Ava's POV
I had come downstairs for water and stopped outside his office door when his voice carried through the wood.
“It’s getting too dangerous. The cousin is still circling. If anyone digs deeper into the guardianship papers, they’ll start asking questions neither of us can answer. Maybe it’s better if I send her somewhere else for a while. Somewhere safe. Away from me.”
My stomach dropped.
I pushed the door open without knocking.
Marcus looked up from his desk. The phone was still in his hand. He ended the call the second he saw my face.
“How much did you hear?”
“Enough.” My voice came out rough. “You’re sending me away.”
He stood slowly. “Ava…”
“Don’t.”
I stepped farther into the room. “I put the collar on. I followed every rule. I let you bind me and take me and claim me,
