(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

Ariana’s soft-spoken words made Gerald furrow his brow. “Can you imagine how clever that kid was to give us nicknames?” Ariana sighed. “Then I started hanging out with Jody, and our nickname changed to ‘the outcast trio.’ At first, I didn’t understand the meaning behind it all until I found out shortly after Tanisha’s mother died, that chatty kid disappeared.

I regret Tanisha’s departure. Because by then, I already loved her. Honestly, I loved her more than I loved Karenina. There was something fragile and cheerful about Tanisha that made me adore her so much. Yes, I only understood it when I became an adult,” Ariana continued. “I survived my school days by ignoring Lunara’s mockery and her friends. You know? After Tanisha vanished, she turned into a queen.” Ariana smirked.

“Then years passed, and we were reunited in high school. An unpleasant surprise,” she admitted. “And I disliked her even more. Even though I tried to avoid her, somehow, she always managed to find me,” Ariana rolled her eyes. “And ironically, every time a guy approached me, she always made me the scapegoat in the end. Until one day, I noticed everyone’s strange glances at me. And then I knew the reason.

Lunara told everyone that I was trying to get close to her. You know what I mean?” Ariana asked again. Gerald shook his head. “She told everyone that I was trying to approach her. I was stealing all the guys around her. Not because I liked those guys, but because I liked Lunara too much. Because I am a lesbian,” Ariana said, laughing, but Gerald didn’t respond the same way. He looked at Ariana with eyes full of anger. His fists clenched on his knees. “Since then, my suffering began again. Once again, besides Jody, I had no other friends.

Both female and male students looked at me with disgust. But I chose to ignore them. Because if I acknowledged it, everything would still be wrong in their eyes,” Ariana shrugged. “I dressed up nicely; they would assume I was trying to change my image. And when I appeared tomboyish, they would say I was becoming the ‘man’ in my lesbian relationship. And all of that because of one name. When high school should have been beautiful,” she said again, her tone flat.NôvelDrama.Org content rights.

“Fortunately, I don’t have to share a campus with her anymore because I heard she’s studying abroad, funded by Tanisha’s father,” Ariana smiled. “And about Tanisha. A few months ago, I saw her again. After fifteen years, I saw her again. The tiny beauty who used to be so cheerful. Honestly, I lost that cheerful person. I was curious about what she’s like now. The little girl didn’t tell me much. Just that she asked me for a job. She lived in another city and had just returned to town. She said she came back because she wanted to reclaim her long-lost place. I could understand, although I didn’t know the real reason. But what I know for sure is that Lunara’s name was involved, the reason why that little girl made such an irrational decision.

And a few months ago, I found out why. Tanisha was taken away by her father only to be given to her grandparents. He didn’t want her. While her mother’s position was replaced by Lunara’s mother. Tanisha’s younger sister suffered in a place because of Lunara. Tanisha hated both of them. It seems her actions were an accumulation of all the anger and hatred she had held back all this time. And then, I suggested it to her,” Ariana chuckled. “‘Take something Lunara desires. That way, you’ll see her suffering.’ That’s what I advised Tanisha back then. And it turns out, this is what I heard,” Ariana laughed again. She shook her head, feeling amazed. “I didn’t even expect how that small body could do all this. She’s truly extraordinary. Isn’t she?” Ariana glanced at Gerald. Gerald could only stare at her in silence.

“Do you like her?” Gerald asked, his brow furrowed.

“What? Revenge?” Ariana asked again. Gerald nodded. “Of course. Didn’t you know what I’m like from the beginning? I’m not a delicate and forgiving woman, Mr. Aarzu,” Ariana replied straightforwardly. “I shouldn’t be proud of having this kind of personality. But this is me,” Ariana shrugged. “But honestly, I’m starting to be afraid of you, Mrs. Aarzu,” Gerald finally replied.

A sweet laughter was his answer from Ariana. “Why? Regretting now? Do you think it’s too late to distance yourself from me?” she challenged.

Instead of distancing himself, Gerald approached and embraced his wife’s waist. “There’s no question of distancing, Love. Don’t expect me to do that,” Gerald replied.

“But you’re the one who said you’re afraid of me,” Ariana tried to pull away. But Gerald didn’t back down from his wife.

“It’s not like that’s what I meant. Yes, I’m genuinely afraid of you. I’m very afraid,” Gerald replied, looking into Ariana’s eyes. “For someone who hates someone like that, you cleverly hide your feelings. I even suspect that you two don’t know each other,” Gerald voiced his thoughts.

Ariana raised the corner of her mouth. “I’ve learned a lot about life, Mr. Aarzu,” Ariana replied flatly. “We don’t always let people know what we know, what we feel.”

“And that’s what scares me,” Gerald replied honestly. “Because you’re beyond my reach. I can’t read you. And that’s what I’m truly afraid of. When until now, I’ve been trying to get to know people by reading their body language and facial expressions. But I can’t do that with you. To me, you’re like a blank sheet of paper. I don’t know what you’ll write there. Even though I’m the one holding the pen.”

Ariana propped her chin with her hand on her knee. “Isn’t that what makes me look interesting?” she asked teasingly. “When you can conquer all the women out there with your ways. You can’t do it with me. Isn’t that the challenge?” Ariana asked again.

Gerald nodded in agreement with her statement.

Ariana smiled. “So, if one day you can understand me. If you already know what I want. If you’re no longer curious about me, will you leave me?” Ariana asked again. Gerald’s forehead creased. He was about to open his mouth, but then Ariana shook her head. “Remember one thing about me, Mr. Aarzu. Until now, I still believe that the word ‘forever’ doesn’t exist. So never promise anything to me. Especially to promise that you will be with me and love me forever. Because I know, that word is highly impossible.” Ariana patted her own thigh and then stood up.