Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
Noah sneered. “Are you sure you’re helping me and not yourself?”
Alex chuckled. “We’re hitting two birds with one stone! Let’s not separate it so clearly. Wait for me!”
In the spa room.
Paige asked River as they undressed, “River, what are your current feelings toward Noah?”
River was taken aback. “Why are you asking all of a sudden?”
Paige explained, “I just want to see you happy with someone you love.”
River sat on the bed. “Honestly, I still have feelings for him.”
“Just feelings? Not love?” Paige inquired.
River lowered her gaze. “I can’t be sure.”
Paige pressed on, “Let’s say if something happened to Noah, if he had an accident, you would-“
“No! It’s not good to talk about that!” River interrupted before Paige could finish her sentence.
Paige shrugged. “See? You can’t even imagine Noah’s death.”
“Paige, let’s not discuss this further, River said, displeased.
“Alright, alright. So, you love him! If you do, you should let go of the grudge.”
River remained silent.
Paige grabbed her phone and sent Alex an ‘okay‘ emoji with a smile. She put her phone down and lay on the bed. “If possible, I’d like to have a joint wedding with you. River.”
River lay down. “I’ve never considered that.”
“Noah will definitely throw a grand wedding for you if you agree,” Paige said with certainty.
River turned to look at her. “What’s gotten into you today, Paige?”
Paige was caught off guard. “Huh? Nothing!”
“Something doesn’t feel right about you. You asked about my feelings for Noah, and then you brought up the wedding,” River said suspiciously.
Paige closed her eyes, trying to hide her guilt. “You’re overthinking it. I just have a wish to share a wedding with you.”
“Does Alex’s mother know about your pregnancy?” River asked.
Paige stayed quiet for a moment. “Not yet, and I haven’t told my parents either.”
“What’s your plan? You can’t hide it as you progress further.” River expressed her concern.
Paige explained, “I don’t want to pressure Alex. It must be tough for him to be caught in the middle.”
River sighed. “You’re being too passive.”
“What else can I do now that I’m pregnant? Let’s not talk about heavy things like this.” Paige forced a small, bitter laugh.
River did not question further after noticing Paige’s reluctance to speak.
“River…”
“Hmm?”
“I envy you so much!” Paige exclaimed.
River opened her eyes and turned to Paige, asking, “What do you mean?”
Paige explained, “I can tell that Noah truly loves you. People can’t control their gaze when they’re in love.”
Paige circled back to a topic that left River uncertain about how to respond.
“Speaking of that_”
“What?”
Paige continued. “You spent a long time upstairs with Noah on Lundi Gras night, yet Scott didn’t seem uncomfortable at all.”
River looked up at the ceiling and pondered. “Maybe he’s moved on?”
Paige disagreed, “No, he’s been in love and sticking with you for six years. Even if he’s figured it out and moved on, a regular person would feel sad, right? There was nothing in his expression except calmness.”
River confessed, “I haven’t speculated about his feelings, but I do feel guilty toward him.”
Paige insisted, “He’s been trying, and you’ve been rejecting him. That’s clear.”
River defended herself, saying, “I told him before that I would consider exploring a relationship with him after Daniella’s situation.”
Paige was surprised. “Huh? I thought you didn’t have feelings for him.”
River admitted, “Honestly, I felt I was being selfish too. I said that at the time because he was a good candidate for marriage.”
Paige remarked, “You can’t force a relationship. You’re not going to sacrifice your happiness for the rest of your life because of him, right?”
River sighed. “I just feel very guilty toward him.”
Paige questioned, “What if he doesn’t love you anymore? He doesn’t seem sad at all.”
River replied, “If that’s the case, I will feel relieved.”
Paige pondered for a moment before asking, “River, have you noticed something?”
River asked, “What is it?”
Paige expressed her disbelief, “Scott doesn’t show his emotions clearly!”
River frowned, trying to recall something. I haven’t noticed that, to be honest.”
“Tsk!” Paige added, “It’s not his expression but his gaze!”
River mumbled. “I haven’t really noticed it.”
Paige settled back down and remarked, “River, I feel a bit uneasy.”
River asked, “Why?”
Paige explained, “I suddenly realized that Scott is a person with many hidden layers, or rather, he’s too good at hiding his emotions.”
River asked, “Could the pregnancy cause your doubt?”
Paige considered that. “You might be right. I’ve been overthinking a lot lately.”
River suggested, “Alright, let’s just enjoy the massage.”
Paige nodded. “Sure.”
On the viewing platform on the mountainside.
Noah leaned against his car and watched as Alex carried the items, sweating from his work.
Alex stood upright and glared at Noah, saying, “Hey, can you come and help out?”
Noah casually declined, “I can’t do that.”
Alex was frustrated, “What am I doing this for?”
Noah retorted, “Aren’t you involved as well?”
Alex was rendered speechless. He scratched his head in frustration and said, “I wouldn’t be doing this myself if I weren’t worried they wouldn’t do a good job.”
Noah approached Alex and asked, “Do you think they’ll like flashy things like this?”
Noah unbuttoned his collar, “This is unnecessary,” he muttered.
Alex’s eye twitched, “So, what do you think women actually like?”
Noah glanced at Alex. “Just give ‘em money, right? They can get whatever they want.”
Alex let out a forced chuckle. “You’re not romantic at all. No wonder your attempts to win over River aren’t working.”
Noah’s gaze turned cold. “Shut up!”
Alex looked away, annoyed, “Let’s focus on work!”
At 5:30 p.m., their masseuses woke up River and Paige. They sat up, still drowsy.
River checked her phone and mumbled, “It’s 5:30…”
Paige yawned and said, “Let me see if Alex is finished with his task.”
“Task? I thought he was getting a massage? River furrowed her brow, puzzled.
Paige was stunned but recovered quickly, saying, “I misspoke, I meant if he’s done with his massage.”
River looked at Paige strangely. “You better not be hiding anything from me.”
Paige laughed. “I’d never keep anything from you, I’m a trustworthy friend.”
Paige called Alex but was met with a busy signal. She hung up and said, ‘Why isn’t Alex answering?”
River got changed and suggested, “Maybe he’s asleep?”
“I don’t know. I’ll call again.” Paige tried once more and got the same busy signal.
“What is he up to?” Paige tapped her phone in frustration.
River handed Paige her clothes. “Let’s get dressed and go find him.”
Paige thought, ‘How am I supposed to find him when he’s with Noah, working on setting up River and Noah?
Paige’s task was to gauge River’s feelings for Noah and text him an ‘okay‘ emoticon if River was interested. She sighed.
They changed and found Charon waiting for them outside. They exchanged glances before approaching her.
Paige asked, “Where’s Alex?”
Charon replied, “Ms. Watson, Mr. Price is occupied with something. I’ll take both of you to dinner first.”
“How coincidental that he’s also busy.” River scrutinized Paige as she spoke.
Sensing River’s gaze, Paige chuckled and suggested, “Let’s eat, shall we?”