, shaki
Sarah's POVThe air outside had turned crisp and white. By the time we reached Richard’s place, the snow was falling in soft, heavy flakes. I loved that about the snow—the way it made the world feel like it was holding its breath, giving you a moment to pause, to savor.Richard unlocked the door, and we stepped inside, brushing snow from our coats. His place felt different tonight—warm, inviting, with the glow of a low light casting soft shadows. I felt myself relaxing as I looked around, taking in the little touches he’d added since I’d last seen it. There were throw blankets on the couch, a few more framed photos on the shelves. It felt… homey, almost as if he’d made it ready for someone.“You want tea or something warmer?” he asked, shrugging off his coat and giving me a half-smile.“Tea sounds perfect,” I said, letting my own coat fall onto the back of the couch as I wandered around, looking at the new photos he’d added. There were pictures of him and his friends, one with his
Richard’s POVThe snow continued to fall softly outside, wrapping the world in a cozy blanket of white. It felt like everything was muted, as if the universe was giving us space to breathe and just be together. I lay there, Sarah nestled against me, and for the first time in a long time, I felt truly content.That was our first sex together and incredible was an understatement. But with that comfort came a sense of vulnerability that scared me. As I watched her sleep, her chest rising and falling steadily, I thought about everything that had brought us to this moment. Sarah was more than just my ex-wife; she was a part of me. And now, as we explored this new chapter together, I realized how much I had missed her.I thought back to the laughter we had shared on our do-over date at the tourist spots, how we had teased each other, enjoying every silly moment. It was like we were discovering each other all over again, and it felt amazing. And then there was the cooking class, where I
Sarah’s POV.After a night of laughter, sex, and unexpected closeness, the world seemed to pause, allowing the moment to stretch a little longer. I hadn’t felt this content in a while. It was like waking up in the middle of a perfect dream, warm and safe.The next morning. Richard stirred beside me on the couch, and I glanced over, a smile creeping onto my face. His hair was tousled, and he had that peaceful look on his face like everything in the world was finally right. I’d grown used to seeing Richard as this serious, nonchalant cold guy, but lately, there was this softer side of him I hadn’t fully noticed before. Or maybe he was just letting me see it now.A thought started bubbling in my mind, one I hadn’t dared entertain before now: could we make this work? This feeling between us was new, hopeful, and so different from what I’d expected. My heart raced a little faster as I imagined a life with Richard—a real, shared life, with all the messy, funny, warm moments that came wi
Richard’s POVI’d never been one to feel nervous, not like this. Standing by the window in my apartment, I stared out at the snowy street below, hands tucked deep into my pockets. The apartment was calm, quiet, but inside, my mind was a whirlwind. Today felt different. This wasn’t just another step forward; this was everything. For weeks, Sarah and I had been figuring each other out again. We’d laughed, stumbled through awkward moments, and come out closer each time. I’d seen her smile like she hadn’t in years and felt myself growing, too. In the quiet moments, when she’d look at me like she trusted me again, I felt something shift inside, something I wanted to hold on to. And now, I wanted to take that final step—to ask her, to be sure she was in this with me for good. I’d spent the entire morning pacing, rehearsing what I wanted to say, how I’d bring it up. I even called Martins, my best friend, for advice. He’d just laughed and said, “Man, just be real. You love her, right?
