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.

began. "I've been having mood swings, and in case you don't know, since you've never

an 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, but

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

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

queen is here and I've tendered my apology to her,

to Jared, but not to me. Indeed Sofia was unrepentant,

I said, and we began

self, dominating every conversation and subtly flirting with Jared. She rambled about their past-how they used to

invited you over for lunch because I made

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

up! At least I was not the one who almost

some point, I tried to chip in a few words to

wasn't

from twenty years

was dabbing at the corners of Jared's mouth, trying to take out invisible food

against his face.

mine in those fleeting

felt anger gnaw at my chest like worms would do to our intestines whenever we are starving, but I recalled Jared's words about Sofia's predicament. I took a deep breath

Sofia offered to help, and I was more than grateful to

sincere. "I'm exhausted. I think I'll

at my last words, and

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

gown. I got into bed afterwards, trying to sleep, but my mind kept wandering. I couldn't believe

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

his torso. His biceps protruded on well-formed arms, and his back was

on him because he suddenly swirled

flutter in my belly when I was caught staring. "Hey, you're awake," he said with