Beyond the Canvas

Episode2

Morning sunlight filtered through the large windows of the gallery’s workshop, casting golden beams onto Ava’s scattered canvases. She spent the night anxious, the text from Martin kept replaying in her mind all night long.

Ava kept wondering what he wanted. The divorce had been finalized for months now. Their lives had separated completely—she had left New York City behind, and with them, Ethan’s world of billion-dollar deals and elite gatherings.

She tried to shake off the memory and focused on the task at hand: finishing the last piece for her exhibit. It was meant to be the highlight —an assertive statement about revival and self-discovery. Yet, as she stared at the blank canvas before her, inspiration refused to come.

Her phone rang again on the table.

Ava froze, her stomach tightening. She forced herself to look at the screen, kinda anticipating it was Lily or a delivery notification.

Martin Levine: Can we talk?

The man was tenacious, but hasn't he always been like that? Martin had built his empire by refusing to accept no for an answer. And yet, she knew that if she ignored him, he’d only intensify.

Ava grabbed her phone, thumbs hovering over the keyboard, before finally typing:

"What is it? What do you want, Martin?"

The reply came almost immediately.

"I’ll explain when I see you. Where are you?"

Her pulse quickened. She had no intention of revealing her whereabouts. "Not in New York anymore. That’s all you need to know."

Moments passed. She expected him to push, but there was no reply.

She set the phone aside, refusing to let him ruin her day. She turned back to her canvas, dead set to focus. She grabbed her brush, dipped it into a deep crimson purple, and started painting across the surface in bold strokes.

The door to the workshop opened, and Lily peeped in. “Hey, Ava, sorry to disturb you, but there’s someone here to see you.”

Ava frowned. “To see me? Who is it?”

Lily hesitated, a curious smile tugging at her lips. “A man. Very handsome, I might add. Says he knows you.”

Ava’s stomach tightened. “What’s his name?”

“He said to tell you, Martin.”

The brush slipped from Ava’s fingers, landing on the drop cloth below. Her heart was beating loudly. Martin Levine was here?

She quickly wiped her hands on her apron and followed Lily out to the gallery’s main floor. Her mind raced with questions.

There he was, standing in the middle of the gallery. Martin was dressed in a tailored suit, his presence pronounced as ever. His dark brown hair was well-groomed, and his piercing hazel eyes scanned the room until they landed on her.

“Ava,” he called softly, his voice calm, low and familiar, making her skin tingle and tight with goosebumps.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, folding her arms across her chest.

He took a step closer, his expression softening. “I needed to see you.”

“You have no right to show up uninvited,” Ava snapped. “We’re divorced, Martin. Remember?”

“Yes, I know.” he said, his tone very soft, making her pause.

Ava opened her mouth to respond, but she was too stunned to speak. She had never seen Martin Levine look timid and uneasy.

“What do you want?” she asked, her voice softer now.

Martin hesitated, glancing around the gallery before meeting her eyes again. “It’s about the company. There’s something going on, and I need your help.”

She blinked, confused. “My help? I left that world behind, Martin. I don’t have anything to do with your business anymore.”

“Please Ava,” he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper. “I think someone’s trying to destroy everything I’ve built, and I think they're using you to do it.”

Ava stepped closer, her mind racing. "What are you talking about?"

"I'll explain everything," Martin said. " I just need you to trust me please. ''

She crossed her arms again, her voice steady. "You have five minutes. Start talking ".