(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

“They arrived at Zeroun’s residence just before breakfast. The quiet streets made Gerald drive faster than usual.

Yusuf welcomed them at the door. The old man’s forehead wrinkled when he saw Ariana and Gerald getting out of the car. Gerald immediately approached him to ask what was going on. But before his question could be answered, they already saw the answer.

“Mommy!” Axel’s shout made Ariana and Gerald turn simultaneously. The little boy ran towards Ariana and immediately threw himself into her arms. But what surprised them was the people following Axel. “Mommy, where were you? Why didn’t you come home last night?” Axel asked curiously. While Ariana’s attention was still on the other guests who were looking at her and Gerald alternately.

“Just because you’re newlyweds, it doesn’t mean she can monopolize your time and even make you forget Axel, Gerald. She should remember that her presence here is to help you gain custody of Axel,” Ariana’s mother-in-law’s words were thrown out casually. “Luckily Karenina stayed here last night, so Axel had someone to keep him company,” she continued.

“It should have been that way from the beginning, because from the start, Karenina should have been Axel’s stepmother,” that reply came from Ariana’s birth mother, none other than Mrs. Caitlyn. Meanwhile, the one being praised now stood between Ariana’s mother and mother-in-law. She looked beautiful in an expensive dress and minimal makeup, with an elegant smile on her face. It was clearly a stark contrast to Ariana, who was only wearing a blouse, jeans, and cheap home sandals. Even though she knew the clothes she was wearing right now were undoubtedly expensive too. But Ariana’s plain face without any makeup clearly made a noticeable difference between them.

“It’s only natural for a honeymooning couple to spend time alone, Mommy. Didn’t Mommy and Papa also leave me behind when they went on their honeymoon?” Gerald answered his mother. Obviously, that response left the women speechless. “Let’s go inside; it seems breakfast is ready.” Gerald put his arm around Ariana’s back and guided her inside the house. Axel remained faithfully in Ariana’s embrace.

They walked ahead into the house. Apparently, the dining table they usually used wasn’t set with anything. Mrs. Rosaline appeared and looked at Ariana and Gerald alternately. “We’ll have breakfast in the backyard,” she said with a smile on her face. Gerald simply nodded and guided Ariana to the back of the house.

Honestly, Ariana didn’t know how extensive this house was. She didn’t even know what rooms there were in this house. She admitted it was her own fault for choosing to leave this house without wanting to explore it. Until now, all she knew was her room-more precisely, Gerald’s room-the living room, where her mother had once given her an ultimatum. And the dining room near the kitchen. The rest, she only knew that the house had a spacious backyard. That’s all.”

“She was quite amazed as she walked towards the place referred to as the ‘backyard,’ as Mrs. Rosaline had called it earlier. The backyard was vast, far larger than the house she and Gerald had stayed in the night before. And, in her opinion, that house already had an incredibly spacious yard. Besides the large swimming pool, there was also an outdoor play area that seemed to be specially built for Axel. But what surprised Ariana the most was the golf course there.

“Why?” Someone’s voice in her ear snapped Ariana out of her astonishment. She turned and saw her twin sister standing so close beside her, taking Gerald’s place, who was now leading Axel towards the dining table. “Are you shocked by all this luxury? Clearly, this isn’t where you’re supposed to be,” her twin sister taunted.

Ariana nodded. “You’re right. I’m surprised, very surprised by all of this. But don’t worry, I’m adaptable. And I’m a quick learner. Isn’t my intelligence something that makes you jealous?” Ariana replied with a sardonic smile.

Ariana glanced back at Karenina and saw her mother and mother-in-law walking side by side, both of them looking at Ariana with stern eyes. “I know you have support. But that doesn’t mean with all that support, Gerald will bow down to you,” Ariana retorted.

Karenina stared at Ariana sharply. A sardonic smile now adorned her beautiful face. “Don’t be arrogant, Ariana. Right now, you might be getting a big head because Gerald openly shows his affection for you. But do you know, behind all that, there might be a hidden agenda? Do you know why? Because for Gerald and men like him, you’re an intriguing challenge that he needs to conquer.

Just think about it. You’re someone who’s way beneath his league,” Karenina scanned Ariana from head to toe as if assessing her worth. “Even though you’re dressed in expensive clothes, fundamentally, you’re still cheap. And your arrogant attitude, your difficult demeanor, make him curious about you. But later, after he gets what he wants from you, after you fall at his feet like all the other women, he’ll use any means to remove you from his life. Just believe me.

I’ve known Gerald for quite a while. And I know his ways. So don’t be proud just because right now, he seems smitten with you. Because I’m sure, not long from now, you won’t mean anything to him except a piece of trash he needs to dispose of,” Karenina said, her sweet smile lingering on her well-maintained face.”

Ariana knew that Karenina’s words were deliberately aimed at her to shake her confidence. She, who had just begun to harbor new hopes for Gerald, found herself doubting again.

But her common sense forced her to acknowledge her twin sister’s words. She didn’t truly know the real Gerald. What the man said, what he showed to Ariana all this time, his sweet demeanor and everything, it could all be an act. Even Gerald could change drastically within a matter of hours. And that made Ariana waver once again.

Plus, Karenina’s words. Just because Karenina didn’t like Ariana didn’t mean that what the girl said was baseless, right? It could very well be the truth about Gerald that Ariana didn’t know. And again, Karenina had known Gerald for quite a while, so Ariana knew she might be privy to Gerald’s past. What she questioned now was whether her words were the truth or just accusations intended to tarnish Gerald’s image in front of Ariana.

Ariana walked closer when Axel waved his hand. Right now, her main focus should be on gaining custody of Axel. As for her and Gerald’s relationship, Ariana believed that it would unfold with time.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

She could only pray that, by validating her intentions with this marriage, God would assist her. If indeed Gerald was the right husband for her, a man who would be a caring partner and bring her both worldly and emotional happiness, then she prayed for all their matters to be eased. But if Gerald wasn’t meant for her, then she could only pray that God would pave the best path for her and their future relationship.