Ava's POV
The knock on the front door came just after noon.
Marcus was in his office. I was in the kitchen wearing one of his shirts and the collar. No underwear, the way he had ordered.
I froze when I heard the voice on the other side of the door.
“Ava? It’s me. Open up.”
Richard. Mom’s cousin.
The one who had shown up at the funeral with a lawyer and a smile that never reached his eyes. He had tried to contest the will. He had asked too many questions about where I would live and who would control the money.
I didn’t move.
Marcus appeared in the hallway like he had been waiting for this. His expression was flat and cold. He opened the door himself.
Richard stepped inside without being invited. His eyes found me immediately and lingered on the collar at my throat.
“Well,” he s
