Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 128

Chapter 128 Post It

Fausted

They all thought she was the future Mrs. Vale, so they tripped over themselves trying to win her over.

But the truth? The necklace wasn’t from Dorian. It had othing to do with him. Back inside. Arden was still calmly cutting her steak.

Dorian just sat there, watching her. Watching her long lashes fall as she focused. Watching her fingers turn pale as she gripped the knife and fork. Watching her concentrate on her plate like nothing else mattered.

He suddenly felt annoyed. Looked down and started cang again. They didn’t speak. Just sat there in silence.

The violinist had finished and walked off. A man in a white tuxedo took over on the piano, notes floating between them.

Arden really was hungry. She wasn’t one to read the room, so she kept her head down, eating steadily. The steak was tender, flavorful.

Her taste buds were happy, and so was she–totally unaware of the man across from her, face dark. When she finished, she called the server over. “Do you have ice cream?”

The server nodded politely. “Yes, we do.”

“Vanilla?”

“Yes, miss.”

Her eyes lit up. “I’ll take one, please.”

“Right away.”

The server turned to leave, but Arden called him back. She glanced at the man across the table, who was quietly cutting his steak.

His table manners were sharp, probably born of that innate refinement. He made slicing beef look elegant.

“Mr. Vale,” Arden asked, “do you want ice cream?”

He didn’t look up. “What am I, twelve?”

Arden blinked. “Who says only kids eat ice cream?”

Dorian stabbed a piece of steak and said coolly, “Not interested.”

Fine. No need to bite my head off.

Arden smiled at the server. “Just one, then.”

The dessert came in a tall glass, pure white with a mint leaf on the side–fresh, clean, and mouthwaterin

Arden lifted her phone, aiming for a selfie with the dessert and the Zevia skyline outside the window.

Dorian thought of that photo of her and Vincent at Rivergaze Pavilion. He had just finished eating, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and looked up.

117

20:28 Mon, Feb 9 G

Chapter 128 Post It

There she was, eyes gleaming over a scoop of vanilla. All that joy… over a damn ice cream.

“Arden,” he said,

“Yeah?” She was hunched over her phone, scrolling through filters, barely paying attention.

“Take a picture with me.”

Arden blinked, startled. “Huh? Me? With you?”

“Yeah.”

“Wait, you take pictures?”

“I’m not a caveman.”

“But why? It’s not like we’re a couple.”

Dorian did not like that. He let out a laugh, cold and sharp.

“And Vincent is? You and him are in love now?”

What kind of twisted logic…

“He’s my neighbor. Grew up with him.”

“And I’m your husband.”

Out of nowhere, he pulls the husband card. Sure, technically. A husband in name only.

“Come here. Let’s take one.”

“Nope. Not doing it.”

Finishert

Why bother? So she could regret it later? Dorian stood up and gave Lucien a look. Lucien got the signal. Reached into his pocket for his phone.

Arden thought he was heading to the restroom. Instead, he came straight toward her. Suddenly leaned down, leveled with her, cupped her face.

Lucien immediately started snapping. Arden was so stunned she didn’t even realize what was happening.

Dorian brushed his thumb over her lips. They were soft. His Adam’s apple moved, eyes darkening. But he pulled back.

He dragged a chair next to hers and sat down. “Smile.”

“You think I can smile after being ambushed like that?”

Dorian didn’t respond. Just slipped an arm around her shoulders and looked straight at Lucien.

Lucien called out, “Mrs. Vale.”

Arden looked up and saw Lucien pointing a phone at her. She turned toward Dorian. He was grinning. Genuinely grinning. Looking straight at the camera.

2/3

Mon, reu

Chapter 120 Postit

He gently turned her face to the front. “Look at the camera. Give us a smile”

Lucien caught every shot. Dorian looked satisfied. Lucie sent the pictures to his phone. He picked a few and sent them to Arden. Then he added a message, “Pos these on your feed”

When she just stared at him, confused, Dorian returned to his seat and said calmly, “Check your phone.”

178

3/3