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?"

same, realizing people were looking

of me. What was he in Italy, at the same place, and at the same time as me? I nodded. "Fine. But

small café just outside the campus, and once seated, I wasted no time. "So,

amusement again, as if he enjoyed the tension

I just want to know what's going on, and why you're at

sat up on the chair. "Okay, let's get this out of the way. I

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

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

mute, studying his face for any

asked the smile back on his

my head. "Not

into 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 scholarship as it has always been

his phone and tapped on it, before handing it to

I scrolled through, my skepticism

feeling a bit silly for being so

meet," he said

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

me for a moment before bursting into small laugh. "Then I guess I owe you an apology... for both

found myself smiling too, feeling a genuine sense of ease for the first time in what seemed

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

thousands of

passion - Italy has it all. And I wanted to learn

was true. Despite using the scholarship as an avenue to get over Jared and the past, I have always wanted to visit

how's your husband handling your being away for three whole years?" Dwayne suddenly asked, as if

paused, unsure of

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

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

something from those piercing emerald eyes. Somehow, I felt like Dwayne saw right through me, like he could sense what

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

academy alone didn't

on," he said and led

of various species, in different stages of their lives, were arranged in delicate displays. The vibrant colors and details of