(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

The fact that Ariana is pregnant is no longer a secret. The news has reached her father and Mother. It also reached her mother and siblings. Especially Shelma. The woman looked furious when she heard that Ariana had dropped her divorce case and returned to Gerald.

She intended to confront Ariana at Zeroun’s residence. However, when she arrived there, she didn’t see Ariana, Gerald, or Axel. When she asked Isidora, the woman replied that Gerald had taken his ‘family’ and left Zeroun’s residence. Including his grandchild.

Shelma went hysterical. Her dream of being with Gerald seemed shattered again because of Ariana.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Caitlyn openly came to Zeroun’s residence to ask for more financial help her husband needed. Of course, in the form of funds that would revive her husband’s business. But again, she was disappointed because the person she was looking for was not there.

Unintentionally, Mrs. Caitlyn, Karenina, and Shelma went to Zeroun’s company to find Gerald. Once again, they were disappointed to find out that Gerald spent most of his time working at his apartment, not in the office. The three women demanded Gerald’s secretary to disclose his address, but the secretary refused.

They had two options left: Caitlyn’s ex-husband’s residence or the restaurant. Considering that Amber was the closest person to Ariana, the three women went to the restaurant to meet Amber.

Amber was surprised by the presence of her aunt, cousin, and a woman who had been trying to disrupt her cousin’s marriage and friendship. “What do you want?” she asked coldly to the three people standing in front of her. “Tell me where Gerald is.” The three people simultaneously uttered a name.

Amber was stunned. Jody, who had just come out of the kitchen, now stood next to Amber with a puzzled look. “What’s going on?” he wanted to know.

Amber turned and raised her head to the three stylish women standing in front of her. “They’re asking about Gerald, thinking this is Zeroun’s residence?” she said mockingly.

“Amber, Aunt knows you know where Gerald is. Tell Aunt, Aunt has business with him.” Amber furrowed her brow. “Who is this Gerald?” Amber asked back, making the two women shocked to hear it.

“He’s my daughter’s husband,” replied Mrs. Caitlyn loudly. Now, not only Amber and Jody were in the middle of the restaurant. Several kitchen staff had also appeared and were curious about the commotion. They all looked at the three stylishly dressed women, their gazes directed more toward Karenina and Caitlyn.

“Whose daughter are we talking about?” Amber wanted to know. “Don’t play games, Amber,” Karenina snapped.

“I’m not playing games, Karen!” Amber retorted. “Ariana hasn’t been your sister, nor your daughter, since you left her with my uncle fifteen years ago.” Amber said loudly. “You never even cared about her condition when she was left with my helpless uncle because of his stroke because you were too enchanted by your new husband’s wealth. And now, why do you have to bother claiming her as your daughter again? Where were you for the last fifteen years? Where were you? What do you know about your daughter?”

“But I’m the one who made her marry Gerald, the man who should have been Karenina’s husband.” Mrs. Caitlyn replied, nodded at Karenina. “He should be my son-in-law now. And by marrying Ariana, Gerald still remains my son-in-law.”

Amber raised the corner of her mouth. “But Ariana didn’t ask to marry Gerald. If your daughter hadn’t run away before the wedding, maybe. Gerald would have been your son-in-law. But considering she fled and Ariana had to become a replacement bride. So you can’t claim Gerald as your son-in-law anymore. More than that, it wasn’t Ariana who wanted to marry Gerald, but Gerald who trapped Ariana so she had no choice but to marry him. Stop bothering Ariana and her life. Go back to your life that you’ve been enjoying for the past fifteen years. Find another husband for Karenina. There are still plenty of wealthy men in this country. Whether they are single or married, young or old. You and your daughter won’t mind as long as your partners can provide the luxury you need, right?”

“How dare you!” Mrs. Caitlyn raised her hand and was about to slap Amber. But Jody was quicker and held the woman’s small hand.

“I don’t like violence, Ma’am,” Jody said sharply.

“Why should Aunt be angry? The fact is, Aunt left my uncle and became a home-wrecker just because the man was wealthy. Don’t be ashamed because the stench of the corpse will still be smelled.” Amber continued shamelessly. “At least have a little shame, Aunt. If you can’t fulfill your duties as a mother to Ariana, let her live peacefully with the person she loves. Don’t disturb her life, don’t bother her.” Amber pleaded with a tone full of pain because of her fear for Ariana’s condition. About the possibility of Ariana’s remaining lifespan during pregnancy and childbirth. As a friend and cousin, Amber also wanted to be a part of Ariana’s life that could make her happy.

“It’s useless here, Mom. We better go.” Karenina grabbed her mother’s arm and pulled her back. While the other woman looked at Amber with an angry look but didn’t say much and followed Karenina and Caitlyn out of the restaurant.

“Now where do we go?” Shelma asked Caitlyn.

“Bradley Leonidas.” The woman said in a hesitant, soft tone. Shelma just nodded and told the driver to take the car to the address Caitlyn mentioned.

Leonida’s residence, which was indeed simpler than Brooks’s residence, became a mockery for Caitlyn, Karenina, and Shelma. “No wonder your sister became such a bad person. She grew up in a bad place.” She said sarcastically. Karenina immediately looked at the woman sharply. But her hand didn’t let go of her mother’s arm.

“Do we really have to go to Dad’s place?” she whispered to her mother. Caitlyn turned to look at her daughter and without many words stepped inside.