Mr Billionaire's Regret Chasing His Irresistible Wife (Jared and Arielle) novel Chapter 90

(ARIELLE’S POV)

"I didn't know how to tell you," I said softly. "It wasn’t something I hid on purpose. I was afraid of how the academy might react if they found out I was pregnant. I wasn't sure if they would still accept me."

Dwayne’s expression grew somber, his eyes filled with a mixture of understanding and disappointment.

"Even me?" His voice was calm but carried a weight that made me feel small. "Arielle, we are friends. I know I have no right to demand anything from you, but you could’ve at least told me. I’d never rat you out, not if you were afraid of that."

I looked down, "I'm sorry. I really did think of telling you, but… I didn’t know how you’d react. And honestly, what could you have done? You’re not a doctor, and you’re not a woman who can relate to pregnancy."

He shook his head gently, his voice unwavering. "You don’t give me enough credit. I would’ve done anything to help you. You know I would’ve been there for you. Hell, I wouldn’t have even gone on that trip if I knew." He paused, a small sigh escaping his lips.

"What would you have done if I had already boarded that plane?"

The thought sent a chill through me. I hadn’t let myself consider it before, how isolated I truly was without my family nearby. If Dwayne hadn’t been there... I would’ve been helpless.

"You’re right," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "I really don’t know what I would’ve done. I’m sorry..."

He let out a small breath, the tension between us lifting slightly. "It’s fine," he said, offering me a reassuring smile. "But honestly, how did you even manage to keep a pregnancy hidden for nine months?"

I chuckled, relieved at his change in tone. "Tummy wraps, flowy dresses, all sorts of tricks to conceal the bump. I couldn’t risk losing the scholarship."

"Women are something else," he said, his eyes widening in disbelief. "I give it to you."

Just then, a soft knock on the door broke our moment. "Come in," I called, my heart fluttering as the nurse walked in, carrying my baby swaddled in a warm shawl.

"We’ve checked him over and he’s perfectly healthy," she said with a kind smile, before turning to Dwayne. "He’s ready to be back with his mama."

Dwayne, who stood closer, gently took the baby from her. He looked down at the tiny bundle, his eyes softening. "He’s really something," he murmured. "Gonna be a heartbreaker, for sure."

I smiled, tears welling up as I watched him hold my son so naturally. The way Dwayne held him, cradling him with such tenderness, stirred something deep inside me. It wasn’t a comparison—I hadn’t meant to—but for the first time in a long while, I thought about Jared.

My ex-husband. I hadn’t thought about him in months, not like this.