Departure with a Belly ( Victoria Selwyn & Alaric Cadogan’s )
Departure with a Belly Chapter 582

Chapter 582 Take Them Back 

“I know. I remember everything the doctor said, but it’s the New Year. Everyone is having a good time, so I thought we should have a glass or two of alcohol to boost the festivities.” After that, Tony looked at Adrian and asked, “What do you say? Shall we have some wine around noon?” 

“Sure, why not? Besides, I haven’t had a drink for a long time.” Adrian nodded, agreeing with Tony’s proposal. Alas, as soon as these words escaped his lips, he sensed a sharp glance from the side. So, he immediately touched his nose awkwardly. 

At the same time, Sasha added, “I think it’s better we brew some tea at noon. You can substitute tea for wine. Plus, not only is tea a healthier option compared to alcohol, but it will also make you feel good. How does that sound?” 

Tony and Adrian were reduced to silence now that their wives had prohibited them from drinking and suggested substituting tea for wine, respectively. Hence, in order to preserve family harmony and their good relationship with their wives, the two had no choice but to go along with Sasha’s suggestion. 

As a result, the two elderly men sat together and leisurely enjoyed their tea at noon. Tony’s sense of engagement was high, considering he brewed the tea himself. 

Tony was still disappointed he couldn’t have some wine when he was forced to brew the tea. Nonetheless, his disappointment gradually dissipated as he enjoyed his tea and chatted with Adrian about various topics related to Nicole and Nathan. Sasha is right, after all. It feels pretty nice even if we’re drinking tea instead of wine. 

While the others had all gone out for some grocery shopping at the nearby grocery store, only Tony and Adrian were left in the house, except for the servants. 

At first, Mary didn’t allow Alaric to join them, saying that it was fine for the women to shop by themselves. However, Alaric retorted, “Why don’t you let me tag along? Don’t you need someone to help carry the grocery bags later?” 

Mary cocked her head at her son upon hearing that. “Oh, wow. My son, who is constantly occupied with important affairs, is actually offering to help us carry the grocery bags?!” 

“Mom, don’t joke.” Alaric smiled slightly and continued, “I am offering to help you carry them today, am I not?” 

you 

Mary clicked her tongue before whispering to Victoria, “He is only this solicitous when he’s around you. To tell 

the truth, he never went shopping with me before. I remembered those times when I thought of taking him to go shopping with me after getting so envious of other moms. I always had to watch on as their sons helped them carry their shopping bags in the past. To my dismay, he actually rejected me.” 

Victoria blinked slightly upon hearing that. “Is that so? Mom, since he is willing to obey me in everything, you can let me know if you need someone to help you carry your bags next time. I will ask him to go with you.” 

“No problem. As expected, you always side with me.” After that, Mary glanced at Alaric triumphantly, leaving him speechless. Suddenly, a realization hit Mary after she finished teasing Alaric. Oh my! Sasha is right next to us, yet I can’t believe the three of us ignored her while we were chatting just now! 

Even though Sasha was Victoria’s stepmother, Mary bore no animosity toward her. On the contrary, Mary admired Sasha’s personality and thought she was easy to get along with. In addition, Mary was an attentive and sensitive woman. Hence, she hurriedly shifted her attention to Sasha after swiftly realizing that her interacting with Victoria and Alaric without including Sasha would put Sasha in an awkward situation. 

“I was just playing around with them.” As Mary and Sasha carried Nicole and Nathan in their arms, respectively, Mary said, “Come. Let’s go to the front and give these two some privacy.” 

Sasha merely smiled before nodding and leaving with Mary. 

Since Victoria preferred to carefully browse the ingredient list and manufacturing date of the items she would buy, she generally chose those that were new on the shelves with a list of fresh ingredients. For that reason, she was still picking out the items on the shelves when Sasha and Mary left. In fact, she was so focused that she only realized Alaric was the only one left with her after she finished choosing a few items. Victoria was slightly stunned. Therefore, she inquired, “Where have they gone?” 

Alaric folded his arms across his chest as he leaned on the side, looked at her leisurely, and replied, “As you can see, they are all gone. I suppose they want to give us some privacy. Or perhaps, they fear you will steal Nicole and Nathan from them.” 

Alaric’s reply made Victoria feel a little speechless. “Steal them? Do you honestly think I can? I don’t even think I can go near Nicky and Nate when Mom and Sasha are around.” Be it day or night, Mom has been occupying Nicky and Nate’s time. Perhaps for other mothers, it is blissful that they don’t have to look after their children, around the clock. I mean–who wouldn’t, right? After all, life is like heaven when you can be as free as before giving birth and not having to look after the kids. Not me, though. Maybe the reason I truly want to raise Nicky and Nate solely on my own has something to do with my amnesia. Still, I think I would have been a full–time housewife if my subconsciousness hadn’t reminded me that I couldn’t afford to be one. Otherwise, I would have no support in raising two kids if something happened. It’s precisely because of this thought that I constantly prohibit myself from dreaming of becoming a full–time housewife. Otherwise, I would have actually quit my job and only focus on looking after Nicky and Nate. 

“My, such jealousy in your tone.” Alaric looked at her amusedly and said jokingly. “Why don’t I go and take Nicole and Nathan back for you?” 

Victoria glared at him upon hearing that and asked, “Really?” 

“Yeah.” Alaric’s expression was nothing but serious. “I’ll go as long as you ask me to.” 

Victoria stared at Alaric doubtfully. Somehow, she felt that he said these words just to tease her on purpose. He wouldn’t really go and take Nicky and Nate back even if I asked him to, would he? After all, they are with Mom and Sasha, not with strangers. Still, the more he tries to pretend, the more I want to expose him. It was precisely with this thought in mind that she said, “Fine, then. Take the children back now.” 

“Sure.” Alaric headed straight in one specific direction without any hesitation while Victoria stood still and silently watched him leave. 

Victoria waited as she thought Alaric would return after taking a few steps. I ought to see how he is going to explain himself by then. To her surprise, Alaric didn’t return even after his silhouette disappeared before her eyes. Hence, she stood on the spot and blinked as she couldn’t help but feel that he was behaving rather oddly. He isn’t really going to take Nicky and Nate back, is he? No way, right? 

Once she contemplated the chances, she simply couldn’t find it in herself to be bothered to look in the direction Alaric walked off and continued picking out the items she needed. She intended to wait for him to 

return. 

After some time she heard footsteps. When Victoria looked up, she was surprised by the sight before her. 

Alaric walked toward her with Nicole and Nathan in each arm. As the two little fellows feared they would fall from his embrace, they stretched out their hands and held onto Alaric’s neck. In reality, the two children were a grown up. Thus, carrying them should be a strenuous task. Yet, Alaric carried them in his arms so effortlessly a if they weighed nothing. 

Still, Victoria was astonished when she saw Alaric coming over with Nicole and Nathan in his arms. Once she saw Mary and Sasha following behind him with puzzled expressions, she was so speechless that she even forgot to check the ingredient list of the items she wanted to buy and simply placed them straight into the car What the hell is Alaric thinking? I thought he was joking! I didn’t expect that he would take Nicky and Nate away from Mom and Sasha. Also, what did he tell them when he took Nicky and Nate from them? Did he tell them he took the children back for me? Or, was it some other excuse? 

As she was overwhelmed with embarrassment, she was already thinking about running away and the closest escape route before Alaric, Nicole, and Nathan approached her. 

“I’m back.” In contrast to Victoria’s abashed state, Alaric walked up to her expressionlessly and placed Nicole 

and Nathan in the shopping cart. 

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