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.

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

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

just slightly. "I wasn't lying. I did spend the night at the office. Picking her

hiding things from me? That's different! I don't even know who

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

closing time. I was in my

replied. "A hot man is waiting outside for you with a

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

For a moment, I was taken aback. Really? For god's sake, he's pulling the

I feel sorry too." Rebecca's eyes widened. I wouldn't blame her, Jared had only visited my new place of work the day of Sofia's saga, so it's reasonable no one here was acquainted

forward, his smile warm but tinged

are you doing here, Mr.

told you about Sofia a long time ago. I have no excuse,

to you, how about a weekend getaway? Just the

of our first 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

beyond the moon with excitement. Finally, a gateway that will help me forget all the dramas of the past days and who knows, it

does know how to

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 eyes twinkling. I inhaled deeply, savoring 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 the tension of

of crushing on Sofia? I have

shot me a sideways 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

house. It was located inside a reputable

There was a light on, in one of the rooms which was strange. "Jared, I think someone is in the house,"

give me a confused look. "What do you

up to the room that

on, Arielle. You are being paranoid. You probably forgot to turn off the lights the last time we were here," Jared said, waving off

the front door swung open. There, standing in the doorway

froze, exchanging stunned

the hell? What are you doing here?" I snarled at Sofia, unable to