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."

trying to sound enthusiastic. "Just... pick whatever

for a moment, then shrugged. "Fine, I'll figure it out." She turned and left the room, already talking to herself about rugs and lamps and God

at the corner where Sarah's old vase used to sit.

with the new decoration. I

was I even thinking about that

Martin's voice in the back of

breath, trying to convince myself. I

Susan, not Sarah.

did it feel

wanted. She was independent, and confident, and

need my constant attention, didn't

think that was perfect. With Susan,

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

glanced up from her phone or whatever she was doing. "Kate would serve you

didn't expect her

the look on my face and say, "Tough day?" Even though, I would

was a warm

a big show of it, but

needed that. Now, I wasn't

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

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

the guest room this weekend. Maybe add a little color."

said, already back to her

back, closing my eyes for a

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

about it or just

listening?" Susan's voice snapped me back to the

I opened my eyes to see

shade or something bold? You're the one who

sure. Light is fine," I muttered,

my answer, but she let it go. I watched her