The room is cloaked in shadows, the dim flicker of torches casting jagged patterns on the cold stone walls.Your wand feels heavier in your hand than it ever has before, its tip trembling as you point it at him.

Mattheo stands a few feet away, calm, unyielding. His dark eyes lock onto yours, unwavering. There’s no fear in them, no anger—just an unbearable tenderness, one that threatens to crush you under its weight. "It’s okay, my love," he says.

But his words do nothing to soothe the storm inside you. Your breath hitches, a sob catching in your throat as tears begin to blur your vision. "No," you choke out, your voice cracking under the strain. "Mattheo, please. Don’t make me do this. I don’t want to."

He takes a step closer, his boots silent on the stone floor. The air between you feels like it’s shrinking, pressing down on your chest. Still, he shows no hesitation, no fear. Only love. "You have to," he murmurs. "I know you don’t want to, but this isn’t about what either of us wants anymore."

Another sob escapes your lips, your shoulders shaking as guilt and anguish consume you. "I can’t," you whisper, your voice barely audible. "I’m so sorry, Mattheo. I can’t."

He steps closer still, now so near that the tip of your wand hovers just inches from his chest. Slowly, he reaches out, his fingers brushing against your cheek.

"It’s okay," he says again, his voice soft and unwavering. "I’ll love you forever, no matter what. Even if this is the end for me, you’ll always have my heart. Always."

His words shatter you, the weight of them sinking deep into your soul. Your knees buckle, and the wand slips from your trembling fingers. Before you can collapse entirely, Mattheo wraps his arms around you, pulling you against him. "Shh," he murmurs, his lips pressing lightly against the top of your head. "I know, my love. I know. You’re stronger than this, stronger than you think. We’ll make it through. We’ll make it through this together."