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.

face lit up at

"We'll discuss that with your

for bed with his Nana, leaving Jared and me alone in the charged silence of the dining room. Jared cleared his throat, breaking the

face him. "Why would

moment before he responded. "I thought we agreed, Arielle. He knows I'm his father now, and it's clear

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

flashed across his face, but I refused

you had any shred of conscience, you'd stop this. Leave us alone. Maybe he can see you when he's older, but

clenching. "That's not parenting, Arielle. That's running. You're overprotective, and it's not fair to him

less 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

at my words, visibly

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

breath was 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 I tried to push

I muttered, hating the unsteadiness in

eyes 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

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

away, refusing to meet his gaze again as I

say more. But instead, he turned and walked

watched him get into his car, before

to give

me," came my mom's

I spun around. "Mom! Can

arms, her expression unimpressed. "Don't 'can we not' me, Arielle. You

groaned. "I do, but

precision

came for dinner. That's all. For

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

blinked. "That's not fair,

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

walked off, leaving me alone

get hurt for the second time. She's just a bit moved

exactly

people's buttons, mine especially.