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18. Flashback
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The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 19. Chris
The tall and slim man dismounted his motorcycle, placing his helmet on the mirror and greeted Ariana warmly. "Hello, chubby. Est-ce que je te manque? (Do you miss me?)""Bien sûr!" (Of course!), Ariana exclaimed, throwing herself at the man in front of her. "The longer you're away, the more fluent you become and you look like a stranger." Ariana raised her head and looked at Chris with admiration. She then rubbed both sides of Chris's arms, clad in a leather jacket, and exclaimed, "Oh, look at your muscles. It seems like they're getting bigger as you get older." She teased him.Chris just nudged Ariana's head playfully. "Watch your words," he said. Ariana just chuckled.Folding her arms in front of her chest, Ariana looked at Chris scrutinizingly. "When did you come back? Why are you here? Are you planning to leave again?" she interrogated. Chris sat on his motorcycle seat, looking back at Ariana with his arms folded in front of him as well."I just got back, and you're already asking
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 20. Story
"The day has already turned late. After a lunch, more precisely called dinner, Ariana asked Chris to take her wherever the man went. And here they are. In Chris's luxurious apartment. Ariana is enjoying the beauty of the city lights from several hundred meters above. Chris's apartment on the twenty-fifth floor has its own beautiful view. "It must be expensive to live here," Ariana comments without taking her eyes off the streets far below. "What's the point of my dad having a lot of money if it can't be enjoyed?" the man answers arrogantly." "Ariana scoffed. 'I thought you'd be living in a one-bedroom apartment or something,' she commented again. Considering Chris's less-than-ideal relationship with his father, Ariana had thought her friend would be independent. 'But I forgot that you're a super rich kid. So, it's only natural to have a fancy apartment like this palace.' There was a hint of sarcasm in Ariana's words that made Chris chuckle. He tousled Ariana's hair casually. He st
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 21. Story (2)
"Papa’s told me to deliver the check as a gift for Karenina. I went to their mansion, and you know, at that moment, I really wanted to laugh seeing the expressions of those luxurious house workers," Ariana tried to recall the moment she stepped into her mother's new home. "They looked at me as if I were a ghost. Of course, they had no idea that their Miss had a twin sister," Ariana snorted. "Who would talk about a bad past, right?" She asked rhetorically. "We hadn't seen each other for years. Is it too much to ask for a little warm welcome?" Ariana glanced at Chris. Chris nodded in agreement. "Unfortunately, even though I got that warm reception, they didn't really welcome me. In that woman's eyes, my arrival was like an oasis in a desert. And then, she, who hadn't asked about my well-being for years, suddenly asked me to replace Karenina," Ariana chuckled. Chris was stunned. "She wasn't there. My twin was said to be missing. No wonder when she came, she so gently requested my prese
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 22. Worry
Gerald glanced at the wall clock once again; it was already ten o'clock, and Ariana still hadn't returned. 'Could she have gone back to her parents' house?' Gerald shook his head. From the information he had gathered, Ariana had been living with Amber ever since they set up the restaurant. 'But she might have gone back to her parents' place,' he thought again, remembering how angry she had been when she left him at the restaurant. That possibility was still on the table. Gerald looked at his phone. He had Amber's number and Ariana's father's contact as well. But should he call them? If he did and Ariana wasn't there, it would only emphasize that their relationship was not going well. Gerald ran his hand through his hair. Or should he go back to the restaurant? At this hour, the restaurant probably hadn't closed yet. Ariana might have returned there to pick up her wallet and phone that she left behind. Gerald glanced at his phone lying on the nightstand. So far, there hadn't been any
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 23. Go Away
Ariana stretched her body on the super comfy king-size bed, under the thick warm blanket. Her body felt incredibly comfortable, as if someone had massaged her entire body and relaxed all her muscles. And her sleep was deep and dreamless. Glancing at the wall clock in her room, she smiled. It was exactly five o'clock, and she felt proud of herself and her natural alarm clock. Ariana got up with a better spirit than the previous day. Last night, after obtaining Chris's credit card, Ariana had gone to the supermarket to buy her necessities. Change of clothes, toiletries, prayer items, and she even bought new shoes. Well, even though she would have to pay it back eventually, at least for now, she didn't have to worry about anything. All her comforts could be bought with a small piece of plastic now resting on her bedside table. She felt lucky to have a wealthy friend. Ariana's inner self swelled with pride. It allowed her to depend on something during this period of escape. Escape? Oh
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 24. Go Away (2)
"Ariana observed her surroundings. Comparing this to her experiences camping in the wilderness with native mountain folks, this was vastly different. Just look at the facilities available here: food stalls, toilets, and even a prayer room. If it were real mountain folks, facilities like these would definitely be absent. Ariana turned around and helped Chris unload all their gear - the tent they rented, firewood, and food supplies. Not to forget the hammock she had been imagining hanging between the pine trees. Chris set up his tent, and so did Ariana. They intentionally placed their tents facing each other. Chris planned to build a campfire between their tents. Afterward, Ariana spread out her sleeping bag inside her tent, then packed all the food they had bought before sealing the tent shut. She didn't want any stray cats to get to their raw food. Chris piled up wood to make a campfire. For cooking, they had brought their own portable gas stove, which they impulsively bought at th
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 25. Another Man's Wife
Gerald glanced at his assistant and personal secretary alternately. Neither of them gave him a satisfying answer. "So?" he asked, his eyes sharp. Both of them shook their heads. For the first time, Gerald felt disappointed in the performance of the two people in front of him. "There are no CCTV cameras outside the restaurant area. Even though we followed her trail, everything was futile, Sir," his secretary replied. "The one who was watching her house and the restaurant also said there were no signs of her arrival, Sir. There were no calls or emails to the restaurant. It's the same with her house," his assistant added. Gerald was furious. He slammed his wooden desk, creating a loud noise that made his listeners wince. "Find her no matter what. If necessary, investigate each and every restaurant employee. I will visit her parents," he said. Both generations of men in front of him nodded before leaving Gerald's office. Gerald rose from his seat, walking toward the window behind
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 26. Hunt
Gerald glanced back at the documents in his hands. This man wasn't a stranger to him. He rubbed his temples. Is the world really this small? Instead of decreasing, the problems seemed to be multiplying. "Where was the last place she was seen?" he asked his assistant. "From the toll data, she just exited toward the rural area, Sir," his assistant replied. Gerald furrowed his brow once again. Where could they possibly have gone? What was in that town? "Instruct everyone to search for her. Whatever it takes. Whatever the cost. She has to be found today," he ordered. His assistant nodded again and left. Gerald returned home around eight in the evening. He hoped he could avoid Axel, so he waited until the child's bedtime. His grandmother seemed to be relaxing in the living room with the remote control in her hand, while his mother was engrossed with her tablet, probably shopping online, as was her habit. "Any news?" Mrs. Rosaline asked, even before Gerald had a chance to set down his
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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
