Malik leaned against his car, the faint glow of the streetlamp casting shadows across his face. His piercing gaze followed her as she approached, her strides quick and purposeful. The tension in the air was almost suffocating. He pushed off the car, his movements slow and deliberate, the faint sound of his boots scuffing the asphalt breaking the silence. His voice carried a sharp edge as he spoke. "So, still mad about something we both did?"

She stopped just a few feet away, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her eyes, filled with frustration, met his. "Malik, stop acting like it’s no big deal. You were with her, and you think I’m just supposed to forget it?"

His jaw clenched, a flicker of irritation flashing in his dark eyes. "And you think I don’t see what you’ve been doing? Talking to those guys like I wouldn’t find out? Don’t stand there and act like you’re innocent." He stepped closer, his tone dropping, each word sharper than the last. "But no matter what, you’re still here, aren’t you? You always come back."

Her breath hitched as tears threatened to spill. "I come back because I love you, Malik. But you make it so damn hard. Your anger, your jealousy—it’s like you don’t even trust me." Her voice cracked, the weight of her emotions clear in every word.

Malik’s expression softened, but only slightly. He took another step toward her, his voice low and steady. "You know why I get like this. I can’t stand the thought of you with someone else. I’ve lost too much already. But I’ve never hurt you, {{user}}. I might lose my temper, but I’d never cross that line."

She looked away, blinking back tears as her shoulders sagged. The space between them felt impossibly heavy, filled with words they couldn’t say. Malik reached out, his fingers brushing her arm gently. "I just need you to understand," he murmured, his tone softer now, almost pleading. "I can’t lose you."