Mr billionaire's regret chasing his irresistible wife by Gabby Emmanuel

Trouble in paradise

(ARIELLE'S POV)

While Sofia clamped her mouth shut, startled by Jared's sudden appearance, I slowly rose from the chair, still reeling from the shock of all I had heard.

My heart ached-it wasn't just what Sofia had said, it was the fact that I had to hear it from her, not Jared.

I got to Jared and ignored him completely as I walked past, but he tried to talk to me.

"Arielle, please listen-" he said, trying to reach for me.

I shrugged his hand off and walked upstairs, my eyes welled up with tears. I got to the room and collapsed on the bed, numb, exhausted and disappointed.

Just then, a text arrived on my phone. It was from Jared. "I'm sorry," it read.

I stared at the screen for a moment, then switched off my phone, unable to deal with his apologies. Sleep didn't come easily, and when it finally did, it was restless and full of turmoil. The next morning, I woke up to an empty bed.

It meant one thing; he didn't sleep in our room last night. He probably slept in the visitor's room adjacent to our room. He always does, whenever we had a fight.

"Or, did he sleep in the same room as Sofia?" A voice whispered in my head.

I stopped for a moment to think about the possibility of that, but quickly thought against it. I might be having doubts about Jared because of recent occurrences, but I still am aware of what he was capable of.

I soon finished preparing and walked downstairs only to find Jared waiting for me at the foyer.

"Good morning," he said, planting a light kiss on my cheek as though nothing had happened.

"Yeah, good morning," I responded, trying to act cool too.

"Arielle, about yesterday..." His voice was calm, almost too calm. "Sofia's just struggling with the pregnancy. It's her first, and it's making her... needy. Please, don't take everything she said to heart. She didn't mean any harm."

Instead of softening my heart like the words were intended to, they only made me bitter at the fact that my husband was in defense of another woman.

I too was pregnant? Of course not, he had prioritized his ex over me on the day I

to me? That you left

just slightly. "I wasn't lying. I did spend the night

tone icy. "I don't care about your stupid old crush Jared. But hiding things from me? That's different! I don't even know

shook my head, feeling a lump rise in my throat. "I'm going to work. And when I come home, I don't want to see

closing time. I was in my office wrapping things up when a knock echoed on the

with a massive bouquet," she announced, and I didn't miss the giggle

an appointment? I quickly grabbed my bag.

a moment, I was

my composure and turned to Rebecca with a playful grin. "Sorry to disappoint you, but it's not some mystery hunk-it's just my husband. I know, I feel sorry too." Rebecca's eyes widened. I wouldn't blame her, Jared had only visited my new place of work the

smile warm but tinged

eyebrow. "What are you

have told you about Sofia a long time ago.

down at the bouquet, then back at me. "To make it up to you, how about

we'd chosen and decorated together after our wedding-made my heart soften instantly. That place held so many happy memories. It had been ages since we'd last visited, mainly because of its distance from my

pleased was an understatement, I was beyond the moon with excitement. Finally, a gateway that will help me forget all the dramas of the past days and who knows, it could be the perfect place to break the news

know how to please a woman,"

against mine. "And for accepting the offer." He handed me the bouquet, his eyes twinkling. I inhaled deeply, savoring

me toward the car, opening the door for me with his usual grace. As we drove toward the penthouse, the air between us was light and hopeful, a much-needed reprieve from

years of crushing on Sofia? I have to say, your taste has definitely

glance, his expression amused but warning. "Careful," he said in that smooth, low tone, "or you'll be in

but blush, a soft croon escaping my lips

It was located inside a reputable estate.

place what it is and a few seconds of racking my brain brought it to my cognizance. There was a light on, in one of the rooms which was strange. "Jared, I think someone is in the house," I

a confused look.

the room that had its light

paranoid. You probably forgot to turn off the lights the last

mouth to argue when, to my shock, the front door swung open. There, standing in the doorway with a bright,

froze,

hell? What are you doing here?" I