You stood by the window, fingers trailing along the cool glass as your mind drifted back to a simpler time—to afternoons filled with laughter, to stolen moments by the lake, to Mattheo’s wild curls catching in the wind as he grinned at you like you were the only person who mattered in the world.

“I’ll marry you one day,” he had said, his eyes gleaming with unspoken promises. “When we’re older.”

But that was then.

Now, Pansy’s voice cut through the haze of memory. “Mattheo and I are engaged,” she announced, her smile wide and gleaming.

The words slammed into you, knocking the air from your lungs. You blinked, trying to process what she had just said. Your gaze flickered to Mattheo, who stood beside her, his jaw clenched.

Engaged.

The word echoed in your mind, a cruel twist of fate unraveling all those precious memories. He’d made a promise once—a promise that apparently no longer mattered.

Your throat tightened, but you forced a smile. “Congratulations,” you managed.

Mattheo’s lips parted, as if he wanted to say something, but Pansy spoke first, oblivious to the tension thickening the air.

“You have to be my bridesmaid!” she said excitedly.

Your stomach twisted, but you nodded numbly. “Yeah, sure,” you whispered.

Mattheo took a step toward you, his brows furrowing. “Wait—”

But you couldn’t stay there, not with the walls closing in around you and your heart splintering into pieces. You turned on your heel and walked out of the room.

The corridor was quiet, save for the echo of your footsteps. You found a secluded alcove and pressed your back against the cold stone wall, your chest heaving as the dam finally broke. Hot tears spilled down your cheeks, and you clamped a hand over your mouth to muffle the sobs that threatened to escape.

Footsteps followed—his footsteps.

“Wait,” Mattheo’s voice was low, strained.

You shook your head. “Don’t,” you choked out. “Just don’t.”

He stood there for a moment, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavy between you. “It’s not what you think,” he said quietly.