Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria)

Chapter 33

At the mention of Alaric, Victoria suddenly remembered the scene she

saw outside the nightclub last night.

Where is he? Of course, he’s at Claudia’s place.

As for what happened and what they did last night that caused him not to

appear before Griselda now, Victoria felt the answer was perfectly clear.

She was sulking but couldn’t vent her emotions before Griselda, so she

found an excuse that wouldn’t be easily exposed later to cover for Alaric.

“He was up late last night, so he’s still resting.”

After saying that, Victoria realized that she was telling the truth. Alaric had

been up late last night, but no one knew what he was doing.

When Griselda heard that, she instantly became resentful as she

Chapter 33 Avoiding Him Like He Was a Plague

criticized, “How old is he? Why is he still staying up all night?”

Meanwhile, Victoria smiled and didn’t say anything.

When Griselda noticed Victoria’s behavior, she sighed. “You’re the only one

who can stand his attitude.”

“No way,” Victoria replied softly.

As she didn’t feel like continuing that topic, she suggested bringing

Griselda out for a walk in the garden in her wheelchair, and Griselda

agreed.

Following that, the caretaker brought over Griselda’s wheelchair and

helped her get on it.

Griselda’s legs weren’t in terrible shape, but she couldn’t walk for an

extensive period. She could walk a few steps around her room but not

¡outside.

Chapter 33 Avoiding Him Like He Was a Plague

Once she was settled in her wheelchair, Victoria opened the cupboard

and grabbed a thick shawl and blanket. She then wrapped them around

Griselda before heading out.

In the meantime, Griselda wrapped the shawl tightly around herself in

satisfaction before exclaiming, “This material feels so comfortable. I

remember complaining about them being thick and heavy when I was

younger. I have grown to like them now, but I’m no longer young.”

Victoria could hear a trace of dismay in Griselda’s voice and felt strange,

so she comforted her, “Grandma, I think this material suits the current you

better. It goes well with the custom–made dress you’re wearing now, and

it makes you look stunning. I have always admired your beauty and

temperament.”

That was the truth, as every woman in the Cadogan Family looked

stunning, whether it was Griselda or Victoria’s mother–in–law.

Chapter 33 Avoiding Him Like He Was a Plague

That showed that the Cadogan men had a sharp eye for women.

When mentioning that, Victoria added, “Grandma, I remember seeing you

and Mom together at a banquet I attended when I was still a child. I

thought you two were sisters.”

She was young back then. So, when she saw the two beautiful women

with delicate features and no wrinkles standing together, she thought they

looked like a pair of elegant and noble sisters.

Griselda found that funny and joked, “Oh, you. You’re such a sweet–talker.

I’m convinced, and I suddenly feel like I’m not old anymore.”

After she said that, Victoria bent down and wrapped her arms around

Griselda’s shoulders to hug her.

“Grandma, you’re not old, to begin with. I like you a lot.”

Griselda treated her very nicely.

Chapter 33 Avoiding Him Like He Was a Plague

So, Victoria liked her a lot, but not because Griselda was Alaric’s grandma

or because she wanted to be Griselda’s granddaughter–in–law.

It was because Griselda had always been nice to Victoria since childhood.

My own grandmother passed away early, and I don’t have a mom, but the

love Grandma gave me made up for all of that. Even if Alaric and I got

divorced…

As Victoria thought of that, she hugged Griselda even tighter. “You will

always be my grandma.”

They saw someone approaching them when they were about to reach

the door.

He had a tall, lean figure and handsome face, but his eyes looked cold.

Chapter 33 Avoiding Him Like He Was a Plague

When both sides met each other, Victoria stopped walking.

“Alaric?”

Griselda was surprised to see Alaric here.

“Grandma,” he greeted Griselda in his deep voice.

His voice sounded a little raspy and laced with a hint of sexiness.

When Victoria saw him, she scoffed softly. Her scoff was so soft that it was

almost inaudible, but Alaric seemed to have noticed it and glanced at her.

“What’s going on with you? Victoria said you stayed up late last night, so I

thought you wouldn’t make it today.”

Alaric didn’t expect that to be the excuse Victoria used.

Chapter 33 Avoiding Him Like He Was a Plague

matter if I stayed up late. Even if I stay up all night, I will still come and see

you.”

“Such a glib talker.” Griselda deliberately criticized him disdainfully but

couldn’t suppress the joyful smile on her face.

After that, Alaric approached Victoria and offered, “Let me do it.”

When he approached Victoria, she couldn’t smell any alcohol on him. Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

Instead, he smelled of fresh soap.

Not only that, but his clothes were also different, and his inner shirt was

ironed flatly and hugged his figure very well.

Victoria felt like she could easily guess who was behind all of this.

It might have been that Alaric had stayed over at someone’s home and

that person had ironed his clothes this morning.

Chapter 33 Avoiding Him Like He Was a Plague.

While she was still lost in her thoughts, Alaric was already standing very

close to her.

Just as his hand was about to land on the wheelchair, she quickly

withdrew her hand and took two steps backward to keep a small distance

between them.

She was acting like he was a plague or something.

Meanwhile, Alaric was stunned at her sudden action.

A few seconds later, his handsome face turned grim as an icy aura

enveloped his whole body.

At first, he felt his heart melt a little after listening to Norwood’s hypothesis,

but now, he scoffed silently.

It seems like I’ve been overthinking this situation.

Chapter 33 Avoiding Him Like He Was a Plague

“What’s the matter?” Griselda noticed they still hadn’t moved after Alaric

stood over, so she asked out of curiosity.

Hearing her question, Alaric regained his composure and curled his thin

lips.

“It’s nothing, Grandma. Let’s go.”

After that, he pushed Griselda’s wheelchair in the direction of the garden

while Victoria followed beside them.

When they accompanied Griselda to the garden, Alaric would usually

push the wheelchair while Victoria would hug his arm or tug on the corner

of his shirt.

Sometimes, she would be so clingy that she was like his tail.

However, today, Victoria kept quite a large distance between them,

making it seem like they weren’t a couple but strangers.

Chapter 33 Avoiding Him Like He Was a Plague

As time progressed, Alaric’s expression became darker, and the aura

around him turned colder.

Suddenly, he stopped.

“Grandma, I need to send a text message,” he informed Griselda.

Griselda nodded as she didn’t think that was something out of the

ordinary.

Then, he pulled out his phone and began tapping on the screen.

When Victoria saw that scene, she averted her eyes emotionlessly.

He must be texting his lovely Claudia. They might not have been apart for

long, and he’s already missing her. How clingy.

She entirely lost control of her emotions and was filled with jealousy.

Chapter 33 Avoiding Him Like He Was a Plague

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The phone in her bag vibrated, so she frustratedly took it out without

thinking much about it.

The next moment, she froze.

That was because it was a message from Alaric. Why are you standing so

far away? Are you trying to make Grandma doubt our relationship?‘