The quiet of the Astronomy Tower offers no peace of mind from the doubts Theo’s planted. The sound of footsteps behind you pulls you from your thoughts.

"You’ve been avoiding me, princess," Mattheo’s voice cuts through the silence.

"I haven’t been avoiding you," you respond without looking at him.

Mattheo’s jaw clenches. "Don’t lie to me," he says, stepping closer. "What did he say to you?"

You turn around slowly to meet his intense gaze causing your own to falter. "Theo didn’t say anything that isn’t true."

Mattheo’s fingers tilt your chin up so you have no choice but to face him.

"So that’s it?" he presses. "One conversation with Nott, and suddenly I’m the villain now?"

Your heart aches at his words, but you can’t ignore the pain his actions have caused. His thumb brushes lightly against your lower lip, and the gesture feels far too tender.

"Do you even know what the fück you’re doing to me?" he asks.

You pull back from his touch. "What am I doing to you, Mattheo?" you press. "What about what you’re doing to me… to us?"

He shoves both hands into his pockets. "What? You think I don’t care about you?"

His dark eyes search yours desperately. "You think I’m just going to fück off and leave the two of you behind, don’t you?"

"It’s happened before," you reply quietly.

Mattheo takes a step back as your words deliver a painful blow. "And you didn’t leave my mind for a second," his voice breaks with emotion. "You’re all I think about every fücking second of every fücking day."

He watches you closely, waiting for any sign that his words are reaching you, but you can’t bring yourself to look at him.

His voice softens. "You don’t trust me, do you?"

The silence stretches on, and he lets out a bitter laugh, shaking his head.

"Maybe Theo’s right," he mutters, turning toward the stairs. "Maybe I’m not what you need."

He pauses at the top of the stairs, his back to you. His voice drops, filled with pain.

"But you’re the only thing I’ll ever fücking want."