Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart by Hayley

Chapter 11

Richard

pov.

Susan walked into the penthouse like she owned the place. Her heels made sharp clicks on the marble floor, echoing through the quiet room. She stopped in the middle of the living room, hands on her hips, eyes scanning every corner.

I stood back, leaning against the doorway, watching her take charge. She was like a force of nature, and I liked it. No hesitation. No second-guessing. Susan was strong, confident, and every bit the woman I had always wanted by my side. No pretense, no forced affection. Just her, raw and real. "This place needs a makeover," she declared, her eyes sweeping over the furniture. "It still smells like her."

I watched as she called for the servants. They came rushing in, looking nervous. Susan was already pointing out things she didn't like.

"Get rid of that sofa," she snapped. "And that painting-trash it. It's ugly."

She moved through the room like a storm, ordering everyone around. Something was exciting about how she took charge.

Sarah never did that. She was always too timid, too soft.

"Richard," Susan called, waving me over. "Can you believe she kept this old vase?" She pointed to a small, ceramic vase sitting on a shelf. "It's hideous."

I shrugged. "I never really noticed it."

"Well, I did," Susan sneered. "It's going in the trash." She looked at the servants. "What are you waiting for? Throw it out!"

The housekeeper, Mrs. Turner hesitated for a moment, her eyes flicking to me for direction.

"Do as she says," I told her, keeping my voice firm.

Mrs. Turner nodded and quickly moved to remove the vase. Susan kept looking around, like a general surveying her territory.

"This place needs an overhaul," she muttered. "I mean, seriously, who decorated this place? It's so... bland."

I knew who she meant. Sarah. But I didn't say anything. Susan didn't need to hear the name to know who we were talking about.

vase. "By tonight, I want everything

I was glad Susan was taking the

other, there was this... nagging feeling. Something

This was what I wanted-a clean slate,

asked, turning to me, one eyebrow

smile. "I like

to. This place needs a woman's

held back her opinions.

of Sarah, who always tiptoed around, trying not to upset

eyes landing on a painting hanging in the hallway. "And that," she said,

picked out. She said it reminded her of

that way before. To me, it was just another piece

or donate it," Susan continued, "I

follow her orders, moving quickly to remove the painting. I watched them

didn't want to name. I brushed it aside. This was the new life

who didn't hold back, the woman who made decisions and

this place ours," she said,

trying to match her

let's talk about redecorating. This place is going to look like it belongs to us, not... you know." We moved into the dining

she dove into her vision of the penthouse. She talked about tearing down walls,

I thought I needed. A partner who took charge, who didn't need to be

week later, the penthouse was

been repainted in bold colors that Susan chose, and the furniture was sleek, modern,

or warm colors. It was all cold, sharp lines now. It was exactly how Susan wanted it. Susan was out for a spa day when Martin came by. I had barely closed the door behind him when he froze, his eyes wide as he took in the new decor. "Wow,"

play it off. "It's different, that's

happened to all the stuff that made this place feel lived-in? Where's-" "Sarah's gone," I

look at me, eyebrows raised. "Right." He picked up

a long sip, eyeing me over the rim. "So, Susan's

voice firm. "I like that she knows

looking down into his drink. "Sure, but it's... fast, don't you think? You changed everything in a