The Billionaire's Replacement Bride

Becoming a Replacement bride was not an easy task for Alice. Besides having to let go of Gilbert, her beloved boyfriend, she also had to deal with the cold and untouchable attitude of Alden Sebastian, her current lawful husband and her own adopted sister Chloe's future husband.

"It's not just you who lost Chloe, Alden I did too. It's not just you who doesn't want this marriage. I don't either. But why am I blamed for this marriage? I don't want to be a Replacement bride, taking my sister's place to become your wife. Why? Because I have another man whom I love, and he loves me," Alice said.

She poured out her heart, which she had kept hidden for so long. Now, Alice was tired and fed up with Alden's behavior towards her, as if he blamed her for Chloe's death and the subsequent marriage between them. Alice had explained countless times that she had no involvement in their marriage. She also swore that Chloe had asked her to become the Replacement bride, to marry Alden, the night before their wedding.

"I swear, Alden... I don't want this marriage. If you're tired and truly don't want to see me around, then divorce me," Alice whispered, wiping her tears away.

"I don't care about that," Alden replied before leaving without giving any response to Alice's plea. It was always like this. He claimed not to want the marriage, but until now, he had never been willing to divorce her.

"Not wanting to divorce me, yet always refusing our marriage. You even treat me like I don't exist," Alice pursed her lips. She didn't know how else to soften Alden's heart to open up to her or at least divorce her.

A few years ago.

Chloe parked her car as she saw a crowd of people blocking her way. She grumbled a bit because today was the day she would say goodbye to her boyfriend. Alden Wesley was leaving for Australia to pursue his studies, and if she were late, she wouldn't be able to see him for five years.

"What's happening here?" Chloe asked one middle-aged woman.

"A multiple-car accident, ma'am. It's tragic. The only survivor is that girl!" a local resident replied, pointing to a girl crying and hugging a shawl. Her eyes looked empty, and she appeared to be around fifteen years old.

Chloe was taken aback as the girl continued to cry inconsolably. Her cries sounded heart-wrenching, saying she had no one left in the world as all her family members died at the scene. Feeling sorry for her, Chloe approached the teenager and hugged her, comforting her.

"It's okay! Don't cry anymore. I'm here. I'll take care of you," Chloe said, trying to soothe the girl.

"What's your name, dear?" Chloe asked again, wiping the girl's tears away.

"M-my name is Alice, Miss," she replied tearfully, still looking towards the police who were evacuating her family's bodies.

"Okay, from now on, Alice will stay with me!" Chloe guided the girl to stand up. Before leaving the scene, Chloe handed her phone number to a police officer on duty there. She also told Alice to be with her, and if any family members came looking for them, they could contact her on that number.

Once finished, Chloe immediately took Alice with her. She didn't want to be late for the airport.

Half an hour later, Chloe finally arrived at the airport, fortunately, she arrived on time. Without waiting long, holding Alice's hand, she took the girl with her to see Alden off.

"Chloe, I thought you wouldn't come!" Luna, Alden's mother, greeted Chloe with a hug.

"Of course, Auntie. How could I not?" Chloe replied, returning the hug and kissing the cheeks of the middle-aged woman.

"And who is this, dear?" Alden interrupted when he saw Alice standing behind Chloe. The teenage girl didn't look well; she had bruises on her cheeks and lips, and her clothes had blood stains, covered by a shawl.

Actually, Alice refused to come with Chloe, but Chloe insisted on introducing Alice to Alden and his family.

"Oh, this is Alice. Alden, Auntie! And Alice, this is Aunt Luna, Alden's mother. Alden, this is my boyfriend," Chloe introduced them to each other.

"Alice, Alden, Auntie!" Alice greeted them, shaking hands with both the mother and son, then curtsying.

"I met Alice on the road. She had an accident!" Chloe quickly interjected before Alden could ask more questions.

"All her family members died at the accident site. So, I brought Alice with me because I know how it feels not to have parents. But I'm lucky to still have my grandmother taking care of me!" Chloe patted Alice's shoulder gently as the girl looked down at the airport floor as if it were the most interesting thing right now.

