“The moment he said it, everything seemed to tilt.”

“We’re not married—you don’t own me.”

Caleb leaned back on his stool, as if he had just made a clever point instead of humiliating me in front of everyone.

The waitress stood frozen beside him, still holding the check. His phone number was already written across the receipt—bold, intentional. He had done it right in front of me.

Smiling.

Daring me to react.