Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart
Chapter 74

Sarah's Pov

The morning sunlight peeked through the curtains, soft and warm. I could feel it on my face before I even opened my eyes, and for a second, I just stayed there, wrapped up in that gentle warmth. Richard's arm was around me, and he was breathing slowly and steadily beside me. He looked so peaceful, and I almost didn't want to wake him. But as usual, my mind started drifting.

What would our life be like, years from now? Would it still feel this calm, this... simple? I turned over, my nose almost touching his.

He stirred a little, one eye cracking open as if he could feel me staring.

"You're awake already?" he mumbled, his voice rough from sleep.

"Barely," I teased, brushing a bit of hair off his forehead. "Maybe I just like staring at you while you sleep."

He gave a half-grin, eyes still closed. "A bit creepy, don't you think?"

I nudged his shoulder. "You like it."

"Maybe." He rolled onto his back, stretching his arms over his head. "So, what's the plan today? Or are we just gonna lie here all day?"

As tempting as that sounded, I had another idea. "How about a picnic?" I said, propping myself up on my elbow. "You know, fresh air, some sandwiches, maybe a little wine. You and me, away from everything." Richard opened his eyes fully, looking at me like he was trying to decide if I was serious. "A picnic, huh? Haven't done that in ages."

He sat up, rubbing his neck. "Alright, but only if you let me make the sandwiches. Your version of a sandwich is just... sad."

"Oh, really?" I scoffed, pretending to be offended. "My sandwiches are masterpieces, thank you very much."

"Masterpieces of chaos," he muttered, chuckling. He threw off the blankets and got out of bed, stretching again before heading for the kitchen.

"Let's see what we've got, and maybe you'll learn a thing or two about real sandwich-making."

I followed him to the kitchen, leaning against the counter while he rummaged through the fridge. He pulled out some lettuce, ham, and cheese, arranging everything with way too much care.

"Wow, such an artist," I joked, watching him layer the bread and toppings like he was creating some five-star dish. "You're really committed to this."

"Only the best for you, my dear," he said with a wink, adding the final slice of bread with a flourish. "There we go, proper sandwiches."

I rolled my eyes, laughing. "Alright, Mr. Chef. Let's pack up and go before you start making fancy salads too."

With the sandwiches in a little basket, we grabbed a blanket and headed out to the nearby park.

The grass was soft and green, and the breeze felt cool against the warmth of the sun. We found a spot under a big tree, a little shaded but still close enough to the sunlight.

I spread out the blanket, settling down and leaning back against the tree while Richard unpacked the sandwiches.

As I took my first bite, I had to admit, it was... really good. Better than my sad sandwiches, honestly.

"Okay," I said, nodding. "I have to give it to you. This is amazing."

Richard raised his sandwich like he was toasting to himself. "Thank you, thank you. I'll be here all week."

"Don't get cocky," I shot back, smirking. But I couldn't hide the smile on my face. It was one of those perfect moments where everything just felt right like nothing could ruin this little slice of happiness we'd carved out for ourselves. We talked about random things as we ate - the weather, the funny couple nearby who kept taking awkward selfies, what our lives might look like ten years from now.

He kept teasing me about our "future mansion," claiming it would have an entire room just for my shoes.

"As if I own that many," I said, rolling my eyes.

"Not yet," he replied, raising an eyebrow. "But give it a few years. Once you're officially Mrs. Sarah...?" He trailed off, leaving the last name hanging in the air, like a little tease.

"Mrs. Sarah Richards? Is that what you were going to say?" I asked, trying to sound casual, even though my heart skipped a beat.

He just shrugged, smiling in that way he did when he wanted to keep me guessing. "Maybe. Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

I felt my cheeks heat up a little, and I pretended to be more focused on my sandwich than the way his words made me feel.

Mrs. Sarah Richards... I've once bore that name and although it sounded familiar but also strange and...right.

"Maybe," I replied, keeping my tone light. "But that's a lot of shoes to buy, Mr. Richards."

He burst out laughing, and I couldn't help but join in. We finished our sandwiches, and he reached into the basket, pulling out a small box I hadn't noticed before. "What's this?" I asked, looking at him suspiciously.

"Open it," he said, looking more pleased with himself than ever.

I took the box and opened it to find a delicate bracelet inside. It was simple but beautiful - a small silver chain with a tiny heart charm dangling from it.

My fingers touched the charm, feeling its smooth surface, and my heart swelled a little.

"For you," he said, watching my reaction closely. "Just a little something... to remind you of today."

"It's beautiful," I whispered, feeling a little choked up. "Thank you."

He helped me fasten it around my wrist, and I couldn't stop staring at it, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the sun. "Look at you," he teased, nudging me. "You're getting all mushy on me."

"Shut up," I muttered, trying not to smile too much. "I just... I really like it, that's all."

We sat there for a while, not saying much, just enjoying the quiet and the feeling of being together.

It was one of those moments where everything felt like it was falling into place, like maybe this was how life was supposed to be.

But as we started to pack up, I noticed something odd. Across the park, near the trees, there was a man holding a camera, pointing it in our direction.

My heart skipped a beat, and a shiver ran down my spine.

"Richard," I said, my voice low. "Don't look now, but... there's someone over there. With a camera."

Richard's expression turned serious, and he glanced in the direction I'd indicated. His jaw clenched, and his whole body tensed.

He didn't say anything, just stood there, watching the stranger for a moment.

"Stay here," he murmured, his tone leaving no room for argument. He took a few steps toward the man, but as soon as he did, the stranger turned and walked away, disappearing behind the trees. Richard returned, his face tight with tension. "Probably just some random photographer," he said, but there was a look in his eyes that told me he wasn't convinced.

"Random photographers don't just hang around taking pictures of strangers in the park," I replied, feeling a knot of worry forming in my stomach.

He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, trying to brush it off. "Let's not jump to conclusions. Could be nothing."

But as we packed up the last of our things and headed back, I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.

The way the man had looked at us, the way he'd disappeared the second Richard got closer... it all felt too strange to be a coincidence.

I glanced down at the bracelet on my wrist, twisting the little charm between my fingers.

The day had started out so perfect, but now there was a shadow over it, a lingering unease I couldn't ignore.

Maybe it was nothing. Maybe I was just being paranoid.

But somehow, deep down, I knew... this wasn't the last we'd see of that stranger.