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8. Married
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The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 9. First Kiss
Gerald had stopped pretending to be sick. He sat on the bed, supporting his body by placing his hands on either side of him. His legs crossed each other. His eyes looked at Ariana, scanning her from top to bottom. "You're beautiful," the man said. "No need to remind me. I already knew that. You're not the first person to say that," Ariana answered casually. She was now sitting with her back to the mirror. Her hips leaned against the dressing table, while her arms were folded in front of her chest, making her ample bosom look even puffier. "Besides, if 'she' is ugly, how would a man like you marry her?" The sentence referred to his identical twin sister, Karenina. "A man like me?" Gerald raised an eyebrow. "Yes, men like you. And people like you. People who prioritize reputation above all else. Respect seekers," Ariana mocked. Gerald smiled and nodded in agreement. "Yes, I think you're right," he said later. "But my wife," Gerald rose again from his seat and slowly approached. Aria
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 10. Sleeping With a Stranger
The night had grown so late. Ariana once again entered the room that had been used for her preparations earlier. The reception was not yet over, but she was exhausted. Extremely tired. Especially because she had been forced to look elegant by wearing stilettos all night. Something she had avoided for so long. And she had no idea when the event would end. She didn't care anymore. What mattered was that she had fulfilled her duties as a bride earlier. Welcoming the guests. And after that, it wasn't her obligation to accompany and engage with them all night long. After all, she didn't even know them. They were Brooks family guests and her unfamiliar husband's guests. Not hers. Fortunately, the peach dress she was wearing was easy to take off. The only thing that puzzled Ariana now was, where was her change of clothes? The jeans and shirt she had been wearing earlier were nowhere to be found. As a result, she sought out the housemaid who had been accompanying her since earlier, asking h
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 11. Experiment
Ariana struck the man's hand hard enough that her own hand hurt afterward. "What are you doing?!" the man asked in a drowsy voice. Ariana turned over, her head turning to the right to look at the face of the stranger who was now her husband. "I should be asking you. What are you doing?!" she retorted sharply, accusingly. "Didn't you say last night that you would take me home?" Instead of answering, the man slid closer and nestled his head against Ariana's neck, wrapping his arms around her waist and entwining his legs tightly. He didn't seem bothered at all. "I did take you home, dear. I brought you to bed, and I even kindly took off your clothes. What's wrong?" he said with a muffled voice against the curve of Ariana's neck. Ariana shuddered at his breath. "But why bring me here? Why not take me to the apartment?" Ariana now spoke softly. "Because your home is here. Where your husband is," he replied curtly. "Don't forget that I married you as a stand-in for Karenina," Ariana r
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 12. Someone Calling Her 'Mommy'
Ariana lightly slapped both of her cheeks. Oh God, what had she just done? Making out? It felt like more than just making out. It hadn't even been 24 hours since she became this man's wife, and she had already done such... "Aaarrrggghhhh..." Ariana stifled her restrained scream. She swore she felt embarrassed, even though she didn't want to admit it. The man had taught her such wicked things. For God's sake, Ariana had never been touched by any man before. So why had she behaved like a loose woman, allowing herself to be kissed and touched by a stranger? Okay, not entirely a stranger. He was her husband now. And Ariana hadn't committed any sinful act, even though she had gone further than that. But the man was still a stranger. Despite his status as her husband. All Ariana knew about him was his name, Gerald Zeroun. She barely knew anything about his job, age, and she couldn't even remember the name of the old woman, Rosaline Zeroun, who was apparently his grandmother. As for the w
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 13. Axel Zeroun (1)
"Axel is not my biological son." Gerald's answer made Ariana look up. Her eyes looked at Gerald confusedly. "I have a brother. His name is Axelo Darrel Zeroun. He is four years younger than me. One time, he got drunk and made love to a girl. He said she was his classmate on campus. We thought it was just a one-night stand. You know the society of today's young people. But it turns out our guess was wrong. Darrel is really into that girl. He was willing to give everything to the girl. My father didn't accept it. He wanted Darrel to focus more on his studies and work at the company. An unsanctioned love and typical youth rebellion. Darrel chose that woman over his family. This situation happened about five years ago. Darrel's age is the same as you are now. At that time, I didn't know. I am busy with my studies and work abroad. I didn't know about Darrel's rebellion because no one told me. And Darrel also changed into a more closed person at that time. Then, something happened. Fat
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 14. Axel Zeroun (2)
Ariana sighed deeply. "I don't have a choice, do I?" she asked, then shook her head. "You really didn't give me a choice," she said sharply. "All the decisions are in your hands. That's the contract you've given me. I just need to act like I love and care for the child, and voila, the child becomes yours." Ariana snorted. "I can do it, help you. And in return, don't interfere with my personal life." Ariana closed the folder and handed it back to Gerald. "Where are you going?" he asked when he saw Ariana getting up. "To fill my stomach. I don't want to die of hunger and make you a widower anytime soon," she said casually and left the room. This was the first time Ariana had set foot outside the room. Yesterday, when she entered the house, she was unconscious. She wasn't even aware that she had been undressed by her husband. Now Ariana was left wondering where to go. She knew she was on the second floor. Her phone displayed a little past six o'clock. Ariana decided to go downstairs.
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 15. Tempting
Gerald had neatly parked the car in front of Leonida's. However, it turned out that his promise was false because instead of returning home, he casually led Axel inside the restaurant. Ariana's employees, who were busy wiping tables and setting up utensils, were surprised by her presence. The attention of the staff was drawn to her because of her boss's somewhat elegant appearance in an oversized sweater and a knee-length skirt. She rarely wore skirts while working, except for occasions that she considered "complicated" and required her to wear such attire. "Hey, last night, what happened?" Bryan, one of her waiters who was wiping glasses in one corner of the restaurant, asked. "Did you get possessed by something as a newlywed?" Ariana replied with a sly tone, making the young man unbelieving. "Is Amber here?" Ariana ignored his astonishment. "She's in the back with the boys," he answered. "But seriously, were you really possessed by a newlywed spirit, Miss?" He asked incredulous
The Billionaire's Replacement Bride 16. Axel Dear...
Ariana groaned. "Let me remind you, dear Mr. Gerald. In case you forgot, I've already showered. So, of course, I smell good." Ariana tried to keep her voice regular, even though she wanted to sigh, especially now that Gerald's lips teased her. Kissing the side of his neck and behind his ear. If only the man's legs weren't holding him back. Maybe Ariana had fallen on the floor because her knees suddenly felt weak. "You said... Oh My God Ariana!" Amber's screams rang through the room. She, who had suddenly opened the door, was shocked by the condition of Ariana and a man who was stuck together, pressed against the wall like lizards mating. Ariana tried to push Gerald, but the man still didn't move where he was. Maintaining their position makes people think they are being perverted. "Who are you?" The question just came out of Axel. The three adults forgot about Axel's presence, who had been swallowed by the back of the sofa. "What's wrong with Mom and Dad?" His green eyes looked at Ge
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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
