Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
“Are you ready to accept the risk of being infected?”
“I am!”
Noah smiled. “If you can do it all, why have you been procrastinating on your parents‘ approval?”
Alex was rendered speechless.
“I can’t help you with this. Alex, you can only depend on yourself,” Noah reminded.
Alex sighed. “I know… I’ll have an open conversation with them soon.”
Noah said, “I would like to remind you to address this matter before Azure’s hearing. Once the judgment is made, it won’t be easy to appeal, and the Millers won’t let this go easily either.”
“I know. Are you holding an engagement party tomorrow night?” Alex asked.
Noah confirmed, “Yes.”
“Alright, send me the address. I’ll come with Lucas.”
Noah nodded and joined River as they walked into the living room.
Meanwhile, the three children descended the stairs, and Kenny ended his call.
He told River, “G, Noah was supposed to do this, yet I’m the one doing it now. Both of you are getting engaged, but I seem like the main character of this event.”
River distributed forks to the children. “Who mentioned that the higher the quality of the wine, the better?”
Kenny sniggered. “That was me!”
“Who suggested that I change the wine then?”
“That was me too.”
“Why bother with the snide comments if that’s the case?”
Kenny said, “I don’t fancy the wine arranged by the hotel. Noah, can you put a bit of effort into this?”
Noah darted him a look. “You’re still here, helping yourself to the work, right?”
Kenny said, “Fine then. I can never win an argument with you and your spouse.”
“Spouse…” River blushed and grabbed a piece of apple, stuffing it into Kenny’s mouth. “Keep quiet, will you!”
Noah told River, “I hope you’re not upset that I didn’t help out much.”
River passed him a sliced orange. “Not really. The engagement is rushed, and you still have a bunch of work to do. Don’t let the menial tasks distract you.”
“This is not a menial task. This is the only engagement party in our lives,” Noah reminded.
River relented. “Alright, you have the say.”
While munching on a strawberry, Liora asked, “Mommy, are you sure you don’t want to sleep early tonight, Mommy?”
“Why?” River asked in astonishment.
“You should get some rest earlier, or you won’t be energetic tomorrow. Don’t you want to be a beautiful bride, Mommy?” said Tyler.
River blushed from the children’s remarks. “I’m not a bride yet…”
“You’ll be a fiancee after the engagement tomorrow. That makes you half a bride,” Axel reminded her.
Kenny burst out in laughter. “Who taught you to say that? You kids know a lot, huh?”
Liora sniggered. “We learn about it online! Rest early tonight so you feel energetic and refreshed tomorrow, Mommy!”
River said smilingly, “Alright. I’ll sleep early.”
At 10:00 p.m., Noah took the children to wash up while River went to freshen up herself.
Ever since Noah’s identity as a father was revealed, he would always take over the task of taking care of the children, and River was pleased about that.
After washing up, River lay on the bed and fell asleep soon.
Noah entered the room and found River asleep. He stared at her for a while before backing out of the room to call Reuben.
Reuben picked up soon. “Sir.”
The words ‘Happy Engagement‘ showed up on the fireworks.
The night sky lit up with colorful fireworks, casting a brilliant glow. River’s sleepy face displayed a hint of pleasant surprise amid the spectacle.
Noah embraced River from behind, gently asking, “Do you like it?”
Resting in his arms, River wore a concerned expression. “Don’t you think this is disruptive?”
“I hadn’t considered that aspect, but I just want everyone to know that today is our engagement day,”
Noah replied.
River wanted to express herself but was interrupted by her ringing phone. Startled, she took the call, unable to discern who was texting her at this late hour.
Upon turning on her phone, she discovered her work’s chat group, where her colleagues were congratulating her on the engagement.
River was perplexed as he had only shared the news with Josie, a tight–lipped confidante.
River: [Thank you, @everyone. However, how do you know about this?]
Colleague 1: [Ms. Healy, don’t you know that you’re trending all over the Internet?]
Colleague 2: [Ms. Healy, all the major media channels are reporting about your engagement with Mr.
De Marco!]
Colleague 3: [This is awesome, Ms. Healy. In that case, is MK our biggest backer now?]
Colleague 4: [It is! Who else is going to go against TYC now!)
Colleague 5: [I didn’t expect Mr. De Marco to be so romantic. There are fireworks everywhere! This is making me emotional!]
River responded to their messages with a smile.
River: [I’ll treat everyone to a meal once the engagement party is over.]
‘Long live, Ms. Healy!‘
Colleague 1: [Ms. Healy is going to be the most beautiful, happiest bride!]
Colleague 2: [Congratulations on the engagement, Ms. Healy!]
River felt warm and fuzzy inside. She exited the chat and checked the trending topics. The news of her and Noah’s engagement topped the list.
Reading a message from Noah, she thought, ‘It turns out that he hasn’t been inactive these days, and he is far from lacking anticipation. Instead, he saved the surprise for today on our most important day.‘
River turned to Noah, asking. “Why didn’t you tell me about this in advance?”
“Actions speak louder than words. I told you that I’d give you happiness,” Noah reassured, wiping away River’s tears.
River nestled into Noah’s arms and declared, “I heard it, and I’ll remember.”
With curiosity, Noah proposed, “So, future Mrs. De Marco… Why don’t we do something meaningful on this River sat up straight. “I can’t go back to sleep.”
Noah leaned over and planted a kiss on River’s forehead. “I’m going out, but I’ll be back.”
River grabbed his hand, frowning. “What’s going on? Can you just tell me?”
Noah’s gaze dimmed. “Casey is back. Reuben and the others found him.”
“Where?” River asked.
Noah narrowed his eyes. “It’s highly likely he’s on his way to my mother’s cemetery!”
“Cemetery? What is he going to do there?” River was stunned.
Noah stood up. “If I’m not mistaken, he wants to do something to my mother’s grave. It’s the only thing he can use within his capability to vent his anger now.”
“That’s insane! Go, quick! Get your bodyguard to send you there and be careful!” River scolded.
Noah said, “Sure, wait for my return.”
River nodded solemnly.
Noah left the bedroom.
River got out of bed feeling uneasy.
Around 7:30 a.m., she opened her bedroom door and met Eira, who was about to knock.
Eira said joyously, “Come downstairs for breakfast, River! Mr. De Marco instructed that a team would come at 9:00 a.m. to do your makeup before he left.”
River was deeply moved. ‘He hasn’t forgotten about me even when attending to challenging matters.”
“Alright. Are the children up?” River walked outside and took a glance at the children’s room.
“I took them out for their training earlier, and they’re downstairs, ready for breakfast,” said Elra.
They headed downstairs to the dining room.
Upon seeing River, the children put down their cutlery and said in unison, “Happy engagement, Mommy!”
River smiled. “Thank you, my darlings.”
Liora jumped out of her chair and ran to the kitchen. Soon, she emerged with a food tray, placing it in front of River.
“Mommy, this is the breakfast we made for you.” Liora was smiling.
River looked at the plate with a heart shape arranged with strawberries. A portion of pasta was in the center of the heart with the words ‘Happy Engagement‘ written below..
River was deeply moved. “Thank you, I love it.”
“Eat it then,” Tyler said with a graceful smile..
River nodded, and Axel passed her a fork. She twirled the pasta cautiously, and as she was about to put it in her mouth, Eira said, “River, the three of them cooked this together.”
The three children observed him in silence–it was apparent that something was off about his appearance.
River asked, “Why are you up so early today?”
“I’m going to the company to send some engagement party favors for you,” Kenny replied, sitting next to River.