Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria)

Chapter 7

Victoria spoke plainly and straightforwardly, unlike Claudia’s polite but

indirect approach.

Suddenly, Claudia felt awkward. “I–I didn’t mean that.”

Nonetheless, Victoria didn’t bother with her and changed the topic. Before

leaving the clinic, Dominic gave her some medicine. He advised Claudia,

“Although your friend doesn’t want to take medicine, she should try to

drink some if possible. I prescribed traditional medicine, and it won’t harm

her body. Only drink it a few times.”

“Okay.”

Soon, the three of them left the clinic and returned to the Cadogan

Residence. As soon as they pulled into the driveway, Victoria, still in

discomfort, attempted to exit the vehicle. All she wanted was to return to

her room and sleep it off. Unfortunately, she stumbled and nearly fell

forward as she stepped out of the car. Then, Alaric quickly caught her by

the arm and frowned. “You’re in this state, yet you still refuse to take

medicine or get a shot. You’re something else.”

Claudia followed them out of the car and saw their hands touch. She

hurried over and helped Victoria. “Let me help her, Al.”

She assisted Victoria into the house, and when she saw the maids, she

greeted them. The maids looked at Claudia with surprise in their eyes.

“Did I see wrong? Wasn’t that Miss Johnson?”

“Who is Miss Johnson?”

Most of the long–serving maids in the villa knew Claudia, but some newer

ones didn’t.

“Claudia Johnson. She’s the woman that Mr. Cadogan likes. Don’t you know

that?”

“Mr. Cadogan likes her?” The young maid’s eyes widened. “Isn’t Mr.

Cadogan already married?”

“Most marriages within wealthy families are only business deals. No real

love involved,” said the older maid, who had spent many long years in the

Cadogan Residence and spoke confidently. “You guys are new here, so

you don’t understand. However, I was there when it all happened. Claudia

isn’t any random woman Mr. Cadogan likes. She actually saved his life.

She went abroad to study for some time, and he’s been waiting for her

ever since.”

“So, why did Mr. Cadogan marry someone else?” asked one of the listening

maids.

“Well, that’s because Old Mrs. Cadogan got sick and wanted to see him

settle down and start a family. He had no choice but to find someone else.

At that time, the Selwyn Family had gone bankrupt, so you know how it

goes,” the older maid finished with a sly smirk. “It’s a secret within

upper–class society. Not many people know about it, so don’t spread it

around.”

“I actually thought Mr. Cadogan and his wife were really in love. I had no

idea it’s all merely an act,” one of the other maids said, sounding

disappointed.

“Of course, it is all an act. Don’t be so naive,” the older maid responded.

As they were about to say more, a cough interrupted them. They turned

around to see Hector standing there, his face dark and stern expression.

“Don’t you have work to do?” he asked, and the group dispersed like

startled birds.

Once they were gone, he stood there. He was a man in his fifties with gray

hairs in his eyebrows. He furrowed his brow when he heard that Claudia

had returned.

Chapter 7 Pour Away the Medicine

That explains why the madam had been acting strangely last night.

Meanwhile, Claudia helped Victoria back to her room.

“Thank you,” Victoria said.

“Don’t mention it,” Claudia replied with a smile. “You should get some rest

now.”

“Okay.” Victoria took off her shoes and lay down. That was when she

noticed Alaric entering the room slowly, his eyes wandering carelessly

over her until they landed on Claudia.

“Shall I send you home?” he asked. After all, Claudia was in the Cadogan

Residence and had no reason to stay there. So, she nodded. “Sure, thanks.”

Before leaving, she glanced around the room and noticed a handcrafted

men’s suit on the coat rack outside. Only Alaric would wear that style.

Suddenly, her face turned a little paler, and she silently followed him with

Chapter 7 Pour Away the Medicine

her lips pursed. Once everyone was gone, Victoria opened her eyes and

looked up at the white coiling, fooling lost.

What should I do about the child?

Being pregnant was not like anything else. She could hide her feelings for

him well for a year, two years, or even 10 years, but what about being

pregnant? She couldn’t hide it when the time came for her belly to show.

The more she thought about it, the more her head spun, and she

gradually fell into a long, deep sleep.

In her dream, Victoria felt someone undoing her collar and then

something cold covering her body. Her body was hot, and she felt

comfortable. With a sigh, she instinctively grabbed the person’s arm with

her arms and legs. Then, she heard a muffled groan and heavy breathing.

Her neck was held roughly but gently, and her lips were wetly covered.

Soon, something probed into her mouth.

She frowned and bit down on the foreign object, feeling the taste of blood

in her mouth and the man’s painful gasp. Then, she had been pushed

aside before someone forcefully pinched her cheek. She faintly hoard the

person say, “I’ve pampered you too much, haven’t I? You even bit down on

me.”

She winced in pain, grumbling and pushing away the person’s hand

before falling into a deep sleep.

When Victoria woke up, it was already evening.

A maid was by her side, who was delighted to see her wake up. “Mrs.

Cadogan, you’re awake.”

The maid approached her, placing a hand on her forehead. “Thank

goodness you’ve finally cooled down, Mrs. Cadogan.”

Victoria looked at the maid before her, thinking of specific fragmented

memories. Then, she asked, “Have you been caring for me this whole

time?”

The maid’s eyes sparkled while she nodded in response. As soon as she

heard that, Victoria’s hopeful expression faded, and she looked away.

Those fragmented memories led her to believe that Alaric had been

caring for her the entire time, but it wasn’t him.

Victoria was lost in thought when the maid brought a bowl of medicine

over. “Mrs. Cadogan, it’s good that you’re awake now. The medicine is still

warm. You should drink it now.”

The pungent aroma of traditional medicine filled the air, causing Victoria

to frown and instinctively avoid it.

“Mrs. Cadogan, please drink it while it’s still warm. It will be cold in a while,”

the maid said, bringing the bowl closer to her.

Victoria moved back, turning her head away. “Put it down there first. I’ll

drink it later.”

“You-”

“I’m a little hungry. Can you go downstairs and got me something to eat?

Don’t worry; I’ll finish the medicine when you return with food.” She had

slept for a long time and was really hungry now. Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.

The maid thought for a moment before nodding. “Okay, I’ll go downstairs

and get something for you. Please drink the medicine, Mrs. Cadogan.”

“Yeah…”

The maid eventually left, and Victoria lifted the covers and climbed out of

bed. She carried the dark traditional medicine and walked to the

bathroom to pour it down the toilet. As she watched the medicine flush

away, leaving no trace behind, she breathed a sigh of relief. Then, she

wouldn’t have to be cajoled into drinking it.

She straightened back up with the empty bowl before turning around, only

to see that Alaric had arrived without notice. Leaning against the

bathroom door, he stared at her with sharp eyes. “What are you doing?”