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.

had prioritized his ex over me on

fact that my husband lied to me? That you left me to comfort another woman in the middle of the

wasn't lying. I did

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

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

day at 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

you with a massive bouquet," she announced, and I didn't miss the

Did I have an appointment? I quickly grabbed my bag.

as 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 me over with those

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

but tinged with apology. "Hello, Mrs.

are you

I should have told you about Sofia a long time ago. I

to you, how about a

heart soften instantly. That place held so many happy memories. It had been ages

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.

Smith does 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 lavender-my favorite. "Thank you," I whispered, feeling the tension between us

me toward the car, opening 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

on Sofia? I have to say, your

he said in that smooth, low tone, "or

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

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

to give me a confused look. "What do

pointing up to the

off the lights the last time we

opened my mouth to argue when, to my shock, the front door swung open. There, standing in the doorway with a bright, smug smile

and I froze, exchanging stunned

are you doing here?" I snarled