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?"

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

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

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

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

to know what's going on, and why you're at every

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

eyebrow. "Coincidental? Maybe the previous

poisoning after trying out a new dish," he gave out a small laugh, but I maintained my

remained mute, studying his face for any sign of deception

He asked the smile back on his

shook my head. "Not

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

tapped on it, before handing it to me. It

through, my skepticism

handed the phone back, feeling a bit

fated to meet," he said

mutter, "Hey, 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

moment before bursting into small laugh. "Then

was unexpectedly contagious, and I found myself smiling too, feeling a genuine

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

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

passion - Italy

Despite using the scholarship as an avenue to get over Jared and the past, I have always wanted to visit Italy. I had even

for three whole years?" Dwayne suddenly asked,

paused, unsure of my

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

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

in front of a stranger, but 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

some time before the break is over. How about we visit the

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

on," he

the museum, and Dwayne guided me 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. "I thought you meant paintings and sculptures when you said art museum?" I