Divorce and Freedom No More Homemaker for Him novel Chapter 703

Chapter 703 The Price of Honesty

In Draven’s world, the breakup had been a verdict. The moment Ayla walked away, he’d forfeited the right to even speak to her. He couldn’t bring himself to show his face.

But Draven couldn’t accept losing Ayla. He refused to surrender to fate the way he had as a child. Yet he didn’t dare to face her, either. All he could do was watch her from the shadows. That was why he’d had her followed.

But that wasn’t enough. He wanted her back so badly that he’d hurt her, because he believed the only way to bring Ayla back was through some external force.

So, he took the children. And, along the way, he punished Troy, too.

But after talking with Max, something shifted. Draven realized that the survival instincts he’d built as a child didn’t have to be his blueprint forever. He could go to Ayla himself. Lay everything bare. Tell her the truth about what he thought, what he felt, and let her decide.

But by the time he understood that, the damage had already been done

Now, Draven had to face the consequences.

At least this way, Ayla would finally see who he really was.

The only reason Ayla was here at all was that Draven had her children. That was the door he’d forced open

But Draven knew that playing the victim card right now was just emotional manipulation.

His childhood trauma wasn’t an excuse to hurt Ayla. She’d suffered real damage. And now he was supposed to turn around and say, “I did this because I’m broken, so please understand me?”

Why should Ayla set aside her own pain to make room for his?

He needed her forgiveness first.

And the first step wasn’t excuses. It was owning what he’d done.

Draven looked into her eyes. His voice was steady and sincere. “I’m sorry, Ayla. I’ll pay whatever price it takes to make this right.”

Ayla could see it. He knew he was wrong. He was apologizing and trying to make amends. That was good.

Ayla said, “Fine. Mr. Storm, you’ve always been a man of your word. I’m taking the children home today”

Draven cut her off, “That’s not happening.”

Ayla’s temper flared. “You just said you’ll pay for your mistakes. You stole my children. Giving them back is perfectly reasonable. Why not?”

Draven held her gaze. “Because the moment you take them, you’ll disappear from my life.”

As long as the children were here, Ayla would keep showing up. If he held onto them, she wouldn’t leave so

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Chapter 703 The Price of Honesty

quickly.

That would give him more time. More chances to be near her. To slowly earn her forgiveness.

He couldn’t accept Ayla walking away right now.

Yes, it contradicted the apology he’d just made. But he would never hurt her children.

Finis!

Ayla’s voice went cold. “Draven, you and Troy really are brothers. What you’re doing right now is no different from him.”

The jealousy that surged through Draven was violent. Before, he’d swallowed it every time. Never said a word. Just pulled Ayla close and kissed her.

And Ayla had been left guessing. Was he happy? Angry? She could never tell.

He’d always made her guess what he was thinking. Anyone would get tired of that eventually.

He was starting to understand why Ayla had chosen to break up with him when the children appeared. I love he’d given her was full of uncertainty.

Not like Max, who was transparent with his feelings and made her feel safe.

Not like Troy, whose obsessive need to possess her was at least unmistakable.

Draven had never given Ayla the certainty she needed. Not in his words. Not in his actions.

His love for her ran at 200 percent. What came through was barely 50. And Ayla had never once complained.

Draven wanted to start over with her. Show her who he really was.

He didn’t hide the jealousy this time. “Ayla, you gave Troy so many chances. You waited for him even whe his mistakes kept getting worse. Why won’t you let me make one?”

Ayla frowned. “That’s a completely different situation. There’s no point comparing.”

Draven pressed on, “It’s about love. You loved Troy more. He was the first man you truly fell for. I wasn’t. I came after.”

Ayla’s hands clenched. “Draven, there’s no need for this kind of comparison. When I was with you, I gave you everything I had. Measuring yourself against Troy doesn’t just hurt you–it makes me look like some terrible woman who couldn’t love you both equally. People connect differently. That’s just how it works.”

Draven’s expression cracked. The pain was impossible to miss.

Ayla froze. She’d never seen him this emotional What had she said? She’d only been honest.

But watching him like this, something in her chest squeezed tight. She could barely breathe.