MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE

(ARIELLE'S POV)

He flashed a charming smile my way, and I felt my heart skip. Can he stop with the annoying boyish charms already? Rebecca and Stephen returned the greeting, taking their seats respectively. I followed suit, trying to compose myself.

"Today's session will be the last we're having, as you all know," Jared began, his eyes scanning the room. "But before we get into today's teaching, let's go over the ones we have learned all this while."

And we delved right into it. A few minutes and a brief review of our past lessons later, Rebecca let out an exaggerated sigh.

"I have to admit, I've learned so much in such a short time," she muttered, her tone genuine.

Jared grinned, throwing me a quick, knowing glance that I pretended not to notice.

Stephen, on the other hand, rolled his eyes and hissed at Rebecca. "Are you trying to say that all the wisdom I have shared in the past was a waste? I've imparted you with endless knowledge but you always let it go through one ear and out the other," he taunted. Rebecca's face scrunched up. "You're obviously not on the same level as Mr Smith's, hence your teachings barely stayed a second in my head."

I couldn't help the chuckle that left my lips as I watched their growing exchange.

To be fair, I was satisfied with the classes in the past few days as well. They were insightful. More importantly, I wouldn't admit it out loud, but I was a little reluctant to give up the tenuous peace we'd established in recent days, between me and Jared.

Even with his declaration to win me back looming in the background, Jared had managed to tone down his theatrics-apart from the flower debacle, of course.

Sofia? Silent. His mother or Nana? Missing in action. Miss fiancée? Never came to me once.

Ashley even mentioned that her uncle's business had smoothly recovered.

These peaceful days felt like a rare gift, and I wasn't sure how much longer they'd last, well, especially with Maverick's Open House coming up soon.

At this point, Jared turned to me. "Okay, our last lesson and last session are over." He paused, "Arielle, I have something to say to you."

My heart stuttered, caught off guard by the intensity in his eyes. Speak of the devil.

What could he possibly want to say now? A pang of unease rippled through me as I darted a glance at Stephen and Rebecca, silently praying he wasn't about to launch into another love confession.

He seemed to catch on to my thoughts because his lips curved into an easy smile, and he chuckled softly. "Relax, Ari."

That smile. I lowered my guard slightly but kept my reservations. Then he began to speak, and the words that followed weren't anything like I'd expected. They weren't grand or showy-just heartfelt and true.

"Arielle," he began, his voice steady, "I need to say this, and I want you to know it comes from the heart. I've truly enjoyed our time together in this class." His gaze pinned on mine the entire time.

"When we were married, I failed to see you beyond that title-my wife. But spending time with you these past few days, without all the arguing and noise, I've come to see so much more, so much potential, and I'm not just talking about your business skills. You're an incredible person, and I do not doubt that you'll achieve great things."

My mouth instantly felt dry, like it had been hit by some oral drought. I couldn't help but stare at him in surprise.

He must have seen the confusion in my eyes because his smile grew gentler, almost as if to reassure me that he wasn't lying.

"I mean it, Arielle. Think about how

far you've come-how much you've built. Every successful business has a history and like a restaurant, people-evolve too. Sometimes we lose pieces of ourselves, but what matters is finding new ways to

rébuild and grow stronger. So, don't

give up no matter what."novelbin

I blinked again, silently pinching myself to ascertain that I had not been plunged into one of my noon daydreams. What's going on?

"And just so you know," he added, leaning back in his chair with a small sigh, "I won't interfere in your business anymore unless you ask me to. I'm sorry for the times I overstepped."

His tone was so genuine, so open, it left me speechless. I wanted to say something, anything, but the words caught in my throat.

"And... finally," he said, drawing my attention back to reality. He reached for a package behind him that I didn't even realize he had come with until now.

"I got you something," he continued, laying the package on the table. "It's my way of supporting you, and your chef dreams, and also-to mark the end of our class."

Rebecca and Stephen, who had been uncharacteristically quiet, sprang to their feet and leaned in, their curiosity as obvious as my own.

Jared's face flushed faintly as he began unwrapping the package, each layer peeled away with care. His movements were deliberate, his hands slightly tense.

For the first time, I saw a hint of nervousness in him, like he wasn't sure how I'd react.

Finally after layers upon layers of delicately wrapped gift papers, the item concealed was revealed. And Rebecca and Stephen exchanged confused looks, as it was indeed a little difficult to identify-a picture frame, holding a three-dimensional sculpture. At first glance, it seemed like an abstract piece of modern art, but as I narrowed my eyes, recognition dawned.

Knives.

Rebecca leaned in closer, and then a gasp left her lips, "Wait-those handles! Is this... the German utensils? The Erik von Stein set?" She turned to me, her face alight with shock. "Arielle, do you remember these?"

My breath hitched. How could I forget? These were the utensils I used when I was working in Mr. Stone's restaurant four years ago, no, five years ago!

At that time, I was just a junior chef, but Jared spent a lot of money to ask the German Craftsmaster Erik Von Stein to make a set of exclusive kitchen utensils for me.

I cherished those knives like they were extensions of my own hands.

They stayed with me through my

journey to becoming a head chef. Even Rebecca, who had joined as my junior assistant, had often gushed about how exquisite they were, her envy laced with

admiration. She knew how much I loved them-until the fire. Until I had to leave for Italy and left them

behind, lost forever in the blaze that engulfed Mr. Stone's restaurant. Or so I thought.

"Where... How did you get this set of utensils?" I asked, my voice a rasp.

Jared's face softened, his smile a little unsure, almost apologetic. "I'm sorry. I managed to save what I could when I visited the restaurant after the accident. The rest was gone, but I couldn't let these go t I took them to the Craftsman to restore them. He tried but said the damage was too severe. So instead,

I asked him to make what's left into

this three-dimensional painting, as a souvenir."

My eyes locked onto him, searching his face for any hint that he truly understood what this meant to me. There was no way-no way he could fully grasp how much my past defined me, how deeply those memories were etched into my soul. I never said that to anyone.

"This is your story, Arielle, and I wanted to give it back to you," Jared continued, with a shy smile. "I know hanging knives on your office wall might seem a little... creepy, it doesn't look like it could hurt anyone either. Regardless, I think you will like it." Tears welled up before I could stop them, blurring my vision. I blinked rapidly, willing them to stay at bay, and gently traced the outline of the sculpture with my fingers, as if greeting an old friend after years apart.

"Thank you," I finally managed to say, my voice trembling slightly. "I love it... more than you know."