Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria) novel Chapter 162

Chapter 162
“No, that’s not it.” Claudia held Elaine’s hand, acting like they were best
friends. “How can I possibly do that to you? I’ve been meaning to help after
finding out what happened to you, but Alaric has been ignoring me all this
while, so I was upset and couldn’t spare the energy to think about anything
else.”
Elaine caught the key point at once. “Has Alaric been ignoring you?”
No, that can’t be right! Is Alaric ignoring her? Isn’t she his savior, though?
Out of all the people in the world, he shouldn’t ignore Claudia even if he
ignores everyone, no?
“Yes. He hardly pays attention to me now. I’m even beginning to worry that
he doesn’t want me anymore.”
Just when I thought I could use Victoria’s pregnancy to control her… Elaine
turned grim at once. If Alaric starts ignoring Claudia or abandons her
entirely, my leverage will not be of much use anymore. No, this can’t
happen! I barely got a hold of this woman and obtained 150 thousand from
her!
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“Don’t tell me they’re still married.”
“I don’t know what’s exactly going on between them either,” Claudia said,
shaking her head. “I can’t even reach him.”
“Has it never occurred to you to visit his house?” Elaine suddenly
suggested. “Now that it has come to this, are you going to wait until Victoria
becomes the real Mrs. Cadogan before you start regretting and going to
Alaric?”
“I…” Claudia froze. It had crossed her mind to go to Alaric herself, but she
was worried it would anger him.
“I’ve tried visiting him at his office, but he doesn’t want to see me now, and
he’s also often not there.”
“But he’ll eventually show up, won’t he? If I were you, I’d wait there all day.”
Claudia said nothing in response, and Elaine sneered. “What are you
thinking? You’re his savior. No matter what, he won’t do anything to you.”
Having heard Elaine’s remarks, Claudia seemed to gain more confidence.
Most importantly, things needed to be broken down to be rebuilt.
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Indeed, it had been a long while since she last saw Alaric, so after mulling
over it for some time, she gritted her teeth and said, “I get it now, Elaine. I’ll
go to the company right away. Thank you for reminding me.”
Elaine, however, waved her phone in front of her. “Don’t mention it.
Remember to transfer the remaining 150 thousand to my account. Also,
regarding my family’s issue…”
You wretched b*tch! Claudia cursed Elaine repeatedly in her head but
showed none of it on the surface. Once I become Mrs. Cadogan, several
hundreds of thousands will be peanuts!
“Don’t worry, Elaine. You’ll have your remaining 150 thousand.”
It’s only a few hundred thousand. Once I’ve completely captured Alaric’s
heart, I will personally have you sentenced to jail under extortion! One day,
Sutcliffe, one day…
Summer greeted Victoria the moment she returned to the rental. “Well,
you’re quick.”
At that, Summer’s eyes widened with incredulity, for she found Victoria
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40
carrying only a small bag in her hand. “Please don’t tell me this is your only
luggage.”
“This is it.” Victoria smiled.
“What about the rest of your stuff? Your clothes, your bags over the years?
Don’t you want them anymore?!”
“Material possessions serve no purpose in the end, no? Besides, I’m leaving
anyway, and most things aren’t mine.”
Many of them were gifts from Alaric after the two married.
Speaking of which, Alaric enjoyed buying things for her, especially delicate
trinkets and small items.
He would always bring her something from his business trips, travels
abroad, or anything that caught his fancy in an auction.
Later, they even set up a space in the house that belonged solely to Victoria,
which was dedicated to storing whatever Alaric gave her.
Over time, it became filled with items, but she didn’t take anything with her
this time. She even left the wedding ring in their bedroom.
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She didn’t have any money back when her family went bankrupt.
Everything she owned was paid for by Alaric, so it was only natural that she
took nothing when she left.
“Come on, don’t say that. They still cost money even if they’re material
possessions!” Summer expressed her regret, giving Victoria a moment of
epiphany. “You think so?” she mused. “Looks like I should’ve taken a couple
of valuable things with me. If anything, I can exchange them for money
later.”
“You know what? Forget it.” Summer changed her mind at once. “It’s
normal that you’d discard old belongings and start a new life when you’re
leaving soon. You… I was just feeling a bit sorry, and here you are, joking
with me.”
At that, Victoria shrugged. “You said it yourself-I’m going to start a new life.
How can I not be in the mood to joke?”
“Still…” Summer could still remember how her best friend bawled like
there was no tomorrow like the day before, so she softened her voice.
“We’re best friends. You don’t have to act tough in front of me. If you want to
cry, just do it.”
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Victoria’s smile faded in response. “I’m not as fragile as you think, Summer.
Yesterday’s sadness is already in the past. Life goes on, and we need to look
forward. Besides, I have a baby to take care of in the future. What time do I
have to be mournful?”
Summer wanted to press on, but seeing that Victoria was acting tough for
once, she knew she shouldn’t poke at her wounds anymore.
Even if she pretends to be optimistic now, she will eventually be genuinely
happy over time, right? Summer mused and smiled in response. “Damn
right, Miss Philosopher! I should learn from you.”
With that, the two embraced each other with smiles.
After entering the room, Victoria transferred the old items she had brought
into her bag.
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“Are we going to live together from now on?” Summer asked while watching
her move the things. Before Victoria could say anything, she continued, “I’ll
definitely need to find a bigger place. The neighbors here aren’t noisy, but
it’s an old district with no great safety conditions. I checked out a few
houses in the new district when you went out this morning, and I thought
they looked pretty decent. By then-”
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“Summer.” Victoria stopped whatever she was doing and gazed at Summer.
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
“I don’t plan on renting a house.”
Her words stunned Summer, and as though something struck the young
woman, she hurriedly said, “Don’t worry, Victoria. I know you need money
to raise your child, so you don’t have to pay rent. I was planning to save
some money and move to a better place anyway. Just consider it as leeching
off your bestie.”
“That’s not what I mean. I would love to live with you, but… I’ll probably
leave in the next couple of days.”
“Leave?” Summer’s eyelashes trembled. “Where to?”
“Abroad, I think.” Though Victoria still didn’t know where to settle down
just yet, her father was abroad. As such, she certainly had to go to him first.
“Have you forgotten what I promised Claudia?”