3. Just A Maid

Troy walked through the café doors in a sharp suit, tall and striking, like a model straight off a runway. His polished look and commanding presence drew more than a few stares from the patrons in the cafe, most of them sneaking glances with quiet admiration.

Beside him was another man, early thirties, refined and confident.

Ayla recognized him immediately-Norris Payne from Agron University, a well-known figure in computer science.

She had once read on Reddit that he was leading research on Al and data-driven stability.

Behind them trailed Jed Grant, Troy's assistant, carrying a file in his arms.

It made sense they were together. Winston Group was a leader in Trensea's tech industry. Meeting Norris was likely part of business.

Ayla's heart sank. The last thing she wanted was to run into Troy.

But if she stood up and left now, it would only draw attention. She hoped he wouldn't notice her.

Fate wasn't on her side.

In the very next moment, Troy's eyes locked on hers.

Their gazes met.

His expression was flat and cold, like she was a stranger. Then he looked away, uninterested, as if her presence meant nothing.

It was no surprise to see Ayla.

Jed followed Troy's glance and spotted Ayla too. He gave no sign of surprise. Instead, he turned back and said, "The private room is this way, Mr. Winston and Professor Norris."

Ayla exhaled softly in relief. Maybe that was the end of it.

But then they stopped.

Norris asked, "Mr. Winston, do you know the woman by the window? Forgive me, but I noticed both you and your assistant looked at her."

Troy had expected Ayla to appear at his company, not here.

It didn't really surprise him, but that didn't mean he welcomed it.

His reply was curt and cold. "She's my maid."

Norris froze.

He hadn't asked because of Troy's glance, but because he thought he recognized her. He remembered seeing her years ago at Agron University's lab.

But that couldn't be right. Agron was one of the top universities in the country. Even their average graduates never ended up as house help.

Norris knew that student from Agron University was an absolute genius, a genius among geniuses. His lab was now stuck on a major problem. If someone with her talent joined, the issue could be solved in no time. But a few years ago, she had suddenly vanished without a trace.

Norris had even gone through every graduate file, but all of them were ordinary. None matched that brilliant mind he remembered.

By his estimate, with her skills, just a few published papers would have shaken the entire field. She could have become the youngest professor in Agron University's history. She might have even earned a place in the Computer Science Hall of Fame.

Her future should have been limitless.

Thinking of this, Norris sighed. Maybe he was mistaken. There was no reason to dwell on it. "Let's go, Mr. Winston."

Troy didn't spare Ayla another glance. He walked straight into the private room.

Ayla's fingernail scraped against the coffee cup, making a sharp, unpleasant sound.

Max once came over for dinner. After tasting Ayla's cooking, he was blown away. He even joked that he'd only marry a woman who could cook like her. Troy, in his usual flat tone, said, "Marrying a chef is all it takes to make you happy."

Loving someone really could make you foolish.

Back then, Ayla didn't think much of it.

She thought it was harmless. But now, looking back, it was ridiculous.

Three years of effort, and all she got was the role of a cook and a maid. What kind of love was that?

A wave of pain hit her. It wasn't just pain-it felt like a heartache she realized too late, piercing her heart over and over like tiny needles that wouldn't stop.

Knock! Knock!

As soon as Troy entered the private room, Jed walked over and tapped on her table.

Her thoughts snapped back. She looked up at him.

Jed's face was tight with irritation as he asked coldly,

"What are you doing here? Didn't Mr. Winston warn you not to follow him around?"

Once, when Martin was sick, Ayla couldn't reach Troy.

She had no choice but to ask his secretary and eventually found him at a bar.

Troy had been completely drunk. When she tried to help him up, he shoved her down on the couch and kissed her fiercely.

Ayla was shocked-but also thrilled.

Troy had always been cold to her. That was the first time he kissed her on his own.

But then, in the middle of it, he whispered a name -"Skyla."

