(Not) The Billionaire’s Replacement Bride

#Shelma

Shelma averted her gaze from the disgusting scene in front of her. She despised all of it. After all this time, fighting to destroy her marriage with Hadi, a man who had once been so devoted to her, she now had to face the bitter reality that the man she loved was already with another woman. No. Ariana couldn’t have Gerald so easily.

And why Gerald? How could he be interested in a woman like Ariana? Shelma was far more beautiful, more graceful, richer, and more everything than this poorly dressed woman who looked more like a man. Shelma was certain Ariana didn’t know the fashion world like she did. Just look at the woman’s attire-only shabby jeans and a worn-out shirt. It was a far cry from her own expensive clothing.

Shelma turned around, simultaneously encountering the one woman who had opposed her relationship with Gerald for so long. Who else but Mrs. Rosaline. Yes, that old woman had always been the barrier to Shelma’s relationship with Gerald. Even when she knew Gerald also liked her, Mrs. Rosaline had never approved.

“I didn’t know you’d still be here,” the woman said in her flat tone. No wonder she liked Ariana. They indeed shared the same character.

“What if I am here?” Shelma retorted, her voice sharp. “No reason. Just asking,” the woman replied before walking away.

“Why does Grandma always block my relationship with Gerald?” Shelma asked again. In the end, she couldn’t contain her curiosity.

Mrs. Rosaline turned back and looked at Shelma, one eyebrow raised. “I never blocked your relationship. From the beginning, you two were never meant to be together,” Mrs. Rosaline replied.

Shelma snorted. “Fate? What’s fate? It’s just a joke. We create our own fate. And I will make Gerald mine. Grandma won’t be able to stop me anymore,” she said arrogantly.

Mrs. Rosaline shrugged. “If you can do it, then go ahead,” she said still flatly. “Even giving Karenina a wealthy man hasn’t made you successful in getting Gerald,” she continued. Shelma was stunned. Meanwhile, Mrs. Rosaline lifted the corner of her mouth. The woman smiled, and it seemed terrifying to Shelma. The old woman walked closer, standing beside Shelma with her eyes fixed on Gerald and Ariana, who were still sitting on the swing, Ariana’s head leaning on Gerald’s shoulder.

Mrs. Rosaline folded her hands in front of her chest. Still gazing at her granddaughter, she spoke softly to Shelma. “You should know the flaws in your plans before strategizing, Shelma,” she said, her voice sounding chilling in Shelma’s ears, making her hair stand on end. “How could you devise a cunning tactic by baiting a wealthy man for Karenina without knowing that Karenina actually has a twin brother?” Mrs. Rosaline then glanced at Shelma. “But by doing so, all of this proves that you are truly not meant to be with Gerald.

I also didn’t expect that Karenina had a twin. I thought she would truly become my granddaughter-in-law. And I suspected that if they married, you would do everything to separate them. Unfortunately, Ariana came at the last moment,” Mrs. Rosaline continued with a triumphant smile. “And honestly, even though I didn’t know her and was unaware of her existence initially, I must tell you that I like her. And I’m very happy she could become my granddaughter-in-law. You know, Gerald is as cunning as you are. He can do anything to get what he wants.

So, my dear, your opponent isn’t Ariana. It’s Gerald himself. Because from the beginning, it was Gerald who wanted Ariana’s presence.” Mrs. Rosaline now looked toward the door where her granddaughter and future grandson-in-law entered. “Where are you two going?” she inquired.

Shelma also looked at them. “Gerald and Ariana have an appointment with Axel, Grandma,” Gerald replied. Mrs. Rosaline nodded her head. But Shelma seemed to clench her fists again.

“Have fun,” Mrs. Rosaline said to both of them. Ariana and Gerald just nodded before they walked toward the stairs. Both Mrs. Rosaline and Shelma knew where they were headed. “You can see for yourself, can’t you? It’s Gerald who’s enchanted here. Not Ariana,” Mrs. Rosaline said again. Shelma looked at the old woman beside her and narrowed her eyes. “You could try to get rid of Ariana, whether by influencing her mind or perhaps by taking irrational actions to make her intend to leave my grandson. But, my dear, I can assure you, your efforts might succeed initially. But in the end, Gerald will bring her back. So, advice from this old woman: you better abandon your intentions now, rather than regret later.”

What I know is, Hadi is a good man. It’s better for you to accept his presence rather than chasing after Gerald, who may not reciprocate your feelings. Don’t keep assuming that you are his first love, and he is yours, because the fact is not so. What happened between you two in the past was nothing more than puppy love,” Mrs. Rosaline’s words concluded. After patting Shelma’s shoulder, which Shelma brushed off, Mrs. Rosaline immediately walked away.

Shelma remained standing there, stunned. She stood there with the intention of waiting for Gerald and Ariana to come down. She would be a shadow that followed them everywhere. She would follow them wherever they went. But until an hour later, Shelma didn’t see any signs of them coming down from the second floor.Belonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

Dirty thoughts entered her mind, especially when she had gone to Gerald’s room with Axel earlier this morning. She clearly saw the woman sleeping soundly, and Shelma could be sure that she wasn’t wearing anything under the blanket that covered her body up to her shoulders.

And earlier, when she bumped into the woman, Shelma could see the red mark behind Ariana’s ear. Shelma knew exactly what that mark was.

Certainly not a mosquito bite. Especially not an ant bite.

Shelma stomped her foot in frustration. She was angry, truly angry. If only this were her own residence. She might have destroyed the things around her to vent her anger. But this wasn’t her home. This was Zeroun’s residence. This was Gerald’s home. Which meant she couldn’t act as she pleased. No matter how furious she was right now, she couldn’t show it. She couldn’t let the woman know. Because if the woman knew that she had successfully made Shelma jealous, victory would be on the girl’s side. And Shelma really disliked that fact.

Shelma walked briskly to the guest room she had stayed in last night. She had to devise another strategy that could shatter Ariana and Gerald’s relationship. If what Mrs. Rosaline said was true, then the only way she could use was to make Gerald hate the woman. However, whatever it took, however cunning it was, Shelma had to get Gerald for herself. And Gerald must not adore any other woman except her.