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

Sucker punch.

(JARED'S POV)

My world seemed to shatter in that instant, as I stared at Dwayne's extended hand. Except that, I was not just staring at the hand; a myriad of thoughts were fighting a war in my head, too.

My father-the man I'd always admired, revered as wise, disciplined, and morally steadfast-had a child with another woman, before he even married my mother?!

I felt the air leave my lungs. My chest tightened. How could this be real? How could I even begin to process this? My father, the man who was supposed to be my moral compass, had a secret. This didn't add up. None of it did.

I looked up at Dwayne, searching for answers in his eyes. But his expression was calm and collected, and he gave nothing. I instantly felt a surge of anger and resentment towards this stranger, this interloper who had arrived to disrupt the family's dynamics I knew.

I didn't take his hand, didn't acknowledge his greeting. Instead, I turned to my mother, my eyes blazing with questions. Poor woman, I can't imagine how she'd be feeling by this unexpected revelation.

But on glancing at her, despite her face having lost its initial warmth and color, she remained composed, her calmness betraying nothing. Her eyes, usually warm and expressive, were now guarded, yet revealing nothing. I expected to see shock, anger, pain, or even tears, but instead, she seemed...so calm.

Then it hit me; she had known!

Nana must have informed her before tonight. The realization was like another attack on my wind pine, leaving me breathless and betrayed. My mother, the one I thought was clueless in all of these, actually knows a lot more than me.

Suddenly, I understood her odd concern about Nana choosing me as the heir. It all made sense now. I wasn't the only one vying for the title-I had a rival. A competent one. Dwayne was the one. He was the illegitimate son, the wild card in the game of inheritance. Just then, my thoughts were interrupted as Arielle's voice cut through the tension. "Why did you say his job is inconvenient to discuss, Nana?"

Despite the turmoil going on in my head, my ears flared as I, too, wanted to hear Nana's response.

She smiled softly, her gaze flickering to Dwayne as if permitting him to answer the question. "I think it's best if Dwayne explains himself," she said, her voice calm. She leaned back on her chair, her eyes never leaving Dwayne.

Dwayne turned to look at Arielle, his gaze calm, his smile polite, and in a low, measured time I was beginning to detest, he responded, "I've inherited part of my father's old operations in Italy. To be more specific, I run the Italian Mafia now." His words were delivered with a matter-of-factness that downplayed the gravity of his revelation.

The room fell silent, everyone at the table except Nana Jean froze, their eyes fixed on Dwayne with shock.

But at the same time, my heart suddenly started racing. I tried to piece together the fragments of the conversation, the subtle clues I had been missing. And suddenly it clicked, it all made sense now.

"Excuse me?" I said, sharply. "You run the Italian Mafia group?" I asked, to ensure I heard well and had not just conjured the words in my mind.

"Yes," Dwayne replied smoothly, his smile not wavering. "I've taken over my father's... business interest, you know, ensuring that his legacy doesn't go extinct," he said the last words with a tinge of sarcasm that I couldn't miss.

containing the fury that was building inside of me. "So you took my son from Denzel?" I demanded.

after the other, as I

still maintaining the smile on his

Jared. I saved him. Consider

my anger flare, like a fireball ready to explode. "So what now? Do I thank you for saving my

yes." He inclined his head, his eyes glinting with an amusement that showed

we silently conveyed our disapproval and dislike for each other. But

a sense of familiarity, a vague recollection, but I

at him, the more I disliked him. He had somehow wormed his way into my life, into my family, without

it was

(ARIELLE'S POV)

was smooth as ever-like chocolate milk sliding down

pressure had just hit an all-time

That man. Here. Now.

with another woman. And as

out of my head-Jared meant Dwayne was

with big, confused eyes. I wanted to say something comforting, but

your fault, sweetheart, your mother's also drowning in a fucking mess of chaos and

eyes with Dwayne, not even bothering to mask the fury I was feeling. No way I could mistake those emerald eyes. I'd seen them enough times to

crowded the room, no matter how fancy the suit he

wearing.

was... well, basically nothing. And now this? Mafia lord, half-brother, all the secrets-and

is wrong with this

I should probably be

instead? I'm pissed.

about this whole

Arielle, think

met my eyes, that same smirk curling at the edge of

question I should've been

Was I just some random woman who fell into his lap, or did he already have his sights set

thought shocked me so much I'm sure I flinched. And, naturally, he caught it. His smile widened, and the "good girl" look?

the hell is going on