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 She looked at me, her breathing matching mine-barely existent, all withdrawn because of the shock of my outburst.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."

Can you explain that to me,

a friend. To both

and cut me off,

sister to me. This was a deal, Arielle. A strategy. She doesn't threaten us.

still factors into your 'strategies.'

not concerned about her!" I snapped, my patience fraying. "I didn't want anyone

to realize that the real problem between us is trust? You don't trust me, and

at her words. "But I

me that?" she snapped in anger. She let out a heavy sigh

sorry..." we

her eyes and opened them again,

I mean you even literally said that you'd rather have never married me for the

mean that... I didn't-I wasn't trying to say it like that," I

We're done. I've come to terms with it and I think you should too." She took a pause

underlying feeling of hurt and bitterness

off 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 chest. If

to say something-anything to keep her here,

my throat and gave it an attempt after a while of struggle. "I have one more condition for which I'll help Ashley's uncle. Think of it like a favor that'd help me even as I help you," I said, threading carefully to

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

she snapped. "And you

before speaking. "I want to go with you to the Open House at Maverick's school.. It's in two weeks

the clear look of

Tin

know about the event, let alone be interested in attending And of all things, this was what Lasked for in exchange for helping

me, skepticism

gaze.

finally consented cautiously. "As long as you don't bring another woman along with you," she added with a tone of

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

you didn't tell

drew her face in a little frown and asked, "What

umm... and Tiana,"

let out a short mirthless laugh. "Trust me, you've got nothing to worry about. The last thing I want my son to hear is gossip about his father. But don't think you can bide everything from