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."

sound enthusiastic. "Just... pick whatever you

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 knows what else. I let out a sigh,

old vase used to sit. It was gone now, replaced by some modern

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

was I even thinking about that

Martin's voice in the back of my mind again. "Are you sure you're

under my breath, trying to convince myself. I made

not

it feel

Susan was exactly what I had always wanted.

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

to think that was perfect. With Susan, things were simple-at least, they were

things. Like when I

up from her phone or whatever she was doing. "Kate would serve you dinner" she'd say, not even

wasn't a big deal. I didn't expect her to

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

there was a warm meal,

never made a big show of it, but it was there-those small, unnoticed ways she

thought I needed that. Now, I

office, my head pounding. I had spent hours

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

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

already back to her tablet.

leaned back, closing my eyes for a

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

she'd ask if I wanted to talk about it or just sit with me quietly. And I would always walk out

listening?" Susan's voice snapped me

opened my eyes to see

shade or something bold? You're the one

fine,"

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