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40. Sweepea's Father
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The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 41. Comeback
Gerald looked at Ariana, astonished. In the brief duration of their marriage, it was the first time he had seen Ariana laugh. Was that old cartoon character story really that amusing to her? Gerald wondered. Nonetheless, he found himself smiling at her reaction. Their breakfast was clearly over, but because Chris was still there, Gerald felt reluctant to leave. That man was a threat to Gerald. Seeing how close Ariana was to Chris, it made Gerald feel incredibly alone. "Boss?" Vivan tried to remind him. She knew her boss had seemed uneasy since earlier. Not for any particular reason, but Gerald had a lot of schedules today that he couldn't afford to miss due to his absence while searching for Ariana. "She already invited you to leave, why don't you?" Ariana said, wiping the corners of her eyes that were watering. Gerald looked at her with narrowed eyes. "Fine, you go far away. If necessary, don't come back here again. Ariana is clearly happier with me than with you," Chris said. A
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 42. Adel
It was already ten in the evening, and Gerald found himself in front of Ariana's restaurant once again. Not that he wasn't tired – he was utterly exhausted. His shirt, which had been neatly buttoned earlier, was now undone, and his tie had been removed. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up to his elbows, and his perfectly combed hair was now disheveled. If only Ariana was an easy-to-handle girl, he wouldn't have to go through all of this trouble. But he did all of this because he knew Ariana wouldn't return willingly. She would either stay at the restaurant or, worse, she might go back to her apartment. And Gerald didn't want that. He didn't know why, but he felt that being possessive of Ariana was something he needed to do. Torn between entering the restaurant or not, Gerald decided to wait in his car until he saw the last customer leaving the restaurant. After about fifteen minutes, he saw one of the employees exiting the front door, ready to put up the announcement board. "Is
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 43. Breath Stinks
Ariana quickly got out of the car and went inside, ignoring Gerald, who remained silent in the car, his eyes glaring at Vivan sharply. Vivan, who got out and opened the car door for his boss, fell silent out of confusion. Gerald gestured with his finger, signaling for Vivan to bow. And as Vivan did so, the man immediately opened his mouth and exhaled his breath in front of his assistant. "Does my breath stink?" he asked Vivan. "Answer honestly," he commanded. Vivan smiled and then shook his head. "No, Boss," the man replied. Gerald furrowed his brow. "You're speaking the truth, right?" he asked incredulously. "Honestly, Boss, one hundred percent," Vivan replied earnestly. "In that case, why did she say something so mean?" Gerald had now risen and stepped out of the car. His gaze was fixed on Ariana, who had already walked far inside her house. Vivan shrugged. "Your wife is quite a remarkable woman, Boss," he replied with suppressed amusement. Gerald narrowed his eyes, looking at
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 44. What Are You Doing?
Ariana stared. She knew this couldn't be done. She couldn't just give her body to Gerald because they had no love. Moreover, later, Gerald will become Karenina's husband. But her brain and body don't work in sync. When her brain said no, her body said otherwise. And she liked his touch. Just like the first day, she became that man's wife. She enjoyed it. Her body just writhed, wanting more than just the deep kiss her husband gave her. Can he do it? Will he regret it later if he does this? Ariana didn't want to think. She just wanted to enjoy all the pleasure that the man's hands and mouth gave her. Gerald lowered his head and started kissing her neck. Ariana was tempted. Even when the man's hand touched her chest, she didn't mind and instead arched her body, asking for more. Other parts of his body felt hot and wet. Oh God, Ariana's brain warned her to stop all this. But her body wasn't willing if the man's touch just stopped. Gerald's head lowered even further. Continue kissi
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 45. There is Something Different
Gerald emerged shortly afterward, a towel hanging low on his hips. Ariana went back into the bathroom to replace him. "Where are you going?" Gerald asked, confused. Ariana didn't answer; she just went in and started cleaning herself again. Less than five minutes later, Ariana returned to the room, her body shivering and her fingers wrinkled. Gerald was sitting on the bed, wearing a short-sleeved shirt and pajama pants. "Are you alright?" he asked, concerned. Ariana just nodded and walked back to the walk-in closet, grabbing her own sleepwear. She clearly wasn't alright now. Wasn't she running a fever just yesterday? And today, correction, tonight, she had already drenched herself in the bathroom three times. Ariana quickly dressed, choosing clothes randomly. As a result, she ended up wearing a thin silk nightgown. Fortunately, the bottom of the gown touched her ankles, although the top almost revealed her chest. But Ariana promptly covered it with a matching robe. When she stepped
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 46. Axel's Word
Gerald went upstairs shortly after instructing his staff to deliver breakfast to their room. Midway up the stairs, he met his grandmother. The woman looked at Gerald inquisitively. "Ariana came home last night?" she asked. Gerald nodded. "She's feeling unwell," he informed briefly. Mrs. Rosaline just nodded. "Is there any recent news you haven't shared with Grandma?" she asked again. Gerald smiled. He was quite proud of his elderly grandmother's sharp mind, despite her advanced age. "It seems like a surprise will be coming our way soon," Gerald replied. His grandmother simply nodded. She continued her way downstairs, while Gerald proceeded upstairs to their room. Gerald sensed a different atmosphere when he opened the bedroom door. Ariana's gaze had returned to its usual intensity. Sardonic and challenging. Not soft and compliant like it was last night. What had changed in her during the few minutes Gerald had been away? "Axel, sweetheart. Shouldn't you be getting ready for schoo
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 47. Karenina
Panic. Gerald left the room, intending to find Ariana's whereabouts. However, at the same time, he saw Yosef climbing the stairs. "Mrs. Ariana is already downstairs, sir," the old man said. Gerald immediately stopped in his tracks. He felt a sense of relief instantly. He had been afraid Ariana might pull her silent act again and leave the house abruptly, just like she did some time ago. Gerald nodded and walked back to his room, asking Yosef to follow him. "What happened yesterday when I didn't come home? I didn't get any report from you," Gerald asked. The old man remained silent, his usual expression unchanged. "Your mother-in-law came again yesterday. But not for long. Other than that, there's nothing else, sir." "I heard Mommy telling all the staff that Axel's mother is not Ariana," Gerald inquired. Yosef nodded. "You don't need to worry about it. I've asked all our staff to keep their mouths shut," he replied. "I don't want any more rumors about that woman. Especially not rea
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 48. Isidora
Ariana felt upset? Certainly. When she tried to change her mind about accepting Gerald and this marriage, another surprising fact confronted her. Her mother-in-law did not want her there. From the beginning, the woman had approached Ariana only to ask for help so that their family wouldn't be embarrassed if her son's marriage failed. She was cut from the same cloth as Mrs. Caitlyn. Perhaps that's why the two of them could be friends. After Axel's words in the room, Ariana found her mother-in-law sitting casually in the dining room. The woman asked her to sit down and talk face-to-face. "Do you know if your twin sister has returned?" she asked without beating around the bush. Ariana wasn't really surprised. Hearing what the woman had said to Axel, her mother-in-law must have communicated well with Mrs. Caitlyn, so she knew when Karenina would be back. Ariana was reluctant to answer the question; she would let the woman say whatever she wanted to say. "I just want to thank you because
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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
