Divorce me I'm done serving you (Ayla) novel Chapter 22

**TITLE: Unwritten Feelings Drift by Austen 22**
**CONTENT: Chapter 22 Family Secrets**

Draven was an enigma, a figure cloaked in an aura of invincibility. No one dared to challenge his authority or provoke his ire; it was simply understood that crossing him was a fool’s errand.

Yet, in the depths of Bria’s heart, Ayla was reduced to nothing more than a mere servant, a maid tethered to Troy’s whims. In those earlier days, Ayla had been nothing short of devoted, bending over backwards to fulfill Troy’s every request, her eyes alight with the desire to please him. But now, to Bria’s utter disbelief, Ayla had found the audacity to stand her ground, to assert herself in ways that were both shocking and infuriating.

Martin, ever the orchestrator of family gatherings, turned to Lincoln, requesting him to pour the drinks.

Troy, however, shook his head, a slight frown creasing his brow. “Grandpa, my stomach has been acting up lately. I think I’ll pass on the alcohol tonight.” His voice was steady, but there was an underlying tension that hinted at his discomfort.

Martin, accustomed to Troy’s moods, didn’t press further. Instead, he shifted his attention to Draven, who sat quietly, an inscrutable expression on his face.

To Martin’s relief, Draven accepted the drink without hesitation, raising his glass in a silent toast.

“It’s been three years since we last saw each other,” Martin began, his eyes softening with a warmth reserved for family. “I want to hear everything about your life during that time. What have you been up to?”

Draven spoke in a measured tone, detailing his experiences abroad with a simplicity that belied the complexity of his life. He shared snippets of his work, the places he’d traveled, and the people he’d met. Each word was carefully chosen, and yet, it was enough to fill the gaps of three long years.

Martin listened intently, his stern demeanor melting away as he nodded along, a rare smile breaking through. It was evident that having Draven back home brought him immense joy, a sense of completion that had been missing for far too long.

Despite having just recovered from a cold, Martin poured himself another drink, the warmth of the alcohol igniting a spark of nostalgia within him.

For every glass Martin downed, Draven mirrored his actions, always lowering his glass in a show of respect, a silent acknowledgment of the bond they shared.

Their connection was genuine, forged through years of mutual understanding and affection.

Once, during one of Ayla’s visits, she had chanced upon a conversation between Martin and Lincoln, where the shadows of the past were laid bare. Eric, it turned out, had played a dangerous game, juggling two women simultaneously, and his reckless choices had led to both of them becoming pregnant.

Draven’s mother, Kayla Storm, was a wealthy heiress from Zheron, her life seemingly perfect until Eric’s charming façade shattered her reality. When she discovered she was merely a side piece, her fury erupted like a volcano. She stormed into the Winston estate, demanding answers and retribution.

Troy’s mother, though not from immense wealth, came from a family that still held considerable influence in the city. She, too, sought clarity, her heart heavy with betrayal.

Eric, caught in a web of his own making, was utterly incapable of resolving the chaos. It fell upon Martin to navigate the treacherous waters of family loyalty and honor.

Carmen, having climbed the social ladder by marrying Eric, was already eight months pregnant at the time of the scandal. She refused to grant him a divorce, demanding only a sincere apology and a promise that he would never stray again.

Thus, it was Martin who found himself in the role of peacemaker, trying to calm Kayla’s raging storm. She hadn’t anticipated being deceived by a handsome face, and her anger consumed her. She wanted nothing less than to see Eric ruined and the Winstons brought to their knees. She employed every cunning trick at her disposal to ensure her revenge.

Through his own investigations, Martin uncovered that Kayla’s father had passed away, leaving a bitter struggle among her siblings for control of the family fortune.

Ambitious and determined, Kayla faced an uphill battle; in those days, sons were favored, and her chances of winning the inheritance were slim. Martin, seeing her plight, offered his assistance. If she could emerge victorious in her family’s power struggle, the scandal surrounding Eric would fade into obscurity.

In the end, Kayla ascended to a position of power as the head of the Storm family.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify