The common room was unusually quiet tonight. The crackle of the fire filled the air, mingling with the faint scent of old parchment and melted candle wax. You stood by the window, the leaden skies casting shadows across the room. The weight in your chest felt heavier than the evening gloom.

Mattheo stood a few steps behind you, his messy dark curls catching the firelight, eyes fierce with something raw and desperate. His voice broke through the tense silence.

“Would you give me a chance?”

You whirled around, disbelief flashing in your eyes. “A chance? You were paid to take me out — by the one person I truly hate?! I knew this was a setup!”

Mattheo’s jaw tightened, frustration etched into his features. “It wasn’t like that, okay?!”

You laughed bitterly, though there was no humor in it. “Really? What was it like then? Handing down the payment and then a bonus for what? ‘Being together’?”

He took a step closer, his voice rising. “I didn’t care about the money, okay? I care about you!”

The words hung heavy between you, crackling like electricity. Your breath hitched, but the anger boiling inside wouldn’t relent.

“Do you even hear yourself?” you shot back, fighting the ache in your throat. “You want me to believe this wasn’t just some twisted game?”

“It wasn’t,” he insisted, his voice softer now, raw. “I know how it looks. I know what they did, and I should’ve told you sooner. But I didn’t want to lose this—” He gestured helplessly between you both. “You have to believe me.”

Your heart wavered, but your mind was still reeling. The betrayal stung too deeply.

Silence stretched between you, filled only by the crackle of the flames.

“You broke me, Mattheo,” you whispered, voice trembling. “And I don’t know if I can be whole again with you.”

He took a step closer, his eyes wide and desperate. “But I’ll spend the rest of my life trying if you let me.”

Tears prickled at your eyes, but you clenched your jaw, holding them back.

“I’m not going anywhere,” he said softly.