MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE
Did he really give up on her?

(ARIELLE'S POV)

Sofia even gave me a slightly apologetic glance as she passed by, holding onto Jared's arm.

I must've looked like a fool, standing there like that.

Ashley, already rolling up her sleeve and shaking her fist, muttered, "I'll go ask him what he means by this."

"Don't pull me!" I heard her protest as Roman grabbed her arm.

Margaux, sighing, interjected, "Why don't we listen to what Arielle has to say first?"

Ashley spun around to face me, her expression fierce. "Ari, don't worry about it. I'll find out exactly what's going on."

I shook my head. "Don't ask him. We have nothing to do with each other anymore."

Ashley's face shifted through several emotions before she finally spoke. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," I paused, gathering my thoughts, "we had a fight a few days ago, and I told him that we're done. We have nothing left between us."

Silence hung in the air for a long moment. Ashley just stood there, calming down as she processed my words.

Roman, seemingly uninterested in the drama unfolding, turned to Margaux. "Apologies, Miss Harrison. I think it's time for you to head home. Please let your grandparents know I send my regards." Then he turned to Ashley. "Ashley, I've made my point. You can take the rest of the night off. I'm sure you'll want to spend time with your friend." Ashley was a bit surprised.

Then his voice grew firm again, the kind of tone that brooked no argument. "Don't forget, we have a meeting tomorrow. I expect you there early." "Of course," she muttered.

Roman nodded at me politely before walking away, his strides long and confident almost arrogantly so. For a brief moment, I couldn't help but feel like I was watching Jared walk away all over again. "Get it together," I muttered under my breath, trying to snap myself out of the daze.

As soon as he was out of earshot, Ashley turned to me, her eyes blazing. "Did you see that? He made it seem like he was doing me a favor by giving me the night off! What kind of bastard capitalist would take their employees everywhere after working hours?" She sighed, clearly frustrated, but then her tone softened to me. "You know, this might not be all that bad. You and him..."

I smiled weakly. "I guess you're right."

But I didn't have the energy to say anything else. My mind kept drifting back to Jared. My thoughts were a tangled mess of emotions, and I couldn't untangle them.

At that moment, Margaux joined the conversation, and I felt slightly bad for having forgotten that she was still there with us.

"So he really gave up on you this time?" She asked, her blue probing eyes observing me.

I blinked, caught off guard by the question. "How would you know what our relationship is?" I asked, trying to sound surprised, but in the real sense, my voice bore a note of defense.

She just shrugged, like the topic wasn't one of great importance. "It's not that hard to guess. You might not have been popular when you were still married to him, but you did, the moment you two were divorced and when you returned to the country, at least in the upper society circle. Plus, I'm a big fan of 'The Evil Wolf Husband Doesn't Deserve a Good Ex-Wife'," she added with a wink, a knowing smile spreading across her face.

...What evil-wolf-husband?

I blinked, confused for a second, then it hit me. Rebecca's book.

Gosh she really has terrible taste in book titles.

A laugh escaped my lips before I could stop it. It was surprising that Margaux knew about Rebecca's book, but it also lightened the mood a little. "You know about the book? And you immediately figured it out based on that?"

"Well, she did use pseudonyms for the characters," Margaux said with a sly grin. "But some of us can still put two and two together."

She turned serious again, her gaze probing. "So, he really gave up on you?"

I didn't answer right away. Instead, I looked across the room at Jared and Sofia, now walking away together, side by side. When had he returned? Had he intentionally taken a different route to avoid me? The thought stung, but I pushed it aside, refusing to let it show. "I think so. It seems that way," I said quietly, turning back to Margaux.

She paused, considering my words carefully. "In the book, you were always harsh with him, unforgiving. But recently, you've shown signs of softening. At least, that's what it looked like to me. Why would he suddenly give up now?"

I couldn't help but let out a laugh. "Soft towards him? We just had a fight where I almost wanted to hit him over the head with that vase, if I had that choice," I said, nodding toward the marble vase on the dinner table.

Margaux shook her head, "No. That's exactly why there's still hope for you two. Your emotions are still so tied to him. Every move he makes affects you. And I don't believe for a second he couldn't see that."

