Chapter 4 Victoria helplessly objected , " I'm not completely drenched despite the rain . Moreover , I'm fine . " She then walked over to Alaric's desk and placed the report for yesterday on it . " This is yesterday's summary . I've sorted it up . Now , I have work to do , so I'll leave the two of you to your reunion . " She glanced at Claudia , who immediately smiled at her . When she left , Alaric was frowning hard . " Alaric ? " He only snapped out of his thoughts when Claudia called out to him . His reaction confused her , but she sounded kind and caring when saying , " Victoria doesn't look so well . She might be your secretary now , but she used to be the precious daughter of the Selwyns before they went bankrupt . You cannot be too hard on her . " Too hard on her ? Alaric internally laughed . Who could be hard on that woman ? However , he did not say any of that ; instead , responding with a grunt of acknowledgment . Meanwhile , Victoria shuffled back to her office with heavy feet and a heavy head . As soon as she sat down , she could not help but slump over her desk . Suddenly , her head was spinning hard . She lost track of time until she finally heard Yasmin's voice . " Victoria , why don't you go home and rest ? " At that moment , Victoria felt so lethargic and sick that her only response was , " Yasmin , let me sleep for a while . " Following that , she immediately fell into a deep sleep . She had a dream in which she was eighteen again . On that day , she and Alaric had their coming - of - age celebration . So , their families decided to co - host the party . That evening , she specifically put on her favorite blue dress , curled her hair , and had her nails done . She planned to confess her love to him . After a long , fruitless search , she located him in the garden . As she walked over to him , she heard his friends teasing him . " You're an adult now , Al . Are there any girls you like ? Maybe you can get engaged , " one of them said . " Victoria's quite nice . She's always hanging around you , " another said . When Victoria heard that , she instinctively stopped walking , wanting to listen to what Alaric had to say . After all , his answer was vital to what she would do next . However , she did not hear his response as someone spoke up first . " Victoria is impossible . Al only sees her as his little sister . Everyone knows 1 the only one in his mind is Claudia . " Claudia … Then , Victoria snuck a glance at Alaric . That evening , Alaric sat on the stone bench , his legs so long that they barely touched the ground . He had a faint smile and didn't object to what they said . " Indeed . Claudia is more feminine , gentle , and beautiful , but Victoria is only a little girl . Moreover , Claudia is Alaric's savior . " The boy who spoke was Bane Morison , one of Alaric's best friends . He loved teasing Victoria . Every time they met , he would insist on pulling on her pigtails . He was also one of the people Victoria hated the most . I'm not a little girl ! " That's right , " one of Alaric's friends said . " The waters were so dangerous back then . If she had not jumped down to save you , Alaric Cadogan might not be alive today . " Alaric nodded . Finally , there was a response from him as he hummed in agreement . Under the moonlight , his face looked very calm . " The spot beside me will always be hers . " Suddenly , Victoria's heart literally shattered in two when she heard that . She stood there dumbfounded as the blood drained from her face , turning her skin stark white . However , she did not expect her confession would be rejected before it was even given . Claudia had saved Alaric's life , and everyone was talking about it . Customarily , heroes would rescue damsels in distress . In the case of Alaric and Claudia , however , a young woman came to the rescue of a man . On the other hand , Victoria was not aware of the matter . She had also fallen into the river , resulting in a high fever . When she finally woke up , she had forgotten about the events and had no idea how or why she had fallen into the river . One of her classmates said she accidentally fell in because she was too playful . However , it always felt like she had forgotten something . Unfortunately , try as she might , she could not remember anything about it . As time went on , she completely forgot about it . Still , Victoria did not expect Alaric to be obsessed with the person who saved him . It would have been great if I had been the one to save him . Her dream self's emotions seemed to merge with her current emotions . At that moment , her heart felt like it was weighed down by a boulder . Her head throbbed , and she mused , Why wasn't I the one who rescued him back then ? If only … If only … Suddenly , Alaric appeared before Victoria in the dream . His eyes were cold and emotionless . " Abort the baby , Victoria . " Meanwhile , Claudia stood beside him , her vine - like arms wrapped around his side . " Are you keeping the baby because you want to ruin our love , Victoria ? " she asked . When he heard the word ' ruin ,' his eyes went colder . He stepped forward and grabbed Victoria's chin . " Behave , or I will make my move . " His grip was so hard that it felt like he would shatter her jaw . She struggled arduously but eventually woke up from the dream , her body drenched in a cold sweat . As soon as her eyes opened , she saw a busy highway outside the window . Is it … a dream ? Why does it feel so real ? Then , she heaved a sigh . " Oh , you're awake , Victoria . " Hearing the soft voice coming from ahead , she looked up to find Claudia staring at her worriedly . " Thank goodness . I was so worried something had happened to you . " Why is she here ? Realization soon struck Victoria . She turned to look at the driver . It was Alaric , and Claudia was sitting in the passenger seat . When he heard Victoria had woken up , he glanced at her in the rearview mirror . " You're up . What hurts ? Tell the doctor everything when we're at the hospital . " Victoria's heart had been pounding hard from her nightmare . She had finally calmed her heart down , but what he said made it race again from anxiety . " No. I don't need to go to the hospital . I'm fine . " He shot her another look when he heard that . " Why are you causing a fuss ? Don't you know you have a fever ? " " Yes , Victoria , you are burning up really badly . You have to go to the hospital , " Claudia said in agreement . " Al said you got wet walking home in the rain yesterday . What happened ? " What happens ? Victoria stared at Claudia . Her pale lips moved , but she ultimately said nothing . She was definitely present for yesterday's prank . Why else would she inquire if not to imply something? After a moment of thought , Claudia's face turned worried as she guiltily asked , " Is it because yesterday- " " Anyway , we'll be going to the hospital first , " Alaric interrupted in his deep and steady voice . " Rest for the next few days until you get better . You don't need to head into the office during this time . " Then , Claudia shot him a puzzled look for his interruption . Meanwhile , Victoria lowered her eyes as a spine - chillingly icy look flashed in her beautiful eyes . He is very protective of the person for whom he cares the most . It took a few long minutes before she finally looked up and responded , " I won't go to the hospital . " He frowned . Today , she seems incredibly stubborn . " What's your plan ? How can you not go to the hospital when you're sick ? " "I know my body ," she shot back with pursed lips .