Mr Billionaire's Regret Chasing His Irresistible Wife (Jared and Arielle) novel Chapter 162

(ARIELLE’S POV)

Dwayne’s gaze locked onto mine, sharp yet somehow tender, as he let out a measured sigh.

“On one hand, I’ve just navigated a major shake-up in Italy. We need a foothold in New York, and the timing felt right. On the other hand…” He hesitated, as if weighing the gravity of his next words. “I came to claim what’s rightfully mine. Nana’s inheritance.”

The explanation aligned with what Ashley had told me before, and I found myself nodding. Still, a part of me couldn’t help but question why the inheritance mattered so much to him.

“But you’re already a Mafia lord,” I blurted, unable to hide my disbelief. “You have wealth, power, an entire empire. Isn’t the inheritance… trivial by comparison?”

“It’s not just about the money or properties,” he said, shaking his head. “Nana Jean owns a significant portion of the Mafia's power. If I don’t secure that, rival families will move in, and there’ll be blood. Chaos. That’s not something I’m willing to allow.”

It clicked. “So, this isn’t just about assets—it’s about maintaining stability. Control.”

A flicker of approval lit his face, and he nodded, his lips curling into a faint, almost boyish smile. “Exactly. But there’s another reason,” he added, his tone growing serious, his eyes once again boring into mine.

I tensed, his sudden intensity making my pulse quicken a bit. “What reason?"

He didn’t look away. “Big Joe told me you’ve been living with Jared,” he said evenly, though his tone carried a quiet accusation.

The words landed like a slap. My stomach lurched as my mouth fell open in shock. Big Joe?

So Big Joe was working for him, and not his friend like Big Joe had made me believe when we first met? I thought back to all the times Big Joe wanted to follow me everywhere like a shadow, it was all Dwayne’s doing.

I stared at him, dumbfounded, words failing me.

“I couldn’t wait any longer,” Dwayne admitted, his gaze never leaving mine. “I was afraid—afraid you’d forgive him. That you’d make the mistake of getting back together.”

I blinked, utterly startled. “Seriously, Dwayne?!”

“Yes Ari—”

“Let me get this straight,” I said, my voice climbing. “You came back to…” My words trailed off as my brain caught up with my emotions. “To chase me?”

“What else?” he asked, raising an eyebrow, as if daring me to argue.

I groaned inwardly. This man!

“Are there any more secrets I should know about? Because they just don’t seem to have an end,” I sighed in exasperation.

Dwayne chuckled lightly, then dropped to a half-squat in front of me, bringing his face level with mine. “Arielle,” he began, his voice soft yet firm, “I have my reasons for coming back. There are things I need to take and things I need to protect. But my intentions here are clear. I want you. Call me selfish, childish, whatever you want. But I’m here for you.”

From this angle, with his disheveled hair and those striking emerald eyes, he reminded me of a rain-soaked stray dog begging to be let inside.

His words melted into the night, blending with the soft rustle of leaves in the cool breeze.

For a moment, I couldn’t look at him—really couldn’t—so I dropped my gaze to the ground, focusing on the faint outlines of pebbles beneath my shoes.

It wasn’t good timing. A knot of frustration tightened in my chest, and I couldn’t help the flicker of irritation that flared toward him.

“It’s too much, Dwayne,” I said, shaking my head. “You show up unannounced, dump all this on me, and expect me to… what? Just be fine with it?”

I looked up at him, suddenly exhausted. “I don’t even know where to start. What were we, Dwayne? What do you see me as? A fool you could play with?” My chest ached as I forced the words out.

“I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through. Truly, I am. But I wasn’t a part of your past, and I can’t fix it for you. And Jared…”

I stopped, my voice faltering. Jared. The realization hit me. Before the dinner, Jared must have suspected Big Joe, judging from his cryptic questions about him earlier.

A severe headache overtook me immediately. How could I explain all of these to him? How do I tell him that I had inadvertently gotten entangled with his half brother?

The weight of it all crashed over me—Jared, Maverick, the inevitable fallout. The last thing I wanted was for my son to bear the brunt of my mistakes.

Dwayne seemed to sense my spiraling thoughts. He reached for my hand, his touch gentle.