Divorce and Freedom No More Homemaker for Him novel Chapter 169

Chapter 169 Empty House

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Max clenched his teeth but hid it well. “Then I’ll swing by the birthday party,” he said. “I want to see the show myself.”

Troy narrowed his eyes. “You don’t believe me?”

“Not really,” Max said. “But I’m curious to see if Ayla will ever go back at you. You know me; I love a good show.”

And on that day, he planned to be part of the show.

It was simple logic.

If there was even the smallest chance that Ayla and Troy might rekindle their feelings, Max would crush that possibility.

He could stir up trouble, stir up Skyla a little, or even hire an actress to put on a scene. He’d decide in the moment.

The bigger the chaos, the better. Let everyone see it. He would make sure Troy lost any right to compete for Ayla’s affection. Let him become a past in her life.

Max could already picture it.

After that birthday, he and Troy would probably fall out.

And honestly? Max didn’t care. He hated the way Troy treated Ayla. Some things weren’t misunderstandings; they were just plain character problems.

Losing a buddy like him wasn’t a loss at all.

With that thought, Max poured Troy a cup of tea, then poured one for himself and took a drink.

Troy stared at him, studying him with a heavy look.

Max didn’t mind being studied.

“What are you thinking?” Troy finally asked. “Or what result are you hoping for?”

Max smiled, lifting a brow. “I hope you get what you wish for.”

“Funny,” Troy said. “It sounds like you’re siding with Ayla.”

Max shrugged. “Well, I did get to try her cooking.”

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Chapter 169 Empty House

Troy let out a cold laugh. “So you can’t stand how I treated her?”

“Kind of,” Max admitted.

Troy’s face didn’t change, but his voice cooled even more. He reminded, “Max, this is my personal business. Watch if you want, but don’t get involved.”

“Come on,” Max said with a helpless smile. “When have I ever stepped into your marriage problems?”

Troy didn’t answer.

But just thinking about Ayla made his mood crash again.

He took one last drink of tea, grabbed the divorce certificate, and walked out.

Max watched his retreating back, eyes narrowing.

Troy still refused to humble himself to Ayla.

But his attention on her was growing. Clearly.

So Max was more eager for Martin’s birthday than anyone else.

Even more than his grandfather’s.

Not long after Troy left, Max’s phone rang.

“Mr. Bennett,” Patrick said. “Emmett turned down our extra investment.”

Max froze, then laughed. “Those two kids really have that much money to burn?”

“No idea. Emmett refused flat–out.”

Max sighed.

So much for winning over a future brother–in–law.

Was he really supposed to win over James instead?

He had to admit, he kind of respected James. The guy somehow became close to Ayla in such short time.

Max’s expression darkened.

But if it was for Ayla, he could swallow his pride.

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Chapter 169 Empty House

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Troy went straight home.

Laura, who had taken the day off, had come back early.

She looked at him eagerly and even glanced behind him, as if expecting someone else to walk in.

Troy remembered how upset she’d been about losing Ayla. The anger in his chest rose again. His face stayed cold as he asked, “What are you looking for?”

“You and Mrs. Winston…” she whispered.

“I’m divorced from her,” Troy cut in, his voice low and sharp. “And don’t ever let me hear you call her that ever again.”

The warning was clear.

If Laura dared to say it again, she would lose her job.

Laura’s face went pale. She had already heard the news last night.

Hearing it now from Troy himself made it real, and even though she could accept it, she still felt a deep sense of loss.

She was only a maid. Troy had been Ayla’s husband. If even she felt heartbroken, how could he feel nothing at all?

Not even the smallest trace of regret?

Laura watched him walked into his study. He looked the same as always–cold, detached, untouched by anything.

Her heart sank.

For the first time, she fully realized how heartless he truly was. Ayla had lived with that coldness for three long years. The fact she lasted that long was unbelievable. It couldn’t have been easy.

In that moment, Laura finally understood why Ayla filed for divorce.

Her sadness for the past turned into a quiet blessing for Ayla’s future.

Once Ayla left Troy, she would finally be happy.

Laura wanted to text her. But Ayla had already blocked her. Everything she wanted to say

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Chapter 169 Empty House

stayed stuck inside.

Laura sighed.

:0

People don’t cherish what they have until it’s gone.

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Sometimes, the goodbye happens long before anyone says the words. Some people just never notice. They stand in the same place, thinking nothing has changed.

But the other person had long gone.

Ayla drove to the airport to pick up Halle.

The moment they met, Halle pulled her into a big, warm hug.

✩

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