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?"

around and I did the same, realizing people were looking our way. "But not here, over lunch. I owe you that

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

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

the tension between us. "You're

"No. I just want to know what's going on,

get this out of the way. I wasn't stalking you, Arielle. Our meetings were purely

previous encounters, but not this one.

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

remained mute, studying his face for any sign

He asked the smile

my head.

open to reveal a chef's badge. "I'm a chef too, Arielle. I'm here on a scholarship as it has always been

to me. It was his F******k page, filled with culinary creations and cooking

I scrolled through, my

back, feeling a bit silly for being so

were fated to meet," he

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

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

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

our orders. As we waited for our meal to

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

Italy has it all. And I wanted to

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

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

paused, unsure

I struck a chord," he quickly added. "I don't mean to pry, it's just that

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

I felt like Dwayne saw right through me, like he could sense what had gone

surprised me with a suggestion. "We've still got some time before the break is over.

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

Come on," he said

were arranged in delicate displays. The vibrant colors and details of their wings caught my attention immediately.