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

of me. What was he

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

he enjoyed the tension between us. "You're not going to let me

crossed my arms. "No. I just want to know what's going

on the chair. "Okay, let's get this out of the

previous encounters,

he gave out a small laugh, but I maintained my straight

for

He asked the smile back on his

my head. "Not

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

it, before handing it to me. It was his

my

the phone back, feeling a bit silly

we were fated to meet," he said with

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

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

smiling too, feeling a genuine sense

for our meal to arrive, I decided to ask a question I

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

Italy has it all. And I wanted to learn

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

being away for three whole years?" Dwayne suddenly asked, as

paused, unsure of my

to pry, it's just that your Mom mentioned you were married that day at

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

Dwayne saw right

a suggestion. "We've still got some time before the break

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

on," he said and led the

"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