(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

“In fact, I am older than Adel. She’s still young, beautiful, and born into an esteemed family, just like you and Chris. You won’t feel embarrassed to take her everywhere because she’s fashionable, just like my twin. And most importantly, she’s a girl who will obey all your desires. Not a defiant woman like me,” Ariana replied passionately.

Gerald was taken aback. Ariana was currently sulking at him. The word ‘old’ was indeed very sensitive for women. And he knew he had made a fatal mistake. Everything had already improved this morning after their quite intense dispute.

Oh God, did they have to argue every time they met? They had fought twice today alone. And it was all because of two people Ariana disliked and Gerald hated. Who else but Karenina and Chris.

“Darling, I’m sorry. I was jealous. She clearly did all that to make me angry. And I fell for it, I’m sorry,” Gerald said, moving closer and holding Ariana’s arms.

Ariana glared at him. “He just called me ‘darling,’ and you’re overreacting. And you believe everything Amber says, even though she’s currently irrational.”Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

“I know, I was wrong. It’s your fault for making me jealous,” Gerald said again. Ariana’s mouth fell open. “You blame me?” she asked, her eyebrows furrowing.

“Who wouldn’t blame you? You smile sweetly at Chris while you often scowl at me. And I feel like you prefer Chris over me,” Gerald retorted.

Ariana just nodded. “Actually, that’s true,” she replied flatly. Gerald was left agape. “I do prefer Chris over you. At least he’s a good listener. He’s a man who knows what women want. And, above all, he’s not someone who easily gets suspicious, doesn’t easily get provoked, and doesn’t like to restrain others.”

Gerald squinted his eyes. “Are you listing my faults now?” he asked.

Ariana shrugged nonchalantly. “If you feel that everything I said is true, then yes. I’m listing your faults,” Ariana replied calmly.

“Fine, I promise to change. But with one condition,” Gerald bargained. “What condition?” Ariana asked again.

“You will never be alone with Chris again without my knowledge.”

“Are you negotiating or trying to restrain me again?” Ariana asked. But Gerald didn’t answer her question. “Besides, why would I be alone with Chris again? He won’t be here for much longer anyway,” Ariana replied matter-of-factly.

Gerald frowned. “He’s leaving? You said he’s being arranged to marry Adel?” The bewildered man now sat down. “He is indeed being arranged to marry Adel. But he doesn’t want it. That’s why he’s leaving, because he intends to avoid that arranged marriage,” Ariana answered honestly.

“So he came here to say goodbye?” Gerald asked with a smirk.

Ariana shook her head. “He came here to ask me to go with him,” she said with a flat tone, although in reality, it wasn’t exactly like that.

“What?!” Gerald exclaimed. “Don’t tell me you agreed to it.” Gerald replied, his voice still loud. Ariana shrugged again. “He gave me time to think. And I’m weighing what’s best for me. Should I stay here with you, who always likes to control me, or should I go with him? And with him, I can do what I want and be myself. Especially since Chris is someone who usually grants my requests, even if they don’t make sense.” Ariana continued to provoke Gerald. Gerald looked at her with a cynical expression.

“I’ll cut off his legs if he dares to take you away,” he threatened. “Why don’t you cut off my legs too if I go with him?”

“I won’t do that, Darling. I’d rather see you feel guilty for seeing me hurt Chris than hurt you myself,” he replied with a sly smile on his face.

And now Ariana knew that his words weren’t just empty threats. Gerald would do what he said. Just like the time he suggested to his stepfather to kidnap Ariana’s father so Ariana could replace Karenina. So Ariana was sure that Gerald would really break Chris’s legs if he took her away.

Ariana looked at Gerald in silence. He was now gazing at her more gently. Gerald approached and then took Ariana’s hands. “You can say that I’m forcing you, Ariana. But the fact is, I want you for myself. I can’t stand any other man touching you, let alone taking you away from me. Even if that man is Chris, someone I know has been very good to you. But I still can’t bear it. Understand that I’m a jealous person. Understand me. By doing so, I will try to understand and comprehend you. Let’s consider that we’re both learning to get to know each other. I have to change my selfish attitude. And you have to change your stubbornness. We can become people who like each other. Isn’t that good?” Gerald offered again.

Ariana just fell silent. In her heart, she asked herself. Could she accept all of this? Could she erase the word ‘force’ from her mind? Could she eliminate the word ‘replacement’ from her thoughts? Could she truly accept all of this and start fresh with Gerald after everything started so badly?

Ariana looked at Gerald. Seeing the determination in his eyes. How deep was his affection for her, really? Was he truly in love with her? Or, just like his recent threat, did he prefer hurting someone else loved by the person he loved rather than hurting that person personally? What if, in fact, her position here was as a victim? Was Gerald seeking revenge on Karenina through her? But did Ariana mean that much to Karenina? Ariana shook her head.

“Clear all the negative thoughts you have about me, Darling,” those words suddenly escaped from Gerald’s lips. Ariana redirected her attention to him. Could Gerald read her mind? How was that possible?

“I know you’re feeling uncertain right now. That’s why, let’s give each other a chance and time. Haven’t I said that to you many times?” he asked again.

Ariana continued to stare at him in silence. Somehow, his words made her heart beat faster than usual. She looked at him and saw the sincerity in his eyes. Should she? Could she? She wondered in her heart. Alright, at least she could truly give it a shot. But one thing she planted firmly in her mind: she couldn’t risk her heart. Not until she was absolutely sure that Gerald’s feelings for her were genuine.

Ariana nodded. “Fine, I’ll go along with what you want,” she replied briefly. Gerald smiled and then kissed the back of her hand, which was still in his grip.