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49. Wound
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The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 50. Wound (2)
Ariana attempted to rise, her head still throbbing. She made her way to the bathroom, searching for the headache relief she usually kept there. She forgot that she hadn't bought it the last time she intended to. As a result, she went back downstairs, intending to buy the medicine from the nearest store. However, her plans were hindered by the presence of Adel and other staff members who were ready to work. Consequently, Ariana shifted her focus to her duties. She ignored the pulsating pain in her head as she tried to push away all the negative thoughts in her mind. For her, it was just a matter of time until the bomb containing the word 'divorce' escaped Gerald's lips. Shouldn't she be happy? Yes, she should be happy because that's what she had been hoping for all this time. But why did her heart say otherwise? Why wasn't she willing? Why did she feel disliking? Why did she feel disappointment and sadness? Customers started to arrive, and Ariana chose to continue working in the k
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 51. Sick
Ariana wasn't surprised to find out that the person knocking on the door was Gerald. She tried to act normally. When she asked him to use the bathroom quickly, he instead sat casually on the bed without saying much. Consequently, Ariana grabbed her clothes from the wardrobe and went back into the bathroom to change. After dressing, Ariana sat down on the toilet. Her stomach suddenly felt queasy and painful, and her head throbbed intensely. Her body started shaking uncontrollably. She leaned her head against the toilet wall, trying to take slow breaths to alleviate the sudden pain and tightness attacking her chest. She felt weak all of a sudden and couldn't even support herself on her own feet. She knew Gerald was out there, and he would help her if she asked. But she was reluctant to do so. The cold ceramic floor touched the soles of her feet, sending a shiver up her spine. She was still trying to keep herself conscious when she heard the bathroom door open, and Gerald walked toward
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 52. Sick (2)
Gerald left Ariana when the female nurse he had requested arrived. In less than ten minutes, Ariana felt clean again and lay back on the bed, which had also been changed with fresh sheets and pillowcases. After the nurse left, the man entered the room again. "Are you okay? Do you want to eat something?" he asked once more. Ariana shook her head again. "Why are you still here? Just go home," Ariana ordered softly. "Why can't I stay here with my wife?" Gerald countered. Ariana snorted upon hearing his response. She chose to close her eyes even though she didn't feel sleepy at all. "What's wrong with you?" Gerald asked softly. He clearly knew that Ariana wasn't truly asleep. He intentionally raised the back of the bed so Ariana could see him clearly. Ariana, who also felt tired, pretended to open her eyes. "Nothing. Why?" she replied. "I prefer the sarcastic and rude Ariana over this silent one. Tell me, did I do something wrong?" he asked again. Ariana shook her head. There was no
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 53. Angry
Vivan arrived at six in the morning, carrying two paper bags in his right hand and Gerald's suit still hanging on a hanger, wrapped in clear plastic, in his left hand. He looked more like a laundry worker than Gerald's assistant. "Your breakfast, Madam," he said to Ariana after Gerald took his suit and went into the bathroom with one of the large paper bags in his hand. "Thank you," murmured Ariana. Vivan helped Ariana by raising the table next to the bed and arranging all the food he brought. Warm white rice. Sautéed beef. Steamed broccoli, green beans, and carrots. Fresh fruits were arranged in front of her. He also opened a thermos containing warm green tea. "Mrs. Rosaline prepared all of this specifically for you. She said she would come here after dropping Axel off at school," Vivan explained again. Ariana didn't respond to anything. The food in front of her was far more interesting than Vivan's words. Ariana devoured all the food in front of her eagerly. She didn't intend t
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 54. About Gerald
Ariana remained silent. After Gerald left, she knew that the two male guards who had been watching her were now stationed outside her door. Was she annoyed? Definitely. But what could she do? She could only sit on the bed, turning on the television aimlessly, just to dispel the silence. Afterward, she picked up her phone and checked her messages. There were messages from her father and her mother, inquiring about her well-being. A message from Aisyah asking when she would come home. And a message from her younger sister inviting her to play together over the weekend. But those messages had been received a long time ago. Her phone had been in Gerald's possession all this time. A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. An elderly woman entered the room. Who else could it be but her grandmother-in-law, Mrs. Rosaline? She wore her usual expensive attire and politely asked Ariana for permission to enter her room, as if she would leave if Ariana denied her entry. Ariana sighed inwardl
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 55. About Gerald (2)
Since then, Gerald no longer relied on his father. Even though my son supported him financially, Gerald tried to make his own way from his teenage years. His life abroad was truly independent. He even forgot the teachings of his grandfather, my husband, about worship. And I couldn't make him change. I could only hope that someday, the old Gerald would return. Years passed. Darrel, a teenager at the time, started to look up to Gerald. Gerald loved him dearly. Even though he knew they didn't share the same blood, they came from the same lineage. Darrel always considered Gerald his role model. Then one day, Darrel fell in love with a girl from California. She seemed like a good girl to me. Axel's mother was very polite and cheerful, despite her ordinary background. Axel wanted to introduce the girl to his mother, but even before anything happened, Isidora rejected her. Apparently, Isidora had already decided on a match for Axel—a daughter of a wealthy businessman. She thought that by
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 56. You Think?
The doctor came to check on her at nine in the morning. After ensuring that she was okay, Ariana was finally allowed to go home, but not before getting permission from Gerald, who was contacted by his loyal bodyguards who had been tailing him since he left for the office that morning. Mrs. Rosaline asked Ariana to come back home with her, but Ariana refused. She felt uncomfortable staying there. She decided to go back to the restaurant instead. Again, she could only leave with Gerald's permission. Did she really have no say in her own life anymore? Ariana snorted. But well, what could she do? Running away seemed pointless. She didn't say much when she entered the restaurant. Although Jody, Amber, and Adel looked at her with concern, they didn't say anything. Ariana just went upstairs, intending to lie down there. She wouldn't force herself to work for now, even though she wanted to. Amber and Adel entered shortly after Ariana found her comfortable spot. "Are you okay?" Amber asked
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 57. Ariana vs Gerald
Amber remained silent. Ariana didn't speak much either. She just let Amber immerse herself in her thoughts. "Do you really want recognition from this marriage?" Amber asked later. Ariana shook her head. "If you mean recognition that he loves me, I don't need that. What I need is to know who I am here. As a legitimate wife, I am not acknowledged by anyone except those closest to me. Doesn't that mean he still leaves the possibility open for people out there that my position might not be permanent? Am I wrong?" Ariana asked, wanting to know. "My role here from the beginning was just a scheme for them. Mrs. Caitlyn needed me as a replacement for Karenina to save her family from disgrace. While Gerald only needed my physical presence so that he and his family could have custody of Axel. Fine, I don't mind. I can help them, even though their initial approach was wrong and I felt forced back then. But my concern is Axel and his custody. But do you know what happened next? Mrs. Caitlyn, wit
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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
