MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE
Accommodating him.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

I stood, frozen, my mind still reeling from Jared's revelation.

The hell? Jared Smith, the ever-composed billionaire, suddenly broke and homeless? It didn't add up. Especially not with his influential family in the wings. What kind of game was he playing this time?

The toothbrush still dangled from my mouth. And then I managed to regain composure and turned to Maverick, he was too young to overhear whatever nonsense Jared was about to spew next. "Hey, baby, why don't you go introduce your new puppy to Milo? I'm sure he'd be happy to have a puppy sibling," I said sweetly.

Maverick's face lit up. Without a word, he clutched the squirming dog and bolted inside, leaving me alone with Jared.

The moment the door clicked shut, I turned to face Jared again, with my arms folded.

"Cut the act, Jared. What's really going on?"

"I told you the truth," he insisted, his tone maddeningly calm. "I sold my shares in J&S. I'm homeless, Arielle."

I studied his expression, said in a sure tone, "Jared, even selling all your companies won't make you homeless overnight," I stated matter of factly. "You're a billionaire. You have properties and resources, and turning homeless overnight just doesn't make any sense." Jared shifted uncomfortably, like someone who has been caught in a wrong act. His eyes darted everywhere, avoiding mine.

"Fine, I'll explain everything," he sighed in resignation.

I stood at attention, my arms crossed tighter, and my eyes never leaving his. "I'm listening."

He sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair. "I'm really not lying, Arielle. Well, not lying about everything... I sold my shares. But it wasn't just for Maverick-it was to flush out a spy in my company."

The toothbrush slipped from my hand.

"A spy?"

"Yes." He met my gaze, his tone now deadly serious. "Think about it. How did Denzel replace out Maverick was my son so quickly? Someone leaked that information. I needed to appear weak, vulnerable. It's the only way to flush them out."

I swallowed hard, memories of Maverick's kidnapping flashing in my mind. His explanation sounded plausible, but I wasn't about to let my guard down. "So you decided to come here? My house? Why? Let me guess, part of the strategy?"

"I couldn't go back to the family house," he explained. "I don't want Nana and Mom to worry and fuss over me. They'd drive me crazy with questions and concerns. And my penthouse? That's too obvious."

I raised an eyebrow, still skeptical. "And your friends? Your colleagues? Or, I don't know, any of the other dozens of properties you own?"

"I admit... Arielle, I do have my reasons. I want to take real responsibility for Maverick, for us. I know I should've told you sooner, but if you hate me for this-if you think I'm crossing a line," His voice faltered before he steadied it."-please don't let it affect Maverick. This is about him too."

There was a brief silence as I weighed all I had heard. No matter how hard I tried, a part of me still didn't buy it. The Almighty and meticulous Jared Smith I know can never let himself be reduced to this point. But the mention of Maverick's safety and the memory of his kidnapping pierced through my skepticism.

Still, there was one undeniable truth: his presence here would turn my peaceful life into a circus. And my mom? She'd probably stake him like a vampire before he made it through the first night.

"I'm sorry," I said finally, shaking my head. "I can't accommodate you."

His expression fell, hurt crossing it. "So, you're just gonna let me sleep on the streets?"

His words struck a chord, but I stood my ground. "That's not what I said."

"Arielle, please -"

But just as our exchange was about to escalate, Maverick appeared by my side. "What's going on, Mommy?"

"Oh, sweetie, your Dad and I were just having an adult conversation. Are you done having breakfast?" I asked, trying to distract him, but he already was.

His eyes were now fixed on Jared's suitcases. He didn't take notice of them earlier because he was still basking in the happiness of a new dog.

"Dad, are you traveling? Are you leaving me?" He asked, fears jumping into his eyes as he stared from Jared to me.

"No, my boy. Dad is having some

issues with his house and was just begging Mommy to let him stay for a few days until he had things sorted," Jared replied, earning a glare from him. en Ebookex

"Don't -" I hissed.

But the deed has been done as Maverick turned to me sharply, a questioning look in his eyes. "Mom, are you going to let Daddy stay with us?" "Baby, I, things don't work that way. Your Father and I-"

"Mummy, please," Maverick pleaded, surprising me as he went on his knees next.

I was stunned and perplexed at the same time. Where did he learn begging in that manner from?

"Maverick, stand to your feet!" I ordered, trying to be strict, but he didn't budge.

"We can't let Dad sleep outside when we have a big house. Please, Mommy," Maverick pleaded. At this point, tears had welled in his eyes.

That was at it took to soften my

heart. I hated to see my baby cry and I hated it even more that he was now so attached to Jared that had to reconsider my stance for his sake.

"Get up, Maverick, I'll have to think about it," I said.

"No, Mommy, please say yes now."

I was helpless at this point as I looked at Jared, but his face was neutral. He has been quiet all through the exchange.

"Fine," I said in resignation. "But he's staying just for a few days, and after that, that's it."

"Yeah!" Maverick squealed and got to his feet. "Thank you, Mommy."

"You can come in," I said to Jared, maintaining a poker face.

"Thank you," he mouthed, and then he turned to Maverick. "Thank you for helping Daddy convince Mommy. I owe you one, little man."

I watched the two exchange handshakes, with Maverick giggling about performing an adult handshake for the first time.

Jared gave me a small smile. "Thank you, Arielle."

"Just know I did this for him, and nothing else," I whispered in Jared's ears coldly as he got close to me.

"Noted," he murmured, his voice low. "And I'll focus on the investigation, ma'am."

As I closed the door behind him, I leaned my forehead against the wood and groaned. What had I just done?

For the umpteenth time, I banged

my head against the door, muttering

to myself. Did I just officially turn my

peaceful life into a mix of N******

soap opera and Hulu suspense movies?

God help me.