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 enthusiastic. "Just... pick whatever

already talking to herself about rugs and lamps and God knows what else. I let out a

where Sarah's old vase used to sit. It was gone now, replaced

spot looked bare to me, even with the new decoration. I shook

even thinking about that

hear Martin's voice in the back of my mind again.

breath, trying to convince myself.

wanted Susan, not Sarah.

then, why did it feel like

had always wanted.

around with her. She didn't need my

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

now, as the days went on, I found myself noticing the small things. Like when I had a long day at work and came

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

didn't expect her

to ask. She'd see the look on my face and say, "Tough day?" Even though, I would

make sure there was a warm meal,

big show of it, but

I needed that. Now, I wasn't

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

walked into the living room. Susan was sitting on

the guest room this weekend.

back to her tablet. No

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

look in my eyes. She wouldn't have pushed

ask if I wanted to talk about it or just sit with

you listening?" Susan's voice snapped me back to the

to see her staring at

we should go for a lighter shade or something

Light is fine," I

I watched her for a moment,