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?"

did the same, realizing people were looking our way. "But not here, over

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

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

leaned back, his eyes glinting with amusement again, as if he enjoyed the tension between us. "You're not going

what's going on, and

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

"Coincidental? Maybe the previous encounters, but not this

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 ingredients for my cooking class. Karaoke night? Just an evening to

face for any sign of

smile back

shook my head. "Not

he reached 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

handing it to me. It was his F******k page, filled

scrolled through, my skepticism began

back, feeling a bit silly

to meet," he said with

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

small laugh. "Then I

a genuine sense of ease for the first time

and we placed our orders. As we waited for our meal to arrive, I decided to ask

on the scholarship? I mean, it's thousands of

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

had a lot in common. "Same 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

years?" Dwayne suddenly asked,

unsure

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

to reveal. "I'm divorced," I responded, and quickly added, "I

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

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

academy alone didn't sound appealing. "Okay, sure," I agreed. "I guess we're not doing just

Smart. Come on," he

colors and details of their wings caught my attention immediately. I turned to Dwayne