MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(ARIELLE'S POV)

Sofia's words cut through my heart like a sharp dagger, and for a moment, I was dumbstruck. I turned to Jared for help, but he averted his gaze. His silence spoke volumes, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. "How dare you?" I finally managed to whisper, my voice trembling. "You have no right to say such things to me, Sofia."

But she was unyielding. "I'm just telling the truth, and you know it. You're not the right woman for Jared. He deserves someone who knows him, who understands him."

I felt tears prick the corners of my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn't give Sofia the satisfaction of seeing me cry. I won't let her know how far her words got to me, and how much they hurt.

Without another word, I hurried upstairs, my heart aching with emotions. I got to the room, slammed the door shut, and tried to force the tears back.

I won't let the fact that Sofia just reminded me yet again, how much of a stranger I was to Jared, despite being married to him.

I lowered myself on the bed, tempted to calm Ashley, but I thought against it. It was late to call, and I would rather not saddle her again with my marital issue.

Just then, the door slipped open and Jared walked in. He didn't bother saying a word to me, he just proceeded to unbutton his shirt.

I stalled, expecting him to apologize or day something, anything, but none was forthcoming. So I opted to speak up.

"So, you just stayed quiet and let Sofia speak to me rudely?" I inquired, staring at him.

He shrugged. "I had nothing to say."

I flared up, my anger doubling. "Really? You had nothing to say when she disrespected me and called me a trophy wife? She literally talked down on me, and made it seem like I know nothing about you." "But she's right," Jared said, turning to face me.

His response took me unawares, and my eyes widened in surprise. I couldn't believe me ears. Was Jared seconding Sofia's words? Agreeing that I was just a trophy wife? It all felt like a nightmare, like I was in some surreal hell. Jared went on, his eyes cold and detached. "If you knew things about me, you would have known that Denzel and I are sworn enemies. He's been trying to wreck me since I can remember." "Trying to wreck you? But Sofia said it was just some misunderstanding in high school. It can't be that deep, can it?"

Jared shook his head like I was some dumb high school kid. "You know nothing, Arielle."

I didn't like how foolish Jared was making me look at this point. First it was Sofia, now him. "It's been year, Jared. Don't tell me you're still holding on to what he did to Sofia years ago -"

"You know nothing, Arielle," Jared repeated the words I was beginning to hate because they reminded of how little I knew my husband.

"Do you think I'll still hold on to some

juvenile act that happened years ago? It's more than that. Denzel has been my business rival, who has been trying to ruin business for me From going to shareholders in my company behind my back to convince them to withdraw their shares in his company and invest in his, to sending men to set my warehouse in fire few months back. And if it weren't for the timely intervention of the firefighters, my goods would all have been lost. That

man, was who you were dancing

with tonight!"

I felt like I had been slapped hard across the face, and for once, I was grateful that I was standing because after hearing all that, I didn't trust me legs to still keep me standing.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

A wave of shame washed over me. I

couldn't believe that I danced with a

man who would hurt my husband, and ultimately could hurt me too. But then, I felt another

emotion-anger. Jared never told me about this. He never for once, mentioned that his warehouse was set on fire. What was I? Sorcerer? That I would know all if these when

he never said a word to me?

I was livid now, as I faced him with angry eyes. I would not let him make me feel guilty of something I knew nothing about.

"Did you tell me about it?" I demanded. "Goodness, Jared, how did you expect me to know all these when you told me nothing? I didn't even know your warehouse was set on fire!" "That's because you never cared to ask!" Jared fired back, his voice equally rising.

I scoffed in disbelief. "Are you being serious? How do I ask about what I'm unaware of? You're my husband, Jared. It's your job to communicate with me, and not mine to read your mind!" "And who said you were unaware when it happened...?"

"What do you mean?" I asked, genuinely confused.

"That evening I received a call from work and left in a haste. When I returned, I told you I had something to sort at the warehouse," Jared said, his tone accusatory.

I paused, searching my memory.

And then it clicked. I remembered that night. had been worried sick when Jared didn't answer my calls. He had returned looking weary, and when Pasked him what happened, he brushed it off as a technical issue at the warehouse that had been sorted.

"You told me it was a technical issue," I said, my voice shaking. "You said it had been sorted. I didn't press further because you looked exhausted."

Jared's expression didn't change, but I saw a flicker of something in his eyes. Guilt, maybe?

"So, you're saying I should have known?" I asked, my anger rising again. "You're saying I should have read your mind and known that your warehouse was set on fire?"

Jared's jaw clenched, his eyes flashing with anger. "I'm saying you should have cared enough to persist, even when I said it was nothing.

I was dumbstruck as I just sat there on the bed, looking at him in disbelief.

He sighed and ruffled his head. "You know what? I can't do this. I'm going to the guest room," with that, he walked out.