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."

hissed and mentally smacked myself when I realized their conversation was nothing serious. I can't believe I stood here just to listen to something as trivial as

forward to approach him now, but was stopped by Sofia's

still unhappy about

talk

confusion and shock attacking me

Who's getting married? To

but I got my answer in

Jared's voice was calm, detached, almost careless. "Marriage means nothing to

I mumbled to

to believe that

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

cold sound that made me shiver. "I was indeed married before," he said, gulping the liquid in his glass. "But it didn't matter much. If you don't marry who you love, it's as good as not being married at all." IF

"Seriously, Jared?"

I had moved until my voice cut through the room like a blade, sharp and unyielding. The hum of chatter vanished, and a heavy silence filled

eyes turned

face paling

I looked like a ghost. My heart clenched painfully as his words replayed in my head. He said it didn't

that all our marriage

years we spent together, the moments

all been nothing more than a careless mistake, a random

I said, my voice trembling but cold as frost. "Say it to

"Arielle," he began, his tone rising now. "Listen, it's not what you think—"

on Jared, his sudden hesitation cutting deeper than any words. His silence was louder than

stepped closer, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "You don't know

"Oh, don't I?"

might yell. But instead, he whispered, "Trust me.

a room full of

did a bitter, humorless laugh that tasted of humiliation and