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

Homeless.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

Maverick's curiosity was boundless, and Jared answered each of his questions with a patience that somehow irritated and intrigued me. But then Maverick dropped a bombshell. "Dad, will you stay the night?" Maverick asked, his eyes gleaming expectantly.

Heat shot up my face, and when I glanced at Jared, he looked just as caught off guard, his brows arching in surprise.

"Maverick, that's enough questions for now," I said firmly, after regaining composure.

But he persisted. "Please Daddy."

Jared's eyes met mine, and I could see the uncertainty in them. "Maverick, listen to your Mommy," he said gently, supporting me for once.

"Why not, Daddy? I just want to spend more time with you. Please, Mom?" Maverick's pleading tone was starting to break my resolve.

At this point, I knew I had to put a stop to his questions else we might get to an awkward position. "Maverick, we're still eating. Let's talk about this later, okay?"

Jared quickly nodded in agreement. "Yes, man, let's focus on dinner for now."

Maverick looked down, his shoulders slumping in disappointment, but he nodded.

And the rest of the dinner was in silence, save for a little conversation here and there. The tension in the room was thick, and I could feel Jared's eyes on me.

Dinner soon ended, and I cleared the table, trying to break the silence. Maverick and Jared stayed back, talking in hushed tones.

That's when Milo, our energetic Doberman puppy, bounded into the room and latched onto Jared's trouser leg with a playful tug. Jared startled, then laughed softly as Milo growled in mock ferocity. "He's adorable," Jared remarked, crouching to pat the puppy's head.

Maverick grinned proudly. "I got him from my best uncle!"

"Oh really? Who's this 'best uncle'?"

Maverick opened his mouth to answer, but I stepped in immediately, my tone clipped. "Alright, Maverick, time to get ready for bed, sweetie."

Jared glanced up at me, his brow furrowing slightly.

Maverick pouted. "Aww, Mommy, do I have to?" Then he turned to Jared, his last hope. "Dad, will you visit again?"

"I sure will, man." he said and I frowned.

lit up at

glanced my way looking conflicted. "We'll

Nana, leaving Jared and me alone

face him. "Why would you promise him

looked taken aback, his calm slipping for a moment before he responded. "I thought we agreed, Arielle. He knows I'm his father now, and it's clear he enjoys spending time with me. You

out a cold laugh, crossing my arms. "Jared, things were clear between us. The more my son gets wrapped up in your life, the more likely he is to get hurt. You can keep hiding the truth for now, but what happens later? How do you plan to tell him everything

his face,

Maybe he can see you when he's older,

Arielle. That's running. You're overprotective,

his father a week ago? And what happened right after? He was kidnapped. Kidnapped! How am I supposed to trust you

flinched at my words,

still young. I can find someone else

warm and unsettlingly close against my skin. "Don't," he said slowly, his voice rough with warning. "Don't even think

dizzying, his intensity sharp enough to cut through my anger. My ears burned as

the unsteadiness in my

eyes searched mine, dark and unreadable. "Arielle," he murmured, his voice dropping an octave.

chest tight. "You need to

moment, then finally stepped back. "Thanks for letting me come," he said, his voice softer now, almost

meet his gaze again as I

if wanting to say more. But instead, he turned and walked

into his car, before shutting

to give me even a

me," came my mom's disapproving

around. "Mom! Can we

we not'

do, but you're jumping to

brow arched with the precision of a seasoned skeptic. "Am

dinner. That's all. For Maverick's

She tilted her head, clearly unconvinced. "I hate that

blinked. "That's

not fair, dear," she quipped, patting

with that parting shot, she walked off, leaving me alone with my

right. And I knew my mom also didn't want me to get hurt for the second time. She's just a bit

knew exactly how

people's buttons, mine especially.