Departure with a Belly (Alaric and Victoria)

Chapter 428

After Victoria’s explanation, Nathan and Nicole now believed that Bane was sick. Still,

he would get better. When that happened, he would still be their Mr. Bane.

Their newfound knowledge clearly cheered them up. Just then, Alaric walked into the

room. The children swiftly moved over to pester him.

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Of course, their name for him had not changed due to the time spent together. To them,

he was still Mr. Night.

Nathan was still understandably restrained, but Nicole had no restraint at all. She

immediately held her arms out in a demand to be carried.

Alaric did not think much of it. He promptly kneeled down before her.

Seeing that, Victoria hurried over.

“Nicole, he’s still hurt,” she said.

That made Nicole freeze in place. She dazedly stared at Alaric before shrinking back,

pulling away from him.

She even took a few steps back just to make sure he did not touch her.

Her reaction stunned Alaric. After a few moments of staring at her, he helplessly

Chapter 428 Rivals in Love

chuckled. “It’s only a minor wound. She’s just a little kid. How would she hurt me any

more than I already am?”

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Victoria disagreed with him as she sternly declared, “No way. Nicole is a playful kid who

loves to fidget.”

While Nicole was not a heavy child, she still weighed something. Moreover, she loved to

move around and fidget. What if she accidentally kicked his wound?

His injuries were so serious. Although they had healed nicely over the last few days, it

would still be very painful if the wounds were reopened.

Victoria’s explanation had Nicole maturely holding back from demanding to be carried

by Alaric. When he continued to insist that he was fine, she kindly spoke up. “Mr. Night,

I think it’s better to wait until you’re all healed up.”

There was an obvious look of helplessness on his face as he remained on his knees.

“Very well. I’ll carry you in a few days.”

They were his children, so he wanted to spend more time with them.

While they still called him Mr. Night and might not even know that they were his kids,

Nicole had been rather friendly to him. That was not the case with Nathan.

At that thought, Alaric turned to look at Nathan.

Chapter 428 Rivals in Love

This boy had more thoughts lurking in his mind than Alaric had expected.

Just when would Nathan finally open his heart to Alaric?

Had he ever done so with Bane?

Alaric decided to have a proper chat with Nathan when he had the chance.

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The moment he thought that, Nicole suddenly demanded Victoria go with her to check

out the new clothes the servants had prepared for her the night before.

As Nicole was a girl, Nathan did not follow her as she led Victoria to her room.

Now, the only ones left in the room were Alaric and Nathan.

The chance had arrived.

Alaric gestured for him to come closer. “Nate.”

Nathan was familiar with Alaric now. The wariness from before had slowly faded away

until they could act naturally around each other. Otherwise, he would have left the room

with Nicole and Victoria.

Thus, Nathan approached Alaric and obediently greeted, “Mr. Night.”

Alaric patted the seat beside him, telling him to sit.

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Chapter 42B Rivals in Love

Nathan did not reject the suggestion and immediately sat next to Alaric.

He might be a young boy, but he was a smart kid. He could sense that Alaric had

something to say to him.

“Nate,” Alaric said.

He looked down at Nathan. His voice was calm and relaxed as though they were only

engaging in small talk.

“Can I ask you something?”

Nathan nodded and asked back, “What would you like to ask?”

“Do you think I am worthy of being your and Nicole’s father?”

The question was if Alaric was worthy, not if Nathan was willing to accept him as a

father.

Nathan was a very knowledgeable child despite his age. Hence, he swiftly understood

what Nathan meant by that. It took him a while before he finally responded, “Th–That

depends on Mommy.”

“I am asking about you. Putting your mother’s opinion aside, what do you really think?

Do you think I am good enough?”

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Chapter 428 Rivals in Love

Nathan silently stared back.

“Don’t be scared,” Alaric said, placing a hand on Nathan’s shoulder. His voice was

unusually warm and sweet. “Just tell me the truth.”

What Nathan wanted to say would absolutely be offensive to Alaric. Yes, Alaric had

done a lot for them and even watched the children’s streams.

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The name “Silent Night” held a lot of influence over the kids. If a stranger had admitted

to being their biological father but was not “Silent Night,” would they have accepted

that man into their lives so soon?

They would not since the man would feel very distant from them.

The psychological distance was a very vital part of any relationship.

Getting used to something was also a life–changing matter for most people.

For example, Nathan and Nicole were used to having a man named “Silent Night” who

would watch every single one of their streams, rain or shine. He would always shower

them with donations and gifts.

They had grown used to that life and the presence of that name in their lives.

Hence, the moment Alaric appeared and made himself known as “Silent Night“, he had

carved for himself an irreplaceable spot in the children’s hearts.

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Chapter 428 Rivals in Love

However, that was exactly why…

Nathan shook his head.

“If I have to tell the truth, then it’s a no.”

Alaric had expected that answer.

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As he had expected Nathan’s answer, he did not feel disappointed or anything negative.

With a calm look on his face, he gazed down at Nathan.

“Can you tell me what I need to do to change that?”

Nathan’s eyes darted up to look at him before looking away. He shook his head. “I don’t

know.”

“You don’t know?”

“Yes.” Nathan nodded. “Mr. Night, I think that when you are good enough, Mommy will

absolutely accept you into the family.”

His response stunned Alaric.

Why did he not think of that? The moment he was worthy of being their father, Victoria

would naturally ask the children to accept him.

Chapter 428 Rivals in Love

Still…

“That means you are still keeping your mother’s opinions in mind, right?”

In the end, they were back to the same point.

“Mommy is the only family member Nicole and I have. Of course, we care what she

thinks.”

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That was also true. Victoria raised them by herself. It was natural for them to only care

about her opinions.

“Hm,” he hummed in response.

Alaric was unwilling to give up just yet. “What do you think then? What if you compare

me to… Mr. Bane?”

Despite being only five years old, Nathan finally realized what was going on.

This was the actual question Alaric had wanted to ask.

Back when he was in school, he once witnessed two men get jealous over a female

teacher they liked. They would constantly compare themselves against each other.

Finally, they would fight each other with their fists.

Mr. Night wants to get together with Mommy, and so does Mr. Bane. Thus, they are

Chapter 428 Rivals in Love

rivals in love. It is normal for rivals to compare themselves against each other, right?

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