Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 285

Everything Was a Deal Until Divorce

Chapter 285 A Line He Crossed

Arden looked up at him, confused.

Dorian spoke casually, “You’re too thin. Eat more.”

Arden froze.

Something was definitely off. One injury, and his entire personality had shifted? She didn’t bother responding. She lowered her head and ate without ceremony.

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After the meal, a secretary came in to clear the table. It was already lunch break. Dorian picked up the remote and pressed a button. A hidden door slid open slowly, revealing a private lounge behind the office.

Arden blinked. She had no idea there was a switch there, or that the room inside was that large.

She asked, “Mr. Vale, should I go back to my desk to rest?”

“No need. Take the lounge. There’s a bed inside.”

Arden stared at him. “You want me to sleep there?”

“Yes.”

She looked genuinely shocked. “Mr. Vale, I’m an employee. Sleeping in the CEO’s private bed doesn’t seem appropriate. And you’re the patient here.”

Dorian lifted his brow. “You’re still my wife.”

Arden went silent. The word wife sounded unfamiliar. And sharp.

“Mr. Vale,” she said calmly, “please watch your wording. I’m divorcing you.”

His gaze darkened. Still talking about divorce.

He looked at her. “Didn’t you used to like me? Care about me?”

“And didn’t you say that was in the past?”

He studied her cool expression. “Arden, do you have to push people on purpose?”

“Mr. Vale, I’m being honest.”

Every word landed exactly where it hurt.

√ill b

Seeing him instinctively move a hand toward his abdomen, Arden cut in, “You’re injured. I’m not discussing this now. You’ll pull your stitches. Have you even cleared the danger period? And you’re already back at work?”

He stepped closer. “If you care this much about my wound, are you really saying you don’t care about me?”

Then he added, “Don’t go downstairs. Sleep on the couch.”

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He clicked the remote again. The office door locked with a soft sound.

He turned toward the lounge, paused at the doorway, and added, “The blanket on the couch hasn’t been used. Take that.”

He went inside. The door closed.

Arden rushed to the office door and tried the handle. Locked.

The lounge door opened again. Dorian leaned against the frame, arms crossed. “Arden, don’t bother. The door won’t open. I turned on the heat. Temperature’s fine. Get some rest.”

He went back inside. Arden stared at the door like it was a wall. She gave up.

The couch was soft. The heater was running. The room was warm.

She’d been awake all night. Then came the fake divorce. Her nerves were shot, and exhaustion hit hard. She yawned.

After one glance at the closed lounge door, she lay down on the couch, curled slightly inward, pulled the blanket over herself, and let her eyes close.

She fell asleep almost immediately.

Deep sleep. The kind where you don’t even notice drifting off. Ten minutes later, the lounge door opened quietly.

Dorian stepped out, careful with his movements. On the couch, Arden slept on her side, facing inward, her head tucked slightly.

He crouched beside her and gently turned her so she faced outward.

The dark circles under her eyes were obvious. He brushed them lightly with his thumb.

Then he bent down, slid one arm behind her neck, the other under her knees, and lifted her carefully.

Inside the lounge was a wide, soft bed. The heat was steady, comfortable. He placed her down and covered her with the blanket. She shifted once, then her breathing deepened again.

She was completely exhausted. Dorian removed his jacket and lay down beside her, pulling her into his

arms.

It had been more than half a year since he’d touched her.

Holding her now, warm and familiar, felt unreal, like stepping back into a life he thought he’d already lost.

He held her tighter, his hand resting at her waist, fingers slowly tightening, his nose brushing lightly against her neck.

His eyes were filled with something close to obsession.

“Arden,” he murmured.

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Chapter 285 A Line He Crossed

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She didn’t respond.

“Arden.” He lowered his voice. “Let’s not get divorced. Okay?”

Silence. He smiled quietly.

“Call me selfish. Call me shameless. I won’t let you go.”

“Your husband,” he whispered, brushing his lips against hers, “can only be me. Sleep.”

It was the deepest, most comfortable sleep Dorian had had in months. Maybe it was the perfect temperature. Maybe it was her.

He slept for two full hours. When he woke up, Arden was still asleep.

He got up carefully, dressed, and slipped out, closing the door gently behind him.

Lucien checked his watch again. And again.

It had been over an hour since work started. The board members were already seated, waiting for the meeting.

He’d been urged more than once.

But the office door was locked from the inside. He couldn’t go in. And he didn’t dare call Dorian.

He paced outside anxiously. Finally, the door opened. Dorian stepped out, alert and refreshed.

Lucien looked like he’d just seen daylight. “Mr. Vale, the board is waiting.”

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