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22. Worry
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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
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 27. Chris Vs Gerald
"What's going on here?" A voice interrupted Ariana's rebellion. Chris half-bent, opened Ariana's tent door with sleepy eyes. "You?!" His gaze focused on Gerald. The two men locked eyes in the darkness. Ariana, witnessing it all, was momentarily frozen. "What are you doing here?" Chris asked again. "Picking up my wife, of course," Gerald replied sweetly. "Your wife?" Chris glanced between Ariana and Gerald. One forgotten fact was that Ariana never mentioned her husband's name to Chris. "Is he your husband?" Chris now turned his full attention to Ariana. "A husband I never wanted," Ariana defended herself. She could free herself from Gerald and approached Chris when his attention shifted. "Remember, he's not the husband I wanted," Ariana growled. Chris chuckled, looking at Gerald mockingly. "So, your character hasn't changed, huh?" Chris asked scornfully. He and Ariana were outside the tent while Gerald remained half-crouched inside. Ariana pulled Chris back as Gerald stood up and
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 28. Mommy for Axel
They finally reached the top of the stairs. Gerald was truly out of breath. Yet, he hadn't let Ariana down. When Yosef opened the car door, only then did Gerald drop Ariana onto the seat. Under the car's light, Gerald could finally see his wife. She was wearing a long-sleeved sweater and sports pants that looked warm. Her hair was tousled messily, a result of her resistance throughout the journey. And her feet? Gerald felt guilty seeing her barefoot, not even wearing socks. "Get in," he ordered Ariana. However, Ariana didn't move at all. She continued to gaze at Gerald challengingly. Gerald wasn't clueless. He secured Ariana with a seatbelt before he himself got in and sat in the seat next to her. "Drive!" he commanded the driver. The man in his forties nodded and immediately started the car. Ariana paid no attention to the three men inside the car. She didn't bother to tidy herself up. She preferred to look outside the dark car window rather than at Gerald. She sought a comforta
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 29. Madam Caitlyn
"Can you guess what she wants to say?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Gerald frowned. "I'll tell you what we talk about." Ariana said, tapping her chest lightly. "Later." She continued before leaving Gerald and following the household assistant downstairs to the first floor. Mrs. Caitlyn looked incredibly elegant in her expensive attire. Even the handbag she held, Ariana was sure, could be worth a brand-new motorcycle. The woman appeared to be accompanied by Gerald's mother, Ariana's impromptu mother-in-law. Deliberately, Ariana tapped her house slippers louder on the floor. She did this, of course, to attract the attention of the two women. "I heard I have a visitor. Little did I know you came here to see me. Is there something I can help you with?" Ariana asked skeptically. Mrs. Caitlyn rose from her seat and approached. Perhaps she wanted to engage in the customary small talk they usually did - cheek kisses and pleasantries. But sorry, Ariana was not from the elegant circles. S
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 30. Annoyed
Ariana angrily pushed the restaurant door open. Amber, who happened to be at the front office, looked at her in surprise. "Oh my God, look who's here, the newlywed with such a sour face. What happened? Didn't get your share last night?" Amber teased. Dara, who was next to her, chuckled. "Where's my phone?" Ariana asked, ignoring her cousin and best friend's sarcasm. "Why are you asking me? Your husband took it home, didn't he?" Amber replied honestly. Ariana gaped. Then she rolled her eyes. She was really in a bad mood now. "Why didn't he say anything?" she grumbled as she headed upstairs. "You don't want to handle the kitchen first!" Amber shouted. Ariana glanced at her and then glared. "Why do you and Jody exist if I can't have a vacation?" she jeered, glaring. "I don't want to be disturbed! I want to meditate upstairs. Beware if anyone knocks on the door!" she yelled, continuing to climb the stairs to her private room. Amber and Dara exchanged puzzled glances, but then they co
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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
