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?"

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

What was he in Italy, at the same place, and at the same

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

the

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

"Okay, let's get this out of the way. I wasn't stalking you, Arielle. Our meetings

the previous encounters,

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

remained mute, studying his face for any sign of

He asked the smile back on

shook my

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 my

his phone and tapped on it, before handing it to me. It was his F******k page,

scrolled through, my skepticism began to

feeling a bit silly for being so

meet," he said with

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

laugh.

and I found myself smiling too, feeling a genuine sense of ease for the first time in what seemed

our meal to arrive, I decided to

thousands of miles away from your country of residence," I asked, genuinely

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

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 my features now, I guess

whole years?" Dwayne suddenly asked, as if he knew what

paused, unsure of

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

took a deep breath, finally deciding how much to reveal. "I'm divorced," I responded, and quickly added, "I don't want

from those piercing emerald eyes. Somehow, I felt like Dwayne saw right through me, like he could sense what had gone wrong. However, Dwayne didn't push further. He

"We've still got some time before the break is over. How about we visit

and going back to the academy alone didn't sound appealing.

he said and led the

to a section labeled "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.