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

The kind of moment she had once dreamt of

(ARIELLE'S POV)

The rest of the dinner passed in an uneasy silence, heavy and suffocating.

I focused on my plate, determined to avoid Jared's gaze and suppress the memories threatening to rise.

It was the scene the warmth of a family dinner, the kind of moment I'd once dreamed of-that had unraveled me. My defenses had cracked under the weight of it. I couldn't let it happen again. I wouldn't.

This should have been a reminder of what I could have had back then and a stark warning of what I now needed to protect.

About twenty minutes later, Jared excused himself, leaving me alone with Maverick.

I stayed, absentmindedly picking at the food as Maverick watched me with his curious, innocent eyes.

"Mom?" His soft voice pulled me from the tangle of my thoughts.

"Yes, sweetheart?"

"Why don't you talk to Daddy?" he asked, his tone careful but direct. "Did I do something wrong? Is it the food? Did it make you unhappy?"

His question hit me like a punch to the gut. I forced a smile, even as my heart ached. "No, sweetheart. Nothing is wrong. Don't think like that. Mommy's just tired from work, that's all."

He studied me for a moment, stealing a glance as though trying to gauge the truth. I couldn't help but smile at his persistence. My boy. The one constant source of joy in my life.

"Alright, dinner's done for you, champ," I said, softening my tone. "Go play with your Legos. Mommy will join you soon."

He beamed at me, nodded, and left the table quietly.

But the silence didn't last.

Jared returned moments later, clearing plates without a word. His presence unsettled me, but his gesture wasn't offensive. It was kind. Maybe too kind.

"You don't have to do that," I said, keeping my tone neutral.

He paused, glancing at me. "Do what?"

I frowned, my patience already worn thin. "This. All of it. The chores, the dinner. None of this is necessary. I have staff for a reason. And if this is some misguided attempt to change my opinion of you, save it. It's not working. It only makes things worse for everyone, especially Maverick."

Jared's jaw tightened. His gaze darkened, a flicker of hurt crossing his face before his voice came, low and restrained. "Is it everyone... or just you?"

words struck a nerve, and I

was quiet but sharp. "I made a mistake one I regret every single day. Does that mean I can't ever do anything right? I wasn't trying to impress you, Arielle. I'm just trying to

you for the past three years, Jared? Do you even understand what it's like? I've had to be everything-mother, father,

my voice rising with the frustration I'd buried for so

his expression etched with regret and something deeper-something raw

I busied myself with the dishes, refusing to

"Sorry."

at the door, his voice lingering in the air. For a moment, I almost

walked away,

too,"

ideas for my restaurant when my phone

onto my face as I saw

I said, answering with

carrying a warmth that always made me feel lighter. "What's up? You took forever to pick up. Busy

with my 'great cause," I shot back, emphasizing the words with mock gravity. "Trying to fix something for myself, if

on the other end. "Should I be worried? Or should I start packing my bags to help you run A&M? I've heard about your 'great cause' all

out a sigh. "I'm just saying, if you ever need backup in New York, you know where to

myself. He had that effect on me, always. "Noted. But I'm not ready to

with a grin, leaning into the camera. "But seriously, Ari.

cooking? I almost rolled my eyes at the understatement. This man and his false

by some cooking

I said finally. "Just

things got a

to lift my spirits. Talking to him was effortless, light and refreshing, like a cool breeze on a heavy day. He had a way of making me feel seen, like I could exhale all the tension I didn't even know I

Unlike Jared.

Jared had been around, he might've had some insights too. When it came to running a business, no one could deny that Jared Smith was in a league of his own. He

have swallowed my pride and

voice suddenly brought me back. He was smiling, but there was a subtle shift in his tone. "I've got a

arched my

it's nothing heavy." His voice softened, "What fragrance

blinked, trying to recall, but came up blank. "Fragrance? I don't remember. I don't usually wear perfume when I'm working.

deepened, though his emerald eyes glimmered

"Was it that bad? Maybe it was just

screen, drawing me in with

My breath hitched.

heating up