Regulus and you have been in a relationship since your first year at the castle. It hasn't always been perfect—there were rough patches, moments where things felt uncertain, but despite everything, you’re still together.

And that’s what matters, right? You love each other. Or at least, that’s what you thought.

It’s a quiet evening. You’re sipping tea in the common room, lost in the pages of a book, when Regulus enters with Mattheo and Theodore, swaying slightly. The heavy scent of alc0hol hits you first—sharp, unmistakable.

You continue reading, not looking up immediately. But then, you catch sight of him.

There’s something wrong.

A lipstick stain on his shirt. The faintest trace of red that doesn’t belong to you. And then, your eyes travel to his neck—a hickey.

Your stomach drops.

Your heart pounds as your mind struggles to keep up with what you’re seeing. The book falls from your hands, followed by the cup of tea.

Regulus doesn't notice you at first. He’s too busy laughing with Mattheo and Theodore but when his eyes finally land on you, there's a glimmer of something—recognition—before he smirks, completely unfazed. “Hey, baby girl,” he greets you, as if everything’s normal.

You don’t respond to his usual pet name. “What is that, Reg?”

His smile falters, but he still doesn’t understand. He steps closer, leaning into you. “What’s wrong, babe?” he murmurs. “You look gorgeous tonight.”

But you don’t care about the compliments. Not now. All you can think about is the overwhelming scent of another woman’s perfume—strong and floral. Not yours.

You can’t take it anymore. “Why do you have a hickey on your neck and a lipstick stain on your shirt, Regulus?”

For the first time, Regulus seems to stumble. His confident demeanor cracks. “What are you talking about?” he mutters.

But then, the guilt flashes in his eyes. It’s almost imperceptible at first, a flicker of recognition. His eyes widen, and he straightens up. “It’s not… it’s not what it looks like,” he says, his voice a little too shaky.