MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE
He wants a second chance.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

I think it was exhaustion, but I dozed off a little, while still talking to Jared, but it didn't stop me from realizing when he left the room, being a light sleeper.

Curiously, I decided to go after him and see where he was headed. Barely a second after he left the room, I got off the bed and went after him.

I was careful not to be seen, as I followed him closely through the hallway. He soon stopped at a room door, and walked in.

I hastened my steps and got to the door, but it was not a see-through one, but luckily it wasn't sound proof so I could hear everything from outside.

A bit worried about who he was there to see, I subtly leaned my ear in the door to pick out every sound that came from the room. Fortunately, I didn't have to wait for long as Sofia's angry voice seeped through.

Oh, he was here to see her. Of course. The bitterness clawed at me. No matter how many times he claimed things were over, she still held this sway over him. Saving me today? Just a show.

I was about to turn away, when I heard Jared speak. My breath hitched as I heard him defend me, warning Sofia to leave me alone or face the consequences. He even said he'd put her in jail.

I froze, barely processing what he'd said. Jared, protecting me? It didn't feel real, not from the man who once watched in silence as I endured so much.

Still lost in thought and analyzing what changed, I didn't realize Jared was done talking to Sofia and had swung the door open until I saw him standing a few inches for me.

"Arielle?" His voice was low, frowning.

Heat flooded my face, embarrassed at being caught eavesdropping. I looked past him, catching a glimpse of Sofia's tear-streaked face, her shoulders shaking as she wept in silence. A part of me almost pitied her, but I pushed it aside, taking a step back. I had no interest in whatever mess they shared.

I turned to walk away, but Jared's voice stopped me. "You were listening, weren't you?"

"I wasn't," I said sharply as I continued walking.

"I know, Arielle," he suddenly said, making me halt in my steps.

I froze. "Know what?"

For a beat, he just held my gaze, locked onto mine with an intensity that sent chills through me. I could barely breathe.

Then in a tone that was filled with so much conviction, leaving no room for doubt, he asked the one question I have been dreading.

"Maverick is my son, isn't he?"

My world reeled, and I was thrown into a dizzying panic. "What are you talking about—"

"Don't lie to me, Arielle," he interrupted, his voice steely. "I know he's mine. I am Maverick's father."

Rage snapped through me like a whip. "How dare you?" I hissed, stepping forward. "How dare you even say his name?"

I saw the shock flash across his face. Maybe he'd never seen me this way before. But I didn't care. My fists clenched as years of anger and heartbreak surged to the surface, boiling over.

"I had him on my own," My voice trembled. "I went through every moment of losing the first child, of birth, of finally becoming a mother-all alone! And now you think you can just show up and erase that, just like that?"

"I know I hurt you badly, Arielle. I know that. I feel guilty about our first child's death. I was hurt too, and I'm sorry it happened! I was blind, and I made mistakes. But I'm here now. And I want to make things right. For Maverick... for you. I just want to make amends."

I let out a hollow laugh, "You were hurt? You think you were hurt?" I inquired, my voice slightly raised. "You have no idea what pain is, Jared. You'll never know the grief of losing a child, the ache of raising one alone. I lost myself trying to be the best mother I could be." "Arielle, please-"

"I told you many times. We parted ways three years ago, Jared," I reminded him coldly. "You should move on. Why are you bringing up all of these now?"

His face fell, but he took another

step closer, his gaze pleading. "Arielle, I was wrong about everything. Hoved the memory of Sofia. But the real woman I hurt was you-the one I let slip through my fingers I had you, a loving wife, a home, a child on the way... and I threw it all away. I regret it more than I can say. Every day, I see other people with their children, and it's like a knife twisting inside. I lost it all. But does it have to end like this? We have Maverick, we have our second chance..."

The raw pain in his voice was almost too much to bear, but I hardened myself. This was his choice. I wouldn't let him pull me back in. "Arielle," his voice was hoarse and low, yet it seemed to carry a plea: "If l-"

I cut him off directly.

"You think regret changes anything, Jared?" I shot back, my tone as cold as ice. "So what, you regret it now and I should be grateful? You want me to come back to you, dragging a child you didn't even know existed, because suddenly you're ready to care? We've lived together for years, do you think I'm the kind of woman who can't live without you?"

He fell silent, his face pale. Normally, I'd have walked away by now, but something in his expression tonight stirred emotions I'd thought I'd buried. Maybe it was the accident, reawakening painful memories, or maybe it was seeing him shut things down so ruthlessly with Sofia. Whatever it was, I couldn't hold back.

I laughed, the sound cold and

hollow. "You know, if you'd stayed loyal to Sofia and actually married her, maybe have respected you. An affectionate idiot. But all this talk of 'regret and 'mistakes' makes the past three years look like a joke to you. Like love's some game that you can just change your mind about whenever it suits you." I looked him straight in the eye, unwavering. "Well, here's the truth, Jared Smith: I've moved on. I have my career, my son, my life. I don't have any time for your twisted love game!"

He winced like someone who was slapped hard across the face.

"Arielle," he pleaded, voice broken.

"No, Jared." My voice was like ice. "You can't switch your affections on and off. If you truly cared, you'd have chosen long ago. But you never did. How difficult could it be?"

He moved closer again, closing the distance between us. His eyes held mine, filled with desperation. "It's your side I want now, and forever."

I moved back, trying to create a distance between us, but Jared was unyielding, as he replicated every move I made.

"I never stopped thinking about you," he said, his voice calm and eyes soft. "I know I made mistakes, Arielle. But I'd give anything to get a chance to make things right. Maverick deserves a father. We owe him a chance, a real family!"

I let out a harsh, bitter laugh, choking back the tears that stung my eyes. "A real family? You think after all this, I'd risk his happiness for some last-minute redemption arc you've suddenly dreamed up?"

He didn't answer, just watched me with a pleading look, his hand reaching toward me. But I stepped back, shaking my head.

"I don't owe my son anything. I've been there for him every step of the way. And he's happy. I won't upend his life just because you finally decided to play father."

I turned to leave, but Jared's grip on my arm held me back, pulling me close, his gaze intense.

"Look into my eyes and tell me you want to deprive him of the right of having his father present in his life," Jared challenged, his eyes not leaving mine.

My heart hammered, raw and torn, but I met his gaze and didn't flinch.

"I don't need to prove anything to you, ex-husband."