(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

Amber stared at Ariana with a jumble of thoughts in her mind. “I don’t understand your thoughts,” she said softly.

Ariana, who was reading a book in front of her, looked up to gaze at her cousin and friend. “What don’t you understand, Amber?” she asked just as softly.

“You! I don’t understand your thoughts!” Amber huffed in frustration. Ariana just smiled. Amber’s explosive emotions were oddly entertaining to her. “We’ve kept this secret for years. Even your dad doesn’t know anything about your illness. You let everyone believe you’re fine, when in fact, you’re not. And now, you’re pregnant with the person you love, and he loves you too. But why are you keeping all of this a secret from him? Isn’t love supposed to be accompanied by facing hardships and joys together, sickness and health? Why do you want to bear it all alone?” she asked again. Amber knew, she understood what Jody had said earlier. But still, she was curious about Ariana’s mindset, and she wanted to hear it all from Ariana’s mouth, not from someone else.

Ariana closed the book she was reading and placed it on the nightstand. “Because I love him, that’s why I don’t want him to experience the pain I’m feeling, Amber,” she said with a wry smile on her face.

“You’re surrendering before the battle, Ariana,” Amber said accusingly, albeit softly.

Ariana smiled again and nodded. “I already know what it’s like to fight and lose. I also know what it’s like to give up even before the battle begins. At least, if I give up before the fight, only I will feel all this pain, Amber.”

“But what if, suppose you fight and win the battle?” Amber asked again.

Ariana smiled once more. “Even a general knows when to retreat. If he feels he can’t win, he won’t sacrifice his troops for something futile. Why? Because there are many things he has to sacrifice. But if he believes he has a chance to win, even with fewer troops, he will continue the fight. And I, here, know that my chances are slim, Amber.”

“Ariana…”

“My biggest hope here is for me and this baby to be safe. But you know my condition.”

“That cursed arrhythmia!” Amber hissed sharply. “Why did you get pregnant without planning?” she accused Ariana. Ariana chuckled. “I got married without planning, in case you forgot,” Ariana said mockingly.

“Ariana, let’s terminate this first, then if you get pregnant later, you can consult a doctor, make sure your physical condition is okay for pregnancy. Then you can have a child with Gerald. If necessary, make it quadruplets. He’ll understand if we explain it properly.”

Ariana laughed again hearing Amber’s response. “Sure, if I’m given a chance to get pregnant again, what if not?” Ariana asked, her smile still on her face but clearly tinged with sadness.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“Arrggghhh!” Amber screamed hysterically. She walked in circles, occasionally ruffling her hair. “You!” she said, frustrated but didn’t say much more.

“It’s not that I don’t love myself. I don’t want to be the only superhero here. I don’t want to be a lone patient, Amber. But I know Gerald. He’ll sacrifice a lot if he knows my condition. He’ll even be the first person to suggest I terminate this pregnancy if he knows. He’ll be the one willing to set aside his dreams just to make me happy. But I won’t be happy above all of that. Even if he’s willing, I’m not. At least, I can fulfill one of his most precious dreams in return because he’s been so in love with me all this time,” Ariana replied, her voice choked. “I love him. A lot. Even though he doesn’t know it. But I’ve been in love with him for a long time. I’m the one who’s been trying to suppress my feelings because I convinced myself that all of this wouldn’t last long. I don’t want to repeat the past. I don’t want to have a second Ariana. I don’t want a second Mrs. Caitlyn or Uncle Bradley.”

Her response was met with Amber’s disbelieving stare. Amber slumped down in front of Ariana, looking at her friend with a melancholic gaze. Why did Ariana have to think this far?

She wondered to herself, then Amber’s memories returned to the years before.

They were still wearing their red and white uniforms. Amber was overjoyed when her dad announced that Ariana and her uncle were finally moving in with them. And she was even happier when she found out that Ariana would be attending the same school as her. Although Ariana and Karenina were twins, Amber could only get close to Ariana because she had an open and friendly personality. Amber also didn’t like her aunt, Caitlyn, because somehow she was always harsh to everyone.

Back then, Ariana and her dad had been living at Amber’s house for a month. Ariana never complained, even though she now had nothing, and her father’s stroke condition meant that Ariana had more responsibilities than someone her age should. But she remained cheerful. And everything changed that afternoon.

Amber and Ariana were supposed to attend math lessons after school. Their parents already knew about it. And maybe because they assumed Ariana and Amber would come home in the evening, they felt free to talk at that time. Conversations that Amber and Ariana were never supposed to hear.

They entered through the kitchen, a path they thought was faster than going around the front of the house. They didn’t see anyone there, but they heard voices talking.

“Doesn’t Caitlyn even ask about Ariana?” That was Amber’s dad’s voice. Surely Ariana and Amber were overhearing her dad talking to her own mother.

“No, Mas. I’ve been waiting for a message from her for days. But Mrs. Caitlyn didn’t send any messages or calls at all.” Hearing her mom’s name mentioned, Ariana stopped in her tracks. And she signaled Amber to be silent. Amber looked at her with surprise, but Ariana gestured for her friend to stay quiet and keep listening. Amber just nodded in agreement.

“How can there be someone so heartless like her?” They heard Amber’s dad’s voice again. “At the very least, she should be worried about Ariana’s condition. Ariana is also her daughter, just like Karenina. At the very least, she should be concerned about whether her daughter can eat properly, sleep soundly. Or at the very least, she should know if we’re providing the child with a decent place to live or neglecting her. But how can she be so biased?” her dad snorted again.