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100. Ariana's Past
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The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 101. Mrs. Rosaline
#Shelma Shelma averted her gaze from the disgusting scene in front of her. She despised all of it. After all this time, fighting to destroy her marriage with Hadi, a man who had once been so devoted to her, she now had to face the bitter reality that the man she loved was already with another woman. No. Ariana couldn't have Gerald so easily. And why Gerald? How could he be interested in a woman like Ariana? Shelma was far more beautiful, more graceful, richer, and more everything than this poorly dressed woman who looked more like a man. Shelma was certain Ariana didn't know the fashion world like she did. Just look at the woman's attire—only shabby jeans and a worn-out shirt. It was a far cry from her own expensive clothing. Shelma turned around, simultaneously encountering the one woman who had opposed her relationship with Gerald for so long. Who else but Mrs. Rosaline. Yes, that old woman had always been the barrier to Shelma's relationship with Gerald. Even when she knew Geral
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 102. Small Reason
They left in Gerald's car. Of course, Vivan was not with them as he was currently assigned to replace Gerald in the company. Throughout the journey, Gerald remained silent. He was clearly sulking because of Ariana's appearance, which he thought was too feminine and would attract the attention of many men. But Ariana chose to ignore it. Just because she always wore jeans and a long-sleeved shirt didn't mean she didn't like dresses or beautiful clothes like other women. She had always prioritized comfort. Wearing a skirt all the time wasn't comfortable for Ariana, considering she was active and often did tasks typically associated with men. The car had reached the school parking lot. They entered the school area, and as before, Gerald's presence drew the attention of parents who were there to pick up their children. Jealousy? Of course, Ariana felt it now, but she couldn't act childishly by covering Gerald's face with a mask, could she? Gerald immediately approached Axel's caregiver,
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 103. Feminim
The man who was facing Ariana immediately turned when he heard the throat clearing. Ariana looked up too, but her expression remained neutral. Axel then returned to his seat, as did Gerald. "So, not even five minutes, and the empty seat is already taken, huh?" the man mumbled, more like a sarcastic remark. Ariana raised an eyebrow, looking at Gerald. "Allow me to introduce, he..." "Ariana's husband," Gerald suddenly extended his hand. The young man sitting in front of them glanced at Ariana, then at Gerald and Axel. "He's our son," Gerald answered the unspoken question written on the young man's confused face. "But, I thought..." the young man squeaked. "You thought Ariana was single? Yes. Up until a few months ago, she was indeed single. Before I married her," Gerald replied again. Ariana just shrugged at Gerald's answer. "Oh, I see," the young man replied awkwardly. He then stood up. "My friends are waiting for me. Nice to meet you, Ariana," the young man said with a wide smi
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 104. Ariana Isn't Like That
"Ariana is not like most women you know. She doesn't feel satisfied just because you praise her. You praise her and shower her with luxurious gifts. What Ariana needs is for you to prove to her that she's valuable. Don't you ever wonder why she gets angry when she sees you with Shelma in the office? Do you think she's angry because Shelma is affectionate with you?" Mrs. Rosaline asked. Gerald nodded. But then Mrs. Rosaline shook her head. "That's not what makes her angry. What makes her angry is your employees' comments that you and Shelma are a perfect match. What makes her angry is that people don't know who she really is. Shouldn't you have introduced Ariana to the public? Gerald, the guests who came to your wedding only know that Karenina is your wife. And people in your company still see you as a single man. Women out there still see you as an eligible bachelor they can pursue. So, do you think Ariana feels secure in her position as your wife? If I were Ariana, I wouldn't feel
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 105. Party
And indeed, by coincidence, what Gerald wanted eventually happened. Vivan said she received a wedding invitation from one of her colleagues. Without much hesitation, Gerald agreed to attend the party held over the weekend. Vivan herself was quite surprised because since taking over the company, Gerald rarely attended such events, except for meetings specifically dedicated to business. On the morning of the weekend, Gerald had already informed Ariana about the invitation. Ariana didn't ask whose wedding they were going to. She just said that she would come with Gerald. And Gerald had to tell her when she should get ready. Just that brief. She didn't even bother Gerald about what outfit he should wear or how they should coordinate their clothes. She also didn't fuss about small things like going to the salon and styling her hair. Yes, Ariana was that simple. But Gerald's expectation of simplicity turned out to be different in reality. When Gerald sent a message to Ariana that he woul
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 106. Sheraz
Gerald and Ariana raised their heads, looking at the person who called them. A Middle Eastern-looking man with a tall stature, broad chest, and long legs smiled at them mockingly. "I didn't expect to meet you here," Gerald snorted. The man, greeted coldly, smiled again. His eyes then glanced at Ariana. "Is this Mr. Gerald Zeroun's bride?" he asked curiously. "Honestly, I thought your wife wasn't too beautiful, considering you've been hiding her from the public. And I thought, she must not be worthy of your pride, considering you've deliberately concealed your marriage. But it seems..." the man looked at Ariana with a praising yet polite gaze. Then he extended his hand. "I'm Sheraz," he said as Ariana shook his hand. His grip was firm, not the teasing kind of handshake. And even though his tone sounded insulting, he smiled politely, reaching his eyes. In her heart, Ariana smiled. It seemed like this man was to Gerald what Chris was to her. Both of them appeared to have a past that on
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 107. Lunara
"Are you trying to break out of your shell, Nara?" Airrin asked nonchalantly. She stared at the woman through the large mirror in front of her. "I thought you were seeking sympathy from people with the story your husband told about you and your stepsister willingly accepting polygamy. If I didn't know who you were, I might have felt sorry for you. Unfortunately, I know you well enough, so that feeling never crossed my mind." Ariana flicked her wet hand, deliberately splashing the woman's dress before placing her hand under the dryer. "But I'm curious, when did your husband marry Tanisha? I thought she disappeared all this time, and I was genuinely surprised to hear she's back. And when did their marriage take place? A week after your wedding? A month later? Because I thought your marriage hadn't lasted long. I still remember how you flaunted your big diamond ring in front of me at the restaurant a while back," Ariana continued in her flat tone. Lunara looked at Ariana with hatred in
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 108. What I Heard
Even though she tried to stay calm, stepping out of the bathroom honestly made Ariana's chest heat up. Seeing Lunara was just like opening an old memory she never wanted to remember. A memory from fifteen years ago that still haunted her to this day, leaving its mark on her chest. Not to mention the memories from her high school days. Ariana shook her head, hoping that all those memories would fade from her mind. She straightened her posture and walked with her chin up. And then, when she saw Gerald looking around for her, the anger slowly faded. A sudden smile appeared on her face. Ignore the past and all its bad memories. That's what she commanded her mind. Right now, she had a different family. She had Gerald and Axel. Her life was much better than it was fifteen years ago. And, she should've healed by now. Although Ariana had to admit that she couldn't claim to be in true happiness until now. But she knew for sure, at this moment—and who knows for how long—she still had someone
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The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 163. Ending
Two days later, after receiving proper treatment, Ariana's condition was declared stable enough to be transferred from the ICCU to a regular hospital room. To her surprise, while she had been alone with Gerald during her stay, she now received visits from several people. Mrs. Rosaline, whom Gerald hadn't allowed to meet Ariana before, was now revealed as Axel's caregiver during her hospitalization. Amber, who had faithfully accompanied her from the beginning, came with Adel. Jody came with her mother and her sister. Ariana's father also came with her stepmother. Only her mother and her twin sister didn't show up, and honestly, Ariana didn't mind. She had long considered the two of them absent from her life, although deep down, she still recognized them as family. After all, blood ties could never truly disappear. They had decided to name the beautiful baby girl in Ariana's arms Clemira Haniyah Aarzu Zeroun, which meant a brilliant, gentle, and joyful daughter. The baby Gerald descri
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 162. Caesar (2)
"They were spending the evening snacking on treats Amber had sent from the restaurant. Amber, their friend and cousin, had deliberately visited, claiming to miss them. However, it seemed that missing them wasn't the real reason Amber had come, because tens of minutes later, Ariana felt a sharp pain in her lower abdomen, making it difficult for her to breathe right then and there. Amber quickly reached out to Ariana, calling Gerald, who was in his room at the time, busy with a conference call with his colleagues. Hurriedly, Gerald approached Ariana, whom Amber had purposely seated on the sofa, propped up with pillows behind her back. "How... how can this be?" Ariana asked amid her pain. She looked at Amber with concern, then gripped her friend's arm tightly as the pain resurfaced. Amber glanced at Ariana's legs, now covered in pinkish fluid. "You're going into labor," Amber replied, her face pale. She knelt down, holding Ariana's hand and squeezing it gently. Gerald, who had just co
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 161. Caesar
Ariana's pregnancy was progressing, her belly growing larger. Time seemed to pass incredibly fast as she savored these moments. She enjoyed the times when Gerald pampered her. Although they often disagreed when Gerald refused to fulfill Ariana's wishes, and vice versa, they always found a middle ground in the end. Axel also turned out to be a good child. He seemed content with his daily routine, alternating between school and their apartment. He wasn't fussy and didn't ask for his grandmother or his nanny. Ariana, Gerald, and the unborn baby seemed to be enough for him. During holidays, they spent time together. Gerald didn't dare take Ariana on exhausting trips. Instead, they mostly enjoyed watching movies, having meals together, or reading. If Axel wanted to go to the playground or swim in a public pool, his caregiver was always with him while Gerald and Ariana chose to stay back and enjoy their time in their own way. Gerald also regularly accompanied Ariana to her medical check-
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 160. Chaotic