Sarah’s POVIt was crazy, wasn’t it? The idea of packing up my life here in Madrid, saying goodbye to everything I’d built, and just… going with Richard. But the thought of it had remained in my mind, and now it was all I could think about.Still, as much as I wanted to believe it could work, the thought of leaving my business, my friends, and all the memories I’d made here was hard. I stared out my office window, the city skyline was comforting like an old friend. Leaving felt like I’d be leaving part of myself behind.But then there was Richard.There was the way he looked at me like he really, truly saw me. There was the honesty in his eyes when he’d asked me to go with him, to build a life together. I couldn’t deny the pull I felt toward him, the desire to give us a real shot.That’s when Zoe’s knock on my office door snapped me out of my thoughts. She walked in, looking casual as ever, her warm smile easing my nerves a little.“So,” she said, taking a seat across from me and l
Sarah pov.We finally got home. As I stepped into the house, a strange mix of familiarity and unfamiliarity washed over me.It was our old home—well, technically, Richard’s home now. But every inch of it used to be ours, every corner filled with memories I’d tried so hard to pack away. Now, though, something felt off, like stepping back into a room where everything looked the same but nothing felt right.I looked around, trying to pinpoint the changes. The walls were a different color—cool gray instead of the warm, sandy beige I had picked out together. The furniture was sleeker, more modern, and arranged in a way that made the space feel more like a showroom than a home. Small touches, too—abstract art on the walls where our wedding pictures used to hang, my flower pot, gone.It was Susan’s touch. I could tell. It was tasteful, sure, maybe even elegant, but it felt empty, devoid of any sense of belonging. A pang hit me, unexpected and sharp. I hadn’t anticipated feeling so... dis
Sarah’s povAs 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 made me feel 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 become so 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 wanted me to make this house ours. As I adjusted a picture frame—one of us from the hike in Madrid —Richard moved behind me,
Richard pov.The weeks that followed were like a dream, the kind of dream I never wanted to wake up from. Sarah’s recovery was nothing short of miraculous. She was her old self again—strong, radiant, and filled with the kind of joy that seemed to light up any room she entered. And our daughter? She was growing so fast, already wrapping us—and everyone else—in her tiny fingers. But the best part of it all? We were finally preparing for our wedding. Sarah wanted something small and intimate, just us and our closest family and friends. She’d always talked about having a garden wedding, surrounded by nature, with the sun setting in the background. And that’s exactly what we were going to do. The morning was a flurry of activity. Zoe was in charge of decorations, barking orders at Martins, who looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. “Martins, the flowers go on the left,” Zoe said, hands on her hips. “They look fine where they are,” Martins shot back, holding up a bouquet of
Richard pov.Weeks passed. Life felt like a blur of hospital visits, endless updates from doctors, and quiet moments spent in Sarah’s room. I was there every day, holding her hand, speaking softly to her, willing her to wake up. Zoe and Martins tried their best to keep things light whenever they visited, cracking jokes or telling stories, but even they couldn’t hide their worry. The NICU had become another constant in my life. Our daughter was thriving despite her premature birth, a tiny fighter who seemed determined to make it through. I’d visit her every evening after sitting with Sarah, watching her tiny chest rise and fall under the glow of the incubator’s lights. She was the only glimmer of hope in an otherwise dark time. “Hey, little one,” I whispered one night, my hand resting on the incubator. “Your mom’s going to wake up soon. She has to. She wouldn’t leave us like this.” It was a quiet morning when the miracle happened. I was sitting in Sarah’s room, flipping through
Richard pov.The morning of the trial felt heavy. I left the hospital earlier than usual, making sure Zoe would stay with Sarah. Despite the overwhelming dread, there was a part of me that felt strangely numb, as if my emotions had run dry after weeks of worry and anger. Martins met me outside the courthouse, impeccably dressed in his usual sharp suit. He clapped a hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding. “Today’s a big step forward,” he said. “Remember, this trial is about getting justice, not reopening wounds. You’re here to see Susan held accountable, not to punish yourself for her actions.”I nodded, though his words didn’t settle the unease churning in my gut. The courtroom was cold, and even though I’d prepared myself for this moment, seeing Susan seated across the room made my stomach twist. She didn’t look like someone riddled with guilt; she looked indifferent, like this was just another ordinary day. The prosecution opened with a detailed timeline of events, recou
