Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 19

apter 19 His Type

None of the traits he had just described had anything to do with Arden.

Cassian raised an eyebrow and glanced her way. The girl sitting across from him looked quiet and composed, soft around the edges, nothing about her even hinted at sexy, sultry, or fiery.

So that was it. No wonder Arden had never caught Dorian’s attention.

Hearing his description, Vivienne Ash and Clara exchanged subtle looks of satisfaction. Everything he had listed fit them perfectly.

The game continued. Not long after, Vivienne was eliminated.

Cassian’s interest instantly spiked. He leaned forward, clearly enjoying the show, and told her to choose. Given an opportunity like that, she naturally chose truth.

By coincidence, the slip of paper she picked was particularly interesting.

Cassian read it aloud, “Vivienne, do you have feelings for Dorian?”

All eyes turned toward them. Vivienne’s face flushed instantly. She lowered her head in a shy gesture, then lifted her gaze, eyes soft and lingering as she looked at Dorian.

“I love him,” she said.

Isla muttered under her breath, “Shameless.”

When Vivienne said it, Dorian’s eyes drifted toward Arden.

Arden had her head lowered. Her lashes were long, casting shadows as she avoided his gaze. She looked completely indifferent.

Isla was already halfway to standing up, ready to snap back, but Arden caught her hand and gently pressed it down, shaking her head.

The game did not last much longer.

After that, Arden did not join in again. She sat off to the side, quietly becoming an outsider, a detached observer.

She watched the women who came into the private room finding every excuse to move closer to Dorian. He seemed to accept all of it, lounging lazily where he sat. His legs were long and firm, his fingers slender as he lifted his glass and clinked drinks with them.

At some point, the games turned overtly suggestive. The women circled him openly, each one trying harder than the last to flirt, almost as if they wished they could peel off their clothes right there.

Dorian stayed where he was, relaxed and unreadable, neither encouraging nor stopping them.

Cassian and the others naturally recorded videos of the scene.

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Chapter 19 His Type

Watching from a distance, Arden suddenly understood why Dorian had insisted she come.

Finished

He wanted her to see his world and then stop caring about him. Maybe even grow cold enough to bring up divorce herself. After all, if he were the one to suggest it, Eugenia would never agree.

Arden sat far away, sipping warm milk through a straw. She watched with Isla, genuinely interested, watching those beautiful, graceful women put on their performances, trying so hard to please Dorian. When things got particularly suggestive, she even clapped.

Cassian leaned toward Dorian and said quietly, “Your wife is way too understanding. All these women throwing themselves at you, and she’s over there smiling and clapping.”

He clicked his tongue. “She must really love you.”

Theo smirked and added, “Or maybe Arden doesn’t love him at all. If you don’t care, you don’t get jealous.”

Dorian glanced in Arden’s direction. She really was smiling, her eyes curved gently, completely unbothered.

Something in his chest tightened, irritation flaring up out of nowhere. He let out a short laugh.

The gathering finally wrapped up close to eleven. Vivienne and Clara stayed glued to Dorian’s side the

entire time.

Just as everyone was about to leave, Vivienne pressed a hand to her stomach and said she was in pain again.

“Go get it checked,” Dorian said.

When she looked at him, he added after glancing at her abdomen, “I’ll go with you.” Isla grabbed Arden’s hand and pulled her forward.

Dorian called out, “I’ll have Lucien take you home.”

Arden glanced at Vivienne. “No need. Mr. Vale should take her to the hospital.” She smiled faintly. “After all, she’s carrying your child.”

Dorian’s expression darkened instantly. Arden did not give him a chance to respond. She got straight into Isla’s car.

When she got back to Silverbay Villa, Arden had no appetite. Seeing Martha waiting, she said calmly, “Martha, throw away the cake and the side dishes.”

Martha froze. “Weren’t they for sir’s birthday?”

“No,” Arden said. “He already had cake.”

She paused on the stairs, then added, “I’ll do it myself.”

She carried the beautifully decorated cake out and dropped it into the trash without hesitation. Even Martha felt a twinge of regret watching it.

Seeing Arden come back alone, Martha asked, “Sir hasn’t returned yet?”

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#Finished

“Oh.” Arden said casually, “he went to the hospital with Vivienne.”

She went upstairs and straight into the guest bedroom. In the master bedroom, she had already changed the bedding back to the cool, neutral tones Dorian preferred.

Based on everything she had seen that night, it was clear he wanted a divorce. He was just waiting for her to say it first.

Arden showered, applied a face mask, finished her skincare routine, and checked the time. It was almost midnight.

Dorian still was not back.

This time, she did not message him. She turned off the lights and went to sleep.

It was half past midnight when Dorian came back.

He carried the sharp scent of alcohol with him.

He went into the kitchen for a glass of ice water and immediately noticed the cake and dishes in the trash.

Hearing movement, Martha came up from downstairs. Seeing him looking at the trash, she spoke before he could ask, “Mrs. Vale came back this afternoon and prepared those herself. She said she wanted to celebrate your birthday. When she returned tonight, she said you had already had cake, so she threw it away.”

Dorian said nothing. He turned and sat down on the couch.

‘Is she asleep?” he asked.

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