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
Her eyes welled up with tears. "I can't keep asking for their help forever because I know their lives aren't that rich to fulfill all my needs. And they're also financing my father's medical treatment and hiring a nurse because they don't want me to struggle. And all of that surely isn't cheap. So, to meet my needs, I chose to earn money myself. I worked." Gerald was surprised. He glanced at his wife, who still hadn't looked his way. "I met an unfortunate boy who worked as a street performer at traffic lights," Ariana smiled. "If you think I became a street performer too, you're wrong; I'm not that good at singing." She chuckled. "I sold newspapers," she continued. "Alongside him, I learned about the world of the streets. I understood how difficult it was for people out there to find food. Even though some of them were just pretending. But I knew some of their stories were real. He also taught me that, regardless of my situation, I should always be grateful because there were many pe
#Shelma Shelma averted her gaze from the disgusting scene in front of her. She despised all of it. After all this time, fighting to destroy her marriage with Hadi, a man who had once been so devoted to her, she now had to face the bitter reality that the man she loved was already with another woman. No. Ariana couldn't have Gerald so easily. And why Gerald? How could he be interested in a woman like Ariana? Shelma was far more beautiful, more graceful, richer, and more everything than this poorly dressed woman who looked more like a man. Shelma was certain Ariana didn't know the fashion world like she did. Just look at the woman's attire—only shabby jeans and a worn-out shirt. It was a far cry from her own expensive clothing. Shelma turned around, simultaneously encountering the one woman who had opposed her relationship with Gerald for so long. Who else but Mrs. Rosaline. Yes, that old woman had always been the barrier to Shelma's relationship with Gerald. Even when she knew Geral
They left in Gerald's car. Of course, Vivan was not with them as he was currently assigned to replace Gerald in the company. Throughout the journey, Gerald remained silent. He was clearly sulking because of Ariana's appearance, which he thought was too feminine and would attract the attention of many men. But Ariana chose to ignore it. Just because she always wore jeans and a long-sleeved shirt didn't mean she didn't like dresses or beautiful clothes like other women. She had always prioritized comfort. Wearing a skirt all the time wasn't comfortable for Ariana, considering she was active and often did tasks typically associated with men. The car had reached the school parking lot. They entered the school area, and as before, Gerald's presence drew the attention of parents who were there to pick up their children. Jealousy? Of course, Ariana felt it now, but she couldn't act childishly by covering Gerald's face with a mask, could she? Gerald immediately approached Axel's caregiver,
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