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?"

explain," and then he turned around and I did the same, realizing people were looking our way.

curiosity got the better part of me. What was he in Italy, at

and once seated, I wasted no time. "So, what's

eyes glinting with amusement again, as if he enjoyed the tension between us. "You're not

my arms. "No. I just want to know what's going

let's get this out of the way. I wasn't stalking you, Arielle.

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

some fresh air. I was admitted a few days ago for food 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

for any sign of deception or

the smile back

shook my head. "Not

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

on it, before handing it to

my skepticism began

the phone back, feeling a bit silly for being

were fated to meet," he said with

"Hey, this is more like a serial killer chasing after his victim 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

a moment before bursting into small laugh. "Then I guess

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

placed our orders. As we waited for our meal to arrive, I decided to

I mean, it's thousands of miles

eyes lit up. "The food, the culture, the passion - Italy has it all. And I wanted

past, I have always wanted to visit Italy. I had even thought of convincing Jared that we

your being away for three whole years?" Dwayne

unsure of

chord," he quickly added. "I don't mean to pry, it's just that your Mom mentioned you were married that day at

how much to reveal. "I'm divorced," I responded, and quickly added, "I don't want to talk about

to admit anything in front of a stranger, but it was just as difficult to hide something from those piercing 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 nodded, his gaze softening, and smoothly shifted the conversation

some time before the break is over. How about we visit

yet, and going back to the academy alone didn't sound appealing. "Okay, sure," I agreed.

he

at the museum, and Dwayne guided me to a section labeled "Butterfly Diorama." Butterflies of various species, in 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