MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(ARIELLE'S POV.)

I sat at the dining table, messing around with my laptop, trying to nail down an idea for a food blog. But so far, nothing was really clicking. I was just staring at the screen, at some animated chef holding a tray of pasta. The smile on his face felt almost ironic, given where "My respect, my queen. You still got the mood to work?"

my head was at.

I heard her before I saw her-Ashley's voice echoing down the stairs, and I couldn't help but flash a bitter smile. I looked up, and there she was, walking toward me. She had quietly stepped in to help with Maverick, and honestly, I couldn't thank her enough for it. "He's sound asleep. Was a little sad mummy couldn't read him his favorite bedtime story though," she sighed with a tired smile as she plonked down into a chair beside mine at the dining table.

I let out a long, exhausted breath, slumping back in my seat.

"Thank you, Ash. Seriously, what would I do without you?"

"I know, right?" She did a little happy dance in her seat, then winked at me. "I'll wear my trophies with pride, thank you very much."

I chuckled, appreciating her attempt to lighten the mood.

"So..." She dragged the word out, clearly building up to something. "Two guys fighting over you? For a chance to be with you? I gotta admit, I misjudged Dwayne. If he ever switches careers, he's definitely winning an Oscar. Jared, though? Not so much." "Geez, Ash." I sat up, feeling more self-conscious.

"I mean they literally almost tore out at each other's eyes back in the car," she said on a humorous note and burst out laughing.

"Shhh, you'll wake Maverick," I said, rubbing my temple, but I couldn't help the smile that crept onto my face. I guess that's just how it goes when you're a single mom-finding a reason to smile, even in the middle of all the chaos.

"Oh yeah. Right. Bet he'll find it funny too," Ashley laughed again, quietly this time. "But how're you really?" she asked, her voice growing more serious.

I let out another heavy sigh, shaking my head. "I don't even know. It's all just... confusing. I'm in this mess, and I don't know how to get out. I've got questions, Ash. Why now? Why me? Why am I caught up in all of this?"

"Maybe you're just too much of a hot cake, and fate's offering you up to some really fine men," Ashley said, flashing me a coy smile. "One really fine guy... and another fine guy, but he's a little silly, so he's not so fine." "Not helping, Ash. Not helping at all," I sighed.

"Sorry, sorry," she said, though she was clearly still amused.

"It's fine. I'm just.. lost you know. I need advice. What would you do if you were me?" I looked up at her.

"Me? You need my advice? What's there to say really?"

"Oh, come on, Ash. Be serious now," I said.

"Okay. Okay... Honest opinion: I'll go with the hotter, wealthier guy. He has a sense of fashion as well," she shrugged.

I gave her a little look so she knew it was no time to make silly jokes and she rolled her eyes playfully.

Then her face softened, and she got more serious. "Okay, for real though... I think all of this drama is too much for you and Maverick. You're doing great on your own. The last thing you need is more man drama screwing up your flow. Trust me." I let her words sink in for a second before I asked, "You really think so?"

She shrugged. "Either that or you hire a new boyfriend to get them both out of the way. That little Stephan guy wasn't so bad, was he?"

"Ashley!"novelbin

"Okay.. I'm sorry. Then I have to get it more seriously I bet," she said through fits of muffled laughter, then she sat down next to Maverick's blocks and picked up a green block and a blue block and started to compare them.

"Ok so now this one is J, and this one is D." she acted like a real teacher. "J hurt you deeply in the past, and you can't forgive him."

"I can." I murmured.

""Hey listening!"

I sighed.

"And here's D, pursuing you. He suddenly revealed his shocking identity and confessed his feelings." she paused and smiled, took another block which was red and bigger, "this, was Your future Arielle. Well and maybe your son's. Your real question is, how do you deal with this situation to find the best path forward for yourself?"

"When facing J, the pain you

experienced is real-miscarriage,

broken trust, divorce. These events

deeply hurt you and even changed the course of your life. Now he wants to come back, asking for a second chance. It's understandable to feel angry and to question his motives. The key question is: Is it that you truly let go of him, or are you simply refusing to let yourself be hurt again?

As for D, you don't need to make any decisions right now. There's no rush. Be honest with him about your hesitation if he truly cares for you he will give you the time and space you need. Get to Know Him. He made such a bold move to pursue you, it's touching, yes. But can he provide you and your child with the peaceful, stable life you need? If he's serious about you, he needs to prove himself through actions, not just words."

That's Ashley, always get to the point. I smiled and was about to speak, but she then raised a hand to stop me before started again.

"If you ask me to be honest, Ari, I'd say both of them are not a good choice. You know men's are alway like, you don't deserve to be hurt like this. And turns out what they actually show you is you deserve to be hurt like that?"

I chuckled and get what she was about to say. "Does everyone have someone around them who is not married but seems to be a master of marriage mediation?"

She smiled and pat my face gently. "Arielle, All I'm saying is, for your sake and Maverick's sake, you don't need the unnecessary drama. And these two men scream plenty of drama," she said, laying emphasis on the plenty. "I mean one's a Mafia Chief and the other is.. well.. Jared."

I let out a frustrated sigh, crossing my arms over my chest. Too much had happened in one night. And every time I thought about Maverick, I still felt that knot in my stomach.

"But Maverick's so happy to have his dad in his life. I can't just take that away from him. But Dwayne's been so good with him, too. Ugh!" I slumped back in my seat, feeling drained.

"Arielle, I know it's tough. Come here, girl." Ashley pulled me into a warm hug, then kept talking.

"All I said is based on my own life experiences. My mom had shown me another way. As a single mom, your top priority is ensuring your and your son's happiness. Your career gives you independence, and your son gives you purpose. As for romance? That's just icing on the cake, not a necessity for survival. And I think you really need to trust your little guy. He's your kid, he'll understand whatever you choose. I believe in him."

"It's all just fucking overwhelming. But I'm really thankful I had you. Ash. I really am." A tear slid down my cheek as I smiled.

"Yeah you better be really thankful. Men are a lot of work these days. I'm telling you, Ari. I've seen it firsthand. They are not worth the trouble. Trust me."