(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

Ariana attempted to rise, her head still throbbing. She made her way to the bathroom, searching for the headache relief she usually kept there. She forgot that she hadn’t bought it the last time she intended to.

As a result, she went back downstairs, intending to buy the medicine from the nearest store. However, her plans were hindered by the presence of Adel and other staff members who were ready to work. Consequently, Ariana shifted her focus to her duties.

She ignored the pulsating pain in her head as she tried to push away all the negative thoughts in her mind. For her, it was just a matter of time until the bomb containing the word ‘divorce’ escaped Gerald’s lips.

Shouldn’t she be happy?

Yes, she should be happy because that’s what she had been hoping for all this time. But why did her heart say otherwise? Why wasn’t she willing? Why did she feel disliking? Why did she feel disappointment and sadness?

Customers started to arrive, and Ariana chose to continue working in the kitchen. She disregarded Amber’s accusing glances. She ignored Adel, who kept asking about her marital status with Gerald. She ignored the pain in her head and even the discomfort throughout her body. She ignored everything except her work.

At three in the afternoon, Ariana went back upstairs, intending to rest for a while. She sat down on the sofa. She didn’t have her phone, so she couldn’t open any entertainment shows there. And the television? She didn’t particularly like the device, so she chose to ignore it.

One hour passed on the second floor. Ariana returned to the first floor. She knew her employees were talking about her. She said it was not without reason, but because of her employees’ attitudes that stopped their conversations when they saw Ariana’s presence.

Time passed. Ariana continued to focus on her work. She ignored the cold sweat dampening her forehead. She also disregarded the fatigue creeping into her muscles. Let it be, the more tired she felt, the more she wanted to rest. That way, when she went home later, she could sleep immediately and ignore Gerald.

Home? Somehow, that word now caused pain in Ariana’s chest.

Where was she supposed to go after this? Gerald’s house? That house would soon become Karenina’s home. Her apartment?

She couldn’t go back there because even though Gerald had been there only once, his presence would still haunt her thoughts. Her father’s house? Since Ariana moved into the apartment, she had never considered that house her home. Even though her father and Mommynya always hoped for her return.

“Why are you like this?” Amber’s question interrupted Ariana’s thoughts. The clock showed nine o’clock, and as usual, the restaurant had already closed orders. After this, they would discuss income issues and decide on the menu for tomorrow. “Ay?” Amber asked again.

Ariana just forced a smile and shook her head. “You handle everything. I want to take a shower. I feel sticky.”

Ariana replied in a tone she tried to make cheerful. However, Amber, who had known her for too long, wouldn’t easily believe her.

Ariana went upstairs. She deliberately didn’t lock the door to the upstairs room, fearing Amber might go up and need something there.

She entered her room and finally locked herself in. Quickly, Ariana took off her clothes and placed the dirty laundry in the laundry basket. She chose to step into the shower, adjusting the temperature and turning on the faucet before standing under the warm water.

What she had been trying to forget since earlier now started to come back to her mind. No matter how hard she shook her head, it seemed like everything was racing in her mind.

What was happening to her? Why was she so overwhelmed today? Just because she saw Karenina’s return, why did Ariana feel like her life was falling apart? After all, until now, she had never built anything that could be destroyed by her twin.

Ariana sat under the shower, still seated even though the warm water had run out and turned cold. A faint knock on the door was heard. Ariana furrowed her brow, but then she got up and turned off the faucet.

She reached for the towel hanging behind the door and opened the door of the room she had intentionally locked.

Gerald purposely returned to the restaurant just as it was closing. He walked in and went straight to Amber. The girl wasn’t surprised to see him; instead, she looked at him angrily.

“What’s really going on with Ariana? She’s been gloomy since this morning. She couldn’t even eat properly. Are you two fighting?” Amber inquired, wanting to know. Gerald could only furrow his brow. He didn’t understand what was happening.

“Where is she?”

“She’s been upstairs all this time. She hasn’t had dinner either because she’s been busy in the kitchen helping people cook. Maybe she’s in the shower. Invite her to eat.” Amber commanded.

If it were someone else giving him orders, Gerald might have been angry. But considering it was Amber, someone who cared deeply for Ariana, he couldn’t be angry.

Gerald went upstairs, hoping the door to her room wasn’t locked. And his prayer was answered. The door wasn’t locked.

Gerald entered the room and found it empty. He assumed Ariana was cleaning up. That’s why he walked towards her room, but unfortunately, the door was locked.

Gerald’s only option was to wait until Ariana came out and unlocked the door from the inside. He sat on the sofa, then turned on the television.

Although there was really nothing interesting on any channel because he was restless, waiting for Ariana, who still hadn’t come out of her room.

Fifteen minutes passed, and there were no signs of Ariana leaving her room. Was she intentionally isolating herself and not planning to come out?

Growing frustrated, Gerald got up and then pounded on the door loudly. He did it repeatedly, but there was no response from Ariana. He even called her name, but Ariana still didn’t open the door.

His frustration turned into worry. Considering how pale she looked and what Amber had said about Ariana not eating properly, he feared Ariana might faint inside. He pounded on the door again. If Ariana didn’t open the door within five minutes, he was going to break it down.

Luckily, Gerald didn’t have to carry out his intention because Ariana then opened the door.

Something was clearly wrong with her. Her face was pale, and her eyes were swollen. She clearly looked like someone who had been crying too much.

“What?” she asked in her curt tone, making Gerald aware of his purpose for being there.

“What were you doing inside? Why did it take you so long to open the door?”

Ariana snorted. “Need to use the bathroom? There’s a toilet downstairs, you know,” she said as she walked back into the room.

The girl didn’t seem bothered even though she was only wearing a towel, unlike last night when she seemed scared while wearing a bathrobe.

Gerald simply followed her into the room. “If you want to use the bathroom, hurry up. I need to change,” she commanded again.

But Gerald didn’t say anything. Instead, he sat down on the bed. Ariana just shook her head and brought her change of clothes into the bathroom.

Gerald waited for her for quite a while, but once again, Ariana didn’t show up.This is from NôvelDrama.Org.