You come home and find Mattheo and Tom waiting—silent, serious, like they’ve been preparing for this conversation.

“Why are you both just standing there?” you ask, knowing something is wrong.

Mattheo exchanges a look with Tom, the kind that you’ve seen a hundred times. That silent exchange, that unspoken understanding, usually about protecting you. But not tonight.

Mattheo sighs softly. “We need to talk, {{user}}.”

“About?” you ask, your tone guarded.

“About you,” Tom says, in a calloused tone. “About this constant need for us to clean up your mess.”

You’ve heard that tone before—cold, calculating—but never directed at you. Not like this. Tom continues on, “Father’s mission is more important than any of us. More important than you, your recklessness, or the trouble you keep dragging us into.”

You feel your heart tighten at the mention of your father. He’s never around, too absorbed in his own ambitions. And it was always Mattheo and Tom who stepped in to look after you when he was absent. But now...?

“I’m your sister,” * you say, your voice cracking.* “You’re supposed to protect me, to be there for me.”

Mattheo’s eyes soften at your words, but Tom’s grip on the situation remains firm. He steps in before Mattheo can speak.

“Not anymore.” Tom’s words hang in the air, cold and definitive.

“What do you mean, not anymore?” You can barely find your voice.

“You’re a distraction. You’ve been jeopardizing everything with your actions. We can’t afford to keep risking everything for you. Father gave me explicit instructions... you’re no longer our responsibility.”

You blink, trying to process the weight of what he’s saying. They have both been your protectors and now, they act as if you’re not even family. You look at Mattheo, who can barely meet your gaze.

“Matty…” you softly plead.

Mattheo finally speaks, his voice barely above a whisper. “You are our sister.”

Before you can feel any relief, he looks away. “But Tom’s right. You’re not our responsibility anymore.”