Chapter 4 Letting Go

Ava nodded calmly after listening to the servant’s report, her expression composed and unconcerned.

“Don’t worry about him,” she said lightly. “He’s only following me. There doesn’t seem to be any ill intention.”

The servant hesitated. “Should we increase security, Miss?”

“No need,” Ava replied. “Let him watch if he wants to.”

With that, she dismissed the matter entirely.

That night, Ava slept better than she had in years.

In the past, she would lie awake until dawn, anxiously waiting for Ethan to come home, worrying endlessly about losing him, about whether he would still want her, whether she was good enough to keep him by her side.

Now that she had truly lost him, she felt… calm.

Strangely calm.

She had expected loneliness to suffocate her. Expected the silence of the villa to feel unbearable.

But instead, she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

When Ava opened her eyes again, it was to the sound of her alarm clock ringing softly in the early morning.

She sat up slowly, sunlight streaming through the curtains.

A smile tugged at her lips.

She got out of bed, washed up, and headed downstairs. When she reached the dining area, her gaze immediately fell on the breakfast laid neatly on the table.

Golden croissants. Fresh fruit. A cup of thick, steaming hot chocolate.

Her favorite.

Ava’s smile widened.

She loved French style breakfasts, simple, elegant, comforting. But Ethan had always disliked them. He preferred heavy meals, meat, and protein packed dishes.

For three years, she had adjusted herself to him.

She had convinced herself it didn’t matter.

Now, sitting at the table with food she genuinely enjoyed, Ava felt something loosen in her chest.

I can finally take care of myself.

The thought alone relaxed her.

As she was finishing breakfast, her phone rang.

It was Rebecca.

“The head of King Group’s legal department wants to meet you as soon as possible,” Rebecca said excitedly. “He’s eager, almost impatient. I’ve arranged a meeting place.”

“Alright,” Ava replied calmly. “I’ll head over.”

After breakfast, Ava grabbed her bag and left the villa.

Unbeknownst to her, a black car was parked across the street.

Inside, a man dressed in black lowered his phone.

“Boss,” he said quietly, “she’s left the house.”

A short pause followed.

Then a cold voice responded, “Follow her.”

In the car behind him, Ethan Woods sat with a darkened expression.

He hadn’t slept all night.

He never knew Ava had her own villa.

Never knew she had so much he wasn’t aware of.

And what unsettled him even more

She had been the one to urge the divorce.

This woman… Ethan clenched his jaw. She’s suddenly acting like a completely different person.

Ava arrived at the meeting place, a quiet, upscale restaurant with large windows overlooking the street.

She spotted Tim Wilson immediately.

He was seated by the window, reviewing documents, his posture straight and professional.

Ava walked over and greeted him with a polite smile. “Tim. You’re early.”

Tim looked up and froze.

“Ava?” His eyes widened in shock.

Ava smiled calmly. “You should call me Aurora.”

The name hit him like a thunderbolt.

“Aurora?” Tim stared at her, stunned. “You’re… you’re Aurora?”

He had always admired Ava during their university years. She had been brilliant, composed, and impossibly talented. But he never imagined

Never imagined she was that Iris.

The legendary lawyer whose name struck fear into courtrooms.

“I… I can’t believe this,” Tim said, his voice tinged with excitement. “No wonder. Everything makes sense now.”

Soon, the two shifted into professional mode and discussed the case in depth. Ava listened carefully, occasionally asking sharp, incisive questions that left Tim increasingly impressed.

Unbeknownst to her, Ethan sat in a car across the street, watching through narrowed eyes.

He couldn’t see Tim’s face clearly.

All he could see

Was Ava smiling.

Smiling brightly.

Freely.

Ethan’s expression darkened like a storm gathering.

He had never felt this kind of frustration before.

She used to look at me like that, he thought bitterly. She only ever smiled that way at me.

His gaze turned vicious, as though he wanted to devour her whole.

Does she think I’m dead already?

Ava finished the discussion and, at Tim’s suggestion, stayed for lunch. The conversation remained pleasant and professional.

Afterward, she left alone.

On a whim, she decided to go shopping.

She hadn’t done that in a long time, not for herself, at least.

She walked through stores leisurely, buying clothes, shoes, and accessories she liked without considering anyone else’s opinion.

By the time she returned to her villa, the sky had darkened.

The servants spent some time organizing the items she brought back. When they finished, one of them handed Ava a checklist of everything.

Ava scanned the list.

Then frowned.

Her hand instinctively went to her neck.

Her eyes widened.

The necklace.

Her heart skipped.

That necklace was special.

She couldn’t lose it.

Did I forget to pack it when I left in a hurry that day?

After a moment’s consideration, Ava made a decision.

She had to go back to the Woods residence.

She drove there herself, her expression calm but her steps purposeful.

What she didn’t expect

Was to walk into the bedroom and see Ethan standing in front of her dressing table.

He was holding something in his hand.

A watch.

Her watch.

The one she had gifted him.

Ethan stood there as if lost in thought, his gaze unfocused, his expression unreadable.

In their three years of marriage, he had never stepped into this bedroom.

Never.

And now

He stood there, staring dazedly at the watch, completely unaware that Ava had entered the room.

Ava stopped in her tracks, astonishment flickering across her face.

For a brief moment, neither of them moved.

The air grew heavy.

And for the first time since they went their separate ways.

Their paths crossed again, in the most unexpected way.