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."

to sound enthusiastic. "Just... pick whatever

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

sit. It was gone now, replaced by some modern art piece

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

even

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

breath, trying to convince myself. I

wanted Susan, not

did it feel like something

with Susan was exactly what I had always wanted. She

her. She didn't need

Susan, things

myself noticing the small things. Like

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

deal. I didn't expect her to

used to ask. She'd see the look on my face

warm meal,

of it, but

I needed that. Now, I

pounding. I had spent hours in meetings, and all

into the living room. Susan was sitting on the

I was thinking we should redecorate the guest room

already back to her tablet. No questions, no concern,

my eyes for a moment. I

my voice, and the tired look

just sit with me quietly. And I

you listening?" Susan's voice snapped me

to see her staring

you think we should go for a lighter shade or something bold? You're the one who has

Light is fine," I

satisfied with my answer, but she let it go. I watched her for a moment, trying to find the comfort I used