Mr Billionaire's Regret Chasing His Irresistible Wife (Jared and Arielle) novel Chapter 28

(ARIELLE'S POV)

I watched Jared pause, his eyes widening like saucers, and almost bulging out of their sockets. But I was not fazed, I still wanted to hear his response.

Silence hung between us.

“What did you say?” he asked, his voice still tinged with shock, his expression frozen.

“Do you still want to be with her?” I went on. When I said “her,” he knew exactly who I was referring to.

“Pardon me, but you're not being coherent.”

“Fine, I will spell it out to you!” I exclaimed. I was suddenly bored and wanted to cut to the chase.

“These days, I have been doing a lot of thinking, and have figured out some things. If you still can’t let go of Sofia, then I will set you free to be with her. I will not stand in the way of you being with your longtime sweetheart. We will part ways amicably, and if you two want, I can give my blessings.”

“What in Hades' name are you talking about!” Jared exploded, rising to his feet. His warm blue eyes have now turned icy, and his Adam's apple bubbled. “Who is feeding you with these ideas? Is it Ashley?”

I felt my face screw up in anger, offended at his subtle indication that I can not make such a decision on my own. “Keep Ashley out of this,” I growled. “I'm a grown woman, and I can make decisions for myself.”

“Oh well, this doesn't sound like a decision you'd make!”

“Does it matter? Just give me an answer!”

I paused, we both paused, staring at each other angrily. Each person, angry at the other for different reasons. After what seemed like eternity, Jared blinked and averted his gaze. He looked slightly embarrassed. And then he turned around and made for the door. But he halted, hand on the handle, and without turning he said, “It’s impossible… between me and her,” he paused, like he was being cautious with his words. “It’s never going to happen.”

Without another word, he opened the door and walked out, closing it behind him. I didn't let out a breather, until seconds later. I placed a hand on my chest, a feeble attempt to steady my thudding chest.

What had gotten into me?

I had never lost my temper like that—especially not in front of Jared. He, too, had always been calm, composed. He liked smiling, and I… I didn’t know what to think anymore. Sofia had changed everything between us.

Tears blurred my vision. Maybe Sofia wasn’t the real issue. Maybe we were both hiding our most ugly sides from each other.

But no, that couldn’t be it. Our marriage shouldn’t end like this—even if it had to end. Not in this hurtful way. I still hoped we could part on softer terms, a gentle goodbye. I owed him that much.

I waited. And waited.

I fell asleep and was roused by someone's warm arms around me. I stiffened, ready to scream when I felt his warm breath on my neck. It was Jared.

“Shhhh…it's me,” he whispered.

I nodded, and was starting to relax when a smell sailed into my nose. I paused, flared my nose to catch the whiff of the smell again, and I did. I swirled around to face Jared, my face questioning.

“Did you smoke?”

He made to say something, and then stopped, throwing his face away.

“Jared, answer me, what's this smell on you?”

“Yes, I did take a few drag,” he mumbled, his face still thrown away.

“What? I thought you said you quit smoking?” I inquired, propping myself up one hand. “Did you lie to me?’

“I didn't,” Jared defended, turning to face me now. “After the argument, I just needed something to help me let off some steam.”

I want mute at this point, as I felt a spark of guilt explode in me. It was all my fault. Jared used to smoke when we met, but after marriage, I told him about my dislike for smoking and he promised to stop. He did stop, because for the three years of our marriage I have never caught a whiff of cigarette on him or seen him smoke. And now, he went back to his old habit because of me.