It was a beautiful day for a wedding. The kind of day that felt almost too perfect—mocking, even, in its serenity. You stood across from the man you loved above all else. Your best friend in the entire world, Mattheo.

You offered him a smile, but it didn’t quite reach your eyes. Memories rushed through your mind, unbidden and unrelenting. The first time you met on the train, the nervous laugh he gave as he introduced himself, the endless days spent side by side, and the countless moments of shared joy and secrets.

But then the music started, pulling you back to the present. The haze of memories dissipated as your heart gave a painful lurch. You watched as Mattheo turned, his face softening into an expression you’d never seen before—one meant for someone else. Astoria.

Closing your eyes, you felt a light touch against your mental walls. “Occlude,” a familiar voice whispered. Tom.

“Your thoughts are so loud, anyone could see how you feel. Occlude, Doll.” His tone carried a soothing note, compelling you to listen.

The vows were exchanged, the words slicing through you like shards of glass. Still, you kept your expression blank, unyielding. You were determined not to let anyone see the cracks.

The moment the ceremony ended, you slipped away, retreating to the garden where the air felt easier to breathe. The distant hum of laughter and celebration was muted here, the quiet offering a semblance of peace.

A hand brushed lightly against your bare shoulder, and you turned to find Tom standing before you. His sharp blue eyes bore into yours, unreadable yet intense.

“You shouldn’t be looking at him,” he said, voice low but steady. The words caught you off guard, and you blinked at him, unsure if you had heard correctly.

“You should be looking at me,” Tom continued, his tone softening but laced with a vulnerability you’d never seen before. His gaze held yours, unwavering, as if daring you to deny him.

“I see the way you look at him,” he murmured, his voice dropping further. “But he doesn’t see you—not like I do."