MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(ARIELLE'S POV)

ensured to give me jeering looks through the rearview mirror.

The ride home was one of the most annoying experiences I have ever had. Sofia did everything possible to upset me, by fussing and being all over Jared. She was either dabbing his face with a handkerchief or playfully throwing her arms around him. And while at it, she "Can you play some music, Jared? I'm bored," her loud voice suddenly sounded, breaking the silence in the car.

"What do you want to listen to?"

"That song we used to listen to in high school, 'I will always love you,' by Whitney Houston," Sofia said.

"I don't have that song anymore," Jared said, his eyes fixed on the road.

"Why wouldn't you have a song that meant so much to us?" Sofia pouted, appearing hurt.

He shrugged and chuckled, and I felt a sting. He always seemed relaxed around her, something that felt oddly reserved when it was just the two of us.

Sofia shot him an exaggerated sigh before pulling out her phone, acting as if her whole day depended on it, then looked around, annoyed. "Where's my phone?"

Jared rolled his eyes with a hint of a smile. "Some things never change, huh?"

Sofia grinned.

Without a word, Jared reached into the glove box, pulled out her phone, and handed it to her. She took it with a little air-kiss in his direction and started playing the song. The car filled with Whitney's soulful voice.

"I Will Always Love You..." Sofia began, and Jared hummed softly. Their voices blended, bringing back whatever history they shared, and I felt a knot forming in my stomach.

At that point, I knew I was a total bystander- invisible and ignored. My heart ached as I watched them sing and bond over the music, their voices synchronizing in harmony. I swallowed hard, wondering if Jared knew how much his actions hurt me.

The pain and hurt I felt were suffocating, making it hard for me to breathe. I turned away, gazing out the car's window once more, while trying to hold back my tears.

Was this the new turn my life was going to take? Being sidelined by Sofia and having to contend for my own husband's attention like some attention starved kid?

I shook my head, trying not to get too emotional. I couldn't afford to let them see me cry, couldn't afford to let Sofia see me vulnerable. So I kept looking out the window, pretending they both didn't exist.

Jared's phone rang, interrupting them. Sofia picked it up with a flourish. "It's your mom," she announced.

"Just tell her I'm driving. I'll call her back."

Then Sofia's finger paused over the screen. "Wait- You changed your password?"

Jared shrugged, not even looking over. "Yeah. Figured it was time."

"But I liked it. And I never changed mine, it's still the same," Sofia pouted.

He only glanced over, "It's not a big deal Sofia."

Undeterred, she asked, "Well, what's the new one?"

I scoffed. Really? Who asks a grown man for his phone's password? What happened to privacy? But curiosity stirred. What would he say?All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

Jared gave a small smile, "My wife's name."

Sofia's eyes widened in shock, her face turning pale. She looked as if she had been slapped hard on the face.

Meanwhile, I was stunned. For three

years, he'd never mentioned his password, nor had I ever needed to know it. But hearing it now, realizing he'd chosen my name, made something soften in me. A small warmth flickered to life, reassuring me that, even in ways I hadn't known, I was always part of his

world.

I looked at Sofia's face again, and stifled the urge to laugh. She still looked shocked, and it was so palpable.

Suddenly, she swirled around to face me, and I turned back to the window, trying to hide my smile. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

Sofia never uttered a word in the remaining part of the ride home. It seemed like her ego was bruised, and she kept a poker face all through.

Jared soon pulled up in our home parking lot, and I felt nostalgic being back to our main house. The instant Jared turned off the car's ignition, Sofia alighted and stormed off.

I gathered my things and got out of the car. Jared got out too, and approached me. "Arielle, don't take Sofia's attitude to heart. She's pregnant, and it's the pregnancy hormones at work-"

I raised a dismissive hand. "Do not make excuses for her obnoxious behavior, Jared. I'm going inside," I said, and walked off.

I got into the house, and Sofia was

seated on the couch in the living

room, looking like a sour grape. guess the camera at the door had recognized her from the last time she visited; hence the reasonshe was able to get in.

I made to walk past her, but she stopped me. "You must be feeling really important because Jared used your name as his password, safe to say."

I turned to face her. "What can I say? I'm his wife after all."

Whatever Sofia was going to say was halted by Jared's arrival. She immediately turned to him, putting on a tired look as she placed a hand on her stomach. "Jared, you took so long was waiting for you to show me to my room. I don't want the

visitor room, I want a more spacious

room."

I was stunned. What was she talking about? Didn't she say she liked the penthouse and would stay there until she got a place of her own? Why was then she talking about a room here? "Sorry, but do you intend to live here?" I couldn't help but ask.

Sofia turned to look at me like I had said something incredulous. "Of course. Didn't Jared tell you?" Then she turned back to him, "didn't you tell her about our agreement?" "Agreement? What agreement?"