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

The chase

(Arielle's

POV)

I returned home finally, exhausted but fulfilled. My Mom and son were already waiting in the sitting room, and they sprung on me, yelling their felicitations as I walked in.

"We saw the news!" Maverick exclaimed, jumping on me. "You're famous now, Mama."

"Congratulations, my darling. I'm so proud of you," Mom said.

I smiled, sharing in their happiness. "Thanks, guys."

I walked to the couch and we all settled in it and I filled their eager ears with how my day went. But of course, I ensured to keep the accident and the encounter with Sofia's part out, so they don't freak out.

After my narration, I excused myself as I was dying to shed the dress and accessories I had on my body. "Excuse me, you two," I said, rising to my feet. "I need to shower and rest a little."

"Dinner will be ready soon," my Mom reminded me.

I nodded, grateful for the brief reprieve. Once inside my bedroom, I peeled off my dress, craving comfort. The hot water in the shower felt like a necessary luxury, but as it cascaded down, my thoughts somehow wandered. Dwayne. I hadn't heard from him all day.

No call. No text.

A twinge of disappointment tugged at me, and I sighed. Why was I so affected? He must have been busy.

Plus, think about it, he had promised to visit, to see me often, but we both knew how life worked. Adults made promises like that all the time, but those were just good words, comforting lies to soften the inevitable. People moved on. It was just what they did.

I smiled bitterly, then gave myself a light pat on the cheek.

Come on Arielle, forget about him! Women without men are like fish without bicycles! You are utterly fine. Pushing the thought aside, I focused on the warmth of the water, letting it cleanse the tension from my body. After bathing, I slipped into my pajamas and rested for a while, but my thoughts wouldn't leave me alone. When I finally made my way to the dining area, Maverick and Mom were already deep in conversation. Maverick animatedly described his day, his art, and his little adventures around the neighborhood with Nana.

I watched them, cherishing these moments, knowing how fleeting they were.

him in the safe hands of his Nana

bed, waiting for sleep to come, my phone buzzed with a message. It was a

I tapped

his kitchen, holding up a

the blood splatters scattered across his shirt. Does this guy always do this

with this big man today," he captioned. Below, a congratulatory message followed: "Congrats on your

spread across my face as I typed my

day was graced with another task. I was meeting with Mr. Stone, my former Manager at my former place of work before I moved to Italy. He was the

a wave of nostalgia hit me. The place was quaint, a far cry from the grandeur of the restaurant he once owned.

as I pushed it open

greeted him, and his face lit up with

me into a hug. "It's

we sat to talk. Over freshly made coffee and baked bread, we talked about

shared his story

expression clouding his

10 to

suffered a major setback. I had sell my properties and the restaurant land to get this place," he said, gesturing to

said, genuinely sad. Ashley had told me about the fire accident, as it had happened weeks after traveled. There was little or nothing I could

continued, his face brightening up. "This cafe is my new beginning and it

always been resilient," I said, admiration in my tone. "You never let life keep you

softened. "Neither did you, Arielle. I always knew you were destined for greatness.

marriage limited you a lot back then," he resumed talking. "I'm

with the new

a proposal," I chipped

chair, looking at

soon. I'd love you to

professional kitchen," he admitted softly. "I'm honored you'd ask." Before I could respond, he continued, "But Arielle... I've been thinking of retiring soon. The café, the

nephew. He's young, talented, and passionate about the business. He's eager to take on a challenge like this." I