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.

not, he had prioritized his ex over me on the day I was supposed to break

husband lied to me? That you left me to

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

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.

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

I was in my office wrapping things up when a knock echoed on the door. ""Who is it?" I

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

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

the entrance, looking as effortlessly charming as ever, bouquet in hand. For a moment, I was

regained 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

forward, his smile warm but

"What are you doing here, Mr.

he 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 I know I messed up. Can you

back at me. "To make it up to you,

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,

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

to please a

chuckled softly, his gaze melting into mine before he leaned in and 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

usual grace. As we drove toward the penthouse, the air between us was

seriously, twenty years of crushing on Sofia? I have to say,

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

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

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

few seconds of racking my brain brought it to my cognizance. There was a light on, in one of

give me a confused look. "What do

pointing up to the

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

to argue when, to my shock, the front door swung open. There, standing in the doorway with a bright, smug smile on her face, was

I froze, exchanging

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

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255