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

Checking his phone; yes or no?

(ARIELLE'S POV)

I was roused from sleep by a gentle tap. My eyes fluttered open and I saw Jared peering down at me.

"Dinner is served, Mrs. Smith," he said, his voice warm and teasing as he pressed a light kiss to my forehead.

"Dinner? I was startled and sat up. "What time is it?" I inquired, looking at the window, and I realized outside looked dark, but the room was illuminated by the bedside lamp. Jared chuckled. "You have been sleeping for four hours. Come to think of it, you never slept this much. Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," I quickly replied and got off the bed. I was sure my recent weakness and proclivity for sleep was because of the pregnancy, but I was not about to admit that to Jared. "Alright," Jared said with a nod. "Shall we?"

I nodded back, and we both walked out of the bedroom. As we strolled to the dining room, I asked, "So, what's for dinner?"

"Roasted potatoes, broccoli, and chicken," Jared replied with a smile.

I stopped to stare at him in surprise. "How come? You can barely boil water, let alone cook a complex meal like that."

Jared paused, then gave me a smile. "Sofia helped," he said, his tone a bit too casual.

A sharp pang of jealousy stabbed through me, quick and unexpected. I imagined Jared and Sofia in the kitchen, laughing together, working as a team. It was a foolish thought, I knew. They were both adults-exes, even-and I trusted him. But that didn't make the jealousy any easier to swallow.

I shook my head, pushing the thought aside as we entered the dining room. The table was set, and Sofia was seated, waiting. I took my seat, and Jared followed suit.

Jared cleared his throat and spoke, "Sofia has something to tell you, Arielle."

Sofia turned to him sharply, a questioning look in her eyes, but Jared nudged her slightly.

"Go on," he encouraged.

Sofia gave him a death glare before turning to me with a fake smile plastered on her face.

to apologize for my slightly irrational behavior lately," she began. "I've been having mood swings, and in case you don't know, since you've never been pregnant before, mood swings are

apology or a subtle shade? At the same time, I wanted to laugh at her words about my never being pregnant before. If only she knew,

roof," Sofia continued. "Jared informed me that you gave your consent. I

nodded. "It's fine, Sofia. Thank you for apologizing,

here and I've tendered my apology

the underlying sarcasm in her tone unmistakable. It might be to Jared, but not to me. Indeed Sofia was unrepentant,

I said, and

dominating every conversation and subtly flirting with Jared. She rambled about their past-how they used to have breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner at

you over for lunch because I made pancakes?" Sofia asked

eyebrow. "You mean that day you spilled flour all over

not the one who almost burned down our house,

outsider as usual. At some point, I tried to chip in a few words to indicate that I was still present at the table, but Sofia wouldn't let me

she wasn't reliving

twenty

dabbing at the corners of Jared's mouth, trying to take out invisible food crumbs. "You have a little something there, Jared," she

against his face.

saw the frown when she touched him. His eyes met mine in those fleeting moments, and for the briefest second, I guessed he wasn't entirely at ease with the way

would do to our intestines whenever we are starving, but I recalled Jared's words about Sofia's predicament. I took a deep breath and let it

to clear the table. Sofia offered to help, and I was more than grateful

I said, trying to sound sincere. "I'm

excited at my last words, and she smiled sweetly. "Goodnight,

and turned away. I returned to the bedroom, relieved to be alone. I took a long, hot bath, and I felt

I slipped into my sleeping gown. I got into bed afterwards, trying to sleep, but

I drifted off to sleep, I was roused by the shuffling sounds of someone moving. My eyes went open and I saw it was Jared. He

on well-formed

him because he suddenly

was caught staring. "Hey, you're awake," he said with an amused