Chapter 676 Departure
"Gideon's got his eye on me. He wants to use you as a bargaining chip. If I don't play along, he's gonna take our records to Tomas, and Tomas will definitely come after me. If that happens, I'm either dead or my cover's blown. I can't let that happen," Alaric said, trying to explain.
He was really trying to make her understand.
But no amount of explaining could undo the damage or change the facts.
"I'm sorry, Cecilia. I had no choice," Alaric added.
So, he had already decided for Cecilia. His struggle wasn't about the choice; it was the guilt that left him speechless.
Cecilia just stared at Alaric.
She was at a loss for words.
What could she even say?
Alaric had made it clear.
He couldn't say no to Gideon right now.
Cecilia had no options.
Nothing she said would change anything.
Logically, she should understand Alaric. After all, he was carrying the weight of the Whitaker Royal Family's plan. Compared to that, love seemed trivial.
But emotionally, Cecilia couldn't just brush it off.
She knew how dangerous it would be to go with Gideon this time.
After all, Alaric wasn't really helping Gideon. If Gideon found any flaws, he'd kill Cecilia.
Cecilia didn't want to die, nor did she want to be used as a pawn.
What hurt the most was that she was pregnant.
She didn't want her child to face these dark things before even being born.
In the end, Cecilia said nothing.
Despite the storm of emotions inside her, she didn't say a word.
"Turn off the light," she said.
Alaric just looked at her.
Her eyes seemed a bit red, but maybe it was just a trick of the light.
Cecilia's calmness made Alaric feel like his heart was being twisted.
He would have preferred if she yelled at him, called him cold and heartless, rather than silently enduring the pain he caused her.
Alaric turned off the light.
In the darkness, neither of them slept.
They just stayed silent.
The next day, Alaric asked George to pack Cecilia's bags.
Cecilia watched indifferently as George bustled around, while Alaric kept reminding him what to pack.
Everyone knew how thorough George was; he didn't need any reminders.
Alaric probably just wanted to do something for Cecilia while he still could.
George had a lot of questions.
Why did Alaric want to take Cecilia away as soon as he got back?
Wouldn't Astralton City be more dangerous? Wouldn't it be safer to stay in Serenovia City?
But sensing the tension, George kept quiet and carefully packed Cecilia's things.
After lunch, Alaric took Cecilia out.
From last night until this morning, there had been almost no communication between them.
Alaric finally spoke, "I'll have Augustus go with you."
Cecilia looked up at Augustus.
Augustus seemed to feel her gaze.
He quickly said, "Mrs. Whitaker, don't worry. I'll protect you with my life."
Cecilia just felt there was no need to drag another person into danger.
But she didn't refuse.Not just out of selfishness, she knew having Augustus by her side would be better.
More importantly, even if she objected, Alaric wouldn't budge.
At this final moment, she didn't want to stir up any conflict between them.
She understood all of Alaric's dilemmas.
She even felt that sending her away might be harder for him than for her.
However, she couldn't bring herself to smile at Alaric, couldn't bring herself to comfort him.
She could only choose silence, even if it meant being cold.
The car drove on.
They arrived at an unfamiliar estate.
A man in a black suit respectfully opened the car door for them.
Cecilia didn't get out of the car.
Alaric didn't get out either.
"Cecilia," Alaric called her name.
Cecilia's throat tightened.
"Staying alive is the most important thing," Alaric told her seriously.
So, in order to survive, he sacrificed everything she had.
Cecilia didn't respond to Alaric. Since he wasn't going to change his mind, there was no point in arguing.
She got out of the car first.
It seemed like Alaric reached out to pull her, but maybe it was just her imagination.
Cecilia walked into the hall.
Alaric followed her.
In the room, Gideon sat in a chair, sipping coffee.
Seeing them arrive, he smiled noticeably.
"I've been waiting for you," he said.
Alaric glanced at Cecilia, noticing her calmness, and then turned to Gideon. "I have one condition."
Gideon's expression shifted slightly.
"Alaric, do you think you have the right to negotiate with me?" he said.
"I want Augustus to go with Cecilia," Alaric said bluntly, ignoring Gideon's threat.
Gideon looked at Cecilia.
Cecilia didn't respond.
Alaric remarked, "Mr. Hotchner, since you promised not to harm Cecilia, I should at least have someone to verify that. I trust Mr. Hotchner won't break his word."
Gideon sneered. "Alaric, even ten Augustuses wouldn't make a difference to me. As long as you're loyal to me, I guarantee Cecilia's safety. But if you betray me in any way, Augustus won't be of any use."
"I understand," Alaric said firmly.
Gideon didn't want to waste words with Alaric.
"The helicopter is in the backyard. Follow me," he said coldly.
With those words, Cecilia's body trembled slightly.
It meant she was about to leave with Gideon.
She bit her lip.
Alaric held her hand.
Cecilia looked at Alaric, and he met her gaze as well. Then, slowly, he beckoned her to follow Gideon.
She watched Alaric's cold, distant back.
Gideon boarded the helicopter first.
Alaric, holding Cecilia's hand, stopped in front of the helicopter.
His hand didn't let go; it only tightened.
Cecilia didn't resist.
She didn't push his hand away, nor did she hold it tighter to show her reluctance to leave.
She left the decision entirely to Alaric.
After all, she had no choice.
After a few seconds of stalemate, Alaric suddenly let go.
At that moment, Cecilia felt as if her heart had shattered into a million pieces.
She walked into the helicopter.
She knew this was Alaric's choice.
What she didn't know was that if Alaric ever chose to betray Gideon, it could cost her her life!