Divorce and Freedom No More Homemaker for Him novel Chapter 20

Chapter 20 The Ring on Her Hand

Flushed

Troy only found out from Laura today that Ayla hadn’t been home for a week. She hadn’t even

called.

That was a new record for her.

Her behavior today was different too.

Troy never thought Ayla would be bold enough to stay upset with him for an entire week.

He knew why she was acting this way, but that didn’t mean he’d try to coax her.

Troy had never once considered comforting her.

He just followed her coldly from behind as always.

The estate’s great hall was warm with the heater blasting. Older people couldn’t handle the cold the way the young could.

As soon as Ayla stepped inside, her frozen hands and feet began to thaw. She slipped off her

coat.

A maid took it from her and accidentally brushed against her hand. “Gosh! Your hands are freezing.”

“I’m fine. It’ll warm up soon,” Ayla said.

The maid had really said it hoping Troy would care enough to reach for Ayla’s hand and warm her hands.

But Troy didn’t even blink.

The maid sighed and went back to her work.

Troy was right behind Ayla. While she spoke to the maid, he noticed the ring on her finger.

She was wearing it again. The wedding band.

Ayla sure knew how to put on a show.

Deep down, Troy almost wished she’d push things all the way–file for divorce, cause a scene, let the whole family know, and even go against his grandfather’s wish to divorce him.

At least then she’d surprise him.

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Chapter 20 The Ring on Her Hand

But no. Ayla always kept her rebellions inside a safe zone.

None of her rebellious acts drew enough attention.

Feeling his gaze, Ayla curled her left hand slightly.

🙂))

Finothed

The ring wasn’t her wedding band at all. It was a matching friendship ring Halle had given her.

Since she’d decided to show up today, she had to act the part. Otherwise, if someone noticed, she’d need to come up with excuses about why she wasn’t wearing a ring.

Every time Troy came to see Martin, he wore a ring too.

Today he had one on—but it wasn’t their wedding band.

It was the matching couple set he shared with Skyla.

Men’s rings all looked pretty similar. Only someone looking very closely could tell the difference. No one knew for sure what ring Troy was really wearing.

Ayla didn’t linger on it. She walked farther into the hall.

Through the open shelves, she spotted Draven sitting on a heavy wooden chair, quietly sipping the tea a maid had poured.

He didn’t even look up when they came in. It

Draven had put up an invisible wall around him, keeping everyone else at a distance.

Troy and Bria had always carried themselves as if most people didn’t matter. However, Ayla believed that Draven was colder and more dismissive than both Troy and Bria combined.

Not that it really concerned her anymore. Whatever the Winstons were like, that was their problem.

Ayla just needed to mind her own business.

She walked quietly into the hall and chose the seat farthest from Draven.

Troy, surprisingly, sat down right beside her.

Normally, he preferred to keep his distance.

Tonight, sitting next to her must have been easier than sitting closer to Draven, someone he loathed.

The thought almost made her laugh.

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Chapter 20 The Ring on Her Hand

Finished

Winning against another man–even like this–was still winning.

The hall was silent except for the servants moving about.

The air was heavy, suffocating.

Ayla felt the pressure pushing in on her chest. It was a torment for her.

But Draven and Troy sat there calmly, unaffected.

They despised each other, but both had the discipline to hide it.

At six o’clock sharp, Bria finally walked in.

At least she wasn’t late.

Still, she didn’t act the way she usually did. Normally, she would rush over to Troy, chatter about her day, and lounge on the sofa while servants handed her snacks like she was royalty.

But tonight, even the spoiled heiress couldn’t handle the tense atmosphere.

She grabbed Ayla by the arm and pulled her toward the dining room, trying to escape the

scene.

Ayla stayed quiet.

Bria sneaked a quick glance back into the hall, then immediately looked away.

In her eyes, Ayla caught something unexpected–fear.

For the first time, Ayla felt a strange connection with her.

She wasn’t the only one who found Draven terrifying.

“Later, you sit between Troy and … that man. Got it?”

Bria whispered, too afraid to even say Draven’s name.

“I don’t think so,” Ayla rejected flatly.

Bria froze, surprised that Ayla had the nerve to turn her down. The rejection upset her. “Ayla, don’t forget, this is my family’s house.”

But Ayla knew better. The seating arrangement wasn’t Bria’s choice. The butler, Lincoln Shepard, had set it, which meant it came from Martin himself. Bria wouldn’t dare disobey her grandfather, so she wanted Ayla to take the fall for her.

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Chapter 20 The Ring on Her Hand

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Finished

Ayla had seen through her. “That’s exactly why I’m not taking your spot.”

Bria’s face turned stiff. She had no words.

By then, dinner was ready. Lincoln called everyone to sit.

Ayla went straight to her assigned seat, ignoring Bria’s sour look.

Martin commanded respect in the family because he had built Winston Group from the ground up. He still held the largest shares. Whoever inherited them would be the successor of the family.

And unless something changed, that heir would be Troy.

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