Divorced and Evolving: The Art Maven's Revenge on Ex

The tall, thin man crashed heavily onto the concrete ground. His body twitched limply like a ragdoll, his legs kicking a few times before his eyes closed. Dark red blood slowly seeped from beneath his head.

The dogs in the yard barked frantically.

Amid the chaos, the bald man attempted to flee, but the police swiftly tackled him to the ground, wrested the oil painting from his grasp, and cuffed his wrists.

Ava still clutched the window frame, staring blankly at Liam, who had just fired the shot.

In their three years of marriage, she had never known he could shoot—let alone with such precision.

A second too soon, a second too late, or even the slightest deviation, and she would have been dead.

Liam dropped the gun and strode toward her, lifting her down from the windowsill.

He carefully examined the wound on her neck, then pulled her into his arms with force, holding her tightly. His cool fingertips gently brushed her pale, terrified face as he asked in a soft voice, "Scared?"

Ava dazedly murmured, "Mm."

Just moments ago, she thought she was done for—she had never imagined she would escape death.

Her heart still pounded wildly, a buzzing filled her ears. Even with a silencer, the gunshot had been deafening.

The whole ordeal felt like a heart-stopping action film.

Cold sweat had drenched her back.

The police carefully secured the ancient oil painting, placing it inside a protective case before locking it in a safe.

Ava mechanically cooperated with the officers to complete her statement, then got into Liam's car.

Even now, her legs remained weak, her mind a chaotic blur.

The night was pitch-black, the country road narrow.

The driver started the car and headed toward the city.

Ava was nestled in Liam's embrace.

He gently stroked her slender back over and over, soothing her, "It's over now. Don't be afraid."

His warmth enveloped her, and instinctively, she leaned closer, her heart aching, bitter, yet tinged with a strange sweetness.

She realized he still held some affection for her as his wife.

Sensing her response, Liam tightened his embrace, his deep voice carrying a trace of reproach, "Why didn't you call me when you were in danger? Your mother was too careless—she only realized something was wrong yesterday and then called me."

His throat tightened as he buried his face in her hair, gripping her clothes, his voice hoarse, "What would I have done if something had happened to you?"

Ava stiffened slightly.

At this moment, she felt he cared about her more than she had imagined.

Slowly, she lifted her arms and wrapped them lightly around his waist, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

His scent was reassuring.

A warmth surged through her chest, and her eyes gradually reddened.

Halfway through the ride, Liam's phone rang.

He glanced at the screen and declined the call.

Ava had a gut feeling—it was Sophia.

Not long after, the assistant sitting in the front seat received a call as well.

Answering briefly, the assistant then handed the phone over. "Sir, it's Miss Sophia."

Liam took it and asked flatly, "What is it?"

Sophia's voice was anxious. "Liam, did you find Ava?"

"I did."

"She must be terrified. Stay with her—don't come to the hospital to see me for the next few days."

Liam responded with a faint "Mm."

Sitting beside him, Ava heard everything clearly. The warmth in her heart instantly cooled.

Before the divorce, he was still her husband. But now, whether he could stay with her depended on the 'grace' of another woman? How ridiculous!

She gently pushed Liam's arm away and sat up straight.

Turning to look out the car window, she caught her reflection in the glass and smiled—cold and distant.

The warmth just now had been nothing but an illusion.

Yes, everything was just her own illusion.

The car entered the city.

Ava said to Liam, "Take me to my mother's place. As for Grandma, find an excuse for me."

Liam fell silent for a few seconds before replying in a low voice, "Alright."

Back home.

The moment she stepped inside, her mother, Susan, pulled her into a tight embrace, sobbing uncontrollably. "Baby, are you okay?"

"I'm fine."

"Thank goodness! You scared me to death! It was my fault—I was too careless. It took me until the next day to realize your hint about the diabetes medication… If Liam hadn't gone looking for you, who knows what could have happened? You're my only child—if something had happened to you, how would I go on?"

A woman who had always been strong and decisive was now crying so hard she could barely stand.

Ava reached out to wipe her mother's tears, gently comforting her, "Mom, don't cry. I came back safe and sound, didn't I?"

One week later, at night.

Liam got drunk at a banquet.

The driver helped him back home, settling him onto the sofa.

Just as the driver was about to fetch a towel, he heard Liam mumbling in his sleep, "Ava… Ava… get me a glass of water…"

The driver hesitated for a moment before pulling out his phone and dialing Ava's number. "Madam, the sir is drunk… and he keeps calling your name."

Ava pressed her lips together in silence.

Beside her, Susan overheard and said, "You should go check on him. The divorce isn't finalized yet—don't make things too ugly."

Ava gave a light hum of acknowledgment and told the driver, "I'll be there soon."

"Thank you, Madam." The driver hung up.

Ava poured a glass of water and carefully fed it to Liam.

Midway through, the doorbell suddenly rang.

The driver got up to answer it.

Standing outside was Sophia, dressed in a flowing white dress, carrying a fruit basket.

The driver hesitated before saying, "Miss Sophia, the sir is drunk and may not be able to receive guests."

Sophia smiled sweetly. "Perfect, I came to take care of him."

She stepped inside naturally, placing the fruit basket on the entryway cabinet. "You can go now—I'll take care of Liam."

The driver looked troubled. "But… I already called Madam. She's on her way."

Sophia's smile remained unchanged. "It's fine. Ava and I are close—she won't mind."

The driver hesitated for a moment but eventually grabbed his car keys and left.

In the living room, Sophia picked up a teacup and brought it to Liam's lips.

The familiar scent of her perfume drifted into Liam's nose, making him slowly open his eyes.

Seeing Sophia, a flicker of surprise crossed his gaze before he leaned back against the sofa, his voice hoarse. "Why are you here?"

Sophia batted her lashes, her smile coy. "I missed you too much. I couldn't help but come. You won't blame me, will you?"

Liam frowned slightly. "I'm drunk. I can't entertain you. Go home."

Sophia's eyes shimmered with unshed tears, her voice laced with grievance. "You still haven't truly forgiven me…"

At that moment, footsteps sounded outside the door.

A glint flashed in Sophia's eyes—a scheme took shape.

She gasped softly, pretending to stumble, and deliberately fell into Liam's arms, pressing her lips toward his…

Just then, Ava pushed open the door—only to see the two locked in a deep embrace, kissing!

In that instant, she felt as if she had been struck by lightning—half her body instantly frozen.