Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 268

Chapter 268 His Hand, Not Yours

It was close to midnight. Snow kept falling, blanketing the roads in silence.

Finished

An hour later, they arrived at Silverbay Villa. Arden hadn’t been there in ages. Stepping inside felt surreal.

When she entered the master bedroom, Celine had stopped crying, but her eyes were still red. Silent tears streamed down her checks.

The man she’d seen earlier that afternoon–cold, confident–was now deathly pale, lying motionless in bed. A blood bag hung beside him, red fluid slowly dripping into his arm through a thin tube.

Colton was sitting beside him.

Dorian’s hand was still tightly gripping his.

At the sound of footsteps, Celine and Colton both turned. When they saw Arden, their eyes lit up like she was a lifeline.

Celine’s lip trembled. Tears instantly welled up again. “Arden…”

She couldn’t help it.

To her, her brother had always been untouchable.

He knew how to fight. He had power, wealth, presence. He was feared and respected. He took over the Vale family young, led Avalen’s top legacy clan, and never let anyone cross him.

She’d never imagined he’d be lying here–weak, pale, lifeless. Much less that he might die.

Celine rushed over and hugged Arden tightly. “Arden, look at him. Is he going to die? I can’t lose him.”

Her tears soaked into Arden’s shoulder.

Arden gently patted her back, eyes flicking toward the man in bed. She whispered, “He’s strong. He’s not going anywhere.”

“But the doctor gave us a critical warning.”

Just then, Felix walked in to change the blood bag. When he saw Arden, he raised an eyebrow.

“So you’re the one who made his wound reopen.”

Arden’s eyes widened. “No, I didn’t do anything. We barely even spoke.”

She’d been polite when they met earlier.

Felix scoffed, walked past her, and muttered, “What a damn tragedy.”

Arden followed him in. “Doctor… how is he really? He’s not going to die, right?”

Felix didn’t even blink. “He was stabbed and shot. Took a twelve–hour flight five days post–op. Bounced

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Chapter 268 His Hand, Not Yours

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around, tore the stitches. Then walked around, drank like nothing happened. What do you think? His wound’s open again. It’s infected. Fever’s through the roof. Who knows if it’ll break.”

He wasn’t exaggerating.

Dorian was on the edge.

Colton, still held captive by Dorian’s grip, couldn’t take it anymore. “Arden, can you please say something to make him let go of my hand? He thinks I’m you. Won’t let go.”

Arden walked over. “But he’s unconscious. He can’t hear me.”

“He can,” Colton pleaded. “Just try. If he wakes up and sees me here, I swear he’ll chop my hand off. I need my trigger finger, Arden.”

He looked like he was about to cry.

“I’ll try.” Arden leaned closer to the bed and looked down.

He’d lost so much weight. His lips were ghost–white. His abdomen was wrapped in thick gauze, already seeping red. Unconscious, with none of his usual sharpness, he looked… calm. Harmless, even.

She spoke softly, “Dorian.”

No response.

“You’re holding Colton’s hand. Let go.”

His lips moved. “No. Arden is mine.”

Celine leaned in, gently trying to pry his hand off. “Dorian, Arden’s here. She came. Let go of Colton before you scare him to death.”

But Dorian muttered again, “No.”

Celine blinked. Colton looked like he might weep. “Boss, please, don’t chop off my hand when you wake up. I’m your sniper. I need that hand.”

Celine took Arden’s hand and looked at her pleadingly. “Arden, I know he’s treated you horribly. He’s been trash. Even had a kid with someone else. But right now… maybe you’re the only one who can reach him. Just call him a few more times, please?”

If he really died…

She couldn’t imagine the consequences.

Under his protection, the Vale family had flourished. Their business had grown too big. Her father and grandfather had stepped back. If word got out that Dorian was dying, the Vales would be torn apart. Everyone would come for a piece.

Arden sighed, leaned closer.

“Dorian, it’s me, Arden. Do you hear Celine crying? You need to wake up. If anything happens to you, your

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Chapter 268 His Hand, Not Yours

grandma, grandpa, uncle, and aunt… they’ll have no one left to protect them.”

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Maybe it was the scent on Arden’s skin, something familiar that gave him peace, or maybe it was her voice -but Dorian let go of Colton’s hand.

Then, with uncanny precision, he found Arden’s hand and gripped it instead. His hand was large. Burning hot with fever.

And he held her tight. Too tight.

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Everything Was a Deal Until Divorce