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

Tension

(ARIELLE'S POV)

Dwayne's gaze locked onto mine, sharp yet somehow tender, as he let out a measured sigh.

"On one hand, I've just navigated a major shake-up in Italy. We need a foothold in New York, and the timing felt right. On the other hand..." He hesitated, as if weighing the gravity of his next words. "I came to claim what's rightfully mine. Nana's inheritance." The explanation aligned with what Ashley had told me before, and I found myself nodding. Still, a part of me couldn't help but question why the inheritance mattered so much to him.

"But you're already a Mafia lord," I blurted, unable to hide my disbelief. "You have wealth, power, an entire empire. Isn't the inheritance... trivial by comparison?"

"It's not just about the money or properties," he said, shaking his head. "Nana Jean owns a significant portion of the Mafia's power. If I don't secure that, rival families will move in, and there'll be blood. Chaos. That's not something I'm willing to allow." It clicked. "So, this isn't just about assets-it's about maintaining stability. Control."

A flicker of approval lit his face, and he nodded, his lips curling into a faint, almost boyish smile. "Exactly. But there's another reason," he added, his tone growing serious, his eyes once again boring into mine.

I tensed, his sudden intensity making my pulse quicken a bit. "What reason?"

He didn't look away. "Big Joe told me you've been living with Jared," he said evenly, though his tone carried a quiet accusation.

The words landed like a slap. My stomach lurched as my mouth fell open in shock. Big Joe?

So Big Joe was working for him, and not his friend like Big Joe had made me believe when we first met? I thought back to all the times Big Joe wanted to follow me everywhere like a shadow, it was all Dwayne's doing.

I stared at him, dumbfounded, words failing me.

"I couldn't wait any longer," Dwayne admitted, his gaze never leaving mine. "I was afraid-afraid you'd forgive him. That you'd make the mistake of getting back together."

I blinked, utterly startled. "Seriously, Dwayne?!"

"Yes Ari-"

"Let me get this straight," I said, my voice climbing. "You came back to..." My words trailed off as my brain caught up with my emotions. "To chase me?"

"What else?" he asked, raising an eyebrow, as if daring me to argue.

I groaned inwardly. This man!

they just don't seem to have an end," I sighed

his face level with mine. "Arielle," he began, his voice soft yet firm, "I have my reasons for coming back. There

hair and those striking emerald eyes, he reminded me of a rain-soaked stray dog begging to be let

with the soft rustle of leaves in the

couldn't-so I dropped my gaze to the ground, focusing on the

tightened in my chest, and I couldn't help the flicker of irritation that

much, Dwayne," I said, shaking my head. "You show up unannounced, dump all this on me, and expect me

Dwayne? What do you see me as? A fool you could play with?"

I wasn't a

stopped, my voice faltering. Jared. The realization hit me. Before the dinner, Jared must have suspected

him? How do I tell him that I had inadvertently gotten entangled with his

it all crashed over me-Jared, Maverick, the inevitable fallout. The last thing I wanted was for my son to bear the brunt

my spiraling thoughts. He reached for my hand,

or anyone an explanation." "Easy for you to say," I shot back, "You spin

things from you," he admitted quietly, "but the time we spent together? That was real. Every moment." He hesitated, his voice

the very least, consider me

lies," I said finally, meeting his gaze. "If we're starting over, it's with the truth. All of it." The smile that spread across his face then was brighter

so infectious, I was planning to feign an angry eyebrow, but eventually

a sigh, already knowing

gaze darted back to Dwayne, but to my surprise, he was already on his feet, moving away with a quiet, almost cat-like

mischief.

you want to handle this solo, or should I team up with

can't you just give me some peace? Talk to him. Later! Not me,

was all a game, and I

could've frozen the air between them. Neither said

finally reached

scanning my

long.

been gone

said, his

laced with something

heavier-worry, maybe.