Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria) novel Chapter 3

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, 

startled. 

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 

12:56 Sun 

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?