MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(JARED'S POV)

I instantly stepped on the brake pedal, reversing the car, and speeding off in the direction of the restaurant. On arrival, true to the reporter's words, the restaurant had been in a fire accident.

My heart continued to thud as I approached the crowd of people compromising the fire department, customers, and staff. I used my eyes to search for Arielle.

With each passing moment that I didn't set eyes on her, my heart clenched in my chest, as I tried not to think of the worst. When I couldn't find her in the crowd, I decided to approach any of the staff. Who knows, maybe she was absent from work today. With that feeble consolation, I approached Rebecca, whom I had spotted.

"Hey, Rebecca, are you alright?" I asked, genuinely concerned and not because I wanted information from her only.

She looked at me, surprised but nodded. "Y-yes, I'm fine, thanks."

"I'm so sorry about what happened," I said, and then glancing around, asked, "Where's Arielle?"

She looked at me like one who had asked the most incredulous question. "You're not aware?"

"Aware of what?" I asked, the dreadful feeling in my stomach returning. Oh Lord, it shouldn't be bad news.

Rebecca hesitated before speaking. "Arielle left the country a week ago."

I was taken aback. "What? Where? How?" I threw all the questions at her once.

"I'm sorry, I can't give out much information...she left on a culinary scholarship."

I paused, assimilating the information. Arielle had left the country? "How did she get the scholarship? From whom?"

Rebecca's eyes darted around nervously. "I'm sorry, but I really can't say more."

"Rebecca, please," I urged, but she shook her head.

"I'm sorry," she repeated, her voice resolute but polite. With that, she turned and quickly walked away.

I stood there, confused, trying to process the news. Arielle was gone.

Slowly, I dragged my feet back to my car and settled in. Arielle was gone. The thought kept ringing in my head relentlessly like a bell.

Usually, I shouldn't care if she left or not; we're no longer an item, after all. But still, the thought of never seeing her again, ever, didn't sit well with me.

Quickly, I reached for my phone and dialed Ashley's number.

"Hey," she answered. "What's up?'Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

"I'm good," I mumbled, going straight to the point. "So I stopped at Arielle's workplace; I heard in the news that they were involved in a fire accident, so I decided to stop by and ensure she was okay. But surprisingly, I was told she left the country a week ago." "Okay, is there a problem?" Ashley asked.

I paused, the sudden coldness of her tone not going unnoticed, but went on regardless. "I want to know where she left to, and if she's fine."

"Why?"

Wow, I hadn't expected this level of resistance. "Come on, Ash, Arielle and I are not enemies. I just want to know how she's doing and why she left the country so suddenly without notice."

"I'm sorry, but you lost that right. You two are no longer together, so I think you should mind your business henceforth. And it's Ashley to you, not Ash. You're not Arielle."

"That's a little rude, Ashley," I protested, taken aback by her harsh tone. "Arielle and I are still married, technically -"

"Then fucking submit the papers to the court and let her be!" Ashley yelled, and with that, she dropped the call.

"Wow!" I exclaimed, staring at my phone in shock. I hadn't seen that coming. Ashley had always been protective of Arielle, but this was on another level.

I sat back in my car, letting my mind wander. Where had Arielle gone? And why do I care so much?

The questions kept swirling in my head, refusing to let me go. And even when I started the car's engine, it still didn't go away.

I drove home, my thoughts still

divided. Somehow, I had an underlying feeling of guilt; what if Arielle had left because of the divorce? Maybe she couldn't stand me and Sofia together and opted to leave. Had we driven her away? I thought wearily.

No, it can't be, Rebecca said she left on a culinary scholarship. Having been married to Arielle for three years, I knew she had always wanted to advance in her career but held dback because of our marriage. Who knows, our divorce might have provided her with the opportunity now.

As I pulled into the driveway, I did my best to stifle the thoughts. I got inside, and Sofia seemed to be waiting for me.

"Hey, how was your day?" She asked, a bright smile on her face as she approached.

My eyes narrowed in suspicion, what's with the improved mood? Were we not in an argument hours ago before I left the house?

"It was fine," I replied regardless, forcing a smile.

Her eyes glittered, and I knew instantly that something was up. "I have great news! I spoke to my parents, and Dad's now responding to treatment." "That's amazing," I said, and I meant it.

"I know, right? And," she continued. "I spoke to my gynecologist, and she said I'll be due for delivery by the 29th of next month."

I nodded, trying to muster up enough enthusiasm. Sofia was eight months ago, so it was expected. "That's great news."

But her eyes lost some of their brightness. She stepped closer, her brows furrowing. "What's wrong? Aren't you happy about the news?"

I faked another smile. "Of course, I'm happy. I'm just...tired. Long day."

Her eyes lingered on mine, but luckily she didn't push. "Okay, go rest then."

I nodded, grateful for the escape. "Yeah, I think I will."

"And, Jared? Your mother called, she said we're having dinner at her place tomorrow. She wants to talk to use about something important. She's been trying to reach you all day" Sofia called after me as I resumed walking. .

"Alright," I mumbled, and walked on.

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