"So, Alice will stay with you?" Luna followed up.

"Yes, Auntie. Unless someone comes to pick her up. If her family comes for her, I'll naturally return Alice to them."

"You're so kind, dear." Without hesitation, Alden embraced Alice in his arms.

"Oh, don't hug her yet. It's not the right time!" Luna pinched Alden's ear.

"Ouch, Mom, that hurts..." Alden rubbed his ear, blushing due to his mother's antics.

The mother and son's interaction brought small chuckles from Chloe. Her cheeks also turned rosy due to her boyfriend's antics.

Half an hour later, Alden's plane finally took off, leaving Chloe feeling sad about his departure.

"Forgive me, dear! I didn't mean to keep you away from Alden. But I wanted to fulfill Alden's late father's request for him to continue his education in his father's hometown. His grandparents have been eagerly waiting for him there. We all hope that when he returns from there, he can take his father's place," Luna explained while patting Chloe's back. She felt very guilty toward her friend, who was also her son's girlfriend.

"It's alright, Aunt. Chloe will support whatever is best for Alden," Chloe said sincerely as she hugged Luna, whom she considered her own birth mother and a close friend of her mom, Dera.

"In that case, let's go, Chloe! I'll take Auntie home!"

"No need dear. Aunt came with a driver. You better take Alice to the hospital, to take care of her family's bodies. At the same time to treat her wounds. If you need help, you can call Aunt!"

Chloe nodded. "Auntie is right. Chloe has to take care of everything. Then Alice and I say goodbye first, Aunt!" the twenty year old girl hugged Luna, before she left with Alice.

Finished from the airport, Chloe drove Alice to the hospital to see her parents and family. Alice seemed to have calmed down somewhat. He was still crying. However, not as hysterical as before.

Before Chloe headed to the hospital, she contacted her grandmother first. To help her take care of the remains of Alice's family. The victims weren't just Alice's parents. However, his extended family was also a victim. Because they all just came from a tourist spot. Luckily for Alice, she jumped out of the car. So that you can survive the accident.

"Are you ok?" Chloe rubbed Alice's hand.

"It's okay, Sis!" he replied quickly.

"You must be sincere. So that your parents will be at peace in nature. You must pray for all of them so that their graves will be widened. You must also grow to be a strong person!" Chloe patted Alice's shoulder. "You have to promise me. You have to grow up to be a strong woman. Don't want to give up on anything. Believe me, every storm you are facing, there will be a very bright day waiting for you out there!"

Alice nodded resolutely. "Thank you, Sis!" she said, hugging Chloe tightly.

Alice felt incredibly lucky. She believed that God sent Chloe to rescue her. Without Chloe, she wondered where she would be now. Growing up as an only child had made her quite spoiled. Not only in terms of having her needs taken care of but also in sleeping; Alice couldn't fall asleep without her mother's embrace.

From that day on, Alice lived with Chloe and her grandmother. No one would have guessed that Alice was just an adopted sister, as Chloe treated her as if she were her own blood sister. All of Alice's needs were well taken care of – from education, finances, to attention. Every weekend, the two of them would go shopping like twin sisters. Whatever Chloe had, Alice would have it too.

During the time apart from Alden, they managed to maintain their bond through phone calls and video calls. Despite the distance, both Alden and Chloe remained faithful and deeply in love with each other.

Alden smiled as he saw Chloe and her mother waiting for him at the airport. The longing in his heart surged as he saw the two women who meant so much to him, ready to embrace and be hugged. However, Alden's wide smile suddenly vanished when he noticed how pale and thin Chloe looked now, far from how she was before he left the country.

When Alden asked, Chloe weakly shook her head, assuring him that everything was fine and going as planned, including their wedding preparations, which were already ninety percent complete. She mentioned waiting for Alden to come and do the final wedding dress fitting. Without suspecting anything, Alden accepted Chloe's explanation that her pallor was due to fatigue from handling the wedding preparations. Chloe sweetly convinced him that she was fine and just tired.

