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.

dinner, we tucked Maverick into bed, and as I left him in the safe hands

my phone buzzed with

haste, I

in his kitchen, holding up a large fish, his

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

captioned. Below, a congratulatory message followed: "Congrats on your new position. The world's not ready for you

across my face as I typed

before I moved to Italy. He was the pioneer of my success story-he had informed me about the scholarship and convinced me to take

of nostalgia hit me. The place was quaint,

door creaked as I pushed

Stone!" I greeted him, and his

he exclaimed, pulling me into a hug.

led me to a cozy table by the window and we sat to talk. Over freshly made coffee and baked bread, we

Stone shared his story with

expression clouding

10 to

major setback. I had sell my properties and the restaurant land to get this

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

brightening up. "This cafe

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

did you, Arielle. I always knew you were destined for greatness.

"I'm glad

uncomfortable with

I have a proposal," I chipped in, changing

the chair, looking at me seriously. "I'm all

I'd love you to

widened, and then he smiled, a nostalgic look crossing his face. "Oh, how I've missed the 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 stress, it's all catching up with

I do have a nephew. He's young, talented, and passionate about