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

That was all he could do.

(JARED'S POV)

I felt something snap and twist inside of me. The news hit me harder than I expected, and for a moment, my anger towards her evaporated.

Sofia kept talking, her voice small, apologetic.

"Jared... I wasn't supposed to interrupt you with all this, it's my mum-she asked me to "

But she was cut off by her mother's steely gaze. I watched as Mrs. Gold's grip on her daughter's wrist tightened, almost painfully, as if she could crush Sofia's hand into silence.

My eyes flicked back to Sofia-there was something so vulnerable about her now. It hit me like a punch to the gut.

I stared at her longer than I should have, unable to look away from the pain and helplessness reflected in her eyes.

Mrs. Gold broke the silence with a sharp, accusing tone, her voice like the crack of a whip. "You see, Jared, we've been trying to get your family to help us. After all, I saved your mother's life those years ago..."

I could feel my eye twitch with the familiar irritation. There she goes again, using that same tired line. No matter how much we'd done for the family over the years, nothing ever seemed to compensate for her self-proclaimed 'favor' in saving my mother's life. It was like she thought that one act gave her a permanent claim on everything we owed her.

A slow simmer of anger started to rise in my chest, the kind I thought had dissipated moments ago. "What are you talking about?" I asked in feigned ignorance, my voice coming out surprisingly cool.

Mrs. Gold's tone grew sharper, a high-pitched mixture of hurt and accusation that grated on my nerves. "You're not even grateful, are you?" she snapped. "I did your family a great favor, saved your mother's life, and this is how you repay me? A daughter I placed in your care got hurt, and now you can't even do right by her? Can't even take care of her?"

My face paled at the outright accusations and blame she placed on my family, it was even worse with how much bitterness and venom her eyes bore.

It was just too much for me to handle, and I knew I couldn't stay in that room a moment longer.

for an approval, I turned and walked out

space to think and process the

from the conversation with Arielle, and now this? I was frustrated,

room. For a moment, I was tempted to match back there and give Mrs Gold a piece of my mind,

when she tried to guilt trip my mother and I, my mother especially, by making the consequences of her daughter's actions our

that what she

as I tried to undress, but peace

She didn't knock, probably did not see the need to. She just appeared in the doorway, as though she was still entitled to

just stared at her, my eyes taking in her fragile dorm from where she stood. She looked so different from the Sofia I knew, the one who was always so confident and bold. This Sofia looked broken,

sighed, my voice heavy. "Come

it. I sat in the bed, across from her. We sat

She spoke without her usual edginess. Her voice was calm, almost with

I'm here," she began, offering

they were all products of my choices. I also know that I hurt you, but please...don't let that hold you back. Focus on your happiness. Focus on

of surprise and confusion. "What are you talking about, Sofia? Why are you saying

smile was small, sad, and

this because I've realized something," she said softly. "I was wrong, Jared. I was wrong to try and manipulate you, to control you into staying with me. You're a good man, and you deserve more than what I tried

trying to ascertain that indeed the person seated across from

is

Sofia I knew was selfish, always

wanted

like that. The Sofia knew would have never

said, finally finding my

responding, "Because I want you to be happy, Jared. I want you to be