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."

to sound

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

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

looked bare to me, even with the

was I even

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

under my breath, trying to convince myself.

Susan, not

why did it

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

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

used to think that was perfect. With Susan, things

small things. Like

from her phone or whatever she was doing. "Kate

I didn't expect her to drop everything for

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

sure there was a warm meal, maybe even

a big show of it, but it was there-those small,

never thought I needed that. Now, I wasn't

office, my head pounding. I had spent

living room. Susan was sitting on the couch, scrolling through her tablet. "Hey," I said, collapsing into a chair. "Rough

thinking we should redecorate the guest room this weekend. Maybe add a little color." I blinked, trying to keep up.

she said, already back to her tablet.

back, closing my eyes for a moment. I remembered how

the tired look in my eyes. She wouldn't have pushed on with

about it or just sit with me quietly. And I would

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

eyes to see her staring at

something bold? You're the one who has to

sure. Light is fine," I

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