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?"

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

me. What was he in Italy, at the same place, and at the same time as me? I nodded.

once seated, I wasted no time. "So, what's going on?

enjoyed the tension between us.

want to know what's going

"Okay, let's get this out of

raised an eyebrow. "Coincidental? Maybe the previous encounters,

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

remained mute, studying his face for any sign of deception or

the smile back

my head. "Not

a chef's badge. "I'm a chef too, Arielle. I'm here

handing it to me. It was his F******k page, filled with culinary creations

my skepticism

feeling a bit

meet," he said with a

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

into small laugh. "Then I guess I owe

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

our meal to arrive, I decided to ask

it's thousands of miles away

lit up. "The food, the culture, the passion - Italy has

true. Despite using the scholarship as an avenue to get over Jared and the past, I have always wanted to visit Italy. I had even thought of convincing Jared that we

your husband handling your being away for three whole years?" Dwayne suddenly asked,

unsure of my

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

much to reveal. "I'm divorced,"

Dwayne saw right through me,

time before the break is

I didn't have any friends here yet, and going back to the academy alone didn't sound appealing. "Okay,

on," he said and

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