Mark stepped in as if to block me, but I walked forward until he stepped back.

“Touch me,” I said quietly, “and I promise the next person you talk to will be a police officer.”

His confidence faltered.

I gathered Emily’s documents and her bag.
“Take only what you need,” I told her.

“She’s not leaving!” Mark shouted.

“That isn’t your choice,” I replied evenly.

Emily returned with a small backpack. Mark blocked the doorway.

“If you walk out that door, don’t come back.”

For the first time, she looked him straight in the eye.
“Then I guess this is goodbye.”