I couldn’t take Marcus’s questions anymore. They came one after another, fast and sharp, giving me no space to breathe or explain. My heart pounded hard in my chest. The pressure built up until I couldn’t hold it in. I banged my hand hard on the small table between us. The sound echoed louder than I expected.
“Marcus, stop!” I shouted.
People around us turned immediately. A mother with two kids nearby paused and stared. A group of young women with shopping bags stopped talking and looked our way. An elderly couple sitting on the bench opposite us frowned. Even the security guard near the fountain glanced over. The normal mall noise seemed to dip for a few seconds as eyes landed on us. My face heated up with embarrassment. I hadn’t meant to raise my voice that much.
I quickly turned to t
