When Her "Death" Couldn't Break Him (Cecilia and Nathaniel)

Chapter 18

Richard's POV.

It had been two weeks since I got engaged to Susan, and she was on top of the world.

Everywhere we went, she flashed the ring, her smile wide and bright. At home, she took charge of everything. "We need new curtains," she said one day. The next, it was, "Let's change the dining table. It's too old-fashioned." She wanted to make the house feel 'new,' like a fresh start.

I didn't care much. She could change whatever she wanted. It was her home too now.

But as the days passed, doubts started creeping in, like shadows I couldn't quite shake off.

I remembered what Martins had said. He had looked me in the eyes and asked, 'Are you sure you're happy?'

At the time, I brushed it off. What did he know? I knew what I wanted. I wanted Susan.

I wanted the thrill and the spark, not the dullness I had with...

I paused, trying not to let my mind finish the thought. But it was there.

Sarah.

For all the things I didn't feel for her, she put effort into our marriage. She planned everything-events, dinners, even simple things like managing our household.

She was always involved, making sure everything ran smoothly. There was a structure, a routine that I relied on without even knowing it.

Now, with her gone, things felt... chaotic. I couldn't find my shoes half the time because they weren't where they used to be.

My schedule was a mess because Susan kept filling it with things I didn't even know about until the last minute.

"Richard, have you seen the paint samples?" Susan's voice cut through my thoughts.

She walked into the room, holding a fan of colors. "I'm thinking we should repaint the living room. Make it feel more 'us'. What do you think? Blue, beige, maybe a soft green?" I stared at the colors in her hand, feeling strangely lost. "I don't know, Susan. You pick."

She frowned slightly. "I want us to decide together. It's our home now."

trying to sound

"Fine, I'll figure it out." She turned and left the room, already talking to herself about rugs and lamps and God knows what else. I let out a sigh, rubbing my temples. Why did

over at the corner where Sarah's old vase used to sit.

with the new

even thinking about that

hear Martin's voice in the back of my mind again. "Are you sure you're

am," I muttered under my breath, trying to convince myself.

not

then, why did it feel

was exactly what I had always wanted. She was independent, and confident, and

tiptoeing around with her. She didn't need my constant attention, didn't fuss over every

that was perfect. With Susan, things were simple-at least, they were supposed

things. Like when I had a long day at work and came

or whatever she was doing. "Kate would serve you dinner" she'd say,

wasn't a big deal. I didn't expect her to drop

with Sarah... Sarah used to ask. She'd see the look on my face and say,

warm meal, maybe

a big show of it, but it was there-those small, unnoticed ways she

that. Now, I wasn't so

the office, my head pounding. I had spent hours in meetings, and all I

and walked into the living room. Susan was sitting on the couch, scrolling through

I was thinking we should redecorate the guest room this weekend. Maybe

she said, already back to her tablet. No questions, no

back, closing my eyes for a moment. I remembered

look in my eyes. She wouldn't have pushed on with her

if I wanted to talk about it or just sit with me quietly. And

Susan's voice snapped

eyes to see

or something bold? You're the

is fine," I muttered, not

it go. I watched her for