Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria) novel Chapter 107

Chapter 107 

West walked away in a huff, leaving his two friends at the bar. 

Norwood glanced at Alaric who seemed lost in his own thoughts, and he 

decided to hold off on what he wanted to say. 

After a moment, Alaric asked him in a serious tone, “What do you mean by 

what you just said?” 

Norwood smiled. “You already know the answer, don’t you?” 

Alaric raised his gaze and cast a somber look toward Norwood upon 

hearing that. “I’m not sure what you’re referring to.” 

“Alaric, do you recall the last time I asked you the same question here? Have 

you still not figured out what it is that you truly want even after all these 

years?” Norwood asked. 

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Chapter 107 It Had Been a Long Time Since He Last 

Alaric was taken aback when his friend said that. So, Norwood asked me 

about it before… That explains why it sounded so familiar when Grandma 

brought it up earlier. 

However, he didn’t pay much attention or take it seriously when Norwood 

previously mentioned it. 

Seeing Alaric remain silent, Norwood let out a soft sigh. “You grew up with 

her and have witnessed all her joys and sorrows. You know her in every 

way possible. If I’m not mistaken, you immediately came back when you 

learned that the Selwyn Family went bankrupt. Am I right?” 

“Yes,” Alaric admitted. He couldn’t deny it. 

He didn’t know about the bankruptcy at first, but as soon as he received the 

news, he dropped everything and hurried back. 

Norwood chuckled lightly when he recalled the incident. “I heard you were 

-in the middle of negotiating a big deal at the time. Didn’t you think that it 

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Chapter 107 It Had Been a Long Time Since He Last 

wouldn’t be too late even if you only came back a few days later after 

sealing the deal? Why did you abandon all your work and rush back right 

away?” 

“Of course, it’s because-” 

Alaric almost said something, but he hesitated right when his words were 

on the tip of his tongue. 

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“It’s because you were worried about her, right?” Norwood went ahead and 

finished the sentence for him. 

It was true that Alaric was worried. He only had one thing going through his 

mind upon hearing the news. 

“You gave up a deal worth millions for her. Have you never seriously 

considered what your relationship with her is? What you did isn’t 

something childhood friends would usually do for one another, Alaric.” 

Chapter 107 H Had Been a Long Time Since He Last 

Norwood’s voice was soft, but it sounded deafening to Alaric. His friend’s 

voice seemed to be amplified countless times at this very moment. 

Have I seriously considered my relationship with Victoria? Alaric thought. 

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“It is not hard to see through your heart,” Norwood continued before Alaric 

could respond. “But if you find it hard to decide, why not let her go? Don’t 

hold her back. You can free yourself from the burden as well.” 

After saying that, Norwood patted Alaric’s shoulder. “You can’t have the 

best of both worlds. That’s life.” 

It was late at night when Victoria changed into the pajamas she recently 

bought. The plush fabric was soft and lightweight, and the warmth it 

absorbed from the sun made it particularly comfortable to wear. 

She had bawled her eyes out before she slept, and she even sniffled when 

she had fallen asleep. 

By the time she was peacefully asleep, Alaric stood tall and graceful by the 

bed. Victoria looked quieter and more lovable in her sleep, her features 

illuminated by the warm yellow lamp in the room. 

Their relationship could be said to have deteriorated to the extreme during 

this period. 

Although they politely talked on the surface, Victoria’s attitude and gaze 

toward Alaric were constantly punishing and tormenting him emotionally. 

It was only after Victoria had fallen asleep that he realized that they had not 

grown distant. Their relationship was still the same as before. 

“You have the answer, don’t you?” Norwood’s words tonight echoed in 

Alaric’s mind once again. 

Suddenly, Victoria’s calm expression was replaced by a frown. 

Is she having a nightmare? 

Alaric crouched beside the bed and instinctively placed his palm on her 

forehead, wanting to smooth out the frown. He completely forgot that his 

hands were icy cold after he had spent the whole night drinking at the bar. 

As soon as his fingertips touched Victoria’s forehead, she shuddered and 

woke up abruptly at the cold sensation. Their eyes met unexpectedly right 

then. 

Victoria’s eyes were still blurry from her sleep. Under the bedroom light, 

her clear gaze held a hint of warmth that stirred Alaric. 

His icy fingertips were still on her forehead. 

Victoria only came back to her senses and realized what was going on after 

a while. She quickly moved away from the man’s touch and sat up, her eyes 

wary as she peered at him. 

” 

“What are you doing?” 

Seeing her acting all cautious made him frown unhappily. “What can I do 

when you are being so defensive toward me?” 

At that, Victoria realized that her reaction might seem a bit excessive. 

She could only turn her head to the other side and avoid his gaze. “I’m not 

being defensive,” she grumbled. 

Even if they were not husband and wife, they did grow up together. She 

doubted he would have any malicious intentions toward her. 

In the next moment, Alaric held Victoria’s chin with his cold hand, forcing 

her to turn in his direction. 

“Why can’t you look at me, then?” he demanded. His gaze was hostile. 

As he spoke, he drew closer to her, enveloping her in his chilling aura. 

Despite Victoria’s attempts to break free, she couldn 

50. 50. 

prop her hands on both sides of her body while looking up at him. 

At this point, Alaric was close enough that he could smell the faint 

fragrance from her body. 

Her scent stirred something in him, and it made him gulp involuntarily as 

desire flickered in his eyes.