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.

The dial tone echoed in my ears. One ring. Two. Three. No

again. And

even a voicemail. A knot

they were the voice of God. If only

His mother adored me, and if I told her how her son had been treating me, she would not hesitate to put him back on

phone and dialed her number. I waited with bated breath as the dial tone played in my head. For better luck reaching her, I used

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

number. What do you want with

speak to me in that tone,

But I pushed it aside, deciding things were not serious. As long as I

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

makes his own decisions and if he says you're a headache to him

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

I promise I'll change," I cried

My son's moved on from you and your drama and I think it's a good decision for him. I'll advice you count your losses and move on too." The

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 up in

The

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 the years. i'd managed to build a

needed help, and I needed it

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

mocking smiles.

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