Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 3

And after that, it all spiraled out of control. They went at it nearly the whole night.

Finished

The noise was loud enough that Martha, who was outside the room, heard everything loud and clear. She immediately texted Eugenia.

“It’s done.”

Eugenia texted back with a smiling emoji.

“Arden’s so sweet and lovely. That brat Dorian was bound to fall for her eventually. Good work, Martha. You’re getting a bonus this month.”

Hearing the sounds that showed no signs of stopping anytime soon, Martha returned to bed, completely reassured.

Back in the bedroom, Arden was still in a daze.

Isla’s voice came through again on her phone. “Arden, did you really sleep with Dorian?”

Yeah.”

‘And? How was it?”

‘It was… alright. Nothing special.”

Just as she replied, the bathroom door opened.

The man walked out with damp hair, water still dripping down. A towel hung loosely around his waist, his oned muscles on full display. Red scratch marks streaked across his chest and back, the air thick with intimacy.

His brown, untamed eyes carried an overwhelming pressure as he looked at her. The curve of his lips was subtle but cold.

There was no denying it–he looked deeply satisfied.

Dorian let out a low chuckle. He lit a cigarette, clamping it lazily between his lips as he walked over to her, step by step.

“What were you saying about me, Arden?”

She quickly pulled the blanket up over herself and lowered her gaze.

“Nothing. I didn’t say anything.”

He exhaled a puff of smoke toward her.

“Sounds like you weren’t too impressed last night. Want to go again?”

What the hellis wrong with him?

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Chapter 3 The Morning After Pill

Finished

They’d already gone at it all night–wasn’t that enough?

Arden shook her head furiously.

As she leaned back, trying to put distance between them, Dorian caught a glimpse of red on the sheets. His gaze darkened, and for once, he didn’t tease her.

“There’s morning–after pills in the drawer. Take them.”

Arden turned to see the bottle and nodded.

“Makes sense. We’re getting divorced in two years anyway. Having a baby now would just complicate things.”

She didn’t hesitate. She poured two pills into her palm and swallowed them right away.

The speed and decisiveness of it gave Dorian a strange, uncomfortable feeling.

“Didn’t you say you liked me? Had a crush on me?”

For the past three years, she’d sent him daily love texts. Every holiday, she mailed him gifts.

And now she was popping birth control like it meant nothing?

She gave him a playful smile.

“Didn’t you say you didn’t want me to get pregnant, honey?”

“Stop calling me that,” Dorian said with a frown.

“Okay, babe.”

“Not that either.”

“Fine. Dorian.”

Dorian’s brow twitched.

“Mr. Vale it is, then,” she added quickly.

Fast learner.

He looked at her and said flatly, “Don’t get any ideas. I’ll never love you. Two years from now, we divorce. End of story.”

“Got it, Mr. Vale.”

Dorian was speechless.

“I’m back,” he muttered.

Before he could finish the sentence, Arden chimed in, tone bright and sharp.

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Chapter 3 The Moming After Pill

Finished

“I know. You’re back, Mr. Vale. I won’t interfere in your life. We live our own lives, and that includes staying out of each other’s personal business.”

With every “Mr. Vale” she threw at him, Dorian’s lips pressed tighter

Somehow, it sounded more jarring than when she’d called him “honey.” He shot her a look and walked out.

Eugenia had given Arden five billion. She and Dorian were legally married, so she wasn’t going to act like some delicate flower. During the marriage, intimacy came with the territory.

By the time she got dressed, Dorian had already changed.

Tailored black shirt and pants, cool eyes, sharp features. The kind of man who looked like a predator barely holding himself back.

When he glanced at her, there was something restrained, something cold and angry.

“Arden.”

Her name came out through gritted teeth.

“Yeah?” she looked up at him.

“Heh,” he sneered. “You really went all out to get me, didn’t you?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

He stepped closer, fingers pinching her chin as he stared her down.

“You wanted to get pregnant that badly, you even drugged me?”

“What drug? I didn’t do anything like that!”

His thumb brushed across her still–red lips. “You were that desperate to sleep with me?”

Arden tried to pry his hand off her face. “Let go. You’re hurting me.”

He released her and gave her a cold look.

“You better not get pregnant. Because if you do, I’m telling you now–I’ll make sure you get rid of it.”

She saw it in his eyes–detached, icy, laced with disgust. She collapsed back onto the bed. He slammed the door on his way out.

Arden wiped at the corners of her eyes. Tilting her head up, she held back the tears.

Then she quickly popped two more pills into her mouth. Outside, the sun was bright and blinding.

But all she felt was cold.

“I’m not having your baby,” she muttered, curling into herself. “I hate you.”

3/4

Chapter 3 The Manning After Pill

Finished

She forced herself to get up Her body ached. Seeing the bruises all over her skin, she let out a bitter laugh.

Her eyes turned colder and colder.

She took a shower and got dressed slowly, taking her time. She didn’t want to run into Dorian.

But to her surprise, he hadn’t left.

He was still there, sitting at the breakfast table. Everything about him screamed wealth–elegant hands, an expensive watch, exuding power and distance. Same as always. He was ice–cold and untouchable.

Martha greeted her warmly, “Good morning, Mrs. Vale. Come have some breakfast.”

Arden gave her a small smile. “I have graduation photos today. I’m running late. I’ll grab something at school.”

She headed for the door. Martha noticed the redness around her eyes, despite Arden’s efforts to hide it.

Her smile wasn’t the same today. Martha glanced at Dorian. He didn’t even look up.

Arden walked out the door.

Martha hesitated. “Mr. Vale… did you two argue? She looks like she’s been crying.”

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