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.

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

fact that my husband lied to me? That

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

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

feeling a lump rise in my throat. "I'm going to work. And when I come home, I don't want to see her here again. Do you

work was uneventful, a blur of cooking and cleaning, and soon it was closing time. I was in my office wrapping things up when a knock echoed

man is waiting outside for you with a massive bouquet," she announced, and I

paused, confused. Did I have an appointment? I

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

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."

but tinged with apology. "Hello, Mrs.

"What are you doing here, Mr.

being a jerk. Arielle, I should have told you about Sofia a long time ago. I have no excuse, and I know I

make it up to you, how about a weekend getaway? Just the

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

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?"

Smith does know how to please

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

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

on Sofia? I have to say, your taste has definitely improved in marrying me

sideways glance, his expression amused but warning. "Careful," he said in that

soft croon escaping my lips as I turned away,

the parking lot of the house. It was located inside a reputable

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

a confused look.

to the room that had its

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

open. There, standing in the doorway with a

I froze, exchanging

What are you doing here?" I