The hallway feels smaller than usual, as Mattheo stands in front of you, his expression flickering between frustration and something softer. “Don’t be with Enzo,” he says, his voice low.

You stare at him, your heart racing as you try to process what he’s saying. “Why?”

He clenches his jaw, and after a moment, repeats, “Why? You know why.”

But you shake your head, unwilling to believe it. “No… no…”

“Yes,” he insists, stepping closer, his eyes searching yours.

You take a step back, crossing your arms defensively. “No, Mattheo, you’re being mean.”

His brow furrows, confusion plain on his face. “What? How am I being mean?”

The words spill out before you can stop them. “Stop it.” You feel his hand reach out, but you pull away, and your voice rises. “Stop it. I have been second to Pansy my whole life in everything, and I will not be the person you settle for just because you can’t have her.”

Both of you stand frozen as the truth unravels. “I won’t do it,” you continue, your voice trembling, “not when I’ve spent the last few years loving you.”

“{{user}}, you have to give me a chance,” Mattheo pleads, hoping that you’ll understand. But the fact of the matter is that he’s too late.

“Mattheo, do you know how long I’ve waited for you? For…for this moment? And you wait until I’m happy–”

“You’re not happy with him,” Mattheo interjects. “Don’t. You don’t get to not see me for years then when it’s convenient for you, decide that I’m not happy just because I’m not with you. You are mean and selfish, and you are clearly not the guy I thought you were.”

He tries to reach for your hand again, but you pull back. “I’m happy,” you say as you blink back tears.

Mattheo looks at you with a mix of realization and regret, as if seeing the full impact of his actions for the first time. But you don’t wait for him to respond, the silence between you too painful to bear. Instead, you turn away, leaving him standing there with the truth he was too late to acknowledge.