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

She won't go down without a fight.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

"No way! You actually spent the night with him? Just because of his grandmother?" Ashley's voice rang with disbelief.

"Shh! We didn't sleep together, Ash!" I felt the heat rise to my cheeks at the memory of last night. "We just... stayed in the same room, that's all."

"Oh, sure," she teased. "So innocent. You know what that sounds like, right?"

I rubbed my temples, trying to sound less flustered. "Ashley, do you have something important to talk about? It's a busy morning here, and I thought you'd be drowning in work too."

"Pff. I'm doing you a favor, breaking up your focus on all those orders. And if you even think about contacting him again, I'll strangle you."

Her laughter was infectious, and I found myself smiling, despite everything.

"Right," she went on, her tone shifting slightly, "remember that time I mentioned the whole Italian mafia thing?"

I rolled my eyes. "Vaguely. You mean that fling you had with that 'charming, dangerous man'? Marco, or...?"

"Keith," she corrected, a hint of nostalgia creeping into her voice. "And no, we're not together anymore. But, well... I got some news, and you should probably know."

"Okay, go on," I said, only half-listening as I checked the kitchen orders.

"There's been a shake-up in leadership," she said slowly. "The new boss... he's supposedly even worse than the last guy."

I paused, giving her my full attention. "That sounds serious, Ash. Why are you telling me this?"

"Because he's expanding part of their operations to New York."

My smile faded. "Are you sure about that? I mean, I don't doubt you, but... why New York? Wasn't he running things just fine in Italy?"

She hesitated, then added, "Look, my old man's still connected to a few people from his old gang days. He told me to be careful. And considering your ties to Jared... well, I thought you should know. His family's business has always had certain connections, and I worry about you and the little boy getting mixed up in anything dangerous."

The whole thing felt surreal. Back when I was married to Jared, I'd never asked about the details of his family's business. And now that we were even divorced, did I really need to care about it?

"Thanks for looking out for me, Ash," I said, my mind half a world away. "But I have security here. And as for Maverick, he's perfectly safe. No one even knows his real background."

"Still my girl," she chuckled. "But really, how did you manage to keep Maverick's identity under wraps all that time? Maybe Jared suspects?"

don't care if he does. No matter what, Mave is my son,

to keep his grandma content? I doubt Jared's motives are that simple. And as for the 'fragile grandmother' excuse-last time I saw her, she looked like she could kick ten of my dad's asses. I don't buy that she'd

searching for the right words. Part of me knew she was right. Jared likely had his own

I'm not going back to Jared. I've had more than enough of his games. Whatever he's up to, I'm

as I hung up the phone, Emma, one of the newer waitresses, rushed into

see you,"

and turned to face her. "Who

don't think so...

point, any thoughts of the

confirmed. "And, um... she specifically asked for

one of the managers check in with

with her. But...I really think you should come.

same place she was blacklisted and her engagement called

was noon, it was bustling with lunchtime crowd

approached the bar, and that's when I saw

Sofia.

course. Not a surprise

by the bar, her eyes locked into mine with a

hair looked somewhat tussled, her

breath, bracing myself. This

her voice reeking with a sweetness and I know

though he kept a polite,

his shoulder a light pat, keeping my own voice low. "Stay calm,

turned, frowning as I glanced at the security staff hovering nearby. "Why is she even here? Wasn't she

of the guards stepped forward, looking uncomfortable. "Ma'am, we tried

sparkling like someone who's just won

her voice loud enough to draw

that I had a problem

controlled, betraying none of my inner ordeal. "But remind me again; why do I need to know this?" Sofia's eyes narrowed, obviously taken aback by my response.

the information because

you to know

you can't get back with Jared! I'm having his child now, Arielle It's time you stepped aside," she said, looking

Rebecca came in, her brows raised as she took in the scene. Our eyes met, and I

enough of this entanglement, and most especially, I was not ready for Sofia's madness,