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

Moved on, and won't go back.

(JARED'S POV)

I was seated in the cafe, glancing at my wristwatch for what felt like the hundredth time. Arielle hasn't responded to my recent call or text. I was starting to get worried. Has she changed her mind about meeting me? Just as I was about to call her again, someone walked into my line of vision and sat down across from me at the table.

"Hi," she said, sounding out of breath.

"Hi," I responded and paused as my eyes skimmed her face. She looked flushed, the type a woman had whenever she blushed so hard from a man's compliment, or...or something more.

The thought of that aroused an intense feeling of jealousy in me. I knew she'd been out with someone when I went looking for her at the restaurant, and I couldn't stop myself from asking. "Have you found someone new to love?" I blurted, trying to sound nonchalant.

Her face dimmed, as disbelief clouded it, and then immediately, it turned cold. "Three years and your memory is suddenly bad? You shouldn't forget the last time we met; I told you my life was no longer your concern." I winced, her words stinging more than a bee's. But I don't push further as I deserve them.

"I know," I admitted, "but-"

"But what? You shouldn't be asking me that," she interrupted sternly. "What's this about Jared? You know I wouldn't be here if you didn't mention your grandmother."

My heart twisted in bitterness at the truth in that, and I guess it reflected in my face, but I pushed it aside.

"My grandmother's returning, and she still doesn't know about our divorce," I announced.

Arielle's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "You never told her?" She asked like I had said the most incredulous thing ever.

I shook my head, feeling shame and guilt washed over me. "No, I didn't." Then I leaned forward, my voice turning apprehensive. "You know she adored you, Arielle. She loved you more than a daughter." That seemed to work as Arielle's features softened slightly. "How's she?"

"She's fine...a bit fragile now. The past few years haven't been kind to her in terms of age, I guess," I said, sighing. "But that's not the point. The point is, she thinks we're still married."

"Why didn't you tell her, Jared? All these years?" The look of anger was back on her face.

maybe I held

wanted to say something, but it went shut. My words hung on the air like bad news, and for a moment neither of us spoke. After minutes of silence with no

to ask, but...can you keep up the act?' I pleaded, ignoring

budge, her expression unreadable, but

is gonna break her if she finds

together on her lap like she was fighting some inner

her sake?" She asked, her

(ARIELLE'S POV)

"Yes, for her

my early years in New York as a junior chef and even my status

I'll do it. It's

up with relief, and he leaned forward, his face inches from mine. "Really? Thank you

cold look. I might have agreed to help him, but I

this for one reason -your grandmother. Don't think this means anything has

he

course, thank you," he

I faced him. "And Sofia?" I asked. How could I have forgotten about her? "What about

I'm talking about You know, she's been the one you took more care of. I'm surprised you didn't ask her to do what you're asking me to do, and I want to be forearmed just in case she jumps out again as your "old friend." I said

Jared, and I

looking away, a guilty expression appearing on his

narrowing as I fixed him with a skeptical look. "You've made similar promises in the past that I doubt you're telling

immediately averted his

hurt, but I

He brought all of these on himself, and I'm just being blunt. The last thing I want is any more drama from Sofia while I'm helping him with his Grandmother, so

But Jared broke the silence as he turned to me with pleading eyes.

froze at those words,