Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria)

Chapter 16

“Now that you put it that way, it makes sense.”

“It is a fact, to begin with. What young mistress would work as a

secretary?”

“But I don’t get it. Why a fake marriage?”

“I’m sure there’s a reason. Word is that Miss Selwyn and Mr. Cadogan grew

up together. Back then, when the Selwyns went bankrupt, Mr. Cadogan

started dating her probably because he wanted to help her out. I mean,

look at it. Is there anyone who dares bully Miss Selwyn now?”

“Is that so? Well, Mr. Cadogan sure is a great guy.”

“I even heard that Mr. Cadogan has been waiting for Claudia Johnson’s

return all these years. I swear, only our boss is that loyal.”

As the people gossiped, Victoria stood behind them and listened instead

of stepping away. She looked calm on the surface, as though she was not

the topic of their gossip.

Soon, Noel pulled over at the entrance and rolled down the window,

revealing his dashing looks. “C’mon, get in.”

Just like that, Victoria entered his car under everyone’s gazes, and it was

not after the vehicle had gone far that the people who gossiped came to

themselves.

“That was… Miss Selwyn, wasn’t it?”

“I think so.”

“Then, do you think she heard what we said earlier?”

“So what if she did? We’re not the ones who spread the rumor. We heard

from them. Besides, there’s no wrong with what we’ve said. Are we not

telling the truth? Otherwise, why wouldn’t she correct us? She must be

hiding something.”

“She probably didn’t know how to either. After all, that woman was sitting

in Mr. Cadogan’s car when he passed by.”

The group continued gossiping as they looked at the car which had

already gone far. Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

Meanwhile, Victoria rolled the window up impassively and watched the

retreating trees and buildings with an extremely heavy heart as the

employees‘ heated gossip replayed in her head, as well as… the black

Cayenne that flashed past them.

“What’s up? You look distracted,” Noel asked when he noticed her

glumness.

Victoria came to her senses at that and pulled a forced smile. “It’s nothing.

Might just be the after–effects of being sick.”

He sighed in response. “You… How long were you going to keep it from

me?”

His words rendered her frozen.

“What are you talking about?”

What have I kept from him? Can he possibly have found out that I’m

pregnant? But who was it who told him? The only one who knows I’m

pregnant is Summer, other than the doctors at the hospital.

Of course, she ruled out the possibility at once.

Because of her, Summer and Noel knew each other as well and kept an

amicable relationship. Both she and Summer thought of Nool as a big

brother figure, but Summer would never reveal anything about her to him.

Hence, what he knew might not be her pregnancy.

“Why didn’t you tell me Claudia has returned?” he asked moments later.

Victoria froze for a second upon hearing his question. He was not talking

about her pregnancy.

In truth, she had become jumpy for the past two days because of her

pregnancy. At that, she breathed a sigh of relief and monotoned. “What

does her return have to do with you?”

Her words rendered him speechless, and he gazed at the young woman

helplessly. Had he not known her well, he would have likely assumed she

was retorting him.

“You’re right. It doesn’t, but what about you? Does it have nothing to do

with you too?

Victoria fell silent at that, and Noel continued, “I already know you two

were a no–show when you first started dating him. Especially when you

know what he said, but you still…” The man left his words hanging, but his

tone and emotions were enough to convey his message.

He was disappointed in her.

On the other hand, she was glad that he did not know about her

pregnancy, or his tone would be even more awful than it was now.

Perhaps because she was mostly silent, Noel said nothing more after that.

After taking her to a restaurant and ordering their lunch, he told Victoria,

“Wait for me here. I’ll be back in ten.”

“Alright.” She nodded, having no energy to bother with what he was up to.

Ten minutes later, he returned with a bag of stuff.

“Here, take this.”

“What is it?”

“Medicine.” He revealed. “You’re sick, aren’t you? You’re already a grown

woman. You should keep some regular medicine with you at all times, no?

You can pop one in whenever you don’t feel well.”

“But I’m already fine.” She fell into somewhat of a trance as she looked at

the bag of items.

“Keep it for next time, then.”

“Okay.”

With that, she put the bag away. In it was a comprehensive pile of regular

pills.

“Thanks, Noel.”

“Don’t mention it.” He poked her head. “Don’t shut me out, okay? Tell me if

you’re met with whatever trouble.”

“Got it.”

Subsequently, the two fell silent and ate their lunch quietly.

Moments later, Noel could not resist asking, “You’ve already met Claudia,

haven’t you?”

Victoria’s hands froze for a split second before she nodded. “Yeah.”

“So, what is she trying now, coming right for Alaric as soon as she comes

back? She wants to rekindle their love?”

‘Rekindle their love‘ sounded like nails on a chalkboard for Victoria as she

corrected. “Not rekindling. What real relationship did they have from the

start?”

Sure, Alaric had said what he had said, but the two were not seeing each

other at the time.

Speaking of which, Victoria never understood this.

How come the two never dated back then? By right, the two would have

become a couple when he declared that the spot next to his would

forever be Claudia, who was also in love with him!

Then again, it was useless even if she figured it out now.

“Already defending him?”

Noel could not help but quirk an eyebrow, leading the young woman to

purse her lips and mumble, “I’m just stating a fact.”

He’s already brought her to the office and even let others badmouth you.

yet you’re still defending him?” he argued with deeply furrowed brows.

What was it that he overheard at the office pantry this morning?

“You guys have heard about it, haven’t you? Mr. Cadogan’s rightful

girlfriend has returned.”

“Rightful girlfriend? Isn’t Mr. Cadogan already married? What rightful

girlfriend are you talking about?”

“The marriage is fake, of course. If it’s real, would Mr. Cadogan be willing to

let his wife work as a secretary? This one is the real deal. Word is that she

had saved Mr. Cadogan once. Plus, she’s from an affluent family and has

finally returned from studying abroad. She and Mr. Cadogan are the real

perfect match.”

“What? If she’s seeing Mr. Cadogan, what about Miss Selwyn?”

“Are you even hearing yourself? What else can she do other than to go

back to her rags when she fails to go from rags to riches?!”

Those words had probably ticked their funny bones as everyone in the

pantry guffawed uncontrollably.

Meanwhile, Noel, who was standing outside, clenched his mug grimly.

Does she have to do with Victoria’s sudden illness? Or else, how can it be

so coincidental?