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

(ARIELLE'S POV)

I relied on my memory to remember the box Jared had been in earlier. My heart was beginning to race, and I could feel my hands growing sweaty. I wiped them on my dress, trying to calm myself down.

For a moment, I hesitated in front of the door. I hadn't planned out exactly what to say, but I knew I was ready to talk. If it came down to it, I was even prepared to apologize, to lower my pride for the sake of the conversation we needed to have.

This wasn't just for Jared-it was for our son, for myself, and for all the tangled pieces of our past and present.

A strange flicker of excitement mingled with my nervousness.

But before I could knock, the door swung open abruptly, and a drunken stranger stumbled out, nearly colliding with me.

I winced, recalling my encounter with the three men earlier.

Flustered, I hurriedly slipped inside, scanning the room as well. But as soon as I entered, I couldn't help but frown. The heavy smell of alcohol and bodies hit me instantly. The atmosphere was loud and chaotic. I pushed through the crowd, my eyes scanning for a familiar face.

I kept squinting my eyes until I spotted him; Jared.

He was surrounded by a group of people, admirers obviously. They were all laughing and chatting, completely smitten by his presence.

My steps faltered for a moment. A knot of hesitation tightened in my chest again, but I forced it aside. This was not the time for cold feet. I had come here for a reason, and no amount of nerves would stop me now.

We need a conversation, and everything will be alright.

And so I forged ahead, managing to squeeze closer, but Jared didn't see me at all. He was too busy charming his audience, laughing and smiling with ease like it was the most natural thing to do.

I inhaled sharply, hands by my side as I braced myself to calm him. But before I could, the lady sitting next to him suddenly spoke up, persuading him not to drink. On looking closely, I recognized it was Sofia. Sofia again? I wondered, raising my brows.

Her voice was low, and probing. "Jared, you've had enough to drink," she said, trying to take the glass from him. "why don't we get out of here?"

Jared laughed, a sound that didn't get to his eyes. "I'm fine, Sofia," he said, his voice slightly slurred. "I can handle the drink."

nothing serious. I can't believe I stood here

to approach him now, but was stopped by

still unhappy

she talk

confusion and

getting married?

was swirling and buzzing now, but I got my answer in the next

be happy or unhappy about getting married?" Jared's voice was calm, detached, almost careless.

I mumbled to

to believe that those

next to him chimed, "Bro, you talk as if you

his glass. "But it didn't matter much. If you don't marry who you love, it's as good as not being

"Seriously, Jared?"

had moved until my voice cut through the room like a

turned to

my direction, his face paling as his gaze

felt ice-cold, the blood draining from my face until I was certain I looked like a ghost. My heart clenched painfully as his

that all our

The years we spent together,

all been nothing more than a careless mistake, a random

voice trembling but cold as

rising now. "Listen, it's not what you think—" Sofia's wide-eyed stare darted

attention remained fixed on Jared, his sudden hesitation cutting deeper than any words.

stopped a step away, and then he stepped closer, his

"Oh, don't I?"

he might yell. But instead, he whispered, "Trust me. Just this once,

had in front of a room full of strangers, and now you're asking me to trust you?" "Arielle,

his face. And then I did a bitter, humorless laugh that tasted of humiliation