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

Like a mirror.

(ARIELLE'S

POV)

As I sat at my desk in my office, staring blankly at the computer screen in front of me, I couldn't stop my thoughts from straying. These past few days have been of constant debate about Jared's continuous stay in my house and finally it had led me to a decision -I needed

to ask him to leave.

I couldn't continue living with my ex-husband; it was growing awkward and difficult with each passing day.

I had planned to tell him the previous night, but just as I was about to bring it up, Dwayne's call interrupted me, and I decided to put it off until today, after work.

But the more I thought about it, the more I found myself growing more and more anxious. I couldn't continue to keep up with the charade of living with him, pretending that everything was fine when it wasn't.

He was making me uncomfortable with all the nice things he did, and as much as I hated to admit it, they were beginning to get to my heart.

I sighed, pushing my chair back from the desk. I needed to focus on something else, or I would never get any work done. I returned my attention to the designs my graphic designer sent to me for the restaurant's rebranding.

Scrolling through the options, I tried to decide which one I liked best. But my mind kept wandering back to Jared.

*****

The day flew by in a blur, and before I knew it, it was time to leave. I packed up my things, shutting down my laptop and gathering my purse and phone.

As I headed outside, the warm sun hit my skin and I slipped on my sunglasses to shield my eyes. But nothing prepared me for the sight that greeted me.

Jared was parked outside, obviously waiting for me. I halted in my tracks, the scene oddly familiar. I recalled how he used to pick me up from work every day when we were together. It stirred up deep memories from the past, those that I had tried to suppress and bury. But I pushed them aside, putting up a nonchalant face as I approached him.

me, smiling

didn't bother returning his smile. Instead, I went straight to my question.

faltered, but never left his face. "I came to pick

hanging around. The last thing I wanted was to make the headlines with my ex-husband. So I simply stayed mute

our eyes collided. For a moment, I was lost in them, but quickly snapped back to reality and got into the car. Jared shut the door and walked

began to move, he asked,

responded, acting disinterested as I stared out the window, watching the cars and buildings whiz

glad to hear that," he paused, his eyes trailing to

"Yeah," I mumbled.

until Jared broke it. "Umm...I wanted to talk to you about

from the road to look at him, brows raised.

has invited us to

the invitation. "Umm...is there a problem? Why is she specifically asking for the

pointedly on the road. "You know how

the Smith's family can be unpredictable, but at the same time I can't help but wonder if this was not another of Jared's ploy to bring

before I could stop myself, the

caught off guard, his eyes briefly flicking to me before he turned them back to the road, his jaw tightening. He hadn't been ready for that. He hesitated, his

soft, almost fragile. "Maverick's gotten used to

he was hurt, even though he tried to mask it, and the ache in my chest deepened, for seeming

was right; Maverick had indeed gotten attached to him. Still, I shook my head, trying to remain

accomplish your mission," I

long pause and when he spoke up,

start all over again?"

differently. It wasn't just hope I heard in his voice, but a raw longing, a hint of regret that

the same time I felt a surge of

accept that it was over?

if reading my thoughts,