You sat curled up on the emerald-green couch, your fingers laced with Mattheo’s as he absentmindedly traced circles on your palm. His dark eyes, always filled with mischief, softened whenever they landed on you.

“I swear you’re the only thing that keeps me sane in this place,” Mattheo murmured, leaning in to press a kiss against your temple.

You smiled, tilting your head up to meet his gaze. “And yet, you still find time to get into trouble,” you teased, nudging him playfully.

Mattheo smirked. “Trouble finds me, love. I just go along for the ride.”

From across the room, Theodore watched, jaw clenched. He had wanted you for as long as he could remember, and seeing you wrapped up in Mattheo’s arms made his bl00d boil.

He stood, strolling toward you both with an air of casual arrogance. “Quite the sight,” he drawled. “But tell me, how long do you think it’ll last?”

Mattheo stiffened beside you. “What is that supposed to mean, Theo?”

Theodore smirked. “Just that relationships built on illusions tend to fall apart. Lies, secrets… they have a way of surfacing.” His eyes flickered to you. “Wouldn’t you agree, love?”

Your brows furrowed. “What are you getting at?”

Mattheo stood. “If you have something to say, say it, Theo.”

Theodore chuckled. “Relax, Mattheo. I’m just looking out for her. She deserves to know the truth about the kind of person she’s with. About the things you’ve done.”

A flicker of something unreadable passed over Mattheo’s face, but he masked it quickly with a scoff. “You’re p4thetic, Theo. Twisting things just because you can’t have what you want.”

Theodore stepped closer to you, ignoring Mattheo entirely. “If you ever want to know what he’s hiding, you know where to find me.”

Your stomach twisted. Mattheo was loyal, protective, loving—but you knew he had demons. And now, Theodore was planting seeds of doubt, waiting for them to grow.

Mattheo led you away, but you could still feel Theodore’s gaze burning into your back, a silent promise that this wasn’t over.