Divorce me I'm done serving you (Ayla) novel Chapter 9

**Chapter 9: Could You Be Pregnant?**

The phone rang, slicing through the stillness of the afternoon like a knife. It was Emmett Baldwin, one of Kaleb Keaton’s closest friends from college, and his voice held a sense of urgency that immediately set Ayla on edge.

Kaleb, her younger brother, had just graduated that very day, a milestone that should have been filled with joy and celebration. Instead, it was overshadowed by the grim reality of his situation. Back in their college days, Kaleb and Emmett had shared dreams of creating something extraordinary. They had co-founded a gaming company, Dimensia Labs, a venture that initially sparked excitement and ambition. But life had taken a different turn when their Uncle Hugh moved overseas, leaving behind a staggering ten million dollars and a house. Kaleb had made a bold choice, opting for the cash to fuel their startup dreams.

When Ayla received the news, her heart raced with concern. “Alright, I’m coming,” she replied without hesitation, her mind already racing ahead to what she might find.

Halle, her loyal friend, drove her to the hospital, the weight of worry hanging heavy in the air. As they pulled up, Ayla felt a knot tighten in her stomach. She asked Halle to wait in the car, needing a moment to gather herself. The hospital loomed ahead, a stark reminder of the fragility of life.

As she approached the entrance, a familiar voice cut through the atmosphere like ice. “Why’d you call her?” Kaleb’s tone was cold and distant, filled with a bitterness that sent a shiver down Ayla’s spine. She hesitated, her hand hovering just above the door handle, frozen in place.

Peering through the narrow crack of the door, she caught sight of Kaleb lying in the hospital bed. He was in his early twenties, but the stress of running a company had aged him prematurely. His face held the lines of responsibility, caught in a liminal space between boyhood and manhood.

Ayla felt a wave of relief wash over her, but it was quickly overshadowed by the tension in the room. Emmett, clearly perplexed by Kaleb’s demeanor, tried to reason with him. “She’s your sister. If I don’t tell her you’re sick, who am I supposed to tell?” His frustration was palpable, but Kaleb’s response was like a winter wind—bitter and unyielding.

“My problems have nothing to do with her,” Kaleb replied, his voice devoid of warmth.

Emmett frowned, exasperation creeping into his tone. “Come on, why do you hate your sister so much? She seems fine to me.” The unspoken history between the siblings hung heavily in the air, a past riddled with misunderstandings and unresolved issues.

Kaleb’s expression hardened. “Shut up or get out.”

Emmett, sensing the futility of the conversation, relented. “Alright, alright. You focus on getting better. I’m leaving.” As he turned to exit, he muttered under his breath, “I’d give anything to have a sister like her.”

Just then, Ayla stepped aside, her heart pounding. When Emmett opened the door, their eyes met for a brief moment. She shot him a glance filled with unspoken words, and he, understanding the silent communication, pretended not to see her and closed the door again.

In the hallway, Ayla took a deep breath, reaching into her bag to pull out a debit card. She approached Emmett, her expression serious. “There’s ten million dollars on this. Use it for emergencies. Don’t tell Kaleb it came from me.”

The memory of the LugiX system flashed through her mind—the moment Halle had bought it out for twenty million, a windfall that had become her personal safety net.

Emmett’s eyes widened in disbelief as he processed the amount. “Ayla, I just asked you to check on Kaleb. I wasn’t asking for money…” His voice trailed off, guilt etched across his features.

Ayla sensed his hesitation and pressed on. “You don’t need to be polite. Just take it.” She understood the gravity of the situation all too well. Even with Uncle Hugh’s generous startup fund, Kaleb’s ambitious game project required far more than they had anticipated.

Kaleb had always excelled at development, but the harsh reality of running a business meant dealing with investors—often in the form of late-night drinking sessions that blurred the line between networking and self-destruction. Ayla had always believed he could manage it, never imagining it would lead him to a hospital bed.

Emmett was acutely aware of the strained relationship between Ayla and Kaleb. He wouldn’t have reached out unless he truly believed Kaleb was in dire straits. Young and proud, they were reluctant to ask for help, but for Emmett to call Ayla meant the situation was critical.

Before he could protest again, Ayla pressed the debit card firmly into his hand. Emmett stared at it, overwhelmed by her generosity. Her eyes were filled with concern, and he felt a lump form in his throat.

Earlier that day, he and Kaleb had met with a potential investor, a man whose demands felt more like a test of endurance than a business meeting. The man had insisted they drink an entire quart of whiskey in exchange for a one-million-dollar deal. Kaleb, ever the determined entrepreneur, had downed it without a second thought. But he hadn’t eaten all day, and the alcohol hit him like a freight train, causing him to vomit halfway through the ordeal. Yet, he had pressed on, stubbornly forcing himself to drink despite the pain.

Emmett had finally intervened, urging Kaleb to walk away, but Kaleb refused to let go of the opportunity. For that ten million dollars, he had pushed himself beyond his limits, ignoring the signals his body was sending him.

He still had to figure out how to cover up the money without raising suspicion from Kaleb. Thankfully, that wasn’t too difficult for him.

Not long after Emmett left, Ayla unexpectedly encountered Bria Winston in the hospital corridor. Bria, Troy’s younger sister, was a familiar face that brought a rush of memories flooding back.

Ayla’s brows furrowed as she took in Bria’s presence. The two were the same age, but their worlds had been drastically different. Bria had grown up enveloped in the love of her family, always protected by her brother. In contrast, Ayla had fought tooth and nail to carve out her own space in that family, often feeling like an outsider.

When Ayla had married Troy, Bria had viewed her as an interloper, someone who had taken her brother away from her. The disdain in Bria’s eyes was palpable, a reflection of her mother’s judgmental gaze that had always lingered over Ayla.

Bria stepped into Ayla’s path, her expression one of disdain. “Why aren’t you at home taking care of Troy? What are you even doing here?” Her tone dripped with condescension, as though Ayla’s presence in the hospital was an affront to her very existence.

Ayla had climbed the social ladder by marrying Troy, and to the Winstons, that meant her primary duty was to care for him. Her own needs were secondary, a reality she had begrudgingly accepted. In her early days, she had poured every ounce of energy into being the perfect wife, desperately seeking approval from Troy’s family. Even when faced with their unfair treatment, she had swallowed her pride, avoiding conflict at all costs.

But now, standing before Bria, things were different. She was no longer bound by the expectations of the Winston family. She had shed the need to please anyone.

Ayla replied calmly, her voice steady. “I have something to take care of.” She didn’t feel the need to explain further; her priorities had shifted.

Bria’s eyes narrowed, her voice cutting. “And what could be more important than looking after Troy?” She scrutinized Ayla from head to toe, her gaze sharp and probing. Then, with a smirk, she added, “Wait. Don’t tell me you’re pregnant.”

The words hung in the air, heavy with implication, as Ayla felt a rush of emotions swell within her.