Divorce and Freedom No More Homemaker for Him novel Chapter 116

This wasn’t a normal child.

But Draven was only eight, so things hadn’t gotten too bad yet.

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When Martin hugged him, the boy cried, clearly holding in his emotions. But he was stubborn. When Martin asked what happened, he wouldn’t say a word. Even trying to cup his face to see his expression, the boy resisted hard.

Martin had wanted to keep Draven by his side.

Judging by how upset he was, he probably would’ve been obedient too.

But Draven refused.

After that, they only saw each other once a year. And with each year, Draven grew colder.

His dislike of human contact, his disinterest in relationships–all of it came from what he experienced as a

child.

That’s why Martin had never pressured him.

He was older now, more open–minded.

Every generation had its own fate. He wouldn’t interfere too much.

Martin said, “So when will you fall for someone?”

Draven said mildly, “Maybe someday.”

“You’re not easy to please, so when you do like someone, you better hold on tight. Don’t let go. You might not find anyone else again.”

Draven glanced at Martin, surprisingly curious. “You really think so?”

Martin raised his bushy white brows. “You think I’m making this up? You were so stubborn as a kid.”

He’d gone through so much with the Storms and still refused to come back.

Took it all alone upon himself.

“You’re still stubborn.”

Draven frowned, remembering the past. “You’re not wrong.”

After Martin left, Draven sat in the car for a while.

The driver asked, “Mr. Storm, where to now?”

Draven looked down.

When he didn’t answer, the driver stayed quiet, waiting patiently.

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Draven’s eyes were hard to read.

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He knew Martin. Martin really cared about Ayla. If she had complained, Martin would definitely take her

side.

But maybe she hadn’t complained at all. Maybe she and Troy had shown off their love instead, winning Martin over.

Draven’s hands tightened on his lap. Suddenly, he said, “Take me to the bar.”

The driver paused. “Yes, sir.”

Going to the bar–just like that? And not even during nighttime yet?

When they arrived, Draven kicked the driver out of the car.

But if he planned to drink, who would drive him home? Shouldn’t the driver stay?

Call a rideshare later? Doesn’t make sense. It was easier to just wait.

The driver didn’t get it, but he didn’t ask questions either. He simply followed orders.

Ayla didn’t know if Troy would come back to the villa. To avoid running into him, she drove fast, planning to grab the package and leave immediately.

She parked, got out, and looked at the familiar front gate and garden.

She’d only been gone for a few weeks, but it felt like a lifetime ag

ago.

Still, it wasn’t as emotional as she thought it would be.

She was just here to take care of one last thing.

She walked into the main house, noticing that Laura wasn’t around At this hour, she should’ve been home.

But Ayla didn’t think too much of it.

She went upstairs.

Her bedroom was on the second floor–a guest room, actually–the one farthest from Troy’s main bedroom.

How fitting.

She had been blind back then.

A marriage like that should’ve ended a long time ago.

On the way in, she couldn’t stop thinking about how pathetic she had been. Judging herself harshly.

But maybe that was a good thing. A reminder.

Never again.

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When she reached her room, she saw the door was open.

Not surprising. She’d been gone a while. Of course people had come in.

She just hoped no one had touched Halle’s package.

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Probably none. It was hidden in the back corner of her closet, surrounded by clothes she’d never gotten a chance to wear. It was easy to miss.

Ayla gently pushed the door open–and saw someone inside.

It was Laura.

Digging through her closet.

Ayla stepped in quietly and spoke in a calm voice. “Laura.”

Laura froze mid–motion. She thought she’d misheard. Then came a second “Laura“. She turned around with a jolt. Seeing Ayla standing there like a ghost, her face went pale in shock.

She gasped and stumbled backward.

Ayla grabbed her wrist and yanked her back. She looked at the closet. It was packed full of clothes–but about a third were missing.

Ayla didn’t buy much herself. Most of these had been sent by Troy’s assistant–women’s versions of the brands Troy wore–so she wouldn’t embarrass him at family events.

Ayla looked away from the clothes and locked eyes with Laura. “What are you doing?”

Laura hadn’t seen Ayla in so long she didn’t know what to say. And now she’d been caught red–handed. Her face flushed with embarrassment. “I–I was just cleaning. You’ve been gone a long time. The room was dusty. I came in to tidy up.”

Ayla walked over to the vanity. She ran a finger across the surface. It came up covered in dust.

She looked back at Laura with a blank expression.

Laura’s face turned bright red. She couldn’t have felt more ashamed.

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