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?"

a

Does that mean I can't ever do anything right? I wasn't trying to

yourself feel better? Where were you for the past three years, Jared? Do you even understand what it's like? I've had to be everything-mother, father, provider. And now, you think a

spilled out before I could stop them, my voice rising with the frustration I'd

face fell, his expression etched with regret and something

with the dishes, refusing to

"Sorry."

voice lingering in the

didn't. I walked away, without looking at

too," I murmured,

in sketching new decoration ideas for

smile crept onto my face

said, answering with a playful

voice carrying a warmth that always made me feel lighter. "What's up? You took

I shot back, emphasizing the words with mock gravity. "Trying to fix something for myself,

"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 the way in Italy, boss." "Oh, please. Don't start with

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 hire you yet. You might end up eating

expensive taste," he admitted with a grin, leaning into the

man and his false modesty-like he isn't

cooking you

think I can manage," I said finally. "Just brainstorming some new decor. It's been... a

things got

knew how to lift my spirits. Talking to him was effortless, light and refreshing, like a cool

Unlike Jared.

running a business, no one could deny that Jared Smith was in a league of his own. He knew this city's economic pulse better than anyone. A small

hadn't had that argument, I might have swallowed my pride and asked for

me back. He was smiling, but there was a subtle shift in

my

softened, "What fragrance were you

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

smile deepened, though his emerald eyes

it that

His gaze met mine through the screen, drawing me in with the kind of intensity that made my

My breath hitched.

me?" I blurted, my face heating up the moment the words left my