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 our way. "But not here,

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

a small café just outside the campus, and once seated, I wasted no time. "So, what's going on? Why

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

"No. I just want to know what's going on, and why you're at

of the way. I wasn't stalking you, Arielle. Our meetings

the previous encounters, but

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

mute, studying his face for any sign of

asked the smile back

shook my

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

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

scrolled through, my

phone back, feeling a bit silly for being

to meet," he said with a

"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 not narcissistic enough to believe that a handsome fox would

before bursting into small laugh.

unexpectedly contagious, and I found myself smiling too, feeling a genuine sense of ease for the first time

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

it's thousands of miles away

- Italy has it all. And I wanted to learn from the

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

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

unsure of my

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

deep breath, finally deciding how much to reveal. "I'm divorced," I responded, and quickly

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

with a suggestion. "We've still got some time before the break

yet, and going back to the academy alone

Come on," he said and

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?" I said, feeling a