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

The gray areas.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

As I approached my car, I couldn't help but scan my surroundings, half-expecting to see Ashley lingering nearby. But she was nowhere to be found, and I didn't blame her. With her encounter with Jared earlier, staying back was not exactly a good option. As I slipped into the driver's seat, I made a mental note to call her as I got home, just to make sure she made it to hers safely. I started the car's engine afterward, and began my drive home.

The roads were quiet, the only sound emanating, that of my car's engine, and the occasional passing cars. I tried to focus on the road ahead, but my mind kept drifting back to Jared.

His words still stung, and I couldn't help but feel a twinge of hurt every time I thought about it. Why had he said he loved me, only to call it bluff moments later? I replayed the conversation in my head, trying to make sense of it all.

I sighed, my head a myriad of emotions.

When could he stop being so childish?

I was angry at Jared for toying with my emotions, but at the same time, I was disappointed in myself for even daring to hope that his words might be true. I should have known better than to trust him, and yet, a part of me had still held onto that glimmer of hope.

As I drove, a jolt of exhaustion washed over me. I was tired of the drama, tired of the stress and anxiety that seemed to go on in a circle, unending. I just wanted to get home, see my son, and forget about everything else.

Soon, I turned onto my street, and a feeling of relief enveloped me. Finally, I pulled into the driveway, killing the engine and sitting in silence for a moment.

Taking a deep breath, I alighted and made for the front door.

But to my surprise, I found Dwayne standing there, his tall figure a bit tougher than usual, though still unmistakable. Brown, his loyal shepherd, sat at his side, watching me with calm, knowing eyes. For a brief moment, it felt as though they were both standing guard. As I got closer, Dwayne didn't step aside to let me walk by. His silence was heavier than words, his emerald eyes searching mine with a thousand questions in them.

I took a small step back, feeling a sort of unease settle over me. Why did he look so... intense?

"What did you do today?" He finally spoke up, his voice unusually low and clipped.

I sighed, the exhaustion from earlier returning. "I'm really tired, Dwayne. Can we not do this right now?" I asked, hoping he hit the cue and left me alone.

But he didn't move, his eyes steady on mine. "You could've handled things differently," he said quietly, his voice carrying a hint of disappointment that stung more than I expected. "Why didn't you come to me first? Why didn't you ask for my help?" My brows shot up defiantly. "What are you talking about?"

Dwayne sighed, a soft, humorless laugh escaping him. It wasn't mocking just tired, as though whatever he'd been holding back had finally slipped out. "Ashley's uncle. You went to Jared for help, right?"

My eyes dilated immediately as I realized what this was about. He had gotten a hint of my meeting and the essence of it.

go to him on purpose.

didn't you come to me?" He interrupted, his tone rising slightly. It was rare for

Jared; you didn't tell me anything about it. And you kept Ashley's predicament from me too. Don't you think of me as a friend and confidant

me cheating on him? More importantly,

rubbed my forehead, trying to gather my thoughts. "Look, Dwayne, I didn't want to bother you. You've been so busy lately, I didn't

a burden to me. You didn't think telling me was important enough. You always act like I'm your backup option-someone to lean

so dramatic, Dwayne. I was just trying

something. If I offered to help, and

as I never expected him to draw such a comparison. "Dwayne, this isn't a

with a slight

more than just helping Ashley? I didn't know how to respond, didn't know how to articulate the swirling emotions inside of me.

sensed the tension and moved closer to us, wagging his tail and judging us both

first to look away,

and when he spoke, his voice

know you've

feeling of guilt

as I watched him, his shoulders slumped in resignation. He had been tirelessly juggling his own responsibilities ever since his return from Italy, yet he always made time for Maverick and me, walking the

croaked, my

of his hands on my

he turned

after him, a hollow feeling in the pit of my

looked away, and then I turned around and dragged

sight of Maverick and his nanny.

began cautiously, the moment I walked in. "Did you and Uncle Dwayne have a

to hold that conversation then,

gentle smile. "I'm sorry for arriving

she nodded graciously. And then she gathered her

her, before letting out a weary sign

to him. "But, he

about how much to