MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE
He refused to sign the papers.

(JARED'S POV)

"What do you mean by "divorce?" I bellowed at the man seated across from me in my office.

Since the last time at the hospital where I spoke to Arielle, I had not spoken or set my eyes on her again. I visited the hospital a couple of times, but still was denied access. I even tried talking to the owner of the hospital, but was told that much couldn't be done as they were merely acting on my wife's order. Not even my influence could get them to change their minds.

I tried calling and texting her incessantly, but was met with silence. Realizing there wasn't much I could do, I decided to wait for her to be discharged.

When she was finally discharged, weeks later, my investigator informed me. But I couldn't pay her a visit because her mother was with her at Ashley's place, which came as a huge shock to me.

If I recalled correctly, the two women were not in good terms. In fact, Arielle's mother had not been in support of her marriage to me. Never had approved of me.

She tagged our marriage a union between two strangers who barely knew each other and labeled me a "stuck-up billionaire."

If both women had truly reconciled, and Arielle had informed her mother about what transpired, then visiting would be a huge mistake. The older woman was definitely going to lash at me, without giving me the chance to explain.

I dreaded her wrath, and so I stalled. I was the happiest when I received the news that the older woman had returned to her place. And so I prepared to visit Arielle, but heard another shocker from my investigator: Arielle has been meeting with her lawyer. Not once, twice, or even thrice.

I instantly knew something was wrong, but couldn't place a hand on it. It was even more frustrating when the investigator could not replace the cause of their meetings.

According to him, they always met in secluded points, and he always kept his distance to evade detection which made him unable to make out the topic of their discussion.

I was going to confront her but for the unannounced arrival of her lawyer in my office. Arielle was asking for a divorce.

The lawyer, unruffled by my outburst, leaned back in his chair. "Mr Smith, your wife, my client, has filed for a divorce, and I'm here to serve you the papers," he reiterated like I didn't hear him the first time.

I slammed my fist on the desk, making the pens and papers jump. "Of course I heard you clearly the first time, but I refuse to accept it."

The lawyer's demeanour remained unfazed. "I know this may have come as a shock, but-"

"Shock?" I cut in, my voice raised. "You think you know what shock is? I've been kept in the dark for weeks now, unable to see or speak to my wife. And now, you walk in here, telling me she wants a divorce?"

I glared at the lawyer, challenging him to respond. He cleared his throat before speaking up again.

"Mr Smith, the papers are quite clear. Your wife has made her decision. As you can see, that's her signature over there. I'm afraid, it's not open for debate."

I scoffed, the dude had to be the biggest joker of the century. "Not open for debate, you say? This is my marriage we're talking about. I deserve to know why."

"I'm afraid, I have no say in that. My role is simply to ensure the legal process is followed."

I leaned forward, my eyes blazing. "I want to speak to my wife. I want her to ask for the divorce and hand me the papers herself."

"Unfortunately, my client do not want to see or speak to you. The whole process will be seen to by me. I must advise you, Mr Jared, respecting her boundaries would be wise. And I know you to be a wise man," with those last words, the lawyer rose to his feet. Boundaries? I refrained from laughing. Arielle was my wife! Was this dude missing out on that?

As the he left, I felt a scorching rage ravage my veins. At this point, I think Arielle was being insensitive. What she saw was merely a misconception, one that she wouldn't even let me clarify. Filing for a divorce was the most selfish thing to do.

I understand she was hurting from the loss of our child, but it was my child too! One that she kept news of it's conception from me for some mundane reasons. If she was gonna be angry then I too deserved to be angry.

I picked up my phone and dialed a familiar number. "Find out what what's going on with Arielle," I growled. "I need to know every of her movement and what she's up to."

(ARIELLE'S POV)

It was dusk, and Ashley was back from work. We were having dinner when my phone rang. I stood up and walked across to the sitting room to fetch it from the table. "Hello?" I answered, seeing my lawyer's name on the screen.

"Hello, ma'am. I have a not-so good news."

I shifted uncomfortably. "What news?"

"Your husband refused to sign the papers."

My expression changed to a frown. "Why?"

"He insists on seeing you," my lawyer explained. "He wants you to ask for the divorce in person."

"Such a dramatic," I mumbled, rolling my eyes. "What do I do?"

"I think you should grant him the audience," he suggested, taking me by surprise.

"You think so?"

"Yes, I think so."

I paused, contemplating, before finally

responding. "Okay. I'll informet

you on when to set an appointment."

With that, the call dropped

I walked back to the dining room, where Ashley was watching me with concern.

"What's up?"

"Jared refused to sign the divorce papers."

"Why?" she asked, brows creased.

"He wants to hear me demand for the divorce in person."

"That's dramatic."

"Exactly what I said," I concurred.

"So what do you intend do?"

"I don't know, my lawyer is in support of his request."

Ashley sighed. "I think your lawyer is right. You can't keep hiding."

"I'm not hiding," I protested.

But she flashed me a teasing smile and patted my shoulder. "I know. Let's eat."

I didn't push further, and we resumed eating. Halfway through, the doorbell rang.

I paused, and cast Ashley a quizzical look.

it she shook her head,

indi that she was not

expecting anyone. Contentvel.ne

"I'll get it," I offered, pushing my chair back.

I walked to the door, peered at the and my

food on the po

d on the porch droppe

fixed on the door.