Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria)

Chapter 3

When Victoria woke up the following morning, she discovered she had

caught a cold. So, she reached into her drawer for some fever medicine

and poured a glass of warm water.

The instant she popped the pill into her mouth, a realization dawned on

her, causing her eyes to widen and her face to pale. So, she swiftly dashed

into the bathroom to spit it out. Then, she leaned over the sink, repeatedly

spitting and rinsing her mouth to get every last remnant of the dissolved

pill out of her mouth.

“What happens? Why did you rush in here? Are you sick?”

When Alaric’s distinct voice rang out from the doorway, Victoria looked up,

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Meanwhile, he had a frown on his face as he stared at her.

Once she caught his gaze, she quickly averted it, and after a moment of

silence, she replied, “It’s nothing. I merely took the wrong pill.”

She then wiped away the drops of water on her lips and exited the

bathroom.

However, Alaric watched Victoria walk out with a contemplative look. She’s

been acting strangely since she returned home yesterday.

After breakfast, the couple left the house together.

Seeing her face ashen, he asked, “Do you want to ride in my car with me?”

After a walk in the rain the day before, Victoria woke up that morning

feeling a little under the weather. However, before she could nod, his

phone rang.

Hence, Alaric glanced down at it to see that it was a call from Claudia. He

wanted to go back inside to answer the phone, but when he raised his

head, he saw that Victoria had already left.

Although married, they did not share the same interests; thorofore, she

did not routinely listen to his phone calls. That was their way of life for the

past two years,

Nevertheless, her swift escape made his heart clench in agony that day.

Soon, the pain faded quickly when he answered the phone call.

Meanwhile, Victoria stood a few feet away and observed Alaric. From the

look on his face, she knew who the caller was. His face was so gentle and

soft; it was a side of him she had never seen before.

So, she took a deep breath and suppressed the envy swelling in her. Then,

she walked toward the garage while pulling out her phone.

Five minutes later, he hung up the phone and turned to find nobody

standing beside him. Then, he quickly glanced in different directions but

could not find her.

At that moment, his phone buzzed with a new message. ‘I urgently need to

get to the office, so I left first.‘ As Alaric stared at the text message, his face

darkened.

Meanwhile, Victoria forced herself to push past her discomfort and head

into the office. The moment she sat down at her desk, she was sprawling

out over the table.

My head hurts so bad!

Nonetheless, she knew she could not take pain medication, even if she

wanted to, because she was pregnant.

Sometimes, she did not know what she was thinking, especially

Chapter 3 Took the Wrong Pill

considering that her marriage to Alaric was fictitious. Even if she were

pregnant, Griselda would be the only person genuinely happy for her. In

addition, Victoria knew that no one else, including him, would be happy

about the birth of her child.

She had hoped that by telling him she was pregnant, he would accept the

child and strengthen their marriage until yesterday. Nonetheless, when

she learned that Claudia had returned, she realized he still felt the same

way about Claudia as he had back then. If Alaric knew, his first instinct

upon hearing the news would be to advise an abortion, fearing for the

future of his marriage to Claudia. Nevertheless, a voice inside her head

told her to abort the baby immediately, or she would be left with nothing

but shame.

“Miss Victoria,” The sweet voice of a woman calling out from nearby

snapped her out of her thoughts. She looked up to see that it was Yasmin

Labauve, her assistant.

Then, Victoria sat up straight and plastered on a perfect smile. “Good

morning. You’re here.”

On the other hand, Yasmin did not return her smile but looked at her with

a concerned expression. “Victoria, you don’t look so good. Are you sick?”

Victoria was startled by the question, but she soon shook her head in

response. “I’m fine. I didn’t sleep well last night. That’s all.”

“Really?” Yasmin did not look like she believed her. “You look really pale,

though. Are you really okay? You should probably take the day off and see

a doctor.”

“I’m fine,” Victoria replied. “Are you done with yesterday’s work?”

However, Yasmin was helpless against the constant redirection back to

work. Ultimately, she handed over her pre–sorted documents from her

desk and poured Victoria warm water.

“Since you refuse to go to the doctor’s, drink this to keep yourself warm.”

Chapters Took the “hong Pill

Victoria hired Yasmin, and while she was a dedicated employee, the two

of them rarely interacted outside of work.

However, she was surprised by Yasmin’s concern for her. Then, as she took

a few sips of the water, it warmed her heart. She had been feeling cold

earlier, but after some warm water, she felt much better.

Still, Yasmin was anxiously staring at her. “Miss Victoria, why don’t I hand in

the report today while you rest here?”

“It’s fine,” Victoria said, shaking her head. “I can do it.”

It’s only a mild fever, and I’m not that pampered. If I take time off and

delegate my duties whenever I am sick, I will eventually become

complacent. What will I do if I get sick in the future without anyone to help

me?

Soon, Victoria sorted through her documents and walked toward Alaric’s

office.

Her office was located relatively far from his. While it was usually fine, the

walk felt tiring that day, likely because she was sick.

Knock! Knock!

“Enter.”

She waited to hear his cold, deep voice before pushing the door open.

As Victoria stepped through the door, she saw another figure inside. It was

Claudia, wearing a white dress that highlighted her slender waist. She

looked like an angel, her supple hair falling to her waist with the sunlight

streaming through the ceiling–to–floor window shining on her.

Meanwhile, Victoria went stiff when she realized who the other person

was.

“Oh, Victoria, Claudia greeted. Following that, she walked up to Victoria

with a broad grin. Before Victoria could even react, Claudia was

embracing her.

Suddenly, Victoria’s body became even more rigid as she locked eyes with

Alaric over Claudia’s shoulder.

He was leaning against his desk, staring intently at her with his dark eyes,

but it was hard to tell what was happening in his mind.

When Victoria regained her composure, Claudia had already stepped

away from her.

I heard all about your situation from Alaric. You’ve had it hard.” There was

a look of distress on Claudia’s face. “You must tell me if you need any

help.

Chapter 3 Took the Wrong Pill

Victoria was surprised to hear that. Alaric had told Claudia everything?

However, she soon realized why that had been done. Everyone knew

about her marriage to him, so there was no way they could keep it from

Claudia.

Since it could not be a secret, he must explain himself clearly. Moreover,

she owed Claudia.

Then, Victoria shoved aside the bitterness she felt and spread her lips in a

smile. “Thank you. When did you get back?”

“I flew in yesterday,” Claudia replied.

Yesterday? That means Alaric went to see her as soon as she returned.

Inevitably, Claudia is the one he cherishes the most in his life.

“Why do you look so pale?” Claudia suddenly asked. “Are you sick?”

Hearing that, Alaric, languidly leaning against his desk, suddenly turned to

stare at Victoria. A frown formed on his brow as he scanned her up and

down.

“Is it because you got wet walking home in the rain last night?”

“Walking in the rain?” Claudia looked confused.

Victoria sighed and was about to explain when Alaric coldly snapped,

“Why are you forcing yourself if you don’t fool woll? The company doesn’t

desperately need you. Go home and rost.”

When Claudia heard that, she instinctively turned to glance at him. Why is

he suddenly agitated?