(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

Seeing Ariana stand up, Gerald followed suit. He patted the back of his dirty pants for a moment. Then he was surprised to see Ariana’s outstretched hand. Without many words, he accepted the gesture.

Ariana appeared to smile at him, which made Gerald feel awkward. “Why are you looking at me like that?” Gerald asked.

Ariana shrugged. “Because I like to,” she said casually. Slowly, she walked backward with her hand still holding Gerald’s. “Have I told you that you look handsome tonight?” she asked again. Gerald raised an eyebrow, trying to remember, but then shook his head. “You look very handsome tonight, Mr. Aarzu. And more than that, you look very charming,” Ariana said with a smile framing her face.

Clearly, her words made Gerald’s heart beat faster. Even without realizing it, his face reddened. Although he often received compliments, this time it was different. Because it came from a woman who rarely spoke sweet words. “Am I going to get a reward for looking charming?” Gerald asked back.

Ariana stopped in her tracks. So did Gerald. In his heart, he wondered if he said something wrong.

Ariana’s left index finger lifted. She bent it, saying, “Come here.” She commanded. Confused, Gerald approached. But unexpectedly, after Gerald was close to her, she tiptoed and then kissed the corner of Gerald’s lips.

Gerald was startled instantly. Ariana’s impulsive action surprised him. Okay, he wasn’t surprised to be kissed by women in many places, he was always the one starting it. But now? He still looked at Ariana in disbelief. But she responded to his confusion with a smile on her face. “If only this weren’t a public place. I would repay you with something more than that, Mrs. Aarzu,” Gerald grumbled.This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.

But Ariana just laughed at his remark. She hugged Gerald’s arm again and led them back to walking.

“Do whatever you want to me. And I’ll do whatever I want to you,” she confidently replied.

Gerald released her hand on his arm, momentarily surprising Ariana. But then he moved his hand to her waist. Gerald squeezed Ariana’s waist a little, then frowned. “Is it just my feeling, or is your body a bit fuller?” he asked Ariana.

Ariana looked up, looked at Gerald, and clearly saw no joking on his face. “I haven’t measured my weight yet. Maybe I have gained some weight,” she replied casually. “Why? Don’t you like me being a bit chubby?” Ariana challenged.

Gerald laughed. He shook his head. “Why are women so sensitive to the word ‘chubby’?” he asked, puzzled. Ariana just shrugged.

They continued walking, arm in arm, talking about some things that weren’t too important. Commenting on what they saw or just saying what came to their minds. Until it was late enough, and they decided to go back home.

Another morning greeted them. The routine had returned to normal. There were no more morning shopping trips to the market for Ariana because Gerald didn’t allow it. Instead, he always spent time preparing breakfast, occasionally taking turns with Mrs. Rosaline. It turned out that cooking was their hobby. And Ariana felt comfortable being in the same place with Gerald’s eldest family member.

People were right. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Initially, their first meeting made Ariana think that Mrs. Rosaline seemed like a cold and haughty woman who would do anything to get whatever she wanted. While she saw Mrs. Isidora as an intimidated daughter-in-law. But the reality, after some time seeing and getting to know them, was not like that.

Mrs. Rosaline was warm and wise. Her silence was because she preferred to observe. While Mrs. Isidora, she was clearly always aloof. Only in front of Gerald did she seem submissive. Because clearly, all the power now belonged to Gerald.

Ariana and Gerald always accompanied Axel to school before he went to his office. Only occasionally did he leave earlier, and even then because there was a meeting he couldn’t miss. The rest of the time, he delegated all the work to Vivan.

And honestly, Ariana felt comfortable living in Zeroun’s residence now. Even though she always avoided being in the same room with her mother-in-law, who was always unpleasant to her. Especially since that woman always brought up Shelma and Karenina’s names in front of Ariana, probably to make Ariana aware of her position. Like this morning, for example.

When Ariana entered the kitchen to make breakfast, what she saw was not Mrs. Rosaline but Mrs. Isidora.

“Good morning,” she greeted the woman with extraordinary friendliness. Ariana was surprised by it. She knew something more spectacular would come after.

“Good morning,” she replied shortly.

“I thought I wanted to have a nice breakfast this morning. What will you make?” the woman asked again.

“What do you want to eat? Maybe I can make it,” Ariana replied. She knew the woman was challenging her.

“You’re still so cold towards me. Even though I’m your mother-in-law. Karenina and Shelma called me Aunt the first time we met,” she said again.

There. Like Ariana said. The woman always brought up two other women’s names in their conversation. “I’m sorry, but I still don’t feel comfortable with you,” Ariana replied honestly. “So do you want to eat something special, or will you eat whatever I serve?” Ariana asked again with her flat face and voice.

“I think I don’t want to trouble you further. I’ll eat whatever you make,” the woman said with a tone that sounded condescending to Ariana. Ariana just complied. She began to take out the food ingredients from the refrigerator and sorted them on the table. “So, where were you last night? I heard that you came home early from the party. But I thought you didn’t come back home immediately afterward,” the comment made as politely as possible actually made Ariana snort.

Of course, there were no spies hired by the woman. Because Ariana immediately made someone her informant. No, two people, to be precise. If it wasn’t Shelma, then it meant Ariana’s mother and her husband were there too last night.

“You know, your mother was quite offended by what you did last night. How could you say that you’re not Brooks’ child?” she asked with a wrinkled forehead and mocking eyes towards Ariana.

Ariana looked back at her with a raised eyebrow.

“Why should she be offended? The fact is Ariana is not Brooks’ child because she never touched a penny of that man’s money. And she never lived in the same place with that man. So what makes them offended?” The words came from a man who had just entered the kitchen.