Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria)

Chapter 25

It was clear that Claudia was starting to panic hearing Victoria didn’t want

money.

After returning to the country, she noticed Alaric’s attitude toward Victoria

was elusive.

He doesn’t know about Victoria’s pregnancy now. But If he found out…

Claudia wasn’t sure what Alaric would do.

Her sixth sense was telling her that he wouldn’t let go of the marriage so

easily if he knew that Victoria was pregnant.

With Victoria still in front of her, Claudia had no choice but to force a smile.

“Victoria, are you worried about what people would think? Believe me, they

won’t even spare a thought on this. This is my own money. No one else will

Chapter 25 Camaraderie Between Husband and Wife

know about this. Also, I’m giving you the money because I care about you.

After all, you are-”

“Miss Johnson,” Victoria sighed. Thank you for your concern. My family is

bankrupt, but I have been keeping my nose to the grindstone for the past

two years. Our current situation hasn’t returned to what it used to be, but l

can support myself and…”

She came to a pause and smiled. “Money is not a problem. Also, you

helped me a lot before. I can’t take your money anymore.”

“It’s okay. I’m giving this to you of my own free will.”

“Miss Johnson, I really can’t take your money.”

She put the envelope back in Claudia’s hand and took a step back to keep

a distance from her.

Claudia seemed to realize something from the way Victoria stepped back

Chapter 25 Camaraderie Between Husband and Wife

and spoke.

She rejected my money. Wait, the way she paused…

Even though she didn’t say it, Claudia understood that Victoria was

implying that she could support both herself and the child.

Does this mean she will give birth to the child?

Just thinking of the possibility immediately drained the blood from

Claudia’s face.

Even if she had a good reputation, it was difficult for her to maintain the

smile on her lips at this moment. Her eyes were cold when she asked, “Are

you serious about this?”

Victoria looked up at her upon hearing that.

Claudia’s reaction was big, but that wouldn’t change Victoria’s decision.

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Victoria pursed her lips and nodded.

“Yes. I’m sorry. I have already decided before you came here.”

“Heh.” Claudia couldn’t help the laugh that slipped then. “Why? I don’t

understand why you’re doing this.”

Her scoffing surprised Victoria. A hint of puzzlement flashed in Victoria’s

beautiful eyes, but she soon had an understanding expression on her

face. It was only natural for Claudia to feel upset about how things had

developed.

“It probably doesn’t make sense to you, but this is my body. It is up to me

to decide.”

“You…” Not knowing what to say, Claudia could only step forward and hold

her by the shoulder. “Why don’t you think about it again, Victoria? I’m not

doubting or picking on you. It’s just that… there are consequences you

need to know if you go down this path.”

Chapter 25 Camaraderie Between Husband and Wife

“I know, and I’ve made up my mind.” Victoria fixed her gaze on Claudia. “It’s

final.”

Seeing the determination in her eyes, Claudia gradually loosened her grip

on Victoria.

At last, she limply lowered her gaze and turned around to leave the mini

garden with hurried steps. She was unlike her demure self.

Victoria glanced at the envelope that had fallen to the ground, and she let

out a mocking smile as she bent down to pick it up.

When she returned to the living room, the servant told her that Claudia

had left. Victoria had no choice but to give up on returning the envelope to

Claudia.

would never take the money.

Guess I’ll pass it to Alaric when he gets home tonight and have him return

Chapter 25 Camaraderie Between Husband and Wife

it to Claudia.

It took her no time to make her decision.

Alone in the room upstairs, she noticed how she felt much more relieved

now. It was as if she had suddenly solved a problem she had been

agonizing over for the longest time.

Her relief only began after she decided to keep her child.

She couldn’t help but reach out and rub her lower abdomen with a small

smile on her face.

I’ll have one more family member from now on.

My baby, even if you only have your mother, I will treat you well.

Victoria was packing up at night while wondering if Alaric would be home

Chapter 25 Camaraderie Between Husband and Wife

when she heard the residence’s gate open.

She went to the window and took a look, and she saw a beam of

headlights illuminating the gate. Her palm resting on the railing balled up

then.

It was Alaric’s car.

Just in time. I have to talk to him tonight, she decided before going back to

her room to continue packing.

She didn’t have many possessions because she had never enjoyed

buying things, which was why she initially thought that packing up

wouldn’t be hard.

But when it was time to sort out her things, she realized that her life and

her habits had slowly fused into every corner of the room in the past two

years.

Chapter 25 Camaraderie Between Husband and Wife

The wardrobe, bed, dresser, washstand, all kinds of trinkets on the couch

and coffee table, ornaments on the shelf…

It was a lot of effort to pack everything up.

In the end, she only packed her clothes and daily necessities.

Clack-

Victoria paused when she heard the turning of the doorknob from the

outside and the heavy footsteps that followed.

She didn’t turn to look.

She knew that Alaric had helped her many times, and she might never

fully repay him her entire life. So, no matter how angry she was, she

couldn’t give him attitude.

That didn’t stop her from feeling sorry for herself with how Alaric and

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Claudia were jointly dropping her hints.

Victoria could feel his footsteps close in on her before they suddenly

stopped.

She took a deep breath to hold her emotions in.

I have to face what is inevitable.

Alaric, on the other hand, frowned when he saw the scene before him. He

almost thought he had gone to the wrong place.

Two light–colored suitcases were placed beside the bed. One had already

been packed, whereas the other was about to be full. The closet was

open, and half of the clothes inside that belonged to Victoria were already

gone.

For a moment, he wondered if she was packing her luggage because she

was going on vacation on her annual leave.

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But when he saw the half–empty wardrobe, a frown formed on his

handsome brow.

“What are you doing?” he demanded.

Victoria, who stood with her side toward him, turned around and opened

the cabinet to take out an envelope. She then handed it to him.

Instead of taking it, he asked, “What is this?”

“Checks,” she coolly replied.

“Checks?” His eyes were locked on her. “What is the meaning of this?”

“The three 14.5 million checks you gave me and the 7 million from Miss

Johnson are in here.”

“Why didn’t you spend any of it?” This was his first reaction after hearing

that the 43.5 million he gave her was in the envelope.

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3.80%

I gave it to her a long time ago, didn’t I? Has she been keeping it all along?

No, my money isn’t the main point here. “Why is there a 7 million from

Claudia?”

Why? It should be me asking why. Why would you tell her about my

pregnancy? Even if there is no camaraderie between us as a married

couple, we are at least friends, right?

And yet, he didn’t show her even the tiniest bit of respect.

Unfortunately, she didn’t answer his question. She only indifferently

informed him, “I will stay in the guest room upstairs from tonight onward.

After Grandma has her surgery, we will sign the divorce agreement, and I

will leave.”