Chapter 2

**CONTENT: Chapter 2 Running Into Her Ex**

Troy had made the decision to ask for a divorce, a move that sent ripples through the fabric of Ayla’s life. In the past, whenever he had made such demands, she would storm out in a flurry of emotions, only to return later, determined to mend the rift and win him back with renewed fervor. It had always played out in this predictable cycle, a dance of love and hurt that left her exhausted yet hopeful.

Yet, this time, Troy anticipated the same familiar pattern. He watched as she left in a rush, her departure fueled, no doubt, by the grief of her recent miscarriage. The loss of their child—a child he had never truly wanted—simmered in his chest like a bitter aftertaste. Disgust flickered across his features at the thought of Ayla bearing his child; to him, it had merely been an unfortunate accident, a mistake that had now resolved itself in a way that he considered a fortunate turn of events.

The financial implications of their impending divorce were significant. A settlement of fifty million dollars hung in the balance, a tantalizing prize that came with the divorce papers and a debit card neatly placed beside them. If only Ayla had signed those documents three years prior, she could have walked away with everything without facing any consequences. But instead, she had spent those years chasing an illusion, investing her heart and soul into a dream that had ultimately led to her own emotional depletion. In doing so, she had jeopardized her chances of motherhood, a fact that weighed heavily on her now.

But dwelling on the past would serve no purpose. Ayla understood that clinging to the remnants of what could have been would only lead to further heartbreak. Life, she knew, had to continue moving forward, and possessing that money, however tainted it felt, was better than leaving empty-handed. With a sense of determination, she took the debit card and headed out into the night, hailing a cab that whisked her away to the gates of Westhaven.

Westhaven was a prestigious neighborhood, where the cost of living was astronomical, starting at three hundred thousand dollars per square foot. Each building housed only two units per floor, and Ayla was fortunate enough to have one under her name—though it technically belonged to her Uncle Hugh. After her mother’s tragic accident, Hugh had moved overseas, leaving the condo to her. At the time, Ayla had never imagined she would need a sanctuary like this, but life had taken an unexpected turn. Now, as she faced her new reality, having a place to call her own felt like a small blessing amidst the chaos.

As she entered Building 7, penthouse unit 1, dragging her suitcase behind her, she was struck by the emptiness of the expansive space. The cleaning service she had arranged earlier had left it immaculate, yet with over three thousand square feet, it felt desolate and hollow. In the past, such loneliness might have overwhelmed her, but after enduring Troy’s cold indifference for three long years, she felt a peculiar sense of calm washing over her. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, her heart was free from the weight of anxiety.