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?"

people were looking

if I should trust him. But my curiosity got the better part of me. What was he in Italy,

and once seated, I wasted no time. "So, what's

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

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

up on the chair. "Okay, let's get this out of the way. I wasn't

raised an eyebrow. "Coincidental? Maybe the previous encounters, but not this one. Try something

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 unwind, and I spotted

remained mute, studying his face for any

He asked the smile back on his

my

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

tapped on it, before handing it to me. It was his

through, my

handed the phone back, feeling a bit silly

meet,"

okay? Don't underestimate a woman's vigilance in today's world." I crossed my arms, tilting my head as

a moment before bursting into small laugh. "Then I

feeling a genuine sense of ease for the first time in

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

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

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

wanted to visit Italy.

your being away for three whole years?" Dwayne suddenly asked, as if he knew

paused, unsure

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

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

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

some time before the break

friends here yet, and going back to the academy alone didn't sound

Smart. Come on," he said

and details of their wings caught my attention immediately. I turned to Dwayne curiously. "I thought