He wants a second chance.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

I think it was exhaustion, but I dozed off a little, while still talking to Jared, but it didn't stop me from realizing when he left the room, being a light sleeper.

Curiously, I decided to go after him and see where he was headed. Barely a second after he left the room, I got off the bed and went after him.

I was careful not to be seen, as I followed him closely through the hallway. He soon stopped at a room door, and walked in.

I hastened my steps and got to the door, but it was not a see-through one, but luckily it wasn't sound proof so I could hear everything from outside.

A bit worried about who he was there to see, I subtly leaned my ear in the door to pick out every sound that came from the room. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait for long as Sofia's angry voice seeped through.

Oh, he was here to see her. Of course. The bitterness clawed at me. No matter how many times he claimed things were over, she still held this sway over him. Saving me today? Just a show.

I was about to turn away, when I heard Jared speak. My breath hitched as I heard him defend me, warning Sofia to leave me alone or face the consequences. He even said he'd put her in jail.

I froze, barely processing what he'd said. Jared, protecting me? It didn't feel real, not from the man who once watched in silence as I endured so much.

Still lost in thought and analyzing what changed, I didn't realize Jared was done talking to Sofia and had swung the door open until I saw him standing a few inches for me.

"Arielle?" His voice was low, frowning.

Heat flooded my face, embarrassed at being caught eavesdropping. I looked past him, catching a glimpse of Sofia's tear-streaked face, her shoulders shaking as she wept in silence. A part of me almost pitied her, but I pushed it aside, taking a step back. I had no interest in whatever mess they shared.

walk away, but Jared's voice stopped

I said sharply as I continued

suddenly said, making me

I froze. "Know what?"

locked onto mine with an intensity that sent chills through me. I could barely

tone that was filled with so much conviction, leaving no room for doubt, he asked the one question I have been

my son,

was thrown into a dizzying panic. "What

to me, Arielle," he interrupted, his voice steely. "I know he's mine. I am Maverick's

me like a whip. "How dare you?" I hissed, stepping forward. "How dare you

Maybe he'd never seen me this way before. But I didn't care.

moment of losing the first child, of birth, of finally becoming a mother-all alone! And now you think you can just show

hurt you badly, Arielle. I know that. I feel guilty about our first child's death. I was hurt too, and I'm sorry it happened! I was blind, and I made mistakes. But I'm here now. And

slightly raised. "You have no idea what pain is, Jared. You'll never know the grief of losing a child, the ache of raising one alone. I lost myself trying to be the best mother I

him coldly. "You should

but

wife, a home, a child on the way... and I threw it all away. I regret it more than I can say. Every day, I see other people with their children, and it's like a knife twisting inside. I lost it all.

hardened myself. This was his choice. I wouldn't let him pull me back in. "Arielle,"

cut him off

ice. "So what, you regret it now and I should be grateful? You want me to come back to you, dragging a child you didn't even know existed, because

thought I'd buried. Maybe it was the accident, reawakening painful memories, or maybe it was seeing him

the

you. An affectionate idiot. But all this talk of 'regret and 'mistakes' makes the past three years look like a joke to you. Like love's some game that you can just change your mind about whenever it suits you." I looked him straight in the eye, unwavering. "Well, here's

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