Richard pov.The call from the police came just after dawn, jarring me awake in the cold, uncomfortable chair next to Sarah’s hospital bed. I fumbled with my phone, heart pounding as I stepped into the hallway to answer.“We’ve located Susan,” the officer said. “She’s in custody. We’d like you to come down to the station.”My grip tightened around the phone. The relief I felt was fleeting, quickly replaced by anger. “I’ll be there,” I said, my voice low.Zoe appeared beside me as I hung up. She had been sitting with Sarah through the night, taking turns with Martins to ensure I wasn’t alone. Her eyes were heavy with exhaustion, but her concern for Sarah mirrored my own.“Was that about Susan?” she asked.I nodded. “They’ve got her. I’m heading to the station.”“I’m coming with you,” she said firmly.“No,” I said, shaking my head. “Stay here. I need someone I trust to be with Sarah.”She hesitated, then sighed. “Fine. But keep me updated.”When I arrived at the police station, Martin
Richard pov.The cold, sterile environment of the police station did nothing to settle the unease that had been gnawing at me since Sarah’s fall. Sitting across from Isabelle in the small interrogation room only amplified it. She looked different—disheveled, almost feral—but her eyes still held that same unhinged intensity I remembered from before. Martins sat beside me, arms crossed, his body language radiating skepticism and disgust. The officer standing by the door had warned us to keep the conversation civil, but I wasn’t here to trade pleasantries. “Why, Isabelle?” My voice was steady, but my hands clenched into fists under the table. “Why did you hurt Sarah?” She tilted her head, a slow, deliberate movement that made my skin crawl. Then, she smiled—a twisted, almost childlike grin. “She wanted to take you from me,” she said, her tone eerily calm. I blinked, the sheer absurdity of her words momentarily robbing me of speech. “Take me from you? Isabelle, how many times
Richard pov.Morning came soon. The soft hum of the machines in Sarah’s room provided a false sense of calm, but every beep reminded me she was hanging on by a thread. My chest felt heavy with every passing second, waiting for her to open her eyes, to tell me everything would be okay. Zoe and Martins stayed close, their presence quiet but steady. Zoe would occasionally bring coffee or attempt to distract me with updates on the baby, but my focus stayed on Sarah.Martins had taken over the logistics—coordinating with hospital staff, keeping everyone updated, and ensuring the security team outside wasn’t slacking. It was just after 7 a.m. when my phone buzzed in my pocket, the vibration snapping me out of my daze. I saw the caller ID and immediately stepped out of the room to take the call. “This better be good,” I snapped, my voice low but sharp. “Mr. Wright,” a familiar voice responded—it was Derek, head of my security team. “We’ve apprehended Isabelle.” The words didn’t re
Richard povThe living room buzzed with life—laughter, the clinking of glasses, and warm chatter filled the air. Guests had arrived, carrying brightly wrapped gifts and wide smiles. It should have been a joyful day, a celebration of new life. But all I could feel was unease twisting in my gut like a knot that wouldn’t come undone. Martins nudged me as I stood by the window, eyes darting to the security guards stationed discreetly outside. “Hey, CIA,” he joked, his tone light. “You might wanna dial it down before Sarah figures out you’ve turned the baby shower into a covert operation.” I managed a thin smile. “Just being cautious.” Martins chuckled. “Yeah, cautious is your middle name. You’re so tense, you might scare the baby into coming early.” His humor didn’t land. I couldn’t shake the image of Sarah falling down those stairs from my mind—a thought that had no basis but still felt like an omen. Isabelle was out there. I didn’t know where, and that made her a threat.
Sarah pov.I woke up feeling like I was floating on air. Memories of last night flooded back—the soft glow of fairy lights, Richard’s face as he knelt before me, the ring that sparkled on my finger. I glanced at my hand, letting the sunlight catch the diamond, and smiled. It still felt surreal. The baby stirred, a gentle nudge reminding me she was there. “Good morning, little one,” I murmured, rubbing my belly. She responded with another kick, and my heart swelled. Today was going to be beautiful, filled with friends and laughter at the baby shower. But as I climbed out of bed and pulled on a robe, a faint unease settled in the back of my mind. Something I couldn’t quite place. When I reached the kitchen, the smell of coffee and the sound of laughter greeted me. Zoe was sitting at the counter, holding a steaming mug, while Martins leaned back in his chair, mid-joke. “Ah, our glowing bride-to-be!” Martins said with exaggerated flair, waving his hands like a magician. I roll
Richard pov.It had been a month since our trip to the nearby town. Sarah was now in her eighth month, and every day, I marveled at how gracefully she handled the ups and downs of pregnancy. But today was about more than just her strength—it was about giving her a moment to remember forever. I had planned a re-engagement surprise for her, one that would let her know how much she meant to me, now and always.“Martins, hurry up with the banner!” I called out as my best friend tried to figure out which end of the ribbon went where. He muttered something about not being a decorator, but I ignored him.The house was chaotic, but the good kind. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself as I rushed from one end of the living room to the other, adjusting balloons and making sure the decorations didn’t look like a Pinterest project gone wrong. I wanted everything to be perfect for Sarah. After everything we’d been through, she deserved that—and more.“Richard, mate, you need to chill,” Ma