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.

of pregnancy, was he aware that I too was pregnant? Of course not, he had prioritized his

Am I supposed to just ignore the fact that my husband lied to me? That you

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

don't care 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

to work. And when I come home, I don't want to see her here again. Do you

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

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

Did 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 taken aback. Really? For god's sake, he's pulling the 'charming husband' card again? Trying to win me over

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

but tinged

raised an eyebrow. "What are you doing here,

said smoothly, stepping closer, "for being a jerk. Arielle, I should have told you about Sofia

back at me. "To make it up to you, how about a weekend getaway? Just the

wedding-made my heart soften instantly. That place

and who knows, it could be the perfect place to break the

Smith does know how to please a

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 scent of lavender-my favorite. "Thank you," I whispered, feeling the

we drove toward the penthouse,

on Sofia?

said in that smooth, low tone, "or

a soft croon escaping my

hour later, we pulled up at the parking lot of the house. It was located inside a reputable estate. But as we alighted,

to place what it is 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 in the house," I informed Jared as we approached

a confused look. "What do you

said, pointing up to the room that had

are being paranoid. You probably forgot to turn off the lights the last time we

my shock, the front door swung open.

froze,

the hell? What are you doing here?" I snarled at