Divorce and Freedom No More Homemaker for Him novel Chapter 257

Chapter 257 Speak Without Holding Back

ཏྲཱི(7)

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Sol is a famous professional racer. If she and Ayla are friends, what could Ayla possibly have that would attract Sol?

Friends at least have something in common.

Troy couldn’t figure it out. The more he thought about Ayla, the more questions he had–and with each one, she seemed even more difficult to read.

He couldn’t help clenching his hand, his gaze on his phone growing darker and darker.

Ayla drove Draven home. He’d had a few drinks, and it didn’t really show on his face. Along the way, she thought he was completely fine. But once they got into the elevator, he had to brace himself against the wall.

By the time they reached his door, even walking was a struggle.

Seeing this, Ayla naturally keyed in his door code, helped him to the couch, then let go. Draven’s whole body sank into the cushions. His eyes were closed, his brows tightly knit.

“Feeling awful?” Ayla asked, worried.

Draven nodded.

Ayla said, “Want me to make you lemon tea?”

Draven struggled to open his eyes. “No…”

“You’ll probably have a headache tomorrow.”

Only then did Draven nod.

her

Ayla went into the kitchen to get busy. Draven didn’t cook, but his kitchen had everything. She quickly found what she needed and started working. As the water boiled in a small pot, mind wandered. Without realizing it, she tightened her grip on the handle.

In the past, she’d made lemon tea for Troy many times.

Those weren’t good memories. Even the boiling water in the pot started to piss her off.

Ayla brought the tea over to Draven. “Mr. Storm, drink it slowly. I’ll head back now.”

With that, she turned to leave.

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From behind her came the man’s low, hoarse voice. “Come back.”

Ayla turned around. “What do

you need?”

Draven’s heavy gaze settled on her face. Even drunk, his presence was overwhelming. He studied her for a moment, his voice sinking even lower. “Are you upset?”

Ayla denied it. “I’m not.”

Draven ordered, “Come here.”

Ayla frowned and didn’t move.

Draven set the cup of lemon tea down and stood up. Step by step, he walked over to her. He lowered his head and lifted her chin. Drunk, his gaze seemed to deepen, like shadows stirring beneath clear water. It was mesmerizing but dangerous.

“You were off in the car.”

His voice was low. It wasn’t a question. It was a statement.

Ayla’s heart suddenly went numb.

She’d thought her explanation when they got out of the car would put his doubts to rest.

But it didn’t.

Maybe the past three years of marriage had taught her to process all kinds of emotions on her own. And those emotions had always been intense.

So that brief sadness in the car, when she thought of her mother, didn’t even register as anything serious to her.

She’d planned to go home, shower, read a bit, and let it pass.

She hadn’t expected Draven to hold onto it like this.

The way Draven looked at her was different from usual. It was probably because of the alcohol. Once the cold sharpness faded, all that was left in his eyes was sincerity and undisguised

concern.

He asked, “What’s really going on with you?”

Ayla clenched her hand. “Nothing. I’m fine.”

Draven leaned closer. In his deep eyes, Ayla saw her own cool reflection. “I’m not trying to force

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you to say anything. I just want you to know that if you’re unhappy about something, you can tell me directly. After all, you’re my girlfriend now. I care about how you feel.”

Ayla had a strange illusion.

Draven sounded like he meant it.

As if she truly were his girlfriend.

He continued, “If I can’t tell whether you’re happy or not, what kind of boyfriend does that make me?”

Ayla was surprised by how attentive he was. She’d told Halle before that, even setting aside practical concerns, she wouldn’t be with Draven. He seemed too detached, too cold. It felt like there was no room for anyone else in his eyes. If they were together, he wouldn’t place much importance on his partner.

After the divorce, Ayla wanted to live for herself. She wouldn’t allow herself to be wronged again. So the two of them weren’t suitable.

But now, it felt like she’d been proven wrong.

Draven was far more considerate than she’d ever imagined.

But this concern came so suddenly.

For someone used to handling emotions alone, it caught Ayla off guard.

When someone grows used to loneliness and distance, sudden warmth triggers instinctive resistance.

Ayla looked

away, her gaze falling on his jaw. “It’s all small stuff. Not worth talking about.”

“But I want to hear it.”

Ayla couldn’t help lifting her head, only to fall straight into his deep eyes again. “Why?”

Draven said, “Because I want to understand you.”

Ayla had always known there was a wall between her and Draven. That wall was a boundary and a restraint. He was her boss, and she was his employee. With time and shared experiences, maybe they could be called friends.

Friends getting to know each other better was normal. But even between friends, your true thoughts could stay hidden.

Ayla understood very clearly that Draven’s question meant something else. He wanted her to

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speak without holding back. He wanted her to say what she truly felt, and what was really in her

heart.

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