MR BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET: CHASING HIS IRRESISTIBLE WIFE
I want her gone.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

"I feel there's a lot you have been hiding from me, Arielle," Ashley said, her tone serious and disapproving.

I sighed, and looked away from her because she was telling the truth. We were alone in my hospital room. And now, I felt much better and stronger because I had freshened up, changed into one of the dresses Jared brought me and had breakfast and my medications. "You know, it's unfair to call me your best friend and keep things from me-"

"Fine," I said in resignation. "What do you want to know?"

"For starters, who is this Sofia lady? She's the pregnant lady I told you I saw Jared going home with. How come she was at your house, and what's her relationship with Jared because he cares about her so much?"

I sighed yet again, probably the umpteenth time since today, before proceeding to tell Ashley about Sofia and how she waltzed into Jared's, and I's life. In all I said, I ensured I kept the part where Sofia pushed me, and news about my pregnancy out. Jared doesn't believe me, and I didn't have proof to pursue the case either. It was going to be a case of my words against Sofia's. As for my pregnancy, I don't think I was ready to divulge the news to anyone just yet.

By the time I was done with my narration, Ashley was angry and disappointed. "So how do you intend to make her leave? You can't have her always butting into your marriage, and contending with you for your husband's attention, simply because they were friends in the past."

"I honestly am clueless. I want her gone. With her around, I feel like a stranger to Jared. She knows everything about him in and out, compared to me," I lamented.

"Hey," Ashley said, placing a soothing hand on my shoulder. "You don't have to let that make you feel inferior. Jared knew her for twenty years, and it's only normal that she knows things about him. They literally grew up together. But you know one thing? That is in the past. She's his past, you're his present and future."

A smile found its way to my face at Ashley's words. That's my friend; the one who always has the perfect words to say in every situation. She knew just the right words to say to me to make me feel better.

"Thank you for being that one good friend, Ashley," I said, my voice thick with emotion.

"I'm glad I am that friend to you. I mean, who wouldn't want to be a friend to an angel like you?" Ashley teased, eliciting a broader smile from me.

By now, my mood had improved as I chatted away with Ashley. But at intervals, my mind strayed to Jared. Since he brought me clothes and toiletries, I had not set my eyes on him again. Dusk was fast approaching, and I wondered where he was.

"He could be with Sofia," a voice in my head whispered. I winced in pain, realizing the voice might be right.

"Are you okay?" Ashley asked.

"I'm fine," I responded, snapping out my reverie. "Can we step out a little? I feel a little outside breeze will do me some good right now."

"Sure," Ashley concurred. She helped me up, and helped me slide my legs into my flip-flops. Afterward, we made our way out the room.

"I saw a garden at the back of the hospital building when I stepped out to give you and Jared privacy. I think it will be the perfect place to spend some time," Ashley said, as we got outside the building.

"Really?" I asked, my eyes lightening up. I was a helpless for gardens, because of the beautiful flowers found in them. Back in high school, I used to own one at the back of our house, that I tended to with all my heart. Too bad, we had to move out of the neighborhood and I left my dear garden behind. "And, we are here!" Ashley exclaimed like a high school girl who was gifted her favorite lip gloss.

"It's a beautiful sight," I said, taking in the sight of the garden.

It was filled with a variety of colorful flowers, ranging from roses to sunflowers, to daisies, and lavender-my favorite. The cool evening breeze gently swayed the flowers, giving the atmosphere a serene ambience.

A winding path made of stone and gravel led us further into the garden, where a small pond with a water fountain added to the peaceful environment.

"This is stunning!" I exclaimed, inhaling deep, in a bid to absorb the sweet fragrance of the flowers.

"I know, right?" Ashley concurred, smiling. "I'm so glad we came out here."

I nodded, I was glad we came out here too. The garden provided me with a kind of peace that I have been lacking for a while now.

"Come on, let's venture further," Ashley nudged me forward. I followed suit, and we spent time exploring the gardens and even made flower crowns for ourselves.

After a while, I still could not get enough of the garden, so I suggested we go even further. Ashley accepted, but just then, her phone rang, and she excused herself to take the call.

"I'll catch up with you in a minute," she said, walking a short-distance away.

I decided to continue on without her, hoping she would join me soon. As I walked further into the garden, I heard a voice that made me freeze. I knew the owner of that voice, even before I made out his form from the subtle shades the trees provided. It was Jared, and he was not alone. He was with Sofia.

Jealousy, disappointment, and anger were rekindled inside of me again. Why was he in the garden with Sofia while he left me alone with Ashley?

Hurt, but curious, I inched closer, careful to evade detection.

"I miss our high school days in the garden, Jared," Sofia's unmistakable voice drifted through the air, laced with an overly familiar tone. "It feels so nostalgic being here with you. Like nothing's changed."

Jared's response was softer, but there was something off in his tone. "Nothing stays the same forever."

Sofia didn't miss a beat. "Really? I mean, we were always such a perfect pair. Remember when we used to stargaze here? Lying on the grass, no worries, just us and the stars." Her voice dropped lower, suggestive.

Jared let out a sigh, but it wasn't fondness I heard it was frustration. "Sofia, this isn't the time to dwell on the past. I'm married."

My heart skipped a beat at his words. His tone was firm, almost as if he was setting a boundary she was trying to cross.

"I'm just reminiscing. What's wrong with that Jared? We had something special. Can't you admit you miss it? Miss me?"

"I only miss the simplicity..."

That was all I needed to hear. Relief mixed with the bitterness of the situation. Sofia was clearly trying to provoke something out of Jared, but he wasn't falling for it. Still, it hurt to know that she could so easily create these moments with him.

I turned to retreat, desperate to get away from the scene and put some distance between myself and the painful truth of their shared past. In my haste, I didn't realize where I was going and slammed right into something hard-or rather, someone.