Everything was a deal until divorce novel Chapter 9

Chapter 9 Mr Vale

Dorian watched the faint tremble of her lashes, his gaze drifting down to her wrist.

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Ointment had been applied, a medicated patch taped over it, but it did not fully hide the marks. The redness from where he had grabbed her was still visible.

For the first time, a trace of guilt surfaced in his eyes.

“Does it hurt?” he asked.

Arden did not look at him. “No.” She pulled her hand back slightly, still refusing to meet his gaze.

“Grandma told me,” Dorian said. “She admitted she put something in the medicine.”

Dorian had never been one to apologize. He stepped forward, reaching for Arden’s hand. She avoided

him.

Irritation crept in. “I misjudged you,” he said.

“Okay. It’s late. Let’s sleep.”

Arden did not want to dwell on it. She was genuinely exhausted. She had been preparing for her thesis defense these past two days and still needed to go to school in the morning.

Besides, they were practically strangers. She did not care about his feelings or his approval.

When Dorian saw her heading toward the couch, he spoke quickly. “You take the bed. I’ll sleep on the

couch.”

She did not answer. She climbed onto the couch, turned inward, pulled the blanket over herself, closed her eyes, and tried to fall asleep.

Dorian watched the small shape she made, her head barely visible, her long hair falling loosely and softly. He did not disturb her.

He grabbed his sleepwear, caught the scent of alcohol on himself, and went into the bathroom to shower.

When he came out, he glanced at the couch. Arden was still in the same position. She was probably asleep,

Holding a towel, he dried his hair, changed into loose cotton pajamas, then crouched beside the couch, Leaning closer, he quietly studied her face.

Her lashes rested against her cheeks, her breathing steady. She was deeply asleep.

He gently took her hand, brushing his thumb lightly over her skin.

After drying his hair completely, he stepped onto the balcony for a cigarette, then went to the living room for a glass of ice water before returning to the bedroom.

Arden was still asleep, her posture unchanged, only her head and a stretch of pale neck visible.

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Chapte & M Vale

Wisfied

Dorian glanced at the bed, wide enough for four people, then crouched down and lifted Arden into his arms, carrying her over.

She slept soundly

Perhaps because she did not want to be close to him, the moment he laid her down, she rolled over. turning her back to him.

The man who was usually ruthless and wild stood there for a moment. Maybe it was the realization that he had wronged a young woman, mixed with a faint sense of guilt, that made him truly look at her for the first time. This was the woman who had agreed to marry him quietly, willing to keep their marriage hidden and give up a wedding altogether.

Seeing her turned away, he reached out and gently pulled her into his arms.

He remembered clearly how soft and warm she had felt the night before. He had slept well then, unusually

well.

Holding her close, the thin blanket covering them both, Dorian closed his eyes. Strangely enough, he slept through the night without waking.

Arden woke up first.

When she realized she was in Dorian’s arms, she muttered a curse under her breath and carefully slipped out of bed. She grabbed her clothes and rushed into the bathroom to change.

She had fallen asleep on the couch. How had she ended up in bed, in his arms?

Still shaken, she moved faster, getting dressed, washing up, and putting on makeup.

Once she was done, she left the room and went downstairs.

In the living room, Elias, Eugenia, Theresa, and Gideon were already up. Elias was reading the newspaper. Gideon was watching financial news on TV. Theresa and Eugenia were chatting.

When Arden came down, Theresa glanced at the time. “You’re up early, Arden.”

“Yes,” Arden said. “I’m preparing for my thesis defense. I wanted to get to school earlier.”

Theresa glanced behind her and did not see Dorian. “He didn’t do anything out of line last night, did he?”

“No.”

She had not even known when he fell asleep.

“That’s good. Breakfast will be ready soon. After you cat, have Dorian take you back to school.”

Arden’s lashes fluttered. She refused immediately. “That’s not necessary. Mr. Vale is busy. George can take

me.”

She did not want to spend time alone with him. Eugenia took Arden’s hand and examined it, her expression softening with sympathy. Thinking of her troublesome grandson, she sighed.

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3:33 am G ppp

Chapter 9 M. Vale

“All right. Let George take you

Dorian woke up and glanced at the space beside him. It’s empty. He sat up, surprisingly alert.

He felt unusually refreshed. He had slept straight through until morning.

19 Finished

After getting dressed and washing up, he went downstairs. His eyes instinctively searched the living room.

When he spotted Arden sitting quietly on the couch, he finally relaxed. Everyone looked up at the sound of footsteps. Arden lifted her head as well.

Dorian was dressed in a black shirt and black pants, a tie neatly fastened. His sleeves were rolled halfway up, his suit jacket draped over his arm, the outline of muscle faintly visible beneath the fabric.

He’s still as striking as ever. Their eyes met briefly. Arden looked away first.

“Dorian,” Eugenia said, “if you don’t come cat now, we’ll start without you. Arden needs to get to school.”

“Okay.”

He walked straight to the table. Arden stood as well. She had no choice but to sit beside him, no matter how reluctant she felt. Dorian’s presence carried an innate pressure that made her tense.

After sitting down, he glanced at her wrist. “Does it still hurt?”

She tucked her hand back. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

She had deliberately worn long sleeves to cover the bruises, so he could not see them.

Breakfast was served. Arden ate quietly, speaking only when Elias, Eugenia, Gideon, or Theresa addressed her. She was noticeably different from her usual lively self.

Before Dorian returned, she often came back to the estate to eat and chat with the elders, always full of conversation.

Eugenia glanced at the source of the problem and sighed.

“Dorian, you’ve been away in Avalen for three years. You only went to her parents‘ place once, right after the wedding. Now that you’re back, you should make time to go with Arden and see them properly.”

Thinking of how their treasured daughter had endured so much since marrying into the Vale family made

her heart ache.

Arden refused almost reflexively. “It’s fine, Grandma. Mr. Vale is busy managing the group. He probably doesn’t have time.”

Eugenia could tell. Her reckless grandson must have frightened her the night before.

“How could it not be necessary? No wedding, no public announcement, but visiting your in–laws is the least you should do.”

Everyone turned to look at Dorian. Only Arden lowered her head, silently hoping he would refuse.

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Chapter M: Vate

Finishert

“Okay,” he said

Her heart sank Dorian put his utensils down first but did not leave immediately. When Arden finished eating, he stood. “You’re going to school. I’ll take you.”

That’s not necessary, Arden said. “Mr. Vale, you’re busy. I already told Grandma George would take me.”

He paused, tugged at his tie, studied her for a few seconds, then said, “Okay,” and walked away.

Arden said goodbye to the others and followed George out. Theresa stopped her and pressed a box of pastries into her hands. “Take these to school.”

“Thank you, Mom.”

“Arden, maybe you should call him Dorian instead of Mr. Vale. It sounds distant.”

She hesitated, then shook her head. “He might not like it. Calling him Mr. Vale was his idea.”

“I’m heading out.”

合

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