Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria)

Chapter 230

Since Victoria had to pick up the children, she left her company early. When she

arrived at their school, she was five minutes late because the teacher told her the

children’s father had brought them home.

Hearing that, Victoria instantly paled, and her voice uncontrollably raised. “What did

you say? Their father brought them home?”

When did Nicole and Nathan have a father? Don’t tell me…

The schoolteacher was shocked by Victoria’s high-pitched voice and weakly argued,

“T-The man that came with you during the children’s admissions day. Isn’t he Nicole

and Nathan’s father?”

The man who came with her during admissions? Are they talking about Bane?

Victoria felt relieved to hear that it was him. She was worried Alaric might have

found out about the children.

“What’s the matter, Miss Selwyn? You seem a little pale. Is… there a problem?” the

teacher asked hesitantly.

Victoria came back to her senses and shook her head. “It’s nothing. I’m sorry I

scared you. I thought they were kidnapped.”

“It’s fine. I’m glad it’s nothing. Take care on your way home.”

After bidding the teacher goodbye, Victoria hurried home. When she pushed the

door open, she was met with the delicious aroma of food. She changed her shoes

and went into the living room when she heard her children conversing in their room.

Meanwhile, one of the live-in maids Bane hired for her was busy in the kitchen.

When the live-in maid, Teresa, heard the motion, she turned around and greeted

Victoria, “Miss Selwyn, you’re home.”

In the meantime, the children heard Teresa and ran out of their room.

“Mommy!”

“Mommy, you’re home.”

The two children immediately hugged Victoria’s legs and looked up at her. That

scene melted her heart, and she bent down to hold them in each arm. “How was

school today? Did you have fun? You didn’t get into trouble with your classmates,

did you?”

The children shook their heads in unison and said nothing. In the meantime, Bane

came out of the room and looked at Victoria. He silently gazed at her hair and finally

stopped on her red lips.

She sensed his gaze and patted the children’s shoulders, whispering, “Go play.”

Once the children left, he continued to stare at her lips for a long time until he was

sure there were no abnormal traces before gazing at her eyes. The sound from the

kitchen hood and the children chatting became more distant, and Victoria pursed

her lips, not knowing what to say. She knew Bane must have something to ask, but…

, :“ ? ?”

While she was conflicted, he inquired softly, “How’s work today? Is there anything I

can help you with?”

She subconsciously shook her head. “No, everything’s fine.” She hesitantly added,

“Hey-”

“You don’t have to say anything you don’t want to.” He softly interrupted her and smiled. “I know you’ve

already put it behind you, so I won’t suspect you of anything. Plus, I’m still under observation, so I have

no right to ask anything of you.”

Hearing that, Victoria instantly felt relieved. That was even better because she did

not wish to explain herself to anybody. “Thank you.” She smiled at Bane, feeling like

she owed him big time.

That night, he stayed for dinner while Teresa cleaned up after the meal and left.

Seeing that it was getting late, Victoria told the children to go to bed and went to

finish her work. When she was done, she looked up and saw Bane still on the couch.

Judging from his behavior, he seemed like he did not intend to leave.

The next moment, he took off his golden-rimmed glasses before she could say

anything and smiled at her. “It’s getting late.”

She nodded. “Yeah.”

“Your place is far from the hotel, so can I stay the night here? I’ll pay the rent, of

course.”

At the mention of rent, Victoria thought he was exaggerating. “You rented me this

home, so you don’t have to pay anything. Also, it’s just one night. Make yourself

comfortable.” Then, she got up. “I’ll make your room.”

Bane followed suit. “That’s too much trouble. I can do it myself.” He then trailed her

to the guest room. Since it was winter, he needed a thick quilt and pillows.

Chapter 230 Their Father Brought Them Home

Since she never expected anyone to stay over, she only had three blankets at the

moment. Now that Bane was to stay the night, she decided to give him hers. “Why

don’t… you use mine, and I’ll sleep with Nicole tonight.” Belongs © to NôvelDrama.Org.

“Sure.” He readily accepted the offer. “Thank you, my dear Victoria.”

My dear Victoria… She tugged her lips after hearing that but did not say anything.

Bane brought the covers into the guestroom while Victoria stood in place for some

time before looking for Nicole. When Nicole found out her mother was going to

accompany her, she was instantly excited and hugged her mother’s waist without

letting go. “Mommy, can you tell me a story before bed?”

Victoria agreed. “Sure. I’ll think about it if you’re a good girl tonight.”

“Mommy, what can I do to be a good girl?”

“For example, you could tell me what you did in school today.” Since Bane was here

during the day, she spared him some of her time and barely learned about her

children’s day. That was also why she did not want to find a better half. It made her

feel like she would not have enough time to spend alone with her children.

“What did you do in school today?”

Nicole bowed her head and recalled her day. Then, she looked at Victoria and told

her everything that happened. Even if the young girl could not explain herself well

and had trouble pronouncing because of her absent tooth from having cavities,

Victoria did not mind them and carefully listened, gazing at her with gentleness.

Occasionally, she would help Nicole continue when she stopped, but she would

listen to the young girl’s adorable storytelling. Near the end, Nicole suddenly

stopped and quickly added, “Mommy, many of the kids at school thought Mr. Bane

was our father when he came to pick us up today.”

The gentle smile on Victoria’s face froze. “What?”

“Before today, everyone thought Nathan and I didn’t have a father and wanted to

laugh at us. Ms. Hodgins tried to help us explain, but no one believed her. But Mr.

Bane came today, and even though he’s not our father, the other kids at school won’t

laugh at us anymore.”