(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

Ariana, “Ariana, I’m serious!”

Ariana chuckled. “I can only rely on his feelings, Amber. All I’ve asked from him is trust. If he doesn’t trust me anymore…”

“Ariana, for God’s sake!” Amber looked at her cousin in frustration. “Trust is built, not something you can just ask or give. Do you think trust is like candy?” Amber retorted angrily. “Besides, your marriage is still in its infancy. Even couples who have been dating for a long time still often doubt each other. They don’t trust each other completely.

And after they get married, they’re still surprised to find out that ‘he’ is not what ‘he’ showed all this time. They’re not as beautiful, handsome, romantic, and not even as put-together as they appeared to be.

They’re still surprised by the habits… you know what I mean,” Amber replied, irritated. “And compare all of that to your relationship!” she ordered. “You never knew who Gerald Zeroun was before. Just like he didn’t know who you were. Your relationship, I mean, your marriage, clearly started in the negative, not even at zero. Let alone knowing small habits, you don’t even know big habits about each other. Come on, Ariana, think rationally.” She urged.

Ariana could only fall silent. What Amber said was not wrong, but painfully true.

“Tell him the real facts, Ariana. I know you’ve been used to keeping everything to yourself. You’re used to being independent and not relying on others. But now, you have someone to lean on. That’s Gerald.

And even at a glance, I can tell he really likes you, truly cares for you, and loves you. He’s clearly afraid of losing you. He already trusts you as much as he can. If he didn’t trust you, he couldn’t possibly love you, Ariana. And if he’s uncertain right now because of the whispers of those two devils, it’s not his fault. It’s because he’s doubting himself. Because until now, you haven’t been able to give him the trust, not the other way around.”

Amber stared at the silent Ariana. She knew her friend was processing what she had said. “Stop fighting alone. Stop keeping everything to yourself. There’s nothing wrong with starting to depend on someone, Ariana. No one can live alone. No matter how strong you are, I know deep down here,” Amber pointed to Ariana’s chest. “You are weak. And deep down, you really need someone like Gerald.” Amber continued. Ariana chose to remain silent. “If you can’t bring yourself to tell the truth to Gerald, I’ll be the one to say it all to him.” Amber threatened.

Ariana looked up, gazing at her friend and cousin with a surprised expression. Then she shook her head. “No, Amber. Don’t,” she replied softly.

“If that’s the case, you tell him. Tell him that all of this is not easy for you!” Amber commanded.

“But that’s what he has to do, Ariana. It doesn’t mean you’re asking for pity, but you’re asking him to understand. If he’s selfish, it means my perception of him all this time was wrong.” Amber replied again.

Ariana fell silent. Unconsciously, she twisted her fingers. Amber didn’t say much anymore. The burden on Ariana was already heavy enough. She didn’t want to make her friend even more pressured. But as a relative, she wanted the best for her cousin. If she didn’t try to open Ariana’s eyes, she didn’t know if there would be others who could do it.

Feeling both right and guilty at the same time, Amber reached out and then hugged her friend and cousin. Ariana rested her head on Amber’s shoulder. Meanwhile, Amber gently stroked Ariana’s stomach. “You’re not a bad person. But being selfish is not a mistake. You can’t make everyone happy and sacrifice your own needs, Ariana. Everyone will understand the choices you make. If they don’t, they’re the selfish ones. Don’t sacrifice anymore, Ariana,” Amber pleaded softly. “Before it’s too late,” she added.

And long after that, Ariana still sat silently in her dark room. She stared at the night view outside, occasionally accompanied by the noise of vehicles on the street below. Her hand rose and gently rubbed her stomach.

She was afraid. Of everything. Her marriage. Her love for Gerald that she didn’t know when it started and how deep it was. Her love for Axel, which started at first sight and then grew bigger over time. She was afraid. She was afraid of losing all of it if the truth came out.

If she held onto it now, she would be the one to leave eventually. But if she let go now, she knew that one day she would be left behind again.

Nothing was advantageous for her. And Amber was right, Ariana couldn’t always make others happy.

She rubbed her stomach again. She wanted this baby so much. Because deep in her heart, as a woman, she wanted to be perfect. And that would be achieved if she became a mother.

Afraid of not being a good mother. Afraid of becoming a bad mother like her own. Those were all excuses she made to cover her other pain. What Ariana was afraid of was that the child in her womb would experience something worse than what happened to her now. Nothing had happened yet, but Ariana was afraid of becoming someone her child would hate.

A knock on the door plus a faint light entered her room. “Ariana…” Amber called. Ariana, who had her back to the door, turned slightly toward her friend. “Are you okay?” her friend asked, approaching. She circled the bed until she could see Ariana’s swollen face.

Yes, last night after returning to her room, Ariana kept thinking and thinking until she didn’t know what time she finally fell asleep.

Amber put her hand on her forehead and checked her body temperature.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

“I’m fine,” Ariana replied softly.

Amber just nodded slowly. Anyway, Ariana’s body temperature was fine. Although her face looked pale and she had dark circles under her eyes, her body temperature was normal.