Mara didn't knock.
She never did when she was this mad.
The moment the glass doors closed behind her, she turned; eyes blazing.
"What the hell was that?"
Malik looked up slowly from his desk, almost amused.
"Good morning to you too, Daniels."
"Don't 'Daniels' me." She walked forward, fast, furious. "You don't get to sit there and announce me like some possession!"
"Possession?" His brow lifted.
"Yes! 'She is mine'? Who says that? In front of thirty people?! What; was that for your ego? To shut them up? Or to show you've got power over me too?"
He stood up now. Slowly. Calmly. Dangerous.
"I said it because I'm done hiding. I'm done acting like what we have is some secret I should be ashamed of."
She flinched.
"I didn't ask you to do that," she said, voice lower now.
"I know." He took a step forward. "But you needed to hear it. So did everyone else."
Silence.
"Do you know how hard it is watching you shrink yourself just to survive in this place?" he said, voice rough now. "You fight. You endure. You stay silent. But not on my watch. Not anymore."
Her lips parted. Words fumbled and failed.
"I meant what I said, Mara. You're mine; not because I own you. But because I choose you. And I will protect you; every time."
She swallowed hard.
"You don't get to make those choices for me."
"Then choose for yourself," he said, stepping closer. "Right now."
She looked up at him. Jaw tight. Eyes glassy.
"I… I don't know," she whispered.
"Then stay here and figure it out," he said gently. "I'm not going anywhere."
The anger began to melt. Slowly. Like ice under sunlight.
And before she could fight it;
He cupped her cheek.
Soft. Sure.
And for a second, just one;
She leaned in.