Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 35

really hadn’t planned on coming.

Finished

It was her two closest classmates who had dragged her here, coaxing her into tagging along. They’d picked the bar based on online reviews–supposedly one of the best spots in town.

Arden’s cheeks turned red as she thanked him. He sipped his drink, not even glancing their way. And just like that, he took up space in her heart for years.

Even if she pretended otherwise, the affection she felt for him these past three years wasn’t entirely fake. Every outfit she picked out, every gift she prepared, she’d done with care.

She walked out to the garden, watering can in hand. Maybe some people are just built to stay cold. So why keep trying to warm them?

She’d count these three years as something she stole–borrowed time, never meant to last.

The moment Caleb called to say their mom had collapsed, the watering can slipped from Arden’s hand and hit the ground with a thud. Water splashed across her shoes, soaking them through.

Her voice shook. “Caleb, how did Mom suddenly pass out?”

“Angina,” he said. “It’s been an old issue.”

She turned and rushed toward the villa, not even thinking about changing her shoes. “But it hasn’t flared up in years. Why now?”

Then a thought struck her. Her steps slowed. She asked quietly, “Did she see that video of me and

Vivienne?”

Caleb sat quietly for a long time before responding. He said, “Yeah… she saw it through one of those private group chats between the elite wives. Not just the video. Vivienne’s ultrasound. Her pregnancy scan. Photos of Dorian taking her to prenatal appointments. Them at a bar together. Dorian driving her to the hospital.”

All the peace Arden tried so hard to pretend was real–shattered in an instant.

She gripped her phone tighter, voice shaky. She asked, “It’s my fault. What hospital is Mom in?”

“Firstlight.”

“I’m on my way.”

She wiped her eyes hard, ran upstairs for her bag, and bolted back down. This time, she didn’t even call the driver.

Martha was cleaning when she saw Arden rushing out. She asked, “Miss, where are you going?”

Arden’s voice still carried a tremble. “Out.”

“Should I call George to come get you?”

3:30 am G

Chapter 35 Stolen Years

Fimsher

“No need.”

She was already out the door. Martha called after her, “Will you be home for dinner tonight?”

“No.”

When Martha turned and spotted the wet footprints near the doorway, she froze. Mrs. Vale hasn’t even changed out of the soaked shoes.

She stepped outside and saw the overturned watering can still lying in the yard.

Worried, she grabbed her phone and tried calling Arden. No one answered.

Martha was starting to get concerned. Arden was always polite, always kind. They’d known each other for three years now, and she truly cared about this girl.

She picked up the can, looked back toward the gate, and sighed.

Meanwhile, thanks to Vivienne’s manipulations, the video was spreading fast. Public opinion had started to shift–this time, turning toward Dorian.

Some people were still attacking Arden, but Lucien and Cassian’s teams were working fast, redirecting the narrative toward Dorian and wiping out negative posts about Arden.

As the drama escalated, netizens began digging into Vivienne and Dorian’s past.

Especially the tangled dynamic between the three of them in the footage.

[I heard Dorian and Vivienne have been close since they were kids. And now this Arden chick shows up, trying to ruin their baby? That’s twisted.]

[Seriously. The baby’s innocent. Dorian and Vivienne already have a kid on the way. Why’s Arden still hanging around? She’s clearly the third wheel.]

[Hold up, are you blind? That video looks totally staged. For all we know, Vivienne fell on purpose and blamed Arden.]

[Right? Arden looks way younger and way better than Vivienne. You guys act like Dorian couldn’t possibly like her. Maybe he does–and Vivienne got jealous and faked the whole thing.]

[Exactly. Families like theirs are always complicated. Who really knows what’s going on?]

[Come on. Dorian let his company’s media arm post that video. That says everything. He’s protecting Vivienne.]

[But think about it–Dorian’s never been linked to any woman. Even with Vivienne, he’s always been distant. The guy’s surrounded by women, but no one’s ever seen him take one home.]

[Poor Arden. She got caught between Dorian and Vivienne. There’s no way she can fight both the Vale and Ash families.]

[No one’s heartless enough to fake a pregnancy. Vivienne was obviously pushed.]

3:36 am G P p p.

Chapter 35 Stolen Years

Finished

Twitter was exploding with @Arden tags. She didn’t bother checking.

She sat in the back of a taxi, staring blankly out the window, watching the scenery blur past.

All she could see was Dorian’s cold, disgusted face.

She bit her lip. She opened WhatsApp.

Dorian’s profile was still pinned to the top. Still no new messages.

She turned off her screen. It was better this way.

This marriage had always been about business. She’d agreed to sign that certificate, not out of love–but for five billion. So what exactly was she expecting now?

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