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?"

and then he turned around and I did the same, realizing people

my curiosity got the better part of me. What was he in Italy, at the same place, and at the same time as me? I nodded. "Fine. But just

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

as if he enjoyed the tension between us. "You're not going to

to know what's going

chair. "Okay, let's get this out of

Maybe the previous encounters, but

at the hospital garden, I was there because I stepped out to get 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

for any sign of deception or

the smile

shook my head. "Not

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

before handing it to me. It was his

my

the phone back, feeling a bit silly for

to meet,"

me okay? Don't underestimate a woman's vigilance in today's world." I crossed my arms, tilting my head as I

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

feeling a genuine sense of ease for the first time

waiter, and we placed our orders. As we waited for our meal to

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

food, the culture, the passion - Italy

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 features now, I guess that's never going to

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

unsure

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

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

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 to something

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

it. I didn't have any friends here yet, and going back to the academy alone didn't

on," he said and led the

"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 and sculptures when you said art