Alden believed her, and so he didn't bother to find out what was really happening with Chloe. Little did he know that over the past year, his beloved had been undergoing treatment to combat lymph node cancer, which was slowly eating away at her body.

Chloe intentionally kept the truth hidden from Alden and didn't call off the wedding. She had been informed by the doctors that she didn't have much time left, and she planned to marry Alden to ensure that her grandmother, who was already in her twilight years, and Alice, who was still pursuing her education, would be taken care of after she was gone. There would be no one else to look after them.

Chloe was convinced that Alden, being such a kind and caring person, would take care of her grandmother and Alice and be a great husband to her adopted sister. A year ago, when Chloe found out about her cancer, she tried to keep it a secret from everyone, except for Alice.

Alice was always there with her, accompanying her to the hospital for regular check-ups and treatment for the lymph node cancer. However, instead of getting better, Chloe's condition worsened day by day. Her body grew weaker, and her eyes became sunken with dark circles, as if she hadn't slept for days.

On the night before the wedding, Chloe felt her body giving in to the disease that was now consuming her frail form. With all her strength and hope, she knocked on Alice's door. The girl responded from inside the room, and soon the door opened, revealing Alice with a sweet smile for her, just like always whenever Chloe wanted to enter her room.

"What's wrong, Sis?" Alice asked, leading Chloe to sit at the edge of the bed.

Chloe smiled, gently caressing Alice's cheek. "You're such a good girl, and I'm lucky to have you, my dear."

Alice nodded. "I'm lucky to have you too, Sis. Without you, I wouldn't know what would have become of me now. You've also helped me manage everything so I wouldn't lose my rights to my parents' inheritance. Thank you, Sis. Alice loves you, Sister." She spread her arms and hugged Chloe.

"If only I could repay all your kindness, Sis. Of course, I would do it. And... oh, yes, I..." The text seems to be cut off at the end, and it's unclear what else was said.

"Please marry Alden tomorrow. Be his wife and make him happy for me," Chloe whispered, letting go of Alice's embrace and holding both her hands.

"I can't fight this illness anymore, Alice. I'm tired, and I give up. It's too painful, and my body can't take it anymore. And... if you really want to repay all my kindness, please do this for me."

Alice was taken aback. Her eyes welled up with tears, and her lips trembled. "N-No, Sis. I can't. I..."

"I beg you, Alice." Chloe got up from her seat and knelt in front of Alice, pleading with her.

Alice sobbed. Her tears flowed uncontrollably. It wasn't that she didn't want to help. But many hearts would be broken after this.

Before Chloe entered, Alice had been on a call with her boyfriend. They couldn't wait for Chloe and Alden to get married the next day. They had been looking forward to taking their relationship public. Alice and her boyfriend had plans to get married soon, as Gilbert Artayasa, Alice's boyfriend, intended to propose to her.

But now, everything would change. Alice had nodded her head, accepting Chloe's request to marry Alden.

What else could Alice do but accept Chloe's request? Chloe had been the one taking care of her, filling the role of her parents and loving her as a true sister. Chloe also helped Alice secure her parents' inheritance, which was at risk of being taken by unscrupulous individuals.

"Thank you," Chloe whispered, hugging Alice tightly, as if it might be their last loving embrace.

After conveying her request, Chloe returned to her room, leaving Alice alone. The girl started crying over her own decision. Why did it have to be her? Why did she have to marry Alden? What about Gilbert? What about their love? And how would she break this news to Gilbert?

When Alice nodded her head, everything changed. She altered who would become Alden's wife and hurt Gilbert because of Chloe's request. Now, whether she liked it or not, Alice had to fulfill her promise to Chloe and erase all memories of Gilbert today. On Chloe's wedding day, which she was now replacing.

Their grandmother was startled when Chloe said she couldn't marry Alden and revealed the results of her medical examinations. A life-threatening disease was currently ravaging her body.

"Why did both of you keep this from me? Don't you love me anymore?" the elderly woman sobbed. Chloe was her only grandchild and family left.

"Forgive me, Grandma. I swear it's not that Alice and I don't love you. It's just that I didn't want to make you worried and sad. At first, I thought the illness would heal with the treatment I underwent. But I was wrong. Over time, the condition only worsened. That's why I can't go through with this wedding, Grandma. However, Alice will take my place," explained Chloe.

