MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(SOFIA'S POV)

I froze, shock flooding my entire system like ice water. My eyes widened and I feared they would fall out of their sockets, and my breath paused in my heart, making it hard to breathe properly.

The scene felt eerily familiar; by this time, the power dynamics seemed to have changed drastically. More like the tables had turned.

Rebecca suddenly broke into my thoughts, her voice filled with mockery. "This is our boss, and owner of this place, Arielle Meyers. You can talk to her and I'm sure she will tend to you."

My shock doubled as I looked from Rebecca to Arielle. Boss? How come? The last time I checked, Arielle was a mere head chef. When did she grow to the point of owning a restaurant as large as this one? No, this had to be a joke targeted to mess with my head, and I won't let it.

"You pathetic liar," I growled.

The smirk on Arielle's face grew even wider, as she turned to Jared. "What do you think, Mr Smith?"

I used that brief moment to take in her looks, and my heart tightened even more. This Arielle was different, and she screamed of an aura that I found intimidating. With shoulder-length hair, a well-trimmed body in that charcoal-colored two-piece skirt suit, mild makeup, a cologne that wafted to my nose screaming "power," and a face that exuded authority and the "don't fuck with me vibes," I knew this she was a hard nut to crack now.

Even more surprising, I felt intimidated before her. Her looks and charisma, and I inwardly compared us both, realizing I was no match for this boss lady in front of me.

Jared seemed embarrassed and furious at the same time, as he cleared his throat and faced me. I looked up at him expectantly, expecting him to defend me and take my sides as he had always done in the past. Surely, he can't be swayed by this new Arielle. "Sofia, we need to talk," he began.

"Talk?" I asked, a major part of my confidence returning. "I don't think I want to talk right now. First of all, I want the manager of this place called and I want these two urchins fired," I pointed to Rebecca and the waiter.

"Secondly, I want to know why you're with this loser," I said the last words, casting Arielle the most condescending look I could muster.

Jared's eyes hardened, and he pinned me with a stern gaze. "You will not address her in that manner again, Sofia."

Now, this was serious, a lot more serious and scary than I thought. What is going on here? Did Jared just speak to me in such a manner in front of all these people? No, I think I didn't hear correctly, or I was probably daydreaming. "Jared -"

But he cut me short, dropping another bombshell.

"Sofia, I've been wanting to end things for a while now. You and I are done."

"W- what do you mean? We are done?"

"Our engagement has been cut off. I can't deal with your public embarrassment and obnoxious attitude anymore -"

I stopped listening at this point, my world crumbling so fast before me. Disbelief and panic washed over me as I looked between him and Arielle, desperate for something to hold onto. But there was none, I was alone. I looked at Arielle and the lack of sympathy in her eyes made me flinch.

"You...you can't be serious," I stammered, as those were the only words I could muster at that point. Words were failing me now.

"I'm afraid I am," Jared replied, unruffled.

Arielle seemed to care less about

the whole situation, her expression indifferent as she called out to

blacklisted from every reset

Rebecca Make sure this lady is

we're in partnership with," she said in a tone that sent goosebumps through my skin.

Rebecca nodded, a smile crossing her features like she had praying for the order all along. "Right away, ma'am."

Arielle's order came down on me like tons of brimstones, while I tried to force myself to accept that she was truly the Boss around here. Just then, a huge man in dark imposing shades approached Arielle. "Ma, you have a meeting in 10 minutes," he announced.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Arielle nodded. "Thank you, Joe." And with a disdainful look my way, safely said, "I'll leave you two to your chaos," she said the last words, sparing Jared a glance.

Her voice was taunting and sarcastic, and I felt my face heat up with humiliation. I badly wanted the ground to open up and swallow me, as I had never imagined a day like this would come.

Without another word, she turned around and left with the man. As she walked away, I kept staring at her figure until she was out of sight. This was just too hard to believe.

Arielle, timid Arielle? This was a shocking metamorphosis.

"What was that for?" I asked, turning to Jared sharply after I recovered a little from the shock. We were now alone as Rebecca and the waiter had dispersed.

"You can't do this, Jared. You didn't

mean what you said, did you?" I asked, desperately wanting to believe he said those words because

he wanted to score some pointe with Arielle, wanted to prove a point to her, and not because he meant them.

"I did mean every bit of what I said, Sofia," he responded, his expression resolute. "We're over."

I felt a sting that hurt more than that of a bee from his words, and I suddenly felt sick.

"How could you?" I asked, in a voice I could barely recognize as mine.

"You, of all people, should know how things have been between us. Sofia-"

Jared's words caught in his throat as Arielle and the man with her

าวก

earlier emerged again, this time headed for the exit. My eyes followed Jared's gaze, and whatever was left of my heart shattered completely. He was staring in Arielle's direction with do much focus and intent, his expression softening.

I felt jealousy, betrayal, and anger hit me so hard. How could he?

"Jared," I hissed.

His gaze snapped back to mine, and his face hardened. "I said we are done Sofia," he said, seemingly irritated.

"I said you tell me why!" I said, and this time, my voice rose louder than necessary, but I didn't care. I was beyond caring.

Jared's eyes darted around the restaurant, his voice flushing. "Keep your voice down, Sofia."

I laughed, a dry bitter sound. "Or what?"

But just then, Arielle, who had reached the exit door, turned back, her eyes meeting Jared's. For a moment, they just stared at each other, and I felt my heart squeeze painfully. "That's it," I mumbled, grabbing my bag. "Fuck you, Jared," I added, before hurrying away.