A slight smile tugged at the corner of Damian's mouth when she didn't respond, but he said nothing.
"We'll be leaving a bit after noon. Get some sleep before then," he said quietly. He lingered for a few seconds, watching her like he was trying to read something she wasn't giving him, then finally turned and walked back toward his study.
Ava exhaled shakily the moment he was out of view, pressing a hand to her chest as if she could steady the frantic beat beneath her ribs. What was she thinking expecting him to just let her walk out freely? She knew better. She'd known better since the moment she stepped into this house.
She climbed the stairs with heavy steps, gripping her phone so tightly her hand ached. She needed to be quick. She needed to be smarter than she had been last time.
The second she entered her room, she locked the door and sat on her bed. Her thumb hovered over Hunter's contact, but she hesitated. The walls felt like she was being monitored.
