Chapter 19 Summer calmed herself down after hearing Victoria's remarks . Since they had been friends for years , she knew Victoria well . She was someone who knew where she stood , so she had anticipated that something like this would happen . Even so , Summer's heart broke for her . " But … Are you willing to do so ? " asked Summer as she bit her lip . " Does it matter ? " Victoria replied impassively . It was not the result that she wanted , but nothing changed even when she tried to alter it . Reality slapped her in the face , which reminded her that she should not be delusional . " Are you free tomorrow ? Can you accompany me to the hospital ? " She paused before continuing with a smile , " I don't want to go alone . " " Come on , you're my only best friend . Of course , I'll make time for you . You don't even have to ask . Just let me know , and I'll accompany you . " Summer nodded . " Let's eat . I wanna rest early . " Victoria smiled . She was so calm that Summer could not tell how she was feeling . Faced with that scenario , she felt like crying when she saw how Victoria was trying to hold back her emotions . Victoria was unlike that before the Selwyn Family went bankrupt . She used to be a typical girl who had a candid personality since the Selwyns would have her back if anything happened . However , ever since their bankruptcy … " Victoria , you should let it out if you feel sad . Since there are only two of us in this room and I'm your best friend , you don't have to hide your feelings in front of me . " Victoria was surprised upon hearing that . Did I mean to cry ? She had cried her eyes out multiple times ever since the bankruptcy . It was also then that she understood crying would not solve anything , and that her tears were worthless . Not only that , those who wanted to trample over her would see her as a joke . Ever since then , she decided she would not shed tears so easily in front of anyone , even if it was someone she trusted . With that thought in mind , she smiled . " Are you silly ? What's there to cry over ? Since day one , he had told me clearly that this is a marriage of convenience . I'm here to help him deal with his grandmother , and he would pay off my debt . This is just a deal . * Her nonchalance enraged Summer . " You're lying . If this is just a deal , why are you pregnant ? If he only sees this as a deal , he shouldn't have slept with you and impregnated you . Getting an abortion is bad for your body , so what does he see you as ? " All of Summer's questions struck Victoria's heart as if her heart had been stabbed . In the beginning , she and Alaric were unlike how it was now . After they married , they would sleep in the same room to avoid any unnecessary speculations , though he would sleep on the couch . Since he was her savior and someone whom she liked , she could not bring herself to let him sleep so uncomfortably . Instead , she allowed him to sleep on the bed with a pillow placed in between them . Since it was a big bed , it did not affect their sleep . This went on for a long time until one night when Alaric brought her along for an event , and she was introduced to some big shot whom she had already known before her family went bankrupt . During that night , she was introduced as Mrs. Cadogan , and nobody dared to embarrass him . After the event ended , Victoria bought him drinks as she was in a good mood . Both chatted about work as they drank and got drunk . She had a hard time carrying him back to the room and suddenly fell into his arms after tripping over something . Her being in his arms had somehow aroused him , and he grabbed onto her waist while pressing himself on her . His slim yet fit figure was on top of hers . She was not sure whether it was due to the alcohol , but she could feel her face boiling . She wanted to push him away , but before she could do so , he pressed his lips against hers . Startled , she was about to push him away when he started kissing her . At that moment , her head went blank , and she froze . When she finally made sense of the situation , she kissed him back . That night , he clung to her , and she let herself go . When she awoke in his arms the next morning , she noticed the frown on his face . Just as he was about to say something , she interjected . " This is just an accident since we were both drunk last night . " Hearing that , his gaze darkened as he repeated her words . " An accident ? " " Yes , an accident . " She nodded . This could only be an accident since it was a marriage of convenience from the start . If something like that happened along the way , it would affect their relationship , and he might not let her stay by his side , thinking that she had an agenda . His expression turned grave after hearing the word ' accident ' . It took him a while to finally calm himself down . " As a woman , you're on the short end of the stick . You can think of what you need from me . " " Why do I need anything from you ? And what makes you think I'm on the short end of the stick ? We're both adults , and this is just a biological need . " Victoria pretended to be nonchalant . Alaric's expression turned heavy upon hearing that . " It's just a biological need ? " He glanced at her with his darkened gaze . " What else could it be ? Don't overthink it . If you feel bad , you can just pay me . She shrugged and acted nonchalant about it . That day , Victoria used her way to convince Alaric that it was just a deal and quietly hid her true feelings from him . Eventually , she asked for a million . It was unknown whether he thought the amount was outrageous , but ever since that incident , his face had never been any gloomier during all the years she spent with him . Even so , he paid her the money , but both of them did not speak to each other for a long time . He would always greet her with a long face whenever he bumped into her and purposely go to work early and stay back after work to avoid her . Thus , both barely saw each other during that period . However , their relationship finally improved after Griselda's birthday . Victoria sighed as she recalled the past . " There's that . I hope to get over it soon . * After everything was done , it would be time for her to leave . She could get divorced after Griselda's operation and be free to go anywhere she wanted ! The next day , Victoria was up early . After meeting Summer , both of them headed to the hospital .