Mr billionaire's regret chasing his irresistible wife by Gabby Emmanuel

Can a man and a woman be merely friends?

(ARIELLE'S POV)

momentarily speechless.

I looked up to stare at the person I had bumped into. It turned out to be a young man, and in the fleeting moment I looked at his face, I couldn't help but notice how attractive he was. His eyes were a drowning emerald green, and his features, chiseled and rugged, left me I shook my head, snapping out of the spellbound. "I'm so sorry," I quickly began to apologize.

My eyes darted a short-distance away, and I saw a phone lying on the floor. "Is that your phone?" I asked, not waiting for an answer as I scurried towards it, picked it up, and handed it back to him. "Fortunately, no harm was done to the phone. I'm sorry again."

All this while, the young man had not uttered a word. And when he finally did, he had an amused smile on. "No need to apologize, really. I should be the one apologizing."

I shook my head, "No, I was the one who wasn't looking and bumped into you."

He chuckled softly, the sound low and warm. "Then let's call it even. I wasn't paying attention either."

I couldn't help but smile, caught off guard by how effortlessly charming he seemed. He extended his hand. "Dwayne, by the way."

Just as I reached out to shake his hand, Ashley's voice called out, cutting through the moment. "Arielle, where have you been? I told you I'd be right back after the call!"

I withdrew my hand quickly, giving Dwayne an apologetic look before turning to Ashley. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wander off."

Dwayne's gaze lingered on me, his smile not fading. "That was Jared Smith in that garden, right?"

Yeah, with his best friend. I held that sentence back but nodded, a bit surprised he recognized Jared, but that's not a rare thing since Jared is quite famous in New York city.

I hesitated, "Um, do you come here for him?"

He smiled, "No. I just had a feeling that you and me, we'd cross paths again."

His words struck me, but before I could respond, Ashley pulled me along. "Come on, we need to go."

!!

As I walked away, I cast a glance back at Dwayne. He stood there, watching me with a gentle yet unreadable expression.

Ashley gave me a curious look. "Who was that alluring fox?"

I couldn't help but smile at her choice of words-classic Ashley. Shaking my head, I replied, "Just a weirdo I bumped into."

She laughed, giving me a teasing nudge. "Really? Isn't it always the case that the hottest guys are the craziest? Total package."

I chuckled, rolling my eyes. "I don't know about all that."

Ashley raised an eyebrow, her playful grin returning. "So... do you still want to explore the garden?"

I thought of it, but the image of Jared and Sofia conversing flashed in my mind, and I quickly shook my head. I would rather not bump into them again. "No, I'm tired. I need to rest." "That's right. Let's head back inside," she said and led me back to my hospital room. We got inside, and she helped me into bed.

"Try to rest, okay?"

of Jared and Sofia in

saying wouldn't leave me, and I didn't realize I was tossing on the bed until Ashley's voice

You seem restless, should I get

"I'm fine -"

Did something happen in the garden while I

I can't tell her I saw

to say, but the door swung open, and the doctor Wade walked in, an interruption I was grateful

like I promised, Mrs. Smith," Doctor

the examination. She was done in no time and

nurse handed her the file. "Mrs. Smith, these results just came in from the lab from the series of tests we

I felt a knot in my stomach, and my heart raced with anxiety. What was I expecting? This was a hospital, and they were bound to find out. I'm even surprised it took them this long. Ashley

Wade nodded,

and jumped on me, "You're pregnant, girl! I'm going to be a godmother!" She wrapped her arms around me, and I managed to smile, trying not to

for not telling her sooner. Seeing her this

smiling, said, "Congratulations, once again. I

me, by blurting, "Does my

I felt Ashley's arms around me, stiffen. "No,

further with my next words. "Can you please not

"Why, if I may

It's our first pregnancy, and I want to break the news to him myself." I winced inwardly at how easily the lie rolled off

relaxed, and the smile returned to her face. "Alright, I wouldn't ruin the surprise

to respond. She eventually stopped when she noticed I wasn't as excited as

sighed, "I am,

look? And you don't even

was no point keeping things from her. "I knew

arms around me loosened. "You don't mean

proceeded to narrate how I discovered about the pregnancy on the eve of my wedding anniversary. Jared's call that night, to the caller turning

bad, and to think you have kept all of these from me. How many more secrets are you hiding from

promise. I'm sorry, Ashley. Believe

days have been hectic for you, and I can't blame you. Just promise you won't keep

promise. It's never gonna happen

secretive

"Thank you."

think you should

but with his attitude lately, and Sofia clinging on to him like a life jacket, it seems impossible. I feel he will not react to the news the way I expect him to

him. He is probably doting on Sofia because she is pregnant. Realizing his own wife

don't think Jared's sudden nonchalance towards me is because of the pregnancy. I think

"I don't think -"

a question?" I asked,

surprised, but

think a man and a woman can be together for