Divorce and Freedom No More Homemaker for Him novel Chapter 18

Chapter 18 An Unexpected Neighbor

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Halle always worried about her best friend having a hard life, but now she finally felt at case.

What shocked her, though, was the sight of a ten–foot–long dining table covered in stacks of files and Ayla’s messy notes that looked like another language.

The study was also piled high with materials.

Halle had never been the academic type. She started her company right after college, so facing this much technical data made her head spin. All she could do was give Ayla a big thumbs–up in admiration.

Ayla said, “Later, I’ll need to use your lab to run some tests.”

Halle thought about her schedule. “Why don’t you come with that mysterious senior who won’t even give her name? That way, I can check her out and see what she’s really capable of.”

Ayla frowned. “Isn’t that a little disrespectful?”

“If she wants to meet me, she’s got a reason. Testing each other is normal,” Halle replied.

“From my years of dealing with people, anyone who hides their name is either the real deal, like

you, or just faking it. My bet’s on the second.”

Halle was more experienced in business games than Ayla, so Ayla just nodded.

That night Halle had a business dinner. After checking out Ayla’s new place, she had to leave.

Her driver waited by the front gate.

Ayla walked her downstairs. Before getting in the car, Halle said, “Ayla, now you’ve got a house, a car, savings, and a career you love. Your life is just beginning. I believe in you. One day, we’ll get rich together.”

She made it sound so casual, but they hit Ayla hard. She stayed quiet for a couple of seconds, then said seriously, “Yeah. We’ll get rich together.”

Halle couldn’t help but hug her.

After she left, Ayla felt lighter than she had in days. The sour memories from the racetrack no longer bothered her.

In her good mood, she stopped by the supermarket and bought ingredients to cook a nice meal.

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Chapter 18 An Unexpected Neighbor

Ding-

The elevator doors opened at the top floor of Building 7.

Carrying heavy bags of groceries, Ayla stepped out in light steps.

Finished

There were only two units on the floor. She lived in Unit 1 and had never once run into her neighbor.

But today, the neighbor’s door was wide open. The house owner was picking up a delivery order.

Since they were neighbors, Ayla didn’t usually bother him. But now that they’d run into each other, she thought she’d at least nod in greeting.

The delivery guy turned and walked away. Ayla froze on the spot.

Her neighbor was Draven?

It had already been quite a coincidence to run into him at the racetrack. Now, she discovered he lived next door?

Ayla wished it wasn’t real.

But the man standing there was undeniably Draven.

Ayla tightened her grip on the grocery bag.

At home, Draven had swapped his black coat for a white lounge set. With his six–foot–three frame and broad shoulders, even the simplest clothes looked sharp on him.

His presence was still so cold that people dared not meet his eyes.

The moment hit Ayla out of nowhere. She froze, showing no reaction at all.

Just then, the delivery guy finished dropping off food. When he turned, he saw Ayla with her bag of groceries. To him, she looked like the lady of the house. His mind raced–was this a celebrity couple? How could both of them be so good–looking?

With a bright smile, he said, “Sir and Ma’am, enjoy your meal.”

Ayla had no words.

His phone buzzed with a new order. He noticed the elevator door still open; the delivery guy quickly dashed inside and left.

The whole thing lasted only seconds.

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Too late for Ayla to explain herself now.

Ayla rarely ran into such awkward moments. Her thoughts tangled, but she turned to explain to Draven, only to hear a powerful slam.

Bang!

The door was already shut.

She hadn’t even caught a glimpse of his sleeve.

He didn’t bother to give her a single look. That was exactly the Winstons way.

His reaction doesn’t bother Ayla one bit.

The next day was Saturday.

The day to visit the Winston estate.

She hadn’t decided yet, but Martin called first. He asked about her health, his voice full of concern, urging her to visit.

Ayla planned to wait until the divorce certificate was in her hands before announcing anything.

Since the certificate wasn’t ready, she’d play along.

That had always been the plan.

Martin coughed while he talked on the phone. If she visited the estate, Ayla could justify it as a check on his health.

After all, he was the only one who had ever treated her kindly in that family.

Sure enough, her phone buzzed again by afternoon. A message from Troy on WhatsApp.

“5:30 p.m. Wait at the bottom of the mountain.”

The estate stood on a hill outside the city, where the air was always fresh.

Each time, Troy had her wait by the foot of the hill. He’d swing by and pick her up driving the rest of the way.

before

Troy picking her up early would’ve been easier.

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Chapter 18 An Unexpected Neighbor

But it meant driving a longer route, and he hated the hassle, so he made her wait instead.

At 5:20 p.m., Ayla reached the bus stop at the base of the mountain ten minutes early.

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It had rained the whole day. With the mountain so close, the air was colder than in the city. Now it was close to nighttime, and the temperature dropped even more. The wind had started to blow.

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