Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria)

Chapter 39

On that day, Alaric finished his breakfast while looking displeased.

The maids couldn’t see his face because he had his back toward them.

They merely assumed the two had made up based on their intimate

interactions.

In the following days, Victoria didn’t have to enter the company as she

requested annual leave. She took the time to accompany Griselda every

day in the nursing home.

Griselda’s mood was obviously elevated after a few days,

Simultaneously, Victoria felt calm and reassured over this short period.

Things seemed to go according to her plan. Before she knew it, three to

four days passed in the blink of an eye.

Chapter 39 Claudia’s True Colors

Sometimes, when she was left alone, she would caress her belly.

To be frank, her mentality had undergone changes.

When Victoria first found out that she was pregnant, she was still quite

confused about what to do with the child, but as time passed, she

gradually felt connected to the child in her belly as if they shared the

same body and heart. Thus, her love for the child grew.

Many times, she would even tell the baby secrets that she couldn’t tell

others.

This further brought Victoria closer to her child.

At first, things were going as expected.

Victoria thought she could accompany Griselda peacefully until the day of

her operation, but as soon as her annual leave was used up and she was

about to return to the company for work, Claudia called her once again

Chapter 39 Claudia’s True Colors

and asked to meet her.

Since the previous incident, she had been hesitant to meet Claudia

because she knew what the latter was up to.

At that thought, she rejected Claudia without hesitation.

“Miss Johnson, I understand why you’d like to see me, but I’ve made my

decision. I’m not going to change my mind no matter what, so we don’t

need to meet again.”

Perhaps she had spoken too bluntly as Claudia went silent for a second

before asking, “Are you sure nothing can change your mind?”

“Yes.”

“Victoria.” Claudia’s voice suddenly softened. “I remember that you owe

me a favor, don’t you?”

Chapter 39 Claudia’s True Colors

Victoria’s gaze instantly turned cold in response.

Claudia continued, “What if I ask you to do me a favor now? Will you still

reject me?”

Victoria bit her lower lip hard, her lashes trembling.

“You don’t need to answer me in a hurry. Perhaps, we can meet up first.” All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.

After hanging up the phone, Victoria stood on the spot as her mind went

blank.

It was not that she didn’t think about repaying Claudia her favor, but she

intended to do it in another way.

As long as she needed help, Victoria was even willing to sacrifice her life

for her. However, she never thought Claudia would use that as a condition

during this time.

Chapter 39 Claudia’s True Colors

$378%u

At a quiet cafe on Rodeo Street, Victoria noticed the ‘closed‘ sign in front of

the door of the cafe as she was about to enter.

Just then, her phone rang.

“Victoria, push the door and come in. My friend owns this cafe. They aren’t

open for business yet.”

Victoria hung up the phone blankly before pushing open the door.

As soon as she entered, she noticed Claudia waiting for her in the corner.

Claudia waved at her to indicate her seat.

Victoria walked over with steady steps and stopped in front of Claudia.

There was a man with a scar sitting next to Claudia. The man looked

Chapter 39 Claudia’s True Colors

fierce, but when he saw her coming, he stood up straight away and spoke

in a gentle voice.

“Hello, beautiful. You must be Claudia’s friend. Would you like to have a

drink?”

The man looked at Victoria with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Without much thought, Victoria replied, “No, thanks.”

The man was taken aback by her refusal, but Claudia chimed in, “Carlo,

give her a cup of warm milk.”

Carlo Jabba nodded neatly. “Sure. I’ll get it and leave you guys to do the

talking.”

Before leaving, Carlo couldn’t help taking another glance at Victoria.

Claudia caught all his subtle actions, and once he left, she smiled at

Chapter 39 Claudia’s True Colors

Victoria. “Come over and take a seat.”

Victoria glanced at her and took the seat opposite her.

Claudia judged her outfit as she uttered softly, “Carlo is a friend I met

abroad. He’s an open–minded and honest guy. After returning to the

country, he opened this cafe. Even though he isn’t very ambitious, he

earns enough to get by. He’s into serious relationships and treats his

girlfriend gently.”

She then paused for a while before saying tentatively, “If you have

nowhere to go after divorcing Al, you can consider him.”

Victoria was speechless as she heard that.

She suddenly raised her head and blurted, “Miss Johnson, even though I

owe you a favor, did I give you the right to decide for my marriage?”

Claudia was stunned by her response before she chuckled. “Of course not.

Chapter 39 Claudia’s True Colors

Don’t get me wrong, Victoria. I’m not trying to decide your marriage. I just

think my friend here is a great person.”

“Is that so? Then why don’t you consider him?” Victoria snapped.

Claudia’s smile faded.

Since when were they so close to each other?

Her true colors were revealed as time passed.

Frankly speaking, Victoria did not assume that Claudia would help her out

sincerely. After all, they had Alaric stuck between them, but it was also true

that Claudia once helped her out.

After a moment of silence, Claudia picked up the spoon and stirred the

coffee in front of her while commenting, “I never expected you to be so

aggressive to your savior, Miss Selwyn.”

Chapter 39 Claudia’s True Colors

Her tone was no longer gentle, and her voice was completely different

now. It was crisp and clear now as she looked at Victoria with disdain.

Despite that, her current look made Victoria feel much at ease.

Following a chuckle, Victoria blurted, “Are you finally letting go of your act?

Honestly, your true face is more pleasing to the eye. At least, I don’t find

you insincere.”

“Insincere?” Claudia sneered. “I just think you’re not worthy of my kindness.

I initially thought that you would be a nice lady despite not being smart,

but I can’t believe you’re such an ungrateful person.”

“Ungrateful?” Victoria rubbed her fingertips and narrowed her eyes in a

judgmental expression. “I may be an ungrateful person in your eyes, but I

never expect that your kindness and righteousness would lead you to kill.”

When Claudia heard Victoria’s last two words, her expression changed

entirely.

Chapter 39 Claudia’s True Colors

“What nonsense are you talking about? When did I kill someone?”

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“Does that mean you won’t threaten me to get an abortion just because

I’m indebted to you?”

Claudia felt as if a cotton ball was stuffed into her mouth all of a sudden.

It took her a while to speak. “The child is like a time bomb. If you were in my

shoes, there is no way you can accept it.”

After saying that, she glared at her. “Why do you want to keep the child

when you’re going to get a divorce? You could’ve remarried and carried

another child. So, why insist on keeping this one? Do you think I have no

idea about what you’re thinking?“