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

Bargaining chips

(JARED'S POV)

I looked into Arielle's eyes intently, my chest rising and falling heavily with effort as the rest of the world went silent around us. She looked at me, her breathing matching mine-barely existent, all withdrawn because of the shock of my outburst. All I could hear were my own thoughts, racing.

"Sorry," I muttered quickly. "It just... came out."

"Why apologize for saying you love me?" she asked, her voice quiet but sharp. "And for real-why do you suddenly love me now?"

I was taken aback, choked with confusion. What was she saying?

But then, she averted her gaze, refusing to meet my eyes. She wrapped her arms around herself, as the cold evening breeze swept over us. I looked up at the sky, realizing just how much time had passed since we started this conversation. "Look at how much time has passed," I said softly, then quickly took off my jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

""No, thank you."

Her honest rejection stung, but I forced a smile, nodding in understanding.

"So, what now?" I asked, my voice rough. "What are you going to say about all of this, Ari?"

She sighed, clearly exhausted. "What would you have me say, Jared? What do you want to hear from me? And why don't you explain first... why, that night in the club, when Ashley called out for help, you chose to just stand there?"

"I wasn't planning to just stand there!" I blurted, frustration rising in my chest. "I was... I was afraid you had already given up on me, Arielle. You always said such harsh things, and I just wanted-just once-to hear you say how important I was to you." Her expression shifted as I spoke. Her eyes narrowed slightly, then widened in disbelief when I finished.

"So, Ashley was right? You were just trying to satisfy your ego that night?"

My heart tightened, and I scrambled for the right words. "It's not like that! I'm sorry, Arielle. I really am. I made a mistake. You have no idea how it felt seeing Dwayne rescue you in front of me. It hurt so much seeing you in another man's arms. I know I was wrong." The memory of Dwayne stepping in, of her moving on without me, made everything so painfully clear. Arielle had outgrown me. She no longer needed me the way she once had. I'd lost that place in her life.

"I wasn't happy about resorting to an arranged marriage," I admitted, my voice dropping. "But what else was I supposed to do? How else was I supposed to protect the people I care about?"

Marriage or not. Arranged or not. Did it really matter?, I'd wondered. I couldn't be with Arielle ever again all because of my stupidity. So none of it made any sense.

I paused, feeling the weight of my words settle in. "When I saw you earlier today, I was too stunned to react. I planned on telling you everything... the plan with Tiana and all. But when you showed no reaction... It drove me crazy. I couldn't stand it." "Please, Arielle... just say something. I've come clean. No more secrets. No more wrong moves. Please," I implored.

She blinked, processing my words before speaking slowly. "Let me get this straight for the last time. This engagement with Tiana was fake? Just a temporary fix for your mother and Sofia?"

I nodded. "Yes. Exactly."

Jared? Why her? Can you explain that

To both

me off, "Oh, so she's another 'friend,' is

different! She's young, naïve-practically a sister to me. This was a deal, Arielle. A strategy. She doesn't threaten us. She won't

yet, Sofia still factors

anyone to

us is trust? You don't

words. "But I deserve

you stop asking me that?" she snapped in anger. She let out a heavy sigh and rubbed her

we both

eyes and opened them again, her expression

really does it matter what I think? I'm your ex-wife. We are done. I mean you even literally said that

I didn't-I wasn't trying to say

think

underlying feeling of hurt and bitterness in her

the hook. I appreciate it. It's good you agreed to be reasonable even though this is all your fault. Now if we're done, I'd like to leave," she sighed and looked past me in the direction of her car. A sharp pang hit my

to say something-anything to keep her here, even just

while of struggle. "I have one more condition for which I'll help

me. "Are you gonna keep on playing this game of blackmail with me? Guess that's your favorite line now-this favor you're doing me by helping Ashley's

"And you better do

want to go with you to the Open House at

the clear look

Tin

attending And of all things, this was what Lasked for in exchange for helping Ashley's family-something as simple

me, skepticism clouding

gaze.

don't bring another woman along

her little jab at me. "That won't happen," I said a little more

it if you didn't tell Maverick

drew her face in a little frown and asked,

umm... and

I want my son to hear is gossip about his father. But don't think you