(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

Gerald’s mood had worsened since he received a message from his lawyer about the schedule of the first hearing of his divorce case with Ariana. He had spent the previous night drinking and still had a headache. In his emotional state, he threw his phone against the wall, causing the screen to crack. Immediately, he shouted for the household staff, who rushed to his room in panic.

“Why are her belongings still here?” Gerald scolded all his employees, who avoided eye contact out of fear. “Didn’t I tell you to burn all her stuff? Why is everything still here?” he shouted again.

Mrs. Rosaline, who had previously hidden Axel, now entered her grandson’s room and observed the staff, who stood with their hands clasped in front of them, heads bowed in fear. Her gaze briefly shifted to Yosef before settling on her grandson, who was pacing back and forth with disheveled clothes from the previous night, bloodshot eyes, and a clearly angry expression.

“I don’t want to hear it! The room must be empty by the time I come out of the bathroom!” he shouted at his employees and then stormed into the bathroom, slamming the door shut, leaving the staff startled.

“Move quickly. Make sure nothing is left behind,” Yosef ordered in his usual calm tone.

Mrs. Rosaline sat down on the bed. Her aging body could only sigh deeply, confused about what to do. Her greed had caused pain to those around her. Yes, it was all because of her greed. She had asked Gerald to marry Caitlyn’s daughter in exchange for an investment to gain ownership rights over her great-grandson, Axel. She didn’t expect that, in the end, her weapon would be turned against her. Her granddaughter-in-law fell in love with the replacement groom. Now, after her granddaughter had fallen in love, due to her greed to obtain another great-grandchild, she easily agreed to Ariana’s request to conceal all the facts.

They did love each other. But their desire to protect each other ended up hurting each other. Rosaline felt like she was caught between a rock and a hard place. Should she proceed with her plan, risking Gerald’s pain? Or should she stop her plan, risking not getting her great-grandchild? If she went through with this plan, there was still a possibility that she could regain Ariana and her great-grandchild.

Rosaline sighed deeply again. The servants were moving around with items in their hands. Luckily, they had Yosef. His reliability, his calmness, were incredibly helpful in this chaotic situation.

“Everything will end beautifully in its own time,” he said in front of Rosaline. “We just need to pray and ask God to provide the best way for both of them. And as soon as possible,” Yosef said sincerely. Rosaline could only look at him in silence.

The last employee in the room had taken all of Ariana’s belongings out. Rosaline also stood up. She let the person who was about to make Gerald’s bed tidy up the room peacefully. She followed Yosef, who continued walking towards the back of the house.Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

“What are you going to do with all of this?” Mrs. Isidora asked, stopping Yosef with her graceful manner. Yosef didn’t respond at all, and it made Mrs. Isidora snort ungracefully. “Didn’t Gerald ask you to burn them? But why don’t I see anyone preparing for a bonfire?” she asked sarcastically, directed at Mrs. Rosaline. Again, there was no response from either Yosef or Mrs. Rosaline herself. They both kept walking towards the pavilion at the back of the house.

“Pack everything neatly. Don’t store it in the warehouse. Tell someone to deliver them to Ariana’s apartment,” Mrs. Rosaline commanded, immediately acknowledged by her employees. Afterward, she walked back into the house.

Gerald looked more composed, although his facial expression still showed anger. Axel was also ready in his uniform. Both of them sat in front of the dining table with equally grim faces, all because of Ariana.

Gerald went to his office without saying a word. Meanwhile, Axel would be taken later by Mrs. Rosaline. “Later, after school, we’ll go to Mommy’s place,” she persuaded in a soft whisper. Axel looked at his grandmother, and a smile instantly appeared on his handsome face.

As promised, Axel left with Mrs. Rosaline for Ariana’s place. Axel’s stepmother was currently at a restaurant. She did nothing there except sit and watch other people work. It’s not that Ariana didn’t want to help, but right now, there was someone else she had to take care of. Yes, her baby in her womb.

“Gerald is changing more and more as time goes on,” Mrs. Rosaline said softly. Ariana remained silent. She glanced at Axel, who was napping during his afternoon rest. “His condition is much worse than before he met you,” Mrs. Rosaline continued.

Ariana looked at the elderly woman in front of her. “It will only last for a while. All of this is happening because I hurt his ego,” Ariana replied.

“Aren’t you thinking of changing your mind? I’m sorry for suggesting that plan earlier. But now, I want to cancel it,” Mrs. Rosaline said.

Ariana shook her head. “No, Grandma. The advice you gave was right. Believe me, everything will get better over time.” Mrs. Rosaline sighed deeply again. Yosef had said the same thing. But, she felt doubtful now. “Besides, the trial process has started. As soon as Grandma says that none of Gerald’s henchmen are following me anymore, that’s when our plan will begin,” Ariana continued.

Yes, Ariana knew from Mrs. Rosaline that Gerald still had his henchmen follow her. Of course, the elderly woman knew because she was the one paying Gerald’s henchmen twice as much. And later, she would also be the one paying people to help Ariana go to her hiding place. Gerald had underestimated her, that was the fact. His common sense disappeared because he put his anger and ego first.

If Gerald thought Ariana wouldn’t show up at the first hearing, then he was wrong. Because, in fact, a few days after the announcement of the first hearing, Ariana came without a lawyer. She did it all to expedite their divorce. Gerald, who knew about it, became even more furious.

“He’s so eager to separate from me? He even bothered to come to the hearing just so the judge would make a quicker decision?” he asked Vivan, who could only stand there stunned. “Tell the lawyer to make it difficult for the divorce. I don’t want her to get away easily!” Vivan just nodded before leaving his boss’s office.

“He wants the divorce to proceed slowly,” Vivan said to someone on the phone. Apparently, without Gerald’s knowledge, Vivan had already compromised with her father and Mrs. Rosaline.

“Just do what he wants. We will still carry out our plan,” Mrs. Rosaline replied firmly.