Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 85

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Finished

The moment his fingers brushed hers, Arden jerked back like she’d touched fire. She even wiped her hand with a tissue.

Dorian said nothing, but his expression darkened. Seriously? Is she acting like I’m dirty?

“Really, Arden? You’re wiping your hand now? What, I’m untouchable all of a sudden? Don’t forget, there’s not a single part of you I haven’t touched.”

She didn’t even look up. Just kept wiping her hand carefully.

“Yeah, and I’m pretending it was an accident with something disgusting.”

Dorian’s jaw twitched. Cute. She’d just compared him to garbage.

“Mr. Vale, if you’ve got something to say, say it. Otherwise, don’t block my way.”

“Come back with me.”

Arden looked at him like he was a complete stranger. “No. I’m divorcing you.”

Dorian clenched his fists. Calmly, he took a drag off his cigarette. “You don’t get to decide that. I do.”

Arden laughed, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Oh, come on. You really think I won’t make it happen? This is exactly what you wanted, right? Congratulations. You win. I’ll give you your divorce. You won’t even have to lift a finger.”

Here we go again. That cold, detached look in her eyes, and the word ‘divorce‘ always twisted something in his chest.

“You really want this?”

His voice was low, and the last trace of patience was gone.

“Yes. Preferably tomorrow.”

Dorian stared at her, eyes sharp. Hands in his pockets, he held her gaze for a long moment. “Fine. But don’t come crying to me later.”

Arden didn’t blink. “The only thing I regret is not divorcing you sooner. Actually, I regret ever marrying you

at all.”

She took a few steps back, putting as much space as possible between them, like she couldn’t stand being near him.

Dorian said nothing. She was really getting bold. Every word stabbed like a knife.

Without another glance, Arden turned and walked away. She pulled out her phone and called a rideshare. When the car arrived, she got in and never once looked back.

The car rolled past him and disappeared into the night.

18:21 Wed, Feb 4 MGG.

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Chapter 85 I’ll Divorce You Tomorrow

Finished

Dorian’s jaw tightened as he caught one last glimpse of her face through the window – completely indifferent.

pale, composed,

Lucien watched from across the street. Dorian hadn’t moved an inch–still standing there like the world had just dropped out from under him.

The wind was soft, the night unusually quiet. Dorian’s black coat swayed slightly. He still looked tall, intimidating. But under the streetlamp, his shadow stretched long behind him, and for once, it looked… lonely.

Lucien finally approached. “Boss, Miss Wren turned down the five–million check. She says she wants to see you instead.”

Dorian didn’t react until Arden’s car disappeared completely. Then he seemed to snap out of it.

He turned, lit another cigarette, and bit it between his teeth. “She turned it down? Thought she was struggling financially. You’d think she’d want the money.”

He always liked to keep things clean and simple.

Lucien shrugged. “She probably thinks she can gain more by staying close to you. So… do you want to meet her or not?”

Dorian’s mind flashed back to that night in Northmere. That girl who patched him up. The faint scent she wore. He remembered it even now.

When Cassian had shown him the surveillance footage, he’d hoped the girl would turn out to be Arden. But she wasn’t.

“Fine. Set something up. Tomorrow. At a coffee shop near the office.”

“Got it.”

Lucien didn’t dare ask about Arden.

Meanwhile, Arden arrived at her apartment complex. It was around 9:30, and the nearby supermarket was still open. She went in to grab a few things — basic groceries, drinks, essentials.

The flower shop downstairs was still lit. On impulse, she bought a bunch of fresh lilies and walked home humming softly.

Sienna texted her, “Just got home.”

Arden replied, “Me too. Get some rest!”

No reply. She figured Sienna might’ve been too drunk to respond.

After a bath and her usual nighttime skincare, Arden lounged in a chair on the balcony. The city lights stretched far into the distance. She snapped a picture of the night sky from her apartment’s point of view.

She placed the lilies in a vase, fluffed them up, then took another photo and opened up her social feed.

Caption was “New chapter.”

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18:21 Wed, Feb 4 MG G

Chapter 85 Il Divorce You Tomorrow

Isla was the first to comment. [Cute place. Looks cozy.] And a like.

Nova, who’d been off traveling since graduation, also liked the post and added a comment.

[You moved? That’s not Silverbay Villa, right?]

Finished

Arden didn’t respond. She poured herself a glass of milk, listened to some music, then remembered Sienna and how rough she probably felt after last night.

So Arden called her mom.

“Arden, still awake this late?” Elise’s voice came through, gentle.

“Yeah. Mom, can you make me some chicken soup tomorrow morning? I’ve been craving it.”

Elise thought something serious had happened. When it turned out to be chicken soup, she laughed. “Of course! I’ll have the driver bring it to your office.”

“And Mom, can you make that soup you give Dad after he drinks too much? I kinda need it.”

Elise instantly grew concerned. “You were drinking?”

“Yeah, a little. Last night, with Isla. My head still hurts.”

“I’ll make it for you. Go to bed, okay?”

“Thanks, Mom. You’re the best.”

Back at Silverbay Villa, Dorian sat in silence, staring at the empty living room. He poured himself a glass of iced water.

Right then, a message popped up from Cassian- a screenshot.

Cassian asked, “So… your wife moved out?”

Dorian frowned. “What’s this?”

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18:21 Wed, Feb 4 MG G

Everything Was a Deal Until Divorce