Filed to story: The Billionaire’s Replacement Wife (River & Noah) Novel Online Free
Their features exuded a similar blend of stubbornness and tenderness, particularly their captivating eyes that held an ancient charm. They could easily pass for siblings.
Neil attempted to break the tension with a gentle tone. “Ms. Healy, you remind me of someone I know.”
River was left speechless, her mind swirling with thoughts. ‘Is this some kind of modern–day tactic people use to flirt with others?‘
Observing him with a hint of wariness, she adopted a more assertive tone. “Mr. Xander, what exactly do you mean?”
She found it hard to believe that someone would go out of their way to give her a ride after just one encounter.
Neil responded honestly, hoping to clarify the situation. “Perhaps you bear a striking resemblance to her, so…”
River interrupted, her tone sharp with sarcasm. “So, you gave me a ride before asking for my contact information. You want to approach me by pretending that I resemble someone, right?”
Neil was taken aback by her defensive reaction, not expecting her to be so vigilant.
Quickly, he explained, “Ms. Healy, I apologize for the misunderstanding. I was referring to my sister, who disappeared when she was very young.
River was rendered speechless once again.
Is he taking me for a fool?!!
She spoke sternly, noticing the hospital just ahead. “Mr. Xander, please stop the car and let me out.
Neil immediately pulled over, a tinge of regret in his gentle eyes. “Ms. Healy, I did sense a familiarity when I saw you, but I assure you, I’m not the person you think I am
River scoffed coldly. “Thank you, Mr. Xander. But I’m not the type of woman to be easily fooled by wealthy heirs like yourself.”
With those words, she opened the car door resolutely and left.
Sitting alone in the car, Neil was left shell–shocked
He couldn’t fathom how someone could resemble both Lyra and his mother so closely in both appearance and character…
Meanwhile, River arrived at the hospital’s inpatient department and discreetly inquired if Scott. was on duty that day. Upon learning that he wasn’t, she proceeded toward the ward.
However, when she reached the door of the ward, she heard Katie’s distressed voice, barely stifling her sobs. “Why do you insist on tormenting a child who isn’t even yours? Bradley, you’re a heartless monster!”
After that, there was total silence…
River was speechless at the door, her mind filled with questions. “Who is the child Mom is talking about? It can’t possibly be me. I am definitely Dad’s child. Yes, his behavior has changed drastically over the years, but he was always a responsible father when I was young.‘
River shook her head, dismissing the wild thoughts from her mind.
Opening the door and entering, she found Katie sitting on the bed with an angry expression
“Mom, did you argue with Dad again?”
Startled by her daughter’s presence, Katie turned to look at River with a hint of panic. “Why didn’t you tell me you were here?”
River took a seat beside the bed. After a brief silence, she inquired, “Mom, what did you mean.
when you mentioned a child who isn’t Dad’s?”
Avoiding eye contact, Katie replied, “It’s a child from one of your father’s relatives. It has nothing to do with you. Don’t meddle in this.”
River sensed something amiss, but she wasn’t sure how to approach the topic. After all, she had very limited contact with her father’s side of the family. Her mother had always described them as having peculiar personalities, so she preferred to keep her distance.
So, River decided to change the subject and peeled a fruit for her mother. “Mom, you’re unwell now. Don’t worry about other people’s affairs.”
Katie replied, “I just want to prevent your father from committing more wrongdoings…”
It was past nine o’clock at night when River left the hospital.
She hailed a taxi to hurry back to Villa Rosa. The exhaustion and the effects of her pregnancy caused her to doze off shortly after getting into the cab.
In her dream, she found herself in a spacious house, Children were running and playing in the yard, except for one girl with braided hair who sat alone beside a flower bed. Suddenly, another girl with a ponytail approached her and asked, “Why do you always look so sad? Stop sulking.”
The girl with braided hair lifted her head, slightly displeased. “You’re mean.‘
The girl with the ponytail pushed her shoulders, causing her to fall into the flower bed and get covered in dirt. She continued to taunt, “I’ll slap you hard if you say that again!”
