Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20 A Sleepless Night

“Yes,” Martha replied. “She came back a little after eleven. She should be asleep.”

Finished

Dorian took out his phone and opened Arden’s WhatsApp. It was silent. No messages asking when he would be home.

He tossed the phone aside and rubbed his temples.

Martha brought over a bowl of warm soup. “Have some,” she said. “It’ll be easier on your stomach. Mrs. Vale asked me to make it.”

Martha had made it herself, hoping it might leave Arden with a better impression of her. He had not eaten much and his stomach did ache. He took a few bites.

Martha could not help adding, “Mrs. Vale came back early today and made several dishes you like. She put a lot of thought into it, but they were all thrown away.”

His hand paused briefly. He said nothing. After finishing the soup, he went upstairs and pushed open the master bedroom door.

The room had been restored to his preferred cool palette. He scanned the bed. There was no small shape curled under the covers.

He frowned and went back downstairs.

Martha was washing dishes when she heard him ask, “You said she was asleep. Where is she?”

“She’s in the guest bedroom,” Martha said. “Didn’t she tell you?”

Dorian paused, then went upstairs again and opened the guest room door.

The room was warm and softly decorated, just like the master bedroom had been when he first returned. The air carried her familiar scent.

A small figure lay curled beneath the blanket.

He looked once, returned to his own room to shower, then came back expressionless, lifted the blanket, and slipped in beside her.

He pulled her into his arms.

Arden woke up. She opened her eyes and met his gaze.

For a moment, she was confused. She propped herself up slightly and glanced around the room, her voice still thick with sleep. “Why aren’t you sleeping in the master bedroom?”

Dorian pinched her chin lightly. “What, you want separate rooms?”

She stared at him. “Don’t you hate me? Wouldn’t that be exactly what you want?”

Her back pressed against his chest. He was warm, almost hot. She shifted forward slightly without drawing

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Chapter 20 A Steepless Night

Finished

attention to it.

He noticed. His expression darkened, and he moved closer again.

“I didn’t say you were allowed to sleep separately.”

Arden laughed softly. “Then what was tonight about? That whole room full of women, almost thirty of them, all throwing themselves at you. Not a single one worth your attention?”

She added calmly, “I thought you might take one or two home. Or stay the night with Vivienne.”

Her indifference stoked something sharp in his chest.

“Are you trying to force me to bring up divorce?” she asked directly. “You don’t need to go through all this. I’ll talk to Grandma tomorrow.”

Before he could respond, his phone rang. Eugenia’s name flashed on the screen.

He answered.

“Dorian.” Her voice came through loud and furious. “Do you have any idea what you did tonight? Bringing Arden to that kind of birthday party, what were you thinking? And Vivienne is back now? You even took her to the hospital?”

She sounded ready to explode. “What exactly are you trying to do? You’re trying to force Arden to divorce you, aren’t you? Don’t even think about it. If you dare divorce her, your grandfather and I will make sure the whole world knows.”

Dorian rubbed his temples and listened in silence.

And that Vivienne,” Eugenia continued. “Shameless. If she dares bully Arden, I will make sure her career is inished.”

He finally spoke, “It’s late, Grandma. I’m going to sleep.”

Arden shifted farther away, trying not to touch him. She had heard everything.

After he hung up, he moved closer again, his lips brushing her ear as his chest pressed against her. “Did you complain to Grandma?”

“I didn’t,” Arden said flatly.

She turned to look at him. “I said I wouldn’t interfere in your business. I meant it.”

He pinched her earlobe lightly. “Then how does she know?”

Arden smiled faintly. “Why don’t you ask her tomorrow, Mr. Vale?”

She yawned. “I’m exhausted. I’m going to sleep. Do whatever you want.”

“I didn’t say you could sleep,” he said.

“It’s almost two.”

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Chapter 20 A Sleepless Night

Finished

He ignored her. Whether it was the alcohol, or the way she smelled, soft and warm in his arms, he suddenly remembered how she had begged him to stop a few nights earlier.

Her skin had felt impossibly smooth, flushing at the slightest touch.

Now she was right there. His gaze darkened. He leaned down and kissed her.

he was warm, slow, overwhelming. Arden trembled and pushed at him. “What are you doing?”

His voice dropped, thick with desire. “What do you think?”

His hand slid beneath the hem of her clothes, and in one swift movement, he had her pinned beneath him.

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