Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 295

Chapter 295 A Transactional Kindness

Arden replied to her brother, assuring him she was fine and that Dorian hadn’t crossed any lines.

Finished

About ten minutes later, Dorian opened the door. Arden stood up and said with polite distance, “Mr. Vale.”

“Time to change the dressing.”

He remembered Arden’s habits–early sleeper, structured routine. He didn’t want her staying up late.

“Okay. Let’s go to the living room.”

“Mm.”

They walked down one after the other.

In the living room, Martha and Lucien were still around. When they saw the pair coming down, both greeted them.

Dorian said, “Martha, warm a glass of milk. Arden needs it before bed.”

“Of course.”

Martha glanced at Arden, then at Dorian, and quickly retreated to the kitchen. Arden went to fetch the first aid kit.

While she was gone, Dorian signaled Lucien to leave. Lucien slipped away silently.

When Arden came back with the medical kit, she looked around. “Where’s Lucien?”

“I sent him to handle something at the office.”

“Oh… Alright, let’s get started?”

“Yeah.”

Dorian came out in a bathrobe, exposing the injured area. Arden knelt in front of him and gently unwrapped the old bandages.

Her hands moved carefully.

But when she saw the deep gash–raw and brutal–her chest tightened.

She slowed even more, being extra gentle.

He was Eugenia’s only grandson, the heir of the Vale family. No matter how cold he’d once been to her, she didn’t want him to die. She genuinely wanted him to heal.

Dorian leaned back, eyes low, watching her.

She dabbed antiseptic, sprinkled powder, re–bandaged–every step slow, precise, careful not to hurt him.

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7:33 pm

Chapter 295 A Transactional Kindness.

Her face, small and delicate, tugged at something in him.

The room was quiet.

Finished

Every time her fingers brushed against his skin, he would flinch. She would pause, look up, and ask, “Does it hurt?”

He lied. “Yeah.”

She would soften her touch even more. Half an hour passed.

“Done,” Arden said, standing.

“Mm.”

Dorian closed his robe. Just then, Martha brought out the milk. “Here, Arden. Drink this before bed.”

Arden nodded. No hesitation. “Thanks, Martha.”

She picked up the glass and finished it in one go. Then turned to Martha again, “Can you bring a glass of warm water for Mr. Vale? He needs to take his medicine.”

“Right away.”

Arden opened the bottle Felix had prescribed and double–checked the dosage.

Once Martha returned with the water, Arden pushed the pills toward him. “Mr. Vale, your medicine.”

“Mm.”

Dorian took the pills and swallowed them obediently. Arden glanced at the clock. “I’m going to bed.”

Dorian’s eyes lingered on her lips–the cut was healing, no longer swollen. “Put some of this on.

He handed her a tube of ointment. “Felix said it won’t scar.”

Only then did Arden remember her busted lip–from the time he bit her when she was feeding him meds. “Thanks, Mr. Vale. Can I go now?”

“Yeah. Take the guest room across from mine.”

“Alright.”

She nodded and headed upstairs.

But for some reason, Dorian was suddenly gripped by a subtle panic. From the bathroom to the living room, Arden hadn’t looked at him even once.

Everything she did felt like part of a checklist. No emotion in her eyes. No softness. No trace of the Arden

he used to know.

He watched her go upstairs, then finally looked down at his freshly wrapped wound. It took him a long while to pull his laptop over and start working.

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Chapter 295 A Transactional Kindness

Finished

Half an hour later, he got up and walked to the second floor. He paused outside her door. It was shut.

He stared at it for a moment, then walked away toward his study.

In her room, Arden’s first instinct was to lock the door. She looked around. Martha had decorated–light sheets, soft curtains. All in her favorite pale hues. The bedding even had her preferred faint scent.

She opened the closet. It was full of her clothes. Including sleepwear.

She picked a set and headed to shower. Afterward, lying in bed, she looked up the price of the pajamas. Five grand.

She winced.

If she had to keep coming back, she’d need to bring her own.

She unblocked Dorian’s number and sent the money through Venmo.

Arden sent, “Mr. Vale, I used a pair of pajamas from the closet. Here’s the cost.”

Dorian was mid–video call in his office when the message came through. He saw the notification. “Arden sent you a message.”

He sat up instantly. She’d unblocked him?

He opened the chat.

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