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."

sound enthusiastic.

about rugs and lamps and God knows what else. I let out a sigh, rubbing my temples. Why did everything feel

to sit. It was gone now, replaced by

looked bare to me, even with the

I even

in the back of

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

Susan, not

why did it feel

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

no tiptoeing around with her. She didn't need my constant attention, didn't fuss over

that was perfect. With Susan,

noticing the small things. Like when I had a long day at work

whatever she was doing. "Kate would serve you

didn't expect her to

She'd see the look on my face and say, "Tough day?" Even though,

warm meal, maybe even

never made a big show of it, but it was there-those small, unnoticed ways she supported

thought I needed that. Now, I wasn't so

head pounding. I had spent hours in meetings, and

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

thinking we should redecorate the guest room this

to her tablet. No questions, no concern,

leaned back, closing my eyes for a moment. I remembered how Sarah

tired look

just sit with me quietly. And I would

voice snapped me back to

my eyes to see her staring at me,

a lighter shade or something bold? You're the one who has to look at it too, you

is fine,"

but she let it go. I watched her for a