The liquid blended with the soup in an instant, disappearing like it had never been there. Malik’s breath caught. He froze, watching her stir the soup with the spoon, her expression unchanged.
Then she leaned closer to Bernard, her voice low but just audible enough. After all the trouble I’ve gone through, you won’t ruin this now. The boy blinked, unsure of what he had just witnessed.
Was this real? Could a woman who looked so perfect, sitting in a place so polished, really be doing what he thought? But Malik couldn’t shake the feeling that something was very wrong. Malik’s heart pounded in his chest as he crouched lower behind the railing. He wasn’t sure what he’d just seen, but the way the woman’s voice carried those cold words, it sent a shiver through him.
He clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. No one else had noticed. No one else had been paying attention.
It was just him. The faint growl in his stomach pulled him back to reality, but his eyes remained fixed on the couple. Bernard looked tired, distracted, his spoon hovering over the bowl as he checked his phone.
Marissa was all charm and poise again, her smile bright, her hand resting on her chin as if she hadn’t just whispered something chilling moments ago. Malik could feel the weight of the decision pressing down on him. His instincts screamed to walk away.
Why get involved? Who would believe a kid like him? A boy in a threadbare hoodie, standing at the edges of a world he wasn’t welcome in. He swallowed hard, glancing around at the other patrons. Laughter, chatter, the clinking of glasses.
No one cared. No one even noticed him. But his gaze returned to Bernard’s spoon, now dipping into the soup.
Malik felt his chest tighten. It wasn’t just his imagination. He had seen her pour something into it.
He knew what would happen if the old man took a bite. His thoughts raced. He didn’t know this man, but that didn’t matter.
Wrong was wrong. The moment stretched endlessly, and then, without thinking, Malik pushed himself off the railing and marched straight to the table. His legs felt like lead, but his feet didn’t stop.
His voice cracked as he shouted, Don’t eat that! Heads turned. Conversations stopped mid-sentence. The clatter of a dropped fork echoed across the cafe.
Bernard froze, his spoon inches from his lips, his wide eyes locking onto the boy. Marissa whipped her head around, her expression hardening. What did you just say? she demanded, her voice sharp enough to cut through glass.
Malik didn’t falter. His voice was shaky but loud enough for everyone to hear. She put something in your food! I saw her! Don’t eat it! Gasps rippled through the cafe as every patron turned toward the scene.
The silence that followed was suffocating. Malik stood his ground, his chest heaving as adrenaline coursed through him. Bernard blinked, glancing between the boy and his wife.
What is he talking about, Marissa? His tone was calm, but his hand trembled as he set the spoon down on the table. Marissa’s composure snapped like a rubber band stretched too thin. She shot to her feet, her chair scraping loudly against the stone floor.
You little liar! she hissed, her voice dripping with venom. How dare you accuse me of something so vile! Who even let you in here? The words stung, but Malik didn’t back down. His eyes remained locked on Bernard’s, desperate to make him see the truth.
I saw her! She poured something into your soup when you weren’t looking, he said, his voice steadying as he spoke. You can smell it if you don’t believe me. Bernard’s face paled as he turned toward his wife, his eyes narrowing.
Marissa, what’s going on? he asked, his voice quiet but firm. She scoffed, waving a dismissive hand. He’s just trying to cause trouble.