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.

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

from 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 being pregnant before. If only she knew, but then, some things were better left

thank you for letting me stay under your roof," Sofia continued. "Jared informed me that you gave your consent. I promise to be quiet and stay out of your way. You won't

fine, Sofia. Thank you for apologizing, and you're

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

Jared, but

I said, and we

rambled

I invited you over for lunch because I made pancakes?" Sofia asked Jared, in her usual

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

up! At least I was not the one who almost burned down our house, while trying to

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 Sofia wouldn't let me get past

she wasn't

from twenty years

corners of Jared's mouth, trying to take out invisible food crumbs. "You have a little something there, Jared," she would say, her hand

against his face.

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.

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

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

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

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

the room, I slipped into my sleeping gown. I got into bed afterwards, trying to sleep, but my mind kept wandering. I couldn't believe Sofia's audacity, flirting shamelessly with my husband

sounds of someone moving. My eyes went

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

he sensed my eyes on him because he suddenly

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

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