"Chloe... why does this have to happen? Why do you have to bear such a heavy burden on your happy day? You've been looking forward to this day for so long. And for Alice, will Alden truly accept her as his wife? It would be better to cancel the wedding and continue it when you recover. Grandma is sure you'll get better, Chloe. I'm very certain of that!" said the grandmother, trying to convince Chloe to cancel her intention to marry Alice to Alden.

Alice, who was getting ready, turned around, hoping that Chloe would listen to their grandmother's advice. Because there was no guarantee that Alden would accept her as his wife, and there was also no guarantee that Chloe's illness would give way. However, Chloe shook her head, sticking to her decision to marry Alden to Alice.

Chloe also assured everyone that Alden is a good man, responsible and the only person who can take care of Alice and their grandmother. It was a heavy decision to accept, but there was nothing they could do other than comply with Chloe's wishes. Alden was already waiting downstairs to proceed with the wedding. After that, the celebration would continue with a lively wedding reception, considering that both of them were the only children in their respective families.

Alden was nervous. Not having seen Chloe for over a week made him even more anxious to meet his beloved. He couldn't stop smiling because he had been eagerly waiting for this day. However, when they arrived at the main event, Alden was asked to wait for a moment due to a change from Chloe.

Not knowing what it was, Alden patiently waited, excited to marry Chloe. But all his hopes and dreams shattered when Alice came down from the second floor in a wedding dress, with Chloe and their grandmother by her side as attendants.

Alden was furious, feeling like he was being played by Chloe and her family. "What is this?!" he exclaimed, glaring at his family and Chloe interchangeably.

Chloe approached and sat next to Alden, where she was supposed to be seated during the wedding.

She handed her medical examination results to Alden. "Alden, please marry Alice, I beg you! Continue my duty to take care of her and our grandmother," she pleaded softly. Her once-beautiful face now pale despite the thick makeup.

Alden shook his head. "I can't do that! And I don't care if you have only a day or an hour left. The one I want to marry is you, Chloe, not Alice!"

"I know, Alden. I know that. But I can't marry you if it's only going to be a burden for you. So I beg you, Alden. Marry Alice." She held Alden's hand.

Chloe, feeling her head heavy and in pain, hoped Alden would agree and marry Alice for her sake. "I can't!" Alden forcefully pulled his hand away from Alice. Then he stood up and left his seat.

Alden firmly refused Chloe's request to marry Alice because he loved Chloe and only wanted to be with her. He didn't need to become Alice's husband to take care of her and their grandmother.

But as Alden reached the door, a commotion was heard behind him. Chloe had fainted while trying to chase after him. Alden turned back and ran to Chloe, taking her to the hospital.

**

Suasana in the hospital room grew quiet as Chloe lay there, with Alice still dressed in her wedding attire, surrounded by Alden's grandmother and mother, along with the wedding officiant and a few witnesses for the wedding between Alice and Alden.

After speaking heart-to-heart with Alden, Chloe's request was finally granted. She would marry Alice, but only for herself. No more, no less. Before they all gathered in Chloe's hospital room, Alden spoke privately with Alice, telling her that their marriage wouldn't last long. If Chloe recovered, they would divorce, and Alden would marry Chloe. If Chloe passed away, they would divorce on the hundredth day after her departure.

Alden also didn't forbid Alice from pursuing a relationship with other men, as their marriage would have no physical contact whatsoever, making it easier for them both to handle the divorce. Alice agreed and accepted the arrangement, knowing that she and Gilbert could marry after her marriage to Alden was over, with nothing lost physically or emotionally.

The wedding was conducted in front of Chloe, making Alice and Alden officially husband and wife. As people congratulated Alice on her marriage to Alden, Chloe's eyes closed at the same time the door to her hospital room opened. Gilbert had arrived, his eyes reddening as he saw his beloved marrying someone else. As far as he knew, it was Chloe, his sister, who was supposed to get married today, not himself as he now faced.

