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.

was pregnant? Of course not, he had prioritized his ex

my husband lied to me? That you left me to comfort another

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

your stupid old crush Jared. But hiding things from me? That's different! I don't even know who you are anymore."

feeling a lump rise in my throat. "I'm going to work. And when

time. I was in

outside for you with a

Did I have an appointment? I quickly grabbed my bag. "I'm coming out

ever, bouquet in hand. For a moment, I was taken aback. Really? For god's sake, he's pulling the 'charming husband' card again? Trying to win

some mystery hunk-it's just my husband. I know, I feel sorry too." Rebecca's eyes widened. I wouldn't blame

stepped forward, his smile warm but tinged

are

said smoothly, stepping closer, "for being a jerk. Arielle, I should have told you about Sofia a long time ago. I have no excuse, and

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

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

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 of my pregnancy to Jared. "So, what do you say, Mrs Smith?"

know how to please a woman,"

for accepting the offer." He handed me the bouquet, his eyes twinkling. I inhaled deeply, savoring the scent of

the car, opening the door for me with his usual grace. As we drove toward the penthouse, the air

glanced at him playfully. "So... seriously, twenty years of crushing on Sofia? I have to say, your taste has

glance, his expression amused but warning. "Careful," he said in that smooth, low tone,

help but blush, a soft croon escaping my lips as I turned away,

It was located inside a reputable estate. But as we

to my cognizance. There was a light on, in one

give me a

I said, pointing up to the room that had its

to turn off the lights the last time we were here," Jared said,

swung open. There, standing

I froze, exchanging

are you doing here?" I snarled at Sofia, unable

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