Chapter 195 No Need to Apologize
Since Arabella was pregnant, Alexander didn't stay long at the club. After cutting the cake and eating a little, he left with her.
Flora watched them leave hand in hand, a sour feeling rising in her chest.
Blake, standing beside her, draped an arm casually over her shoulders in consolation.
"Stop staring," he said. "You know Alex's personality. Once he chooses someone, he never lets go. You should move on. There are plenty of fish in the sea. Like the prime specimen standing right in front of you!"
Flora glanced at him and stomped hard on his foot. Blake yelped and quickly withdrew his arm back, clutching his foot as he howled.
"You crazy woman! I was trying to comfort you! No good deed goes unpunished!"
Flora scoffed disdainfully. "You? A prime specimen? Go look in a mirror first. Why are there so many delusional men these days? Honestly, it's offensive to my eyes!"
Meanwhile, after leaving the club with Alexander, Arabella asked, "Flora isn't Blake's girlfriend, is she?"
Alexander raised an eyebrow. "Did she tell you she was?"
Arabella shook her head. "No, I just assumed since they came together and sat together the whole time."
Alexander answered frankly, "She likes me."
Arabella wasn't particularly surprised.
Flora had disguised it well at first, but later her remarks had clearly been off—almost as if she were deliberately trying to drive a wedge between her and Alexander.
Arabella simply disliked assuming the worst about people. That didn't mean she was stupid. She had felt Flora's subtle hostility very clearly.
That was why she had guessed Flora probably wasn't Blake's girlfriend at all, but someone interested in Alexander.
Still, since Flora hadn't openly shown it, Arabella had pretended not to notice until they left.
Her calm reaction made Alexander's heart sunk. She wasn't even a little jealous?
Did he really matter that little to her? A deep sense of defeat washed over him.
Arabella didn't notice his reaction and kept walking. After a few steps, she realized he had fallen behind. Turning around, she asked,. "What's wrong?"
Alexander's tall figure approached her. He pressed a hand against his chest and looked somewhat pitiful. "It hurts here."
The streetlight cast shadows that enveloped Arabella. Arabella looked confused.—She didn't seem to understand what he meant, yet her ears turned slightly red as he stood so close.
"Someone likes me, and you don't feel anything at all?" Alexander asked reluctantly, looking at her with obvious expectation.
His anticipation was so clear that Arabella opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words.
In truth, she didn't quite understand. Someone liked him—not the other way around. What was she supposed to feel? That was Flora's business and had nothing to do with her. And even if Alexander someday fell for someone else, it would simply mean she had loved the wrong person again—just like with Anthony. She would just need to walk away in time.
Besides, she had already decided to give up on this relationship. If he could love someone else, she would simply wish him happiness.
Arabella was naturally open-minded and didn't dwell on things. This matter felt too trivial for her to take seriously.
But she didn't explain any of that to Alexander.
Letting him misunderstand and gradually lose hope might actually be better.
Unexpectedly, seeing her remain silent, Alexander only smiled.
Then he gently stroked her hair. "It's okay. I'm used to it."
Guilt suddenly washed over Arabella.
She had always been gentle and kind, rarely hurting others. Anthony had been her first love, and her experience with romance was painfully limited. Naturally, she failed to recognize Alexander's tactic of retreating strategically while playing the victim.
She only felt that she was being unfair to him. He hadn't done anything wrong, yet because of her withdrawal, he was suffering consequences he didn't deserve.
"I'm sorry, I—" Before she could finish, a warm hand gently covered her lips.
"Don't apologize," the man said under the dim streetlight, his expression tender, his gaze deep enough to drown in. "I do it willingly, Arabella."
Arabella couldn't quite sort out her feelings. She felt touched, bitter, guilty, and regretful all at once.
"Alex, I—"
Alexander shook his head with a faint smile. "You don't need to say anything. I understand."
