Chapter 2: An Unwanted Encounter

The afternoon sun filtered gently through the glass windows of the café, casting soft shadows across the marble floor. The place was quiet, refined, and filled with the low hum of muted conversations exactly the kind of environment Ava Hilton preferred.

She sat across from Rebecca Moore, her posture relaxed but her eyes alert, fingers lightly tapping against her thigh in a steady rhythm.

“Why can’t I accept the case?” Ava asked calmly as she leaned back against the couch. Her voice was even, but there was a sharp glint in her eyes. “You sighed three times already. That usually means trouble.”

Rebecca hesitated, then nodded with another helpless sigh. “It’s not that I don’t want you to take it. It’s just that… this case is complicated.”

Ava arched an eyebrow. “Explain.”

Rebecca straightened in her seat and began laying out the details. As she spoke, Ava listened silently, her fingers tapping slower, more deliberately. With every sentence, her expression grew colder, more thoughtful.

When Rebecca finally finished, Ava’s lips curved slightly, not into a smile, but into something closer to intrigue.

“That is interesting,” Ava said softly. “So who are the parties involved?”

Rebecca froze.

“I—” She swallowed. “I suppose it doesn’t matter if you find out anyway.”

Ava tilted her head, studying Rebecca with mild curiosity. “Go on.”

Rebecca took a deep breath. “Both parties are major players in the business world. The dispute involves assets, corporate control, and… personal grudges. Their relationship has completely collapsed.”

She paused, then added reluctantly, “The one who reached out and specifically requested your help is Mr. Tanner.”

Ava nodded. “And his opponent?”

Rebecca closed her eyes briefly, as if bracing herself. “His rival is…”

She opened her eyes and finished in a defeated tone, “Your ex-husband. Ethan Woods.”

For the first time since the conversation began, Ava’s fingers stopped moving.

Her breath hitched, just slightly.

Then she laughed.

It was soft, restrained, and utterly devoid of warmth.

“So that’s how it is,” Ava murmured. “No wonder you look like you’re attending a funeral.”

Rebecca forced a smile, though regret was evident in her eyes. “The legal fees are astronomical. It’s the kind of case that could break records. But given the parties involved… it’s not suitable for you.”

Ava picked up her phone and idly turned it in her hand, her gaze distant. No one could tell what she was thinking.

Rebecca misunderstood the silence. She thought Ava was upset.

Don’t be sad,” Rebecca said gently. “With your reputation, cases like this will come again. You don’t need this one.”

Then she lowered her voice. “But Aurora … are you really divorced? For real this time?”

Ava’s lips pressed into a thin line. When she finally spoke, her tone was firm.

“My life is better without him.”

The resolve in her eyes stunned Rebecca for a moment. Then relief washed over her face.

“You’ve finally come to your senses,” Rebecca said sincerely. “You sacrificed everything for that man your career, your identity, your freedom and he never appreciated you. Leaving him was the smartest thing you’ve ever done.”

She lifted her coffee cup in a mock toast. “Babe, I genuinely congratulate you.”

Ava gave a faint smile.

Just then, the bell above the café door chimed.

Two familiar figures walked in.

Ava’s expression darkened instantly.

The man wore a perfectly tailored black suit, silver cufflinks glinting coldly beneath the café lights. His presence alone seemed to lower the temperature of the room.

Ethan Woods.

At his side was a woman dressed in white, delicate and fragile looking, like a bird that needed protection. Her features were gentle, her steps light.

Emily Hilton.

Ava felt irritation surge through her chest.

What a coincidence, she thought coldly. We divorce last night, and today he’s already openly parading his mistress.

Rebecca noticed Ava’s change in expression immediately. She followed Ava’s gaze and frowned.

“Why are they here?” Rebecca muttered, her voice sharper than intended.

Unfortunately, it was loud enough.

Ethan heard it.

He turned around, his eyes scanning the café until they landed on Ava.

His expression hardened instantly.

That woman…

She had signed the divorce papers without hesitation, rejected the villa, and walked away without a single tear. And now, here she was again appearing so casually before him.

Is she playing hard to get?

Ava met his gaze briefly then turned away without a second glance. She stood up and reached for Rebecca arms.

“Let’s go.”

But before they could leave, a soft, syrupy voice rang out.

“Ava? You’re here too?”

Emily approached them with a gentle smile, her eyes wide and innocent, as though she meant no harm at all.

Ava scoffed inwardly.

If only people knew.

Who would’ve guessed that this fragile looking woman had sent her countless intimate photos over the past month, photos meant to humiliate and provoke her?

Ava curved her lips into a polite, insincere smile. “Emily, you’ve been discharged already? That’s impressive.”

She paused deliberately.

“To think....you were in a coma for three years, yet you can walk so soon after waking up. What a miracle.”

The nearby patrons glanced over, interest piqued.

Emily faltered for a split second, then quickly recovered. She turned to Ethan with a sweet smile. “The doctor said it’s all thanks to Ethan’s care. He stayed by my side every day for three years. His devotion is what woke me up.”

Ava couldn’t help herself.

She looked at Ethan and smirked. “Really? I had no idea my ex-husband was such a medical prodigy.”

She tilted her head. “What a shame he never studied medicine. The medical world truly missed out.”

Whispers spread instantly.

“Did she say ex-husband?”

“So the woman in white is the mistress?”

“And she’s the wife’s cousin?”

“My goodness… how shameless.”

Ethan’s face darkened as the murmurs grew louder.

He stepped forward, his voice sharp and cold. “Ava, you’ve clung to me for three years. Now you dare show up here and pretend you don’t care?”

His eyes narrowed dangerously. “If you appear in my sight again, you’ll regret it.”

Ava felt anger surge but she suppressed it.

Instead, she smiled.

Calm. Elegant. Unbothered.

“Regret?” she asked lightly. “And how exactly will you make me regret it, Mr. Woods?”

Her gaze was steady, fearless.

For the first time, Ethan felt something unfamiliar stir in his chest.

Unease.