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.

looking conflicted. "We'll discuss that

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

turning to face him. "Why would you promise him

Arielle. He knows I'm his

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

his face, but

Leave us alone. Maybe he can see you when he's older, but right now? You're not welcome

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

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

at my words, visibly struggling

can find someone else to

unsettlingly close against my

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

I muttered, hating the unsteadiness in my voice. "You need

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

tight. "You need

"Thanks

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

hesitated, as if wanting to say more. But

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

give me even a moment

if you ask me," came my mom's

spun around. "Mom! Can

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

"I do, but you're jumping

arched with the precision of

dinner. That's

clearly unconvinced. "I hate

blinked. "That's not fair,

not fair, dear," she quipped, patting

that parting shot, she walked off, leaving me alone

get hurt

knew exactly how to

people's buttons, mine especially.