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

Her crumbling world.

(SOFIA'S POV)

"Ms Sofia, this is Rachel from the card services department. Unfortunately, your credit card has been declined for the transaction you attempted today."

My hand froze on the edge of the phone. "What the hell? Say it again??"

"The payment could not be processed. Is there another card you'd like to use?"

I swallowed, humiliation tightening in my chest. My heart pounded in my ears as I stared at my wallet on the bed, blankly. My grip on the phone tightened, and my voice shook when I finally responded, "No. It's... it's fine. I'll call back."

The call ended, and I slumped back onto the pillows, my body heavy with despair. Sitting in my bedroom, my throat raw from crying, I glanced into the mirror. The person staring back at me wasn't who I once was. The reflection was a hollow shell-cheeks streaked with mascara, eyes red and puffy.

I didn't see any reason to pretend I was strong anymore, after all, my days were collapsing around my feet faster than I'd ever feared. Everything I'd worked hard to build just came crumbling down like a wall of powder on a windy autumn day.

Before everything happened I used to think myself clever, unshakable, with a plan out of everything and every situation.

I thought I was invincible, the one who never cracked. Jared's rejection only proved otherwise. He withdrew all form support without warning and left me standing high and dry, losing contacts faster than the speed of light. It turned out that most of them let me into their circles just because I was with Jared - I never really mattered to any of them!

This thought brought down a fresh torrent of tears down my cheeks with so much force I feared my eyeballs would roll down my face with it.

I'd never felt more alone my entire life. Just then, the thought of reaching out to the object of my agony crossed my mind. I'd tried a thousand times already without result but it wouldn't kill to call him one last time. I took out my phone and scrolled through the contacts list. I circled my finger over his name still contemplating whether or not to carry on with the call.

I pulled out a clean wipe from the box of Kleenex sitting between my legs on the bed and blew hard into it. When I'd gathered all the composure I could manage, I pushed myself to dial Jared's contact.

myself to press the call button. The dial tone echoed in my

tried again. And

Not even a voicemail. A knot of frustration twisted in my stomach, and with a frustrated yell, I threw my

an idea flashed through my thoughts. Jared took his mother's words like they were the voice of God. If only I could

and if I told her how her son had been treating me,

played in my head. For better luck reaching her, I

hard to get to Jared. He won't take any of

a different number. What do you want with my son?" she asked,

she really speak to me in that tone, and why did she address me

off in my head, a sign that all was not well. But I pushed it aside, deciding things were not serious. As long as I got help, whatever tone or name

know I love your son. I'm not perfect but I promise I'll

man. He makes his own decisions and if he says you're a headache to

hot brimstones, shattering whatever hope I had left. She was against me

I cried helplessly,

all the time for that while you two were still together. Now listen, don't ever call me again. My son's moved on from you and your drama and I think it's a good decision for him. I'll advice

Wait. Hello?" I cried, still in shock from the cold dismissal. Of course I hadn't expected the call to go all smooth, but I didn't expect her to

plans blow

The

smoky regrets and frustration around me. I was slowly coming to terms with the fact that me and Jared were in a building that had gone down in an earthquake. That didn't spell any good for me. Over

help, and I

earlier, I'd tried approaching a couple of friends I'd made attending high-profile events with Jared but they all had a story or an excuse to give. Everyone seemed to be avoiding me like a plague. It felt like I'd become their source of entertainment- an item of comic relief that

mocking smiles.

my chest as I sobbed uncontrollably. I bawled my eyes out in defeat, mourning the loss of my life as I'd