Mr Billionaire's Regret Chasing His Irresistible Wife (Jared and Arielle) novel Chapter 123

(JARED'S POV)

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.