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.

the fury that was building inside of me. "So you took my son from Denzel?" I demanded. "Those men, they were from you. Denzel

after the

remained unfazed, still maintaining the smile on

didn't take him, Jared. I saved him. Consider it

ready to explode. "So

would be appreciated, yes." He inclined his head, his eyes glinting with an amusement that showed he was enjoying

and thickened with tension, as we silently conveyed our disapproval and dislike for each other. But despite everything, I could still feel something about him nagging at

had a sense of familiarity, a

the more I disliked him. He had somehow wormed his way into

it was so

(ARIELLE'S POV)

yes." Dwayne's voice was smooth as ever-like chocolate milk sliding down your throat. Sweet, but laced with something too

I'm pretty sure my blood pressure had just

That man. Here. Now.

of some secret affair his father had with another woman. And as if that wasn't enough to swallow, Dwayne ran the Italian Mafia. The Italian Mafia. Ashley's warnings about the group's past activities in Italy came rushing back

importantly, the part I just couldn't get out of my head-Jared meant Dwayne

Maverick, who was staring up at all this drama with big, confused

mother's also drowning

was feeling. No way I could mistake those emerald eyes. I'd seen them enough times to know them like the back of my hand,

the room, no matter how fancy the suit he

wearing.

this? Mafia lord, half-brother, all the secrets-and

is wrong with this

tell me? How long had he been lying to me? I should probably be horrified that the Italian Mafia kingpin is related to

instead? I'm pissed.

this whole situation just

think you stupid

and eventually, he met my eyes, that same smirk curling at the edge of his lips. Of course, he'd be enjoying

when it hit me. The question I should've

this? His background? His connection to the Smith family? Did he know about me, too? Was I just some random woman who fell into his lap,

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

is going on