Divorce and Freedom No More Homemaker for Him novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73 Poker Game

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Ayla used to chase adrenaline only when she threw herself into extreme sports. That rush was the only thing that ever cleared her mind.

Tonight she felt something different. She felt a sharp, hungry urge to win.

Her head held one single thought. She needed to take her money back.

The feeling surged through her like someone had thrown ice water on her. It woke up every part of her.

She watched the dice spin across the table. She let out a slow grin. “Alright. Come at me.”

The round ended and four thousand vanished from her stack.

Everyone kept tossing jokes her way. Ayla brushed them off.

“I’m waiting for the right hand.”

Her voice came out firm. It came out sure.

Draven stood behind Herman and watched the table. Herman sat across from Ayla.

Draven glanced at her with a calm face. She leaned forward with full focus. She looked like a person who shut out the world. Her tone carried that same need to win. It sounded like she believed her own words.

Draven had taken too many losses in the past. He did not expect anything from this round. His eyes drifted to Herman’s cards. Herman held a strong set. Herman was not learning. He already knew the game well.

If nothing changed, Ayla would lose again.

Draven saw the outcome before it even happened. He watched without interest. He waited for the takeout he had ordered earlier while she tried on clothes.

It was almost here.

He had barely eaten at the charity event. His stomach felt empty. The others probably felt the

same way.

Right when the thought hit him, his phone rang. Draven told the delivery guy to leave the food at the front desk and let the staff bring it up.

He hung up. The game had already moved through half the round.

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Herman needed one card to win.

Ayla sat one step away from losing again.

A knock filled the room.

A server walked in with bags of takeout from Draven’s usual spot. He set everything on the table and stepped out.

The smell dragged Draven’s attention toward the food. He stopped watching the game. He waited for them to finish so he could finally eat.

Then he noticed the room had gone silent. All four players stared at the table. The instant Draven looked over, Ayla snapped her gaze up and locked onto his. A sharp spark lit her eyes. “Read it and weep, boys.”

Ayla let out a bright laugh. “Twenty–four thousand. I dropped fourteen thousand earlier. That puts me up ten thousand.”

She said, “Mr. Storm, I finished the task.”

She tried to hide it, but Draven caught the small flash of pride under her lashes.

“Ayla, you’re incredible. You even controlled the whole round.” James stared at her cards like they belonged to him.

Herman gave up with no fight. “You swear this is your first time playing?”

Ayla said, “It was just luck.”

James threw his hands up. “That luck is unreal.”

Will nodded. “I agree.”

Ayla said, “Only this hand worked.”

She simply waited for the right hand.

She finally got one. She would not have won with bad cards.

Herman let out a laugh. “As long as you’re doing better than someone, then you’re fine.”

He turned toward Draven. “I bet you regret it. You should have told her to win a hundred thousand instead of ten. Too bad. She ended it fast.”

Draven looked away from her and pointed at the huge spread of takeout. “Eat.”

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James waved Ayla over.

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Ayla studied Draven’s face. He looked calm. He looked unreadable. He did not speak. She figured she’d cleared whatever test he had in mind.

She looked at the food. “I should head out. You all

go

ahead.”

James blinked. “You’re leaving already? You got something going on?”

Ayla nodded.

James pushed Draven’s shoulder. “Tell her to stay. She listens to you.” He saw through them. Ayla was only forced to play because her boss told her to.

Draven looked tired of the whole conversation.

Ayla stood up. Her tone stayed polite and distant. “Mr. Storm, you all enjoy your meal. I’ll leave now. Thank you for tonight.”

James stood as well. “You don’t need to act so formal. It was nothing. If Draven wasn’t the better pick to deal with that brat, I would’ve stepped in myself. Grab a bite before you go.”

Ayla said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

James remembered their tennis plans. He dropped the issue. “Then let me walk you out.” He always acted like a gentleman.

“It’s alright. I’ll get an Uber.”

James frowned. “It’s late. Calling an Uber is not safe. I’ll take you home.”

Ayla stared at him again.

His enthusiasm felt like pressure.

She tried to think of another way to say no. Draven stood up and walked toward the door.

James snapped his head toward him. “Where are you going?”

“I’m bored. I’m heading back.”

James stared at him in disbelief.

He wanted to yell at him. The man had just ordered a mountain of food.

Draven walked out of the private room. Ayla waved at the men and followed.

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She would never ride home with Draven. There were plenty of taxis outside the club. She could grab one fast.

A familiar Bentley rolled to a stop in front of her.

Ayla froze. Draven sat behind the wheel. The driver must have gone home already.

There was nothing left to say. She would not sit in the back like she worked for him. She opened the passenger door and got in. The door shut with a heavy thump.

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