MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(JARED'S POV)This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

I was seated in the cafe, glancing at my wristwatch for what felt like the hundredth time. Arielle hasn't responded to my recent call or text. I was starting to get worried. Has she changed her mind about meeting me? Just as I was about to call her again, someone walked into my line of vision and sat down across from me at the table.

"Hi," she said, sounding out of breath.

"Hi," I responded and paused as my eyes skimmed her face. She looked flushed, the type a woman had whenever she blushed so hard from a man's compliment, or...or something more.

The thought of that aroused an intense feeling of jealousy in me. I knew she'd been out with someone when I went looking for her at the restaurant, and I couldn't stop myself from asking. "Have you found someone new to love?" I blurted, trying to sound nonchalant.

Her face dimmed, as disbelief clouded it, and then immediately, it turned cold. "Three years and your memory is suddenly bad? You shouldn't forget the last time we met; I told you my life was no longer your concern." I winced, her words stinging more than a bee's. But I don't push further as I deserve them.

"I know," I admitted, "but-"

"But what? You shouldn't be asking me that," she interrupted sternly. "What's this about Jared? You know I wouldn't be here if you didn't mention your grandmother."

My heart twisted in bitterness at the truth in that, and I guess it reflected in my face, but I pushed it aside.

"My grandmother's returning, and she still doesn't know about our divorce," I announced.

Arielle's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "You never told her?" She asked like I had said the most incredulous thing ever.

I shook my head, feeling shame and guilt washed over me. "No, I didn't." Then I leaned forward, my voice turning apprehensive. "You know she adored you, Arielle. She loved you more than a daughter." That seemed to work as Arielle's features softened slightly. "How's she?"

"She's fine...a bit fragile now. The past few years haven't been kind to her in terms of age, I guess," I said, sighing. "But that's not the point. The point is, she thinks we're still married."

"Why didn't you tell her, Jared? All these years?" The look of anger was back on her face.

"Honestly, I don't know," I admitted. "Maybe... maybe I held onto the hope that you'd still be my wife."

Her eyes widened as she gasped at me, her mouth went open like she wanted to say something, but it went shut. My words hung on the air like bad news, and for a moment neither of us spoke. After minutes of silence with no one willing to break it, I opted to.

"Arielle, I know this is a lot to ask, but...can you keep up the act?' I pleaded, ignoring how desperate I sounded. "Just for her sake."

She didn't budge, her expression unreadable, but I saw a faint flick of hesitation.

"Arielle, please. The news of our divorce is gonna break her if she finds out. You know she's fond of you."

Her gaze dropped to her hands, clenched together on her lap like she was fighting some inner battle.

"For her sake?" She asked, her voice neutral.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

He nodded. "Yes, for her sake."

Though conflicted, I had to admit that his grandmother had been kind to me. Without her support, my early years in New York as a junior chef and even my status through marriage might have been much harder to secure, even though my marriage ended as a disaster in the end.

Sighing, I finally accepted. "Fine, I'll do it. It's the least I can do for her."

Jared's eyes lit up with relief, and he leaned forward, his face inches from mine. "Really? Thank you so much, Arielle."

But my acceptance came with a hard cold look. I might have agreed to help him, but I don't intend to be easy on him either.

"Don't thank me, Jared. I'm doing this for one reason -your grandmother. Don't think this means anything has changed between us."

Jared looked hurt as he recoiled, his eyes falling.

"Of course, thank you," he mumbled.

I nodded, and then my tone turned sharp again as I faced him. "And Sofia?" I asked. How could I have forgotten about her? "What about her?" "What about Sofia?" He asked wearily.

I raised a brow. "Don't play dumb, Jared. You know exactly what I'm talking about You know, she's been the one you took more care of. I'm surprised you didn't ask her to do what you're asking me to do, and I want to be forearmed just in case she jumps out again as your "old friend." I said the last words sarcastically with the intent of

getting to Jared, and I did.

He sighed, looking away, a guilty expression appearing on his face. "Things with Sofia are over."

I scoffed, my eyes narrowing as I fixed him with a skeptical look. "You've made similar promises in the past that I doubt you're telling the truth."

Jared immediately averted his eyes,

looking even more hurt, but I care

less. He brought all of these on himself, and I'm just being blunt. The last thing I want is any more drama from Sofia while I'm helping him with his Grandmother, so I have to ensure the coast is clear

There was a brief silence, each person swallowed by their thoughts. But Jared broke the silence as he turned to me with pleading eyes. "Arielle," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. "Is there...any chance? Anyway, we might have a life together again?"

I froze at those words, momentarily

speechless as I stared at him. For a

moment, drifted off, almost

transported back to the days when we shared a home, my cooking

drifting from the kitchen into the air while he read the news in the background.

But I shook myself free from the memory. That was in the past now, history would not repeat itself.

"Arielle -"

"Jared, don't," I interrupted, regaining composure.

"You've had your chances. Too many chances that I've lost count. And each time, I hoped things would change, only to be disappointed." Jared's face was now contorted in pain as he tried to plead further. "I know. I don't deserve another chance. But-"

"Yes, you don't. Time has healed my wounds, and taken both my love and my hatred for you away. Leaving nothing. It's just...nothing." "You're saying you don't feel anything for me anymore?' He asked, his eyes misty.

"I'm saying you're a stranger to me now, Jared Smith," I replied, punctuating each word. "That connection we had, it's lost. Long gone."

His eyes clouded with raw emotion, disbelief dominating his expression. He looked at me, on the verge of breaking down, his fist clenching tightly. "Arielle! Don't you dare -"

But I didn't flinch.

Seeing the vulnerability in his gaze had stirred up something within me, but I swallowed it, turning away as I told him firmly, "I'm done, Jared." "Whether you believe it or not, I've moved on. And I won't go back," I added firmly, to drive home my point.

And with that, I rose to my feet, grabbed my purse, and walked out.