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

Chapter 562 Playing Tricks 

Summer opened her WhatsApp, wanting to show Victoria their conversation as she never had anything to hide. from her best friend. 

When Victoria leaned over to take a look, she let out a gasp. “You didn’t reply to his latest message,” she 

remarked. 

Summer hadn’t noticed this earlier, so she pulled her phone closer to check her messages. 

After she thanked Erik for showing concern, he sent her another message. ‘Stay safe, and let me know when you’ve arrived at the hotel.‘ 

She didn’t respond since she had collected her luggage by then and went looking for Victoria and Alaric. Following that, she had supper with them and even took a shower after going back. She only saw his message 

now… 

“It seems like asking about work was just an excuse, right? More importantly, he just wanted to make sure that 

you were safe,” Victoria said, and Summer looked up at the woman. 

“Why does he need to make sure that I’m safe, though?” Summer found it strange. 

Victoria thought momentarily. “Well, you’ve been working under him for many years, and you guys usually work together. People aren’t cold–blooded animals, you know. It’s normal for him to express concern when an old team member resigns and leaves at midnight. It would mean he’s too cold–blooded if he didn’t show any 

concern.” 

After hearing Victoria’s explanation, Summer felt it made sense, so the nervousness in her heart disappeared. She rubbed her face with her hands. “You’re right. He probably won’t bother me again in the future.” 

They only dwelled on the topic for a short time and quickly moved on. They chatted for a long time, but just as Victoria wanted to ask Summer about what happened between herself and Alaric, the woman fell asleep, 

succumbing to her exhaustion. 

“Summer?” Victoria called out, but all she heard was Summer’s soft and steady breathing in response. 

It seems like she’s tired after a long day of traveling. Victoria did not intend to disturb Summer, so she simply reached over and pulled the blanket up a bit higher to prevent Summer from catching a cold in the middle of 

the night. 

Then, Victoria turned off the bedside lamp and quickly fell asleep. 

That night, everyone slept late after a long day. 

However, Victoria’s body alarm woke her up bright and early, even though she wanted to sleep in. 

When she woke up, she found Summer sleeping beside her and almost falling off the bed. 

Victoria’s eyes were so tired that she could barely open them. She struggled in bed for several seconds before deciding to go back to sleep for a while longer. 

In the end, she didn’t wake up until noon. 

She felt something fluffy brushing against her face in her sleep, but she didn’t pay much attention to it at first. 

Gradually, she began to sense a slight itch on her cheek. 

13:13 Thu, 20 Jul 

While in deep slumber, she instinctively reached out and brushed it away. 

“Mommy, wake up.” 

A soft, endearing voice chirped as Victoria’s hand swatted away the mysterious presence. She wondered if she had misheard things after hearing the voice. 

“Mommy? Mommy, wake up.” 

After a moment, Victoria discerned that it was her daughter’s voice. 

When Victoria opened her eyes, she saw Nicole’s adorable face lying beside her while looking at her with big, bright eyes. 

Seeing her awake, those lively eyes curved into crescent moons. 

Nicole said, “Mommy, you’re finally awake.” 

“Nicky?” Victoria called out sleepily and instinctively pulled Nicole into her embrace. “How did you come in here? What time is it now?” 

After speaking, she let out a yawn. 

“Mommy, it’s already noon,” Nicole replied. 

“What “Victoria’s eyes widened abruptly upon hearing the time, and she sat up despite feeling drowsy at 

first. 

“Mommy?” 

“It’s already noon!” Victoria instinctively glanced over to where Summer had been sleeping, only to find it empty. “Summer?” 

“Mommy, are you looking for Miss Jones?” Nicole questioned. 

“Yes, do you know where she went?” As Victoria asked, she lifted the covers and got out of bed. 

“Miss Jones got up early in the morning and went downstairs. It seems like she’s chatting with Grandma.” 

“Did she get up early?” Victoria’s eyebrows unconsciously furrowed after hearing this news. I didn’t even notice Summer getting up. 

Victoria felt displeased with herself and pursed her lips. After getting dressed, she said, “I’ll go downstairs and 

take a look.” 

At the sight of her mother about to leave, Nicole quickly snuggled up to her feet. “Carry me, Mommy.” 

Victoria bent down to scoop Nicole into her arms. She planned on going downstairs to look for Summer, but to her surprise, she ran into Alaric. 

Alaric reached his arms out after seeing Nicole hanging onto Victoria’s slender frame. 

“Daddy will carry you, Nicky,” Alaric said. 

Nicole was torn between her parents‘ embrace, but she couldn’t bear to refuse Daddy’s inviting gesture, so she 

entered his arms. 

Victoria felt relieved after seeing Nicole being held by Alaric and said, “Hold her for a moment. I’ll go downstairs and check.” 

As she passed by Alaric, he grabbed her hand. “Are you looking for your friend?” 

“Yes. Nicole said Summer got up early,” Victoria replied. 

“She’s already left,” Alaric informed Victoria. 

After hearing this, Victoria stopped in her tracks. “Has she left already?“. 

Her eyebrows furrowed in response. “Why did she leave without even telling me? I feel hurt.” 

Alaric sighed helplessly after seeing her pained expression. “Well, she did want to tell you, but you were fast 

asleep.” 

His words left her speechless for a moment. She instinctively retorted, “It’s not that I sleep too much; you guys wake up too early.” 

After all, everyone went to bed late last night. If they had followed their biological clocks, they would have only slept for two or three hours. 

I woke up at some point, but my body felt so miserable. I couldn’t move at all, and I only wanted to go back to sleep. It’s a completely different situation from before. My body and eyes feel comfortable after being well- 

rested. 

Alaric chuckled softly. “Yes, we do wake up too early. What about you, though? Are you a lazy little piggy?” 

Victoria was speechless. 

Before she could refute it, she heard Nicole speaking up while nestled in Alaric’s arms. “Yeah, Mommy is a lazy little piggy.” 

Victoria initially intended to scold Alaric, but she had to swallow her thoughts and instead reached out to pinch. Nicole’s cheeks. “You little rascal! Your Daddy is being naughty, so how can you join him?” 

Even after being pinched, Nicole continued to playfully whine, “You’re a lazy little piggy, Mommy!” 

She looked at Alaric, feeling speechless. “Let’s not use that term anymore. It’s not good for the children to pick. it up.” 

Alaric chuckled. “What’s wrong with it? Don’t you find it cute when she says it?” 

“What’s cute about it? Should I call you that too? Do you think it’s cute?” Victoria fought back.