Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria)

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.

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?

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.

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.

“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.

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?”

“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?

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. NôvelDrama.Org content rights.

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?

3

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.

Chapter 55 Is It Guilt?

What’s wrong with my head?

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?

Besides, it’s impolite to pry into one’s privacy, especially when I’m right

Chapter 55 Is It Guilt?

before you.

Victoria pressed her slightly pale lips together and cast a friendly smile at

them. “I’m sorry, but it’s personal. I find it uncomfortable to share my story

with strangers.”

The group was taken aback by her rejection, but they weren’t offended by

her words at all. Instead, they were slightly embarrassed by their

inconsideration.

After all, even though Victoria chose to not answer them, she was friendly

and polite. On the contrary, if the group was offended just because she

defended her basic rights, it indicated that they lacked both boundaries

and manners.

“Of course. Don’t force yourself, but we would also like to ask for your

forgiveness. It’s just that both of you are good–looking, so we can’t help

but want to learn more about you.”

Chapter 55 Is It Guilt?

“That’s right. You have the prettiest face I’ve ever seen.”

Victoria returned their compliments with a grateful smile. “Thank you. All of

you are good–looking too.”

“Coming from the most beautiful woman herself. You’re making me blush.

Just so you know, your face is one in a million. Remember to make the

most of it.”

Even though the women were nosy, Victoria couldn’t bring herself to hate

them. Before Alaric came back, the women kept making light conversation

with Victoria even if she seldom responded to them.

However, they saw themselves as Victoria’s new besties and they even

started to share their love stories on their own.

Finally, a lean figure that showed up at the entrance announced the end

of the conversation. The group that formed around Victoria dispersed

within a second as they returned to their seats.

Chapter 55 Is It Guilt?

Alaric approached Victoria. When a mix of different perfumes reached

him, he scowled in annoyance.

“What do they want?” he asked as he handed the packet of food to her.

After a moment of hesitation, she reached out a hand to take it and

explained, “It’s nothing important. They are merely curious about our

purpose of being here.”

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