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

scoffing at her words. Was this an apology or a subtle shade? At the same time, I wanted to laugh at her words about my never

continued. "Jared informed me that you gave your consent.

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

exclaimed. "Now that the queen is here and I've tendered my apology to

but not to

said, and

to her usual annoying self, dominating every conversation and subtly flirting with Jared. She rambled about

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

day you

up! At least I was not the one who almost

smile, feeling like an 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

she wasn't reliving

twenty

take out invisible food crumbs. "You have a little something there,

against his face.

eyes met mine in those fleeting

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

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

trying to sound sincere.

words,

relieved to be alone. I took

but my mind kept wandering. I couldn't

I was roused by the shuffling sounds of someone moving. My eyes went open and I saw

to admire him. His upper body was bare to his torso. His biceps protruded on well-formed arms, and his back was toned, with a narrow waist. Jared was an attractive

eyes on him because

a flutter in my belly when I was caught staring. "Hey,

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