When doubt creep in.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

“Ashley, I need to go. Thank you for the information. I will call you back later.”

After the phone call with Ashley, I tried my best to handle my whirling thoughts.

Jared is always elegant, considerate, and even meticulous. I thought I knew this man after three years’ marriage. However, I've never seen him defend anyone in front of me, let alone break his promise twice.

I sighed as I stepped down from my car.

Upon arriving at home, nothing prepared me for the sight I was met with. Sofia was seated comfortably in the sitting room, and she was not alone. She was with Jared's mother, and they were conversing and laughing happily. While Jared was sitting alone on the single sofa next to them.

“What's going on here?” I managed to ask, a lump forming on my throat.

As I approached, Jared rose smoothly, reaching for my coat. “I brought Sofia over because Mom wanted to see her,” he explained, his tone measured.

"You could have told me first," I said quietly, "And this is what you called 'handling the situation'?". Jared’s eyes met mine briefly, a flicker of apology passing through them, before he went upstairs with my coat.

Great. Now I had to deal with this on my own.

Sofia turned to me with a carefree look, like she owned the house. “Oh, hey, Arielle. I'm glad you are home. Jared's mom and I were catching up.”

My eyes grew suspicious as I tried not to glare at Sofia. What is she doing here? Why is my mother-in-law so friendly with her?

Jared’s mother looked up at me, her expression neutral, not as warm as when she was talking to Sofia. “Welcome back,” she said curtly, then turned her attention back to Sofia. “Go on, dear, you were saying?”

I was hurt and embarrassed as I stood there, feeling like an outsider in my own home.

I thought I knew Jared too well, but now I was terrified that he might not have told me the entire truth about his relationship with Sofia. Because, how come she was merely his friend but had such a close relationship with his mother?

“Oh, I was saying,” Sofia's shrill voice interrupted my thoughts. Why do I think she was intentionally being loud so I could hear her?

“I returned from abroad to celebrate Jared's birthday, and I met Arielle at the restaurant earlier. It was our first time meeting,” Sofia continued.

I sneered at her forced cheerfulness. I hope she also tells Jared's mother how rude she was, how she threatened to have me fired, and how she claimed Jared's was her husband.

“Oh, really? That was nice,” Jared's mother said, obviously intrigued by the conversation.

“I can't believe Jared is married to a mere chef. I mean, don't get me wrong, but it is not exactly a prestigious job and not befitting for the wife of a billionaire.”

She was smiling brightly, but I could see the challenge in her eyes. She wanted me to react.

I raised an eyebrow and gave her a cool laugh. “True. Jared always complains that I cook for the guests, not for him. It really takes skill to satisfy a billionaire’s taste every single day.”

Sofia’s lips twitched, and I could see her struggling to keep her composure. “Oh, I didn’t mean to belittle your skills or your profession. I just think Jared could have... chosen differently.”

I shrugged slightly. “He did. He chose me.”

Sophia was choked. 

“All right, all right. Arielle. Sofia was merely voicing her opinion,” Jared’s mother chipped in.

“Indeed,” I said, sarcastically.

She then turned to Sofia, “Okay Sofia, dear, let's not talk about Arielle anymore and focus on our previous discussion. Tell me everything about your trip.”

I rolled my eyes and took a seat. However, Sofia’s words caught my attention: “So I arrived in town last night…”

Last night. The same time Jared had supposedly been working late.

The rest of their conversation faded into background noise as my mind raced, trying to piece together the puzzle.

Sofia glanced away, seemingly unbothered by my silence.

As the pieces fell into place, a realisation hit me: the call Jared received last night was not about work, but because he went to pick Sofia at the airport.

My heart sank into my stomach. Why did he have to lie? 

Slowly, doubts about my marriage crept in. Do I really know the man I'm married to, or are there things about him, I still need to know?

Jared's mother suddenly turned to face me, a smile on her face.

“Arielle, in case you have been wondering how come I know Sofia, I will tell you now. Sofia and Jared have been friends for a long time. They share a special bond, and I wish you could get along with her as well as Jared does.”

I forced a smile, not trusting myself to speak. Get along with Sofia? I couldn’t even stand being in the same room with her.

“I’ll go prepare your favorites, ladies,” Jared’s mother said, getting up and heading to the kitchen.

The moment she left, Sofia turned to me, her eyes glinting with mischief. 

“Oh, Arielle, did I ever mention that Jared and I go way, way back?” Her voice dripped with casual charm. “No? Well, we met in kindergarten. Can you believe it? He’s been chasing after me for twenty years.”

My stomach twisted, though I kept my expression neutral. Twenty years? Jared had never told me any of this!

Sofia didn’t miss a beat. “It’s true! Jared was smitten. He used to do anything I asked of him. We even went to prom together. He carved our initials into a willow tree—romantic, isn’t it? He’d get so jealous back then, fighting off any guy who came near me. I had quite a few admirers, you know.”

As she spoke of their past, a mix of curiosity and jealousy churned in my stomach. I pushed the feelings down, forcing my lips into a polite curve. "That's the past, Sofia, He’s married to me now and nothing would change that."

Sofia’s smile faltered for a second, but she didn’t stop. “And yet, he married you so soon after I left for Europe… interesting timing, don’t you think?”

“That's enough, Sofia. I'm sure that Arielle doesn't need all those details,” Jared's voice suddenly sounded from behind, interrupting Sofia.

As I turned to face him, his gaze darted away.