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...

left the room, already talking to herself about rugs and lamps and God knows what else. I let out a sigh, rubbing my

corner where Sarah's old vase used to sit. It was gone now, replaced by some modern art piece

the new decoration. I

I even thinking about that

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

am," I muttered under my breath, trying

wanted Susan, not Sarah.

then, why did it feel like something

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

tiptoeing around with her. She didn't need

perfect. With Susan, things were

went on, I found myself noticing the small things. Like when I had a long day

glanced up from her phone or whatever she was doing. "Kate would serve you dinner" she'd say, not even

I didn't expect

the look on my face and

sure there was a warm meal, maybe even something I

made a big show of it, but

never thought I needed that.

evening, I came back from the office, my head pounding. I had spent hours in

by the door and walked into the living room. Susan was sitting on the couch, scrolling through her tablet. "Hey," I

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

said, already back to her

my eyes for a moment. I remembered how Sarah would

would've noticed the tension in my voice, and the tired look in my eyes. She wouldn't have pushed

she'd ask if I wanted to talk about it or just sit with me quietly. And I would

listening?" Susan's voice snapped me

opened my eyes to see

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

fine," I

go. I watched her for a moment,