(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

After finishing breakfast, Axel was led by his caretaker to return to his room and get ready for school. Meanwhile, Ariana and Gerald went back to their room on the second floor.

What was unusual was that Ariana seemed unenthusiastic. When they arrived in their room, she didn’t move towards the bathroom or prepare as she usually did. Instead, she chose to sit on the couch.

“Aren’t you going to the restaurant?” Gerald asked, unable to contain his curiosity any longer. Gerald sat down next to Ariana. “Are you okay? Are you sick?” he asked again, touching Ariana’s forehead gently. Ariana shook her head softly. Gerald knew that Ariana’s demeanor had nothing to do with what Shelma had said earlier. Clearly, something else was occupying her thoughts.

“When will Axel’s matters be settled?” the question came out of Ariana’s mouth suddenly. Gerald looked at her with furrowed brows. “I’m just reminding you, Gerald. Wasn’t the reason for this marriage to gain full custody of Axel? So when will the adoption be finalized?”

Gerald still didn’t understand why this thought crossed her mind. “Why? Why are you asking all this?” he asked, his tone slightly raised. He clearly didn’t like Ariana’s questions. Not because he didn’t want Axel to be officially declared his son soon, but because another thought was infiltrating his mind. Certainly not a positive one.

Gerald knew Ariana had rejected this marriage initially because they didn’t know each other. Far from being in love. But he thought those feelings had changed. He loved Ariana, and he knew Ariana loved him too. But why did the idea that Ariana still wanted them to separate suddenly pop back into his mind?

“Can’t I ask?” Ariana countered with her cold tone. “Time has passed long enough. It’s time for someone from the department to come and conduct the survey as you said. Axel’s custody should already be in preparation,” Ariana replied matter-of-factly.

“Let Vivian and I handle it,” Gerald said firmly. Ariana just stared at him blankly and then shrugged. She chose to get up from her seat and walked towards the bathroom, distancing herself from Gerald.

Ariana quickly showered and changed her clothes. Gerald, who saw Ariana enter the walk-in closet, took her place in the bathroom. When Gerald finished showering, he didn’t see Ariana in their room. Again, he furrowed his brows. Okay, maybe Ariana was waiting for him downstairs. Or his wife had returned to Axel’s room. Although that thought crossed his mind, Gerald quickly changed his clothes.

His assumption was correct. Ariana was already in Axel’s room, engaged in a conversation with the four-year-old boy. “Papa!” Axel exclaimed upon seeing Gerald. Meanwhile, his wife, who was sitting with her back to the door, slowly turned to face him. “Is Papa taking Axel to school again?” Axel inquired eagerly. Gerald just nodded. “Let’s go!” Axel replied cheerfully. The boy grabbed his bag and then walked out of the room first. Ariana followed him from behind.

One thing different about his wife this morning was that Ariana wasn’t wearing jeans and a long-sleeved shirt like she usually did. Instead, she wore an outfit Gerald didn’t know she owned: a knee-length, long-sleeved dress. Though she still wore her favorite sneakers.

They walked side by side towards the warmed-up car. As usual, Ariana sat next to him while Axel sat in the back seat. The driver and Axel’s caretaker boarded another car and followed Gerald’s car from behind. Axel’s chatter filled their journey once again.

After dropping Axel off at school, Gerald then took Ariana to the restaurant. During the journey, Ariana remained silent. Gerald chose not to speak either. He didn’t know why this cold war had started all of a sudden. But Gerald felt slightly irritated about the questions Ariana had asked earlier. And he felt it was justified. He didn’t want to initiate the conversation first, for some reason. He felt like Ariana should be the one to talk to him first and, if necessary, persuade him in various ways.

Ariana got out at her restaurant. She didn’t speak a word, let alone do what Gerald wanted. As a result, because his emotions flared up again, Gerald chose to speed away from the restaurant.

Ariana remained silent in her place for a few moments after watching Gerald’s car disappear around the corner. “Are you cosplaying as a graceful lady, Ariana?” Jody’s voice startled Ariana from her thoughts. She turned and immediately looked at Jody, giving her a faint smile.

“How are you, dear?” the question escaped Ariana’s mouth.

Jody was quite surprised. She and Ariana had known each other for a very long time. Almost half of their lives. Ariana knew who Jody was, who her family was, and what her past was like. Jody’s mother already considered Ariana her daughter, and Jody’s sister regarded Ariana as her sister. And for Jody herself, Ariana was more than just a friend. She was a woman Jody admired, respected, and always felt proud of. For Jody, Ariana was another sister besides her own.

“I’m good, dear. Why? Missing my cooking?” she teased. Ariana smiled again. Not a cheerful smile, but a melancholic one.

“Yeah. I miss it a lot. I want to go there,” Ariana said softly.Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

“Just go. Usually, you come without permission anyway. Sneaking in like a cat smelling fish,” Jody joked. Ariana then chuckled upon hearing it. She then took a few steps away from the restaurant, causing Jody’s eyebrows to furrow as she looked at her in confusion. “Where are you going?” she asked, puzzled.

“Looking for goldfish,” Ariana replied casually.

“And then? Aren’t you working?” Jody shouted because Ariana was already walking farther away.

Ariana shook her head and walked backward. “Why should I, when you, Amber, and the other kids work hard like me?” Ariana answered Jody’s question with an equally loud shout. She smiled broadly and waved her hand before turning around and walking away even further.

Behind her, Jody could only shake her head before walking back into the restaurant area.