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

rugs and

to sit. It was gone now, replaced by some modern art piece Susan had

looked bare to me, even with the new decoration. I shook my head, annoyed

I even thinking

in the back of my mind

muttered under my breath, trying to convince

Susan, not Sarah. Never

why did it feel like something was

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

was no tiptoeing around with her. She didn't need my

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

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

was doing. "Kate would serve

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

Sarah used to ask. She'd see the look on my face and say, "Tough day?"

a warm meal, maybe even something

big show of it, but it was

thought I needed that. Now, I

I had spent hours in meetings, and all I wanted was to sit

into the living room. Susan was sitting on the couch, scrolling through her

that. Anyway, I was thinking we should redecorate the guest room this weekend. Maybe add a

said, already back to her

my eyes for a moment. I remembered how Sarah

tired look in

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

Susan's voice snapped me

I opened my eyes to see her staring at

think we should go for a lighter shade or something bold? You're the one who has to look at

fine," I muttered, not really

I watched her for a moment, trying to find