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.

to Mrs. Turner, who was still standing by the doorway, holding the vase. "By tonight, I want everything that belonged

strange mix of emotions. On one hand, I was glad Susan was taking the lead, clearing out the last bits of my old

this... nagging feeling.

shook it off. This was what I wanted-a

with this?" Susan asked,

I replied, forcing a smile.

"Well, someone has to. This place needs a

back her opinions. She

tiptoed

looked around again, her eyes landing on a painting hanging in the hallway. "And that," she said, pointing at it, "that ugly thing needs to

was some landscape Sarah had picked out.

me,

Susan continued, "I

to remove the painting. I watched them work, feeling that strange twinge in my

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

was with Susan now, the woman who didn't hold back, the

leaning in close. "We're going to make this place

her enthusiasm. "Exactly. No more looking

and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. "That's my man. Now, let's talk about redecorating. This place is going to look like it belongs to us, not...

down, listening as she dove into her vision of the penthouse. She

felt relieved. This was what I thought I needed. A partner who took charge, who didn't need

the penthouse was

Susan chose, and the furniture was sleek, modern, and all

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

it off. "It's different,

sterile. What happened to all the stuff

He picked up a glass

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

my voice firm. "I like

"Sure, but it's... fast,