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.

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

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

sighed, his composure slipping just slightly. "I wasn't lying. I did spend the night at

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 place of work the day of Sofia's saga, so it's reasonable no one here

but tinged with apology. "Hello,

eyebrow. "What are you

jerk. Arielle, I should have told you about Sofia

bouquet, then back at me. "To make it up to you, how about a

together after our wedding-made my heart soften instantly. That place held so many happy memories. It had been

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

know how to

lips brushing against mine. "And 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

me toward the car, opening the door for me with his usual grace. As we drove toward the penthouse, the air between us was

seriously, twenty years of crushing on Sofia? I have to say, your taste has definitely improved in marrying

his expression amused but warning. "Careful," he said in that smooth, low tone, "or

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

It was located inside a reputable estate. But as

on, in one of the rooms which was strange. "Jared, I think someone is in the house," I informed Jared as we

to give me a confused look.

pointing up to the room that had

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

door swung open. There, standing in

and I froze,

What are you doing here?" I