I was stunned for a moment and didn't know what to say.

Ashley, who had been silently

observing the conversation, raised

her eyebrows and shook her head in

disapproval. "Excuse me, Miss

Harrison," she said, her voice

dripping with sarcasm. "Can I just call you Margaux? Why are you so gossipy at such a young age?"

Margaux shrugged, not fazed in the least, her eyes still fixed on me, waiting for an answer.

I sighed, shaking my head with a bitter smile. "It's okay, Margaux. I don't know what he's thinking anymore. And honestly, it doesn't really matter. Men and women... they're just different. I don't need to figure out his reasons." Ashley's words echoed in my mind, and I realized she was right.

This ending... might actually be for the best.

I'd made my decision when I left for abroad three years ago.

My ending with Jared had been decided long before today.

As for the 'softness' I showed? If there was anything there, it was nothing more than a fleeting mistake. Just a moment of weakness, of immaturity.

Who Jared ended up with wasn't something I should concern myself with anymore.

From his perspective, with everything that had happened between us, the past already so ugly-if he could at least get back his childhood sweetheart, the one he'd lost, it made sense that he'd choose Sofia. No matter what hurt she'd caused me. His insignificant ex-wife.

Margaux nodded like she understood, even though I doubted she did. Regardless, I was grateful that she didn't push the matter forward.

At that moment, she gave a long yawn, an indication that she was tired. "I'm sorry, but I'm just really exhausted," she said, her voice apologetic, as she covered her mouth with her hand.

Ashley nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it's getting late. We should head out," she said, glancing at her watch.

"That's right," and then I glanced at my wristwatch. "My supplier is running late, and I don't think I want to wait," added. Of course I was not going to wait, not after standing me up. What responsible person keeps a person they're meeting with waiting, with no call or text to inform them about why they were running late? There and then, I decided that things were not going to work out

between me and the supplier.

On a common ground now, we made our way to the car parked outside. It was arranged by Harrisons, and had enough space for all three of us or even more.

I exhaled in relief as I settled into my seat, the cool air in the car a welcome relief after the stifling atmosphere of the relief.

"I have to say, I'm impressed," Margaux suddenly said, turning to me. "I didn't expect you to be so... down-to-earth."

I chuckled, feeling flattered and amused. "I think that's the first time anyone's described me that way."

Ashley laughed. "Yeah, Arielle's not exactly known for being that," and then she hit me playfully. "Of course you're down to earth, silly!"

I playfully rolled my eyes. "Hey, I resent that."

Margaux chuckled. "I think we're going to get along just fine. I like you two already."

"Awwwn," Ashley cooed, making a funny blushing gesture.

"Silly girl!" I said, hitting her lightly.

As the driver took a turn, Ashley's face softened and she turned to Margaux. "Hey, how's your night been going so far, aside from the disastrous date?" She said the last word with teasing humor, and I couldn't help but chuckle. Margaux laughed, a throaty sound, the type that you'd want to listen to all day. "It was actually kind of nice to meet you guys. You're not as boring as I thought you'd be."

Ashley grinned, her face lighting up. "Hey, watch it. We're not that boring."

I chuckled, feeling drawn and a sense of camaraderie with these two women. It's elating how we've been able to strike a mutual relationship in just a few hours of meeting. "I think we're a little boring, but we're working on it."

As we neared my house, Ashley

turned to me her tone softening.

"Look, Ari. I know today's been a lot

Promise me you'll get some good

sleep tonight. And about the little guy please don't feel like you have to explain everything to him tonight. Give both of you some time."

I paused, letting her words sink in, and nodded.

She sighed, as if something had just occurred to her. "Hey, why don't you come over for dinner with me? My mom's been wanting us to catch up, and it'd be nice to hang out. Since we both ate nothing tonight due to those stupid men." "That'd be awesome. Thanks for inviting me," I said, meaning every word.

Margaux yawned again, her eyes already closing.

Ashley and I exchanged looks, and smiled, as a laugh would awaken her. "We better get her home first," Ashley whispered.