"Gilbert," Alice whispered, her heart aching as she saw her beloved look shattered, just like her.

"Chloe...!" Alden exclaimed, holding Chloe, who had passed away forever. After seeing his beloved and adopted sister officially married, he felt at peace, knowing that Alice was in the hands of the right man.

Alice turned, her heart still in pain witnessing Gilbert's devastation, and now she was faced with Chloe's death. Her body weakened, her vision blurred, and she fainted. Fortunately, Gilbert immediately ran and caught Alice, preventing her from falling to the floor. Despite the pain in his heart, he couldn't bear to see Alice hurt.

Alice stared blankly at the mound of earth in front of her. She ignored the raindrops falling from the sky, as if the heavens wanted to cover up her never-ending tears of grief.

"Sis... why did you have to go so soon? Why did you leave me in this world? Weren't you the one who promised to always be by my side?" Alice whispered, caressing the gravestone embedded on the mound.

It was as if she was caressing Chloe's head, imagining Chloe sleeping in her lap, just as she always did when she felt tired after a day's work at the office.

"Sis... why do I have to marry Alden? I already have Gilbert, Sis," Alice lamented again, unable to contain her sorrow and bitterness.

She was truly not capable of facing her new life. A life without Chloe, and a life as Alden's wife. Giving up Gilbert, who loved her so deeply, and whom she loved equally.

Alice hit her own chest as the tightness and pain returned.

"Why, God? Why do I have to endure such a cruel fate? Haven't you taken enough from my family? Now you took my sister away and made me the wife of a man who doesn't love me!"

Amidst the pouring rain, next to the freshly dug grave, Alice cried uncontrollably. She blamed destiny for never being fair to her. Should she end her own life to put an end to it all?

"Alice..." a man's voice spoke. He sat down next to her, embracing her tightly. His embrace always calmed her heart and mind. It was the embrace of a man she loved deeply, and who loved her in return. The embrace of the man she hoped would be her husband one day.

"Gilbert... what should I do? What am I supposed to do after this?" Alice replied, sobbing even harder within his arms.

"Alice, I don't know what you should do, but what I do know is that I will always be by your side, supporting you through everything in life," Gilbert said with love and sincerity. "We will get through this together, through thick and thin, in joy and sorrow."

Gilbert tried to comfort Alice, allowing her tears to flow without interruption. He knew she was carrying an immense burden in her heart.

"I know it's not easy, but I promise to be there for you. You are not alone, Alice," Gilbert said gently. "I will try my best to be the person who will always be there for you, who will love you unconditionally."

"I know, Gilbert," Alice replied, trying to stop her tears. "I know you will always do your best for me."

Gilbert nodded, continuing to hold Alice tenderly. The rain continued to pour heavily, but they didn't care. They felt they had each other, and that was truly what mattered in the midst of this emotional storm.

In silence, they both knew that this journey wouldn't be easy. But with love and support for each other, they would face it together.

Gilbert listened to Alice's heart-wrenching words, understanding the weight of her pain and the immense struggle she was facing. He knew that asking her to be completely "rela" or selflessly accepting her current situation would be too much to ask for at this moment.

"I know, Alice. I can't possibly understand the depth of your pain, and I won't ask you to be completely 'rela' right now. It's okay to feel hurt, angry, and confused," Gilbert said softly, his hand gently caressing her back. "It's a difficult journey, and I will be here with you every step of the way."

Alice leaned into his comforting embrace, finding solace in his words. She appreciated his understanding and support during this tumultuous time.

"As for Alden, I can't deny the situation is challenging. But let's not forget that Chloe loved you and entrusted you with her wishes," Gilbert continued. "And even though Alden might not be showing the responsibility of a husband now, people can change, and I believe we shouldn't jump to conclusions too quickly."

Alice nodded, trying to process Gilbert's words. She knew deep down that Chloe's intentions were driven by love and care for her. She had to find a way to honor Chloe's wishes while also taking care of her own heart.

"I'll try my best, Gilbert. I'll try to find the strength to be 'rela' in the future," Alice said with a mix of determination and sadness. "But for now, I just need time to heal and figure things out."