Undeterred, the girl with braided hair endured the pain and defiantly looked at her tormentor. “No matter how many times I say it, you’ll still be mean. I’m not telling lies!”
“I’ll teach you a lesson!”
The girl with the ponytail gathered her friends and they started hitting the girl with braided hair together. River watched anxiously, wanting to intervene but unable to reach them no matter how hard she tried.
“Hey, Miss. We’ve arrived!” the taxi driver called, waking River from her dream.
Realizing she had reached her destination, River quickly straightened herself and retrieved money from her purse to pay the driver.
Stepping out of the car, the cold wind snapped her back to reality.
Pondering over her dream, she gently massaged her forehead. ‘Maybe it’s because of Daniella’s recent behavior that I had a dream about being bullied.‘
As she dwelled on the dream, she couldn’t help but place a hand on her lower abdomen, feeling a slight uneasiness,
For a moment, she felt a wave of concern wash over her, thinking about the possibility of her child experiencing isolation and bullying in the future.
Shaking off the distant thoughts, she focused on walking towards the villa.
As she entered the yard, she noticed there were no cars, indicating that Noah was not yet home.
Opening the door and stepping inside, River was greeted by an anxious Lily.
“Ms. Healy, where were you?”
Confused by Lily’s worried tone, River inquired, “What’s the matter?”
Lily glanced toward the door and replied, “Mr. De Marco called you many times but couldn’t reach.
you. He even smashed a few things in the living room ”
As Lily spoke, she gestured towards the scattered items strewn across the floor in the living room.
River stood there in shock, then quickly took her phone out of her bag to check it.
Realizing her phone was dead, frustration crept over her. “My phone ran out of battery.”
Worry filled Lily’s eyes. “Ms. Healy, I’ve never seen him so angry before. When he returns, don’t make him even more angry.”
River nodded, her mind filled with unease. She bypassed Lily and hurried upstairs to charge her phone.
A minute later, her phone lit up, bombarded with notifications of missed calls. There were missed.
calls from Noah, Reuben, and even her mother.
Just as River was about to return their calls, Noah’s name appeared on the screen, and her heart raced as she answered.
“River, how dare you turn off your phone!” Noah’s voice boomed angrily.
River swallowed, trying to remain calm. “My phone ran out of battery….
“Where are you now?” Noah roared angrily again.
River replied honestly, “I’m at Villa Rosa.”
He abruptly hung up, intensifying the premonition in River’s heart. She had witnessed Noah’s anger before, but this level of fury was unprecedented.
As River pondered how to handle the situation, Katie called once again.
River answered immediately, her voice filled with worry. “Mom…”
“River, where are you right now?” Katie’s voice trembled.
Anxiously, River asked, “Mom, what’s wrong? Has something happened?”
Katie explained, “A group of men in black suits stormed into the ward earlier, asking if you had been there.”
“I told them you were here, and they rushed out again. River, have you angered someone you shouldn’t have?”
“Don’t worry, Mom. I haven’t offended anyone. They’re just the security personnel my boss hired to protect me.”
“Your boss?” Katie was astonished.
River responded nonchalantly, “Dad’s creditors keep bothering me. My boss noticed and he offered to provide a few bodyguards for my protection.”
Relieved, Katic let out a sigh. “I’m glad you’re safe. Don’t turn off your phone like that again. You scared me.”
River briefly comforted her mother before ending the call. She then walked over to the window, feeling nervous as she looked down below and waited
In less than ten minutes, a black Maybach sped into the yard. Noah stepped out of the car and entered the villa, his demeanor ominous and gloomy
River closed her eyes Exhaustion consumed her as she anticipated Noah’s fury that awaited her.
Turning around, she headed towards the bedroom door with a sense of unease. As she reached for the doorknob, it suddenly swung open with a loud bang, striking her shoulder and causing a sharp pain.
Instinctively, she cradled her shoulder and gazed up at the handsome yet gloomy face. Veins bulged on his forehead, his once impeccable countenance now filled with weariness.
His gaze frightened her, causing her to instinctively take a step back. Before she could retreat to safety, he grabbed her shoulders and forcefully pressed her against the wall.