Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria) novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25 

It was clear that Claudia was starting to panic hearing Victoria didn’t want 

money. 

After returning to the country, she noticed Alaric’s attitude toward Victoria 

was elusive. 

He doesn’t know about Victoria’s pregnancy now. But If he found out… 

Claudia wasn’t sure what Alaric would do. 

Her sixth sense was telling her that he wouldn’t let go of the marriage so 

easily if he knew that Victoria was pregnant. 

With Victoria still in front of her, Claudia had no choice but to force a smile. 

“Victoria, are you worried about what people would think? Believe me, they 

won’t even spare a thought on this. This is my own money. No one else will 

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Chapter 25 Camaraderie Between Husband and Wife 

know about this. Also, I’m giving you the money because I care about you. 

After all, you are-” 

“Miss Johnson,” Victoria sighed. Thank you for your concern. My family is 

bankrupt, but I have been keeping my nose to the grindstone for the past 

two years. Our current situation hasn’t returned to what it used to be, but l 

can support myself and…” 

She came to a pause and smiled. “Money is not a problem. Also, you 

helped me a lot before. I can’t take your money anymore.” 

“It’s okay. I’m giving this to you of my own free will.” 

“Miss Johnson, I really can’t take your money.” 

She put the envelope back in Claudia’s hand and took a step back to keep 

a distance from her. 

Claudia seemed to realize something from the way Victoria stepped back 

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and spoke. 

She rejected my money. Wait, the way she paused… 

Even though she didn’t say it, Claudia understood that Victoria was 

implying that she could support both herself and the child. 

Does this mean she will give birth to the child? 

Just thinking of the possibility immediately drained the blood from 

Claudia’s face. 

Even if she had a good reputation, it was difficult for her to maintain the 

smile on her lips at this moment. Her eyes were cold when she asked, “Are 

you serious about this?” 

Victoria looked up at her upon hearing that. 

Claudia’s reaction was big, but that wouldn’t change Victoria’s decision. 

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Victoria pursed her lips and nodded. 

“Yes. I’m sorry. I have already decided before you came here.” 

“Heh.” Claudia couldn’t help the laugh that slipped then. “Why? I don’t 

understand why you’re doing this.” 

Her scoffing surprised Victoria. A hint of puzzlement flashed in Victoria’s 

beautiful eyes, but she soon had an understanding expression on her 

face. It was only natural for Claudia to feel upset about how things had 

developed. 

“It probably doesn’t make sense to you, but this is my body. It is up to me 

to decide.” 

“You…” Not knowing what to say, Claudia could only step forward and hold 

her by the shoulder. “Why don’t you think about it again, Victoria? I’m not 

doubting or picking on you. It’s just that… there are consequences you 

need to know if you go down this path.” 

Chapter 25 Camaraderie Between Husband and Wife 

“I know, and I’ve made up my mind.” Victoria fixed her gaze on Claudia. “It’s 

final.” 

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Seeing the determination in her eyes, Claudia gradually loosened her grip 

on Victoria. 

At last, she limply lowered her gaze and turned around to leave the mini 

garden with hurried steps. She was unlike her demure self. 

Victoria glanced at the envelope that had fallen to the ground, and she let 

out a mocking smile as she bent down to pick it up. 

When she returned to the living room, the servant told her that Claudia 

had left. Victoria had no choice but to give up on returning the envelope to 

Claudia. 

would never take the money. 

Guess I’ll pass it to Alaric when he gets home tonight and have him return 

Chapter 25 Camaraderie Between Husband and Wife 

it to Claudia. 

It took her no time to make her decision. 

Alone in the room upstairs, she noticed how she felt much more relieved 

now. It was as if she had suddenly solved a problem she had been 

agonizing over for the longest time. 

Her relief only began after she decided to keep her child. 

She couldn’t help but reach out and rub her lower abdomen with a small 

smile on her face. 

I’ll have one more family member from now on. 

My baby, even if you only have your mother, I will treat you well. 

Victoria was packing up at night while wondering if Alaric would be home 

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when she heard the residence’s gate open. 

She went to the window and took a look, and she saw a beam of 

headlights illuminating the gate. Her palm resting on the railing balled up 

then. 

It was Alaric’s car. 

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Just in time. I have to talk to him tonight, she decided before going back to 

her room to continue packing. 

She didn’t have many possessions because she had never enjoyed 

buying things, which was why she initially thought that packing up 

wouldn’t be hard. 

But when it was time to sort out her things, she realized that her life and 

her habits had slowly fused into every corner of the room in the past two 

years. 

Chapter 25 Camaraderie Between Husband and Wife 

The wardrobe, bed, dresser, washstand, all kinds of trinkets on the couch 

and coffee table, ornaments on the shelf… 

It was a lot of effort to pack everything up. 

In the end, she only packed her clothes and daily necessities. 

Clack- 

Victoria paused when she heard the turning of the doorknob from the 

outside and the heavy footsteps that followed. 

She didn’t turn to look. 

She knew that Alaric had helped her many times, and she might never 

fully repay him her entire life. So, no matter how angry she was, she 

couldn’t give him attitude. 

That didn’t stop her from feeling sorry for herself with how Alaric and 

Chapter 25 Camaraderie Between Husband and Wife 

Claudia were jointly dropping her hints. 

Victoria could feel his footsteps close in on her before they suddenly 

stopped. 

She took a deep breath to hold her emotions in. 

I have to face what is inevitable. 

Alaric, on the other hand, frowned when he saw the scene before him. He 

almost thought he had gone to the wrong place. 

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Two light–colored suitcases were placed beside the bed. One had already 

been packed, whereas the other was about to be full. The closet was 

open, and half of the clothes inside that belonged to Victoria were already 

gone. 

For a moment, he wondered if she was packing her luggage because she 

was going on vacation on her annual leave. 

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Chapter 25 Camaraderie Between Husband and Wife 

But when he saw the half–empty wardrobe, a frown formed on his 

handsome brow. 

“What are you doing?” he demanded. 

Victoria, who stood with her side toward him, turned around and opened 

the cabinet to take out an envelope. She then handed it to him. 

Instead of taking it, he asked, “What is this?” 

“Checks,” she coolly replied. 

“Checks?” His eyes were locked on her. “What is the meaning of this?” 

“The three 14.5 million checks you gave me and the 7 million from Miss 

Johnson are in here.” 

“Why didn’t you spend any of it?” This was his first reaction after hearing 

that the 43.5 million he gave her was in the envelope. 

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3.80% 

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I gave it to her a long time ago, didn’t I? Has she been keeping it all along? 

No, my money isn’t the main point here. “Why is there a 7 million from 

Claudia?” 

Why? It should be me asking why. Why would you tell her about my 

pregnancy? Even if there is no camaraderie between us as a married 

couple, we are at least friends, right? 

And yet, he didn’t show her even the tiniest bit of respect. 

Unfortunately, she didn’t answer his question. She only indifferently 

informed him, “I will stay in the guest room upstairs from tonight onward. 

After Grandma has her surgery, we will sign the divorce agreement, and I 

will leave.”