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

A not–so perfect marriage.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

I felt Jared's body tense beside me, his arms freezing in place. I knew I had said something I couldn't take back. The question was, how would he respond?

"Oh, I think I might have used your shampoo accidentally," Jared spoke up after a while, trying to sound nonchalant.

I felt a raw searing pain in my chest. I was always painful whenever Jared lied to me, and it hurt even more because I knew he was lying to me.

The fragrance of the shampoo was vanilla, and I didn't use vanilla shampoo. I used lavender. That fragrance was from no other person but Sofia. He probably got it when she leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Is anything the matter, Arielle?" Jared asked. His voice was soft.

What could I say? What was left for us to say? I could almost hear his voice in my mind if I dared to ask him. The soft pleading, the reasoned excuse anything but the truth. I was so tired of his "good friend" routine. Tired of the endless dance we did around everything, pretending there wasn't a gulf between us that non amount of words could fill.

Was this what it was like for adults in marriages after years of silence? Just helpless understanding? It felt disgusting.

"No. Goodnight," I replied in a dismissive tone, not wanting to talk to him anymore.

Jared leaned over and pecked me on the cheek. "Goodnight."

*************

The next morning, I was awakened by the sound of a movement. It was from Jared, he had just stepped out of the bathroom. He smiled at me. "Good morning."

"Morning," I responded, then I furrowed my brows. "Where are you going, this early?"

Jared laughed. "Early? It's past seven love. I guess you don't intend to go to work because if you do, you should get off the bed, or you'll be late."

"Shit! I totally forgot," I exclaimed and shot out of bed. I had forgotten I was supposed to return to work today. The restaurant management had given me a sick leave after Jared informed them of my hospitalization, and my leave was ending today.

done, Jared was almost finished dressing. Most men would be done dressing with the time I spent in the bathroom, but not Jared. He was always meticulous with his looks, and that was why he made heads turn whenever he stepped into

a blouse and skirt, packed my hair neatly in a bun, slipped my legs into my flats, and grabbed my handbag. A quick spray of my perfume, and I was done. There was

you ready?" Jared asked, picking

responded, and we walked out

bottom, Sofia appeared with

I knew she was merely greeting me was

and I mumbled my response

asked, taking in his appearance. There was a hint of admiration in her eyes, and I

late," Jared said, glancing at his

fell, and she pouted. "I made breakfast for you, and I was hoping

made breakfast for Jared? Was I non-existent? Why only Jared, if she was keen on showing

reiterated. "Besides, I have to drop Arielle at the

do

her

saw anger flashing

е

watched the exchange in amusement. "On the contrary, I think Arielle is selfish. Letting you drive her to work even when you're running late, and also coming to pick her up after work every day She's stressing you out, and she should

my cool at this point, and snapped. "Oh, shut up, Sofia! You're a stranger here, and should have no say

concurred, his voice lacking the usual tenderness it carried whenever he spoke to her. And was it just me? I think Jared was avoiding eye contact with her. Sofia's

at Jared's arm. "We're

Sofia. I'll call you at noon to check how

he walked on, and I followed suit. I looked back for a fleeting moment to see Sofia rooted to the spot, her expression that of

laugh and

alongside Jared

and I slid in. He closed the door and walked around to the driver's side, getting in behind

he asked,

out of the compound,

stare at Jared as he drove, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. He was becoming