(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

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.

Gerald shrugged his shoulders. “If you mind, I’ll persuade you again.” He said, going into the bathroom. But when he came out, he saw Ariana still wearing her lingerie. This time it was red.

Gerald laughed. “You are a cunning seductress.” He muttered as he hugged Ariana’s body tightly. Ariana hugged the man’s neck back.

“Of course, I have to be smarter than any woman out there,” she answered.

Gerald nodded his head. He quickly lifted his wife’s body. Ariana wrapped her long legs around the man’s waist while, at the same time, Gerald started kissing her passionately.

And that morning, they were late because they were wrestling first to fulfill their respective passions.

Gerald opened his eyes. He was seeing Ariana lying in front of him. His wife’s eyes were still closed, and she was still fast asleep.

But Gerald heard someone calling him.

Gerald heard a knocking sound, not loud but not too soft either. He pricked up his ears. “Papa!” that’s right. He heard Axel calling him. He glanced back at Ariana. His wife wasn’t wearing anything under the blanket covering her body, and Gerald didn’t want Axel to see it.

With quick movements, he got out of bed. He didn’t want to wake his wife. He knew Ariana was tired now.

And all because of him.

Gerald looked for the trousers he had worn after showering. He opened the door and was surprised it wasn’t just Axel standing there. But it was someone who annoyed his wife last night.

“Why isn’t Papa awake yet? Papa’s sick?” Axel asked worriedly. Gerald smiled and shook his head. He realized that now his body was Shelma’s concern. He lowered his head and aligned himself with Axel.

“Last night, Papa was trading with Mommy. Why is Axel here?”

“Looking for Mommy. Mommy didn’t accompany Axel to school?” he asked again. Gerald glanced back and saw Ariana still sound asleep, her back turned towards the door. He also looked up and saw Shelma, her face red with anger, staring in the same direction.

“Today, Axel will go with Grandma, alright?” Gerald persuaded. “Papa and Mommy will pick you up from school in the afternoon.”

“Are we going to Zone again?” Axel asked, looking confused.

“Again?” Gerald asked, equally puzzled.

Axel nodded. “This afternoon, Mommy and I are going to Zone. Will Papa and Mommy take Axel there again?” he asked hopefully. Gerald just smiled and nodded. “Yay, promise, Papa?” the child pleaded. Gerald simply nodded.

“Now, get ready for school,” he urged softly. Gerald completely ignored Shelma, who now seemed to be looking at him with teary eyes. He deliberately closed the door in front of the woman.

Gerald walked back to the bed, turning in front of his wife. He slipped his hand beneath her and then pulled her body into his embrace. Ariana murmured something incoherent, and Gerald smiled at the sound. He kissed the top of her head, gently stroking her smooth back.

It turned out his wife hadn’t run away yesterday. Instead, she had chosen to find solace by spending time with Axel. Once again, Gerald’s heart warmed at the thought. He chose to close his eyes again. Let Vivan handle the work. He just wanted to be alone with his wife.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Ariana stretched slowly. Again, his body felt crushed. But he smiled afterward. The second, third, and who knows how many romances made Ariana happy. Gerald is a great guy. And she had to admit that. The man is not selfish and always lets Ariana reach her peak, like when they make out first.

She looked up and saw her husband still sleeping soundly. The sunlight now illuminated the strands of hair on his face, making them even more apparent.

Sunlight? Ariana’s eyes widened. She glanced behind Gerald toward the balcony. Then her gaze shifted to the wall clock. Ten in the morning? Oh God. What were they doing? Why wasn’t Gerald going to the office?

Ariana attempted to get up, but Gerald, in his habitual manner, pulled her into a tight embrace. “Where are you going?” he asked. So, he wasn’t asleep? Ariana wondered inwardly.

“Aren’t you going to the office?” Ariana asked, surprised.

“Vivan is handling it,” Gerald’s response was meant to suffice Ariana’s inquiry. Ariana chose to lie back down on her husband’s arm.

“How are you feeling? Better?” Gerald now opened his eyes and gazed intently at Ariana. “Hmm…”

Gerald raised his hand and caressed Ariana’s face with the back of his fingers. “Don’t regret it,” he said again.

Ariana simply nodded. “I won’t regret it,” she said confidently. “On the contrary, just never cheat on me behind my back,” she threatened. Gerald chuckled, but his head nodded in agreement.

“So, you spent time with Axel yesterday, hm?” he asked again. Ariana frowned. “Axel said you took him to Zone.”

“Because initially, I intended to spend some time watching a few movies at the cinema,” she admitted honestly. “But after I entered the mall, I saw the children’s play area. I thought, why not take Axel? I contacted his babysitter and asked her to bring him to the mall.”

“And then?” Gerald inquired.

Ariana shrugged. “I just enjoyed it. Watching Axel run around and play various games. I thought I was fine and could forget my frustration over what I saw in your office. But then, when I came back, that woman was here. I thought it was Axel’s grandmother who brought him here,” she said, her face twisted in annoyance.

Gerald lifted the corner of his mouth. Why did he always find his wife so adorable when she was angry? He wondered inwardly. “And then?” he prodded.

“What else?” she snapped. “Of course, Axel’s grandmother treated him better than she treats me.”

Ariana snorted. “Can you imagine how Axel’s grandmother behaved so friendly to your Shelma?”