"I understand, Alice. Take all the time you need. I'll be here by your side," Gilbert reassured her, his love and devotion unwavering.

Together, they sat there by Chloe's grave, finding comfort in each other's presence. They knew that healing would take time, and their journey ahead would be challenging. But with their love and support for one another, they were determined to face whatever the future held. As they embraced each other in the pouring rain, they knew that no matter what, they would navigate through life together, hand in hand.

"Do not speak like that, Alice. You must be strong. You still have your grandmother to take care of. And you still have me, who will faithfully accompany and protect you. Even though you're not mine anymore, at least I can be a place for you to come back to and confide in," Gilbert expressed, releasing his embrace on Alice so he could look into her eyes, which had always radiated happiness.

However, now those eyes were veiled with profound sorrow. They were also swollen and red.

"Believe me, Alice. You will be able to face all of this. You just have to be patient and willing. And trust me, I will always be by your side," he continued.

Alice smiled faintly, responding to what Gilbert said to her.

In truth, what Gilbert was willing to do could be accepted willingly if he were Chloe's chosen husband. However, at the moment, Alden was the man who held the status of her husband. So, could she accept her written fate?

She didn't know. Alice could only surrender and accept. Just like when her body floated and ended up in Gilbert's embrace.

It seemed that Gilbert didn't want Alice to sit and mourn Chloe's departure any longer. Besides being harmful to her mental health, the pouring rain and strong wind would also affect Alice's well-being later on.

Reluctantly, Gilbert carried Alice's shivering body away from Chloe's grave. He took her home, driving a car parked not far from the cemetery.

Unbeknownst to them, a pair of eyes witnessed their togetherness. The eyes belonged to a man who was forced to marry Alice and, consequently, had to fetch her because of threats made by his own mother.

None other than Alden, who grew to hate Alice even more as her family took her side.

Alden didn't want to be bothered by anyone at this moment. However, his mother pushed him to pick up Alice. And what he saw now only fueled Alden's growing hatred toward the woman he had married just a few hours ago.

Upon arriving home, Alice went straight to the bathroom to change her clothes. As she entered the house, Gilbert bid her farewell, not wanting to cause discomfort with Chloe's close relatives and Alden's family still present in the house. He wanted to respect Alice's status as Alden's wife, so he chose to leave as soon as she stepped inside.

Unbeknownst to Gilbert, as his car left Chloe's house, it almost collided with a car driven by Alden.

In the car, Alden stared hatefully at the vehicle that had brought Alice home, especially at the man behind the wheel.

"Alden! Where have you been that another man had to bring your wife home?" a middle-aged woman immediately intercepted Alden as he stepped into Chloe's house.

"From the grave of the woman I loved," he replied, without stopping his steps.

"If you came from Chloe's grave, then why was another man the one who brought Alice home?" the middle-aged woman, who was none other than Alden's mother, pressed, trying to catch up with her son as he headed towards the second floor where Alice and Chloe's rooms were located. The rooms, situated side by side, now one of them had been vacated by its owner.

"I don't know who he is, Mom. But just wait, I'll ask Alice. So, please stay here!" Alden requested before ascending the stairs one by one, leading him to Alice's room.

Resigned, seeing the glint of anger in Alden's eyes, the woman could only sigh. She stopped in her tracks and returned to the living room to prepare for the memorial gathering for Chloe.

Unaware that Alden had reached Alice's room, he entered without hesitation and stared sharply at her. Alice, who had just come out of the bathroom, was startled to see Alden suddenly in her room.

"Besides being shameless and cunning, turns out you're also cheap! Using my future wife's grave as a place to have an affair with that man," Alden said flatly, stepping closer to Alice, who looked frightened while trying to cover her petite body with a towel.

"W-what do you mean?" she murmured as Alden pressed his body against the bathroom door.

"What do you mean, you ask?" Alden retorted, growing angrier as Alice refused to admit her encounter with the man at Chloe's grave earlier.

Alice could only nod silently, surrendering to whatever Alden was going to do to her. Just as Gilbert had advised her. To surrender and accept willingly.