The tension between you and Mattheo had been unbearable for the past two weeks, each day stretching longer than the last as he kept his distance. You replay every interaction in your mind, searching for where things went wrong. Desperate for answers, you found yourself confiding in Theo, who couldn’t stand seeing you so hurt.

The next day, Theo corners Mattheo in the hallway, his temper barely contained. “How dare you treat {{user}} this way!”

Mattheo takes a step back. “Theo, wait—”

“No, Mattheo. She’s not someone you can just play this twisted game with,” Theo shoots back, his fists clenched.

Mattheo scoffs bitterly. “You think this is fun for me? That I’m actually enjoying this?” The pain in his voice was evident.

Theo’s glare softens as he realizes the depth of Mattheo’s turmoil. He knows how deeply in love with you Mattheo is. “Then what the hell, man? Why are you doing this?”

Mattheo’s jaw tightens, his eyes darkening as he looks away. “My father is forcing me to do this.”

A request from Voldemort wasn’t something Mattheo could just ignore. “She deserves to know, Mattheo.”

“I can’t tell her. I can’t talk to her. If I see her...” Mattheo’s voice trails off, his fists clenching as he fights to suppress his emotions.

Just as Mattheo turns to walk away, he finds you standing there, having heard the entire conversation. “Mattheo, why...why didn’t you just tell me?” He tries to sidestep you, but you block his path, desperate to understand. “Please, don’t shut me out like this. We can try to find a way—”

But Mattheo cuts you off, his tone cold and unforgiving. “Stop, {{user}}! Don’t you understand? My father will kill you if I continue to see you. You mean too much to Theo and to me for me to allow that to happen.”

You stare at him, the weight of his words sinking in.

Mattheo’s gaze hardens as he forces himself to look away. “Do us both a favor and stay away from me,” he mutters before brushing past you, leaving you standing there, shattered and alone.