(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

Their conversation in the car was the last discussion they had that day. After that, Gerald was occupied with his work. Although he was filled with questions about where Ariana went and who she met, he couldn’t possibly realize what was on Ariana’s mind by asking her mother’s assistant. He had to remember that Ariana wanted their relationship to be truly based on trust. Luckily for Gerald, he had to focus his mind on his work and endless meetings.

At nine o’clock, Gerald decided to end his work. He drove to the restaurant in his private car, hoping that Ariana’s mood had improved. He was quite surprised when he didn’t find Ariana in the restaurant’s kitchen as usual. “Where is she?” he asked one of the staff members, whose name Gerald didn’t even know.

“Ariana is upstairs,” the employee replied nervously. Gerald just nodded and then walked past the cashier’s table, not intending to greet anyone, and quickly moved towards the stairs that would take him to Ariana’s room. Gerald suspected that Ariana was working in her office; that’s why he knocked on the door first. But after the third knock, there was no response from inside.

Gerald finally opened the door slowly. Ariana’s room looked dim. There was only a desk lamp as the only source of light in the room. Could the staff have given the wrong information? Could Ariana have gone home earlier without waiting for him? Even if that were the case, it wasn’t Ariana’s fault because Gerald hadn’t informed her that he would pick her up.

Gerald walked in and checked his phone. Ariana hadn’t sent him any messages all day. Did she not care about him at all? Did she not think about him?

Gerald tried to walk to the bedroom. For the last time, he wanted to make sure of Ariana’s whereabouts. Perhaps she was there and just sleeping. But at this hour, it was not Ariana’s usual bedtime.

Gerald opened the door slowly. He wasn’t too surprised when he saw that the room was empty. Hastily, Gerald went back downstairs. He approached Amber and asked about Ariana’s whereabouts.

With her annoyed expression, Amber said that Ariana hadn’t come to the restaurant since noon. Surprised? Of course, Gerald was surprised.

Especially when Amber was asked where Ariana might have gone, the girl replied, “You’re her husband, you should know more about her,” sharply.

Not wanting to deal with Amber any longer, Gerald finally left the restaurant. He tried to call Ariana’s phone, but her phone was off. And that made Gerald even more afraid. Could something have happened to his wife?

A name suddenly popped into his head. “Hello, sir?” greeted the voice of the old man who had been serving his family for so long.

“Has Ariana come home?” he asked without preamble.

“Since evening, Madam has been at home, sir. And now she is in the young master’s room.”

Gerald just murmured a thank you before hanging up and speeding up his car. Although he felt relieved, his body didn’t agree. The desire to meet Ariana was much stronger than just relief.

The empty roads made the journey home much faster than during the day. Gerald parked his car haphazardly, even with the engine still running. What was the use of having many employees if none of them could properly park his car? he thought to himself.

He quickly walked towards Axel’s room, but before he could open the door, the head servant was already standing there. As if he intended to stop him.

“Is she still inside?” Gerald asked curiously. The elderly servant nodded.

“After dinner, Madam and Master Axel didn’t leave the room. I think they might be asleep by now,” Yosef replied. Gerald nodded slowly. “Would you like me to prepare a bath, sir?” the man asked again, making Gerald give up his intention to enter Axel’s room.

“No need, I’ll do it myself. Rest,” he ordered.

Yosef just nodded and then chose to withdraw. Meanwhile, Gerald decided to go to his own room and freshen up. Be patient, Gerald, there’s still plenty of time to see your wife, he thought.

It didn’t take long for Gerald to shower and change clothes. With his hair still wet, he hurried back to Axel’s room.

He opened his son’s room door slowly. Hoping not to disturb them if they were already asleep. He was also quite surprised when he entered the room. Axel didn’t usually sleep with the lights off. He would usually cry in fear if Gerald or the servants did so. But now, he could hear his little boy snoring softly in Ariana’s warm embrace.

Envy. That feeling struck Gerald suddenly. How comfortable it must be to be Axel, who could be in Ariana’s arms.

Trying not to make any sound at all, Gerald walked around the bed to climb onto the empty side. He lay down, facing Ariana, folded his arms, and used his palms as a pillow. Ariana’s slimmer body allowed him a better view of his wife.

In the dim light of the bedside lamp, Gerald could only watch Ariana sleeping soundly. Something he liked because when she slept, he didn’t see the frowns of disapproval on her face. Or her piercing gaze.

Gerald’s left fingers seemed enchanted as they suddenly lifted and moved toward Ariana’s face. The tip of his index finger touched the middle of Ariana’s forehead and continued down to her nose. Then he moved to touch the tip of Ariana’s right eyelashes and continued down to her cheek and then to her jawline.

Perhaps it was because she felt ticklish or disturbed, Ariana opened her eyes and stared directly at Gerald. “What are you doing?” she asked in a hoarse voice, her eyes sleepy.

“Looking at you,” Gerald replied shortly. “I miss you,” he continued. Ariana snorted, her eyes closed again. She seemed really tired, evident from her response, which was not as alert as usual. “Your day seems really exhausting,” Gerald commented suddenly.

“Hmm,” Ariana answered briefly. Then, unexpectedly, Gerald released his grip on Axel and moved the boy to where he had been lying before. He placed a bolster pillow on the side of the bed as a barrier before then circling around and asking Ariana to move over. Ariana didn’t say much. She did whatever Gerald wanted.

With still sleepy eyes, she, who was initially on the side of the bed, was now in the middle, with Axel, and Gerald flanked her left and right.

Gerald then lay down behind his wife. His left hand slipped around her neck to be used as a pillow.

Meanwhile, his right hand was used to embrace his wife’s slender body from behind. “I’m tired,” Ariana whispered softly.

“I know. I just want to sleep next to you,” Gerald replied, tightening his embrace. But then, slowly, Ariana loosened her husband’s embrace. At first, Gerald was surprised, thinking that Ariana would leave him. But it turned out that Ariana turned her body around so that they were facing each other. Intentionally, Ariana moved closer. She rested her head on Gerald’s chest while her left hand clasped Gerald’s waist tightly. “Want to tell me something?” Gerald askedThis content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.

, curious. Ariana shook her head.

“Tomorrow,” she replied sleepily. Gerald could only nod his head. His right hand lifted and gently stroked his wife’s hair.

“Go to sleep. Have sweet dreams. If necessary, dream of me,” he teased. There was another snort from Ariana that involuntarily lifted the corners of Gerald’s mouth. He kissed Ariana’s forehead so gently. “I love you,” he whispered.

“I know,” Ariana replied and snuggled closer to Gerald, hugging him tighter.