MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE
Home safe.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

I sat huddled on the couch in the dimly lit living room downstairs, my heart pounding in my chest, my hands trembling so violently I could barely hold them still. Thirty hours.

Thirty hours since the last time I saw my son, and I hadn't slept a minute. Not a single second of rest had come, no matter how heavy my eyelids felt or how desperately I tried to will myself into unconsciousness.

Ashley sat beside me, her presence a small comfort in the sea of anxiety. She had rushed down to be with me the moment I made a distressed call to her.

She kept trying to console me, but her words barely broke through the suffocating fog of dread that gripped my heart.

Together, we've sat, praying and waiting for feedback from Jared.

Every minute felt like a year, and each second without news from Jared gnawed at my soul.

"What if he's not able to save my son?" I asked, turning to face Ashley. No matter how hard I tried, I could not get rid of the feeling of dread and fear brewing inside of me.

"Don't talk like that," Ashley chided. "Maverick will be returned to you safely."

I nodded, but those words did nothing to make me feel better. They weren't what I needed; I needed my son back to me.

Unable to sit still for even longer, I pushed myself off the couch and started pacing again. The rhythm of my steps was frantic. I had already checked my phone a hundred times, but there was still nothing-no messages, missed calls, just the silence.

I grabbed again, staring at the blank screen as though willing it to light up, to give me the news I needed. I sighed, frustration rising like bile in my throat, and tossed it back onto the couch. Then I resumed my pacing, unable to stop, unable to sit still with the worry eating me from the inside out.

"You can't keep pacing like that, come sit. You need to rest" Ashley said, but I shook my head, unable to sit, to relax, to breathe.

Just then, just as I thought I might break, a knock sounded on the door, and my heart stopped.

I exchanged glances with Ashley. Without a word, I walked to the door and flung it open, and my heart skipped a beat.

There, standing on the porch, was my precious Maverick.

Tears exploded from my eyes, unbidden and uncontrollable, and before I could even think, I reached for him. I swept him into my arms, the flood of relief crashing over me like a wave. His small arms wrapped tightly around my neck as I held him close, his body trembling but otherwise seemingly unharmed.

"Maverick!" I exclaimed, tears streaming down my face. "Oh, my baby..."

I pulled him back just enough to look into his face, searching for any signs of injury. But there was nothing.

Just my son, safe, despite everything.

"Mommy's got you," I whispered, rocking him back and forth. "You're safe now."

Ashley rushed to my side, her eyes darting around the surroundings. "Who brought him?"

I froze for a moment, blinking in confusion. I had been so preoccupied with the joy of seeing my son.

Ashley and I scanned around the empty porch, but no one else was there. There were no cars, no signs of any other presence. It was as though Maverick had simply appeared. Confused, I stared at Ashley, and she had the same questioning look in her eyes. "Let's get him inside," Ashley suggested quietly, already moving to lead Maverick into the house. I hesitated, still on edge, and glanced over my shoulder one last time. But the street was empty. My heart was heavy with more questions than answers. Once inside, we led Maverick to the chair, and I carried him on my lap. Then I took my time inspecting him, running my hands over his arms, his legs, his small belly, just to make sure there was no hidden injury. The last thing I wanted was to miss something. "Are you all right, baby?"

He nodded, clinging to me tightly. "I was scared, Mama. But my Daddy came to rescue me," he said those last words, with a proud gleam in his eyes.

"Your Daddy?" I couldn't help but ask, even though I knew he was probably referring to Jared.

"Yes, the handsome man who was trying to talk to you the other day at my school. He was there to rescue me, Mama. He called me his son. Mummy, why didn't you tell me he is my Daddy?"

At this point, I was thrown off balance, tongue-tied. It's definitely not a good time for this.

I turned to Ashley for help, and she quickly intervened.

"Um, baby, you know you just got back. How about you have a long nice bath, have dinner, and then we can talk more about your Daddy afterward?" Ashley said, smiling at him sweetly. Maverick nodded, returning her smile.

"Come here then," Ashley said, stretching out her hand to him. He took it happily and they went upstairs.

I released part of the breath I was holding when they left. I didn't see Maverick's question coming, and I sure as hell didn't have an answer.

I reached for my phone and sent Dwayne a quick message first, letting him know that Maverick was back safe, and thanking him again for his help and lending me money, though I don't need the money anymore.

Just then, my thoughts went to

Jared. Where was he? Was he all right? He had rescued Maverick as he promised, and part of me went warm. The memories of how he was willing to put his company on the line for Maverick were

heartwarming, as much as Thated to admit it. How's he now? How's his company now?

Right, the J&S. Jared had sold his shares so what would happen next?

Just then, my phone buzzed and I saw it was a call from him. Quickly, I picked it up and answered. "Hello?"

"Arielle?" His voice came through the line, and I felt the tight knot in my chest loosen just a fraction. "Jared," I whispered, unable to stop the relief I felt just by hearing his voice and confirming he was okay, too.

"Are you all right? Thank you for keeping to your word, thank you for bringing Maverick back safely to me." There was a pause.

"Are you there?" I asked, stunned by his silence.

"Yeah," Jared replied, his voice quieter now, heavier.

"Arielle, I didn't rescue Maverick. I

mean, I went there, but before I could do anything, some strange people showed up. They knocked Denzeboff and took Maverick. At

first, thought it was you, but clearly

it's not."

I frowned; none of what he was saying made sense. "Hold on, are you saying you didn't rescue Maverick?"

"No. It's not me."

"Then who did?" I inquired, confused.

"I'm clueless, too. But I promise I'll

replace out who For all it's worth, Denzel's been apprehended. I have to go now, but...." he paused, "I'll drop by to see Maverick tomorrow.

you don't mind," he said the last

words hesitantly like he was

expecting me to turn him down.

ope

I sighed deeply, too drained to think clearly. I did owe him a heartfelt thank-you. Maverick was safe, and Jared did help a lot, no matter what had really happened. I cleared my throat, trying to sound neutral. "Sure. He already sees you as his superhero, even though it seems you're not."

Jared's breath seemed to ease on the other end, relief washing over him. "Thank you," he said quietly. "Talk later."

After the call ended, I kept the phone away, my head beginning to race with thoughts. Jared claimed he didn't save Maverick, then who did?