Mr Billionaire's Regret Chasing His Irresistible Wife (Jared and Arielle) novel Chapter 12

(ARIELLE'S POV)

The ride home was one of the most annoying experiences I have ever had. Sofia did everything possible to upset me, by fussing and being all over Jared. She was either dabbing his face with a handkerchief or playfully throwing her arms around him. And while at it, she ensured to give me jeering looks through the rearview mirror.

“Can you play some music, Jared? I'm bored,” her loud voice suddenly sounded, breaking the silence in the car.

“What do you want to listen to?”

“That song we used to listen to in high school, 'I will always love you,' by Whitney Houston,” Sofia said.

“I don't have that song anymore,” Jared said, his eyes fixed on the road.

“Why wouldn't you have a song that meant so much to us?” Sofia pouted, appearing hurt.

He shrugged and chuckled, and I felt a sting. He always seemed relaxed around her, something that felt oddly reserved when it was just the two of us.

Sofia shot him an exaggerated sigh before pulling out her phone, acting as if her whole day depended on it, then looked around, annoyed. “Where’s my phone?”

Jared rolled his eyes with a hint of a smile. “Some things never change, huh?”

Sofia grinned.

Without a word, Jared reached into the glove box, pulled out her phone, and handed it to her. She took it with a little air-kiss in his direction and started playing the song. The car filled with Whitney’s soulful voice.

“I Will Always Love You…” Sofia began, and Jared hummed softly. Their voices blended, bringing back whatever history they shared, and I felt a knot forming in my stomach.

At that point, I knew I was a total bystander– invisible and ignored. My heart ached as I watched them sing and bond over the music, their voices synchronizing in harmony. I swallowed hard, wondering if Jared knew how much his actions hurt me.

The pain and hurt I felt were suffocating, making it hard for me to breathe. I turned away, gazing out the car's window once more, while trying to hold back my tears.

Was this the new turn my life was going to take? Being sidelined by Sofia and having to contend for my own husband's attention like some attention starved kid?

I shook my head, trying not to get too emotional. I couldn't afford to let them see me cry, couldn't afford to let Sofia see me vulnerable. So I kept looking out the window, pretending they both didn't exist.

Jared’s phone rang, interrupting them. Sofia picked it up with a flourish. “It’s your mom,” she announced.

“Just tell her I’m driving. I’ll call her back.”

Then Sofia’s finger paused over the screen. “Wait- You changed your password?”

Jared shrugged, not even looking over. “Yeah. Figured it was time.”