Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria) novel Chapter 238

Chapter 238
The following day, Alaric received Norwood’s call after waking up. “Terrance called
and told me you hadn’t eaten since last night.”
Since Alaric had only slept for a few hours, he was not in a good mood, and the
cruel words Victoria said to him yesterday rendered his mood even worse. “What do
you want?”
Norwood clucked his tongue. “We’re friends. Can’t I call to check up on you?”
“No, thank you.” After that, Alaric was ready to hang up.
“Wait.” Norwood, who sensed Alaric’s intention, quickly stopped him. “I have
something to tell you.”
Alaric still had a little patience when it came to his friend. “Speak.”
“Did you upset Claudia again?”
There was a trace of mockery in Alaric’s eyes when he heard that. “What’s the
matter? Did she rant to you?”
“No, not me. It’s West. He’s heartbroken for her and made me talk to you.”
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After a moment’s silence, Alaric threatened, “Norwood, if you’re too bored and need
something to do-”
“Stop. Stop.” Norwood quickly cut him off. “I’m never bored, so don’t make me do
anything. I called to ask about your thoughts.” He paused before continuing, “Also,
don’t you think you’ve been staying in Jasea for too long? Is it because of work, or…”
Alaric initially did not want to tell him anything, but remembering Victoria’s attitude.
yesterday, he was silent for a long time before confessing, “She’s back.”
Norwood reflexively asked, “Who?” With the lack of response, his tone was laced
with shock. “Don’t tell me…
He dared not utter her name because he was afraid to poke his sore spot. However,
Alaric’s silence confirmed Norwood’s assumption that she had returned. The two
did not hang up and stayed silent just like that.
In the end, Norwood piped up, “What’s next? What are you going to do?”
What should I do? Alaric lowered his gaze and answered, “I don’t know.”
Silent, Norwood became anxious. “It’s been five years. Haven’t you figured that out?
How can you not know what you want?”
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Chapter 238 Serious Considerations
Hearing that, Alaric leaned back and closed his eyes. How could he not know what
he wanted? He knew very well… For five years, his mind and body missed her every
moment of the day and night.
“But I have to remind you. It’s been five years. Since she was so determined to leave
you back then, chances are she might’ve already married someone and had
children.”
“Shut up.”
“I know you can’t stand listening to that, but can you deem it impossible? It’s been
five years, not five months.”
After listening to that, Alaric gnashed his teeth. “Haven’t I also waited five.
her?”
years
for
“You did, but she isn’t obligated to reciprocate that. Don’t forget. You’ve previously
waited for another woman.”
wwwwwwww
That rebuke rendered Alaric speechless. When he recalled the day he met Victoria,
he noticed she had gotten more beautiful but looked pure yet seductive whenever
she wore her hair down. It was not an appearance an ordinary woman would have.
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Five years was enough to change many things. Perhaps I should hire someone to
get a gist of her life.
Yet, Norwood soon interrupted his thoughts. “Are you thinking of hiring someone to
investigate whether she’s married? I’d suggest you not do so. You hurt her five
ago. Are you gonna do it again now?”
years
Alaric fell silent after that. “So, what do you think I should do?”
Despite knowing each other for many years, this was the first time Norwood heard a
hint of bewilderment in Alaric’s voice. He seemed to be sincere in asking for his
opinion.
Norwood sighed. “Can’t you resort to other methods to learn more about her?”
“I understand.”
After the call ended, Alaric fell into deep thought. Other methods? I can give that a
try.
Bane drove Victoria to work today, and of course, he brought the children to school
on their way. While heading to her company, she looked outside the window,
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seemingly immersed in her thoughts.
Bane knew what she was thinking about because she had been absent-minded
since she returned last night. “What’s the matter?” Even so, he turned off the car’s
radio and showed concern.
As he expected, Victoria did not hear his question and finally returned to her senses
after he asked again. “What? N-Nothing. I was just thinking about company
matters.”
He replied, “Your company? How is it? I’ve been swamped lately and haven’t gotten
the chance to ask you. Do you need my help with anything?”
“No, it’s okay.” She shook her head. “I can handle it.”
“If there’s anything you need help with, don’t keep it to yourself. By the way, what
have you been busy with lately?”
“Not much. I just need to find a company to back me up so that it would be easier to
recruit employees.” She was not thinking about that, but since Bane asked, she
remembered some matters at the company and took the initiative to tell him.
“You need a company to back you up?” She did not expect he would chuckle after
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hearing that. “It’s right in front of you.”
Immediately, Victoria turned pale and explained, “That’s not what I mean. I didn’t say
all this just to get your company to-”
“But what to do?” Bane pushed his glasses and joked, “I returned here and started
that company for you. Whom would you find to back you up if not me?”
She tried to reason with him, “But you said-”
“I was afraid you might feel pressured after discovering the truth and run away. But
now that you’re willing to think about our relationship, this can be considered a
condition. How about that? Don’t you think it’s a good idea?”
Victoria said nothing and bit her lower lip. She had always thought Bane was.
decent, but… he had been insistent with her lately. A long while later, she asked, “Is it
because of him?”
He released a long sigh. “He is a part of the reason, but it’s also because I don’t want
to wait anymore. I adore you and the children and want to be with you guys forever.
So, have you come to a decision?”
“…” She looked at him and moved her lips. “You’re very kind to me, and if you’re
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Chapter 238 Serious Considerations
willing-”
Buzz!
The phone in her pocket suddenly vibrated, cutting off her words, so she stopped
talking and took out her phone. Meanwhile, Bane frowned as he had a bad feeling
about this.
“Mr. Poole?” Victoria never expected to receive a call from Henry on her way to
work. “What’s the matter?” She was so focused on the call that she did not notice
Bane had relaxed his breathing and was eavesdropping on her conversation.
“What?” The shocked lady pressed on. “Who is it?”
Seconds later, she fell into silence again, followed by her gloomy mood. It took her a
while before saying, “I understand. I’m on my way.”
After hanging up, she leaned against the car seat and said nothing.
Bane pursed his lips. “What happened?”
“Mr. Poole just called and told me someone invested in my company.