MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(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.

"Arielle," he said softly, his voice steady, "I'm not here to force you into anything. I swear. You don't owe Jared, or anyone an explanation." "Easy for you to say," I shot back, "You spin lies and secrets like it's second nature." My voice cracked, and I buried my head in my hands. For a moment, the only sound was the rustle of leaves in the cool night breeze.

Dwayne shifted closer, his grip on my hand firm but not forceful. "Sorry I've kept things from you," he admitted quietly, "but the time we spent together? That was real. Every moment." He hesitated, his voice dropping to a whisper.

"Please, Arielle. At the very least, consider me your friend."

I exhaled shakily, my anger giving way to a weary kind of resignation. "No more lies," I said finally, meeting his gaze. "If we're starting over, it's with the truth. All of it." The smile that spread across his face then was brighter and more genuine than I'd seen all night.

It was so infectious, I was planning to feign an angry eyebrow, but eventually couldn't help but smile back.novelbin

Just then, I heard approaching footsteps in the distance. I let out a sigh, already knowing who it was before I even looked up. The familiar figure came into view-Jared.

My gaze darted back to Dwayne, but to my surprise, he was already on his feet, moving away with a quiet, almost cat-like grace. How did he do that so fast?

He gave me a knowing smile, his eyes glinting with mischief. It dawned on me he'd spotted Jared before I had.

Leaning close, he whispered, "So, Ostrich, do you want to handle this solo, or should I team up with you?"

"God, Dwayne, can't you just give me some peace? Talk to him. Later! Not me, not Maverick!" I hissed back, my voice low.

He winked, as if this was all a game, and I rolled my eyes.

When he passed Jared, they exchanged a sharp, cutting look-one that could've frozen the air between them. Neither said a word, but the tension was thick enough to choke on.

Jared finally reached me, his

expression tight. His eyes swept over me, scanning my face with concern. What happened? You've

gone too long. Dinner's getting

been gone

cold, he said, his voice steady but

laced with something

heavier-worry, maybe.

I swallowed hard, but before I could respond, his gaze flicked back toward the direction Dwayne had gone. His jaw clenched. "Was he bothering you?" The words came out clipped, his eyes darkening with restrained anger.

I shook my head quickly, but my voice betrayed me. "No, I... I just needed some fresh air, and he... he was here for the same, I guess. We barely spoke."

God, lying was exhausting. One night, I prayed silently. Just one night without everything falling apart. If Dwayne didn't handle this mess soon, I'd definitely make him regret it-Mafia lord or not.

Jared studied me for a beat, then nodded, his features softening. "Alright," he said, though his tone carried a hint of doubt. His hand reached out, warm and steady. "Let's go back inside." He smiled faintly as we walked. "I was worried. So was the little guy."

"Maverick," I murmured, my voice barely audible. My mind was still spinning, and his name was the only anchor I could find.

Jared looked at me again, his brow furrowed. "Are you okay? You've been quiet," he asked softly.

I blinked, startled by the question. "What?"

He repeated himself, his voice gentler this time. "How do you feel about Dwayne suddenly showing up? It's awkward, right?"

Awkward? That barely scratched the surface. My throat felt like sandpaper, but I managed to reply, "I don't want to get involved in your family matters, Jared." My voice was quiet but firm.

He looked surprised and hurt, his expression faltering for a moment. But he nodded. "Okay, I understand."

As we walked into the dining room,

Dwayne was already seated next to Nana on the table. He had a concerned look on his face as we walked in, and his expression flipped to disapproval when Jared held me by the arm and pulled my chair back for me.

I quickly averted my gaze, feeling a flush of embarrassment rise to my cheeks. I could feel his eyes on me, burning into my skin, and I wish I could suddenly be anywhere but in the dining room.

Deciding to distract myself, I turned to Maverick, who was already looking at me expectantly as I sat next to him. "Hey, baby, I'm sorry I was gone for so long," I said, trying to sound cheerful.

"I missed you," he cooed, snuggling closer.

I leaned in to hug him back, holding him close. "I missed you too, Baby. Let's finish with dinner, okay?" I whispered, silently praying for the dinner to be over soon so I could escape the tension and people in the room.