(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

“Ariana observed her surroundings. Comparing this to her experiences camping in the wilderness with native mountain folks, this was vastly different. Just look at the facilities available here: food stalls, toilets, and even a prayer room. If it were real mountain folks, facilities like these would definitely be absent.

Ariana turned around and helped Chris unload all their gear – the tent they rented, firewood, and food supplies. Not to forget the hammock she had been imagining hanging between the pine trees.

Chris set up his tent, and so did Ariana. They intentionally placed their tents facing each other. Chris planned to build a campfire between their tents. Afterward, Ariana spread out her sleeping bag inside her tent, then packed all the food they had bought before sealing the tent shut. She didn’t want any stray cats to get to their raw food.

Chris piled up wood to make a campfire. For cooking, they had brought their own portable gas stove, which they impulsively bought at the supermarket. Along with it, they had stainless steel cookware and utensils. Once again, Ariana felt the perks of befriending wealthy people. She didn’t have to worry about anything.”

“The journey from Chris’s residence to this place took quite a long time. They spent five hours on the road, even though they had managed to have lunch. Ariana was feeling hungry again.

“What do you want to eat?” Ariana asked Chris. Chris, who was setting up the hammock, turned around. He just shrugged in response. “How about boiled noodles with eggs and grilled meat?” she suggested. Chris snapped his fingers in agreement.

“I’ll go to the bathroom first,” he said, leaving Ariana to her task.

While waiting for the water to boil, Ariana seasoned thin slices of beef with the spices Chris had brought. Perhaps his inner chef was ingrained in him, as it seemed like wherever he went, there were always cooking utensils and seasonings.

Chris returned shortly after. “Absolutely refreshing,” he commented. Ariana just nodded. She felt so comfortable too. The cool, almost chilly air made Ariana momentarily forget the heat of town.

“If, for instance, I start a business here, what do you think?” Chris asked.

Ariana shook her head. “For the kind of business you’re into, it doesn’t seem suitable.” Ariana had finished her noodles and placed the pot on the grassy ground. She set up a small pan and started greasing it with butter before placing the seasoned thin meat on it. The aroma of the spices was appetizing.

“If it’s not suitable, what kind of business would work here?” Chris inquired.

Ariana fell silent. “Maybe gardening? Farming? Or creating fish ponds? The air, water, and soil here seem suitable. Or perhaps, do you want to start a farm?”

“Chris pondered for a moment. ‘It doesn’t seem like a bad idea. We could explore and look for land to buy,’ he suggested. Ariana just nodded. Rich people. Buying land felt as casual as buying salt from a neighborhood store.

Chris was ready with his spoon and fork, prepared to devour the noodles with egg and Ariana’s homemade grilled meat. They ate while enjoying the view of the trees in front of them. ‘What do you think your husband is doing right now?’ Chris asked between bites.

Ariana shrugged. ‘He’s definitely confused,’ she answered, chuckling. ‘I doubt he’ll find me here. I didn’t bring anything to trace me – no phone, no wallet, no debit or credit card.’

Chris nodded in agreement. Especially now that they were deep in the wilderness, it would be even more challenging for him to track her down.Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

‘So what will you do next? I mean, after you’re done with this escape?’ Chris asked again, curious.”

“Ariana fell silent. ‘I’m still thinking about it,’ she responded after a long, contemplative silence. ‘This marriage was not my choice. Besides, I haven’t even planned on getting married. And if I do, I want to marry someone I love and who loves me back. That’s reasonable, right?’ she asked Chris. Chris, having finished his meal, now sat with his legs stretched out. He supported his weight with his hands behind his back. He nodded without looking.

‘But on the other hand, I worry about Axel,’ Ariana replied softly. ‘That man needs my help for Axel’s adoption application. But…’ Chris turned to look at her. ‘But?’

Ariana smiled meaningfully. ‘But all that will change if Karenina returns,’ she said joyfully. ‘If that man tells me where Karenina is, I swear to God, I will chase after her and grab her by the hair, dragging her back to that man.’ Ariana’s hand mimicked grabbing someone’s hair and pulling it roughly. Chris chuckled at the gesture.

‘And what after Karenina is returned to that man?’ he asked.”

“I’m going to file for divorce. I’ll be a single woman again,” Ariana replied confidently. Chris just nodded, trying to understand Ariana’s thoughts.

“Are you sure you won’t regret it?” Chris asked again. Ariana furrowed her brow. “I mean, your husband, he’s wealthy. And he seems to have control over your stepfather. Don’t you want to use him for revenge, perhaps?”

Ariana stared at Chris sharply. Then she snorted. “For what? Will seeking revenge bring my past back?”

Chris chuckled. “Well, who knows. Your past may not come back. But on the other hand, a part of you might feel satisfied because they can suffer for the wealth they have and boast about.”

Ariana shook her head. “Wealth has indeed blinded that woman and my sister. But if I seek revenge, what sets me apart from them? In the end, I’ll just become a cunning and petty woman. My father, my mother, and I are comfortable with our lives now. My mother taught me to forgive, and my father taught me not to hate. So I’m teaching myself to forget. Although it’s still a work in progress,” she said, laughing.”

“Mommy always said that what we sow is what we reap. Dad always taught me that when we do good to someone, we should hope for God to repay it. And I taught myself not to be kind to everyone I meet,” Ariana laughed. “In the end, I became half my mother and half my father. I learned kindness from my father and learned to be cunning like my mother.”

Chris shook his head. “You’re not cunning, Love. You’re just logical. It makes sense. You choose to do things according to your mind, not your feelings. And I think there’s nothing wrong with that. Not all kindness is repaid with kindness. That’s very true. Sometimes, even the people we reach out to reject us when we need help. While those we didn’t know or underestimated before sometimes become our saviors. Your father is right about that. But what’s even truer, according to you, is that humans should stand on their own feet and not expect anything from others.”

Ariana curled her lips. “Because I used to hope for someone I thought loved me. And I got tired of it. In the end, I no longer hope for anything and believe that hard work and luck are what bring results.”

Chris nodded. They both fell silent and simply observed their surroundings.