Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria) novel Chapter 55

Chapter 55 

Even though there weren’t many people in the queue, the pair still had to 

wait for their turn. 

Victoria was extremely tired due to lack of sleep last night, so she found 

herself a place to sit. 

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Alaric followed her with a gloomy expression on his face. He didn’t sit down 

next to her after he approached her. 

At this point, she was surprisingly calm. 

She raised her head to cast a glance at him before asking, “Why don’t you 

take a seat?” 

“There’s no need for that,” he replied in a flat tone that betrayed no 

emotion. He did not even spare her a glance. 

Victoria understood what was going on. He wants nothing to do with me. 

That’s right. Once we divorce, he can get together with Claudia, so what’s 

the point of giving me attention? 

Fortunately, Victoria never got her hopes up about staying friends with 

Alaric after they divorced. 

At first, their lack of interaction didn’t bother them. However, as the pair 

waited longer, whispers began to reach them from their surroundings. 

“Look at them. They must be here to divorce.” 

“Divorce? Are you sure? The both of them look like the perfect match and 

yet, they still end up getting divorced?” 

“I don’t understand. Do they think they could find someone with a prettier 

face than their ex–partners? What’s the point of divorcing? I feel bad to 

see them separate.” 

Chapter 55 Is It Guilt? 

It was human nature to learn about something they didn’t understand, 

especially from somebody who was that eye–catching. 

Taking Alaric and Victoria as an example, their appearance simply gave 

the crowd the impression of high compatibility, so it was even more worth 

discussing. 

The whispers reached Victoria from all directions. 

If she could hear them, Alaric, who was standing next to her, would have 

no problem hearing them too. However, he kept a distant look on his face 

all the time and didn’t visibly react to the words. 

“By the way, they look so young. Do you think they have children?” 

Victoria’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of children. 

And she had to refrain from rolling her eyes after she calmed down. How 

did the topic sidetrack all its way to the discussion about children? 

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Chapter 55 Is It Guilt? 

“They have such good genes. It would be a shame if they didn’t have any 

children.” 

Upon hearing the innocent comment, Victoria involuntarily stole a glance 

at Alaric. 

As expected, his expression darkened. 

Ever since she got the message and the implication to take a year’s leave 

from him last time, he never asked her about this matter. 

She thought that Claudia must have approached him and dealt with it on 

their own, so he didn’t ask her about it. 

After all, he hinted at her getting an abortion so knowing him, he wouldn’t 

confront her about it. 

Little did he know, Victoria didn’t get an abortion. 

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Chapter 55 Is It Guilt? 

Please just drop it, she pleaded. 

However, the crowd was immersed in their non–stop gossip. They didn’t 

even mind the subject’s feelings as their conversation turned into a 

heated discussion. 

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“They must have children. If I were them, I would like to have more children 

since I have such good genes. Therefore, even if I get a divorce one day, 

my children’s pretty faces can heal my wounds. Don’t you think it’s a big 

accomplishment?” 

“I second that. Or else, I won’t get anything in the end after the divorce. 

Besides, time changes everything. Even a pretty woman will end up being 

an old lady. However, as long as my children’s pretty faces are shown, 

they can prove that I was also that good–looking in the past, don’t you 

think so?” 

Children had now become the subject of their discussion. 

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Chapter 55 Is It Guilt? 

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Victoria almost passed out at that. Just when she reached her limit and 

readied to get up and leave, Alaric asked in a low voice, “Are you hungry?” 

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“What?” Thinking that she was hearing things, she raised her head and 

looked in his direction, surprise on her face. 

Even though the man looked as expressionless as ever, she could 

somewhat tell that his expression had softened. 

“Do you want to eat something?” 

She answered involuntarily, “Are you talking to me?” 

Alaric frowned in annoyance at her words. He continued coldly, “Who else 

do you think I’m talking to?” 

“Oh! No, thanks. I’m not hungry.” She shook her head, declining his 

suggestion. 

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Chapter 55 Is It Guilt? 

After that, she looked down at the ground as thoughts ran through her 

mind. What’s with the sudden change of attitude? 

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It was clear that he was in a bad mood when they first got here. However, 

after listening to the people’s gossip, he seemed less edgy than before 

and even expressed concern about her. 

Is it because he’s feeling guilty after asking me to get an abortion? 

“But you skipped breakfast.” He persisted on the matter, to which she 

nodded on autopilot. 

“But I’m not hungry.” 

Truth was, she didn’t have the appetite. 

“Are you sure you won’t get hungry later? We don’t have time to stop for 

Chapter 55 Is It Guilt? 

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Now that he finally made it clear, Victoria immediately took the hint. She 

nodded. “All right. Let’s go for breakfast then, shall we?” 

“Wait here. I’ll get it for you.” 

After that, Alaric left the building. 

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When he was standing outside, he didn’t immediately leave to buy 

breakfast. Instead, he leaned against the wall and lit a cigarette. He felt a 

little fresher as the morning breeze brushed past him. 

Putting all his weight against the wall, Alaric looked down at the ground. 

His lashes covered his eyes, effectively hiding all the emotions within his 

gaze. 

His morning began with Victoria getting on his nerves, and he was barely 

holding back from holding her by her throat and confronting her for her 

heartlessness. But at last, he changed his mind by prompting her to eat 

breakfast. 

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Chapter 55 Is It Guilt? 

What’s wrong with my head? 

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Victoria would never expect the gossipèrs to surround her right after Alaric 

left. The group took the empty seats around her as if they were friends. 

“Hey, pretty lady. Is the man who left just now your husband or your 

boyfriend?” 

“What are you guys here for? Getting married or getting a divorce?” 

“I’m curious. Do you have any children?” 

Victoria was overwhelmed by their questions. 

Don’t you think your questions contradict each other?