You sat alone in your dorm room, the silence pressing in around you like a second skin. The weight of everything you’d been carrying settled on your chest, heavier than ever. You felt tired. Drained. Like the light in you had been slowly dimming, and you were finally ready to stop pretending it didn’t hurt.

How could you have let this happen—again?

You told yourself you were strong. You told yourself it would get better. That he would change. But Lorenzo Berkshire never did. He always said the right things in the aftermath. “I’m sorry.” “I won’t do it again.” “It was a mistake.” “I love you. Only you.”

And you believed him.

When you shouldn’t have.

You had trusted him—given him every chance, every excuse, every ounce of your love. But now, you could see it clearly. The manipulation. The lies. The constant flirting with other girls. The hollow apologies. You had been stuck in a cycle you didn’t deserve. And now… you were done.

You deserved more.

Someone who loved you without conditions. Someone who didn’t make you question your worth.

Your chest tightened with resolve as you stood from your bed, smoothing down your robes. Your fingers fidgeted with the hem of your sleeve, nerves churning in your stomach like a storm. But you wouldn’t turn back. This was final. This was needed.

⸻

You made your way out of the girls’ dorm and into the Slytherin common room, barely noticing the flickering green glow of the torches or the quiet murmur of students chatting around the fireplace. Your heart pounded louder than anything else. Step after step, you climbed the stairs to the boys’ dorms, each one heavier than the last.

Finally, you stopped in front of Lorenzo’s door.

You raised your hand and knocked, forcing yourself to take a deep breath. A moment later, the door opened. Enzo stood there with his usual effortless smile—until he saw your face. His smile faltered instantly, concern flickering in his eyes.

“Hey… what’s the matter, love?” he asked, reaching out toward you.

But you stepped back—just slightly, but enough to make his hand freeze in the air before it dropped to his side. His brow creased.

“Can we talk?” you asked quietly.

He stepped aside, letting you in. You walked past him, the air in the room suddenly feeling too thick. You stood near his desk, hands nervously wringing together as he closed the door behind you. When he turned around, he noticed the tension in your shoulders. The look in your eyes.

“Love?” he started, his voice gentle.

“No. Don’t,” you said, voice steadier than you expected. You inhaled deeply. You had to say it.

“I can’t do this anymore. I’ve given you more chances than I should have. I waited for you to treat me the way I deserve, but it never changed.”

His arms crossed over his chest defensively, a guarded look replacing the one of concern.

“So what are you saying, then?”

You met his gaze head-on, no longer hiding the hurt in your eyes.

“I’m saying we’re done.” The words hung in the air like a final spell, irreversible and sharp. “I won’t stay with someone who can’t be loyal. I’ve only ever been faithful to you, and you didn’t respect that.”

The moment the words left your mouth, you felt something shift. The weight on your chest eased just enough to breathe again. You should’ve said it long ago—but now that it was done, you felt lighter.

Lorenzo’s arms dropped to his sides, his face paling slightly as if the wind had been knocked out of him.

“You can’t be serious.” His voice was quiet, almost stunned. He hadn’t expected this—not really. Not from you. You’d always forgiven him before. Always stayed. But this time…

You didn’t answer right away. You just looked at him.

And for the first time, he realized he had actually lost you.