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?"

realizing people were

I should trust him. 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

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

my arms. "No. I just want to know what's going on, and why

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

the previous encounters, but not this one. Try

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

studying his face for any sign of deception

the smile

my head.

out a small wallet, flipping it open to reveal a chef's badge. "I'm a chef

tapped on it, before handing it to

my

handed the phone back, feeling a bit silly for being so

we were fated to meet," he said with

"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 my head as I added, "After all, you're way too suspicious. Let's be real, I'm

a moment before bursting into small laugh.

too, feeling a genuine sense of ease

the waiter, and we placed our orders. As we waited for our meal to arrive,

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

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

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

being away for three whole years?" Dwayne suddenly

paused, unsure

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

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

Dwayne saw right through me, like he could sense what had gone wrong. However, Dwayne didn't push further. He simply nodded, his gaze softening, and smoothly shifted the

time before the

have any friends here yet, and going back to the academy alone

he said and led

different stages of their lives, were arranged in delicate displays. The vibrant colors and details of their wings caught