Departure with a Belly ( Victoria Selwyn & Alaric Cadogan’s )
Departure with a Belly Chapter 256

Chapter 256 

The two short and succinct words made Alaric wait for the entire afternoon, 

However, it was already dark when Victoria finally arrived. 

Alaric sat on the hospital bed, full of resentment. When he saw Victoria sitting down 

in front of him, he asked with a hint of bitterness, “Why did it take you so long to 

come?” 

Victoria didn’t react much to his words. She merely glanced at Alaric indifferently 

and replied, “Doesn’t traveling back and forth take time? Doesn’t cooking take time?” 

The two questions silenced Alaric, leaving him speechless. 

When Victoria handed him the food, Alaric said in a deep voice, “You didn’t have to 

go out of your way to cook for me. Just coming here would have been enough.” 

Victoria responded, “Do you think I want to?” 

Alaric’s expression changed slightly. “Then why did you?” 

However, Victoria didn’t answer his question. She simply stood up to tidy up. 

Although her back was facing him, it seemed as if she had eyes on her back as she 

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Chapter 256 This Is a Trade 

reminded him, “You better eat quickly. It took me a long time.” 

Alaric silently finished the food she had prepared. 

Thereafter, Victoria came to collect the bowls and calmly said, “I’ll come again 

tomorrow.” 

Before Alaric could say anything, Victoria left directly. 

Alaric’s expression turned grim. 

Terrance clearly did not expect Victoria to come and go so quickly with such an 

emotionless demeanor as if she were just fulfilling a task. 

Alaric asked, “Why did she do this? Is it only because of my condition?” 

Terrance fell silent. At that moment, he didn’t understand Victoria’s intentions either. 

For the next few days, Victoria continued with the same pattern. She would come 

every morning and afternoon to deliver meals. As Alaric progressed from a liquid to 

a semi–liquid diet, the food she made for him gradually changed. 

It was evident that she put a lot of effort into preparing each dish. However, every 

time she came to the hospital, her attitude was cold and distant as if she were only 

Chapter 256 This Is a Trade 

taking care of Alaric as a patient in the hospital, and she was just a nurse 

completing her duty. 

At first, Alaric had some hope, but after three days, that hope died. It continued like 

this for another day. 

On the fourth day, when Victoria arrived as usual to bring breakfast for Alaric, he 

didn’t eat much and just sat there with the bowl in his hands. 

Seeing that it was already past breakfast time, he knew Victoria would usually 

remind him to eat, but this time, he decided to ask in advance. 

“Why did you come and bring me food?” 

Victoria looked at the bowl in his hands but didn’t answer. 

3/8 

Alaric, who had been repeatedly met with Victoria’s coldness over the past few days, 

wasn’t as easily appeased today. He sat there with a heavy gaze. 

In fact, he changed his question. “Why do you care about me?” 

The room fell silent. Terrance wanted to slip away, but he was afraid that his 

footsteps would interrupt their conversation, so he stood there pretending to be 

invisible. 

*

Victoria met Alaric’s dark gaze. After a while, she calmly replied, “Just eat your food 

first.” 

Alaric remained still, and so did Victoria. 

There was a sense that they were locked in a stalemate. If he didn’t eat, she might 

not come tomorrow or ever again to avoid wasting her time. Alaric knew her 

temperament all too well. 

In the end, Alaric had no choice but to give in first. He remained silent and finished 

the food in three or four bites. 

“Now can we talk?” he asked. 

Victoria stepped forward to collect the bowl and calmly said, “This is a trade.” 

“A trade?” Alaric’s brow furrowed. “What kind of trade?” 

Now that the topic was out in the open, Victoria had no intention of concealing it 

any longer. After walking up to Alaric, she said, “You’ve been recovering for these 

past few days, right?” 

Alaric pursed his lips and remained silent, waiting for her to continue. 

After a long pause, Victoria said, “I want to see my grandmother.” 

Alaric narrowed his eyes. “So?” 

“So, these past few days I brought you food, which can be considered as indirectly 

helping you recover. In return, you’ll take me to see my grandmother.” 

Alaric stared at her for a moment before laughing bitterly. 

No wonder after she cried and came back from the restroom, she seemed like a 

different person. Not only was she willing to come and visit him, but she also 

brought him food. He had thought she had a sudden change of heart, but in reality, 

she had already planned out her own intentions. 

Realizing this, Alaric suddenly asked, “If it weren’t for your grandmother’s situation, 

would you not have cooked for these past few days?” 

Victoria calmly looked at him. “You’ve eaten the food, and your recovery is almost 

complete. There’s no need to dwell on these things.” 

“Heh.” Alaric let out a cold laugh. “In your eyes, what kind of person am I? If you want 

to see your grandmother, do you think I would refuse?” 

Chapter 256 This is a Trade 

Victoria lowered her gaze. “How can I be sure you wouldn’t reject me?” 

She hadn’t been by her grandmother’s side when she passed away, but after all 

these years, she should be able to visit her grandmother’s grave, right? 

Alaric became agitated. The fact that she had done all these things for him over the 

past few days only to achieve a trade made his chest feel heavy. He had actually 

thought… 

With these thoughts in mind, Alaric closed his eyes in frustration. No wonder she 

suddenly started coming every morning and evening but didn’t say much to him. 

After pondering for a moment, Alaric made a decision. 

“Go and arrange for my discharge. I’ll take you there in the afternoon.” 

Hearing this, Victoria remained at the spot. 

Without any response from her, Alaric raised his eyelids and looked at her with his 

deep and steady eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re not available in the afternoon.” 

Victoria replied, “Of course, I am. Even if I’m busy, I’ll make time. When and where 

should we meet?” 

Alaric’s heart grew even colder. She only cared about where they would meet, not 

that today wasn’t the scheduled date for his discharge. If it weren’t for her 

grandmother’s situation, he probably would have died from his illness, and she 

wouldn’t have even spared a glance. 

After understanding everything, Alaric felt his heart turn to ice. 

“You decide,” he said. He lay back on the hospital bed, looking like he didn’t want to 

speak anymore. 

Victoria wasn’t oblivious to his change in mood, but what of it? She had already 

done enough to help him recently. Besides, he was an adult. If he didn’t value his 

own life, why should others care for him in his place? She wasn’t someone special 

to him anymore. 

“Okay, after you’re discharged, you’ll return to the hotel, right? I’ll wait for you 

downstairs,” Victoria said, but Alaric didn’t respond. She knew he was upset, and 

she didn’t want to stay any longer or say more to him. She decisively concluded, “I’ll 

come to see you this afternoon. I have other matters to attend to at my company. I’ll 

leave now.” 

After she left, Terrance remained in place, too afraid to speak or even move. He had 

heard their entire conversation, word for word. It was awkward. 

“Why are you still standing there doing nothing?” Alaric’s voice came across coldly, 

“Go and handle the discharge procedures.” 

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