You were sitting beside Regulus, a book resting loosely in his hands. You were drifting in and out of the conversation as Regulus half-listened to you and half-read the pages of his book.

That’s when she walked in—the girl who had replaced you in Mattheo’s life. She moved with a kind of self-assurance that was almost too much, like she was trying too hard to fit herself into the role she thought Mattheo wanted. Her presence was immediate, and the way she looked around, clearly searching for you, didn't go unnoticed.

She spotted you sitting next to Regulus and walked toward your table. Mattheo followed behind her, his smirk never quite reaching his eyes, but that didn't surprise you anymore. You were used to that look—the one he wore when he thought he was still in control, even though you both knew the truth.

“You really think you can just walk around like everything's fine?” she asked, her tone dripping with that unmistakable sense of superiority.

You leaned back. “Says who?”

The girl stood a little straighter, but she wasn’t expecting your response.

“Says me,” she shot back, the words laced with forced confidence.

You smirked, your gaze flicking from her to Mattheo. The smirk on his face was as infuriating as ever, though you could see the flicker of tension in his eyes as if he was waiting for you to fall into some trap. But you weren’t about to give him the satisfaction.

“And that’s supposed to mean something to me?” You said.

Regulus shifted in his chair, a quiet chuckle escaping his lips, though he didn’t look up from his book. His nonchalance only seemed to irritate the girl more, but Mattheo’s smile faltered as he looked at you, something unreadable flashing in his gaze.

You took a deliberate moment to assess her, your voice low and almost lazy as you leaned forward slightly. “You know, it’s cute that you think you're important, but you’re not.”

Her jaw tightened, and she glanced at Mattheo for support, but he didn't intervene.

You let out a breath. “Better luck next time, sweetheart.”