Mr Billionaire's Regret Chasing His Irresistible Wife (Jared and Arielle) novel Chapter 120

(ARIELLE’S POV)

I sat across from Mom at the dinning table. We’d just put Maverick to bed and decided to stay up a little longer just to catch up on each other’s days while we shared a bowl of fresh fruit salad.

“It’s getting so overwhelming doing this on my own, mum. I mean, with things like today happening, I’m so afraid for my baby. What if he decides to show up again?” I asked in despair, avoiding the sound of his name like a plague. But my mother caught on regardless.

“I tell you, that evil heartbreaker has the heavens to thank that I didn’t do more than I did to him today! Oh, how I’d have loved to dent his face even deeper,” my mother scoffed in disgust.

“Well, I’m glad you didn’t. I wouldn’t want the police taking my mother away for assault,” I teased.

“Oh please. They’d agree with me that he deserves whatever he gets from me by the time I'm done explaining to them all that he did to you,” she maintained.

“What if he asks about his father? He’s growing older, mum. That question is inevitable and it’s one I fear I’m not ready to answer,” I confessed, retreating back into my despair.

My mother gently put her spoon back down on the saucer and placed her hand on mine. “When the time is right we’ll take care of that, Arielle. Maverick has you and that’s worth more than a million fathers. Besides, you’re not alone sweetie. Momma’s here with you,” she spoke so reassuringly, allaying all my fears as she drew small circles on the back of my hand.

“Thank you. I’m glad you’re always there for me and Maverick. Just like you were today. I mean, fancy how lucky we were to have you arrive on time,” I teased her with a knowing smile.

“Alright. You got me. It’s not everyday I get to have two babies to look after, you know,” she said, touching my chin fondly.

“But I’m not a baby, mum,” I whined in playful protest.

“Nonsense. You’ll always be my baby,” she finished off with a wide smile before resuming with her apple.

We settled into a comfortable silence for a while, before my phone rang into the air. I had it facedown on the table so I was mildly irritated at the idea of taking any call at all so late in the day— until I read the caller ID. Dwayne.

I realized it was a video call only after I’d swiped the receive icon. Dwayne’s face appeared on the screen, his expression calm and composed, the faintest hint of a smile appearing at his lips as he looked at me.

Even through the phone, the intensity of his gaze made it hard to stay focused. His extra tanned skin didn’t help either.

“Hey Ari,” he finally cooed in his rich baritone.

I cleared my throat. “Hey.”

From across the room, my mom grabbed an apple, mouthing, ‘I’ll leave you two alone,’ with an exaggerated wink before she slipped out.

I playfully rolled my eyes then turned back to the call.

“How’s everything?” Dwayne asked, still in his head chef’s uniform, a few stains hinting at how packed his day had been. It looked like he’d carved out a moment just to call me.

I paused, thinking about how to sum up the last few days. “Busy. Work’s chaotic, and Maverick’s still adjusting to school. You know, the usual juggling act.”

Dwayne nodded, his eyes softening. “How’s he handling it? Must be a lot for a kid his age.”