MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(Arielle's POV)

*****Three days after*****

"Good morning, Arielle," Doctor Wade smiled warmly as she entered the room. "I'm pleased to inform you that you're okay now and fit to be discharged. Your husband just needs to sign the discharge slip, and you're free to go home." My face instantly lit up with a smile. "Thank you, Doctor Wade."

She nodded and turned to leave the room. "Take care, Arielle. Have a smooth recovery at home."

Ashley, who was sitting beside me on the bed, smiled and held my hands. "You're finally returning home, Arielle. I'm so happy for you."

I returned the smile. "I'm happy too, Ashley."

Just then, Jared entered the room carrying a small paper bag. "Good morning Love. Got breakfast for you."

"Thank you." I replied plainly.

The past three days have been really awkward. We were more or less like strangers. I barely saw him, save for his routine check-in that never exceeded a few minutes. It was always like he was rushing to leave me and go be with Sofia. When I complained, he cited that I had Ashley, but Sofia had no one but him. I stopped complaining, as I would rather not appear as an insensitive and nagging wife.

"I'll go sign the discharge slip so we can head home. You should eat up," Jared announced, setting the paper bag on the bedside table.

I nodded again, but then stopped him at the door. "What about Sofia?"

I saw his shoulders tense just a bit, and he glanced back. "She's being discharged today, too."

I nodded once more. I have been doing that a lot lately, as I found talking very exhausting.

Jared exited the room afterward, leaving me with Ashley as usual.

Ashley must have noticed my sad look because she squeezed my hand softly. "Everything will be fine, Arielle. Don't worry."

I shook my head. "I just want her gone. It feels like my husband is now married to two women."

"Let's get you feeling better. Eat something, so you'll be ready by the time Jared gets back."

I reluctantly accepted, and Ashley took out the disposable plate containing pasta from the paper bag. As soon as the aroma of the pasta hit my nostrils, I bolted out of bed and rushed to the bathroom.

Ashley followed suit, rubbing my back gently as I emptied my stomach's content in the sink. Afterward, I rinsed my mouth and face and returned to the room.

"Please, take it away," I said to Ashley, motioning to the food. "I can't eat it."

"I see, pregnancy hormones are kicking in already," Ashley teased, as she put the food away.

"I hope I don't turn into a sick cat," I groaned. "I can't afford to stop working. I might lose my mind."

"There's no way you're going to work while pregnant, Arielle Smith."

"Why not?"

"Because I can't have you stressing my poor godson."

"Hmmm, I see. You already decided on the gender."

"Yes. And I'm sure Jared is gonna want a boy, too."

My face immediately fell at those words, and I went silent.

"OMG! I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have said that. I-" Ashley said, but I cut her short.

"It's fine. You're right, I should tell him. I guess I will tell him when we get home, and have a lone time to ourselves without Sofia hanging around." I said the last words with a dramatic eye roll, eliciting a laugh from Ashley. Our conversation was interrupted by Jared's arrival. His eyes fell on the discarded food. "Didn't eat?"

I shrugged. "I didn't have an appetite."

"Pasta is your favorite," he commented, frowning slightly.

I cut him short. I was in no mood for long talks. "Can we just leave?"

His brow lifted with a hint of suspicion, but he let it go. "Sure."

He walked up to me, and helped me up from the bed, while Ashley gathered my things and followed behind.ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

As we stepped out of the hospital's building, the early noon sun hit my face, and I sighed, realizing how much I had missed being outside.

Jared led me to his sleek black Bentley Continental GT, parked in the hospital's VIP parking lot. I opened the front passenger door, wanting to slide in, but my heart sank when I saw Sofia already seated.

It dawned on me that since the night of the incident, I had not set my eyes on her. For a moment, I took in her appearance. She looked radiant with her hair tied in a neat ponytail. I tried not to compare her flawless skin to my own, still bearing fading bruises. She looked up, startled, and our eyes met, her bright smile making my blood boil. "Oh, hi, Arielle. It's good to see you," she said breezily.

"I can't say the same for you," I retorted, turning away and opening the backseat door instead.

Ashley, who had been quiet until now, cleared her throat. "I'll follow you guys in my car. I need to stop by the office anyway."

Jared nodded, and Ashley walked towards her own car, leaving us alone with Sofia.

Just as Jared was about to turn on the car's ignition, he slapped his forehead and turned to me, "Forgot your pain meds at the pharmacy love. I'll be right back."

Without waiting for a response, he hopped out and hurried away, leaving me alone with Sofia. I was uncomfortable, but tried to mask it. I had grown wary of Sofia now that I knew what she was capable of. I secretly prayed Jared would return soon, as sharing a space alone with Sofia was suffocating.

Sofia suddenly broke the silence, "So, Arielle, how are you feeling?"

I ignored her, looking away, but she persisted.

"You know, for someone who saved your life, that's not how to treat me."

Her words riled me up, and I whipped my head back to face her. "You did not save my life, you tried to end it. Jared's not here, so drop the act."

Sofia smiled, her eyes glittering mischievously. "You're right, Jared's not here. It's just us. So, dear Arielle, do you now believe that Jared will always put me first before you?"

I scoffed, the urge to strangle her, gripping me. "You're despicable, Sofia. I can't believe you pushed me down the stairs just to prove a silly point."

"Well, you were feeling all high and mighty, and I needed you to come down from your high horse. I think you've learned your lesson." She turned to face me, looking me up and down. "Look at you, looking all roughened up."

I opened my mouth to retort, but Jared returned, slightly out of breath, oblivious to the tension.

"Sorry for the delay," he said, buckling up. Sofia gave him a saccharine smile and placed her hand on his shoulder.

"No problem, Jared. Arielle and I were just chatting about how grateful she is that I saved her."

Jared's eyes definitely brightened a bit as he turned to me. "Really? I knew you were just upset when you said those things before. I'm glad you're seeing things more clearly now."

I ignored him, turning my face away as I seethe with rage.