After finishing their lunch, Ariana decided to go to the playground with Axel. Their driver returned to the parking lot while their nanny continued to follow them. Axel cheerfully ran around, playing all the games available in the mall area. Meanwhile, Ariana and the nanny sat on a bench, watching the little boy play tirelessly. "What was Axel like when he came to Zeroun's residence?" Ariana suddenly inquired. Her attention remained fixed on the small child who was now busy hitting a plastic crocodile with a toy hammer. "Um, well, that..." the nanny hesitated. "Don't worry. I won't report anything. This conversation is just between us. I just want to get to know Axel better," Ariana replied candidly. "Back then, when Axel was brought here, I was still a household assistant. My husband and I had been working at the Zeroun's house for a long time. We were quite surprised when Mrs. Isidora suddenly arrived and brought a young woman and a little child to the house, saying that he was
Ariana shrugged. She walked closer and asked what she could help with. She didn't want to discuss the woman who had annoyed her all day and had even ruined her appetite. Mrs. Rosaline didn't give her any tasks and instead ordered Ariana to sit on one of the chairs there. Ariana complied without protest. "Don't you want to know who she is?" Mrs. Rosaline asked as she stir-fried minced beef. "Is it necessary?" Ariana replied with a question of her own. "At least by asking, it shows that you care," Mrs. Rosaline replied again. Ariana shook her head. She picked up a tempting red tomato and bit into it, producing a sound that made others salivate upon hearing it. "Caring isn't always marked by the number of questions asked," she replied between bites. "Some people ask not because they care, but because they need a story to listen to, which they can later use as a topic of conversation when they meet others," she continued and bit into her tomato again. "Are you not curious at all abo
Ariana chose to sit on the balcony of Gerald's room, because up until now, she still considered the room not to be hers. The balcony wasn't as spacious as the one in Gerald's private home that Ariana had visited before. Still, it was enough to accommodate two cushioned rattan chairs and a round table large enough for tea and snacks. She looked at the view in front of her: densely populated houses that weren't exactly a beautiful sight to behold. She fell silent, contemplating this marriage. Could all of this be a test for her marriage with Gerald? A strengthening of their spiritual bond? Was God testing Ariana by showing her the women from Gerald's past, even though she didn't want to know? Perhaps God wanted to make Ariana realize that she was disturbed by their presence. And, in fact, this was also a test for Gerald. Maybe God was testing his loyalty. Would Gerald remain steadfast with Ariana despite the arrival of those women, or would he be tempted and turn away? These were the
Gerald walked over quickly. He even tripped over the carpet that was used as a table mat. "What are you doing here?" he asked confused. Ariana raised an eyebrow. A little offended by the man's question to him. "Why? You don't like seeing me here? Do you want me to leave?" Ariana asked sharply. Gerald shook his head. He has cleared his mind. The reason is that just seeing Ariana in his room surprised him. But he was even more surprised to see Ariana's current appearance. Gerald didn't know what the girl meant by wearing such a challenging outfit like this. Usually, Ariana refused when Gerald asked her to wear it and hid behind a large robe. But this time? Yes. The girl is wearing sexy lingerie that shows off two-thirds of her body skin. For Gerald, this is a dream come true. Seeing the visualization of his sexy wife like the one he had always dreamed of. But he knew that this was some veiled threat. A war that doesn't know who the winner will end. Gerald chose to enjoy the beauty a
Ariana covered herself with a blanket up to her shoulders. Gerald also climbed onto the bed and got under the blanket, positioning his body next to the girl. Gerald lay on his side. He was looking at Ariana's shoulders and neck, which were covered by a thick blanket. "Ariana..." he whined. And Ariana knows what that means. "What?" he asked curtly. "Can't we do it now?" asked Gerald again. The man's hands played with the blanket covering Ariana's body and was about to open it. But Ariana brushed it off vehemently. "Do what?" she asked curtly, even though he could already guess the direction of their conversation. She still had her back to Gerald, so she didn't know that her husband was now looking at her with sparkling eyes. "You know, ignoring your husband is a sin. Refusing to serve him for unclear reasons is also a sin. Angels can curse you all night long. Did you know that?" He threatened. Ariana turned her head. Instantly, his body angled so they were facing each other. She
Gerald suspected that it would just be a kiss. However, when Ariana's kiss became more profound, he took the girl's place. He rolled Ariana's body so the girl was lying beneath him. Gerald deepened their kiss. And hearing the girl's moans made him want to do more. Slowly, he took off the lingerie that Ariana was wearing and slipped it from above. He was always captivated by the sight before him, even though this was not the first time he had seen it. Gerald lowered his head even more. Ariana looked up to give Gerald access as his lips and tongue played on the girl's neck. He was kissing, licking, and taking small bites. In response, Ariana grabbed his hair and pressed Gerald's head, asking Gerald to do more. The girl hurriedly took off the T-shirt that Gerald was wearing. Gerald kissed the girl's neck again as he removed all their clothes and hid their bodies under the blanket. His head continued to move down to touch the entire surface of the girl's body. Her neck, collarbone, ch
Gerald heard the bathroom door open. Ariana was wearing one of Gerald's oversized bathrobes, and seeing her like that warmed Gerald's heart. Ariana glanced in his direction, her forehead creased. Her gaze was, of course, directed at the fabric in Gerald's hand. "I don't want the servants to fuss," she replied casually. She took the bathrobe from him and headed into the bathroom, but Gerald stopped her. "Let me wash it later," Ariana insisted, but Gerald shook his head. "I won't wash it. Just soak it in the bathtub. The servants will finish the rest," he replied. Ariana nodded and walked toward the walk-in closet. Gerald held her arm, kissing the top of her head, which felt different to Ariana this time. He cupped Ariana's face with both his hands. A smile played on his lips, mischievousness evident in Ariana's eyes. "What?" she asked challengingly. "Can we do it again?" he teased. "That is if you don't mind," he added. "What if I do mind?" Ariana asked with a deadpan expression.
"I hate what he did," Ariana muttered. "You might know my background from your paid informants. But you don't truly understand the life I led, Amber, during those times." Without looking at Gerald, Ariana began to tell her story. She knew her husband was listening. So she chose to continue without waiting for his comments. "You probably know that my family used to be well-off. Let's say we were wealthy in our time," she said. "My father was a successful businessman back then. We never lacked anything. Luxurious house, cars with private drivers. Food made from the finest ingredients. Boutique clothes. We had it all and enjoyed it. And we never lacked love, or at least that's what I used to feel. Our life was incredibly happy. My father was a man who cared deeply for the well-being of his wife and children and always granted whatever we asked for. Then one day, when I was ten, my father came home defeated. He told my mother that his company had gone bankrupt because he was deceived b
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
"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
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 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,
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
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
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
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
"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