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

"We'll

to get ready for bed with his Nana, leaving Jared and me

"Why would you

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

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 about us, about why we'll never be a

face, but I

this. Leave us alone. Maybe he can see you when he's older, but right now? You're

"That's not parenting, Arielle. That's running. You're overprotective, and it's not

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

flinched at my words, visibly

can find someone else to be his father, someone he'll get

wrist and pulling me closer. His breath was warm and unsettlingly close against my skin. "Don't," he said slowly, his voice rough with warning. "Don't even think about it, Ari." It's so close.

through my anger. My ears burned

muttered, hating the unsteadiness in my

"Arielle," he murmured, his voice dropping an octave. "All I'm asking for is a chance. Let me prove it to you. To

head, my chest tight. "You need to

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

turned away, refusing to meet his gaze again as I opened the door

say more.

watched him get into his car, before shutting the door. Now, back

reality wasn't going to give me even a

idea, if you ask me," came my mom's disapproving voice from behind

around. "Mom! Can we

'can we not' me, Arielle.

but you're jumping

with the precision

That's

clearly unconvinced. "I hate that man, but you

"That's not

not fair, dear," she quipped, patting my shoulder. "Just

shot, she walked off, leaving me alone with my

I knew my mom also didn't want me to get hurt for the

knew exactly how to

people's buttons, mine especially.