When the corrected bill returned, I looked at Javier again.

“Did you really think I’d pay after what you just did?”

He leaned in, lowering his voice.

“You’re embarrassing me.”

I smiled slightly.

“You embarrassed yourself the moment you thought you could treat me like this.”

Then he whispered, “If you call the police, we’re done.”

I held his gaze.

“That’s exactly what I want.”

And right there, in front of everyone, I dialed emergency services.

That night didn’t just end a dinner.

It ended everything.

Because for the first time in years, I didn’t stay quiet.

I chose myself.