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.

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

the fact that my husband lied to me? That you left me to comfort

lying. I did spend the night at the office. Picking her up

care about your stupid old crush Jared. But hiding things from me? That's different! I don't even know who you are anymore." His eyes darkened. "Arielle, you know that's not true. I'm here. I'm committed

And when I come home, I don't want to see

time. I was in my office wrapping things up

junior chef replied. "A hot man is waiting outside for you with a massive bouquet," she announced, and I didn't miss the giggle in her

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

charming as ever, bouquet in hand. For a moment, I was taken aback. Really? For god's sake, he's pulling the

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 day

but tinged with apology. "Hello, Mrs.

eyebrow. "What are you doing

smoothly, stepping closer, "for being a jerk. Arielle, I should have told you about Sofia a long time ago.

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

house-the cozy penthouse 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

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?" Jared inquired, looking at me

Smith does know how to

kissed me deeply, tenderly. "Thank you, love, for forgiving me," he murmured, his lips brushing against mine. "And for accepting the offer." He handed me the bouquet, his

me with his usual grace. As we drove toward the penthouse, the air between us was light and hopeful,

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

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

a soft croon escaping my lips as

the parking lot of the house. It was located inside a reputable estate. But as we alighted, something

There was a light on, in

halted to give me a confused look. "What

the room

Arielle. You are being paranoid. You probably forgot to turn off the

my shock, the front door swung open. There, standing in the doorway with a

froze, exchanging stunned

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