MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(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.

"I didn't go to him on purpose. You're misunderstanding-"

"Then why didn't you come to me?" He interrupted, his tone rising slightly. It was rare for him to interrupt me, and I realized that I had really struck a chord in him.

"If Maverick hadn't mentioned to me earlier when I called that you were out, I wouldn't have known! You didn't just go to 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 anymore?" He continued.

Why the hell was he acting like a husband who had just caught me cheating on him? More importantly, why the hell did I even feel a little guilty? What's the problem with me?

I 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 think it was important enough to bring up-"

But he quickly interrupted me before I could get the words out. "Stop," he said. "I know what you're about to say. You didn't want to be 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 on only when there's no one else."

I was stunned at first, and then irritated, my eyes narrowing. "That's not a fair thing to say. Quit being so dramatic, Dwayne. I was just trying to help Ashley! She's my friend and so do you. What are you making this about us?"

Dwayne stepped a little closer, his gaze unwavering, "Then let me ask you something. If I offered to help, and Jared offered to help too, who would you choose?"

I blinked in disbelief as I never expected him to draw such a comparison. "Dwayne, this isn't a multiple-choice question and it's not a competition!"

"Isn't it?" he replied with a slight raise of his brows.

I stood there, frozen for a moment, the weight of his words sinking in. What was he really asking me? Was this about more than just helping Ashley? I didn't know how to respond, didn't know how to articulate the swirling emotions inside of me. For a moment, none of us moved or spoke, a heavy silence descending.

Brown, on the other hand, sensed the tension and moved closer to us, wagging his tail and judging us both with his nose. It seemed like he was trying to break through the silence.

Dwayne was the first to look away, his eyes dropping to the ground.

He sighed, and when he spoke, his voice was gentle and soft.

"I'm sorry," he murmured. "I shouldn't have been so emotional. I know you've had a long day. You should go in and get some rest."

A feeling of guilt immediately

enveloped me 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 dogs with him, filling the gap, and creating a sense of stability that Maverick and I seemed to thrive on.

"Dwayne..." I croaked, my voice soft.

But he stopped with me with a gentle bright of his hands on my hair, before dropping it back to his side. "Goodnight, Arielle," he whispered.

And without another word, he turned to leave, Brown following dutifully behind.

I kept staring after him, a hollow feeling in the pit of my stomach until he disappeared into the night.

I sighed and finally looked away, and then I turned around and dragged my feet inside.

On stepping into the house, I was greeted by the sight of Maverick and his nanny. He was curled on the couch, a worried expression on his face.

"Mom," he began cautiously, the moment I walked in. "Did you and Uncle Dwayne have a fight? I saw you from the window."

I forced a smile into my face, not wanting to hold that conversation then, not with his nanny present. "Hi, baby. No, we didn't."novelbin

And then I turned to his nanny, Meredith, who was watching us with a gentle smile. "I'm sorry for arriving late, Meredith. Thank you, I'll take it up from here."

"It's fine, Ma'am," she nodded graciously. And then she gathered her belongings and bid us goodnight, before walking out.

I waited until the door shut behind her, before letting out a weary sign as I set down my bag.

"No, we didn't fight," I reassured Maverick, returning my attention to him. "But, he might be a little upset with me..."

I trailed off, hesitant about how much to let on to my young son.

Maverick's brow creased in disbelief, and he shook his head firmly. "That's impossible, Mom. Uncle Dwayne would never be mad at you. He loves you!"

I froze, his words like a grip on my throat, leaving me breathless and dumbstruck momentarily.

For seconds, I stood still, trying to process what my almost-four-year-old son knew about love and what context the word could be used in.

Finally, I managed to find my voice. "You're such a kid, what do you even know about love?"

But he puffed out his chest, looking proud. "I know a lot about love, Mommy. Uncle Dwayne called and dropped by to talk to me today about your birthday. If he didn't love you, why would he want to celebrate it? It's like how you and Grandma always celebrate my birthday

because you love me."

At this point, my strained nerves were soothed and I relaxed a bit. My heart instantly swelled with warmth and love as I looked at my smart son.

His definition of love and the way he interpreted it was so pure and I couldn't help but feel touched by his innocence.

I smiled and braced up, "You might have a point, sweetie. But just because someone loves you doesn't mean they can't be upset with you. Sometimes, they can be upset because... because they care so much about you."

He tilted his head as if in deep thought as he pondered on my words. "Like that time I stayed at Bella's house really late and didn't tell you?" He asked, his voice curious.

"Exactly."

Maverick looked down, his voice lowered as he admitted, "You were so mad at me that day."

I chuckled, remembering the

incident vividly. "I was," I said with a mock sternness, trying to sound firm but unable to hide the smile and amusement in my voice. I then softened my tone, chiming, "But did I stop loving you?"

He shook his head quickly, his eyes beaming with certainty. "No, mom. You still love me, right?"

My heart melted with love and affection for him, and I reached out to ruffle his hair. Of course, baby. I'll always love you," I reassured him, my voice filled with reassurance.

Convinced and reassured by my words, Maverick yawned and leaned against me, his eyelids growing heavier as sleep began to claim him. As he gave in, he mumbled, "The world of adults is complicated."

As I held him in my arms, my gaze distant, I whispered to myself, "It really is, Baby. It really is."