Divorce and Freedom No More Homemaker for Him novel Chapter 72

Finished

James finished speaking, and his gaze slid straight to Ayla. “Come on, Ayla. Mr. Storm’s the most thoughtful man in the room, ch?”

Draven did not bother to look up.

Ayla stared at him.

She used the moment and slipped the black card from her pocket. She placed it in Draven’s hand.

Draven took the card and walked over to the black leather couch near the poker table.

He looked even more at ease than he had in the car. His whole posture loosened.

Ayla had visited his office before. He liked sitting on the couch there too. She had guessed he was not strict about rules. She always sensed a tightness in him.

Now she was sure.

He relaxed around his friends in a way he never did at work.

His cold aura was real, but it was only the surface. That part of him could not change.

People who did not know him would get the wrong idea.

James leaned back and gave a smug laugh. “See that, Herman? You swore he didn’t pay. It’s one shirt. You think he would ever be stingy with Ayla? That’s pure bias.”

Herman knew Ayla would never take money she did not want. She understood limits.

He did not bother to explain that to James. He only gave a gentle smile. “Ayla, do you know how to play poker?”

Ayla shook her head. “I don’t.”

Poker had nothing in common with tennis. She had zero experience with it.

James brightened. “Then Draven can teach you.”

Herman cut in fast. “You really want him to be the teacher?”

Draven excelled at everything. He lost every single card game.

James remembered that and flashed a wide grin. His bright eyes sparked. “Ms. Keaton, I’ll teach

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you myself

He said it and shot a sideways look at Draven

Draven kept scrolling on his phone. He looked bored out of his mind

James wanted to keep pushing, but Ayla spoke first. It’s alright. Give me a moment. I look up the rules”

She was already typing, Poker had many versions. She memorized several that were populer. She finished reading in about five minutes.

“I think I’m good. There are different styles. Which one are you playing?

James froze for a beat, almost like he glitched.

Herman covered his mouth with his fist and laughed in a way that begged for drama. “Are you looking down on us?”

James twitched. “Ayla, you’re unbelievable

Ayla noticed how Draven still looked calm and distant. She figured out that he dragged her here so she could play in his place. She wondered if this was supposed to be her punishment

She sat down at the table. Then Draven spoke. “Win ten thousand. Then the matter is settled”

This truly was his punishment.

It felt too gentle.

Ayla looked at him. Her emotions twisted in her chest.

She realized something huge. Draven had a very forgiving temper.

“Okay Ayla looked at the men at the table. “What’s the buy–in?”

Will answered, “One thousand.”

Under their rules, a full hand counted for eight points. Winning one person earned eight thousand. Winning all three earned twenty–four thousand.

Winning back ten thousand sounded almost too easy.

Ayla felt her thought was reasonable, but the three men stayed silent.

James did not even try to make Draven help her.

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Chapter 2 At the Club

Finished

Ayla pushed her doubt aside and began to play. The first rounds felt messy. She adjusted to the rules and the rhythm. She lost almost everything. She was supposed to win ten thousand. She lost ten thousand instead.

James lifted a brow. “Ayla, your luck is out here putting on a show. Now you know why he told you to win only ten thousand.”

Herman laughed. “Congrats. You inherited someone’s luck.”

Will nodded. “Mr. Storm has never won a card game.”

Ayla froze.

She looked up and noticed Draven watching the table. He had set his phone aside.

“Mr. Storm, you really never won before?” She sounded stunned.

Draven tapped the table lightly. “I always …”

He paused. He raised his eyes and met hers. “Luck’s never on my side.”

James laughed like he lived for this. “It’s true. Last time we played, your boss started strong. Then each of us hit a big hand. We took back all his winnings. He even lost more on top of that.”

Ayla turned to Draven. He stayed silent. That made it clear he accepted the story.

“Let’s keep going.”

Herman said, “We’re not going easy on you.”

Will nodded.

“We’re dropping the gentleman act today.”

James enjoyed the chaos. Draven had finally given Ayla a goal. Winning would end the game, so James wanted her to keep losing. That way, the fun would not stop.

Ayla faced the challenge from all three men. She smiled. “It’s fine. Let’s play.”

James lit up like fireworks. “Well look at that. Draven, your secretary is calling us out. So who are you betting on? Us or her?”

Draven still looked like talking would drain him.

Ayla, who usually looked distant like a machine, had answered with fire. That lit competitive streak. “Ayla, I’m not letting you win.”

up Herman’s

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Chapter 72 At the Club

Will backed away from the new friendship they just formed. “Me neither.”

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Finished

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