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?"

and then he turned around and I did the same, realizing people were looking our

was he in

just outside the campus, and once seated, I wasted

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

what's going on, and

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

"Coincidental? Maybe the previous encounters, but not this one. Try

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

for any sign of deception or

He asked the smile back

shook my head. "Not

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 my

handing it to me. It was his

scrolled through, my skepticism began

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

we were fated to meet," he said

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

laugh. "Then I guess

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

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

you take on the scholarship? I mean, it's thousands of miles away from your country of residence," I asked, genuinely

culture, the passion - Italy has

always wanted

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

unsure of my

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

much to reveal. "I'm divorced," I

a stranger, but it was just as difficult to hide something from those piercing emerald eyes. Somehow, I felt like Dwayne saw right through

surprised me with a suggestion. "We've still got some time before

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

he

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?"