MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(ARIELLE'S POV)

I returned home feeling a whirlwind of different things in my mind. My eyes were open, but not quite focused on anything in particular.

It felt like I stood at a crossroads, burdened by the weight of past choices and the one glaring decision looming ahead.

I sighed with relief, taking a sip of water from the glass on the coffee table, trying to ground myself. A throbbing headache creeped in from my relentless overthinking. Jared's face suddenly popped up in my head and I rolled my eyes involuntarily.

I replayed the day's events in my head by default-mostly because I couldn't shake the memory off my head, try as hard as I did. An image of Jared's face, sad and forlorn just sat in front of me, superimposed on every other thought. If I'd heard him right, he sounded really repentant. I was almost convinced that he was a different man from the one I'd run away from three years ago.

But could a leopard really change its spots? The trauma of that time still haunted me. It felt like my husband had morphed into a stranger while with Sofia. Now that she was gone-maybe gone but what if another "Sofia" appeared? Would he choose her over me too, just like before? The answer felt painfully predictable.

Think, Arielle. Think about the child you lost. What if I had lost Maverick too? Just the thought sent a sharp pain through my chest. Would Jared ever even know it? Would Jared be guilty? And would Jared pay the price? I was so lucky in the world to have my Maverick, but I still remembered the heartache of loss. I couldn't betray the past myself.

What's wrong with you, Arielle? I slapped my forehead in frustration.

I should be moving on from Jared, not forgiving him. And just when I thought I could find my footing, his grandmother chose the perfect time to return.

My eyes felt heavy with tears but I just couldn't bring myself to cry them out. I thought about both Jared and Dwayne, trying desperately to draw lines of comparison between them but I soon gave up the effort. There really wasn't much to compare. Dwayne was the better man of course, but there was just something different now. It was all too much to process at once.

And the kiss we shared seemed to hold more words than either of us could ever speak to each other. It touched my heart that he could fly all the way from Italy to give me such a perfect moment. But there was something foreboding in his choice of words, something I couldn't quite place. Maybe it was my mind reacting to the fact that our meeting was cut short abruptly by Jared's call.

My mind switched to thoughts about my son. Maverick wasn't home. He'd gone out with a new friend from school -a boy from a big, close-knit family. That little bit of detail pricked my heart every time I thought about it.

Maverick had stopped talking about meeting his father after I'd told him that we were just fine on our own, but I knew just how much he longed for one. It crushed me to watch my baby pine helplessly for something I couldn't give. Or could I?NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.

With a heavy sigh, I reached for my phone. Calling Ashley might bring some relief, but I remembered the last time I saw her and she had been too busy with work. I had leaned on her so much.

Cheer up, Arielle-you can't rely on your best friend for every little trouble. I settled for texting instead.

'Hi Ash... Everything's fine. How's work going?"

I placed the phone on the coffee table and reclined my back on the sofa. Another tired sigh escaped my lips following the gesture.

I was too lost in thoughts to hear my mother walk in.

"Arielle? Honey, are you okay?" she asked me, her voice dripping with concern.

"Mum. I'm fine," I responded a little too quickly as I sat upright on the sofa.

"I just stood across from you and called twice but you didn't answer me, baby. Sweetheart, are you alright?"

I shook my head sadly as my eyes welled up with tears.

"Woah, honey. It's okay," my mother said soothingly as she sat beside me on the sofa and took me in her arms. "You're okay. Do you want to talk about it?" she asked softly.

"It's all just so overwhelming," I

began. I narrated everything that had

happened earlier in the day to her. My mum listened to me speak without interrupting, sparing me an occasional smile every now and then By the time I was done speaking, she let out a light chuckle which I found instantly contagious as my lips stretched into a weak smile.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"Nothing. It's just amusing how all these men are fighting for a chance to be with you. They're captivated," she teased.

"Oh please, Mum." I wanted to roll my eyes, but then the tears spilled over. "I just feel so lost. Why do these men have to disrupt my peaceful life? I thought I could manage on my own with you and Ash. We're a good team. We can give Maverick a loving family... I thought we could..."

"Honey, listen," she began again

after a while of silence, her voice taking on a more serious tone, "They didn't force you into any choices, which is good but yes I was so mad at them. But I do believe in you, you I at me!

know that right? I mean look you

I'm a single mother yet I have you

Arielle. I couldn't be more proud of

you, and of course, of myself."

I smiled through my tears, and she continued, running her finger in soothing circles around the back of my hand.

"If you need my suggestions, I'd say

I'll never forgive anyone who hurts you and I hope you feel the same, because you're my daughter. But you don't need that. You just need my backup. Then let's make it clear girl, whatever choice you make I'll always support you. You can always count on that, because you're my daughter."

"Mum?"

"Hm?"

"Did I ever tell you I love you?"

"I love you even more, honey," she said, and pulled me in close for a hug.

Nestled in my mother's embrace, I resolved to stop worrying. All I could focus on was what love I could get from those who truly cared for me. Dwayne was keeping his mysterious mask, never making any promises, while Jared was undoubtedly the biggest jerk I had ever known. To hell with those men!

"So what are you really going to do about Jared's request? You think you can handle it?" my mother asked, stroking my hair with her palm.

"1

I guess so. I mean it's not like we're getting back or anything right?" I shrugged.

"That's my daughter! You can handle anything because you're strong. Never forget that," my mother said reassuringly and planted a soft kiss on my temple.

"Thanks, Mum," I said, a genuine smile breaking through my worries.

Later that day, when Maverick came home, he was bursting with excitement about his day. We shared laughter as he recounted his adventures with his new friend. I smiled at him, pretending to be calm as I asked, "What did you like most about Noah's family?" He blinked his grape-colored eyes and grinned, "I...liked their dog, Mum. They're so cute! I think I could easily be friends with dogs!"

That settled it; I was getting Maverick a dog.

Maverick was the most caring child I knew, and I remembered how much he loved animals. I hadn't given it much thought before, but now, faced with my current situation, it felt like the perfect way to bring a little joy into his life.

If it was going to make him happier and give him a small piece of the family he dreamed of, then it was surely worth it. I took out my phone immediately and began scouring the internet for online pet stores, excitement bubbling up at the thought of putting a smile on Maverick's face.