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

(ARIELLE'S POV)

The air had grown colder, the chill creeping into my bones. Dwayne wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into his chest. "Are you cold?" he asked, his voice soft with concern.

I wiped my tears, shaking my head.

All I could feel was exhaustion. My mind had turned to mush, too drained to form a single coherent thought.

Dwayne studied me carefully before running his fingers along the side of my face. I turned away.

He didn't say a word, just shrugged off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. Then he handed me a helmet, carefully helping me strap it on.

"Thank you," I whispered as I snuggled closer to him on the motorcycle.

I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. They came in waves as we rode, the cold wind stinging my face, but it couldn't stop the flood of emotions. Jared's words replayed in my head, over and over, like a broken record. The image of him and Sofia, sitting together, haunted

me.

"Go to the pub," I said, shivering against Dwayne's back. "I need a couple of beers."

He immediately shook his head. "You'd better not. Let's get you home." Then turned the bike down a different road, heading for my house.

"No!"

Dwayne braked suddenly, the bike lurching to a stop. "Why not?"

I wanted to explain-wanted to tell him that with Maverick at a sleepover and my mom still away on her trip, I didn't want to be alone in that empty house.

But the words stuck in my throat. This sounded so stupid. Instead, I just dropped my eyes and went silent.

Dwayne sighed and rolled the bike still into the garage of my home's direction, and killed the engine.

I was too tired to protest again, drowning my thoughts in the sound of the revving engine underneath us.

By the time we reached my doorstep, I was too drained to move. My body ached, my mind was foggy, and every step felt heavier than the last. When I tried to get off the bike, I stumbled on my heels and fell to the ground with a thud. Dwayne was there in an instant, his hands steady as he helped me to my feet. "Are you okay?"

"Think I scraped my ankle," I answered, and the tears almost started again. Luckily I forced myself to stop. Even though everything seemed to be so wrong with the world, I shouldn't act like a child.

My head hurts and I wince in pain with every step.

The house felt empty, hollow, like it was swallowing me whole. Each step toward the door felt like a reluctant surrender. Finally, I stopped and sank onto the flower bed, too tired to go any further. Dwayne crouched down beside me, his eyes soft. "Okay, okay, Arielle. You can stay at my place for one night, is that okay?"

I nodded, unable to speak the words.

With careful gentleness, Dwayne helped me to my feet again and guided me toward his house, each step taken with the utmost care. He led me to a couch, helping me lie down, before disappearing into the kitchen.

silent once he left, and I felt a crushing wait in my chest, a heaviness

let him break me all over? Had he seen me before I knew? Had he

ringing in my ears-louder than the rest, triumphant and full of

how hard it was? Did he understand that asking me to trust him after everything he'd said was the

twisted circumstances would he be forced

want this. I

realize the simple fact that he was with Sofia was enough to tear me apart? She was the source of my

Argh!

little too much

Dwayne walk out of the kitchen so I jumped when he came into view and he lifted his hands

of the jacket. He went away for a moment and returned again with

wool. Once he was done, he placed a band aid over the injury before

awesome when she found the strength," he sighed with a sad smile and rose from my side. He

"For your head."

I slowly nodded.

you like to

Sorry." I finally

I'll show you to

I stood, my legs were shaky, and I swayed slightly. Dwayne didn't hesitate-he swept me up into his arms with ease, holding me close as if I weighed

look away quickly, embarrassed by the intimacy of the moment, trying to loosen my

gently placed me down on the bed

into my eyes intently, searching them like he could read my

the warmth of his breath on my face. Then he withdrew and went over to the chair in a

sigh, pulling the sheets around me like a shield.

"Not for anything?"

somehow glinted in the

I'd been holding back on the

messed everything up with Jared. I don't want to give you any false hope. Just... Please, don't waste any more time on me." He

deserve everything. Don't say that anymore. You're tired tonight. We'll talk

Dwayne. We're not talking about it later. I mean

don't see that. Just sleep now.

and I know it's worse for you, waiting for someone who can't give you

a lump form in my throat. "Couldn't you just stop...?" I choked on my

from the chair. Then came to my side with that same intense look. He leaned close with a forced smile on his face, before hitting the bedside light switch and parting me gently on my shoulder. "Good night, ostrich," he said softly and walked out of

let out a long sigh and stared up at the ceiling, the hours blending together in a haze. My thoughts were

ceiling and they formed the outline of Jared's face, a smug smile set on his lips as he watched me in mockery. I shut my eyes tightly to keep the image out of my head. Sleep came faster than I expected. There was the fresh scent of grass and trees beside my pillow, and I

movement beside me, prompting my eyes. I blinked, and immediately regretted it as the early morning sunlight flooded the room, hitting the back of my head with a searing pain. It took me a moment

eyes again, I was met with the sight of my son, Maverick, curled up beside me, his bright smile warming me from the inside out. "...Maverick?" I sat up abruptly, the ache in my head forgotten, replaced by a rush of happiness so intense it made me want

couldn't hold back, no matter how hard I tried. Dwayne was leaning against the doorframe, hands casually tucked

a

brought him," I said more