Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria) novel Chapter 212

Chapter 212 

“Victoria?” 

Fiona searched almost every corner of the house but couldn’t find Victorial 

anywhere. 

“Where is she?” 

In the end, Fiona had no choice but to return to the living room, where she saw. 

Alaric standing, surveying the room. She hesitantly commented, “I’m sorry, Mr. 

Cadogan. It seems like my friend isn’t home. I’m not sure if she went out.” 

She then changed the subject. “How about you take a seat first? I’ll give her a call 

and see what she’s up to.” 

“Alright.” 

Fiona thought he would decline, but to her surprise, Alaric sat down on the couch in 

a manner that suggested he had all the time in the world to wait. 

She immediately ran to the balcony to call Victoria. 

“Victoria, where are you?” 

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Chapter 212 What is He Afraid Of 

“Are you home?” Victoria, who received her call, instinctively asked in response. 

“Yeah. I just got home, but I don’t see you here.” 

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After hearing that her friend was already home, Victoria breathed a sigh of relief and 

explained, “I had something to take care of. If you’re okay, just stay at home and wait 

for me. I have something to talk to you about when I get back.” 

“Sure, and I have something to tell you too. You-” 

“Is it Fiona?” Bane’s voice suddenly came through from the other end of the line. 

“Mhm. She’s home now.” 

“That’s good.” 

Fiona initially intended to tell Victoria that Alaric was currently at their place to 

apologize to Victoria and that they should have dinner together. 

But after hearing Bane’s voice, Fiona immediately swallowed the words about to 

leave her lips. 

She wouldn’t be so ignorant as to not adapt now that she knew Victoria was with 

Bane. 

Chapter 212 What Is He Afraid Of? 

And so, she quickly changed the topic. 

“Be careful outside, both of you.” 

Victoria must have been concerned as she reminded Fiona not to wander around. 

before they finally ended the call. 

Listening to the busy tone on her phone, Fiona took a deep breath as the corners of 

her lips lifted into a smile. It seems like only Mr. Cadogan and I will be having lunch. 

together. 

With these thoughts in mind, she put away her phone and went back to find Alaric 

still sitting in the same spot, maintaining his original posture. 

As soon as she entered, his gaze fell straight on her. 

“I’m sorry, Mr. Cadogan. My friend went out to deal with something. It looks like it 

will only be you and me for lunch-” 

“Where did she go?” Alaric’s cold voice interrupted her abruptly. 

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Fiona hesitated for a moment. “I… I’m not sure. She only told me she had something 

to take care of.” 

Chapter 212 What Is He Afraid of? 

This can’t be a coincidence, right? Upset, Alaric pulled his eyebrows together. Did 

she really leave right when I got here? Did she know was coming and deliberately 

avoided me, or was it unintentional? 

Considering this, Alaric asked in a cold tone, “Did she know I was coming?” 

Fiona shook her head in confusion. “Nope. I was planning to tell her when she got 

here.” 

Since Victoria doesn’t know, it’s probably a misunderstanding. 

Seeing him fall silent, Fiona asked, “Is something the matter, Mr. Cadogan?” 

Alaric sneered upon hearing her question. “Nothing. I was just in a hurry to see her.” 

Those words caused a slight change in Fiona’s expression and gaze. 

“Mr. Cadogan, you…” 

Alaric raised an eyebrow. “What? Is there a problem with wanting to apologize as 

soon as possible?” 

“No problem! Of course not,” she replied. 

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Chapter 212 What Is He Afraid of? 

That subtle hint of emotion vanished. 

Mr. Cadogan sure is nice. As expected of the man I have my eyes on. 

And so, Fiona became even more determined to win his heart. 

After ending the call, Victoria put her phone back into her pocket. Nicole, who was 

beside her, immediately took advantage of the opportunity to climb onto her lap. 

“Mommy, huggie!” 

Before Victoria could react, Nicole was suddenly scooped up by a sturdy hand. Bane 

had lifted her onto his lap. 

Although Nicole didn’t end up in her mother’s embrace as she had wished, she didn’t 

mind Bane’s familiar embrace. She even snuggled into his arms as she asked in her 

incredibly tender voice, “Mr. Bane, can I sleep in your arms?” 

Bane reached out and lightly tapped the girl’s small and delicate nose. 

“Go ahead. When have lever refused you?” 

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Chapter 212 What is He Afraid Of? 

“Thank you, Mr. Bane.” 

Something seemed to come to Bane’s mind when he turned his head and looked at 

Nathan sitting beside him. 

“Want to come over too, Nathan?” 

Nathan sat there, looking somewhat reserved because he didn’t smile or whine like 

a cute child would. 

In response to Bane’s invitation, Nathan politely thanked him before declining. 

“Thank you, Mr. Bane, but it’s not necessary.” 

Bane lamented, “You are always so distant from me, Nathan.” 

Before Nathan could think of an answer himself, Victoria spoke up on his behalf. 

“You know that he’s more introverted. 

“Also, you already have Nicole clinging to you. Is that not enough?” 

Having one clingy child was already exhausting as it was. 

To her surprise, Bane smiled upon hearing her words. “Definitely not. After all, you 

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Chapter 212 What Is He Afraid of? 

know that I hope all three of you will stick to me.” 

While Victoria didn’t say anything, Nathan, who sat beside them, glanced at hist 

mother. 

He then heard her say, “Only children cling to people.” 

“Mhm. You can act like a child in front of me.” 

Fine! I understand now, Victoria thought. 

Bane hasn’t been able to control himself from talking more from the moment he 

returned to the country. Just what is he afraid of? Does he think that I will turn back. 

now when it has been five years since then? 

With these thoughts in mind, Victoria somewhat helplessly glanced at Bane. 

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She had initially wanted to ask the man if it was really necessary for him to speak to 

her like this. 

But thinking about how the two children were present, Victoria had to hold back her 

words and ultimately said nothing. 

Bane seemed to understand what she was thinking, and he changed to a different 

Chapter 212 What Is He Afraid Of? 

topic instead of continuing with what they were talking about. 

“So, you are planning to live with Fiona over there?” 

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“Yeap. She has been renting it for quite a long time. I’ll probably be staying there.” 

“Will you still live there if the company is going to be located somewhere far away?” 

Victoria became somewhat conflicted upon hearing this. 

Indeed, her company’s location was quite far from Fiona’s place. 

Previously, Fiona only knew that Victoria was going to start a company without 

knowing the specific location. Victoria also hadn’t expected Fiona to rent a house 

for her. 

“The beginning stage of starting a company is going to be hectic. Commuting will 

be troublesome if it’s too far away.” 

“Right. I know.” Victoria nodded. 

However, since her busy schedule hadn’t started yet, she would figure out how to 

handle the issue only after she got into it. 

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Sane only passed her a set of keys. “Take this.” 

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When Victoria didn’t take it, he added, “I prepared this from way back. It’s close to 

the location where you’re going to open the company, and someone will clean up 

the place regularly. You can stay there if you end up working late.” 

Seeing that Victoria still didn’t take the keys, Bane simply handed them to Nicole. 

“Nicole, if you don’t want your Mommy to be tired, will you accept this set of keys 

from me on her behalf?” 

Chapter 213 Rely on Me More