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?"

realizing people were

of me. What was he in Italy, at the same place, and at the same time as me?

campus, and once seated, I wasted no time. "So, what's going on? Why are

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

my arms. "No. I just want to know what's going on, and why

this out of the way. I

"Coincidental? Maybe the previous

days ago for food poisoning after trying out a new dish," he gave out a small laugh, but I maintained

face for any sign

He asked the smile

my

his pocket and pulled out a small wallet, flipping it open to reveal a chef's badge. "I'm a chef too, Arielle. I'm here on a

tapped on it, before handing it to me. It was his F******k page, filled with culinary creations and cooking

through, my skepticism

feeling a bit silly for being

were fated to meet," he said with

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

before bursting into small laugh.

found myself smiling too, feeling a genuine sense of ease for the first

waited for our meal to arrive, I decided to ask a question I had been wanting to

on the scholarship? I mean, it's thousands of miles away from your country of residence," I asked, genuinely

Italy has it all. And

here," and that statement was true. Despite using the scholarship as an avenue 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 bitter smile crossed my

your being away for three whole years?" Dwayne suddenly asked, as if

unsure of

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

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

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

with a suggestion. "We've still got some time before the break is over. How about we visit

have any friends here yet, and going back to the academy alone didn't sound appealing. "Okay, sure," I

Come on," he

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 meant paintings