Mr billionaire's regret chasing his irresistible wife by Gabby Emmanuel

Fated to meet you.

(ARIELLE'S POV)

I had arrived in Italy and settled in, although the first week was a maze of orientation and waiting for students who had delays in arrival, to arrive. The academy provided accommodations, but I chose to stay outside campus due to my pregnant state. I got a decent apartment and spent the week touring the city, registering for antenatal in a hospital, and keeping in touch with Mom and Ashley.

But none of it filled the emptiness gnawing inside me. Late at night, when the city was quiet and my thoughts drifted back to Jared and the child I had lost, I felt the weight of it all. I tried hard to stay distracted, burying myself in activities so I wouldn't have to remember those painful memories.

Classes finally began, and during a break, I stepped out for some fresh air. As I made my way through the courtyard, my heart skipped a beat.

A familiar figure caught my eye-broad shoulders, tall frame, dark hair... My breath hitched. Jared?

But when he turned around, I immediately knew I was wrong when seeing that drowning emerald green eyes.

It was Dwayne.

I stumbled backward by the impact of the collision, shocked.

"D... Dwayne?" I called, eyes widened.

A small smile tugged at the corner of his lips as his eyes locked with mine. "Hi, Arielle." The light breeze tousled his hair, and there was something about his easy charm that made it hard to look away.

My surprise quickly morphed into suspicion. "What are you doing here?" I asked, taking a step backward.

"I know you're surprised-" he said, taking a step closer.

"Are you stalking me?" I asked, trying to process the unexpected encounter.

He sighed. "No, Arielle, I'm not stalking you."

I narrowed my eyes. "Then how are you here? At the same academy, in the same city?"

"I'm a student here, too."

My eyes dimmed. "What? How is that possible?"

people were looking our way. "But not here, over

trust him. But my curiosity got the better part of me. What was he in Italy, at the same

outside the campus, and once seated, I wasted no time. "So, what's going

his eyes glinting with amusement again, as if he enjoyed the tension between us. "You're not going to let me off the hook, are

I just want to know what's going on, and

"Okay, let's get this out of the way. I wasn't stalking you, Arielle. Our meetings were purely

an eyebrow. "Coincidental? Maybe the previous encounters, but not this one. Try something

poisoning after trying out a new dish," he gave out a small laugh, but I maintained my straight face. "And the mall?" He shrugged. "I was shopping for ingredients for my cooking class. Karaoke night? Just an evening to unwind, and

mute, studying his face for any sign of deception or

the smile back on his

shook my head.

small wallet, flipping it open to reveal a chef's badge. "I'm a chef

it to me. It was his F******k page, filled with culinary creations

through, my skepticism began

feeling a

to meet," he

to me okay? Don't underestimate a woman's vigilance in today's world." I crossed my arms, tilting my head as I added, "After all, you're way too suspicious. Let's be real, I'm not narcissistic enough to believe that a handsome fox would follow me for no

bursting into small laugh. "Then I guess I owe you an

laughter was unexpectedly contagious, and I found myself smiling too, feeling a genuine sense

orders. As we waited for our meal to arrive, I decided to ask a question I had been

you take on the scholarship? I mean, it's thousands of miles away from your

- Italy has it all. And I

to get over Jared and the past, I have always wanted to visit Italy. I had even thought of convincing Jared that we visit during one of our anniversaries. A

husband handling your being away for three whole years?" Dwayne

paused, unsure of

added. "I don't mean to pry, it's just that

"I'm divorced," I responded, and quickly added, "I don't want to talk

emerald eyes. Somehow, I felt like Dwayne saw right through me, like he could sense what had gone wrong. However, Dwayne didn't push further. He simply

surprised me with a suggestion. "We've still got some time before

considered it. I didn't have any friends here yet, and going back to the academy alone didn't sound appealing. "Okay, sure," I agreed. "I guess we're not

on," he said and led

different stages of their lives, were arranged in delicate displays. The vibrant colors and details of their wings caught my attention immediately. I turned to Dwayne curiously. "I thought you meant paintings and sculptures when you said art museum?"