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.

up at this. "Really?

looking conflicted. "We'll discuss that

his arms and padded off to get ready for bed with his Nana, leaving Jared and me alone in the charged silence of the dining room. Jared cleared his throat, breaking the tension. "Thank you for having me

face him. "Why would you promise him that you'd come

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 can't

get hurt. You can keep hiding the truth for now,

face, but

conscience, you'd stop this. Leave us alone. Maybe he can see you when he's

sharply, his jaw clenching. "That's not parenting, Arielle. That's running. You're overprotective, and it's

than four years old, Jared! Four! Do I need to remind you that he didn't even know you were his father a week ago? And what happened right after? He was kidnapped. Kidnapped! How am I supposed

at my words, visibly struggling to

on, my anger mounting. "Forget it. He's still young. I can find someone else

close against my skin. "Don't," he said slowly, his voice

cut through my anger. My ears

muttered, hating the unsteadiness

searched mine, dark and unreadable. "Arielle," he murmured, his voice dropping an octave. "All I'm asking for is a chance. Let me prove it to

shook my head, my chest tight. "You

finally stepped back. "Thanks for letting me come," he said,

refusing to meet his gaze again as I

if wanting to say more.

into his car, before shutting the door. Now,

course, reality wasn't going to give me even

me," came my mom's disapproving voice from behind

I spun around. "Mom! Can we

unimpressed. "Don't 'can we not' me, Arielle. You know

but

precision of

came for dinner. That's all. For Maverick's

head, clearly unconvinced. "I hate that man, but you could

blinked. "That's not fair,

patting my shoulder.

that parting shot, she walked off,

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

knew exactly how

people's buttons, mine especially.