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

Home safe.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

I sat huddled on the couch in the dimly lit living room downstairs, my heart pounding in my chest, my hands trembling so violently I could barely hold them still. Thirty hours.

Thirty hours since the last time I saw my son, and I hadn't slept a minute. Not a single second of rest had come, no matter how heavy my eyelids felt or how desperately I tried to will myself into unconsciousness.

Ashley sat beside me, her presence a small comfort in the sea of anxiety. She had rushed down to be with me the moment I made a distressed call to her.

She kept trying to console me, but her words barely broke through the suffocating fog of dread that gripped my heart.

Together, we've sat, praying and waiting for feedback from Jared.

Every minute felt like a year, and each second without news from Jared gnawed at my soul.

"What if he's not able to save my son?" I asked, turning to face Ashley. No matter how hard I tried, I could not get rid of the feeling of dread and fear brewing inside of me.

"Don't talk like that," Ashley chided. "Maverick will be returned to you safely."

I nodded, but those words did nothing to make me feel better. They weren't what I needed; I needed my son back to me.

Unable to sit still for even longer, I pushed myself off the couch and started pacing again. The rhythm of my steps was frantic. I had already checked my phone a hundred times, but there was still nothing-no messages, missed calls, just the silence.

I grabbed again, staring at the blank screen as though willing it to light up, to give me the news I needed. I sighed, frustration rising like bile in my throat, and tossed it back onto the couch. Then I resumed my pacing, unable to stop, unable to sit still with the worry eating me from the inside out.

"You can't keep pacing like that, come sit. You need to rest" Ashley said, but I shook my head, unable to sit, to relax, to breathe.

Just then, just as I thought I might break, a knock sounded on the door, and my heart stopped.

I exchanged glances with Ashley. Without a word, I walked to the door and flung it open, and my heart skipped a beat.

porch, was my

for him. I swept him into my arms, the flood of relief crashing over me like a wave. His small arms wrapped tightly around my neck as I held him

down my face. "Oh,

to look into his face, searching for any signs of injury.

my son,

whispered, rocking him back and forth. "You're

eyes darting around the surroundings. "Who

moment, blinking in confusion. I had been

over my shoulder one last time. But the street was empty. My heart was heavy with

"I was scared, Mama. But my Daddy came to rescue me," he said those last

couldn't help but ask, even though I knew he

handsome man who was trying to talk to you the other day at my school. He was there to rescue me, Mama.

off balance, tongue-tied. It's definitely not a good time

turned to Ashley for

got back. How about you have a long nice bath, have dinner, and then we can talk more about your Daddy afterward?" Ashley said, smiling at him

Ashley said, stretching out her hand to him. He took it happily and

the breath I was holding when they left. I didn't see Maverick's question coming, and I sure as

and sent Dwayne a quick message first, letting him know that Maverick was back safe, and thanking him again for his help and lending

my thoughts

part of me went warm. The memories of how he was willing to put his company on the

much as Thated to admit it. How's he

his shares so what would

phone buzzed and I saw it was a call from him. Quickly, I picked it

just a fraction. "Jared,"

you for keeping to your word, thank you for bringing Maverick back

you there?" I asked,

Jared replied, his