Arabella felt even guiltier. She had already rejected him and explained her reasons clearly, yet he stubbornly refused to give up.
She felt terrible too. After a pause she said, "Let's... set a time to finalize the divorce."
Alexander looked at her quietly for a long moment. "Okay," he finally said.
Arabella got into the car with him, her emotions complicated. Ever since his identity had been exposed, Alexander had stopped driving himself. His old battered car had been scrapped, and he had returned to using a driver.
As a result, in just a few weeks, Arabella had ridden in more luxury cars than she had in the previous thirty years of her life combined.
When they got home, Becky was already asleep. Moris gave Alexander his usual report and then left.
Arabella went to take a shower. Alexander leaned against the bathroom door, listening to the sound of running water.
Unable to hold back, he said, "Arabella, before we divorce, will you come meet my parents with me?"
The sound of water stopped. Arabella's confused voice came from inside. "Haven't I already met them?"
She had even taken six hundred thousand dollars from them.
Alexander chuckled softly. "Not like that. A real meeting. There were too many people there that day—you didn't really see who they are. I think, since we got married, you should at least see what your in-laws are actually like. That way you won't regret it later."
Arabella fell silent for a long time.
After a while, she came out with a towel wrapped around her hair, wearing a pale pink bathrobe.
"Alex." Her expression showed hesitation before turning firm. "I'm serious about the divorce. Meeting your parents won't change my mind."
Only after speaking did she realize Alexander hadn't responded. Following his gaze, she suddenly realized he was staring at her shoulder.
Her face flushed bright red. Embarrassed and annoyed, she punched him. "Pervert!"
Alexander reluctantly dragged his gaze from her smooth, rounded shoulder.
He truly hadn't meant to stare—but she was wearing that soft pink bathrobe, revealing her slender neck and delicate shoulders, her well-proportioned arms and legs. The sight attacked his senses.
Images from that night flashed uncontrollably through his mind—her arms wrapped around his waist, her legs tangled with his...
No man could remain unmoved when facing the woman he loved. He wasn't a saint.
Taking a deep breath, Alexander resigned himself to apologize. "I'm sorry. I was inappropriate."
He was probably the first man in history to apologize for looking too long at his legally wedded wife.
Arabella wasn't actually angry, just deeply embarrassed. She turned and hurried into the bedroom, locking the door to change clothes.
When she came out again, she was wearing modest pajamas from head to toe, the collar buttoned all the way up.
Alexander was helpless but changed the subject. "If you're okay with it, let's fly to Europe this weekend. My parents are traveling there right now."
"Huh?" Arabella blinked. "We're really going?"
"Think of it as parting on good terms. We never had a honeymoon—so let's call it a divorce trip." Alexander deliberately sounded casual, knowing what bothered her.
Arabella hesitated. She felt this was unnecessary, but Alexander seemed unwilling to give up. If she still decided on divorce after meeting his parents, then he would have no reason left to argue.
Wanting to settle their relationship as soon as possible, she nodded. "Okay."
Then she asked, "I only have a passport. I don't have a visa. Isn't it too late to apply?"
Alexander smiled. "Don't worry, I'll handle it."
Arabella nodded.
Being rich was convenient. Even someone like Anthony couldn't pull strings for visa applications. Alexander made it sound as simple as drinking water.
Alexander removed the towel from her hair and gently began drying it. "Did I ever tell you my father gave up his inheritance rights in the FitzRoy family for my mother?"
The sudden intimacy made Arabella tense. She hastily backed away, trying to reclaim her hair. "I... I can do it myself."
Alexander had already turned on the hairdryer. "You can't dry it properly yourself. Let me help."
His movements were gentle. Arabella could feel his fingers lifting strands of her hair, occasionally brushing against her skin. Each touch made her heart flutter.
After finishing, Alexander continued, "My dad and mom met in college. Mom came from nothing—she was an orphan who took out loans to pay for university. When Dad pursued her, she refused at first. But Dad tricked her. He said if she dated him, she'd get free breakfast every day. To save money on food, my mom agreed to go out with him."
