Divorce me I'm done serving you (Ayla) novel Chapter 709

It had been almost four months since Draven had spoken this many words to Ayla. He didn't want to stop. He just wanted to look at her. "I used to watch you sleep all the time. You always slept so well. You can do it now, too."

"No. I don't trust you right now."

Draven sighed. "Ayla, I'd hurt anyone before I'd hurt you."

"Keeping me here against my will is already hurting me."

Ayla wanted to leave. Right now.

Even if Draven had things to say, couldn't he at least wait until she'd had time to process everything?

She didn't reject Draven the way she rejected Troy. But she needed space to breathe. If the babies were with her, in a place where she felt safe—back in Trensea, for example—she'd naturally have the patience to hear him out.

But here, in Draven's world, this estate was enormous. Apart from Herman, she didn't know a single person. Everyone answered to Draven.

Everything depended on his mood. If that mood shifted, she'd be the one who suffered.

She was completely at his mercy. Zero security.

How was she supposed to relax?

Or have the headspace to keep Draven company?

The old Draven—the CEO version—would have bent to her wishes. This one wouldn't.

And, true to form, Draven didn't budge. "Ayla, you'll fall asleep. I promise. Rest first. We'll talk after."

Ayla stared at him.

In this unequal space, with this unequal power, no matter how calmly Draven spoke, it still sounded like a threat.

There really was no other option.

Fine. She'd sleep, recover her strength, and deal with Draven when she had more energy. If he wanted to watch, let him watch. Ignore it. She'd drift off eventually. She really was tired.

The room was spacious, luxurious, and quiet. It was daytime, overcast, but the light was still glaring.

"I didn't mean to keep you up.

"Ayla, I think I finally understand why you didn't believe I could handle the pressure of having children with you. I'm not good at saying these things. The safety and love you felt from me... it wasn't enough.

"If I could go back to the moment you said you wanted to break up, I might have agreed. Temporarily. But I wouldn't have left. I would've moved next door. Stayed close. Been there whenever you needed me. I would've shown you—not just told you—that I could carry this with you. Every part of it. Not words. Action. Until you believed me.

"I'm sorry I didn't take care of you. I'm sorry I was a terrible boyfriend. I'm sorry I didn't give you enough security. When you pulled away, I should have fought for you. Instead, I just... walked away. Ayla, I was wrong.

"From now on, I won't make you guess what I'm thinking. Whatever's in my head, I'll tell you. All of it.

"Ayla, I'm asking you to stay, not because I want to cage you. I just miss you. I can't stand watching you go. You see? I couldn't even say something that simple before.

"You're this exhausted, and most of it is because of me. I want to do something for you. I want you to stay, to sleep, to eat something good when you wake up. That's all I want to do for you right now.

"I might not have Max's gift for words, or Troy's way of dominating your every waking moment. I can't become either of them. I'll always show up in my own way.

"I know you don't trust me right now. I know you're afraid of me. I know you won't forgive me today. But that's fine. I abandoned you for four months. Didn't reach out. Didn't check in. If you freeze me out for four years—ten years—I deserve every second of it."