The fact that Ariana is pregnant is no longer a secret. The news has reached her father and Mother. It also reached her mother and siblings. Especially Shelma. The woman looked furious when she heard that Ariana had dropped her divorce case and returned to Gerald. She intended to confront Ariana at Zeroun's residence. However, when she arrived there, she didn't see Ariana, Gerald, or Axel. When she asked Isidora, the woman replied that Gerald had taken his 'family' and left Zeroun's residence. Including his grandchild. Shelma went hysterical. Her dream of being with Gerald seemed shattered again because of Ariana. Meanwhile, Mrs. Caitlyn openly came to Zeroun's residence to ask for more financial help her husband needed. Of course, in the form of funds that would revive her husband's business. But again, she was disappointed because the person she was looking for was not there. Unintentionally, Mrs. Caitlyn, Karenina, and Shelma went to Zeroun's company to find Gerald. Once again,
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 159. Gina and Max
They had just arrived at the restaurant when Gerald's phone suddenly rang. Gerald glanced at the flat object and saw his friend's name displayed there. "Hello?" "How are you?" the man on the other side asked, clearly curious. "Estoy bien," Gerald replied, making Ariana furrow her brows. "He's my friend from Spain," he whispered to his wife. Ariana just nodded and continued walking inside the restaurant. "Have you returned to Spain?" Gerald inquired. "Not yet. We are still in Indonesia. Gina keeps urging me to remind you of your promise," the man answered. "She still wants to meet you and your wife. It's as if she hasn't met you yet." Maximilan said with a chuckle. "Meet? Who? Gina and Ariana?" Gerald asked, confused. "Who else do you think?" Max snorted rudely. "You know, her spy instincts kicked in at that moment. She deliberately made me go to your wife's restaurant, and suddenly she pretended to be sick, forcing us to borrow your wife's private room then." He explained with a
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 158. Prisoner
In the evening, Axel came to the penthouse with his nanny and also his personal driver. The couple, Gerald and Ariana, declared that they would stay in the penthouse and would not return to Zeroun's residence until Gerald allowed it. Gerald also hired the services of two completely new house assistants, not people he took from Zeroun's residence. Ariana was initially confused why there was no Vivan or Yosef or other house assistants who had previously worked at Zeroun's residence. However, she didn't dare to ask her husband. Ariana spent her time with Axel. The boy repeatedly asked Ariana if she would leave him again or not, or if Ariana would stay in the apartment and leave him with Gerald or not. Ariana promised Axel while looking at her husband that she would not leave the two of them no matter what happened. It took quite a long time to make Axel believe. The boy's questions had to stop when he fell asleep, of course, with Ariana by his side. Because once again, Axel was afraid A
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 157. I Promise
Ariana hung her head in defeat as she listened to the man's account. Both of them were wrong. Both she and the man were equally wrong. They had been overthinking without allowing fate to answer their questions. Because, in reality, no one knew what would happen afterward. Ariana feared the possibility of making Gerald sad if she didn't survive when their baby was born. Yet, she believed that Gerald would love the baby because it was his flesh and blood. Meanwhile, Gerald feared losing the woman he loved so much, so he chose to erase something that hadn't even happened yet. "I'm sorry," the words finally came out simultaneously from both their mouths. Ariana gazed at Gerald, and he did the same. Gerald moved closer and held his wife's hands in his own. "I know I was wrong. I was too selfish. I love you too much, so I'm afraid of losing you," he said softly. Ariana looked at her hands within his grasp. "I am also at fault. I have been too afraid of myself. I truly feared hearing wh
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 156. Arrogant Doctor
Gerald chuckled. "We don't know what Axel will be like in the future. He might follow in his father's footsteps. Besides, no one knows how smart he'll be. We need a backup to ensure the Zeroun family survives," the woman replied flatly. Gerald's chuckle turned into a booming laughter that sounded more like mockery than genuine happiness. "So, it's fine for me to lose the woman I love as long as Grandma can secure an heir for this rotten family?" he sneered. "Don't push it, Gerald!" his grandmother snapped, her voice barely contained. The woman clearly stood stiffly before him. Perhaps it was because of Gerald's loud voice, or maybe one of the servants had awakened her. Because now, behind his grandmother, stood another woman who was the second mistress in the Zeroun household. "What's going on here?" Mrs. Isidora asked Gerald with a puzzled look. However, her question was ignored by Gerald and the three others present in the room. "Isn't it enough for all my sacrifices all this
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 155. Child
"I won't ask if I already know. I'm not someone who pretends to be foolish," Gerald snapped. "Yes, but it seems like you enjoy pretending to be drunk in front of a woman with a heart condition. Why? To make her anxious and die in front of you?" "He-heart condition?" Gerald stuttered momentarily. "What do you mean by that?" he asked, confused. "Yes. Your wife has a congenital heart disease. She suffers from atrial fibrillation, a condition where the heart beats faster and irregularly," the young doctor explained. "Ho-how is that possible?" Gerald asked, bewildered. "From the patient's history, this happens due to genetic factors," the doctor said again. "History?" Gerald mentioned one word that seemed ambiguous to him. "Yes, Sir. History. Because this is not the first time she has been admitted to this hospital in the same condition," the doctor continued. "The previous patient experienced dizziness, shortness of breath, and chest pain that made her faint. Fortunately, the patien
