MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

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 She looked at me, her breathing matching mine-barely existent, all withdrawn because of the shock of my outburst.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

"And who exactly is Tiana, Jared? Why her? Can you explain that to me, in simple terms?"

"She's a friend. To both me and Sofia-"

Arielle exhaled sharply and cut me off, "Oh, so she's another 'friend,' is she?"

"It's different! She's young, naïve-practically a sister to me. This was a deal, Arielle. A strategy. She doesn't threaten us. She won't make Sofia jealous. It's harmless-"

"Harmless?" Arielle let out a short, bitter laugh. "And yet, Sofia still factors into your 'strategies.' Even now, you're still concerned about her?"

"I'm not concerned about her!" I snapped, my patience fraying. "I didn't want anyone to get hurt. Don't you understand that, Arielle? I was trying to protect everyone."

"I've understood every time, and that's exactly why I kept getting hurt. Jared, when are you going to realize that the real problem between us is trust? You don't trust me, and I don't trust you. But you keep dragging me into these emotional triangles, and I'm done. I don't want to repeat my own past!"

I felt my chest tighten at her words. "But I deserve another chance, don't I, Arielle?"

"Would you stop asking me that?" she snapped in anger. She let out a heavy sigh and rubbed her forehead.

"I'm sorry..." we both said together.

She shut her eyes and opened them again, her expression softer a bit.

"Look. I'm just being realistic, Jared. What really does it matter what I think? I'm your ex-wife. We are done. I mean you even literally said that you'd rather have never married me for the three years that we were together."

"I didn't mean that... I didn't-I wasn't trying to say it like that," I stuttered, my voice betraying me.

"Nevertheless, you did say it. And it's okay. We're done. I've come to terms with it and I think you should too." She took a pause and let out a long deep exhale, her eyes heavy with exhaustion.

There was an underlying feeling of hurt and bitterness in her eyes that I couldn't miss.

"Thank you for letting Ashley's uncle 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 she left now, I might never get the chance to fix this. It could really be the end.

I had to say something-anything to keep her here, even just a little longer!

I cleared 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 avoid rejection.

Arielle's eyes went electric with anger as she narrowed 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 doing me by helping Ashley's uncle," she snapped. "It's my only request, I promise," I said.

"Then say it already," she snapped. "And you better do as you've promised. Else..."

I took in a long breath and let out an equivalent exhale before speaking. "I want to go with you to the Open House at Maverick's school.. It's in two weeks time, right?"

I could see the clear look of surprise

Tin

on her face. She probably hadn't expected me to even know about the event, let alone be interested in attending And of all things, this was what Lasked for in exchange for helping Ashley's family-something as simple as going to a school function with my ex-wife and our son. Her eyes narrowed as she

studied me, skepticism clouding her

gaze.

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

I felt offended by her little jab at me. "That won't happen," I said a little more sharply than intended.

"But I'd appreciate it if you didn't tell Maverick certain things," I quickly added.

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

"About me.. and umm... and Tiana," I said.

She 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 him for so long. He's growing up and he's gonna

have questions. I can't promise to lie

just to protect your image."

I clenched my fist at her words. She was clearly enjoying the effect they were having on me. The way they rubbed the guilt down on me without necessarily being harsh-just plain bitter truth.

"Arielle, the engagement thing doesn't happen until another month. And I'm gonna keep the media out of my business for as long as it takes. I just want you saying anything bad about me to my son," I said defensively.

Her face was the pure picture of irritation as she opened her mouth to speak again.

"What's your mission with all of this here, Jared? Are we supposed to keep up this act with Maverick? Make him believe we're a perfect little family? To what end? So you can marry some other woman and keep up with the act?"

I felt my face redden in

embarrassment at the harsh heat of

her words. Nost my voice and I

opened my mouth and closed it on

several attempts. I looked awaynovelbin

from her, my lips pursed in

sever

exasperation. Nothing was ever

going to be the same with her again.

She let out a sigh for the hundredth time. "Fine," she said coldly. "I'll do it. I'll play along, as long as you keep your promise. Good night," she said and turned on her heel to leave.

I stared at her retreating figure, my chest constricting with emotion, a turmoil that burned deeper as she disappeared into her car without turning to spare another glance.

The wind swept up some dirt from the ground and flung them on my legs. Leaves fell down from the trees and floated down around me in a weird mourning dance. Everything looked bleak and... colorless