Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 280

Chapter 280 Too Close for Comfort

“Yeah,” Arden said. “He brought over a bunch of local stuff.”

Dorian set the jar down hard. The thud echoed through the kitchen.

Finished

Arden, too hungry to care, had already started eating and didn’t notice how Dorian’s expression darkened.

Dorian let out a short, dry laugh.

Apparently, his possessiveness ran deep. He couldn’t stand the thought of any other man around her.

He picked up his fork and started eating.

Maybe it was because he was starving. Maybe because it was Arden’s cooking. But he finished the entire plate.

Arden ate slowly, taking small bites. When she looked up and saw him staring at his empty bowl, she said, “There’s more on the stove if you want seconds.”

“Good. I’m still a little hungry.”

She’d assumed he wouldn’t be able to stomach her cooking–yet here he was, scraping the bowl clean.

Dorian stood up.

Arden quickly followed and reached for his plate. “Mr. Vale, sit. I’ll get it. If you spill something, I’ll have to clean it up. If you burn yourself, I’ll get blamed.”

Or worse–he’d claim she owed him.

“What, Arden,” he asked, “you think I can’t scoop my own pasta?”

“Can you?”

She didn’t even try to hide her skepticism.

“Fine. Go ahead.” Dorian had a wound on his side–he wasn’t in the mood to be macho.

Arden returned with a full plate and sat down across from him, continuing her meal.

For Dorian, this quiet moment–sharing a simple plate of pasta with her–was surreal.

Arden, for her part, was just giving him a break because of the injury. Otherwise, she’d absolutely have cursed him out by now.

When they finished, Arden cleared the plates to wash. By the time she came out, he was still sitting there.

She frowned. “Aren’t you leaving?”

“Mm.”

Chapter 280 Too Close for Comfort

He didn’t move.

Arden sighed. “Mr. Vale, you said you’d leave after eating.”

“Mm.”

Finished

Dorian stood, walked to the door, then turned back. “You and Noah close? Close enough for him to send you food?”

God, he’s nosy.

“We’ve known each other four years. He’s my senior. What do you think?”

“Closer than you and me, apparently.”

Ouch.

Four years. Yeah, they probably understood each other better than she and Dorian ever had.

“Does his spicy sausage taste better than Martha’s?” he asked.

“It does. It’s from his hometown. It’s the thought that counts.”

Dorian stared at her. She met his gaze, unflinching.

“I’ll have Martha make some for you,” he said. “You like her cooking. Don’t eat Noah’s.”

“Mr. Vale, don’t you think you’re overstepping? Worry about your own recovery. With wounds like yours. you should be in bed, not out wandering.”

“Martha’s cooking has always been your favorite.”

Arden narrowed her eyes. “No need to bother her. I like this just fine. And I’m not eating it for free–I sent him something in return.”

She even sent a gift back.

Dorian felt… strange. He wanted to ask what the gift was. Did she make it herself?

But before he could speak, she cut him off. “Time for you to leave. Don’t come back. I can’t afford guests like you.”

Dorian looked at the faint dark circles under her eyes and nodded. “I’ll go. You should sleep. You were up all night with me.”

“Don’t overthink it. I wasn’t exactly thrilled about it.”

His gaze dropped to her wrist. “Does it still hurt? Let me see.”

Arden pulled her hand behind her back. “Go. That’s all I want.”

“Mm.”

10:43 pm 8 M

Chapter 280 Too Close for Comfort

Finished

And this time, Dorian really left. No point in pushing his luck–if he annoyed her again, he might not be welcome next time.

As soon as he stepped outside, Arden shut the door behind him.

He turned back at the sound. She was already gone. All that was left was a closed door between them.

She didn’t waste time slamming it, either.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify