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?"

struck a nerve,

single day. Does that mean I

were you for the past three years, Jared? Do you even understand what it's like? I've had to

stop them, my voice

and something deeper-something raw

cold, and I busied myself with the dishes, refusing to look his way. When I finally retreated to my bedroom, a soft word followed me

"Sorry."

voice lingering in the air. For a moment, I

didn't. I walked away, without looking

too," I

was lost in sketching new decoration ideas for my restaurant when my phone

face as I saw the

I said, answering with a playful

a warmth that always made me feel lighter. "What's

shot back, emphasizing the words with

"Should I be worried? Or should I start packing my bags to help you run A&M? I've heard about your 'great

ever need backup

on me, always. "Noted. But I'm not ready to hire you yet. You might end up eating all

a grin, leaning into the camera. "But seriously, Ari. Need any advice? I've learned some cooking after

understatement. This man and his false modesty-like he isn't the same guy our

cooking you

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

got a

in, Dwayne listened attentively, nodding occasionally and throwing in ideas that were surprisingly practical. I jotted them down, laughing at his quips, grateful for the distraction he provided. Somehow, he always knew how to lift my spirits. Talking to him was effortless, light and refreshing, like a cool breeze on a heavy day.

Unlike Jared.

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 knew this city's economic pulse better than anyone. A small restaurant was basically nothing more complicated than the back of his

have swallowed my pride and asked

smiling, but there was a subtle shift in his tone. "I've got a

arched my brow.

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

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

smile deepened, though his emerald eyes glimmered

nervously. "Was it that bad?

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

My breath hitched.

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