Ariana shook her head. "I got married a few months ago," she admitted. Gina's forehead wrinkled again. The woman looked at Ariana in disbelief. "So, you married a widower with a child?" she asked, curious. Ariana raised the corner of her mouth. "That's right," she said softly. "Do you really love him so much to marry him?" Gina inquired. Ariana responded with a smile once again. "As far as I know, marrying a widower, especially one with a child, is not easy. This is Indonesia, not a Western country that easily accepts the status of a man or a woman. What I know about this country is the social perception of those who are widowed or widowers, virgins or not. Am I wrong?" the woman asked hesitantly. Ariana smiled again. "No, you're not wrong. Some people—some communities do indeed make a big deal out of such things. But others—those with open minds, don't see it as a problem," she replied. "And to answer your first question, yes, I love them very much. My husband and my child. I lov

Ariana swallowed hard in distress. Why did Gerald have to promise her all those beautiful things? Why did he have to offer something irresistible to women? Why was he so in love with her? Why didn't Gerald want to lose her? These questions flooded her mind, creating a strong pulse there. "Please," the man pleaded. His hands reached for Ariana's arms and squeezed them gently. Then, he lifted Ariana's hand to place it on his broad shoulder. He then cupped Ariana's face with both of his hands, running his thumb over her jaw. "I love you, Ariana. Can't that reason make you stay by my side?" he asked again. "Or should I beg you to stay?" The man touched his forehead to Ariana's. Ariana could faintly smell the mixture of perfume, body odor, and alcohol. Gerald brought his face closer to Ariana's. His breath brushed against her face. His lips neared Ariana's, causing her heart to beat faster involuntarily. Gerald then touched his lips to Ariana's. Warmth. That's what Ariana felt. Oh God, h

Gerald chuckled. "We don't know what Axel will be like in the future. He might follow in his father's footsteps. Besides, no one knows how smart he'll be. We need a backup to ensure the Zeroun family survives," the woman replied flatly. Gerald's chuckle turned into a booming laughter that sounded more like mockery than genuine happiness. "So, it's fine for me to lose the woman I love as long as Grandma can secure an heir for this rotten family?" he sneered. "Don't push it, Gerald!" his grandmother snapped, her voice barely contained. The woman clearly stood stiffly before him. Perhaps it was because of Gerald's loud voice, or maybe one of the servants had awakened her. Because now, behind his grandmother, stood another woman who was the second mistress in the Zeroun household. "What's going on here?" Mrs. Isidora asked Gerald with a puzzled look. However, her question was ignored by Gerald and the three others present in the room. "Isn't it enough for all my sacrifices all this

In the evening, Axel came to the penthouse with his nanny and also his personal driver. The couple, Gerald and Ariana, declared that they would stay in the penthouse and would not return to Zeroun's residence until Gerald allowed it. Gerald also hired the services of two completely new house assistants, not people he took from Zeroun's residence. Ariana was initially confused why there was no Vivan or Yosef or other house assistants who had previously worked at Zeroun's residence. However, she didn't dare to ask her husband. Ariana spent her time with Axel. The boy repeatedly asked Ariana if she would leave him again or not, or if Ariana would stay in the apartment and leave him with Gerald or not. Ariana promised Axel while looking at her husband that she would not leave the two of them no matter what happened. It took quite a long time to make Axel believe. The boy's questions had to stop when he fell asleep, of course, with Ariana by his side. Because once again, Axel was afraid A

The fact that Ariana is pregnant is no longer a secret. The news has reached her father and Mother. It also reached her mother and siblings. Especially Shelma. The woman looked furious when she heard that Ariana had dropped her divorce case and returned to Gerald. She intended to confront Ariana at Zeroun's residence. However, when she arrived there, she didn't see Ariana, Gerald, or Axel. When she asked Isidora, the woman replied that Gerald had taken his 'family' and left Zeroun's residence. Including his grandchild. Shelma went hysterical. Her dream of being with Gerald seemed shattered again because of Ariana. Meanwhile, Mrs. Caitlyn openly came to Zeroun's residence to ask for more financial help her husband needed. Of course, in the form of funds that would revive her husband's business. But again, she was disappointed because the person she was looking for was not there. Unintentionally, Mrs. Caitlyn, Karenina, and Shelma went to Zeroun's company to find Gerald. Once again,