That night, when Troy muttered another woman's name, Avla froze. The chill spread from her head to her toes.

She pushed at him desperately. When he sobered up, his anger was explosive. It was the worst fight of their marriage. He didn't come home for a month. Before leaving, he warned her: if she ever crossed that line again, he would divorce her. Even if Martin himself tried to stop him, it wouldn't matter.

Ayla never dared to disobey after that.

No matter what happened, she never asked about his schedule again.

Jed, as Troy's assistant, knew how much she cared about Troy.

After asking, Jed decided she didn't have the guts.

Ayla would never risk losing more of Troy's favor.

For her to suddenly show up so boldly now, something must have pushed her over the edge.

Jed figured it out quickly. "If this is about Ms. Summer being back in town, then you need to think carefully. Do you know how much she means to Mr. Winston? Following him around won't change a thing. Don't you think this is pointless?"

Skyla had returned with a PhD, passed her interview, and earned a place in Norris's lab.

Norris was a giant in the field, and his researchers were the best of the best, working on the most advanced artificial intelligence applications.

Skyla's world was one Ayla couldn't even touch.

If Jed were in her shoes, he would've sensed when to back off. Otherwise, the moment she stood face-to-face with Skyla, the difference between them would only make Ayla look smaller-pathetic, even.

But clearly, Ayla didn't see it that way.

She and Jed had never gotten along.

X

Not because of anything personal, but because he was Troy's shadow. Whatever attitude Troy had, Jed copied. And that meant Ayla had endured plenty of cold stares and sharp remarks.

Back then, all her focus had been on Troy, so she stayed polite. No matter how much Jed pushed, she let it slide and never gave him the attitude.

But now? She didn't need to stomach his nasty attitude anymore.

She looked him in the eye and asked, ""And what exactly do you mean by pointless? By your logic, I should've been tailing him all day, following him everywhere, never letting him out of my sight. Wouldn't that be easier? That would make me exactly what you just called me-a jealous stalker."

Jed froze, staring at her.

Ayla had always been timid, always submissive. Now she was sharp, almost defiant.

Then, just as quickly, he understood.

Ayla had miscarried yesterday, yet his boss stayed by Skyla's side the whole time.

Any woman, no matter how gentle, would change a little when it came to losing her child. That was why Ayla acted the way she did.

Still, Jed knew her toughness wouldn't last long.

Jed's face was flat. "I don't want to argue. Mr. Winston doesn't want to see you. Please leave."

If she pushed harder, she'd only end up standing there in Troy's way.

But that wouldn't do her any good.

And it wasn't worth being childish.

"I had divorced Troy. What I do from now on has nothing to do with you. Stop meddling in my business."

Ayla turned and walked away as soon as she said it. Jed watched her back, so baffled he almost laughed.

She's unbelievable.

Mr. Winston had brought up divorce so many times. Did she ever actually go through with it?

What was the point of throwing a fit with me now?

And if she wanted to sound tough, she should at least take off the wedding ring first. Wearing it on her finger while making bold claims only made her look ridiculous.

After leaving, Ayla called Halle. "Let's meet somewhere else," she said.

She had planned to take care of the ring after meeting with Halle, but she couldn't wait any longer.

They met at a jewelry store.

The staff used small pliers to cut the ring from Ayla's finger.

Over the years she hadn't been able to get pregnant.

Her mother-in-law, Carmen Winston, had pushed all kinds of strange pills on her. Her body changed; she gained weight. Without noticing, the ring became impossible to slip off.

Now broken, the ring was nothing but scrap. The store bought it back at platinum market value.

Ayla never liked flashy things. Her wedding band had only tiny chips of diamond, barely worth anything. In the end, she got less than 2,000 dollars for it.

Halle heard the number and burst out laughing. "You actually sold your wedding ring? I've got to admit, this time your divorce act looks real."

Given how Ayla had acted the last three years, Halle couldn't believe she was finally serious about leaving Troy.