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

The Dinner

(ARIELLE'S POV)

Exhausted from the day's chaos, I pushed open the front door, desperate for the comfort of solitude. Between the rival restaurant's sabotage and Stephen and Rebecca's antics, my nerves were frayed. All I wanted was to collapse in peace. But the sight that greeted me was nothing short of surreal.

The space has been transformed to a cozy haven. The fireplace that was barely in use now crackled with fire, casting a warm and comfortable glow over the room. The dogs, looking freshly bathed and groomed, lay by the fire, looking content.

As if that was not enough, a nice smelling aroma of food sailed into my nose. Nose flared, I traced its source to the kitchen. Once again, I was thrown off balance by the sight before me.

Jared and Maverick, moving around the kitchen in what looked like a team effort to prepare dinner. Jared, effortlessly cool as always, flipped a steak with the precision of someone who'd been doing this for years-except I knew better. Meanwhile, Maverick, spatula in hand, looked up as I entered, his face lighting up.

"Mommy! Welcome back!" he exclaimed, his excitement contagious.

"Hey, Arielle," Jared greeted, as if it were perfectly normal for him to be in my kitchen, cooking dinner with our son.

I blinked, trying to process the scene. "What's... going on here?"

"Daddy wanted to surprise you with dinner!" Maverick announced proudly.

I glanced between the two of them, emotions swirling. Gratitude, unease, and more than a little suspicion. Why was Jared being so.... domestic? He hated cooking when we were married unless he'd royally screwed up and needed to apologize. This sudden display of domesticity set off every alarm bell in my head.

And if he thought he could impress me with these, he was definitely wrong.

"Thanks," I managed, keeping my tone casual. "It smells amazing in here."

Maverick grinned, his face glowing with pride. "We did it, Daddy!" He raised his hand for a high five.

Jared obliged with a smirk. "We sure did, partner."

seen you in a long time. Why don't you take a bath? We got the hot tub for you. While you relax, we'd set the table," he said, looking at me with concerned

what he was up to, but the weight of the day had worn down my defenses. Against my better

I muttered, retreating to my

the surface flecked with lavender leaves and glistening with scented oil. My

shut my eyes, willing the warmth creeping into my chest

It was not right.

None of these was.

I was walking into a carefully constructed trap, designed to make

any of

give Jared a piece of my mind. But as

bath?" He asked, his eyes

hesitated, not wanting to crush his enthusiasm. "Yes, sweetie, I did. Thanks to you... and

go back and finish getting ready, and then I'll come down for dinner," I announced, trying

intensity that made me shiver.

into something decent, I made my way to the dining room. The table was already set, and Jared and Maverick were seated in wait

a plate of grilled steak, coleslaw, mashed potatoes, and

smiled. I'm guessing that's the

food looked amazing-perfectly plated and aromatic. My stomach growled in anticipation as I eagerly took

And immediately regretted it.

was dry and overcooked, the vegetables mushy, and the coleslaw inexplicably

the table,

watching

As my face became harder to read, their unease grew, especially Maverick's. His little brows furrowed, and his shoulders slumped as

tinged with desperation. "Daddy tried so hard-you have to

Red Velvet. Too many cooking disasters for today! "Well..." I forced another bite of food down, grimacing internally,

murmured with a sigh,