(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

“You might not remember how your mother was, but looking at Ariana, Grandma feels as if she’s seeing your mother still here. A woman I admire so much,” tears rolled down the woman’s cheeks again. “That’s when Grandma decided to find out who Ariana is. A woman who has Karenina’s physical appearance but your mother’s soul.”

“I did too,” Gerald whispered, although he himself was still confused about where his grandmother’s conversation was heading.

Mrs. Rosaline shook her head. “But you didn’t get all the information about her,” Mrs. Rosaline said again. Gerald furrowed his brow again. “In fact, there are things you don’t know about her, and I can’t tell you this. Honestly, Grandma feels guilty, towards the three of you. You, Ariana, and also Axel. When Grandma wanted to keep her because she missed your mother, Grandma didn’t know you would fall in love with her like this, Al,” she continued, her voice full of apologies. “I thought our plan would go as we planned. You would marry Ariana and divorce her after we get custody of Axel. And we would part ways amicably. But reality doesn’t always align with plans.”

Plans. Something that made Gerald feel disgusted with himself. The plan to have a lifelong marriage that he once said to Ariana wasn’t actually a genuine plan. Because the phrase ‘marriage for a lifetime’ only came to Gerald’s mind after he met Ariana, not Karenina.

With Karenina, there was never the word ‘forever.’ Only ‘temporary.’ And they had agreed on that with a specific amount. Not only with Brooks but also with Karenina herself. But Karenina’s escape, considered a misfortune for Ariana, turned out to be Gerald’s stroke of luck.

Gerald had to admit that the idea of marrying Karenina had been a bad one lately. If he had to be honest, when Vivian and Yosef informed him that Karenina was missing, his initial reaction was the shame he would endure. But after thinking, maybe it was fate’s way of preventing him from getting trapped with that ill-tempered woman.

He didn’t think about the sin of playing with marriage. He didn’t plan to live celibate. And he didn’t plan to touch Karenina during their marriage. What he said to Ariana earlier, it all came out spontaneously, unplanned. Because that was what was on his mind and in his heart at the time.

So that night, Gerald happily called off the wedding-regardless of the embarrassment it would cause him in front of his colleagues because the bride ran away-he saw Ariana. A duplicate of Karenina but with different characteristics. And he fell in love at first sight for the first time.

A sudden feeling of challenge arose. He felt like a climber wanting to reach the highest peak of a mountain. Feeling like a swimmer wanting to cross the ocean. His desire to have her was so strong.

And when the vows were exchanged, his mind, his feelings suddenly said that this would be his lifelong marriage. That Ariana would be his only wife. That she would be the mother of his future children.

And when he touched her body, he knew he could live a passionate life with her. Because even though her mouth said no, her body clearly said otherwise.

He missed Ariana. That was the truth. He loved that woman. He was obsessed with Ariana Leonidas.

She was undeniably beautiful, and her heart was too. Despite her firmness, she was a woman with a gentle soul. And clearly, it wasn’t just him who fell in love, Axel did too. So what reason could Gerald find to separate from her? There was none.

And now, the fact that his grandmother also liked her was another plus point for Ariana. Unfortunately, Ariana didn’t feel the same way. She didn’t love Gerald, nor Axel. Since the beginning of their marriage, she openly declared war. Stating that she was trapped in a place she didn’t want to be.

Gerald thought as time went on, her feelings, her mindset, would change. He thought that seeing how Ariana openly waged war with Shelma was her way of reciprocating his love. She would be with him forever. But once again, he was wrong. Ariana wanted to separate from him. Of course, it was because of that damn man. Chris!

“She loves another man,” the words escaped his lips, something he didn’t want to admit but finally did.

Mrs. Rosaline shook her head again. “No. She doesn’t love Chris,” she said firmly.

“How does Grandma know?” Gerald asked, narrowing his eyes.

Mrs. Rosaline just shrugged. The old woman reached out and squeezed Gerald’s hand tighter.

“Fight for her,” she pleaded softly. “Do whatever it takes to win Ariana back,” she continued. “What Grandma means is, maybe you haven’t been persistent enough. So this time, persuade her again. Again and again until she comes back to this house. Back to you, back to Axel, back to all of us,” she said rapidly.

Gerald furrowed his brow even more. “What’s going on, Grandma? Don’t make my headache worse.”

Mrs. Rosaline wanted to answer, but doubt silenced her. “Ariana is always at the restaurant, if not, she will be in her apartment,” the woman said, deflecting Gerald’s question.

“I know. I ordered someone to tail her,” he said firmly.

Mrs. Rosaline shook her head again. “But your spy doesn’t know what she’s hiding in her apartment,” she said and then stood up.

“Grandma, don’t play guessing games again. Tell me what’s really happening? I’m sure Grandma knows something.” Gerald accused sharply.Content provided by NôvelDrama.Org.

Mrs. Rosaline shook her head again. Instead of answering Gerald’s question, she just walked away, leaving him behind and quietly closing the door.

Gerald ran his hand through his hair. He glanced at the sweet tea Yosef had placed on the nightstand. The steaming heat had dissipated from the cup, much like his nausea.

Gerald chose to ignore it and then lay down on the bed. He used one hand to cover his eyes. Somehow, he drifted off into the feeling of exhaustion and weariness throughout his body.

The room was dominated by white and a large window. Gerald blinked to ward off the glare from the intense sunlight. He woke up from his confusion. Why was he here? The place where he took Ariana some time ago. Gerald heard laughter. A crisp laughter he knew so well, but when he sat up and looked around, no one was there.

Gerald got out of his bed and walked slowly out of his room. When he opened the door, the laughter sounded louder and more intense. Gerald walked towards the stairs, down to find where the source of that happy laughter was coming from. Right on the last step, Gerald froze. There, in one of the rooms with a large window overlooking the backyard, he could see two figures he loved dearly. Ariana, and their son Axel.

Ariana looked beautiful, wearing a white nightgown that reached below her knees. The V-shaped neckline and the very short sleeves allowed Gerald to admire her beautiful white skin bathed in the morning sunlight. She looked even more beautiful with

the cheerful laughter on her face. Applauding as if encouraging something. So was Axel. The boy was running as if being chased by something. But instead of being scared, the boy was laughing too.

Gerald’s steps drew closer. “Ariana,” he called.