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?"

he turned around and I did the same, realizing people were looking our way. "But not here, over

What was he in Italy, at the same

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

again, as if he enjoyed the tension between us. "You're not going to let me off the

I just want to know what's going on,

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

"Coincidental? Maybe the previous

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

remained mute, studying his face for

smile back on his

shook my head. "Not

pocket and pulled out a small wallet, flipping it open to reveal a

it, before handing it to me.

through, my skepticism

back, feeling a

we were fated to meet," he said with

my arms, tilting my head as I added,

me for a moment before bursting into small laugh. "Then I guess I owe

and I found myself smiling too, feeling a genuine sense

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

I mean, it's thousands of miles away from your country of residence," I

eyes lit up. "The food, the culture, the passion - Italy has

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 happen

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

paused, unsure of

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

"I'm divorced," I responded, and quickly added, "I don't want to

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

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

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

Smart. Come on," he said and led the

of their lives, were arranged in delicate displays. The vibrant colors and details of their