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

Father and son moment.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

As I watched Jared and Maverick walk ahead, Jared's suitcases rolling behind him, I decided that now was not the time to be overwhelmed. This was temporary. I had to brace up and tough if I wanted to scale through this. Maverick's chatter filled the hallway as he beamed up at Jared, clearly delighted by his father's presence.

"Traitor," I muttered under my breath. The moment his dad shows up, I might as well be invisible.

But just then, my mother appeared in the hallway, stopping dead in her tracks as she stared at Jared, sizing up the loads in his hands. Then her surprised face trailed past him to dwell on me, screaming "what's going on?" I tried to make a calming gesture, but she frowned. She was obviously not having it.

"Kitchen. Now," she ordered, before spinning around and stomping off.

I sighed and brushed past Jared and Maverick, trailing behind her. As I entered the kitchen, she was already pacing.

"Arielle, what is he doing here?" She demanded, pausing to face me squarely.

"I can explain, Mom," I said.

"Explain? Oh, please. Go ahead. This should be good."

I took a breath, silently praying she doesn't freak out from all I'm about to say.

"Jared says someone is sabotaging his company. To catch them, he needs to lie low and act vulnerable for a while. He asked if he could stay here."

My mom's expression contorted in disbelief. "And you believed him?"

"Not really, but let's say I don't have much choice. Your grandson begged me," I explained.

Her expression softened slightly, as I knew it would. "Ah, that boy," she murmured.

"Mom, I just need your support. This is temporary, and I'll set clear boundaries."

She sighed. "I can't say I'm happy about this, but fine. Someone has to protect you from yourself and from him."

A smile crossed my features. "Thank you -"

"Oh, save it. Go get ready for work and that little man of yours has to leave for school."

"Thank you, Mom. I love you! You're taking him, right?"

"I sure am," she said with an eye roll.

I laughed and patted her hair, before walking out of the kitchen.

On returning to the sitting room, I assumed a poker face, carefully masking my emotions. I had to appear serious, as I didn't want Jared to misinterpret my feelings about his presence in my home. I met him chatting with Maverick, their laughter filling the room.

"Maverick, go to Nana and finish up your preparation for school. You're running late," I ordered, my tone firm but gentle.

Maverick nodded, his eyes sparkling with excitement but they were not directed at me.

"Bye, Dad. We'll continue our men's discussion when I get back," he said, his small voice filled with forced importance.

"Looking forward to

balance. I watched him disappear

a Men's

was tempted to ask Jared, but thought against it. I didn't want to appear jealous or

what, Jared was not going to replace me in Maverick's life. That, I was sure of. With that, I pushed

to talk," I said,

immediately, his gaze steady. "Of course. What's

stay, alright, but not without conditions," I began, my eyes

nodded. "I

interfere with my

he was contemplating, but he nodded.

questioning my choices, no offering unsolicited advice," I

his Jaws clenched. And for a moment, I

your choice,"

the

your rules," Jared

first," I emphasized, ensuring I added enough emotion to my

on me for that," he said with

his face. "I mean it, Jared Smith. No using my child as a leverage or putting him

safety and happiness

But I pushed aside the feeling, reminding myself of why

you to that," I said,

we've reached

think that'll be all

on your right down the hallway, you can keep your stuff there while I figure out the room you'll be staying in when I'm back. For food? They'll be available in the microwave, or you can fix yourself something if you

nodded. "Thank you so much,

I mumbled

*********

found myself agonizing over where Jared should sleep. The room I assigned to him earlier was not a bedroom, more like a cloakroom, with barely enough space

amusement. "Decided you can't

"That's not it. I just... what room should I assign him to?"

knowing glance made me squirm, as if she could see right through me. "I told

leave him in the cloakroom," I argued, trying to justify my

It's better than giving him your bed," she said, her

"That's not what I

Jared walked into the room with Maverick. They took a seat, on the couch

think he's going to take Mavericks' attention away from

snorted. "Not a

stealing

I'll be leaving on a trip

I frowned, surprised. "Already?"

two will have some space," she added

a glance at Jared to see if he heard us,

seem to have heard us because he appeared equally flustered, a faint blush crawling

returning my gaze to her. "There's nothing

I know," she said, grinning. She seemed to be enjoying herself by teasing