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109. Negotiation
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The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 110. 'The discarded child and the bringer of misfortune.'
"How did you two get to know each other?" Ariana started the conversation. Gerald looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "Why? Are you interested in that black man?" Gerald asked sarcastically. Ariana chuckled. "Are you jealous?" she asked. Gerald snorted. "I'm not interested in him, Mr. Aarzu. I'm more interested in his story, how he can have two wives at the same time. And seeing the way you two communicate, it reminds me of Chris," Ariana replied honestly. "Don't bring that man's name up in front of me," Gerald replied sternly. "Those two men, never mention their names to me again. Just thinking about them raises my blood pressure," Gerald said sharply. Ariana glanced at him and smirked. "If you don't want to tell me about Sheraz, I won't tell you a secret about me," Ariana said cunningly. Gerald's steps halted. Ariana stopped too. "What secret is that?" Gerald asked curiously. Ariana shrugged. "If I tell you, it won't be a secret anymore, will it?" Ariana challenged. She walked
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 111. Forever, It Never Existed
Ariana's soft-spoken words made Gerald furrow his brow. "Can you imagine how clever that kid was to give us nicknames?" Ariana sighed. "Then I started hanging out with Jody, and our nickname changed to 'the outcast trio.' At first, I didn't understand the meaning behind it all until I found out shortly after Tanisha's mother died, that chatty kid disappeared. I regret Tanisha's departure. Because by then, I already loved her. Honestly, I loved her more than I loved Karenina. There was something fragile and cheerful about Tanisha that made me adore her so much. Yes, I only understood it when I became an adult," Ariana continued. "I survived my school days by ignoring Lunara's mockery and her friends. You know? After Tanisha vanished, she turned into a queen." Ariana smirked. "Then years passed, and we were reunited in high school. An unpleasant surprise," she admitted. "And I disliked her even more. Even though I tried to avoid her, somehow, she always managed to find me," Ariana rol
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 112. Isidora
Seeing Ariana stand up, Gerald followed suit. He patted the back of his dirty pants for a moment. Then he was surprised to see Ariana's outstretched hand. Without many words, he accepted the gesture. Ariana appeared to smile at him, which made Gerald feel awkward. "Why are you looking at me like that?" Gerald asked. Ariana shrugged. "Because I like to," she said casually. Slowly, she walked backward with her hand still holding Gerald's. "Have I told you that you look handsome tonight?" she asked again. Gerald raised an eyebrow, trying to remember, but then shook his head. "You look very handsome tonight, Mr. Aarzu. And more than that, you look very charming," Ariana said with a smile framing her face. Clearly, her words made Gerald's heart beat faster. Even without realizing it, his face reddened. Although he often received compliments, this time it was different. Because it came from a woman who rarely spoke sweet words. "Am I going to get a reward for looking charming?" Gerald as
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 113. Spoiled
"However, Caitlyn is already married to Brooks. And that indirectly makes Ariana Brooks' stepdaughter. As a good child, she should be able to uphold the reputation of both her parents, whether biological or not," Mrs. Isidora answered coldly. "What's the point of me doing that?" Ariana interrupted when Gerald was about to answer her mother's question. "For fifteen years, they never acknowledged my existence. And as Gerald said, I never enjoyed a single penny of that man's wealth. No need to calculate his wealth. At least if he considered me his stepdaughter, he could visit me and show me the same love and care he gives to Karenina. But the reality? You might know better, considering you're close friends with Mrs. Caitlyn." "You still refer to your mother like that?" Mrs. Isidora scoffed sarcastically. Ariana raised her eyebrow. "Then what should I call her? I've forgotten that I even had a biological mother for the past fifteen years. Did she ever mention my name in your conversati
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 114. Dizzy
"They went to drop off Axel as usual. But there was something different about Gerald during their journey to school. The man frequently massaged his temples and even covered his mouth with his hand as if he was about to vomit. Ariana, who noticed this, could only furrow her brow. When the car dropped Ariana off at the restaurant, she finally mustered the courage to ask, 'Are you okay?' Ariana asked, her brow furrowed. 'It seems I caught a chill,' Gerald replied weakly. 'I've had a headache and felt nauseous since earlier.' Ariana snorted. 'Spoiled rich people. Given regular air conditioning and you catch a cold from the breeze.' She teased. Gerald responded with a glare at his wife. 'I'll go in first, I'll make you some warm ginger tea or hot lemon.' She offered. Gerald just nodded. He followed Ariana into the restaurant. However, later, they were surprised to find Amber there. 'Are you awake?' Ariana asked flatly. Amber only answered Ariana's question with a shrug. 'Why? Miss me?
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 115. Drunk
Gerald kept his promise. He only slept in Ariana's room for about an hour, and afterward, he appeared refreshed and ready to resume his activities. Ariana escorted Gerald to the front door, an unusual gesture for her, but she did it reluctantly due to Gerald's insistence. She could only comply, furrowing her brow in the process. Upon returning to the room, Ariana found Adel already there. The young adult, always teasing, looked at Ariana. "Aww, aren't you two just being romantic," the girl said. Ariana rolled her eyes. "If you want to be romantic, don't do it in public. Some people might get affected." Adel glanced at Amber, who responded with a dismissive gesture. "But, Mba Amber, where have you been all this time?" Adel asked curiously, not one to hold her tongue. Despite the displeased look on Amber's face, it seemed like Adel intentionally wanted to provoke Amber further. "Adel," Ariana warned. Adel turned and closed her mouth tightly. "Have the others arrived?" Ariana inquired,
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 116. I Like Your Body Smell
Ariana brought the instant broth upstairs. Making broth was not supposed to be this quick, but what could she do? She couldn't let Gerald wait for two hours just for a bowl of broth and risk aggravating his acid reflux, could she? Ariana opened the bedroom door slowly. Her husband hadn't moved at all since she last left him. Ariana frowned. She placed the tray on the nightstand and approached him. "Gerald. Are you asleep?" Ariana got closer and tried to shake his body. Gerald remained still. Ariana climbed onto the bed and approached him further. She wiped Gerald's forehead. He then opened his eyes and looked at Ariana with his still red eyes. "Still having a headache?" Ariana asked sympathetically. The man nodded his head weakly. Ariana helped him sit up, placing a pillow behind Gerald's back so he could sit comfortably. "Eat first, then take aspirin. Or do you want to go straight to the doctor?" Ariana asked, berating herself internally. Hello, was Gerald the type to go to the do
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 117. Cravings
Ariana tilted her head as Gerald lowered his and began to kiss her lips. At first, it was slow, just a small peck, a first taste before the kiss turned into a passionate exchange that involved a battle of tongues. Their hands didn't stop touching each other. Ariana couldn't stop touching Gerald's skin, and vice versa. When they were completely undressed, Ariana wrapped her arms around Gerald's neck and her legs around his waist. They continued kissing as Gerald guided their bodies onto the bed. He laid Ariana down slowly, starting to explore her body with his lips. Kisses and sucks in places that made Ariana moan, groan, and writhe. Until Ariana couldn't hold back her desire anymore. She turned, pulling Gerald's body and flipping him onto the bed. Then, she climbed on top of him and began to unite their bodies. Time passed incredibly slowly in Ariana's room. The smell of sweat. The sound of their heavy breathing. Moans and even cries they couldn't suppress. Because Gerald knew, alt
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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
