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

Game on

(JARED'S POV)

I smirked inwardly as Arielle gave in. I shouldn't be so quick to admit it, but her reluctant response was like music to my ears.

Of course, my real motive was far from what she thought it was.

It was far simpler than she could ever guess.

I just wanted to be close to her again. To create chances for us to be alone, to feel that spark between us once more.

Yeah, I knew. I'd always been a little silly that way.

Even seeing her irritated face, the way her eyes flashed with that familiar fire, made something warm spread through me. There was a certain comfort in it. I hadn't realized how much I'd missed seeing that side of her-the side that wasn't guarded, that wasn't numb from years of hurt. The side of her that used to laugh at my dumb jokes and argue with me about everything, even the smallest things.

I almost forgot that I hadn't slept all night.

I'd been stewing over every misunderstanding and every word we'd exchanged these days, all night. And in the end, I realized my real issue was Dwayne's showing up.

Yes, as much as I hate to admit it, Dwayne's presence has made me panic.

Deep down, I always felt like I was one step behind him. And it wasn't just a self-esteem thing. It wasn't even just jealousy.

It was a deep, gnawing feeling that I wasn't worthy of her anymore. How could I be? It was the fact that I hurt Arielle, and he was the one who stayed after I walked away.

And how pathetic was that? To lose my nerve just because another man for Arielle showed up?

I shouldn't be overreacting like this. She's that fabulous, after all. It makes perfect sense that someone would want her.

But she's my ex-wife.

She's always been mine in ways I couldn't quite let go of.

If there was one real conclusion of this sleepless night of meditation and reflection, with everything Arielle had said recently going through my head, it was this: I needed to calm down.

"I'll send over some materials for you to review," I said, pulling out my phone to set a reminder. "We can discuss the details later."

Her expression turned stoic. "Is that all?"

I smiled sheepishly, like I wasn't carrying a thousand pounds of regret on my shoulders. "Actually, I was wondering if I could take you out to lunch later?"

I saw the flicker of something in her eyes-was it pity? Or maybe just annoyance. But her response was quick and firm. "No, thank you."

chuckled, not about to let that derail me. "I'll have my assistant send the

her eyes flashing with annoyance. It seemed like she couldn't wait to get rid of me, and her next words proved it. "Good. I'd

of excitement. This was just the beginning. I would wear her down

next time, then," I said, rising to my

said nothing. Without waiting

next morning, I walked into Arielle's restaurant feeling confident and ready for our first training

if this was going to be my chance to get close to her again, I'd be damned if I wasn't going to make it count. I arrived

"I trust you're ready to get

and tucking it away. "Let's

I said, already sitting down in the chair across from her without being offered. No time to waste. I dove straight into my introduction, enthusiastically explaining

as I was about to get her to really engage with me she picked

me in my

looked up sharply. Wait, what? Were they joining

at Arielle's cool, unbothered gaze told me there would be no argument here. So, like the mature man I was supposed to be, I swallowed my frustration and

guy who looked like he was fresh out of a college brochure. And judging by the way he practically radiated enthusiasm (and an annoying surplus of youthful energy), I deduced that this was

I forced a smile.

Great. Just great.

here," Arielle said, her eyes gleaming with that mischievous twinkle I knew so well, "let's begin. Jared, please

part of my

to deliver a priceless lecture, I thought it'd be a good idea to

giving me that confused look. But I could see the amusement in her eyes, the way they sparkled with that

"Fine. Just don't forget

the dynamics had shifted. It was no longer about me and her, it was about... well, a crowd. I could feel the control slipping away, but I had to keep

clearing my throat again,

smile that Arielle was trying to hide. She was enjoying this. She was

needed to do was get her to relax, get her to

sound calm. "What's working for

marketing strategy has been effective, but I'm not

I realized I had to use

a killing two birds with one stone as

of a problem as he had professional training on the topic in

about your online

to explain in earnest, and I listened intently,

she launched into

explanation Kleaned back, listening

The more she spoke, the more I couldn't

onto my face.