Unwritten Feelings Drift by Austen 20

Unwritten Feelings Drift by Austen 20 Summary

In Chapter 20 of “Unwritten Feelings Drift,” Troy discovers that Ayla has been absent from their home for a week, a silence that leaves him unsettled. Despite understanding her reasons for being upset, he feels no urge to reach out to her. As they enter the estate, the warmth contrasts sharply with the emotional chill between them. Ayla, despite her icy demeanor, tries to maintain her composure, hiding her feelings behind a facade. A maid’s concern for Ayla’s cold hands hints at the tension in the air, yet Troy remains distant and unresponsive.

As Ayla navigates the situation, she is acutely aware of the wedding band on her finger, which is actually a friendship ring from Halle. She feels the pressure to maintain appearances, fearing that any sign of discord would require her to concoct elaborate excuses. Meanwhile, Troy wears a ring that is not their wedding band but a matching one with Skyla, further complicating their unspoken conflict. Ayla’s thoughts race as she observes Draven’s indifferent demeanor, realizing that his coldness no longer affects her as it once did. She chooses to sit away from him, but to her surprise, Troy sits beside her, breaking his usual habit of distance.

The atmosphere in the grand hall is thick with tension, and Ayla feels the weight of it pressing down on her. When Bria enters, her usual lively demeanor is replaced by a sense of unease, pulling Ayla away from the oppressive environment. In a moment of unexpected connection, Ayla recognizes that Bria, too, fears Draven, which creates a bond between them. However, when Bria tries to dictate where Ayla should sit, Ayla firmly rejects her, asserting her independence in a way that surprises both of them.

The chapter culminates in a dinner announcement, where Ayla confidently walks to her assigned seat, disregarding Bria’s glare. The dynamics of the family are underscored by Martin’s commanding presence, as he holds the power and respect within the Winston Group. The heir to this legacy is Troy, and the weight of expectations looms over both Ayla and him, setting the stage for further conflict and emotional exploration in their relationship.

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**TITLE: Unwritten Feelings Drift by Austen**
**Chapter 20: The Ring on Her Hand**

Today, Troy stumbled upon a startling revelation from Laura: Ayla had been absent from their home for an entire week. Not a single call had graced his phone during that time, a silence that felt deafening.

Ayla had set a new record for her own evasiveness.

Her demeanor today was markedly altered, a shift that caught him off guard.

Troy had never imagined that Ayla would possess the audacity to remain upset with him for a full week.

He understood the underlying reasons for her behavior, yet he felt no inclination to reach out or soothe her wounded feelings.

Comforting her had never crossed his mind.

Instead, he trailed behind her, maintaining his signature coldness.

As they entered the estate’s grand hall, the warmth from the heater enveloped them, a stark contrast to the chill that older generations often struggled to endure.

The moment Ayla stepped inside, her icy hands and feet began to thaw, and she deftly removed her coat.

A maid approached, taking the coat from her, and inadvertently brushed against Ayla’s hand. “Gosh! Your hands are freezing,” she exclaimed, concern lacing her tone.

“I’m fine. It’ll warm up soon,” Ayla replied dismissively, her voice steady but her heart racing.

The maid had hoped that Troy would take the hint, that he would reach out and offer his warmth to Ayla’s chilled fingers.

But Troy remained impassive, his gaze fixed elsewhere.

With a soft sigh, the maid returned to her duties, disappointment evident in her eyes.

Troy lingered just behind Ayla. As she conversed with the maid, his gaze fell upon the ring adorning her finger.

There it was again—the wedding band.

Ayla certainly knew how to put on a performance.

Deep within, Troy found himself wishing she would escalate things, perhaps file for divorce, create a scene that would demand the attention of the entire family, and even defy his grandfather’s wishes.

At least then, she would surprise him.

But no, Ayla had a knack for keeping her defiance neatly tucked away, never drawing the kind of attention that would make waves.

Sensing his scrutiny, Ayla instinctively curled her left hand, concealing the ring.

In reality, it wasn’t her wedding band at all; it was a matching friendship ring that Halle had gifted her.

Since she had decided to show her face today, she felt compelled to play her part convincingly. Otherwise, if anyone noticed her lack of a ring, she would have to conjure up elaborate excuses to explain her absence of the symbol of their union.

Each time Troy visited Martin, he donned a ring as well.

Today was no exception, but the ring he wore was not their wedding band.

Instead, it was the matching couple set he shared with Skyla, a detail that would go unnoticed by most.

Men’s rings often bore a striking resemblance to one another; only someone who scrutinized closely could discern the difference. No one could truly know which ring Troy was wearing or what it signified.

Ayla chose not to dwell on it further. She walked deeper into the hall, her mind racing with thoughts.

Through the open shelves, she spotted Draven, seated on a heavy wooden chair, sipping tea with an air of indifference that was almost palpable.

He didn’t even glance up as they entered, a clear indication of the invisible barrier he had erected around himself, keeping everyone at bay.

While Troy and Bria often carried themselves with an air of superiority, as if the opinions of others were irrelevant, Ayla found Draven to be even colder and more dismissive than either of them combined.

Yet, she realized that his demeanor no longer affected her as it once had. The Winstons’ issues were theirs to navigate; she had her own life to lead.

