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.

sorry, excuse me," I mumbled, and without waiting for an

to think and process the

overwhelmed from the conversation with Arielle, and now this? I was frustrated, and I didn't

uncuffed my shirt, trying not to dwell on what had just happened back at the sitting room. For a moment, I

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

pain of her news. I hoped, for her sake, that what she said

undress, but peace wasn't something

the need to. She just appeared in the doorway, as though she was still entitled to

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

sighed, my voice heavy. "Come

nodded and walked to the couch, lowering herself on it. I sat in the bed, across from her. We sat in silence for a while, the weight

surprise, she spoke up, breaking the silence. She spoke without her usual edginess. Her voice was calm, almost with an understanding

know you're probably wondering why I'm here," she began, offering

products of my choices. I also know that I hurt you,

and shot her a look of surprise and confusion. "What are you talking about, Sofia? Why are you saying all

smile was small, sad, and

in my chest. "I'm saying 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.

stared at her, stunned, blinked, trying to ascertain that indeed

is

least the Sofia I knew was selfish,

wanted from

that. The Sofia knew would have

I said, finally finding my voice. "But why

responding, "Because I want you to be happy, Jared. I want you to be with someone who can give you what I