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

Reflections under the moonlight

(ARIELLE'S POV)

As the party got underway, I insisted on stepping aside for a moment to call Rebecca and Stephen. I needed to let them know about my decision to take two days off.

They readily agreed, assuring me they'd keep things running smoothly at the restaurant in my absence. Relieved, I thanked them and ended the call before heading back inside.

What Ashley called a pre-party turned out to be a lively, classic celebration-music, drinks, dancing, and endless chatter. It had been ages since I'd attended something like this, and I couldn't help but feel a little thrill as I mingled, catching up with people and sneaking in a few moments to casually promote my restaurant.

But as the evening wore on, the fatigue of the day finally caught up with me. My energy waned, and I felt the telltale weakness creeping in.

Dwayne, as if sensing it, stayed close by. At one point, he gently patted my shoulder, leaning in to whisper, "If you're tired just go back to your room and rest. You've got tomorrow and the next two days to enjoy your little vacation, Ostrich."

I shook my head, unwilling to dampen the mood for anyone else. "I'll just rest on one of the lounge chairs over there," I said, gesturing to a quieter corner of the deck. "It's fine, really. You all keep enjoying yourselves."

His eyes softened with concern, but when I smiled and reassured him, he finally relented. "Alright," he said with a small, understanding smile.

I playfully added, "My mother's over there too. I'll go chat with her."

With that, I turned and headed toward that short but steady figure.

Mom stood by the railing, the endless ocean stretching before us, her smile knowing. We'd found a quiet spot on the ship to sit and talk, away from the noise of the party. She glanced at me, her eyes filled with curiosity and warmth.

"Finally found some peace," she said, shaking her head with a small laugh as she took a sip of her drink. "These young lives... always so busy. So, how's everything going, sweetie? Work, Maverick?"

I sighed, already feeling lighter just being able to talk to her. "Work's been hectic, as usual. Maverick... he's almost four now, Mom. Can you believe it? He's becoming his own little person, and he's so excited about life. He's made new friends, and next week is his school's Open House. He's been talking about it nonstop."

I paused, the mention of the Open House tugging at a thread of unease. Mom noticed immediately, her perceptive gaze softening.

his father?" she asked gently.

hesitated, my voice quieter. "Yeah, he will. Jared wants to come, and I

didn't tell her was how Jared had leveraged Uncle Ashley's business for this opportunity. Some truths felt too heavy to

"You don't sound entirely comfortable with that. Are

and I have a complicated history. We always have. But Maverick needs us both,

I wasn't ready to say more, but her silence spoke volumes. Mom could read me like an open book, and I knew she was piecing

talking to you earlier-the way you were talking to him. Don't tell me you

help but laugh at her phrasing, though I shook my head in

'kiddo' you're talking about is a

what you think," I said carefully, trying to put my tangled emotions into words. "I've been trying to

never quite stayed within them. He didn't want to remain in the 'just friends' zone, and it wasn't hard to

expected, especially when it comes to talking about... us. And I know why. I know he's scared

He was someone tangled

there was Jared his half-brother, his rival. Their relationship was already fractured beyond repair, and the idea of stirring

was no way I could allow myself to complicate things between them

murmured. "Too heavy. I wouldn't even know where to start explaining it all to you,

processing my vague explanation, but after a moment, she nodded, her expression softening. "Honey, you don't have to tell

for her understanding. But before I could

does that mean you've

crept across my lips. "Mom, you just had to pull a forced

Finally, I took a deep breath and told her everything about me and Jared recently-well, almost everything. I left out the part about

Jared's business course and how we'd been working together, Mom raised an eyebrow. "So, you've been spending quite a bit of time with him lately. How does

admitted, my voice uncertain. "I've been trying to keep my distance, but the more we work together, the harder that gets. Mom, I don't know if you understand, but there's this calmness when we're aroun@each other, this sense of... peace. I don't want to deny that. But I know it only exists because we're pretending. I treat him like a stranger, or maybe just a friend,

like his

he pretends

And the moment I remember who he really is-who he's been to me it all falls apart. He's my ex-husband,