Mr Billionaire's Regret Chasing His Irresistible Wife (Jared and Arielle) novel Chapter 153

(JARED'S POV)

With that thought, I turned the laptop off, pushing it aside. Glancing at the wall clock, I pushed the chair back and rose, deciding it was time to start prepping for dinner.

But just then, my phone rang, disrupting my intention. It was my mother calling, and I sighed before picking it up, praying she wouldn't get started on when I was going back home.

After much pressure and questioning about my whereabouts, I opened up to her where I was, and since then, she wouldn't stop asking when I was returning home whenever we spoke.

"Hello, Mom," I answered.

"Jared, when are you going to stop playing this ‘Househusband' game?" My mother asked, her teasing.

I groaned inwardly. "Not again, Mom. Don't tell me that's why you called?"

"No, that's why," my mother said, her tone taking a low tempo. "I just wanted to talk to you about something."

I couldn't help but notice the change in her tone. "Is everything all right, Mom?" I asked, concerned.

"Yes, everything's fine. It's just that Sofia's mother has been calling me, bringing up how she saved my life all those years ago and how our family owes her family."

At that information, I instantly grew disinterested in the conversation. I didn't want to hear anything about Sofia or her family. Memories of my troubled past with Sofia threatened to surface, but I pushed them aside, focusing on the present.

"Anything else, Mom? If not, I'm done with this conversation chat," I said trying to sound as cool as possible.

She sighed. “There is something else. Nana Jean learned about your son's kidnapping."

"Learned or you told her?" I interrupted, my time sharper than intended.

"Fine, I told her," she admitted. "And now she's worried about her great-grandson. We both are worried and want to see him. For the first time, at least.

"Mom, you know that's not too–a good idea. Arielle has barely warmed up to me being around our son, not to mention you and Nana Jean. And besides, even if it is going to happen, where'd they plan to see him?"

"A family dinner at the family mansion. Invite Arielle, and she should come with him," Mom suggested.

I paused, thinking it over for a moment. Arielle might be stubborn and adamant, but she always listened to Nana Jean. And so reluctantly, I agreed to talk to her about it.

Besides mother and Nana Jean wanting to meet with Maverick, I too would wish more than anything that he met with them, too. A change, at least, to let him know he has more family members besides me, his mother, and his maternal grandmother.

"I'll ask her, Mom," and then I quickly added, "But don't get your hopes up. Arielle can be difficult and unpredictable."

"Alright."

Talk to you later, and say hi to Nana."

I hung up the phone, my mind already swirling with the possibilities of dinner invitation. A gathering of all the people that mattered to me, it was so tempting an idea. But I knew better than to get my hopes so high yet.

Arielle was still cold and detached and I had a feeling convincing her was not going to be easy. But I was willing to give it a try.

Sighing again, I started to make my way to the kitchen, but my phone rang again. My mother's name appeared on the screen, and I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. What now?

"Hello?" I answered, trying not to sound irritated.

"I'm sorry I'm calling again, but I forgot to tell you something important," she said, her voice apologetic.

I sighed inwardly. What could be so important that she had to call me again? "What is it, Mom?" I asked, already feeling tired.

There was a pause before she spoke up, her voice lowered in a conspiratorial whisper. "I'm not supposed to tell you this but did you know that if you can't win your wife and son back, you'll lose the family inheritance."

My grip on the phone tightened at those words. What was safe talking about? "W... what do you mean?"

"Nana Jean won't choose an heir without a family. You know how much she values tradition and family. If you can't reconcile with Arielle and be a proper family, you'll be out of Nana's book."