Arabella found this unbelievable. "What?"
In her impression, Vera was a lovely, pampered beauty. She had never imagined such a past.
Alexander's eyes held laughter. "Dad went to great lengths to win his wife. But Mom wasn't very steadfast. When the family found out about their relationship, the FitzRoys couldn't accept a daughter-in-law from that background. My grandfather contacted Mom directly and offered her several hundred thousand to leave Dad."
Arabella thought about Vera's personality and asked curiously, "She threw the money in your grandfather's face without hesitation?"
"No." Alexander smiled helplessly. "She took the money without hesitation and agreed."
Arabella stared at him in shock. "Wait, what—"
"When Dad found out, he was furious. He gave her six million dollars and warned her not to think about that little bit of money anymore—if she wanted money, he had plenty. Mom was so shocked by his wealth that the whole thing blew over."
Arabella thought this was hard to evaluate. Though surprising, it did seem like something Vera would do.
Alexander looked down at her, smiling. "Arabella, I want you to see their love. Dad could give up inheritance rights for Mom, and so can I. Dad, a total homebody, has spent half his life traveling the world with Mom. I can do that too. And I'm more deeply entrenched in the FitzRoy family than Dad ever was. I have more power and authority to promise you—I can protect you forever."
"I want you to see their love. After you do, if you still want a divorce, I'll respect your decision."
Of course, they could divorce, but he'd never stop pursuing her. He kept those words hidden in his heart, not daring to speak them.
Either way, he'd never let her go in this lifetime.
Arabella hadn't expected all that buildup was for this.
She wanted to say something but realized nothing she said would change his mind..
So she just let him have his way.
She used to think the phrase "persistence pays off" was overly subjective. Now she suddenly realized the saying was actually quite true.
She wasn't a hard-hearted person. If he kept at her like this, she was afraid she'd lose her resolve.
Better to go along with him and get this over with quickly. It was just this weekend anyway—wouldn't drag on long.
The next morning, Alexander drove her to work as usual. Before reaching the office, she got a call from Daisy, whose voice sounded aggrieved. "Arabella, are you with Alexander?"
Arabella was taken aback and instinctively glanced at Alexander driving beside her. "Yes. We're together. Do you need him for something?"
"Yes! Come save me!" Daisy said indignantly. "Rachel showed up at my place!"
"Rachel? What does she want with you?" Arabella asked.
After Daisy explained, Arabella understood the situation.
After Ethan broke off their engagement, Rachel had been unwilling to accept it. She had repeatedly tried to reconcile with him. When she noticed his attitude remained distant, she had investigated who had taken him away. That investigation led straight to Daisy.
Rachel and Daisy already had issues because of Arabella. Now that Rachel believed Daisy had seduced Ethan away from her, she was furious. She'd immediately shown up at Daisy's door.
Daisy wasn't afraid of her. The first few times, she'd verbally destroyed Rachel without breaking a sweat. But last night, Rachel had discovered Ethan entering Daisy's place. She'd brought Jennifer, called Evelyn, and blocked the door demanding an explanation.
If it had only been Rachel and Jennifer, Daisy wouldn't have been intimidated. But Evelyn had come too, along with several bodyguards in black that someone had brought. Daisy was a little scared but didn't know who to turn to for help, so she'd thought of Alexander.
Her logic was simple. With Alexander's status, his mere presence would command respect. Then whether they wanted an explanation or demanded she cut ties with Ethan, at least she would have a chance to speak.
Honestly, she was just afraid of getting beaten up without a chance to explain.
After hearing everything, Arabella turned to Alexander. "Can you—"
She'd meant to ask if he had time, but Alexander didn't wait for her to finish. "Okay. We'll go now."
He checked his watch. "About twenty minutes. Ask if she can hold out that long."