“Pay,” he growled, leaning closer, “or this ends right here.”
The room fell silent.
I wiped my face slowly.
Not calm—but controlled.
I looked straight at him.
“Fine,” I said quietly.
Then I reached into my purse…
Not for my card.
For my phone.
My hands trembled slightly, but my mind was clear. I wasn’t going to cry or scream and give them the scene they wanted. Javier leaned back, satisfied, thinking he had won. Mercedes watched, enjoying every second.
I called the waiter over.