Choosing a seat at the farthest end of the hall, away from Draven, Ayla settled in quietly.

To her surprise, Troy chose to sit right beside her, breaking his usual habit of maintaining distance.

Perhaps he found it easier to sit next to her than endure the proximity of Draven, a man he clearly despised.

The thought brought a fleeting smile to Ayla’s lips.

Winning, even in such a trivial way, felt like a small victory.

The hall was enveloped in silence, save for the soft rustle of servants moving about, their presence a stark reminder of the tension that hung in the air.

Ayla felt the weight of that tension pressing against her chest, a tormenting sensation that made it difficult to breathe.

Yet, Draven and Troy sat there, seemingly unfazed, their shared animosity hidden beneath a veneer of composure.

At precisely six o’clock, Bria made her entrance.

At least she was punctual.

However, her demeanor was anything but typical. Usually, she would rush to Troy, chattering animatedly about her day, lounging on the sofa while servants catered to her whims as if she were royalty.

But tonight, even the pampered heiress seemed overwhelmed by the oppressive atmosphere.

She seized Ayla by the arm, pulling her toward the dining room as if seeking refuge from the tension in the hall.

Ayla remained silent, her thoughts swirling.

Bria cast a furtive glance back into the hall before quickly averting her gaze.

In that fleeting moment, Ayla caught a glimpse of something unexpected in Bria’s eyes—fear.

Ayla felt an unanticipated connection form between them, a shared understanding that neither had anticipated.

For the first time, Ayla recognized that she wasn’t the only one who found Draven intimidating.

“Later, you sit between Troy and… that man. Got it?” Bria whispered, her voice barely above a murmur, too frightened to utter Draven’s name outright.

“I don’t think so,” Ayla replied firmly, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Bria froze, taken aback by Ayla’s boldness in rejecting her. The audacity of Ayla’s defiance visibly unsettled her. “Ayla, don’t forget, this is my family’s house.”

But Ayla was well aware of the truth. The seating arrangement was not Bria’s decision; it had been orchestrated by the butler, Lincoln Shepard, under Martin’s directive. Bria wouldn’t dare defy her grandfather, so she sought to shift the blame onto Ayla.

Ayla saw right through her. “That’s exactly why I’m not taking your spot.”

Bria’s expression hardened, her words failing her.

Dinner was announced, and Lincoln called everyone to take their seats.

Ayla walked directly to her assigned place, ignoring Bria’s disgruntled glare.

In the family, Martin commanded respect, having built the Winston Group from the ground up, still holding the largest shares. The heir to that fortune would inevitably become the family’s successor.

And unless circumstances shifted, that heir would be Troy.

Conclusion

In the charged atmosphere of the grand hall, Ayla stood at a crossroads, her heart heavy yet resolute. The tension that enveloped her felt stifling, yet it also ignited a flicker of defiance within her. As she sat beside Troy, their proximity felt like a fragile truce amidst the emotional turmoil that raged beneath the surface. The rings they wore—a symbol of connection, yet a reminder of the distance between them—spoke volumes of their unspoken feelings. For Ayla, the absence of communication during the past week had solidified her understanding that she could no longer rely on Troy to bridge the chasm that had formed between them. Instead, she chose to embrace her own strength, asserting her voice in a family dynamic that sought to silence her.

As dinner commenced and the weight of the family legacy loomed over them, Ayla realized that she was no longer merely a pawn in the Winstons’ game. Her refusal to cower before Bria marked a pivotal moment in her journey toward self-empowerment. The fear she had once felt in the presence of Draven was now tempered by a newfound clarity; she was not alone in her struggles. In that fleeting connection with Bria, Ayla discovered an unexpected ally, hinting at the possibility of solidarity amidst the chaos. As the evening unfolded, she resolved to navigate her own path, unearthing the unwritten feelings that drifted between her and Troy, and daring to confront the realities of their shared existence. The silence that had once felt suffocating now transformed into a canvas for her own narrative, one that she would paint with bold strokes of courage and authenticity.

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

As tensions continue to simmer within the Winston estate, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the intricate web of relationships that bind Troy, Ayla, Bria, and Draven. With the air thick with unspoken emotions and hidden agendas, readers can anticipate a confrontation that may finally unravel the layers of deception and misunderstanding. Will Troy’s cold demeanor give way to a moment of vulnerability, or will Ayla’s defiance provoke a reaction that could alter the dynamics of their relationship forever?

Moreover, Bria’s unexpected fear hints at deeper family secrets that are yet to be revealed. As Ayla stands her ground against her, the power struggle between the two women may escalate, leading to surprising alliances or fierce rivalries. The dinner setting, with its formalities and hidden tensions, will serve as the perfect backdrop for revelations that could change everything. Will the facade of civility hold, or will the cracks begin to show, exposing the true nature of the Winstons? With each character grappling with their own unwritten feelings, the next chapter is sure to be a pivotal moment in their entwined destinies.

Ruby Walker is a rising voice in the world of romance and spicy fiction. With a gift for weaving deep emotions, sizzling chemistry, and unexpected twists, her stories are a blend of passion and drama that captivate readers from start to finish. Ruby’s writing style is bold and irresistible—perfect for those who crave intense, addictive love stories.

Retired from Your Heart Novel Chapter 20

Unwritten Feelings Drift by Austen 20