MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(JARED'S POV)

I went quiet for a moment, lost in my thoughts. As much as I hated to admit it, Sofia had a point. If she hadn't left, I never would've met Arielle. And even if I had, we wouldn't have ended up married. But that was life. I couldn't go back and rewrite the past. What was the point of dwelling on what could've been?

I shook my head as I recalled everything that had happened. "Why did you suddenly change your mind about me after twenty years?"

Sofia's expression flickered-pale at first, then quickly recovering. "It's okay to be angry with me, Jared. You've always been kind to me, and I let you down. I rejected your proposal without a second thought. I didn't respect you. I take full responsibility. And I'm sorry." I nodded, a little moved by her apology. This was the first time in all these years she'd admitted she was wrong for turning me down. But... things were different now. Everything was different.

"It's fine." I paused. "I forgave you, if that's what you need. Can't hold a grudge after all these years. We're friends, right?"

"No we're not!" She refuted, shaking her head.

"Sofia -"

"Friends don't kiss the way we do, they don't have the kind of feelings we have for each other," she said. And then her voice became softer. "Jared, can we stop being friends? I'm sick and tired of the "she's just a friend," and "she's my best friend," tag. I want to be yours." I was silent, staring at her in shock. Was this really Sofia? The same woman who'd turned me down all those years ago, saying a relationship would ruin our friendship? Now, she wanted more?

This was all so different. Too different.

"This time, let me take the initiative. I don't mind proposing to you," she continued.

"No." I interrupted instinctively. "It hasn't come to that."

"It has," she insisted. "Anything to prove how sorry I am, and how I want things to work out between us."

I sighed, patting the space beside me on the couch. "Sit down, Sofia."

She obeyed, her eyes curious. I held her hand, ignoring the feeling that coursed through mine.

"With you, I experienced what love was, and felt like, even though I was just a teenager," I began locking eyes with her. "And yes, you turned me down, but I never held it against you. You don't have to apologize about anything, Sofia. Really." "Thank you for not hating me," she said, her eyes sober.

And before I could process her next move, sfe threw an arm around me, pulling me close. I froze for a moment, completely taken aback. But then I recovered, and wrapped my hands around her too.

*******

The days that followed were full of thoughts I couldn't shake. Sofia was right about one thing: I didn't love Arielle-not in the way she deserved. And if I was being honest with myself, I hadn't loved her the way I should've. Sofia had always had a piece of me, and I'd never truly let go.

As I sat in my office, staring out the window, I realized I'd been living a lie. Arielle deserved better than a loveless marriage, and Sofia deserved better than being "just a friend."

My mind was made up at that point. I was going to do what was right. I looked up at the wall clock in my office, it was almost closing time. I grabbed my car key on the table and walked out of the office.

It was time to set Arielle free, to let her find someone who would love her with all their heart. And as for me, I was finally ready to take a chance with the one person who I

ever truly loved.

I arrived at Ashley's place, and pressed the doorbell. No response. I tried again, still nothing. On the third attempt, the door finally went open, revealing a frowning Arielle.

"What do you want?" She snapped, irritated.

"I want us to talk."

"Talk?" She repeated, her frown deepening. "How many times do I have to tell you that I don't want to talk to you? Go away, Jared." She made to shut the door, but I quickly stopped her. "Wait, I'm here to sign the papers," I blurted.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

Her expression changed from anger to shock, but she quickly blinked in recovery.

"Oh, umm, alright." She stuttered. "I'll go get it."

"At least, let me come inside and sign it," I requested, my eyes holding hers.

She hesitated, her gaze searching mine suspiciously before nodding curtly. "Fine," she mumbled, stepping aside.

I walked past her into the living

room. She followed suit,

disappearing into the hallway. I took a deep breath and settled myself on the couch. Arielle returned with the divorce papers, her movement brisk and rigid. Handing me the documents and a pen, she took a

seat on the couch across from me.

I glanced up at her, meeting her stern gaze. For a moment our eyes held, before I returned my attention to the papers.

"It's done," I announced.

She gave a rigid nod, not uttering a word.

"Look, I would've loved to spend the rest of my life with you-" I began, feeling the sudden need to explain.

"If Sofia hadn't come back," she finished the sentence.

I didn't respond, embarrassed she knew my reason.

"Is that all?" She asked nonchalantly. "We're done, you can leave now.

"You can have the penthouse as compensation."

Her eyes flared like hot coal. "No, thank you.

I was momentarily speechless.

Okay, that didn't come out nice, so I decided to try something else. "If you ever need money, you can come to medf you ever encounter any difficulty in the future, I'm always willing to help."

"Look, Jared, drop the niceties. Let's not contact each other after today."

I forced a smile. "Arielle, you're a good woman. We may not be husband and wife anymore, but we're not enemies either. We can still be friends..."