(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

A few moments before the wedding, Gerald purposely approached Ariana’s father, his future father-in-law, for a private conversation.

“I may not be a high-class entrepreneur like you, Gerald,” the middle-aged man said. “In fact, my business is nothing compared to what you have now. I wasn’t surprised when Gerald chose to marry Karenina. My daughter, unlike Ariana, was raised differently. Karenina is clearly more suitable to be the wife of someone like you.”

“I’m also sure that finding someone like Karenina wouldn’t be difficult, considering the connections you have. So, I’m puzzled myself, why is Gerald forcing Ariana to replace Karenina?” Bradley’s face showed curiosity as he looked at Gerald.

“Because it’s his duty as an older brother to help his sister and his mother,” Gerald replied flatly.

Bradley shook his head. “I’m a father. I’m a businessman, just like Gerald. Although I’m not as wealthy and smart as Gerald. But I know, that’s not Gerald’s goal with this marriage.”

Gerald fell silent, staring sharply at the man in front of him. “Whatever is happening right now, Ariana doesn’t have the means to challenge it because I’m the sacrificial lamb here. But I’m sure, sooner or later, she will start her rebellion. I just hope for the best for both of you.”

My advice is to start something with good intentions. Dedicate this marriage as an act of worship. Whatever your initial motives might be, I hope, Gerald, that you can take good care of Ariana. She’s my beloved daughter. She lost her mother’s love when she was just a child, and at the same time, she had to take care of her father, who was depressed and helpless. She might seem strong on the outside. But do you know that strong shell is built to protect something fragile inside?

If you can’t treat her well, then I hope you won’t try to hurt her.”

Gerald shook his head. “If I’ve given you the wrong impression, I apologize. But since I decided to make Ariana my wife, I have firmly resolved in my heart that I will not let her go. Just like her, my heart has been wounded. As someone who has felt the same pain, I could never intentionally do something that would hurt her.”

That’s why I asked to speak with you. It might sound inappropriate, but I, Gerald Zeroun, hereby seek your blessing as Ariana’s father. Would you be willing to give me the chance to be the best man for your daughter?”

Gerald’s statement ending with a question mark clearly startled Bradley Brooks. Initially, he assumed Gerald would be arrogant, much like Oliver and his ex-wife Caitlyn. At first, he suspected this marriage was just a facade because his other daughter, Karenina, was absent. But Bradley seemed to be wrong. His assumptions were way off.

He smiled, feeling a sense of calm, though not entirely peaceful, in his heart. He tried to picture his daughter’s future with the young man in front of him. Hopefully, his prayer for his daughter’s happiness would soon be granted.

“With pleasure, I accept your proposal. May you truly bring joy and capture my daughter’s heart.”

And at that moment, the door swung open, and the homeowner entered, instructing them to leave.

FLASHBACK OFFUpstodatee from Novel(D)ra/m/a.O(r)g

“The wardrobe door closing sound brought Gerald back to his senses from his reverie. Gerald saw his wife now combing her slightly damp hair with her fingers. Applying moisturizer to her face before getting up.

“I’m going back downstairs. Take care of Axel.” She instructed softly. Snapped out of his daydream, Gerald rose and quickly caught the bedroom door before Ariana could open it.

“Where are you going, Honey?” He asked from behind Ariana.

“I have to work.” She whispered. She didn’t want to respond to Gerald’s question with a shout, even though that’s what she desired. Ariana still held the doorknob, but the man stood his ground. Holding her back.

“Are you going to work when your husband is here?” Gerald approached. His head was right next to Ariana’s right, and his left hand started to move tightly on Ariana’s stomach. Pressing it so her back touched his chest.

“I didn’t ask you to come here,” Ariana hissed. She swatted away Gerald’s left hand and turned around instantly, leaning her back against the wall. Her eyes lifted, looking at Gerald cynically. “You came here on your own invitation,” Ariana’s finger pressed into Gerald’s left chest. The man remained undisturbed. “Even though you know I came here to work. Besides, you know that Axel will be taken care of. But you intentionally handed him over to me,” Ariana grumbled with irritation.

Gerald smirked. “I just wanted him to be closer to his Mommy,” he replied.

“But I’m not his Mommy. And I don’t want to be his Mommy,” Ariana refused. “From the beginning, this marriage was not my choice. I didn’t even want you to be my husband. And you all manipulated me, using my father as leverage so I would replace my sister who is now nowhere to be found.”

“Who said I don’t know where she is?” Gerald asked softly. Ariana had heard this before. But hearing him say it again made her furious. She pushed Gerald with all her might, sending him two steps back.

“You!” she hissed. “I don’t know what your purpose is in manipulating this marriage! I don’t know the underlying reason for all of this, and I don’t want to know. To me, you and my mother and my sister are all the same. You’re all heartless. You treat people like us, the lowly ones, as if we’re toys.”

“You knew where she was all along, but you did nothing!” Ariana accused, still trying to keep her voice down so they wouldn’t wake up Axel. “I won’t ask why you didn’t bring her back. But let me tell you one thing. Just because I’ve been soft until now doesn’t mean I’ll always be like this. I still can’t accept it when you kidnapped my father and made me the ransom. I still can’t accept that I had to replace my twin sister there. Do you think I don’t have any desires? Do you think I don’t have the right to have any dreams? Do you think my existence is just a sacrifice for my mother’s greed and your cunning schemes? I’m silent not because I accept all of this,” she said, each word laden with a growl.

“Mommy…” Axel looked at Ariana with sleepy eyes. The child was sitting on the bed, rubbing his eyes with one hand.

“And him,” she pointed at Axel. “He’s your child, not mine. He should have been Karenina’s responsibility. Take care of him! Because he’s not my burden!” Ariana flung the door open and slammed it shut.

She didn’t care if Axel cried in fear because of her actions. She had no obligation to take care of either of them. She wasn’t the child’s mother, and she should never have been his stepmother. And she had never intended to be her father’s wife either.

If only… Ariana stormed down, her anger fueling her steps. She ignored Jody’s attempts to talk to her. All of this was because of Karenina. Her mother and that despicable man. And also because of Gerald. All of it was because of these money and power-hungry people.

Ariana kept walking, aimlessly. The anger surged in her head. Her chest pounded so fast that Ariana found it hard to breathe.

“Damn it!” The word echoed in her head repeatedly.

Ariana. Her mother. Her stepfather. Gerald. All these people seemed to have a talent for making her life uncomfortable. What was it with them? Was making people’s lives miserable their hobby?

Ariana ran her hand through her hair in frustration. Simultaneously, her stomach twinged painfully. She had only served food to those two strangers without eating anything herself. Now, she was the one feeling hungry.

A motorcycle suddenly pulled up next to her. Ariana almost cursed at the rider with the full-face helmet. If only he didn’t lift his visor and flash his familiar grin. A grin she hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Chris?!” Ariana exclaimed. The man responded with a wink, his eye visible through the opening of his helmet.