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

A symbol of what's past

(ARIELLE'S POV)

He flashed a charming smile my way, and I felt my heart skip. Can he stop with the annoying boyish charms already? Rebecca and Stephen returned the greeting, taking their seats respectively. I followed suit, trying to compose myself.

"Today's session will be the last we're having, as you all know," Jared began, his eyes scanning the room. "But before we get into today's teaching, let's go over the ones we have learned all this while."

And we delved right into it. A few minutes and a brief review of our past lessons later, Rebecca let out an exaggerated sigh.

"I have to admit, I've learned so much in such a short time," she muttered, her tone genuine.

Jared grinned, throwing me a quick, knowing glance that I pretended not to notice.

Stephen, on the other hand, rolled his eyes and hissed at Rebecca. "Are you trying to say that all the wisdom I have shared in the past was a waste? I've imparted you with endless knowledge but you always let it go through one ear and out the other," he taunted. Rebecca's face scrunched up. "You're obviously not on the same level as Mr Smith's, hence your teachings barely stayed a second in my head."

I couldn't help the chuckle that left my lips as I watched their growing exchange.

To be fair, I was satisfied with the classes in the past few days as well. They were insightful. More importantly, I wouldn't admit it out loud, but I was a little reluctant to give up the tenuous peace we'd established in recent days, between me and Jared.

Even with his declaration to win me back looming in the background, Jared had managed to tone down his theatrics-apart from the flower debacle, of course.

Sofia? Silent. His mother or Nana? Missing in action. Miss fiancée? Never came to me once.

Ashley even mentioned that her uncle's business had smoothly recovered.

These peaceful days felt like a rare gift, and I wasn't sure how much longer they'd last, well, especially with Maverick's Open House coming up soon.

this point, Jared turned to me. "Okay, our last lesson and last session are over." He paused, "Arielle, I have something to

heart stuttered, caught off guard by the intensity in his eyes. Speak of

I darted a glance at

catch on to my thoughts because his lips curved into an easy smile, and he chuckled softly.

reservations. Then he began to speak, and the words that followed weren't anything like I'd expected. They weren't grand or showy-just

say this, and I want you to know it comes from the heart. I've truly enjoyed our time

failed to see you beyond that title-my wife. But spending time with you these past few days, without all the arguing and noise, I've come to see so much more, so much potential,

been hit by some oral drought.

must have seen the confusion in my eyes because his smile grew

it, Arielle. Think

you've come-how much you've built. Every successful business has a history and like a restaurant, people-evolve too. Sometimes we lose pieces of ourselves, but what matters is finding new ways

grow stronger. So,

no

pinching myself to ascertain that I had not been plunged into one of my noon daydreams. What's going

added, leaning back in his chair with a small sigh, "I won't interfere in your business anymore unless you ask me to. I'm sorry for the

so genuine, so open, it left me speechless. I wanted to say something, anything, but the words caught

drawing my attention back to reality. He reached for a package behind him that I didn't even

on the table. "It's my way of supporting you, and your chef dreams, and also-to mark the

and Stephen, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, sprang to their

each layer peeled away with care. His movements

a hint of nervousness in

exchanged confused looks, as it was indeed a little difficult to identify-a picture frame, holding

Knives.

closer, and then a gasp left her lips, "Wait-those handles! Is this... the German utensils? The Erik von Stein set?" She turned to me, her face alight with