Ava’s POV:
Margaret doesn’t raise her voice.
She never needs to.
She stands directly in front of the exit, posture perfect, expression measured, as if this encounter was scheduled down to the minute. Two men surround her, unfamiliar faces dressed in the neutral uniform of authority. Not Julian’s. Not mine.
Julian stops beside me. His presence is solid, deliberate. Protective without touching.
“This is not the place,” he says calmly.
Margaret’s eyes flick to him, then back to me. She ignores his statement entirely.
“Ava,” she says. “You caused unnecessary attention today.”
“I was quiet,” I reply.
Her mouth tightens. “Silence can be provocative.”
“So can control,” I say.
One of the men beside her shifts. Margaret lifts a hand slightly. He stills.
“We are leaving,” Julian says.
M
