Having to deal with a bitchy third wheel

(ARIELLE'S POV)

Before I could unleash my fury, Jared's expression hardened. His voice had a cutting edge to it. "Sofia, those flowers aren't for you." He took the bouquet back from her with a firm gesture, handing them to me instead. "They're for my wife," he said pointedly, his eyes meeting mine.

Sofia's face flushed. Meanwhile, I could barely hold back a satisfied smirk.

However, nothing prepared me for seeing Sofia tear up and turn to Jared. "Jared, Jay-jay. I'm so sorry to interrupt your private time, but... the flower is for me, right? Remember back in high school, you used to bring me lavender flowers, especially on prom nights?" Jared looked thorn, as he looked from me to Sofia. Really? He was contemplating it? That flower was mine for Christ's sake, he should simply ask her to hand it back to me, the rightful owner.

"Arielle," Jared said calmly, "let her keep it tonight. I'll get you something even more special tomorrow, I promise."

I couldn't believe my ears. "You are unbelievable, Jared!" I exclaimed.

Sofia turned to me, smirking in triumph. She knew exactly how to manipulate the situation. But only I saw that smirk-Jared remained oblivious, stuck in his own old-fashioned sense of gentlemanly responsibility!

"I can't stand this," I said, raising my hands in mock surrender. "You two can have the house to yourselves, I will look for a hotel to crash in."

I turned around and stormed off to the place where I kept my bag, ready to leave. As expected, Jared appeared beside me, his face apologetic.

"Arielle, I'm sorry. You don't always have to lose your cool. She's pregnant, and I heard pregnancy hormones affect women's behavior a lot."

I wanted to scream and ask him what about me? Was I not pregnant too? And then the bitter reality dawned on me that yet again, my chance of breaking the news of my pregnancy to Jared had been ruined.

"I don't care what excuse you have this time. I'm leaving," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. I moved past him, but Jared quickly blocked my path.

"Please don't go, Wifey. Let me make things up to you. How about this-I'll make dinner tonight. You hate cooking this late, and I'll even do the dishes."

I sighed, as I considered his offer. I hated cooking dinner late, and I hate eating out too. If I sleep at a hotel tonight, I am definitely going to eat out.

Reluctantly, I accepted Jared's offer. Making dinner will be the perfect punishment for Jared, as he will have to do the dishes afterward. And besides, I wouldn't want to leave my husband alone with Sofia. Before I could respond, Sofia's voice came from behind me.

"Why would you offer to cook, Jared? Cooking is a domestic chore, and is meant for women alone. You see, I have been working hard all day, cleaning this whole house and putting away decorations I found Medieval and out of vogue. I'm so tired and can't lift a pin, else, I would have offered to do the cooking. As for you, Jared, I'm sure you are tired as well. Being a billionaire CEO is no easy feat, and after a long day at work, you deserve to rest. Arielle, here, should do the cooking. She seems so energetic and even ready to get into a fight, the energy will be a lot useful if she uses it to make us dinner. Besides, she is a domestic worker and cooks for a living."

With the way it spoke, a stranger would have mistaken her for the mistress of the

Sofia was crossing the line because he immediately

in that manner, Arielle isn't here to serve

glad that Jared had finally

hurt expression. "I can't believe this, Jared. I wasn't being rude to her, I was merely telling the truth. You have changed a lot since you got

I'm

her. What's the problem with him? Did he have to lower his IQ every time when he meeted his 'old friend'? I arrived in the

later, Jared joined me, looking remorseful. "I want

his determined expression, I just sighed and nodded. If he wanted to help, I wouldn't

are we having,"

glance at the ingredients on the kitchen counter could tell

stretched, thick with tension. Then, without warning, I felt his presence envelop me-his scent, rich and masculine, wrapping around me like

he murmured, his breath hot against

neck again, and I felt my resolve start to weaken. My waist softened, betraying me. "It's... itchy," I added, my voice barely

it?" he whispered back, his voice a

body's response was anything but firm. He knew exactly

a smirk, though his hands lingered for a moment

stove, trying to regain my composure. After getting the ingredients ready and placing the macaroni on the burner, I

time, Jared," I said, locking eyes with

a hand through his hair before taking my hands in his, his fingers tracing gentle circles on my skin.

me that excuse again. There's more. Tell me why she feels so unique

Jared signed, "If you insist,

an eyebrow. "Go

little," Jared paused for a short time before began, his voice quieter, "Sofia saved me once. I was getting bullied by some seniors, and she stepped in. They were the kind of guys who made life miserable for anyone weaker than them, and Sofia... well,

words. It was a side of Jared I'd

had to support each other back home. My

There was a pang of jealousy in my chest, but

me once, and I appreciate that. But

I nodded slowly. "Okay."

smiled, his charm flickering back. "Now, let's finish up this dinner. I'll handle the rest, and you just

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