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.

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

out, one after the

maintaining

Jared. I saved him. Consider it a gift-a token of our first

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

head, his eyes glinting with an amusement that showed he was

with tension, as we silently conveyed our disapproval and dislike for each other. But

a vague recollection, but I

more I looked at him, the more I disliked him. He had somehow wormed his way into my

it was so

(ARIELLE'S POV)

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

pressure had just hit

That man. Here. Now.

"family member" of the Smiths? Dwayne. But not just any family member-he was Jared's half-brother. The product of some secret affair his father had with another woman. And

of my head-Jared meant Dwayne

staring up at all this drama with big, confused eyes. I wanted to

sweetheart, your mother's also drowning in a fucking mess

way I could mistake those emerald eyes. I'd seen them enough times to know them like

room, no matter how fancy the suit he

wearing.

didn't know much about Dwayne-only what he wanted me to know, which was... well, basically nothing. And now this? Mafia lord, half-brother, all the

hell is wrong with

I should probably be horrified that the Italian Mafia kingpin is related to Jared, and, by extension, to me.

instead? I'm pissed.

about this whole situation just feels

think you stupid

eyes, that same smirk curling at the edge of his lips. Of course, he'd be enjoying this. He

me. The question I should've been

all of this? His background? His connection to the Smith family? Did he know about me, too? Was I just some

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 knew I'd hit a

the hell is going on