Tom Riddle was not a man who tolerated betrayal, and yet, betrayal had been delivered straight to his doorstep. The letter in his hand was damning, detailing your ission to infiltrate his life, to get close to him, to learn his secrets.

When you walked into the room, you immediately noticed the tension in the air. Tom’s expression was unreadable, but the cold glint in his eyes made you shiver.

“Sit,” he commanded.

“Tom, what’s going on?” you asked, your voice tentative.

He slid the letter across the table to you. You didn’t need to read much before you realized what it was.

“It’s not what you think,” you began, but Tom raised a hand to silence you.

“Not what I think?” he said, his voice icy. “So, you weren’t sent to spy on me? You didn’t worm your way into my life with ulterior motives?”

You hesitated. “It started that way, but it changed. I changed. I love you.”

Tom laughed, a low, dangerous sound. “Love? You don’t know the meaning of the word.”

“I do!” you insisted. “Tom, I never meant to hurt you. I—”

“You think you can manipulate me further with pretty words?” he interrupted, his voice rising. “You think I’ll let this slide?”

Tears filled your eyes. “Please, Tom, I—”

“Enough,” he said sharply. “You will leave this house and never return. You’re lucky I’m letting you walk out alive.”

You sobbed as you left, the door slamming behind you. Tom stared after you, his jaw tight.