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

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."

sure," I muttered, trying to sound enthusiastic. "Just... pick whatever

to herself about rugs and lamps and God knows what else. I let out a sigh, rubbing my temples. Why did everything feel so loud

to sit. It was gone now, replaced by some

me, even with the new decoration. I shook my head,

was I even thinking about

Martin's voice in the back of my mind

my breath, trying

wanted Susan, not Sarah. Never

why did it

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

tiptoeing around with her. She didn't need my constant attention,

perfect. With Susan, things

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

up from her phone or whatever she was doing. "Kate

a big deal. I didn't expect her to drop everything for

ask. She'd see the look on my

make sure there was a warm meal, maybe even something

of it, but it was

I needed that. Now, I wasn't

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

living room. Susan was sitting on the

was thinking we should redecorate the guest room this weekend. Maybe

back to her

my eyes for a moment. I remembered

in my voice, and the tired look in my eyes.

it or just sit with me quietly. And I would always walk out on

voice snapped me back to

to see

go for a lighter shade or something bold? You're the one who

sure. Light is fine,"

clearly not satisfied with my answer, but she let it go. I watched her for a moment, trying to find the comfort I used to feel just being