Mattheo’s grip on the wand tightened, every fiber of his being screaming. But there was no other choice. His father’s gaze was a whip, unforgiving and sharp, pushing him further into this h3ll he couldn’t escape.

“You think love will save you?” his father’s voice rasped.

You met his eyes, offering nothing but a sad smile. “No. But I think it could’ve saved you.”

His heart shattered at the words, an ache so deep it threatened to pull him under. For a moment, he felt like he might break, might collapse to the floor, grab your hand, and run. He wanted to, more than anything. But his father’s gaze held him, chaining him to this moment, this reality.

"You don’t have to prove anything, Mattheo,” you murmured, your voice soft.

He let out a bitter laugh. “You don’t get it.”

Your eyes softened, and he saw the truth there. Saw the love that had always been there, even when everything else was falling apart. "I love you."

Those three words sliced through him like nothing else ever had. He loved you too. He loved you so damn much. But it didn’t matter, did it? Because he had no choice.

"I’m sorry," he said, his voice cracking with the weight of the confession. His grip tightened around his wand, the words burning on his lips, unrelenting.

“Av4d4 Ked4vr4."

The curse shot from his wand in a brilliant, blinding flash of green light. He waited for the inevitable, but nothing happened.

You were still standing there.

He blinked, confused, his breath catching in his throat. The silence that followed was suffocating. He looked at you—really looked at you—and saw that you weren’t even flinching, weren’t even affected. Your eyes, steady and calm, remained locked on his.

"You..." he started, voice trembling, "You… you can’t be…"

You gave him a soft, sad smile, the corners of your lips twitching. "Curses don’t affect me, Mattheo. But you chose your side."

His heart dropped into his stomach. You weren’t just someone he loved anymore. You were something more—something different. Something untouchable.