MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE
Missing

(ARIELLE'S POV)

"Arielle, are you alright?" A voice asked, tapping my shoulder.

I instantly jolted back to reality to replace Rebecca standing by my side, a worried look on her face.

"Yes, of course. Why?"

She gave me a look that was both sympathetic and full of concern, her eyes soft. "You've been zoning out since you got here, Arielle. It's okay if you're not okay. You don't have to pretend."

Her words hit me like a wave, and I felt the knot in my chest tighten even further. I hadn't been myself. Not since the call with Dwayne. His advice, the questions he'd raised-whether to tell Maverick the truth about his father's identity, or keep it from him... I was still turning it all over in my head.

"I'm fine. Really," I forced a smile, trying to brush it off, but I could feel how fake it sounded.

Rebecca didn't buy it. She tilted her head, looking at me carefully. "You're not fine, boss. You should go get some rest. Really. You've been through so much lately. It's okay to take a break."

Her kindness should've been comforting, but all I could focus on was the gnawing feeling in my gut. The last thing I wanted was to burden anyone with my chaos.

"Thanks Rebecca. I'll be fine," I said, trying to sound convincing as I glanced at the clock. It was closing time.

I let out a sigh, "You're right, I should leave. Tell Stephen to see to things in my absence."

"Of course." She walked me out, her hand resting briefly on my arm. "Take care of yourself, alright?"

"I will, thanks." I muttered.

As I walked towards the exit, I quickly pulled out my phone and texted Big Joe. "Hey, I'm ready to head home."

By the time I stepped into the parking lot, the car was waiting for me. Big Joe was always punctual, and right now, I was thankful for his consistency. I slipped into the backseat, the silence of the car swallowing me whole.

I needed to clear my head. But the longer I sat there, the more my thoughts spiraled. The quiet of the drive didn't soothe me-it made me feel more exposed, like I was waiting for something bad to happen.

By the time we pulled into the driveway, my heart was racing, my hands cold with so many questions in my head. Somehow I couldn't seem to shake the feeling that something was wrong.

I mumbled a quick, "Thanks, Big Joe," and stepped out of the car. The quiet of the evening seemed like a distant hum, muffled by the constant buzz of my racing heart.

I headed inside and changed into comfortable jeans and a cozy sweater, hoping the soft fabric would settle my nerves.

Downstairs, I glanced at the clock. Maverick would be home soon. He was running a little late because he had music classes after school.

Sighing, I slumped on the couch, deciding to wait for him there. Maverick-his smile, his laughter, the way his eyes lit up when he'd talk about his day. My heart softened at the thought of my son, and suddenly, I felt like I was being suffocated by the weight of it all. I have to talk to him. The thought came to me like a sharp breath.

I felt a pang of guilt as I finally realized that I'd been avoiding this all the long time.

I'd heard everyone else's opinions. Jared, Ashley, Dwayne-everyone seemed to have an answer for me. But I hadn't stopped to think about what Maverick would want. What he would need to know. How he would feel about the truth.

I couldn't hide from it anymore.

Maverick was a child, but he deserved to make his own choices, to know the truth about where he came from. And even if that truth would mean facing a cruel world, even if it hurt, it was time for him to have a say.

I'll be there for my son, accompanying him whatever he would choose.

As I sat there, the seconds slipping away, a wave of determination washed over me. I can give him something better. I could...do better than my parents ever did.

I'll tell him the truth about his father, about us.

That settled. I suddenly felt my heart was relieved.

But as the hours ticked by and there was no sign of Maverick or his school bus. It was weird. Maverick was rarely late. He had music lessons, but that wasn't like him. My son was never late.

My worry intensified as I kept checking the clock unconsciously. Where could he be? Was there a delay with the music class because I was certain he was not with my mom? She's away on a short term trip, hence he had to use a school bus until she returned and resumed picking him.

Something felt off, and I couldn't put my finger on it.

"I'll just check with his school," I muttered to myself, trying to reassure myself that there was some logical explanation.

But as I pulled out of the driveway and made the short drive to the school, my nerves only seemed to escalate. What if something happened to him? What if-?

I shook my head, trying to push the worst-case scenarios out of my mind. Focus, Arielle. Stay calm.

As I parked in the near-empty lot, the silence around the school felt eerie. The music class should still be in session. But something about the emptiness made my stomach churn.

I hurried through the flight of stairs to Maverick class, my anxiety growing with each step. Just as I approached the classroom, I saw his teacher. Her surprised look only made my nerves spike.

"Hi, ma'am, what brings you here?"

"I'm here to pick Maverick," I responded hastily. "He's late. Was there a delay with the music class?"

The lady's expression changed from surprise to confusion. "No, the class ended on time. Actually, Maverick is not here. He was picked by his uncle immediately after, I thought you knew that?" What?

My heart skipped a beat. Uncle?

"What uncle?"

The teacher frowned, clearly confused by my reaction. "His father's friend. He showed me proof and everything. I assumed you were informed."

My mind raced and then my heart flew to 'his father'-Jared, could he have taken him?

Immediately, I took out my phone, ignoring the teacher's "is everything alright?" As I dialed Jared's number.

As soon as Jared picked up, I asked, my voice tight with worry. "Jared, did you pick up Maverick from school?"

"No. What are you talking about? What's wrong?" Jared's voice was sharp with confusion.

My heart sank even further. "Maverick's teacher says he was picked up by his uncle. I...I thought it might be you."

"I didn't take him, Arielle," Jared assured. "I swear. Why would I? Is everything okay?"

At this point, whatever restraint I had was lost. Panic overtook me as it seemed like I was falling apart from the inside.

I ended the call, ignoring Jared's

barrages of questions. It wasn't him,

then who? Sofia? Had she sent someone? No. No way. My hands were trembling, the phone slipping in my grip as my mind raced through every possibility.

Anger flooded me, hot and sharp. That bitch! She had better not have touched my son, or I swear I would-

I bit my lip hard, trying to focus. I turned to Maverick's teacher, "Can you check the CCTV footage? Please. I need to know who took him." "Of course. Let's go."

But as we rushed to the monitor, my hope drained away. The footage for that time was missing-corrupted. It was like it had been erased. It was planned.

I felt my heart stop. The blood

drained from my face. My knees nearly buckled under the weight of it.

I squeezed my fists, fighting back

the wayes of nausea and fear that were threatening to take over

QUMS

I called Big Joe, my voice shaky. "Please. Please, help me. Someone picked up Maverick, claiming to be his uncle. I think it's Sofia. Or maybe Jared. Please check for any leads."

"Miss," Big Joe replied calmly, but his voice was tight, too. "I'll check. Don't worry, I'll replace out where he is. Stay with me. I'm making calls right now."

My pulse was erratic as I hung up, my mind spiraling. Where was my son?

I kept thinking about whoever might

be against me but had no clues at all. Since came back I had never been enemies with anyone. I even texted Dwayne thinking he might have friends here who could be helpful and waited for his reply.

Minutes stretched into eternity. I paced, my feet burning with anxiety as my thoughts swirled in a vortex of fear and anger.

Just as I started to lose myself, my phone rang. I didn't have time to recognize the number, but I grabbed it anyway.

It was Big Joe.

"I checked. Sofia's been at the hospital all day. No record of her leaving. Jared was in his office. I can't replace any leads. I'll keep searching..."

No. No, no, no!

The phone almost slipped out of my hand, as my heart and hands shook. Where was my child? Who would do this to me?