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

(ARIELLE'S POV)

We walked like robots, mechanically, still stunned by the unexpected turn of events. Who would have known we were walking right into the arms of Jared's mother?

Ashley was silent beside me on the sofa. She had her arms folded across her chest, and I could see the apprehension on her face as she stared at Sofia.

For moments after Sofia opened the door for us, my ears lost their ability to receive sound, or perhaps my brain halted abruptly with processing the received sound waves.

Either way, I heard nothing but silence and the muffled sound of voices as Jared's mother called out to the housekeeper.

From the edge of my vision, I could see her approach, but I'd been too lost in my mind to realize she was coming over to me.

"Shall I get you tea or coffee?" the lady asked politely. I blinked furiously to draw my mind back to the present. All the while, I'd been looking at the pair of Sofia and Mrs. Smith through skeptical eyes. Something didn't sit right and I could feel it in my gut. "Sorry?" I turned to look at the housekeeper.

"Get the lady some tea and cookies, Emilia. Those should be quite okay, I suppose?" Mrs. Smith turned to ask me.

"Of course," I nodded.

"And your friend?" she asked.

"We'll eat together, thank you," Ashley said with a curt smile.

"So... how's any of this related? Why... Why are we here?" I finally found the voice to ask after the housekeeper left.

"Yes. Why did my boss send us to you?" Ashley asked with an underlying tone of contempt in her voice. I squeezed her hand by my side and she sat back on the sofa.

Mrs. Smith sat up in her chair and took a sip of the glass of water sitting on a stool beside her. "I'll explain. All of it. At least the part you need to hear. You're not wrong. I in fact orchestrated the move for Mr. Roman to lead you both back to me. It was all planned. I'll tell you something you must know. I know that my son's been busy with plans, all aimed at sinking your uncle's business," she said to Ashley.

"Perhaps he wishes to acquire it for himself. But I know it is against your wish and that of your uncle's. So I have a little proposal to make.." she paused for effect and sat back in her chair.

Both myself and Ashley sat up, our ears scratching to learn what she had to say.

If Ashley was surprised that the older woman knew about the issue with her uncle's business, she did a good job of hiding it well, because her face was drawn out in a different expression. She looked more eager to hear what Mrs. Smith had to propose.

and she sat with a glint of mischief in her eyes as she

his silly little ambition and leave your uncle alone. That, I will do," Mrs. Smith

I looked

her voice cracking with emotion. "Thank you, I guess. You have no idea what peace it would bring to my family if

to be a reason why Jared's mother of all people was willing

answer to my questions. Mrs. Smith cleared her throat

it is nothing excessively demanding," she was quick to add. I exchanged skeptical

But we've known each other for a while now and that should count for something. Yes, I know. I don't expect us to share some mother to daughter bond or anything silly like that. But I wouldn't want to be enemies with you, nor would I want any bad blood

of this have anything to do with my

You must have a dozen questions to ask but I don't think we're in the right environment for that conversation. How about lunch at my house? I'll tell you everything you need to know. Besides, there's more to this conversation than I

saw the silent plea in her eyes for us to at least go check it out and

I don't want any drama. All we want is just help for my friend and then you

like you. You've always been very reasonable. It's a shame things didn't get to work out," she said with

word then?"

taught me not to make promises I can't keep," she said cryptically. I narrowed my eyes at her skeptically

a heavy feeling of uncertainty about going with her to her house, but Ashley's needs

We'll just drive behind

to the house. There's enough space in the limo for us

at home, we were immediately ushered to the dining

to be hosted immediately upon arrival. Whatever it was that she had to share with us was of great

just

had my eyes trained on Sofia

only looked up to acknowledge a statement addressed to her from Mrs. Smith. Otherwise, she was barely present. There was a distant look in her eyes, akin to the demeanor of a woman in mourning. I

you okay?" Ashley whispered to me while Mrs.

fine," I smiled

Smith announced once the

and I will

desire. She stopped to look at

my son failed those many years ago, and believe me, I have my regrets. I don't say this to placate

of you and